When you bring together a group of people thanks to a shared interest or purpose – such as the drive to improve their writing – it’s easy to label it as a ‘community’ or a ‘membership’. This is completely logical – and it’s very likely expected, given that the world and his second wife seems to run a community these days. However, neither of those labels has ever felt quite right to me in the 5 years (wow, 5 years) I’ve been running TeamGDI – the group I initially advertised in 2020 as a place to help people get better at writing. It made sense to offer something like this group (or community, or membership) out into the world thanks to my skill (and indeed profession) as a copywriter. I felt that this group option would be a great way for people to work with me and benefit from any experience or support I could give, without the need to sign up as a fully-fledged client. TeamGDI has since been described by friends and foes as a cult, but whilst the goats, cloaks, and sworn allegiance to me written in blood would suggest that this might be true, I think what I (and the people who’ve experienced it) really see TeamGDI as, is a micro-community: a group of people who share the same interests or goals… small in stature, mighty in their mission.

When it comes to being a part of a community, two truths are told. One, you should never be the smartest person in the room. That bit was easy for me. And two, if a community leader has done a good job of bringing people together, the whole thing should still be able to function without them. I’m always present, that’s for sure, but out of all the things I’ve learned in 5 years of doing this, I’ve learned that the most important role a leader can take is to facilitate. The people in TeamGDI give so bloody much, and I can’t tell you how I lucky that makes me (as well as how redundant it probably makes me, too – but I’ll get over myself). It seems that the promise of the chance to get better at writing whilst people are here seems merely the icing on a cake made of conversations, perspectives, and experiences about business, life, and everything in between. I get that people can only feel what a micro-community (or any community) means to them once they’re in it, so whilst you’re currently not, what am I going with for the official tagline and relevant SEO-ing of this group, TeamGDI? It’s a (GodDamnInspirational) micro-community for people who want (or need) to get better at writing.  Most definitely #NotACult, though. Anyway. In TeamGDI, the members of our micro-community might…

• love writing or hate writing
• want to write or need to write
• be writing for profit, writing for purpose, or writing purely for pleasure

Whatever the reason or starting point, TeamGDI is THE micro-community to help people wield their words, build relationships, and enjoy taking their place as part of something brilliant that’s, once again for the purposes of the tape, categorically #NotACult.

In a shell of nuts (not our collective noun), though I’m not offering anything formal in the way of masterclasses, training, or resources, what your £48 per month gets you in TeamGDI is…

My eyes on your content, copy, or comms whenever you want to submit. Most writing or business-based communities bizarrely only allow you to submit your stuff on the third Thursday of every month, between the hours of 4.15 and 5am, and only if there’s a crescent moon looming dimly in the sky – and even then, it can’t been seen as “promotional”. In TeamGDI, you can submit whatever you like, whenever you like – and get my feedback and flair on your words within hours. The only caveat is that if you take a lot from the group, you give a lot back, in turn. See Point 2.

Extra perspectives.As with Point 1, in hoping that you’d do exactly the same for them whenevertheysubmit their stuff, your fellow TeamGDI-ers will be there to share their thoughts, views, and ideas on whatever it is you want to put to them. This could indeed be related to your writing, but it can also be for your business or life in general. Honestly, if you’re comfortable to share it, we’re here to listen to it and support you. As humans we’re experts at finding flaws – and helping you face and fix them in the process!

A simple, secure & lovely 24/7 platform. Our micro-community is hosted on Mighty Networks – and it’s ace. Post your thoughts, share your ideas, ask your questions. Get to know people at your own pace, in your own style, and in your own time. Posts can be text, docs, pics, links, polls, videos, or even gifs! There’s a space for everything you can think of in life, business, and beyond. And don’t worry, you can mute anything that doesn’t keep your vessel buoyant. Not everything needs your time, and the only person in here with that responsibility… is me.

Capped numbers. People join, people leave, people come back again. At all times, we’re capped at 40 to keep it micro. Big enough to present you with a range of creative ideas, fresh perspectives, and diverse opinions, but small enough to make sure you feel like you can really know, approach, and truly trust your tribe. We’ll champion you where necessary, but challenge you if that’s needed, too, because we can all be a bit blinkered/ stubborn/ arseholey, at times. There’s no such place on the internet where that ISN’T a small likelihood, unfortunately…

Fortnightly group Zooms. No obligation to attend and no pressure to speak, though EVERYONE in TeamGDI is offered the floor on these calls. Share what you like, contribute in whatever way you’re comfortable, and get to know everyone more personally. Talk about writing, work in general, or whatever’s happening in your everyday life. Structure is loose, but I steer a steady ship. These are real lives and real connections, so there are sometimes tears, but there’s always laughter! Nothing is ever recorded or shared outside of the group. This space is safe. This space is yours.

Twice-weekly online co-working sessions. Time blocked out in the weekly diary to get on with a bit of writing (or any tasks on your list, really) can be a great way to keep yourself accountable and make good progress – and so can the fact that you know everyone else on these TeamGDI sessions is turning up to do the same, too! Keep cameras on if you’re comfortable, but mute those mics so we can’t hear you shouting at the other half/ the cat/ Loose Women in the background. Two sessions every week, with each one made up of a series of 25 minute ‘sprints’ and 5 minute breaks throughout.   

Monthly interactive training. Once a month, I run a one-hour interactive webby thing (webinar sounds too formal) that focusses on elements of copy, content, and comms where you can actively do/ change/ add/ obliterate stuff within your writing to make a start and make an impact with your words. Each webby thing is recorded for on-demand use – and they’re even CPD accredited, too! Yay for certificates!

Access All Areas. I don’t believe in inner circles, popularity cliques, or VIP opportunities. If you’re in, you’re in, and if there was such thing as a guest list in TeamGDI, you’d be on it, my friend. There are no favourites in this group, no first-come-first-served, and everyone’s treated equally. There’s no tiered membership or hierarchy here, folks. Please enjoy anything and everything that our micro-community has to offer!

A chance to promote. Whether it’s your business, your cause, or your passion project… go ahead and shout about it. What the hell kind of community (of any shape or size) wouldn’t give you the opportunity or platform to talk about the stuff that keeps a fire in your soul and a roof over your head? Believe me, if it gets spammy, though… someone will call it out…

No tie-ins. That’s right – before you’ve even joined, I’m saying you can leave. Any time. Your month starts on the day your secure payment leaves your account, and you’ll always be given the chance to say goodbye (if you ever want to go). I’ll warn you that most members do end up coming back, though… eventually. Definitely #NotACult, however…

Monthly ‘Business Out Loud’ call. On the second Tuesday of every month, ‘BOL’ supports business owners in our group who need an idea, a steer, or just to get clear on the next steps for their business. We can look at your messaging (of course), but we can also look at aspects such as your offers, services, and positioning. There’s a different focus every month, and it’s guided by our very own Sarah Burgess. The sessions are reflective and proactive, so whatever you need, let’s boost your business!

Big discounts on Sorted in 60®. I left this until the last point. I wanted to check I could keep you reading and have you fully hooked on all the other joys of TeamGDI before I wowed you with the financial incentive of getting a huge amount of cash off my signature one-to-one offer. Need me to find and fix the mistakes you’re making and the tricks you’re missing in your messaging? Get your Sorted in 60® here at a special price reserved solely for our community! It’s CPD accredited, too!

As a micro-community I of course want and need to keep an eye on our numbers, but if there’s a space and you fit it – you’re in. We usually flit and float around the 30 mark. It’s nice, and it costs everyone just £48 per month. Sure, in keeping things small it’ll never make me a millionaire, but if that was my purpose for doing this, you rightfully wouldn’t want to join me. So… Do you want or need to get better at writing? Have you found ‘your people’ yet? Would you like to join TeamGDI in our micro-community to see if both of these things can happen for you? Click the purple button, people…

What’s that? You’re already with us and you want to get out? Fair enough. Here’s every reason why you absolutely should leave TeamGDI…