# How To Engage with the Community

Once selected, you can start engaging with, learning from, and getting to know the Stellar community and verified members. This is an excellent opportunity to collect and use feedback to improve your submission. Interact with potential voters to help them understand your project and tailor your submission to highlight its value.&#x20;

While you’re at it, give your submission another read. Is there anything you can improve? Be clear about what you’re building, complete your submission in as much detail as possible, share any information you have about your current users, and make sure all your links work.

{% hint style="info" %}
Before engaging in Discord, make sure to read the [SCF Discord Rules & Guidelines](https://stellarcommunityfund.gitbook.io/scf-handbook/additional-support/navigating-discord) and if you're new to Discord, check out this [beginner's guide](https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/360045138571-Beginner-s-Guide-to-Discord).
{% endhint %}

## How to ask for feedback

The most effective way to get feedback is to ask for it. Be proactive! Prove to the community that you appreciate and value their feedback. Science has proven that asking for advice can deepen relationships and make a positive impression on mentors!&#x20;

That said, overloading people with information, direct messaging long messages, and sending multiple reminders does not create a positive impression.&#x20;

Here are three tips to effectively ask for feedback:

#### 📶  |  Use channels accordingly

Avoid sending direct messages unless someone has explicitly requested it. Use your own channel to post in-depth content and link to it in the #project-announcements or #self-promotion channels to ask questions. You can also invite people to start the discussion in your channel.

#### ✍️  |  Be specific

Often, it's not enough to just post a lot about your project and add “I welcome feedback” at the end. Instead, be specific and identify questions you want answers to that can improve your project!

#### 👓  |  Tag the right audience

Tag the group of people who are likely able to answer your question. We've recently added the ability for verified members to indicate what kind of support they can give. Learn more about [who to tag for what here](https://stellarcommunityfund.gitbook.io/scf-handbook/additional-support/navigating-discord).

## How to respond

Awesome! Your efforts of asking for feedback have paid off, and someone has responded. What do you do next?&#x20;

Here are a few tips to help you respond to feedback:

#### 🙏  |  Accept feedback gracefully

First and foremost, always say thank you after someone has taken the time to review your project. Remember that they don't get paid for it! This person genuinely wants to help you, and that means a lot!

#### ⚖️  |  Determine if feedback is constructive&#x20;

While we hope everyone gives helpful feedback, it's not always the case. Take a moment to process the feedback and determine whether it's constructive. If not, politely close the conversation by saying something like: "Thank you for taking the time to share this with us." Don't engage further with ill-intended individuals.

#### 👐  |  Ask for more information

If the feedback is constructive, take advantage of the situation and ask follow-up questions. Don't overload, but additional data can help you understand their perspective and determine how you may improve your project.

#### 📑  |  Create an action plan

After getting more clarification, respond with an action plan on how you intend to use the feedback. Even if you don't use everything, try to visualize the situation from their perspective and identify at least a few things you can work on.

#### 🕰  |  Follow up in the long term

Change doesn't happen overnight, but following up can help with accountability and show the community that you've considered their feedback. This has the potential to improve your project and deepen relationships, making the community more likely to give you feedback in the future.

{% hint style="info" %}
You can request modifications for your entry until community voting starts. Find instructions in the email received upon publication of selected submissions.
{% endhint %}
