How to convert your audience into IRL friends
3 tips for creating a thriving community and a strong support system through your online presence
Hey friends,
When we first moved to NYC we knew less than 10 people in the city. In a place that thrives on connection and social capital, this was nothing. We knew we had to build up ours and started the old-fashioned way: by turning to our friends and asking them to introduce us to people they knew. We were expanding our circle one person at a time and meeting interesting people, but it felt like things were moving too slowly. That’s when we decided to do something a bit unconventional: we turned to Twitter and LinkedIn. What started as a brief experiment has resulted in a number of friendships, many IRL events and a strong support system that has helped us through the many ups and downs of building a startup.
Today, we’ll share with you how we did it, and how you can leverage the same techniques to turn your online audience into a thriving in-person community.
Find your tribe
The beauty of the internet is that you can find a community, no matter how niche your interests may be. You can easily find people who have the same beliefs, hobbies and goals.
We often say that your content is your bat signal. You can broadcast it to find the people with whom it resonates, and start creating a community around you. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the “right” way to do this but oftentimes it’s better to start by sharing your ideas and insights. For example, if you’re a kickass marketer, you can easily share the (counterintuitive) knowledge that has allowed you to grow brands from 0 to 1. It may feel obvious to you, but is likely invaluable to someone else. This means that your content will help you attract people that value your ideas, and resonate with you. Before you know it, you will have the seeds of a highly engaged community.
Reach out directly
As you build out your audience, you will notice that some people are more engaged than others. They will likely comment on your posts, share them or reach out to you. Sometimes, they may even tag friends who could benefit from your content in their responses, helping new people discover your insights and amplifying your reach.
Once you notice that you’ve attracted ardent supporters, it is always a good strategy to engage directly with them. You can always reach out to them via DM to thank them for their enthusiasm around your content, and - if you find them interesting or insightful - schedule a conversation with them. Similarly, if someone reaches out to you with an ask or offer, it might be worth the time to hop on a call and get to know them. This will help expand your luck surface area and lead to new opportunities and friendships. Some of the best relationships we have started because of a DM!
Bring people together
Last but not least, while meeting people online is great, nothing comes close to in-person contact. A 30-minute coffee meeting is worth 10 Zoom calls. Of course, meeting people in person is not always possible, but if you do hit it off with someone in your city, it’s likely worthwhile to follow up by grabbing coffee or drinks with them. Similarly, if you’re traveling, you can always reach out to people who are based in the city you’re going to and ask them to meet up. It will accelerate the relationship like nothing else.
If you want to go one step further, you can try hosting get-togethers for your community. Organizing a curated dinner or happy hour can go a long way, allowing you to connect with your community IRL, but also fostering relationships among members. This will amplify the strength of your community, leaving them with an extra positive impression because they were able not only to meet you, but also make new friends. It’s a win for everyone involved.
With love,
Team Salley
What is Salley?
Salley is an intelligent career coach that helps you get ready for the future. Learn skills that are not easy to automate, such as building a strong online presence.