In the Middle Ages, spices like pepper and cinnamon were worth more than gold.
Entire empires were built around controlling those trade routes.
Today, the “spice” everyone is fighting for isn’t cinnamon—it’s your intention. Not just a passing glance, but your decision to actually click, subscribe, buy, or join in. Whoever earns it, wins.
That’s why TikTok pushes infinite scroll. That’s why news never sleeps. That’s why companies pay big money for UGC creators and affiliate marketers—because they’re chasing your commitment.
And if you want to build anything—whether it’s a startup, a movement, or even your own career—the fastest way to stand out is by owning your own distribution channel. And the way you do that? Community.
But FIRST
If you are new, welcome to OCE’s weekly newsletter curated for the ambitious youth…here are some articles you missed from previous weeks:
📈
Why No One Successful Wants to Mentor You
Read More →
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🎨
Best tools for building your passion project
Read More →
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📘
The Future Belongs to Borderless Thinkers
Read More →
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My Playbook for Growing Community (Without Ads)
Copy my homework. Here’s exactly how I started building mine—and what you can steal to start yours today:
1. Build a home base (aka a website).
I started on Squarespace. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just one page with your vision, what you offer, what you care about, and a signup box.
2. Create a lead magnet (give value first).
For me, it was a database of internship opportunities at high-growth, purpose-driven startups. You don’t need to build something massive. Think: a guide, a checklist, or a resource you wish you had when you started.
3. Post on social (and always link back).
I shared short, engaging posts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Every post had a call to action: “Want more? Link in bio.” Links in bios everywhere.
4. Cross-post like crazy.
Never rely on just one platform. I reused the same piece of content in 3–4 places. Some posts flopped. Some hit. But together, they kept me growing.
5. Tap into other communities.
I made a list of youth communities, clubs, and newsletters. Then I offered cross-promotion. “I’ll share your thing if you share mine.” Simple but effective.
6. Keep your archive public (hello SEO).
This one’s sneaky but powerful. Every newsletter issue I write is archived online. Why? Because Google indexes it. That means someone searching “internships at startups” might find me months (or even years) later. Free traffic forever.
What I Learned (aka Why You Should Start Now)
- Nobody cares at first. I felt embarrassed, posted things that flopped, and had more crickets than claps. That’s normal.
- Momentum compounds. Once you get 100 people who care, they bring the next 100. That’s when distribution starts to work for you.
- Community > algorithms. Social media platforms change all the time. But if you own your email list or your Discord group, nobody can take that from you.
Here’s the real payoff: this is how you find the people who trust your judgment, believe in your vision, buy your stuff, and even build with you.
That’s what distribution really is. It’s not just views or likes—it’s a pipeline of believers. And if you start now, by the time your big idea is ready, your people will already be waiting.
Because in the future, whoever owns the distribution owns the crown.
And it might as well be you.
Like what you read? Share with friends!
PS. This summer, we are going to tackle pressing global issues and drive innovation in regions (such as your own community) where it is needed the most. Want in?
We run a summer cohort for ambitious youth (high school and undergrads) to work directly with world-class founders while learning from Silicon Valley leaders.
You can also explore purposeful opportunities through our Impact Internship Opportunities Database.
Get Curious.
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Lena
https://www.openclassroomexperience.com/
