Building Community in a Subscription App: Author-User Interactions That Drive Engagement

Most subscription platforms treat content creators as distant figures whose work gets consumed but who remain largely inaccessible to users. CKBK founder Matthew Cockerill took a radically different approach: he made cookbook authors directly accessible to users through the platform itself.

On the Levels Podcast, Matthew explained how enabling direct communication between cookbook authors and platform users has become one of CKBK's most powerful engagement drivers. His approach offers valuable lessons for any platform looking to build genuine community around content.

The Traditional Content Platform Model

Most content platforms operate with clear separation between creators and consumers. Users might rate or review content, but they rarely interact directly with the people who created it. This model prioritizes scale over connection.

CKBK breaks this pattern by encouraging direct dialogue between cookbook authors and the people cooking their recipes. The results have been transformative for user engagement.

"It's definitely a bit of a unique selling point that if you post a review or a question you often get within minutes or hours, a response from the author specifically about what you were asking about."

This isn't just customer service - it's genuine community building around shared passion for cooking and food.

Real-Time Problem Solving

The direct author connection solves practical problems that traditional cookbook publishing can't address. When users encounter issues while cooking, they can get authoritative answers immediately.

"People also, publishers aren't perfect in terms of what they print, so people will go, hang on, this ingredient never gets mentioned in the method, and then they'll be able to figure out, the author says, I never noticed that, and get your response there."

This real-time troubleshooting creates value that goes far beyond the original cookbook content. Users aren't just accessing recipes - they're getting personalized cooking guidance from expert chefs.

Publisher Buy-In

The author engagement model required convincing publishers that direct user interaction would benefit rather than burden their authors. Matthew found that most cookbook authors were enthusiastic about connecting with their audience.

"Our publishers backed us up on that and said they were happy for us to do that."

Authors appreciate the direct feedback and engagement with people actually cooking their recipes. It provides insights into how their content is being used and what resonates with home cooks.

Building Author Investment

When authors respond to user questions and see positive reactions to their recipes, they become invested in the platform's success. This creates a virtuous cycle where engaged authors attract more users, who generate more questions and reviews, which keeps authors engaged.

The platform becomes more than a distribution channel - it becomes a community where authors can build relationships with their audience.

User-Generated Content Enhancement

Beyond author responses, CKBK encourages users to contribute their own photos and recipe modifications. When users share successful cooking results, it enhances the content for everyone else.

"We do have also people can post their own photos with their reviews. And a thing which can happen now is that if that we select editorially, well, if there is no photo for that recipe, and it will be useful for this to be something other than just a blank space."

This user-generated content fills gaps in older cookbooks that lack photography, while giving contributors recognition within the community.

Quality Control Through Community

The author-present model creates natural quality control. When cookbook authors are actively engaged with user feedback, they help identify and correct errors in digital versions of their books.

This collaborative approach to content quality surpasses what traditional publishing workflows could achieve. Authors catch mistakes they might not have noticed during initial editing, informed by real users encountering problems while cooking.

Recognition and Rewards

CKBK makes user contributions visible and valuable through recognition systems. Active reviewers and helpful community members get acknowledgment that encourages continued participation.

"Just being able to like a review or a response, just really simple. It's one of the different ways that you'll say. And we do have also people can post their own photos with their reviews."

These simple engagement mechanics create positive feedback loops that keep the community active and supportive.

Platform as Community Hub

Matthew's vision extends beyond individual author-user interactions to creating a broader community hub for cookbook enthusiasts.

"If we bring that community together as well, that getting things in one place so that you can find other people to chat about things you're interested in. If you post a review or you post a response on that review, the more we can build this kind of hub for people who love cooking and love cookbooks."

The goal is becoming the central gathering place for serious cookbook users, whether they're professionals or passionate home cooks.

Institutional Community Building

The community model scales to institutional users as well. Culinary schools using CKBK find that students can interact with cookbook authors directly, creating educational opportunities impossible with traditional textbooks.

This positions CKBK as more than a content library - it becomes an active learning environment where students can ask questions of industry professionals.

Technical Infrastructure for Community

Building effective community features requires careful technical planning. CKBK had to create systems for managing user profiles, content moderation, and notification systems that keep authors and users engaged without becoming overwhelming.

The platform balances community features with the core content consumption experience, ensuring that social elements enhance rather than distract from the primary use case of finding and cooking recipes.

Long-Term Community Vision

Matthew sees the author-user connection as just the beginning of CKBK's community development. Future plans include user profiles, cooking achievement systems, and more sophisticated ways for community members to connect around shared interests.

"Because certainly there are lots of little small scale cookbook clubs and things like that which exist. But if we have one place where whatever cookbook you're interested in, then you can post something about it and find something else that's going to be valuable."

The vision is consolidating fragmented cookbook communities into one comprehensive platform where expertise and enthusiasm can cross-pollinate.

Lessons for Content Platforms

CKBK's approach demonstrates several principles that other content platforms can apply:

Make creators accessible, not distant. Direct creator-user interaction builds deeper engagement than passive content consumption.

Solve real problems through community. Recipe troubleshooting and ingredient questions create genuine value that drives user retention.

Recognize contributions. Simple acknowledgment systems encourage ongoing community participation without complex gamification.

Quality improves through collaboration. Author-present communities naturally identify and correct content issues.

Key Takeaways

• Direct author access creates unique value: Real-time problem solving and personalized guidance differentiate subscription platforms from free alternatives
• Authors benefit from user feedback: Direct interaction provides cookbook creators with insights into how their content performs in real kitchens
• Community enhances content quality: User reports help identify errors and improvements that traditional publishing processes miss
• Recognition drives participation: Simple engagement mechanics encourage users to contribute photos, reviews, and helpful responses
• Institutional users value community features: Educational institutions appreciate the learning opportunities created by author accessibility

Matthew's community-first approach shows how subscription platforms can build deeper engagement by facilitating genuine connections between content creators and users. The key is designing systems that benefit both sides of the relationship.

Listen to the full conversation with Matthew Cockerill on the Levels Podcast to learn more about building community features that drive long-term user engagement.