Building a Thriving Community for Your One-Person Business
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Chapter 1: The Power of Community
Are you finding it difficult to establish a solo venture? Instead of jumping straight into product development—especially at the beginning—consider prioritizing relationship-building. Products can be time-consuming and risky, often leading to frustration if they fail to meet market demand. I learned this lesson the hard way in early 2023.
Instead, focus on creating connections. Transform these connections into a network, and then cultivate that network into a community that you can lead and nurture. Use this community as a springboard for opportunities and sales.
A few weeks back, I launched the complimentary Beyond Value Social Procurement Club with just three members (see image below). Social procurement is a niche but rapidly growing topic within my field, and my passion for it has attracted like-minded individuals.
To facilitate connection, I created a Slack channel and set up weekly 'office hours' for us to meet. Initially, I was uncertain whether people would be interested in joining a Slack group or participating in weekly Zoom calls, but the outcome exceeded my expectations.
A community inherently provides social proof
Your community members can become your strongest advocates. They will promote your business and its offerings without any prompting from you. Word of mouth remains one of the most effective marketing strategies available.
For instance, I never requested anyone to share about the group, yet I now receive numerous direct messages from individuals eager to join.
Social proof can be a powerful selling point—leverage it.
Real-World Insights and Data
During our meetings, I gather insights regarding:
- The latest trends and developments in our field
- Emerging opportunities
- Key challenges faced by my target audience
This information not only enhances my service offerings but also enriches my understanding of the industry. In essence, knowledge is a competitive advantage. By pooling our collective wisdom, we can outpace competitors, deliver value to one another, and comprehend industry shifts. It’s truly a win-win situation.
What You Don't Need to Start a Community
You don’t need:
- A large following
- A hefty budget
- Expensive technology
All I started with was:
- Three enthusiastic individuals
- A free Slack channel
- Free Zoom sessions
No setup costs or technical expertise were required. All that was necessary were good intentions, a positive outlook, and a willingness to experiment.
Stop making excuses—it's entirely possible to establish a community tomorrow if you set your mind to it.
Mutual Value Creation
Members of my community are already contributing value to one another. Initially strangers, they are now collaborating and even meeting in person, which has been incredible to witness.
As Tim Denning aptly puts it:
"There isn't a single 7-figure creator I know who doesn't run a community. That's not a coincidence."
While they are helping each other, they still express gratitude for my role in creating the community. I receive credit for the work they do collectively. Interestingly, I am also starting to receive consulting opportunities, likely due to the group's recommendations of my work.
You might wonder: How do you monetize a community?
I haven’t cracked that code yet. I have some potential models in mind, but for now, I'm content to keep it free and focus on adding value. Perhaps the goal isn’t to monetize directly but rather to explore indirect benefits like projects and consulting opportunities.
It reminds me of Tim Ferriss, who shared that he didn’t become wealthy solely from his bestselling book, "The 4-Hour Workweek." Instead, the book opened doors to connections and investment opportunities, leading him to invest in companies like Uber and Shopify—ventures that ultimately contributed to his wealth.
The takeaway? Concentrate on building networks. Creating and managing a community is essential. You nurture your community, and in return, your community nurtures you.
How to Get Started:
- Identify a niche you’re passionate about for your business.
- Reach out to 3-4 like-minded individuals.
- Create a Slack or Discord channel for discussions.
- Hold weekly virtual catch-up sessions.
- Record each meeting to gather insights and feedback to enhance their experience.
It doesn’t require anything extravagant—just high-impact actions.
Grab your FREE copy of my short e-book — 50 Short But Practical Life Lessons I've Learned From Reading 100+ Self-improvement Books 🔥
Chapter 2: How to Foster Engagement
In this video, discover effective strategies for building an online community filled with enthusiastic members eager to purchase your offerings.
Chapter 3: Establishing Authority in Your Niche
Learn five impactful methods to establish your authority as an online coach within your niche, boosting your credibility and reach.