4 powerful ways to build a community around your business

Now is the time to connect. Whether you’ve been separated from your friends and family in the last year, struggled to get your business out there, or haven’t been able to do the things you want to do, now is a great time to get creative and reconnect with community. Around you. The same is true in business.

Being part of a community is powerful. Not only is it essential to our mental health and well-being, it is also a vital element of a successful business. The sense of community is important between companies and customers, and also between employers and employees.

With the tips below, you can start building a business that is not only a positive part of the broader community, but also fosters a positive community within the business itself.

1. Get involved locally

Even if you are a global or international company, or operate entirely online, you can still contribute to your local area. You are providing value and growth to the local population, albeit indirectly, so why not make an effort to connect with your community and get involved?

This could include donating to local causes, participating in fundraising events, offering internships or work experience for local students, giving encouraging talks or speeches in schools, and more.

There may also be some complementary local businesses that you could collaborate with. You could run joint offers with them, for example, or joint announcements. And if you have similar or crossover skills, maybe you can join forces on particular projects.

Whether you’re building a community online or in person, communicating with potential contributors can earn you real rewards.

2. Start from the inside

Building a community is not just about looking outward at your larger environment. It’s also about looking inward and reflecting on the community you are building within your own business, large or small.

It can be helpful to consider the values ​​and mission of your company in general, and how you can reflect them within your company culture.

For example, your values ​​may include originality, innovation, and self-expression. Think of ways you could foster these values ​​among your workforce, such as by scheduling regular creative activities or field trips for your team members, perhaps.

Another great way to create an additional community within your company can be to attend events or training courses together. Perhaps you could start by researching the certifications or qualifications that are most valued or relevant to your industry, and then get started.

Not only will you and your workforce develop great team values ​​and stronger connections, you will also be more qualified.

3. Organize events

Community, of course, is about bringing people together, and what better way to do that than by hosting events? Perhaps you could host conferences, conventions, or networking events and set them up online, if necessary.

For example, during the national lockdowns, many companies or educational institutions around the world used their programs and services entirely online.

Lectures, questions and answers, and tutorials streamed live are especially popular and can be conducted via websites or social media platforms. This can be a great way to connect with potential clients and customers who may be all over the world, as well as those who are more local but may have limited mobility.

Attending a wide variety of events both online and in person, or even hosting them yourself, is a great way to build a strong and supportive community for your business. Not only will you bring genuine value and knowledge to others, but you will receive the same in return.

4. Outsource experts

Building a community starts within your company, branches out to your customers, and can also include those you outsource to. Outsourcing important aspects of your business to experts is a great way to save time, make use of the skills of others, and grow your business organically.

Outsourcing to an expert could mean entrusting your blog to a professional writer with knowledge of search engine optimization, for example, to maximize your bidding opportunities by hiring a bid writing professional, or seeking guidance on technical topics such as regulations. GDPR, maybe.

These are all examples of outsourcing crucial business facets to experts who may have years of valuable experience.

Through outsourcing in this way, you can help the community by providing work and building a collective with knowledge and experience, while giving your business the best chance of success!