One thing I’ve learned from watching communities grow and fade is that tools shape behavior more than we realize.
There is a real difference between systems that unify people and systems that fragment them. When events live on one platform and communities live on another, we are unintentionally creating distance. Each new link, login, or app becomes a small hurdle.
Most people don’t consciously decide to disengage. They just fall off along the way. Research and experience both point to the same pattern. Every forced move between platforms can cost you a meaningful percentage of your audience. This is what I think of as the migration gap.
What’s interesting is that this has very little to do with interest or loyalty. It has everything to do with friction.
When participation feels continuous, relationships deepen. When it feels fragmented, even the most engaged people slowly disappear.
This idea has shaped how I think about events, communities, and digital spaces in general. People shouldn’t have to keep starting over. Identity, relationships, and momentum should carry forward.
If you’re planning an upcoming event or thinking about building a community around what you do or even just an idea you’ve been sitting on, I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned. Feel free to reach out and I'll be more than happy to help.