Building a strong connection with your audience is critical to your success, and it happens as a result of you delivering targeted, consistent, unique, valuable, and trustworthy content.
If we flip this around on you, and you’re the audience member, then think about the individuals and brands you follow.
They likely have all of these things in common, and that’s why you feel like you have a strong connection with them – it’s why you continue to go to them to get whatever it is they provide.
A strong connection at work
This isn’t just the case with online content.
Building a strong connection with your audience happens across every industry and in every niche.
But since you’re probably an online entrepreneur like me, let’s focus on how you go about building a strong connection with your audience online.
How do you get your audience to feel like they know, like, and trust you so they’ll continue coming back to you for help, resources, and support?
Let’s look at the top 5 ways you can build a strong connection with your audience online.
Top 5 ways to build a strong connection
1. Know your audience (your avatar)
If you don’t know who your audience is (your avatar), then you’re not going to know what it is they want and need. Knowing your avatar at the very start is going to save you time and so much energy and effort when making big decisions around your content and how it’s delivered.
You really shouldn’t be the one making decisions about the medium you use to share your content, the length of your content, the format… you avatar should be making those decisions, and once you have a solid idea of who they are and what they want and need, you’ll be able to ask them.
Don’t hestiate to move forward with an “mvp” of who *you think your avatar is*, because it is possible they’ll shift and evolve once you truly get to know them. Just be sure that at the very start you’re taking time to connect with those who are engaging with and following your content – they will help you discover your true avatar.
And once you know what it is they want and need, you have to be able to communicate with them. Being able to speak their language will help you build a stronger connection faster than anything else, so don’t hesitate to jump on a 5-10 minute call with them so you understand their pain points and actually get to hear the language they use to describe them.
2. Be consistent
You’ve probably heard of the “know, like, trust” trio before.
You strive to have your audience feel these things about you because when your audience knows, likes, and trusts you, they’re not only going to become a loyal fan and follower, they’re also way more likely to become a customer than someone who doesn’t know anything about you.
Being consistent is how you begin to earn that know, like, trust from your audience.
People like having a routine. If you can make yourself a part of it, then they won’t have to think twice about where they’re going to go to for the help you’re providing them.
3. Find your uniqueness
Uniqueness is what sets you apart from others in your industry or niche, and without it, you’ll easily get lost in the crowd.
What can you add to your website, blog, podcast, products, and services that’s unlike anything else you’ve seen?
You, of course, are unique because you’re YOU, so how does that translate to someone who is reading your content, or listening to your podcast?
When John first launched Entrepreneurs On Fire, he made the podcast and what he was offering through it unique by publishing a new episode every day – 7 days a week. No one else was doing that and this unique distinguisher was a massive step towards building a connection with Fire Nation.
Take time out to brainstorm ways you can deliver something unique through what it is you’re creating so that your audience has a reason to come to you.
4. Provide value
It starts with your website and content, and it goes all the way through to your products and services.
People want to follow and engage with people who provide them with valuable content, resources, and information.
But how do you know what’s valuable?
Know your audience, and always keep their pain points and struggles in mind (going back to point 1 above). How are you bridging the gap between where they are now and where they want to be?
If you can provide valuable content to your audience, and start a conversation through that content, then you already have a solid foundation for a lasting connection.
5. Be trustworthy
Your followers are the reason you’ve created what you’ve created. It’s not for you – it’s for them. That’s why it’s SO important that you deliver what you say you’re going to deliver.
Also, really listen to your audience:
- What do they like about your content?
- What do you hear over and over again from them?
- Are there certain topics or areas where you can help them?
When you listen to your audience and respond to these types of things, it let’s them know that you care – that you’re actually listening.
Taking action in direct response to something you’ve heard from your followers (and then letting them know that you’ve done it) is a great way to help earn trust and loyalty.
When your audience knows you’re working hard to provide them with what they want and need, they won’t have a reason to go anywhere else.
One connection at a time
It’s great to talk about scaling and growing your business – we all want to do that. But when it comes to building a strong connection with your audience, it starts with building one connection at a time.
If you practice the 5 things above, then you’ll have a solid foundation for building strong and lasting connections with your audience.
Take the time to listen, to encourage your audience to reach out to you via email or on social media, and never be the one to end the conversation.
