The internet is full of information, but it’s also full of competition. It can be difficult to get your voice heard above the noise, especially if you’re just starting out in business. However, it’s still very possible to build a loyal audience and create a community around your business, you just need to figure out how to be heard.
Offer a New Perspective
There are already a billion-and-one voices fighting for attention on the internet, so being general or saying something that’s already been repeated thousands of times won’t help you to build an audience.
At the same time, however, there is always room for another perspective on the web; people are looking for new things all the time.
You just need to find a way of offering your perspective that’s unique and interesting. The best thing you can do is get super specific on the niche you want to serve and then take the time to listen to what people are saying. Being in tune with your audience will give you plenty of ideas for new angles, fresh perspectives and innovative ways to deliver value.
Be Helpful
In order to build a loyal audience around your online business, you need to be helpful. The key here is really simple: just listen and respond.
People are looking for answers, especially when they’re new to a topic or trying something out for the first time, so make sure that your content reflects this by offering as much value as possible . When you offer help and guidance, people will come to see you as a leader in your field. You’ll also notice that when they need information or advice themselves, they’ll think of you right away.
Be Persistent
If you want to build a loyal audience, showing up occasionally just isn’t going to cut it. In order to really engage people, you need to consistently add value to their lives.
Spend time creating content that’s going to be helpful and then publish it regularly on a schedule that works for your audience. You can’t just post when the mood strikes if you want to build a loyal following. With so many other businesses vying for your audience’s attention, you’ll easily be forgotten if you stop showing up for a while. You need to get in front of your audience every day and remind them of who you are and why you’re an authority in your niche.
Use Forums and Communities
There are plenty of opportunities to build a loyal audience on the internet; you just need to find them. One great way is by leveraging forums and communities that your target market frequents.
For example, if you sell weight loss products, look for fitness forums or online groups where people discuss their struggles and challenges surrounding losing weight. Post in these forums, participate and ask questions. If you can show that you’re just like them – someone who’s trying to lose weight or is passionate about fitness – they’ll start to identify with your brand.
This doesn’t mean shameless self-promotion; it means being helpful by offering information when people are asking for help online.
The Next Steps
By following these four steps, your online business has everything it needs in order to build a loyal audience. However, as an online business owner, you’re not building an audience for the sake of becoming famous – you’re doing it to grow your customer base and increase sales.
Having a large audience will give you the visibility that’s needed to create a predictable flow of leads, which will allow you to turn those one-time visitors into highly profitable customers.
It’s important to end your content with a call-to-action that encourages your followers to take the next step on the customer journey, whether that’s by signing up for your email list or buying a product. You can also use social media to share links to blog posts and articles that will help them make the right purchasing decision.
Make sure to nurture your audience by listening to what they want and offering it in a way that’s consistent with their interests. Don’t be afraid to get specific, either; you’ll find that being more targeted will allow your content marketing efforts to have an even bigger impact on your business’ bottom line.
