Ever wonder how your favorite YouTube star can post their merch and people beg to buy?
Or how the influencer on Instagram creates a planner and sells out overnight?
Or a blogger can host their first event and people run to purchase tickets?
It seems like people with an audience can create almost anything and sell out overnight.
Do you want to know the truth?
The sales might seem overnight, but building the audience took time, sweat and (sometimes) tears.
We only see the “Sold Out” stamp on the sales page. That doesn’t mean a lot of work wasn’t done. Maybe the merch, planner or events might be new, but their service to their community is not.
And you must serve them over and over again honestly, and authentically. That’s what we call online community engagement.
If you’d like to see success with your events, courses, and books, then you’ve got to create the content that allows your people to find you, start conversations with your audience.
What is online community engagement?
Online community engagement is where you develop an open line of conversation through an online medium such as email, social media or live video.
Benefits of online community engagement
Increase the know, like and trust factor with your audience.
Chatting with your audience online shows them that you’re invested in their success and that your consistent with your message. The people who continue to follow you will learn more about you and develop a personal connection.
Repeat purchases.
The more you communicate with your audience, the more opportunities you have to tell them about the products and services you offer without seeming spammy! Your ideal customers will get excited when you have a new offer to share with them.
Word of mouth and social sharing.
One of the problems most people have with selling their products is marketing them. When you have an engaged audience that you’re in contact with personally, they’ll be excited to share your products for you with people who need it most.
Learning more about your audience.
Prioritizing community engagements opens a direct line of communication with your audience so you can talk to them directly. You can ask better questions and hear their stories. These personal conversations can drive the free content and paid offers you create.
Strategies to Perfect Your Online Community Engagement
Sending an email newsletter to my audience is my favorite way to connect with my audience through stories. I love telling stories, but I also like getting super personal within a private setting. Sending a weekly newsletter tells your audience that you’re still here and you’re still providing value.
Join the social media conversation.
There is a worldwide conversation happening online. You can join a conversation that’s already happening in a Facebook group with your audience hangs out or start a Facebook group of your own.
Hop on the phone with them.
How often do you pick up the phone to call people anymore? A phone call goes a very long way in directly engaging with your audience. This shows your audience that you’re a real person and that you really care.
Take it offline
Every year, I host a new beginning brunch at the beginning of the year and a mid-year brunch to meet in person and talk about what we’ve been up to for the year. It’s an opportunity for me to meet with my audience on a more personal level.
Engaging with your community online is the best way for you to build a stronger relationship with your audience over time. This is how you invest in your audience and how you show them that you’re someone who will be there for them when they’re ready to get the type of clarity you offer.
What community engagement strategies sounds most exciting to you?
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cyrene is a fun and accomplished workshop facilitator, learning and development guru and Human Resources professional. Being at the helm of Thrive Lounge has been a long-time dream. Through vision board workshops she plans to accomplish two-way learning. Sharing her vast years of knowledge to motivate and encourage others; while simultaneously getting the reward of great energy, ideas and questions to ponder back from each group. A super win-win. Please join our Thrive Lounge community so you too can benefit!
