The Secret Sauce to Building an Engaged Audience from Scratch!

Building a genuinely engaged audience might sound simple, but with today’s overload of digital content, it’s tougher than it seems. Many people try to be everywhere and talk about everything, hoping to reach as many people as possible. The result? They blend into the noise instead of standing out.

The Problem: Information Overload

In a world of endless content, it’s hard to get noticed. Many try to tackle too much at once, diluting their message and exhausting their energy. The truth is, building an audience doesn’t require a massive strategy—it requires focus. Finding your audience begins by tuning into what makes you, your business, and your message unique.

The Solution: Authenticity, Consistency, Curiosity

Authenticity: Be real. People connect with genuine personalities, not perfect brands. Share your experiences, flaws, and passions. Alan Hill, my cohost from the 2 Dudes with an Opinion podcast, often reminds me that being “real” is more valuable than being “perfect.” In my own journey with Lion Pro Dev, sharing both the ups and downs—like when a project didn’t go as planned but taught us something valuable—has kept people coming back. Let your audience see the real you; it’s refreshing in a world full of filters.

Consistency: Show up regularly. As Alan would say, it’s about taking manageable steps rather than overextending yourself. Consistency is what builds trust; if you disappear, your audience does too. Set a schedule that’s realistic for you—even if it’s just posting once a week. At Lion Pro Dev, I saw that a steady, simple flow of content made a big impact over time. It doesn’t have to be daily, but it has to be consistent.

Curiosity: Engage with your audience by asking questions and seeking feedback. Curiosity helps you stay relevant and shows your audience that their opinions matter. I often ask my audience what they want to learn next—these insights are gold. People love being involved, and asking questions keeps the conversation going and the content fresh.

How to Get Started: A Step-by-Step Outline

1) Write Your Introduction

• Start by sharing your story. Don’t aim to be the hero; be honest about what was challenging, what went well, and what you’re truly passionate about.
• In my own story, I’ve faced more than a few challenges, from being struck by lightning and coping with sleepless nights afterward, to serving my country, and later supporting my first child suffered some terrible incidents at birth. Sharing those real-life struggles and my drive to build Lion Pro Dev, despite it all, has made my clients and audience connect with me on a personal level.

2) Define Your 3 Keys to Success

• Identify three core principles that drive your success. Whether you’re selling, creating, or supporting something, make these values clear and relatable. These principles will become the foundation of your content.

3) Collaborate with Friends

• Reach out to friends or colleagues who represent each of your three success keys. Set up a 30-minute Zoom call with each and record it. These conversations will become valuable content that’s genuine and relatable.

4) Publish on YouTube and LinkedIn

• Upload these calls to YouTube and LinkedIn to give your audience insights and show them that you’re willing to share knowledge from real-world experiences. These videos are the starting point for building trust.

5) Respond Thoughtfully

• For each comment (except a simple thank you), create a short Loom video response. Take every question seriously and see what you can learn from it. This shows your audience that you’re listening and that their engagement matters.

6) Self-Reflect and Create Follow-Up Content

• Watch your own calls and note any new questions you’d like to explore further. Then, make a video addressing these questions. This shows your audience that you’re learning and growing with them.

7) Re-purpose Content into Micro-Blogs

• Use your comment responses and follow-up videos to create micro-blogs. Share these on LinkedIn, Medium, and your own blog. This multiplies your content reach while maintaining authenticity.

8) Review and Expand

• Revisit all the comments across platforms. Note any fresh insights and ideas that could inspire more content. This reflection process keeps your content relevant and continually improves your engagement.

9) Begin the Learning Cycle

• Repeat this cycle several times, and you’ll gradually build a valuable library of videos and blog posts. Once you have a foundation, look back, refine your content, and make any necessary adjustments based on the insights you’ve gathered.

Tools to Help You Get Started

• VidIQ (for YouTube analytics)
• ChatGPT (for content ideas and assistance),
• Claude (for detailed answers),
• Reddit (for community engagement),
• Facebook (for group insights),
• Answer the Public (for content ideas),
• Semrush, and Ahrefs (for SEO and content strategy)

The Future Gain: Why This Approach Pays Off

Following these steps may feel slow at first, but the payoff is enormous. Building an engaged audience means you’re creating a network that genuinely cares about what you offer. Over time, this engaged audience becomes your strongest asset—loyal clients, trusted collaborators, or even partners who help you reach new heights. When you build your audience around authenticity, you’re not just gaining followers; you’re creating a foundation for growth, trust, and long-term success.

Call to Action: Your Turn

What’s one specific way you can improve your authenticity, consistency, or curiosity in your content this week? Share your thoughts below!

Building an audience is like baking a cake—it takes time. Don’t rush it—enjoy the process.

Let’s keep the conversation going!