Why You Should Build An Online Community and How To Do It 

Building an online community can be beneficial for anyone, regardless of their level of expertise or their industry.

Whether you are a small business owner, a blogger, or a large corporation, an online community can be a powerful tool to engage with your audience and keep them coming back to your website or online business.

In this article, we will explore the benefits of creating a community and provide a step-by-step guide on how to do so effectively. By fostering a sense of belonging and connection among your community members, you can create a loyal following and drive engagement with your content.

What is an online community?

People have a natural desire to belong and feel a sense of connection with others. By participating in an online community, individuals can find a sense of belonging and connection with others who share similar passions or experiences.

An online community is a group of people who come together online to communicate and share information, ideas, and experiences around a common interest or topic.

Online communities can be found on various platforms, such as social media, forums, discussion groups, and specialized websites. They can be open to anyone who wishes to join, or they can be private and require approval from the community’s administrator or moderator. 

Why online community is so important for creators?   

Online communities can be a powerful tool for creators and businesses to build relationships with their customers, fans, and followers. There are several reasons why online communities can be so important:

1. Connection and belonging

As mentioned earlier, online communities provide a platform for people to connect with others who share similar interests, values, or experiences.

Online communities can help creators build a loyal following and establish a sense of community around their work. This can lead to increased engagement and support for their content, as well as opportunities for collaboration and partnerships.

2. Engagement and feedback

Online communities can provide a platform for creators to engage with their audience and receive feedback on their work. This can be valuable for creators looking to improve their content and better understand their audience’s needs and preferences.

3. Monetization

Online communities can also be a source of income for creators through various monetization options, such as paid posts, sponsorships, and product sales.

By building a loyal following and establishing a sense of community around their work, creators can create a sustainable income stream through their online community.

4. Building social proof and increasing follower trust

Online communities can be a valuable resource for creators, you can create a network of satisfied customers who can vouch for the quality of your content or services. This can be especially important for small creators or new startups that may not have as much established credibility in the marketplace.

By engaging with your community and responding to feedback and concerns, you can also demonstrate to potential customers that you value their opinions and are committed to providing a high-quality experience.

An active online community can increase customer trust and loyalty, leading to increased sales and customer retention.

4 Steps to building a community around your niche

1. Define your audience

Identify the target audience you want to attract to your community. Consider factors such as their interests, demographics, and needs. This will help you tailor your content and messaging to appeal to this audience.

2. Choose a platform to host your community

Decide on the platform you will use to host your community. Options include free social media communities and branded communities. Consider the features and capabilities of each platform and how they align with your goals for the community.

We have compared the social media platform and branded community platform below: 

Free social media communities

Free social media communities, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, can be a good choice for building a community around your brand. These platforms have a large user base and offer a variety of features and tools for engagement and moderation.

However, they may not offer as much control over the community and may not be as tailored to your specific needs as a branded community platform. Here are some pros and cons of social media communities:

Pros:

• Large user base: Social media communities have a large user base, which can make it easier to find and attract members to your community.
• Wide range of content types: Social media platforms allow for a variety of content types, such as text, images, videos, and live streams, which can make it easier to engage with your audience.
• Integration with other tools: Many social media communities offer integration with other tools, such as email marketing or customer support, which can make it easier to manage and grow your community.

Cons:

• Limited customization: Social media platforms may not offer as much customization in terms of design and features as branded community platforms.
• Limited moderation tools: Social media platforms may not offer as many moderation tools as branded community platforms, which can make it more difficult to manage and maintain a positive and welcoming environment.
• Algorithmic filtering: Social media algorithms can filter content and limit the visibility of your posts, which can make it more difficult to reach and engage with your audience.
• Limited monetization ways:  Most social media platforms do not offer subscription-based models or set up paid tiers within their communities, which means that creators cannot charge a fee for access to their community or its content. This can be a limitation for creators who are looking to monetize their community through subscriptions.

Branded communities

Branded communities such as Linkr can be a valuable tool for creators looking to monetize their community through subscriptions and offer more customization and moderation tools than social media platforms.

However, they may have a smaller user base and may require subscription fees, which can be limited. Here are some pros and cons of branded communities:

Pros:

• Subscription-based model: Branded communities offer subscription-based models, which allows creators to charge a fee for access to their community or its content. This can be a valuable way for creators to monetize their community and generate income.

• Customization and moderation tools: Branded communities typically offer more customization and moderation tools than social media platforms, which can make it easier to manage and maintain a positive and welcoming environment.

• Integration with other tools: Many branded communities offer integration with other tools, such as email marketing or customer support, which can make it easier to manage and grow your community.

• Customization of paid tiers:  Branded community platform has the ability to set up paid tiers for different content or access levels. This can be a valuable way for creators to monetize their community and offer exclusive content or perks to their most loyal followers. For example, a creator could offer a basic tier with free access to their community and a premium tier with access to exclusive content or perks for a monthly subscription fee.

Cons:

• Limited user base: Branded communities have a smaller user base compared to social media platforms, which can make it more difficult to find and attract members to your community. So it’s important for creators to actively promote their community and encourage followers to join.  

• Subscription fees: Branded communities typically require a subscription fee, which may not be feasible for all users and may limit the size of the community. However, Linkr offers a free account for creators to set up their paid membership communities.

3. Promote your community 

Promoting your online community is an important step in building a thriving and engaged community. There are many ways to promote your community and attract new members, including leveraging your existing audience, using paid advertising, collaborating with other creators or influencers, and participating in relevant online groups or forums. 

Word-of-mouth marketing and referrals can also be a powerful way to promote your online community and attract new members. Consider offering incentives, such as discounts or exclusive content, to members who successfully refer friends to your community. 

By consistently promoting your community and offering valuable content and incentives, you can attract new members and keep them engaged in your community. Remember to also actively engage with your community and foster a positive and welcoming environment to encourage retention and loyalty. 

4. Grow Your Online Community

By following these above steps, you can successfully promote your online community and build a strong and engaged community around your niche. 

Get more community growth ideas from this article in our blog: A complete guide on how to grow your online community and boost sales.

Build your community with Linkr

Ready to create your own online community? Look no further than Linkr Platform!

Our intuitive platform makes it easy to build, manage, and grow your community. With a wide range of customization and moderation tools, as well as integration with other systems,

Linkr is the perfect choice for anyone looking to create a thriving online community. So why wait? Sign up for linkr today and start building your community!