We’re on day 5 of the November Challenge of saying `No More’ and going great guns on Week 1, which is all about FOCUS. So far we’ve looked at Fitness and Outsourcing to get you make the most of this month.
Today is all about community. By community I mean your online and offline community of friends, colleagues, customers and clients.
Are you using them to your full advantage to build influence in your industry, sector or niche?
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If you are then is this translating into profitable relationships – either monetary or goodwill?_
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If yes to both of the above, then is this community aligned with your purpose OR your ego?_
The reality is that when a person now “Likes” your page, or “Follows” you on Twitter, “Connects” with you on LinkedIn, or “Subscribes” to the RSS feed on your Blog they create a “connection.”
They are connecting with you in the social web where they choose to connect to other people and organizations they value.
What’s even cooler is these connections are abundant if you really go about nurturing them by creating conversations, introductions, centres of sharing and learning across the social media sites.
Most of the connections I’m making these days offline were a result of an initial online connection. As I make more and more of these connections I am in fact building a community of like minded people.
I then need to nurture these relationships and just as important, provide an environment where my community feels comfortable, engaged, at home and welcome.
Over time this creates trust and once you build that then you can turn your passions into profit and achieve your purpose. Let’s look at the way you can really use your community to benefit your business.
Influence
There’s no denying as you build a following and a strong network you start wielding more influence.
By this I mean you have a certain type of status, credibility and expertise. You have something others want or like and that’s why they engage with you.
I think of it as a club, a tribe of wonderful people that I get to lead by example, innovation and by taking action.
You don’t ever want to piss these people off by not valuing them or losing your focus. You’re here for a reason so I better deliver otherwise you’ll take your precious time and energy elsewhere.
By building your tribe you naturally build your influence.
People look to you as the authority on certain matters, as a result others come to see why that is and check you out, before you know it people recommend and refer you based on your level of influence.
Key examples of influence can be seen everywhere. Some of my favourites in terms of how fast it’s happened are people who’ve `created fame’ by defining their niche in social media like Laura Roeder, Lewis Howes and Mari Smith.
Lady Gaga has created an entire universe of fans around her shocking and surprising brand image, personality and natural talents. She wield immense influence now in the music and fashion industry and beyond.
How do you become influential?
Define your unique value proposition.
Develop a laser like focus on it
Deliver on it consistently and with integrity
**Profiting
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Before you know it strategic partners and joint ventures abound because you are deemed an influential person. Influence has given me opportunities to contribute to Forbes, the Visa Business Network, Young Entrepreneur and now Under30CEO and so much more.
As my tribe has grown I’ve been able to approach more people with my established influence for joint ventures that I probably wouldn’t have tried for before.
These will be projects that we can mutually benefit from both financially and community wise, not to mention strengthening these relationships.
Example of influence that’s turned very profitable are the likes of Pete Cashmore from Mashable who spawned a whole market of `celebrities’ using social media to build a brand for themselves.
Others like Eric Ries who started the Lean Startup methodology have created influence in the tech world where evangelizing their method of agile development has become like a kind of cult.
Oprah Winfrey is da bomb when it comes to marketing yourself as a brand and having a supreme influence. Not only does have a worldwide audience of millions and is worth 2.4 billion, but she hangs with the likes of Obama and was a key supporter during his campaign.
How do you become profitable
Unlike people who seem to think that gathering Twitter followers means they’re popular, that’s not the point of influence. And it certainly won’t lead you to monetizing what you’ve built. Instead:
Set clear goals that ensure your business grows proportionately to your influence
Ask your community what they want from you and then create it while the iron is hot
Over deliver on your offering, provide lots of value and you will profit
Purpose
Staying on purpose seems easy for some like Ghandi, Mother Theresa and Michael Moore. Yet for many people they dont even know what their purpose is – and I get that. It can take a long time to figure out what you’ve been put om this earth for.
But each and everyone of us has one, you just need to take time and effort to figure out what you’re gift to this world is.
I’ve found mine – I want women to court bolder dreams and turn them into reality. I’m here to show you show by travelling the world, running my business and living my dream.
It’s all taking shape and each week I’m surprised at how when you get clear on that, things just fall into place. Opportunities appear. The universe answers with:
“Hey Natalie, you’re on purpose and I’m here to make the stars shine bright and the planets align. I might throw in some meteorite showers from time to time that will make it rocky, but hey you will be leading a fulfilled and remarkable life”
More people are approaching me weekly asking for me to help them, promote them or work with them. Some of this is great and I’m really excited.
Naturally some is unwanted and totally unrelated. I mean how would talking about a hair franchise be useful for my series on awesome online tools for entrepreneurs?
It’s taken me a while to start saying no more, and be selective and now that I am it’s saving me a lot of time and hassle. I’m always happy to refer people on and make introductions if I feel there’s a good fit too so it’s a win win.
By staying true to my purpose which is to create a thriving community of women entrepreneurs wanting freedom in business and adventure in life, I can make the right choices and attract more of the perfect tribe members.
Don’t let the dollars or opportunities that look attractive but aren’t aligned with your core business objectives, distract you or make you lose focus.
And always remember what the heck you’re doing all this for. It got hammered home to me at Shine how much I love meeting women entrepreneurs and learning their story.
What makes them tick and how we can help each other to be the best version of ourselves and bring the best – everytime. What’s your purpose?