The 2026 eCom Trends Report
Top Report Findings: This is our sixth Trends Report with 300 owners representing $3.5...
Podcast | Episode 427
Powering Growth with Online Communities (Strategy Session)
Adam Craft is the founder of ElevatedCraft.com, a mixology and drink product brand that is focused on designing bar tools that improve the home bar experience. He has built a pretty cool business and community on Facebook, and in this episode, we’re diving into the role that community has played in growing the brand and exploring where Adam intends to take his community in the future.
Tune in as we geek out about the strategy that comes into play with growing and maintaining a really great community, including when to consider hiring a full-time community manager and whether to stay on Facebook or move to another platform. Adam also shares how instrumental his Facebook group has been to growing his brand, how Kickstarter helped with his initial launch, and all the things to consider when you’re thinking through how to brand your community.
You’ll learn:
- What is ElevatedCraft.com? (3:30)
- How Adam got into the business. (5:55)
- How community has helped grow the brand. (6:55)
- To stay on Facebook, or not to stay on Facebook? (10:55)
- The challenge of Facebook groups. (13:45)
- What to consider with open vs. private communities. (25:05)
- Whether a community needs a full-time manager role. (31:05)
- How to brand your community. (45:30)
(With your host Andrew Youderian of eCommerceFuel.com and Adam Craft of ElevatedCraft.com)
What Was Mentioned
- Adam Craft: Website | LinkedIn
- Discourse
- Circle
- FeverBee.com
- 1000 True Fans by Kevin Kelly
- eCommerceFuel Forum
- One Click Upsell – Increase Sales 15%+ with Pre-and Post-purchase Upsells. (On average, Shopify users increase sales 15% immediately after installing the app!)
- A2X – Simplify your bookkeeping, eliminate the guesswork, and automate.
Image credit to Alexandra_Koch from Pixabay.
Ideas Worth Sharing:
“Facebook pretty much runs itself.” - Adam Craft Tweet this “The loudest voices will rise to the top.” - Adam Craft Tweet this “There are the aesthetics, but then there’s also what will prompt those meaningful discussions.” - Adam Craft Tweet this “Community is slow, but it’s incredibly defensible.” - Andrew Youderian Tweet this
Post by Andrew Youderian
Founder and Chief Instigator, eComFuel
Andrew quit an early finance job to sell CB radios online — an admittedly unorthodox career path. It set him on a course to found and sell multiple businesses, host a decade-running podcast, lecture at Harvard Business School and create eComFuel, the leading community for 7- and 8-figure online business owners. Andrew is fascinated with branding, AI, building community, investing and growing meaningful businesses that don't require sacrificing what truly matters.
