Today I want to talk to you about the importance of building your community to boost your business and wellbeing.
Community is one of my words for 2019 as meeting you guys and other creatives every month is something I identified that I loved doing in 2018.
I want to expand my community in 2019 and if this is something you’d like to do but would like some tips then listen to the podcast below on iTunes, Stitcher or Spotify.
This episode is especially good if you hate the word networking and the thought of this makes you cringe (hint me too!)
Here are the plus points of building your community and what this can mean to your business:
- Share knowledge and business tips
- Get an outside opinion on a problem you have
- Get inspired
- Build contacts, relationships and new business friends
- Potential collaborations you wouldn’t have thought of
- You’ll know what is going on in your industry
- Feel connected to your community and industry
- Give you a boost in your business if you need it
So now you know the plus points. Let’s talk about tips that will build your community:
Whether you love going out and meeting new people or it makes you want to curl up and not leave the house. (Either is fine as we all start somewhere)
Online:
- Start online with Facebook groups – comment, encourage and share knowledge
- DM current acquaintances or accounts your like on Instagram. An easy way to do this is to respond to people’s stories. Build a conversation around things that you both have in common.
- Community over competition. Don’t discount people who are in the same business than you. Is there room for collaboration or sharing knowledge?
In person:
- Find local events first and research if the people you’d like to meet would be there.
- If you’re nervous then make a plan to speak to one new person. Keep it simple. If you’re feeling more confident try and find three people who you’d like to connect with further.
- Remember other people will probably feel nervous about approaching others too.
- Ask questions – people love to talk about themselves and share their story.
- A compliment goes a long way. Tell people what you love about their work, services, products, brand or the jewellery they are wearing! Make it genuine.
- Talk to people at trade, retail and craft shows. This can be networking too and is definitely building your community.
- If you attend any workshops (even a passion based one) then build your community here too. You never know who’s attending, what’s their story or what they do.
Follow up:
- After you meet someone new that you like then follow up with them. Say how much you enjoyed meeting them, even if it’s a message on Instagram. You don’t have to make it a formal thing if you’re not pitching anything and you’re just looking to connect.
- Once you’ve met people you admire and respect (even if it’s just online) recommend them! You never know when someone might recommend you back. Plus it shows that you are helpful without asking for anything in return.
I hope this was useful and if you enjoyed this episode then please do share it with another business – it’s an easy way to reach out and build your community!
Check out my events that are perfect to build your community in 2019 and are ideal if you hate traditional networking. I’d love you to join us if you’re free:
- Design-Led Social for Creative Businesses (plus lunch!) – Tuesday 5 March in Milton Keynes
- Ethical Fashion panel talk with Lucy & Yak – Tuesday 26 February in London
- Building a Successful Home, Gift & Stationery Brand workshop – Saturday 23 March in London
Enjoy building your community in 2019!
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