Eight Key Ways to Build an Online Community around Your Name

Every one of us has a brand or two that we're in love with. We're proud to display their logos on our T-shirts. We engage with them on social media. We drink their coffee or buy their laptops or indulge in donuts from their menus. We would never think of any other alternative! We talk about them with our friends and families as well as happily take part in the reward programs they offer.

But why? Are their products or services really that much better than the competition? Maybe. Or maybe it's because we feel valued, engaged and loved.

The process of building this kind of loyal customer will take time, but the rewards are worth the effort. When you've built a community that is centered around your brand it will get a pool of customers who purchase repeatedly as ambassadors of your products, and become deeply invested in the success of your business. And that is invaluable.

How can you create a community?

1. Make sure you know your audience.

Start by knowing your audience. your audience, or community. Do your research and learn about who they are who they are, what they do with their time, what they value as well as what they dislike about.

It should be a factor in everything you are doing, from products you create to the language you use for your website, and even your marketing strategy. You can't satisfy your clients' demands as well as make them feel special in the absence of knowing their identity.

2. Don't give more than what you receive.

How do you create an engaged community? Give more than you get. Focus on providing the best value for each client. Producing quality content is one method to achieve this. Blog posts, create video, publish photos and create product guides to answer queries from customers and keep them updated.

As an example, if you're a retailer of fishing equipment you might write an article about choosing the right bait or even share a short video on how to maintain a reel. In the event that you roast coffee, it is possible to share tips for brewing or even a step-by-step guide for selecting the ideal coffee maker.

3. Provide unique products, and provide consistent customer service

Naturally, in order to keep your customers happy must be able to comprehend the fundamentals. If the products you offer aren't exactly what consumers want or require or are poorly constructed, you will not get the trust of your customers.

4. Utilize social media

Social media is an invaluable way to establish a sense of community because it helps you connect with both existing and potential customers at a location where is already where they're spending their time. Here are just a few methods to do it:

 Keep active and active

Make sure you post valuable content on your social media pages frequently. You can also post promotions, news about new products as well as special discounts. Provide helpful information, such as tips on how to get maximum value from your product. If someone makes a comment on a post, whether it's negative or positive, reply carefully.

 Create a Facebook group

Based on the products you offer, you may want to look into creating the Facebook group for your customers. This could be a forum that you share information, however, it can also be a platform in which people can connect between you and one another.

Don't focus on selling here. Instead, concentrate on offering value to your customers. Help them with their queries. Engage them in conversation. Include weekly themes, games or even tests. There are many possibilities!

Take a look at our very own Community Facebook page for some ideas.

 Get customers engaged

One of the most significant positives that social media has is its engagement. If people are involved they have more of the emotional bond to the brands you promote and your products. It makes them feel appreciated.

There are plenty of fun ways to create engagement. You might add quizzes and polls in your stories, or host giveaways every month. Encourage people to upload their photos and videos to be eligible to appear in your profile, or be the winner of a prize.

Like, Daelmans Stroopwafles devotes an entire portion of their Instagram stories to pictures, recipes as well as videos made by fans, which makes their clients feel extra special.

BAM Bamboo Clothing created a challenge that requires followers to post photos of themselves performing a handstand in an unusual place or after accomplishing an important goal. They feature all of these photos on their site and use their own hashtag, BAMSTAND.

What exciting challenges and events are you able to create for your brand?

5. Create an online forum

Forums are a great way to build communities for several different purposes:

• For support. If you are selling a technology product, or any other item that might need regular support, a forum can be an excellent way of providing this. In addition to answering customer questions, you may also wish to let other users to do the same so they feel more involved. There is also the possibility of offering reward badges to those who provide the most useful answers. However, providing support with a clear and easy-to-access method keeps clients happy and keeping them coming back.
• To encourage interaction. Forums enable people to talk about issues and exchange ideas. Do you sell food? Have a board where people are able to share recipes using the products you sell. How about T-shirts? The customers can upload photos of how they're styling your garments. It's a great way to share a memorable experience that makes people feel involved.
• In order to make the clients feel special. If your forum is only accessible to customers who already have a membership they feel as if they are special in a way that many others do not. It's like they get an incentive built in!

While there are a variety of forums, bbPress is an exceptional one. It was developed in members of the WordPress community.

6. Memberships are available with benefits exclusive to members.

Memberships are by nature exclusive. Membership is special and that feeling is what keeps people coming back.

Imagine the benefits that you would like your members to enjoy. The ability to access your forums? Free shipping? Designs or exclusive products? Unique content, videos, or courses?

7. Rewards loyal customers

You're probably familiar with the concept behind loyalty programs. that you earn points for every purchase . You can then redeem those points for rewards like a free product, free shipping or discount codes. By surprising and delighting your customers with these rewards it makes your brand about more than merchandise. You turn it into an experience, and one which connects to your clients' feelings.

As an example, Atlantic Patio, a patio furniture company, has a Sand Dollar Rewards program. Each dollar spent earns customers points, which is then redeemed to pay for the future purchase. However, shoppers are also able to earn points by contributing photos for the Inspiration Gallery, sharing someone else, checking out the purchase, engaging in social media, or taking other similar actions. It keeps them engaged and makes it a fun game!

8. Embrace your local community

People enjoy giving back and being part of their local neighborhood and prefer to do business at businesses that do similar things. This doesn't mean that you must only be involved as a marketing tactic -- people can also detect it from a mile away -- but do not be shy about sharing what you're already doing in your area.

HydrateM8 includes a webpage on their site dedicated to charity efforts. They have an ongoing charity partner that gets a portion of every transaction made. So when someone makes purchases on their site, they can feel good regarding where the money is going and feel like theyare also doing something to help.

You can donate a part of the sales to your favourite charity. Organise your local (or virtual) gatherings which bring people together. Also, encourage your clients as well as employees to be involved and participate, too.

Concentrate on your community's needs for the long term.

Whichever methods you employ, always make sure you are serving your readers first. Give them a voice with every blog posting you make, every image you share, product you develop, or question you answer.

And don't worry if you do not see immediate results Building an online community is a lengthy approach. However, building loyalty is worthy of the time and effort!