Creator Spotlight: Reality Bites Club
In November we were testing out a new product idea, Virtual Venue, and received an email from Sax:
I'd love to connect and learn more about how it might work for my online Club, Reality Bites. I have been testing the Club concept on IG to get some solid insights before creating the online space, which for me, is important to get right, aesthetically and, functionally. We've been creating high-value, thoughtful content, speaking directly to the members that join us, and hosting virtual events to facilitate connections and are ready to make the Club HQ a reality!
I've been going deep on researching the tech solutions out there for online communities and am in analysis paralysis (!!) but am feeling confident that we are close. Mixily looks like a great partner for upcoming events (currently something I manage on via link in bios, Google Forms, emails, and Google Cal!!) but also the branded virtual events which currently, we are forced to host via Zoom like most.
Thanks for creating, and I look forward to learning more.
Over the past few months we’ve been diving deep with community groups like Reality Bites Club to build a tool for members to connect in their own branded digital event spaces, instead of in generic Zoom meetings. We’ll be launching Virtual Venue to the public next week. In the meantime we want to introduce you to one of our early access users who has been helping us fine tune the product, meet Sarah N Saxty (who goes by Sax), founder of Reality Bites Club.
Introduce your business
Reality Bites Club is a social platform for creative minds to connect, to explore the things we are curious about, and make an impact on the things we care about. Our Members Studio opens the door for real conversation in fresh new way (sans the WhatsApp or Slack threads) and our Virtual Studios (with Mixily!) are our platforms to host community events to bring people together, sans Zoom. We will be opening the doors for founding membership in March!
How often do you host events? How are you using Virtual Venue for your community events?
I started hosting events during beta mode to start meeting our new friends from IG, beyond IG. As the Club launches, we'll be curating a full program of events with cultural thought-leaders in our network. Our Virtual Venues (or Studios as we call them) help us bring our brand aesthetic from IG to our meet-ups and elevates the experience for our Members and guests. We've been hosting group fitness classes, and co-working sessions, and even 1-on-1 conversations instead of Zoom.
What’s an upcoming event you are organizing that you’re most excited about?
We're about to launch a mindful intention series, inviting people to meet us at the start of Mon and Fri each week for 4 weeks to set intentions, and reflect on the week.
Have you always hosted virtual events or how have they become part of your business this past year?
We started in 2020, so online is our only offering, we hope to pivot to being a hybrid of on and offline as the COVID risks alleviate.
Any positive results of hosting virtual events?
Meeting the people we're making friends with on IG, and being able to hold the space for people to come together.
If someone was looking to host an event for their first time, any words of wisdom you would give them?
Attend a few online events and see how other people do things, create something you think is missing, and be yourself when hosting!
Since using Mixily Virtual Venue and Ticketing, what is your favorite feature? And how have they helped your business?
I love the clean aesthetic of the Calendar and the emails that are sent to guests, and the way our Venues look in our branding.
Why are you using Virtual Venue instead of other video chat tools?
The design is important to us as a creative community. I wanted something that looked good, and didn't feel like a work call.
Do you have any pre-event rituals to get you in the groove like a favorite drink, snack, song or outfit?
Making sure all my tech is working haha! And putting on my favorite Ilia lip and cheek tint :)
Any new favorite podcasts, books or TV shows you’ve discovered this year?
So many...as a community builder, and someone new to tech and no-coding, I've been finding the MemberSpace podcast really interesting, and Indiehackers. I loved "Let My People Go Surfing" about Yvon Choinard, and his journey as the Founder of Patagonia. On the fiction side, I read The Invisible Heart's Furies, very sad, but very moving, I also loved The Dutch House.
What is your favorite or most used emoji?
🤩The Starry Eyes face!
Where can readers learn more/sign up for upcoming events/follow on social?
@realitybites_club on Instagram and realitybites.club
The Reality Bites Health Club powered by Virtual Venue by Mixily