Want to spark deeper conversations and lasting bonds in your collectibles community? Experience Share posts invite members to reflect and share their personal stories, making everyone feel seen and valued. These templates make it easy to get started.
Plan your content calendar and auto-post to Skool, Circle, or Mighty Networks
Experience Share content taps into the power of storytelling, which is proven to foster empathy and trust among community members. When people open up about their journeys, challenges, and triumphs, it creates a sense of belonging and human connection that goes beyond surface-level interactions.
For collectibles communities, personal stories highlight the emotional significance behind prized items and collecting experiences. Sharing memories, lessons learned, or meaningful finds invites others to relate, comment, and offer their own perspectives. This deepens engagement and inspires community members to participate more actively.
By encouraging reflective and personal posts, you help members move from passive scrolling to active involvement. This not only increases retention but also builds a supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their unique voice.
Share the story behind the first collectible you ever owned.
💡 Example: "I got my first baseball card at a garage sale. What was your first collectible story?"
What collectible are you most proud of and why?
💡 Example: "My signed comic is my pride and joy. Which item means the most to you?"
Describe a time you made a great trade or deal.
💡 Example: "I once swapped a duplicate for a rare coin. Tell us about your best deal."
Who or what inspired you to start collecting?
💡 Example: "My grandfather started my collection. Who inspired you?"
Have you ever discovered a hidden gem in an unexpected place? Share your story.
💡 Example: "I found a rare figure at a flea market. How about you?"
What is the most challenging collectible you have ever hunted for?
💡 Example: "It took me years to find a 1980s toy robot. What was your toughest hunt?"
Share a lesson you learned through collecting.
💡 Example: "Patience is key in collecting. What lessons have you learned?"
Describe a collectible that has sentimental value to you.
💡 Example: "My childhood action figure means a lot to me. What about yours?"
Has a collectible ever connected you with a new friend? Tell us how.
💡 Example: "Trading cards helped me meet my best friend. Has this happened to you?"
Share a funny or unexpected story from your collecting journey.
💡 Example: "I once found a toy at a hardware store. What is your funniest collecting story?"
What collectible did you want as a kid but only got later in life?
💡 Example: "I dreamed of owning a vintage Barbie. What was your childhood collectible dream?"
Have you ever passed a collectible on to someone else? Why?
💡 Example: "I gave my comic books to my nephew. Have you passed anything on?"
What is the story behind your rarest find?
💡 Example: "My rarest find came from an estate sale. How did you get yours?"
Describe a collecting mistake you learned from.
💡 Example: "I once overpaid for a fake. What mistake taught you something?"
Have you ever traveled far for a collectible? Share your adventure.
💡 Example: "I drove six hours for a rare comic. What about you?"
What advice would you give your younger collector self?
💡 Example: "I would say to research more. What would you tell your younger self?"
Share a time when your collection surprised someone.
💡 Example: "My friend could not believe I had so many stamps."
How has collecting changed for you over the years?
💡 Example: "It went from a hobby to a passion. How has your journey changed?"
What is a tradition you have around collecting?
💡 Example: "I open new packs on my birthday. Do you have any collecting traditions?"
Share a photo and the story behind one item in your collection.
💡 Example: "Here is my signed baseball. Share yours and the story behind it."
Which collectible has surprised you with its value or meaning?
💡 Example: "A tiny pin became very valuable. Has this happened to you?"
Have you ever met someone famous through collecting?
💡 Example: "I met an artist at a show. Have you met someone famous?"
What is a myth or misconception about your type of collectible?
💡 Example: "People think coins are only for old people. What myths do you hear?"
Share a time you almost gave up collecting and what brought you back.
💡 Example: "I paused during college but returned after finding my old cards. What about you?"
What is your favorite place to hunt for collectibles?
💡 Example: "I love flea markets. Where do you hunt for collectibles?"
Describe a collectible that reminds you of someone special.
💡 Example: "My old watch reminds me of my dad. Which item reminds you of someone?"
Share a collecting goal you are working toward.
💡 Example: "I want a complete set of vintage cards. What is your current goal?"
What is the most unusual collectible you own?
💡 Example: "I collect typewriter keys. What is your most unusual item?"
Share a moment when you felt proud of your collection.
💡 Example: "I displayed my model trains at a show. When were you proud of your collection?"
Has collecting ever helped you through a tough time?
💡 Example: "Collecting helped me during lockdown. Has it helped you too?"
What is a collecting ritual you never skip?
💡 Example: "I always catalog new arrivals. Do you have a ritual?"
Share the biggest surprise you have had as a collector.
💡 Example: "I found a rare error card. What surprised you as a collector?"
What is a collecting dream you hope to achieve someday?
💡 Example: "I hope to open a collectibles shop. What is your dream?"
Describe a collectible you regret not buying.
💡 Example: "I wish I had bought that rare coin at auction. Do you have a regret?"
Has collecting changed your outlook or skills in any way?
💡 Example: "It made me more patient. How has collecting changed you?"
What advice do you have for new collectors?
💡 Example: "Start small and learn as you go. What is your advice?"
Share a collectible you found when you least expected it.
💡 Example: "I found a rare toy in a thrift store. Share your surprise finds."
Has a collectible ever led you to a new interest or hobby?
💡 Example: "Collecting coins got me into history. Has that happened to you?"
What is a small detail in your collection that makes you smile?
💡 Example: "A tiny logo on my oldest card always makes me smile."
Share a story about teaching someone else to collect.
💡 Example: "I taught my niece to collect stamps. Who have you taught?"
What is a piece of advice you wish you had heard earlier in your collecting journey?
💡 Example: "I wish someone told me to keep boxes. What advice do you wish you had?"
To use these templates, simply copy and paste a prompt into your community platform of choice. Add a brief introduction or context if needed, and encourage members to respond in the comments or as their own post. Rotate through different prompts over time to keep the conversation fresh and ensure all members have a chance to participate. For best results, consider pinning a weekly Experience Share post or featuring member stories as examples.
These templates are designed for all platforms. For forums or Facebook Groups, use them as dedicated discussion threads. On Discord or Slack, pin them in a channel and encourage replies. On Instagram or Twitter, use them as captions or threads and invite comments. Adapt the prompt format to fit your platform's style and features.
Encourage members to share personal stories about discovering rare items, such as stumbling upon a misprinted trading card or finding a limited edition action figure at a convention. Prompt them with questions like 'What’s your most memorable rare find?' or 'Have you ever found a collectible you thought was impossible to get?' These posts often lead to exciting storytelling and knowledge exchange on spotting authentic versus counterfeit rarities.
Create experience prompts specifically around authentication challenges—ask members to describe their process for verifying a collectible’s legitimacy, or to share stories of mistaken purchases and lessons learned. This not only educates your community about grading standards and trusted authentication services but can also spark dialogue about the prevalence of fakes in the market.
Pose targeted questions like 'What methods have you used to restore or maintain the condition of your collectibles?' or 'Share your dos and don’ts for preserving delicate items like vintage posters or autographed memorabilia.' Members will offer practical tips, debate preservation materials (like acid-free sleeves), and share before-and-after photos, driving both engagement and education.
Yes—by crafting posts that invite stories about successful trades or sales of collectibles, you can help members build trust and share strategies for safe exchanges. For example, ask 'How did you secure your most sought-after piece through a trade?' or 'What platforms or conventions have been most successful for buying/selling?' These discussions help members navigate the complexities of trading and marketplace etiquette unique to the collectibles scene.
Frame questions to invite respectful debate and learning, such as 'Have you ever disagreed with another collector about a grading or valuation? How did you handle it?' Encourage members to share their valuation methods—like referencing auction results, using price guides, or consulting experts—while emphasizing the importance of transparency and civility in discussions around subjective topics like market value.
Invite members to celebrate milestones with prompts like 'Share your story of finishing a full set—what was your last missing piece?' or 'What strategies did you use to complete a challenging run of collectibles?' These stories inspire others, showcase the dedication required in collecting, and open up discussions on tips, setbacks, and the thrill of the hunt specific to the collectibles hobby.
Skool · Circle · Mighty Networks