5 Strategies to Build a Thriving Community
Engagement is one of the most important drivers of a successful business. It’s what turns followers into loyal supporters and builds genuine connections with your audience. So, how do you foster a community that doesn’t just interact but truly connects with your business?
Creating engagement doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. Here are five simple, effective strategies you can start using today to build a loyal, engaged community around your brand.
1. Cheer Others On
Supporting others is one of the easiest ways to build meaningful connections. When you cheer others on, you create a ripple effect of positivity and trust.
Dedicate 30 minutes a day to sharing or commenting on other people’s content. Use the “Rule of Threes”: leave thoughtful comments on three accounts and share posts from three others. Don’t forget to tag them so they know you’ve acknowledged their work.
You can also reach out to people in your network with a text, voice note, or phone call to check in and offer encouragement. These small, genuine gestures strengthen relationships and create a deeper sense of connection.
2. Collaborate
Collaboration is a powerful way to build engagement and expand your reach. Partnering with others allows you to share audiences, resources, and ideas in a way that benefits everyone involved.
Identify a business or individual whose values align with yours and propose a partnership. This could be co-hosting an event, creating a joint offering, or simply cross-promoting each other’s work.
If you’re just starting out, consider skill-swapping instead of spending money. For more established businesses, delegation can free up time for you to focus on what you love most.
3. Be Engaging
Engagement starts with you. Show up with energy and excitement, and your audience will respond.
Whether it’s weekly social media lives, newsletters, or blog posts, make it a habit to connect with your audience regularly. Sharing your journey—including challenges—makes you relatable and helps people feel connected to your brand.
Offer helpful content that speaks directly to your audience’s needs. Tutorials, tips, or behind-the-scenes insights are great ways to deliver value while fostering connection.
4. Connect Personally and Virtually
Engagement thrives on meaningful connections, both in-person and online.
Host events, meet-ups, or workshops where people can connect face-to-face. These gatherings create a sense of belonging and deepen relationships.
Virtually, consider hosting webinars or masterclasses, joining online groups, or sending personalized messages to your audience. Tools like voice notes or quick phone calls can make interactions more personal and impactful.
You can also use your network to bring people together. Introducing others who can help each other builds goodwill and strengthens your role as a trusted resource.
5. Listen
The best way to engage your community is to understand them. Listening to what they are looking for and how you can improve allows you to serve them better.
Start by having conversations! Send a survey, run a poll, or simply ask five clients what they’re looking for. The insights you gather will help you refine your offerings.
Go beyond what people say and observe how they interact with your content, products, or services. This will help you identify trends and tailor your approach.
When people feel heard, they’re more likely to engage with and support your business. Listening builds trust and fosters long-term loyalty.
Take Action Today
Building an engaged community doesn’t happen overnight, but small, consistent actions can lead to incredible results over time. Reflect on how your business currently fosters connection and identify one step you can take today to increase engagement.
Whether it’s cheering others on, collaborating with a partner, or simply reaching out to a client, these strategies will help you create a thriving, connected community around your brand.
Which strategy will you try first? Let me know—I’d love to hear from you!
Shannon Lorenz
she/her
Shannon is the founder of SEEK Bespoke Market. She loves creating community and connection, after all that is what the heart of Bespoke is all about. In her free time, you'll find Shannon spending time with her family, enjoying nature and seeking out new adventures.