The Power of Online Communities

There is no doubt that online communities are an important part of your life when you start your own business. If, like many of the parents I work with, your business needs to run between 9 and 3, it can be hard to get out and about to meet other people. Where can you carve out a block of time in between the marketing, the account management, bookkeeping, social media, IT and, well, ACTUALLY DOING WHAT PEOPLE PAY YOU FOR? So, online communities may just be the place to get the insight, support and human contact that you are missing!

You can get business through these communities, but I’m going to just remind you of something that is essential! For anyone to buy anything from anyone, they need to KNOW you, LIKE you then TRUST you. And no one is going to do that if you are one of those dreaded link droppers. You know the ones; the equivalent of walking into a busy room, shouting BUY MY STUFF, then walking out. That rarely works. Think about the last product or service you bought? How much time passed where you knew and interacted with the brand or person or product before you invested? Use that insight to consider how you will be known, liked and trusted.

For anyone that has spent any time with me virtually (or in real life), you will know the LOVE I have of social media. LinkedIn,Instagram and Facebook are the three main platforms I use and have connected me with so many people. I hear many a tale from clients that have been “social media stalking” me before they reach out and connect. But the impact of these online communities reaches further than sales. I have found support, information and connections that are worth so much more than pounds and pennies. You can meet a few of the people where we have only met online on the Inspiring Parents blog that I write!

Back to the job in hand, when you join a community, either online or in person (or both – often these groups have both formats), you are going to need to communicate with people. Yes, the online community gives you the options to hide away and just watch; that is a lot harder when you turn up to a real-life networking event! If you feel uncomfortable, then maybe this blog will help. Whilst the techniques are focused around in-person meetings, the top tips still ring true. Within these groups, you are going to share your knowledge, your perspective and offer your support, and also learn from others that maybe have different specialism to you or are further along in their journey. All of these activities will build your personal brand and create connections to help you personally and your business as a whole!

I have joined a few communities online, who have a variety of themes and members, but all of these have offered me something special. From the place that helped me launch my blogging outside of my website, to a community that helped launch my book, to MY group of clients, supporters and suppliers, even a place to gives me great fictional-inspired downtime, these are all of these are places I recommend you try!

• The Balance Collective with Clara Wilcox
• Coffee with Dan
• TLC Business
• Doing It for The Kids Community
• The Motherload Book Club

Where do you virtually hang out? Let me know what works for you. Hopefully see you soon in The Balance Collective with Clara Wilcox or one of the groups I’ve mentioned above!

Want to see how I can help you take the next step in your Career. Book in a call here.