Five Steps to Building a Community
One thing the pandemic helped us as a society realize is that we all truly need each other. During quarantine, many of us began to crave the human connection that we so often took for granted. Yes, we stayed in touch with some people but with distance and time, some of our other connections began to diminish.
If this pandemic taught us anything, it taught us the importance of community. The ability to be with and connect with those of like-minded interests, attitudes, and goals. Even though many of us are outside and learning a new normal, others may still feel a lack of community.
If that’s you, we encourage you to get connected and plugged into a community of people who are like-minded. (Read to the end of the article to get access to a list of communities you can join.) But if you’re having a hard time finding your tribe, then read on to see how you can create your own tribe of people you can vibe with.
Get clear on your vision and purpose.
Let’s get deep for a minute; why do you want to create a community? Oftentimes we are looking for the community because we feel that something is missing with the communities we’ve found. Where do you see a need that the community you create can fill?
Are you looking for people you can connect with on a personal level? People you can learn from and learn with? Are you looking for people you can do business with? Take a minute to think about what you hope to gain and what you can share with others.
For example, if you notice that you’ve had difficulty finding women of color who are in tech in your area, then that can be a great opportunity to start a community where WOC can have a place to connect, create and collaborate.
But in order to know what community to build, you have to get clear on your vision and why you’re building it. When you know why you are doing this, it will help guide the choices you make. Make sure they align with the purpose of your community and the vision you have for it. Anything that doesn’t match that, may not be a good choice.
2. Look for people with similar interests
You might be surprised at how many people you already know might have similar interests or goals as you. Think about the people you may know in only one facet, a co-worker, friend of a friend, or Facebook buddy. Reach out and strike up a different conversation. Instead of talking about work or TV shows, discuss hobbies and what they're into. You never know what you both may have in common.
Another way to find people is to ask around. I remember when a friend of a friend was starting a book club for Dystopian fiction, she asked my cousin if she knew anyone and my cousin gave her my name. We met up and had a great book club (we were definitely nerdy, but it was great!). So, put yourself out there and see whose network you can connect with.
Whatever you’re looking for, you have to take a step out of your comfort zone and search for it and be vocal about it.
3. Have a common goal
Now that you’ve determined your purpose and found some people of like interests, it’s time to set a common goal. Before you gather everyone together, determine what you are all congregating for. It could be something as simple as companionship and just an opportunity to get out of the house. Or it could be you all are looking to level up your business and want to connect with people you can learn from. The goal can be to inspire, motivate or hold each other accountable. No matter what it is, define that and share it with the people you meet.
Having a common goal creates a sense of unity. When people come together under a shared interest, it diminishes confusion and automatically weeds out people who are not on that same wavelength. So don’t be afraid to share why you brought the group together.
4. Organize events/meetups
Establish a routine for when and where your community will meet up. Togetherness is an important part of building a community. Schedule social events around your mutual interests, go on outings, or even set up a weekly or monthly outing. Either way, it’s the consistency of meeting up that will help strengthen the bond of the community.
5. Set boundaries and expectations
Setting expectations is a very undervalued part of creating a community. Outside of the purpose and common goals, what else can people in the community expect? There should be rules of engagement that people adhere to in order to keep a sense of togetherness.
Within a community, people typically want to feel safe, supported, and connected. It’s hard to create that vibe when there is tension, rudeness, and disrespect. Set expectations by telling your group members what will be allowed within the community. How will you all communicate with each other? How will you support each other? And then define what happens when people violate the rules or each other.
Community guidelines are not always a fun part of community building, but it will go a long way in creating cohesiveness among the group.
Building a community takes time and effort. But when you really put the energy into it, you can create something meaningful and valuable.
However, if meeting people in person and striking conversation is not really your jam, then you can always look online. There is literally a tribe for every interest you can imagine on the internet. Some of the best places to start looking are Facebook Groups, Meetup.com, and Google searches. I would even suggest searching hashtags on Instagram as I’ve found several poetry events that way.
A lot of really great companies have membership platforms for people too. You may have to pay for it, but sometimes the value and connection are worth the investment. If you’re looking for a community that focuses on leveling up your life whether it’s your business, your day-to-day life, or your money, then The Life Currency is the place for you. Sign up now and get your first month free. There are so many good things we’re rolling out that you will not want to miss out on. Click the link below and thank me later!