The problem to federation is that there is at least some complexity to subscribing to other communities - at least right now. I love it here, but I have to be honest, it is a bit difficult to navigate for most.
But perhaps we’re missing the point? What if we should be trying to sell the local aspect harder?
There is a demand for hyper-local networks as evidenced by Nextdoor. Couple this with an increase in people wanting to have a better digital commons - one not controlled by a single corporation.
For my instance tucson.social, I’m going to get some signs printed and do some local advertising. Pretty sure if I sneak some signs around the U of A campus, but mostly in public spaces where it’s legal and proper.
I think that the local nature of all of this makes advertising a bit more effective and locally relevant. I don’t want to sell it as a “reddit” but as another “place” that will exist whether or not reddit does (due to the non-profit or whatever other org we construct) to talk about our city.
At the same time I do this, I want to reach out to important community members to see if they might be interested in donating once I have a formal non-profit. I’d make sure to emphasize the utility such a site might have to local businesses once advertising is possible.
I have no idea if this will all work, but it’s something I’m trying to do anyways. I just believe communities should be local, and that the online representation of them is as close to a mirror of the local one as possible. I also want to foster conversations that help people grow and connect.
So maybe, one of the admins here sees this, because I’d really like to join forces in a more meaningful way and hopefully gain the ability to deliver a meaningful experience to all sorts of communities. My immediate skills are technical, and perhaps if I follow along and learn your tips along the way, I can have the best possible chance of making this happen - and constructing the blueprints for others to follow.
I’m also open to other wisdom from the beehaw community! Have you done local marketing and advertising? I could use some tips. Have you formed a non-profit before? I’d definitely like to hear from you! Are you in Tucson and want to get more deeply involved? - dm me!
The only thing I’d prefer not to hear is how difficult it is. I’m fully aware that I’ve chosen to go all in on terrible odds. I don’t really care anymore. lol
I certainly think that if the fediverse succeeds it will end up looking like that indeed. I suppose I was thinking less of “best” in the sense of how the whole fediverse is structured, but more how Beehaw itself, and it’s goals might interact with local communities in a deeper way. Maybe a sort of additional federation of non-profits eventually - all focused on community intervention by owning their own social networks using the frameworks described in the sticky’s here.
I just agree with the community model described, and think there could be something there when combined with locally focused instances.