Turning Followers into Fans

Summary

In this video, Elijah Dport explains how to transform your audience into a thriving community by creating deeper engagement beyond passive followers. He highlights the differences between an audience (passive spectators) and a community (active, interacting members) and discusses key strategies to build one, such as using platforms like Discord, school.com, and Facebook groups. Elijah shares actionable tips on incentivizing engagement through daily posts and competitions, emphasizing the importance of moving followers off social media and onto dedicated community platforms. The video also teases the next lesson on monetizing a strong community to increase customer loyalty and sales.

Takeaways

• 😀 The key difference between an audience and a community is engagement. An audience is passive, whereas a community is interactive and built around shared values or interests.
• 😀 To transition from an audience to a community, you must encourage interaction not just between followers and the brand, but also among the followers themselves.
• 😀 Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are great for generating traffic but are not ideal for creating meaningful interactions. Use them to funnel followers to more interactive platforms like Discord, School.com, or Facebook Groups.
• 😀 Discord, School.com, and Facebook Groups are better suited for community-building as they allow followers to interact with each other in a way that Instagram and TikTok do not.
• 😀 Engagement competitions, like challenges with rewards, incentivize followers to interact more within the community, strengthening the sense of belonging and loyalty.
• 😀 When building a community, **daily posting** is important to keep the conversation going and encourage followers to participate actively.
• 😀 Offer rewards to incentivize engagement. For example, exclusive products or prizes for members who engage most can lead to higher participation and deeper brand loyalty.
• 😀 The sales funnel should move people from being passive followers on platforms like Instagram and TikTok to engaged community members on platforms like Discord or Facebook Groups.
• 😀 Gamifying the community experience by adding points, levels, or rewards for engagement increases participation and creates a fun, competitive environment within the community.
• 😀 Consistency is crucial for building a strong community. Regular posting and engagement from the brand itself is essential for keeping the community active and involved.

Q & A

What is the main difference between an audience and a community?

An audience consists of passive followers who consume content without much interaction, while a community is made up of active participants who engage with each other based on shared interests or beliefs.

Why is building a community important for a brand?

Building a community fosters deeper customer loyalty, reduces churn, and increases the likelihood of repeat purchases. A community also allows for organic marketing, where loyal members advocate for the brand.

How can social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok contribute to community building?

Social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok are useful for generating awareness and traffic, but they lack the necessary tools for deeper engagement and interaction between followers. These platforms can be used to drive followers to more interactive spaces.

What are some platforms recommended for building a strong community?

Recommended platforms include Discord, School.com, and Facebook Groups. Each offers different features such as interactive chats, gamification, and email marketing integration, catering to different community-building needs.

What are the pros and cons of using Discord for community building?

Discord is free and offers a space for real-time communication and engagement. However, it provides less control over who joins the community and may be difficult to manage if the community grows too large.

What makes School.com a good platform for building a community?

School.com is ideal for structured community building as it includes features like gamification, organized content delivery, and email marketing. However, it comes with a $100/month fee, making it more suitable for brands with a budget.

Why might Facebook Groups be a good option for some brands?

Facebook Groups are free and widely used, especially by older demographics. While they may lack certain interactive features like live calls, they still offer a solid platform for community discussions and sharing.

How can a brand incentivize engagement within a community?

Brands can incentivize engagement by writing regular posts that encourage interaction and creating community challenges or competitions. Offering rewards such as exclusive products can further drive participation.

What role does gamification play in community engagement?

Gamification adds a competitive and fun element to community engagement, motivating members to participate more actively. Examples include leaderboards or challenges with prizes for the most engaged members.

What is the best approach for a brand to begin building a community?

The first step is to choose a community platform that aligns with the brand's goals. Then, brands should use their existing social media to funnel followers into this platform, actively engage with the community, and incentivize participation to keep it thriving.