How to Build a Community for your Small Business
Community is everything, which boils down to, people are everything.
Without them, we have no:
Clients
Friends
Supporters
Should we go on? We could.
While having competition may drive us, having a community lifts us up. And, as a small business owner, you know how important that is.
Our founder, Gabi, is a community builder because she’s seen the power a community can have and she revels in it. Here are a few ways she suggests going about building a community for your small business:
Get out there
You have to put yourself out there to meet people. I get it, it can be scary. But you started your own business! You can overcome fear, you’ve already done it. Go to events where you know your potential clients and fellow like-minded entrepreneurs might be. TALK about what you’re doing. If you don’t, who will?
Start the conversation
How about starting simple? Get a conversation going. This can be via any means - email, in-person, or perhaps Instagram? In fact, on Instagram you can start a group chat from an Instagram story. For example, Gabi started a group chat for fellow book lovers and it has blossomed into her in-person and digital book club, the Literary League.
Support others
Are you supporting other entrepreneurs and small businesses? It’s reciprocal. If you want to see support for your own endeavor, show that same love and support for others. If you know a small business you love is throwing a launch party, go! If they’re celebrating a win, cheer them on! And, if they’re having a tough time, let them know you’re there in whatever way they need.
Building your own community checklist
Now, let’s put this into motion. Here are some action items to take in building your own community.
Share a conversation starter on Instagram. Perhaps try out the questions function, or encourage your followers to join a chat group based on a specific theme or discussion question.
Host a meet-up with fellow like-minded business owners! It doesn’t have to be a major production, how about coffee or tea at a local café?
Examine what you can offer your community and then identify how. For example, I knew I loved sharing book recommendations and connecting fellow readers. And, now the Literary League is a real thing! You can make it happen, too.
Start there and then tell us how it went. Share here or on Instagram, we’re @wellkept.studio
- Gabriella
