There’s a lot of talk about brands. Positioning. Messaging. Storytelling. But here’s what we’ve learned from helping hundreds of startups go from stealth to Series D: your brand isn’t just what you say, it’s what people say about you when you're not in the room.
And the people saying those things? They’re your community.
When we say ‘community,’ we’re not talking about vanity metrics or followers. We’re talking about the network of people who share your values, contribute to your growth, and carry your story forward — whether or not you’re in the room.
At BAM, we’ve seen firsthand how relationships drive reputation. And reputation builds brand. That’s why we don’t just believe in community. We build it, facilitate it, and nurture it.
Here are some of the key communities we’re part of (and help lead) that show how connection builds trust, and trust builds brands:
VC Platform
A go-to network for platform professionals across venture. Whether it’s talent, marketing, biz dev, or community, this is where knowledge gets shared and relationships are made between funds shaping the startup landscape.
BAM’s VC Comms Community
Built for and by the comms pros inside venture firms, this is one of the few spaces where communication leaders from firms like a16z, B Capital, Bain Capital, Bessemer, Greylock, GV, and more gather to talk strategy, wins, pain points, and what’s actually working in media and brand building.
VC Comms Con (Annual)
Think: 100+ comms leaders in one room, from San Diego to LA to Lagos to London, swapping notes, stories, and frameworks on building brands from the inside out.
Collaborate > Control
Our advice? Resist the urge to own the narrative. Instead, co-create the space. The best communities feel like a table where everyone brings a dish. Ask: Who’s already gathering the audience we care about? What would it look like to amplify what they’re doing, not compete with it?
Community Starter Checklist
Not sure where to start? Think of these five simple ways as your starter pack:
- 1. Join 3 existing communities where yours already hangs out
2. Host a 5-person coffee chat with early customers or allies
3. Highlight a community member every month on LinkedIn
4. Partner with a mission-aligned org for an IRL or virtual event
5. Join or start building a “Community CRM” (aka Slack Channel, Notion doc, spreadsheet, whatever) to track your early champions
Community as the Strategy
The biggest lesson I've learned as BAM's Senior Community Manager? Community isn’t a growth hack. It’s a long game. If you invest in people, not just numbers, you’ll be surprised at how far they carry your story. So start small, stay consistent, and remember: behind every great brand is a great community.
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