The rise of Social Media communities

What are social media communities?

Social Media Communities are online social spaces that create a feeling of fellowship with others, enabling users to share common interests, goals and attitudes.

Content creators, social media marketers and managers are responsible for creating and fostering thriving online communities to better improve their social media strategy. Although having a large following helps, you need to have a community that is engaged.

Why are social media communities valuable to your brand?

The evolution of social media has been fuelled by the desire to connect, communicate and share experiences with others. Nurturing and establishing personal connections is natural human impulse, social media has provided a space which enables relationships and connections to flourish.

To promote a sense of belonging and community is pretty important when developing your brand. Social media communities add value by:

 

• Improving overall engagement on social media platforms

• Increasing brand visibility, generating awareness and reaching more users

• Fostering brand loyalty

• Promoting brand trust, which will improve your credibility as a brand and attract more users

• Earning higher retention through increased following

How do I build a social media community?

1. Be welcoming

Invite people to like your social media pages, such as those who may be interested in your business and what your business provides. Alternatively, follow friends, family, and suggested accounts on other social media platforms to build your following.

This initial audience will serve as the foundation to your social media community, helping you to build your reputation and establish credibility by users engaging with your page and sharing your content.

2. Use CTAs

To engage your community and tone of voice, use ‘call-to-actions’ through compelling content – CTA’s could include:

• Links to your website or online store

• Asking your audience questions

• Promoting polls on topics that are somewhat relevant to your brand

You can get super creative with your CTA’s!

3. Use relevant Hashtags

Social media platforms are becoming search engines in their own right, and you should be thinking about how you can optimise your content to increase overall reach and search visibility.

Hashtags are a great way to do this!

By including hashtags in posts, this is an effective way in exposing your content to new audiences that are searching for hashtags. Ensure your content is also compelling and engaging, so users feel inspired to give you a follow!

4. Schedule events

Another way to build your community would be to encourage followership by promoting events, such as:

- Instagram, TikTok or Facebook scheduled LIVES. These could be Q&A’s or just a general chit-chat with your community

- If your business has a physical location, create an event based here

- Consider offering discounts for new and existing followers

5. Engage with your community

Always remember to respond and interact with your followers! If your followers feel like are being directly spoken to and heard, this will help create a sense of belonging and make them feel and know they are important to you.

Responding also humanises your brand!

6. Use GIFS, Emojis and Memes

Using GIFS, emojis and memes as part of your content strategy helps you to communicate in ‘social media’ language.

Communities are more likely to engage with content that is shareable, relatable, and relevant.

7. Invest in Influencer Marketing

Investing in influencer marketing will help to increase awareness of your social media profiles and your brand. Other ways influencer marketing can help with your social media strategy include:

• Amplify awareness to a large following and extends your overall reach

• Enhances credibility and trust of your brand

• Supports SEO by creating credible backlinks through enhanced brand awareness

• Generates engaging content, leading to an improved content strategy

• Increased conversions