Creating Powerful, Thriving Digital Communities: Daniela Patiño Of Next Flight Academy On How To Cultivate Connection & Community In A Click-to-Connect World
For me, building a community isn’t just about growing numbers, it’s about creating real connections.
In our digital era, it’s easier than ever to click “connect,” but much harder to create a real connection. As more aspects of our social and professional lives move online, the challenge becomes building meaningful communities that go beyond likes, followers, and shares. What does it take to cultivate thriving digital communities where people feel seen, heard, and supported? In this interview series, we speak with community builders, digital strategists, tech founders, social media experts, and anyone creating powerful online spaces and thriving digital communities. We aim to explore how to cultivate connection and community in a “click-to-connect” world, and what it truly takes to build digital spaces where people can genuinely thrive.
As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Daniela Patiño.
She is an entrepreneur and digital strategist, creator of Next Flight Academy, and a woman, mother, and wife recognized on social media for teaching how to generate income online.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a little about your background and how you grew up?
I grew up in Mérida, Venezuela. I always knew I wanted to have a different life. My mother’s salary only covered the basics, and I never stood still, I always looked for ways to help her and, at the same time, help myself. I started working at the age of 11, throughout my teenage years and young adulthood. At 20, I emigrated to Panama, and at 25, I moved to the United States. Here, I did all the jobs migrants typically do: construction, delivery, promotions, babysitting. Then I got pregnant, and that changed my entire perspective. I needed a job that wouldn’t take me away from my daughter, and that’s how I discovered digital marketing, affiliate marketing, and the many ways to generate income from home using your phone and, most importantly, knowledge. Today, I can say I’ve been on this incredible journey for almost three years and have generated nearly two million dollars entirely online. But what fulfills me the most is knowing that I’ve also been able to help thousands of women change their lives using my same business model.
What inspired you to get involved in building digital communities?
Without a doubt, it was my daughter. She made me decide to find a way to work without having to spend more than eight hours away from home without seeing her. Just imagining having to leave her in daycare to work and only see her at night broke my heart. But staying home solely as a mother and housewife and being financially supported by my husband wasn’t an option for me either.
Was there a moment when you realized the power of authentic connection online? Can you share that story?
I realize it every day. My DMs are full of messages from women whose lives have changed so much, they’ve even saved their marriages after going through one of my academy modules called “Internal GPS,” a mindset module that helps you understand the “why” behind your actions and how to guide your emotions toward solutions in your life. Beyond that, my connection with my audience is very strong, they are my friends. I know that sometimes, with just one story, I can help hundreds of women who watch me, and that’s where the true importance of social media lies: the positive impact we, as creators, can have on people.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned along the way that influences how you work today?
Understanding that you will always be criticized no matter what you do. I used to overthink everything, worrying about what people would say. But over time, I realized that even if you do everything perfectly, there will always be people who look for flaws in what you do. That’s something I’ve worked on a lot, and it’s essential if you put yourself out there on social media, to develop a strong mindset that won’t be shaken by negative comments, so you can keep pursuing your projects with the same strength you started with.
In your opinion, what defines a thriving digital community?
What you project is what you receive. People follow and support you when they identify with you. I’ve always shown myself exactly as I am, and that has brought me an audience of women who think like me and see me as someone to look up to. I believe a thriving community is built on that, knowing that people are there liking, sharing your content, and commenting on your videos because they resonate with what you share, what you do, and what you say.
What are some common mistakes people make when trying to build digital communities?
Lack of focus, discipline, and consistency on social media. Being a content creator is not easy because it depends entirely on you, your discipline. If you don’t record, there are no videos. If you don’t write scripts, there’s nothing to record. If you post videos but don’t share stories, you fade from your audience’s mind. And if you only post stories but no reels, you’ll never reach new people. It’s a job that requires strategy and organization, and if you don’t follow through with everything, the algorithm simply penalizes you and you lose visibility.
I’m going to try to put some of your advice into practice, and I hope our readers do too. What are your “five strategies for cultivating a powerful and thriving digital community”? Please share a story or example for each one.
For me, building a community isn’t just about growing numbers, it’s about creating real connections. These are my five strategies:
1. Speak from truth, not perfection.
When I started, I didn’t have incredible results, but I did have a real story. I remember recording videos with fear, from my home, showing my process. That made many people relate to me, because they didn’t see a perfect figure, they saw someone like them.
2. Teach while you grow.
I didn’t wait until I “had everything figured out” to share. I showed what I was learning along the way. Once, I shared how I was making my first sales, and that created more connection than any polished content ever could.
3. Respond and truly listen.
It’s not just about posting. It’s about reading comments, replying to messages, and understanding what your community needs. Many of my content ideas have come from listening to what people tell me.
4. Create spaces where people can participate.
For example: challenges, story questions, interactive dynamics. I’ve run challenges where people take daily action, and that creates a much deeper level of connection.
5. Be consistent, even when you don’t see results.
A community isn’t built in days, it’s built through daily presence. There were months when no one reacted, but I kept going.
How important is meeting offline, in real life? What is the best way to make that happen? Can you share a story?
It’s essential. Social media connects, but real life solidifies. I’ve hosted meetups with my community, and seeing each other face to face changes everything. I remember one event where many women arrived feeling afraid and left with completely different confidence. That’s when you realize this isn’t just content, it’s real impact.
How do you handle negativity, trolling, or disengagement in a digital space?
By understanding that not everyone is on the same wavelength as you. I don’t respond from emotion, but from clarity. And something important: not everything deserves a response. Sometimes silence is leadership too.
What are some practical strategies for encouraging real interaction, beyond likes and emojis?
Ask questions that make people think, not just answer “yes” or “no.” Share personal stories. Invite action: comment, reply, participate. And above all, make people feel like they’re part of something, not just spectators.
What platforms or tools have you found most effective for cultivating meaningful digital engagement?
Instagram has been key in building my community, but I also use automation tools and more private spaces like groups, where I can have a more direct connection.
Are there certain types of content or activities that tend to spark stronger connection in online spaces?
Content where you are yourself. Real stories, processes, vulnerable moments. Also educational content, but from experience, not just theory.
Success is often a matter of perspective. I’ve always resonated with Henry David Thoreau’s quote, “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” How do you see success — or define success — for yourself now?
For me, success today means freedom. Freedom of time, being with my daughter, the ability to choose. And also seeing how other people, through what I share, change their lives. That’s priceless.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world with whom you’d like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He, she or they might just see this. 🙂
Someone who has built something great from scratch and has a strong mindset. I’d love to have a deep conversation, not just about business, but about vision, discipline, and purpose.
What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?
Mainly through my social media, where I share content every day, and also through my programs, where I work more closely with my community.
Thank you for these thought provoking insights. Here’s to your continued success!
Creating Powerful, Thriving Digital Communities: Daniela Patiño Of Next Flight Academy On How To… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.