How to Build a Community Online: The Dos and Donts

Dec 1

woman writing notes on how to build a community online — Photo Credit: Christina Jones Photography

One of the biggest struggles my members talk about is how to build a community online.

As most of us have discovered, cultivating and succeeding at building an online community takes much more than just creating content and having a marketing strategy.

In fact, I would say that the community aspect of your business takes the most time— and is the most important.

How To Build a Community Online

Learning how to build a social community doesn’t have to be as hard as everyone makes it out to be.

And to be clear, there are no rules when it comes to community building. Everyone’s success story is different. Just make sure you’re telling it.

Let me give you a few small steps to guide you in the right direction. Here’s how to build a community online TODAY.

Step 1: Know Your Target

woman taking picture son phone for her online community — *Photo Credit: Christina Jones Photography*

Don’t worry; I’m not going to tell you to niche down.

When I started creating content, I wanted to talk to serviced-based women business owners. If I were to niche down like everyone says you should, I would have focused on building a community of only social media managers or only copywriters.

Instead, I decided to talk to past me: the struggling business owner who didn’t even know what type of business she wanted to start.

This helps you be relatable to your target community member (because, hello, you’ve literally been there).

Think of all the problems, fears, and wants that past you had. Your community will grow if you talk to that person when you create content online.

Step 2: Get On the Right Platforms

computer, coffee mug, website of successful online community — *Photo Credit: Christina Jones Photography*

Now that you know who you’re talking to online let’s make sure you’re in the right place.

Every social media platform has its own set of demographics. Who you want in your community should dictate where you spend your time online.

For example, if you want to sell social media services to millennials, you probably want to be on Instagram and LinkedIn based on the demographics of those platforms.

While you might be able to grow your audience faster on Tik Tok, you’re going to reach a younger audience who might not be able to afford (or need) your services.

Babe Crafted Member, Amber, talks about why her 100K audience on Tik Tok converts less money than her 30K audience on Instagram in this video.

Step 3: Engage

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If you want to know how to build a (thriving) community online, here’s my best piece of advice:

Take action.

Here are a few ways you can actively engage with your audience so that you don’t have to wait for the social media algorithm to boost your content:

Search through hashtags that you think people in your community might use. Start commenting on those posts.
Respond to comments on your Reels or Tik Toks with another video.
Comment on posts from other industry leaders with your perspective or advice (in moderation).

So, quit waiting for your community to come to you. Go find your target audience!