A few weeks ago, my videographer colleague and friend Ernesto Segismundo and I were talking about why it’s so important to build a vibrant community online.
Those of you who have already attended BlogStart for Therapists know the answer, right?
When you engage followers of your online work means that you are providing amazing content on your blog through videos, podcasts and text, and it also means that you’ve got your tribe actively talking about your work up and down the street and online, too!
As a follow up to that converstaion with Ernesto, he decided to record an interview with me.
In it we cover:
- What an online community is and why you need one;
- How to know what type of community you want to build;
- When to monetize your online community;
- The cost of Shiny Object Syndrome;
- The importance of real time engagement in your community;
- The value of commiting to a posting schedule on your blog and the consequence of inconsistency;
- The ideal frequency for posting your videos, podcasts, and text;
- Calls to action as “baby steps” to new clients; and,
- Where the real value in online communities lies.
And, of course, being a Southern girl, my mother always taught me to bring a gift to my host and his audience so I’m leaving you with my little e-book 25 Ways to Ethically and Effective Build Your Online Community.
Here’s a link to the entire interview – How to Build a Community Around Your Website – with Ernesto and me!
Don’t forget to listen to the whole thing so you can download my “thank you” gift as well!
I’m watching this right now and I’m loving it! It’s timely for me because I’m making changes to allow myself the time to blog consistently. Thank you for all of the wonderful stuff – your energy and enthusiasm is matched only by your authority on the topic. I’m going to do some thinking and some WRITING.
Heeeeeyyy, Kat! I’ve missed your voice here!
Thanks for dropping in today!
You’re right that I do have lots of energy and enthusiasm around this whole topic of community building (1) because it’s a key strategy for building a practice and (2) I think, on a bigger level, it’s one big part of the solution to growing a more compassionate, connected world.
I can’t wait to see you blogging more consistently.
I always learn from you when we have the opportunity to connect and I know after your annual trek this summer, you have more wisdom to share.
Your blog is the perfect way to share those pearls 24/7 while still in your pajamas with those babies of yours!
Hi Tamera!
Do you recommend or practice Comment Approval for your blog comments? I was recently spammed in my comment section and wondered if you thought Approving Comments was a hindrance to building community or not. Would love your thoughts on this when you have a moment and (approve my comment? Haha).
Tamara, you always have fantastic suggestions and ideas to offer. Here’s the thing that stood out for me first in Part 1: know exactly who your ideal client is. Great (and very helpful) reminder for me. Thank you, yet again, for your continued service and support of the therapist masses!
Roia!!!!! I’ve missed you!
And, I’m missing you blogging!
Thanks for dropping in to chat!
Not taking the time to identify who you ideal client is is such a costly mistake for entrepreneurs, in general, and for those of us in mental health, in particular!
Without knowing . . . and being able to articulate exactly who that is, we waste our time and energy and money and resources on ineffective marketing.
My community wants and needs something very different than your community wants and needs; and, therapists need to invest time and energy in discerning what those are and who their ideal clients are.
I know . . . I really do know . . . that most of us resist narrowing down and identifying our ideal clients out of FOMO – right?
That fear of missing out.
But, that’s just us buying in to there not being enough, missing one more paying client, etc.
The fear is real but it’s the myth that keeps us stuck in spinning our wheels and burning out.
I appreciate you saying that this is what stood out for you.
I’m working on a webinar to help therapist discern who their ideal client is and to understand why it’s important.
If you are spending time and energy trying to figure out who your ideal client is and you still struggle to hone in on who that is . . . if all else fails, it just might be useful to give yourself permission to pay for a class or to work with a coach to get this one little piece nailed down.
Hey again, Tamara!
I’ve had to curtail blogging for a variety of reasons, but I must admit I never really blogged as a way to build business, largely because I have a full-time job. And it is with a very specific group of people, as it happens.
You do, however, make very good points, and perhaps it would be useful to me to think in terms of who is the ideal supervisee – admittedly something I hadn’t given much thought to until now.
I imagine the fear of limiting prospective clients is a real one for a lot of people. Interestingly, I’ve read it’s also helpful when writing (an e-book, for example) to be as specific as possible in figuring out the audience.
Definitely good stuff to think about! I look forward to hearing about your webinar. Rock on, lady!
Roia, your writing around supervisory-topics is RICH and I would welcome a guest post from you ANY TIME on supervision-related topics. (Nudge, nudge)
And, if you are wanting to keep your clinical supervision going by continuing to bring in new supervises, that would be a brilliant focus for your blog!
Of course, besides mental health, your own music, performances, and interests would also make for a good focus.