UPDATE (October 2023):
I wrote this piece about a year ago now. One year later, and the HubSpot Community continues to impact my life professionally and personally.
At INBOUND23 (after 3 years off thanks to COVID) I talked to tons of people who thanked me for my impact on the community — it felt a bit like being a celebrity. HubSpot also put me on the Wall of Fame for HubSpot Champions — thanks Christina!
Impulse Creative has hosted several HubSpot Academy Bootcamps I helped create an execute, including special guests from the Community, HubSpot, and others.
I earned new rankings as Most Valuable Member (1 of only 3 in the 3 million-member community) and other badges for helping and interacting with fellow community members.
My original learnings hold true. And I still love being a part of this Community.
Back to the original piece:
Over the last two-and-a-half years, my time as an official HubSpot Community member has taught me a lot. The biggest lesson? I really love helping people in the community and in my work at Impulse Creative.
As a Community member, we all have numbers that show how active and helpful we are. Solutions, replies, upvotes given, and upvotes received. As I’ve watched these numbers climb, I’ve made sure to ask myself “why” when I feel happy about them. I do the same as I look over the badges I’ve earned.
Is it my ego? Is it my desire to help? Is it knowing I’m bringing value to a community I absolutely adore?
Chances are, it’s all those reasons, if I’m being totally honest. But hopefully, it’s less the first response and more the others.
I’ve been thinking about this for a couple of days now, because I recently hit a milestone I didn’t anticipate: 250 solutions. That means I also earned a new level of a badge: Problem Solver, level 250. Only 20 community members have earned this status.
I once again had to ask myself, am I proud because I’m in rare company? Or because I’ve helped so many people in some small way?
Here’s my analysis of the badges and what they mean to me.
Thankful. This badge means I’m sending upvotes to others. I’ve tried to give as many as I receive, because I believe in the community and my peers. Today, I’m Thankful, level 1000. Only 20 of us have given this many upvotes to our peers. I’d like to think this means I’m supportive and welcoming.
Helpful. This badge reflects the upvotes others have given me. To me, this means I’m offering value, giving people positive influences, and generally helping create a better space for all. 34 of us have reached Helpful, level 1000.
Responder. Here’s a badge for simply answering questions. I’ve posted at least 500 answers, which tells me I’m at least trying to help. I like that. 42 of us have earned that badge.
Problem Solver. This is the badge that got me thinking. Only 20 community members have reached this level of solutions. I’m definitely in good company, and I’m grateful. I’d like to think this simply shows that I’m part of a generous group helping others make their way through the HubSpot Universe.
Ideator & Brainstormer badges. These two badges reflect my contribution to the Ideas Forum, where we users get to give feature feedback and offer new ideas & requests to the HubSpot product team. I’ve offered 10 ideas and commented on at least 25 other ideas. Collaboration and feedback are important.
Here’s the thing. Some of this good feeling is certainly an ego boost, and a chance for me to feel like I belong. I can admit that. But I feel like the bigger picture for me is that I have the privilege to give to the community I’ve long loved: HubSpot Community.
Long before we had an official Community, HubSpot users (including HubSpot User Groups or HUGs) simply helped each other. It’s one of the most generous, creative, intelligent group of people I’ve had the pleasure of working within. These badges and these numbers simply show that I put my money where my mouth is, and I’m helping create a better space for all.
I’m proud to be a member of the HubSpot Community. And I’m grateful there’s a place for me here.
P.S. You can also find HubSpot helpers like me here.
