How to Build and Maintain a Community During a Pandemic

Most entrepreneurs faced a pivoting point during the pandemic, whether it was shutting down business or getting innovative with it. Perhaps one of the biggest challenges many faced was figuring out how to keep the community they’ve built thriving. With in-person interaction cut off and more consumers online than ever, solving this problem fast was a big priority.

One study conducted showed that people are more likely to invest in online communities during crisis, trauma, or major life changes. So, the current climate of business is offering many entrepreneurs the opportunity to build and strengthen a community around their brand. 

This may come naturally to those who hopped on the social media train years ago when sites like Facebook and Instagram started popping up, but to others, this came as a new and difficult challenge. If done right, having a strong digital presence that encourages engagement can serve these consumers and position entrepreneurs as leaders in their industry. This can also help their growth when the crisis is over.

Think of it this way, if you want to create a loyal community around your brand, you have to think about long-term goals for your business. The biggest theme we’ve seen throughout the pandemic is brands giving back during a time of crisis. Here are some other notable ways to create and maintain a thriving community during a global pandemic:

Have a Call-to-Action - You cannot assume that people will automatically be interested in your community. The most successful online communities are those in which the leader (or creator) of the community and customers a part of it are actively calling on others to join, engage, and share. It’s almost like a digital word-of-mouth interaction. 

Give Insightful Information - When creating a community, you always want to give more than you receive. It’s important to position yourself as a go-to resource within your industry by providing insightful information. If you’ve been on social media lately, you’ve probably noticed the trend of sharing useful information, helpful tips, resources, and tools. 

Be Adaptable - After researching the market, many successful communities are those that are multifaceted. Meaning they go out of their industry and realm of business to offer more value to their consumers depending on the current market climate. People enjoy discussing multiple interests with like-minded people online, which is a crucial need in times of crisis. 

Once the conversation gets going, actively listen to what others have to say. What are they struggling with? What advice would you give to them? Your community will keep coming back if you can become a one-stop-shop for engaging and insightful interactions with others.

Everyone wants to connect with others who can relate to their situation and creating a space for them to do so can be life-changing. No matter where you are in your journey to creating a community, keep these tips in mind. They come in handy when you reach a roadblock. 

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