The A-Z of being in business during tough times
We might be restricted by how we meet + interact with our employees, clients + customers - but thanks to the wonders of the internet - we can stay connected + build a community that will survive + thrive during uncertain times.
When your business has a sense of community, it empowers the people within it to share, connect, grow + learn together. There is nothing better than seeing your staff + supporters get behind your business + brand, especially when it is helping change + improve lives for the better.
Online communities are a super power when it comes to marketing + promoting your business. Your business + brand should unite your clients + customers through positivity + connection. And best of all, it allows you to avoid the obvious + over-the-top “buy from me” marketing tactic many business owners get caught up in.
Brands that foster community evoke trust and genuine care for the clients + customers they are looking to help + serve. They want to learn more about their customers’ interests, needs, wants - and especially how they can help solve a problem using a product or service you offer.
I bet there are plenty of online communities you’re connected to on social media without even realising it. It might be a mummy blogger, a business/life coach or a personal trainer. Do they post regular content and are always interacting and engaging with their followers? And I bet in one way or another they have something for you to buy - whether it’s a $15 ebook, online course or a membership subscription.
So exactly how do you build an online community? It all starts with having a platform to share your content with people. And places like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Twitter are great places to start.
Start Small
The main thing to remember is the process of building an online community takes a lot of time, hard work and commitment. It’s not going to be something you can check off your to-do list in a week, let alone a month. But the important thing to remember is if you’re prepared to put in the groundwork, slowly over time you’ll start to see your online audience numbers grow.
Be Consistent + Persistent
Make sure you’re putting out regular content for your community to like, comment + share with their own followers. When people first hop on social media (which for most of us is first thing in the morning) they want to see fresh content + ideas. They want to be inspired, learn something new + feel positive about their online experience. If your content isn’t on their daily feed,
Think about posting daily - or a few times a week at best - so your brand becomes front + centre of people’s minds before the craziness of the day starts to get in the way.
Promotions + Incentives
Is there a way you can run a competition, giveaway or promotion to help grow your audience? What about asking your followers to share a post to their own personal page so potentially hundreds of extra pairs of eyes can see it? Or how about requesting your followers share the email addresses of 5 friends or family members to score a discount… the perfect way to build up your email subscriber list and target potential customers direct!
Your own people
Don’t forget about your own friends + family. It’s always worth sharing your business content on your personal social media channels + kindly asking them to share. Even if just a handful of them oblige, that’s potentially an extra few hundred pairs of eyes that has seen your brand + business pop up on their feed.
Consider a helping hand
If you’re not overly savvy with social media + don’t know where to start with creating interesting + engaging content, then don’t be afraid to ask for a helping hand. There are plenty of experts out there who specialise in social media + have all the tools + tricks to get you started in the right direction. The investment will be well worth it in the long run when your audience numbers start to grow by the hundreds.
And remember...
"Clarity is power". The clearer you are about what you want, the more likely you are to achieve it. Don't just survive - thrive!
Clarity Collaborations is the brainchild of founder and owner Clare Graham. Using her many years of working as a journalist, public relations professional and radio producer, Clare loves helping businesses change how they communicate with their customers + clients. And it all starts with clear + concise words and creative design. Clarity Collaborations is based in Gippsland, Victoria, and thanks to the wonders of the World Wide Web, Clare is a location-independent freelancer which gives her the freedom to work with businesses and companies here in Australia and right across the globe.
Keen to start collaborating on your marketing, social media, web page or public relation ideas? Book a free 15 minute Clarity brainstorm session now!
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