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The smallest moments matter most


Issue #196 | May 26th, 2026

Presented by BELAY Solutions

Hey, it's Pat!

When people think about building superfans, they imagine grand gestures — huge giveaways, viral campaigns, or massive launches.

But here’s the real secret: It’s the smallest, most unexpected moments that turn casual followers into lifelong superfans.

Let me tell you a story and let's get unstuck...

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Story of the Week

The Power of a Simple Reply

Years ago, I received an email from a listener named Sarah. She’d just lost her job and was feeling lost. In her message, she thanked me for a podcast episode that gave her hope.

I could have just read her message and moved on. Instead, I took two minutes to reply with a short note of encouragement.

A week later, Sarah replied again. This time, she said my response made her feel seen and valued.

From that moment on, she became one of my most loyal superfans, showing up in every live stream, sharing my content, and even bringing friends into the community.

That two-minute reply did more for my business than any marketing campaign ever could.

Why Small Moments Matter

Superfans aren’t created through big, flashy moves. They’re created in the quiet, everyday moments:

  • A personal reply to a comment or DM
  • Remembering someone’s name or story
  • Giving a shoutout to a loyal follower
  • Sending a handwritten thank-you note
  • Sharing a behind-the-scenes struggle or win

These moments make people feel like they matter — not just as customers, but as humans.

The Superfan Secret

People don’t become superfans because of what you do for everyone. They become superfans because of what you do for them.

It’s the little things that make the biggest difference.

Here’s the thing, though…

When your brand gets big (like mine has), this gets harder and harder. But you still need to focus on highlighting and celebrating community members so people still know you’re there for them at large.

If you’re just starting out, creating those small moments for people becomes your biggest advantage. You’re able to help your audience feel seen quickly and authentically.

Your WIN of the Week

Liz Wilcox here — your loyal Director of Community. Remember, WIN stands for

What's Important Now.

And since Superfans are on our mind here, let’s do a Superfan Challenge!

This week, pick one small, personal thing you can do for someone in your audience:

  • Reply to a comment with a thoughtful message
  • Send a quick video or voice note to a loyal follower
  • Mention someone by name in your next piece of content

Then watch the magic, baby. These tiny moments can create massive loyalty, and I’m so excited for you to get some of that.

Remember, you don’t need a huge audience to make a huge impact. You just need to show up, care, and create moments that matter.

Keep stacking those small wins. Your next superfan is just one moment away, Reader.

SPI News and Notes

Join Dan Cumberland and Liz Wilcox for a live workshop TODAY at 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET! This workshop will show you how to build a simple AI-powered workflow to stay consistent, strengthen your voice, and build a deeper connection with your audience. Learn more here!

Our new course, Sponsor Me, is officially live! This course will help you understand, find, pitch, and land brand deals that genuinely fit your audience and business.

>>Right now, you can get access to Sponsor Me and everything else inside the SPI Community for 50% off!!<<

But don’t wait... this offer expires at midnight tonight.

In this brand-new episode of The Smart Passive Income Podcast, I’m joined by Liz Wilcox, our amazing Community Director! We're chatting about our brand-new Superfans System and how it can help you stay focused on what actually works without feeling so overwhelmed. Watch the full interview below! ⬇️

video preview

I’m excited to share that Liz and I are hosting a workshop at this year’s Craft + Commerce! Hosted by Kit, the conference takes place June 10th–13th in Boise and brings together creators, entrepreneurs, and online business owners from around the world.

If you’ll be there too, let me know below! 👇

Cheers,

Pat Flynn

Co-founder, SPI Media

Dad Joke of the Week

What’s the difference between in-laws and outlaws?

Outlaws are wanted.

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