The Smile Channel community is welcoming to new members but, like any community, has its own rhythms. This article covers how new members tend to introduce themselves well.
Where introductions happen
- Event chat — when you attend an event, the chat is often where members introduce themselves
- Reviews and comments — leaving thoughtful reviews on other members’ books is itself a form of introduction
- Direct outreach — emailing or messaging members whose work you appreciate
- Social media tagging — mentioning members on LinkedIn / X when discussing their work
What good introductions look like
Good intros tend to:
- Mention what you do briefly
- Mention what brought you to the platform / event / their work specifically
- Add value or ask a thoughtful question (not just “check out my stuff”)
Example for an event chat:
Hi everyone — Sarah here, parenting coach for moms with teens. Excited about today’s session because I’ve been wrestling with how to talk to my daughter about social media boundaries. Looking forward to learning from you all.
“Hi everyone, here’s my profile link!” or “Check out my new book at [link]” comes across as drive-by self-promotion. The platform notices, members notice, and it actively backfires.
How to reach out to specific members
If there’s a member whose work resonates and you want to connect:
- Read their work first — at least skim a book or watch an episode
- Reach out specifically about something they did — not generic praise
- Ask one specific question or offer one specific thought
- Don’t pitch your own thing in the first message
Reciprocity is real
Members who consistently support others (leave thoughtful reviews, attend events, share other members’ work) tend to find the platform supports them back. The reverse is also true — members who only consume don’t build community.
If you’re shy
That’s fine. The platform doesn’t require active community engagement. Many great members are quietly publishing books, doing their work, and showing up periodically. Quality over forced quantity.