Tribe of Interest vs General Audience

What’s Better for Growing Your Blog, Podcast, or Channel?

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned, whether it’s writing, podcasting, or making videos, is that organic growth isn’t about chasing numbers.

It’s about finding your people and speaking directly to them.

And a big part of that is understanding the difference between building for a tribe of interest versus aiming for a general audience.

Let’s break that down.

What is a Tribe of Interest?

A tribe of interest is a group of people deeply passionate about a particular topic or way of life.

Not just “people who like creativity” but “people passionate about creative storytelling after retirement,” or “people building second-act creative projects in rural settings.”

They might not be a massive crowd, but they’re your crowd.

They’re more likely to engage, to share your work, to support what you’re building through comments, collaborations, or even purchases.

The Pros of Focusing on a Tribe

The best part? You get to be 100% yourself.

You don’t need to dilute your message or follow fleeting trends.

You can dig deep into the things that truly excite you, knowing that your tribe actually wants you to.

It also helps you stand out. In a world full of creators shouting to be heard, specificity acts like a beacon.

When someone searches for exactly what you’re passionate about, and finds you, it’s a powerful connection.

And let’s be honest, working with a community that gets you is a lot more fulfilling than chasing viral moments.

The Cons to Keep in Mind

Growing a tight-knit tribe can take time.

You might spend months feeling like you’re talking to a handful of people (and sometimes you literally are).

Growth will probably be slower than if you played it broad.

And if your niche is too narrow without flexibility, you might find yourself stuck if your interests evolve.

What About a General Audience?

It can be tempting to aim wide, “Creativity for everyone!” “Storytelling tips for all ages!”

The upside?

You might get more views early on.

A broader audience can give you quick wins on numbers.

The downside?

That audience is often surface-level.

They might click once, but they won’t necessarily stick around, engage, or support you when you launch a new project or shift gears slightly.

You end up building a house on sand, not stone.

My Advice?

Well, I always come back to this. Start with your Tribe.

Find that specific group who shares your passion, your values, and your curiosity.

Speak directly to them.

Be consistent, be honest, and trust that loyalty beats volume every single time.

Later, if your creative world naturally expands, your tribe will expand with you, and bring new people along.

In the end, I’d rather have 300 passionate supporters who believe in the journey than 3,000 strangers scrolling past.

So, who are you really creating for?
And would they sit down with you for a chat about it without hesitation?

That’s your tribe.

And if you want a bit of guidance or inspiration, I offer simple, one-to-one training to help you use audio creatively and confidently.

Drop me a message if you'd like to know more.