We had the pleasure of interviewing Rebekah Lambert, the Founder and Community Lead at Freelance Jungle, in preparation for her appearance as part of the Swarm Conference 2024 panel discussion “Communities of Practice”.
Rebekah started making her crust in community at the pointy end of the spectrum – in the wonderful world of IVR, online, and mobile based dating in the 90s and noughties.
“Dating communities are a wonderful mix of optimism, vulnerability, confidence, and raw emotion. It’s where the rubber meets the road in customer service, online events, and crisis handling,” she said.
Swarm Speaker Bek Lambert
So let’s delve into our interview:
Tell us about your community management history:
“I’ve worked for various startups and small businesses, often in the quirkier community spaces like the end-of-life, mental health, the sharing economy, the arts, and disability as a freelancer since 2010.”
“I’ve also been a Patreon A-Club captain, worked on virtual worlds for kids, done placemaking installations IRL, and in community radio. I’ve used my community management powers for good by advocating for better mental health for freelancers as part of a joint COSBA and Beyond Blue year-long working group and got freelancers on pandemic era JobKeeper with a 21,000-person petition. “
And what has been your favourite role/community?
“My favourite community is the Freelance Jungle, a 6500-strong freelance community for Australian and New Zealand freelancers. This encompasses a Facebook group, Substack, and partial funding via Patreon crowdfunding.”
“It grew from a 2011 survey where I was trying to figure out if I had made every mistake possible in freelancing. We focus on ending the isolation inherent in freelancing, reminding freelancers stress has a productivity cost, advocacy, and raising the knowledge bar. No mean feat in years defined by natural disaster, covid, and inflation.”
What would you say is unique about working on your current community?
“Unlike other business-based communities, Freeland Jungle focuses on stress reduction, inclusion, and mental health and trauma-based principles. We also use crowdfunding and placemaking hand-in-hand to create revenue streams and different member experiences.”
What community platforms, socially or professionally, do you personally engage with?
“I still have an enduring love for Instagram. I have also put my hair up in a messy bun and unhooked my bra to chill on Threads.”
“And I spend time with Facebook and LinkedIn attempting to swim against their current vibes.”
“I also love life on Patreon and Substack as they mature into their identities.”
What is your favourite aspect of community management?
“As a woman with disabilities, chronic pain, and mental health issues, I love the tenderness and the inclusion aspects of communities. A healthy, happy community to me is where underrepresented voices feel excited to grab the mic, and where anyone feels safe enough to tell their most vulnerable story.”
How are you adapting to the constantly changing social media landscape?
“I’ve seen a lot of online change – I was one of the first Australians to receive rights on servers for IRC on #Netsex for example. And I worked for the company that invented online dating. I’ve seen it shift across technology, usage, and platform. And from outlier culture to mainstream, and now into the maturation stage, and into AI and tech disruption.”
“For me, it’s not so much tackling change but staying curious, adaptable, and recognising that no matter the format or the constraint, community is about people. You can always move people to platforms or formats as long as you can manage the change, even if it means losing audience, if you stay true to community principles and meet their needs.”
When asked what she is currently reading, watching, or listening to that all community professionals should explore, Rebekah provide these three insights:
- Slow Productivity by Cal Newport is a must read.
- I’m loving Feverbee with Richard Milligan (online community resources and blogging).
- If you’re not on Substack, you’re also missing out.
And to close out, we asked Rebekah “What are you most looking forward to about Swarm? “
“I’m really looking forward to making community within the community event. My brain simply lights up hearing from other people, and I am sure this will be no different.”
“Please excuse me in advance if I am furiously taking notes during presentations and/or getting my nerd on in front of you in various ways.”
In welcoming Rebekah Lambert to Swarm Conference 2024, we eagerly anticipate the invaluable professional contributions and enriching personal perspectives she will bring to the Communities of Practice panel.
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