In 2024, building a social media community will be more important than ever for businesses and individuals alike. Additionally, it’s not just about having followers; it’s about fostering a sense of belonging and engagement among your audience. Whether you’re a brand, influencer, or organization, creating a strong community can lead to increased brand loyalty, word-of-mouth marketing, and even sales.
In this guide, we’ll explore practical tips and strategies to help you build and nurture a thriving social media community in 2024.
No brand is an island
Let’s start with the basics: every business needs customers to keep going (yeah, no kidding, right?). You probably have different ways to get customers already planned out and calculated.
But here’s a big one: having a social media group all about your brand, with people who are interested in what you do or just like you. Additionally, in marketing talk, they’re the folks you’re aiming your ads at – the ones who are already into what you offer. Consequently, convincing them to buy from you is easier and works better.
Moreover, it’s not just easier; it’s cheaper too. When you advertise to the right people, you don’t waste money on folks who aren’t interested. Furthermore, it gets your brand out there more and helps people know about you.
However, here’s the thing…
Building a social media community is not an overnight thing.
Having a social media group can bring you:
- Good potential customers,
- People who keep coming back,
- Fans who spread the word,
- Suggestions from happy customers,
- Lots of interactions,
- Content made by users,
- And plenty more.
But remember, building this kind of community takes time and work (but it’s worth it). It’s not a quick fix; it’s more like a marathon.
Here are some tips to help you begin, along with a few examples of brands with great communities I think you’ll like.
How to build a community on social media
Let’s explore how to create a community online using your brand’s social media pages.
Target the right people
Know your customer, also known as understanding who buys from you. This is super important in marketing. Building a lively social media community with the wrong people is tough. So, make sure your message reaches the right one.
Get to know your social media community members. For instance, tag your active fans and loyal customers in your social media tool. It makes customer service easier and helps you remember their history.
Knowing your audience means knowing who’s not a good fit too. Surprisingly, you don’t have to target everyone. Avoiding the wrong people can help you focus on the right ones, building stronger relationships.
Talk to them
Be active and reply fast.
Figure out what makes your audience chat. Look at your social media stats or what your rivals are doing. Ask questions that get people talking. When they do chat, make sure to reply.
Don’t ignore them or make them wait. It’s tough, but you have to engage if you want a buzzing community. Luckily, you can automate some tasks.
Encourage them to start the conversations
You can create a Facebook group or run contests on Instagram. Here are some ideas:
For eCommerce, consider hosting a photo contest or initiating discussions in the comments. NGOs can utilize hashtags to raise awareness and interact with their followers. As for B2B companies, creating a Facebook group for professionals in your industry could be beneficial.
These activities can generate content that you can share. People trust recommendations from others, so it’s great for word-of-mouth marketing.
And remember to recognize and reward your most active users.
Keep your social media profiles a safe space (and a nice place)
Handling social media isn’t just about good conversations and positive feedback. You also need to manage trolls and negative comments.
Fortunately, there are tools available to assist with this task. They can automatically filter out spam and hide offensive remarks.
Reducing the amount of unwanted content makes managing your social media community much simpler.
Be honest with your social media community
Many brands treat social media like any other marketing channel. They push ads and hope for sales without listening to their customers.
But that’s not how you build a community. To create an engaged social media community, you need to value people’s time. You must be ready to handle tough situations, admit mistakes, and be honest.
Remember, behind every brand, there are real people. Don’t hesitate to engage with them authentically. Social media is all about conversation, so keep talking if you want a real community.