Researchers find that people who participate in these events feel more positive about the products as a result, and this enhances brand loyalty. They tend to forgive product failures or lapses in service quality, and they're less likely to switch brands even if they learn that competing products are as good or better. Furthermore, these community members become emotionally involved in the company’s welfare, and they often serve as brand missionaries as they carry its marketing message to others.19 Researchers find'' that brand community members do more than help the product build buzz; their inputs actually create added value for themselves and other members as they develop better ways to use and customize products. For example, it's common for experienced users to coach "newbies" in ways to maximize their enjoyment of the product so that more and more people benefit from a network of satisfied participants. In other cases members benefit because their communities empower them to learn; for example, a study that looked at people who suffered from thyroid problems and who indicated they were uninformed and ill prepared to make decisions about their treatment later exhibited more active involvement and informed decision making after they participated in an online community with others who shared their health issues.20 Figure 11.1 demonstrates this process of collective value creation.21