Communicate to Connect

Month: May 2025

  • Show them what you’re about

    Show them what you’re about

    Share with your audience what you value and what you’re working on. Show them what matters to you.

    When people are curious about your organisation, they want to know what you stand for – and where you’re going.

    So, the more you show your audience what you’re about, the more readily people can know if you’re for them.

    You can engage your future audience by bringing them into what you’re focused on.

    Invite people into the process as you work towards your goals. Those could be new projects, or the same quality services you’ve always offered that you want people to know about.

    Saying what you care about is nice, but people want to know you really mean it. So, show them what you are interested in, what services you’re offering, and where you’re going.

    To both your in-person and online audience, communicating what you’re doing is a way for them to get to know you.

    It can be a way for them to realise that you value what they value. That you offer what they want, or what they want to be a part of. How and what you communicate can let others know that you’re moving in the same direction they are.

    Some will want to join you in the process, and they’ll revel in the journey, in being able to be part of it. Others won’t.

    Some people would rather you were going in a different direction, or they’d rather you weren’t interested in change. You won’t appeal to everyone.

    As long as people know what you stand for, they will know if you’re for them.

    But you don’t want to leave people to guess what your priorities are and what you’re committed to – so show them.

    Then be consistent with it. Both your communication with them and your commitment to what you value.

  • Not what you want

    Not what you want

    If you want to grow a community, then your content can’t just be what you want to share with others. Or what you think they need or should be interested in.

    If you only offer services that you want to offer, you likely won’t see much interest.

    Rather, in order to grow community, you need to offer services that your audience is looking for, that they want and value.  

    But before you can know what people are looking for, you have to know who it is you are seeking to serve. So, as you develop your marketing strategy, discover who your ideal audience is. And where you find them.

    Once you figure out who your audience is, then you can learn how to serve them better. You can learn what they value and what they’re interested in getting involved in. You can learn how to help them in the way they need.

    When you really cater to your audience, the people you are looking to connect with and help, that’s when you’ll notice change. That’s when people will become more interested in what you’re doing and in finding out how they can get involved.

    If you continue to prioritise their values, then you’ll earn loyal supporters. And it’s those loyal supporters who will help you grow the community.

    So, focus less on what you want to offer or what you think people should be interested in. Instead, if you want to truly connect with your audience, learn what they seek. Put yourself in their shoes. Learn how to reach and communicate with them.

    Sometimes it’s as simple as saying what you’re already saying, just a little differently. Speaking their language, speaking in a way the resonates with them.

    So, what is your audience looking for? What is it they value? Where are they going? Meet them there. Journey with them.

    If you serve the people you’re seeking to help in the way they need, if you show them what you value, you’ll build their trust. They’ll realise that what matters to them is also what you want and what you value.

    In exchange, they’ll commit to being part of your mission. Because it will become their mission too.

    And that kind of reciprocal relationship will lead to stronger, lasting connections with your community.

    Prioritise your audience, what matters to them, and your community will grow.

  • Marketing strategy to grow your community

    Marketing Strategy to Grow Your Community

    For your community to grow, you need a marketing strategy.

    Your organisation may be brand new, or maybe it isn’t.

    If your organisation has been around a while, maybe things have changed. Old approaches to attract new members or customers may no longer work.

    The audience you used to appeal to may have moved on. Maybe their interests have changed, or maybe yours have. Maybe what you’re motivated by has moved you in a different direction.

    Either way, a new approach is needed.

    Your marketing strategy will help you determine the audience you are seeking to serve. It’ll show you who you need to get to know.

    And knowing your audience better will inform you how to serve them better.

    A strategy provides you with the philosophy that will guide your organisation. It influences how you make decisions. It determines your brand. Strategy also directs how you connect with and serve your audience.

    So, what is your strategy? Who is your organisation seeking to serve? And how will you reach them?

    Start by answering those questions.

    If you don’t know who you’re seeking to connect with, you won’t know how to act. At least not in anyway that will lead to noticeable, consistent growth.

    Your marketing strategy influences the systems you put in place to reach your goals. To reach your audience.

    Those systems will also ensure you retain your future, loyal supporters. The ones who walk through the door one day, then go on to become your dedicated customers or dependable and enthusiastic volunteers.

    They become your core audience. The supporters you really value, and want to keep around.

    Know your strategy, and you’ll know where you’re going – and who wants to go with you.

    Your community will grow out from there.

  • How to Strengthen Your Community Through an Online Presence

    Strengthen Your Community

    Developing an online presence can strengthen your community, giving you new and more efficient means of communication.

    But many communities that rely on in-person participation are concerned that an online presence will deter in-person connection. That it will reduce how many people physically walk through the doors each week. Maybe you feel the same way.

    You may be a community that values and thrives with interpersonal connection through volunteering or conversation. But, extending your audience into the online realm doesn’t need to detract from that.

    An online community can actually deepen the quality of experiences through the presence of diverse perspectives. In turn, this can strengthen your community and make it more resilient.

    Virtual community provides another option

    It’s true there are benefits to meeting in-person that virtual meeting rooms and online videos cannot replace. And you don’t want to get rid of those in-person gatherings. Not all of your events need to have an online component.

    But providing another option, at least some of the time, allows access for those who cannot attend in person. And there are many reasons people may not be able to make it to an in-person event.

    It’s possible people are away or travel often or maybe they just wouldn’t be able to make it on time because the commute will take too long.  

    Many individuals also have physical needs that make it difficult to visit in person, at least on a regular basis.

    Having that wider range of people, who would otherwise not be able to be part of your organisation, will add to the variety of perspectives within your community.

    And having different perspectives always helps when trying to problem solving or come up with new or effective ways to reach people.

    A supportive and connected community

    An online presence gives people an option to participate that they otherwise would not have. It can also provide them with an option where they feel their needs are being taken into consideration.

    Community is about connecting with and supporting each other and an online space can help you do just that.

    It lets people know they are valued, and if online is the only way they can connect at this point in time, then that’s okay.

    Virtual community allows you to stay in touch when you may otherwise lose people who don’t feel seen.

    And building your community on a foundation of caring for another and respecting diversity lets people know that’s what you value.

    If you’re a small business, online meetings can also be an important way to extend flexibility to employees you value. If you accommodate their needs, it can help foster a relationship of loyalty and trust.

    A starting point

    For your organisation, online is also a great place to reach people and for them be able to test you out. To find out what you value, what you’re up to, and what they’re looking for.

    Then, once they do step in the door, they’re probably more certain this is a place for them.

    When people are sure of themselves and you, sure that this is where they want to be, that provides a stronger platform upon which to build meaningful connections.

    And that is what will grow and strengthen your community: meaningful connection.