For most service-based businesses, the majority of sales will come from those who ‘like, know, and trust’ us because they have already been nurtured by us. The goal is to build a community where we get them in one place so that we can nurture them more, engage with them, and keep them informed of how we can get them to their transformation as a group. It is highly valuable on the road to your first 6-figures to focus on building community as a priority. The obstacle is always ‘how’, but there are blueprints out there that can help.
What cults can teach you about community. Cults are highly effective at community building because they create environments that fulfill deep psychological needs for belonging, identity, and purpose. They often offer members a sense of exclusivity and importance, positioning the group as a solution to life’s problems or as the path to personal enlightenment. This shared purpose and the strong emotional connection between members and the leader foster loyalty and devotion, creating a tight-knit, insular community that is difficult to break away from. Cults are adept at making their followers feel like part of something larger than themselves, which solidifies their collective identity.
By leveraging this close-knit community, cults meet their goals by aligning the personal goals of their members with the broader objectives of the cult. This is done by creating an “us versus them” mentality, where the success of the group is tied to the sacrifices and efforts of each member. The sense of belonging and shared mission motivates members to contribute their time, energy, and resources toward the group’s mission, often placing the cult’s goals above their own well-being. Through this collective commitment, cults can mobilize their followers toward various objectives, from financial contributions to more extreme actions.
What online influencers can teach you about community. Online influencers are highly effective at community building because they create authentic, relatable connections with their audience, making followers feel like they are part of an ongoing, personal relationship. Influencers often share aspects of their lives, values, and experiences in a way that resonates with their audience, fostering trust and a sense of familiarity. This openness encourages engagement and builds a loyal community of individuals who not only consume the content but actively participate in the influencer’s journey. The transparency and relatability of influencers make their communities feel inclusive and accessible, which strengthens the bond between the influencer and their followers.
Influencers use their communities to meet their goals by turning trust and engagement into actionable outcomes. Whether it’s driving product sales, promoting brands, or creating awareness for causes, influencers leverage the loyalty of their followers to support and amplify their goals. Their communities act as brand advocates, helping to spread the influencer’s message, participate in campaigns, and engage with sponsored content, which in turn helps influencers achieve financial success and increase their reach. Through this strong sense of connection, influencers can guide their community toward outcomes that align with their professional and personal objectives.
What one of my business coaches can teach you about community. One of my business coaches is Lamar Tyler. I’ve invested over $50K in his programs and events. But before that, in 2017 I joined his Traffic Sales & Profit (TSP) community and watched him grow it around me. Lamar Tyler is highly effective at building community because he has cultivated a space that specifically caters to the unique needs of Black entrepreneurs, creating a supportive environment that provides both education and empowerment. By addressing the challenges his audience faces and offering actionable solutions, Tyler has built a community where members feel seen, understood, and equipped to succeed. His leadership combines mentorship, business acumen, and cultural relevance, which resonates deeply with his audience and fosters a deep sense of trust and belonging. The TSP community thrives because it not only provides valuable resources but also offers a space where members can connect with like-minded individuals facing similar journeys.
Lamar uses the TSP community to meet broader goals by driving collective success that elevates both individual businesses and the community as a whole. Through shared learning experiences, events, and success stories, TSP members are inspired to take action and achieve measurable results. This creates a cycle of success where members’ achievements validate the effectiveness of TSP’s programs, furthering its reputation and reach. By empowering members to grow their businesses, Tyler strengthens the community’s impact, positioning TSP as a leader in helping Black entrepreneurs scale and succeed, which in turn fuels the growth of the TSP brand and mission.
How to build community online vs your email list. Having both an online community and an email list are highly effective for entrepreneurs because they serve as complementary platforms that allow for a deeper, more comprehensive connection with their audience. An online community provides real-time engagement and fosters a sense of belonging, where members can interact not only with the entrepreneur but also with one another, creating a dynamic space for discussion, feedback, and shared experiences. This environment builds loyalty and keeps members actively involved. On the other hand, an email list offers a more direct and controlled way for entrepreneurs to communicate with their audience, delivering tailored content, updates, and offers directly to their inboxes. It ensures that the message reaches a focused audience without the constraints of algorithms or platform rules, making it a reliable tool for personal outreach.
Entrepreneurs can use these communities to meet their goals by nurturing their audience in different ways. The online community can serve as a space for ongoing engagement, where members feel connected and invested, driving brand loyalty and word-of-mouth promotion. Meanwhile, the email list allows for more strategic communication, guiding subscribers through personalized sales funnels, promoting exclusive offers, or announcing important launches. Together, these platforms create a well-rounded ecosystem where entrepreneurs can consistently engage, nurture, and convert their audience, aligning both short-term sales goals and long-term brand-building objectives.
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