Building Online Communities – Multiply Your Worth
There is a saying: “on this shrunken globe; men can no longer live as strangers.” That’s very true. If you are running an online business, or any business for that matter, you should be fostering as many relationships as you can to propel your business forward. Spend time building online communities and getting to know fellow business professionals, you may meet some great people and find business opportunities at the same time.
You may not know it yet, building online communities is one of the best ways to explode traffic to your blog or website. It’s one of the most cost-effective and practical ways to increase your profits. By spending time learning about others and sharing opinions, you could double or even triple your blog readership overnight.
If you’re marketing online alone, you don’t have leverage. You only have the efforts of one person to count on – yourself. But if you are part of a community that works together, that multiplies your marketing power. Of course not everyone in the community will be equal in terms of their exposure, however don’t forget that all businesses start small and grow over time, and with the help of a community the same is true.
Not only will this mean that your blog content is being promoted to more and more eyeballs on the internet, it means that you can use the time you were spending on marketing your business, improving other facets of your business such as lead capturing, nurturing and sales while your brand is working for you.
Lastly, tap into the information of other Internet marketers in the community through networking. Find out what is working for them; find out what their goals are and if there is any alignment with your plans that could perhaps be the basis for a joint venture of some variety. Know what’s going on in the market place and what people are talking about. I’m not saying make it a prime activity, but it should be something on your to-do list every week.
Tips for Building Online Communities
Take an interest. Listen and learn before you jump in with both feet. No one likes a loud mouth! When you provide an experience that relates to something the community is passionate about, they’ll share with their community and spread your brand message.
One for All and All for One. Building online communities lets other business owners feel like they are part of a larger group that respects one another. It’s all about being equal there is no place for hierarchy. Every human being has a psychological need to be part of a larger group that allows them to feel welcomed.
Welcome feedback. Every small business owner wants to be bigger and better and the best way to do that is by listening carefully to feedback by its customers and community. By getting feedback, comments on blogs, tweets on twitter or whatever social signal it maybe, it shows that you are engaging your audience and that proof can act as spark for other people to open up dialogue.
Reciprocity If a member of the community takes their time to share their expertise or give you feedback, then acknowledge the feedback and when the time is right return the favor. I am not saying be contrived and see it as giving to receive but it is about community not about you.
What are your opinions on building online communities? Do you think they work? Have you tried one? Are you in one? Do you recommend one? Leave your comments below to let me know and then tweet the post out to your following including @James_Debono in the tweet so I can see your contribution. I look forward to learning from your experience.
About
James Debono is a small business owner and Internet entrepreneur. James dedicates his time to helping other small business owners leverage the power of the Internet to drive business growth and positive change. Click here Join James Debono on Google+
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I’m in so forums for my niche and while I could get lost there all day I do try to come in read the new posts offer support & help where I can and then get out. fb & twitter are another area where I try to do the same thing but I only allow myself so much time and then I have to close those windows down so I can get some work done.
Shawn recently posted..Never Go to Bed Mad
Hi Shawn,
I would have to say that you are doing it the right way.
Set yourself a certain amount of time to contribute and engage and then move on to the next task.
The last thing you need is for the networking time to distract from income producing activities.
Thanks,
James
Patience is key too, James. It takes time to build these communities–I learned the hard way–and still learning to walk the line between ‘know it all,’ and sharing a story
Great post, thanks for sharing!
Happy Friday and Cheers to your health!
jenny
Jenny recently posted..Help! How Do You Balance a Shrinking Budget with Growing Appetites?
Hi Jenny,
The key is that you have experienced it and learned from that experience.
Yes, it takes time but as with anything you have to be willing to put in the hard work at the beginning.
Regards,
James
Building online communities takes time and effort but the rewards are well worth it. Also, pick a variety of locations to start building online communities rather than focusing on one exclusively.
Those would be my extra tips.
Nicole Bandes recently posted..Tip 27 How To Accomplish that Dreaded Task
As always Nicole, Great tips!
Thanks
James
Sort of like you did when you commented on my blog, James, and I came back to pay you a visit.
Now you know who I am, I know who you are, and you are now on my list of CL enabled blogs!
Ana Hoffman recently posted..Internet Marketing Tools
Hi Ana,
Proof that it actually works!
Thanks for including me on the CL enabled blogs list.
James