How to Create a Thriving Online Community

Here’s something every coach and course creator should know. Studies show that 30% of a business’s profits come from nurturing a strong online community. That’s an opportunity too big to miss!

So, how do you make that happen? Stay with me as I share five essential strategies to help you create an engaged and loyal online community. Let’s get started!

1. Define Your Online Community’s Brand Identity

What makes certain brands so irresistible? Is it the personalities behind the vision or the products that they offer? What about the values they champion and the story embedded in every aspect of the brand?

Look at brands like Nike, Apple, and Patagonia. These companies have built empires not just through the products they are selling but also through the stories they represent.

So, how do you create a brand that people connect with? Grab your notebook and start by reflecting on the following questions:

✅ What do you stand for? Beyond just building a thriving business, what’s your deeper purpose?

✅ What’s your mission? Where are you taking your audience?

✅ What’s your personality and voice? Are you fun and casual? Professional and insightful?

If you want people to connect with your brand, they need to know what it represents. Be clear, be bold, and most importantly, make the story behind your brand relatable.

Want to learn how to turn customers into brand advocates who market your business for free?

Check out our video below!

2. Speak Their Language: How Relatable Communication Builds Your Online Community

Imagine this: You land on a company’s website, and the first thing you read is… “Our cutting-edge, results-driven solutions empower enterprises to leverage scalable synergies.”

Now, compare that to: “We help businesses grow, without the stress, confusion, or corporate nonsense.”

Which message feels authentic?

💡 Lesson: If your brand’s message sounds like a corporate manual, people will tune out almost instantly.

Instead of using bureaucratic language loaded with jargon, keep your language simple and easy to understand. Listen to your audience as they express their struggles and dreams, and use that same language to frame the solutions you offer.

Mirror Your Online Community’s Language

Think about this: You’ve spent hours crafting the perfect marketing message, but when you put it out there… nothing. No response, no engagement. I’ve been there, and it’s frustrating.

Then, one day, I shared a simple quote on social media about how success is built through small, consistent efforts. And suddenly, I got a few reactions.

It wasn’t a viral moment, but it was a clear lesson: if your audience doesn’t see themselves in your message, they won’t engage.

If they don’t feel like you’re talking to them, they won’t listen. And when that happens, all your effort goes to waste.

3. Create Emotional Engagement Through Storytelling

People remember stories, especially the ones that reflect their struggles and aspirations, not sales pitches.

Research from Princeton University shows that listening to a story causes our brains to sync with the storyteller’s emotions. This becomes an opportunity to build a deeper connection. At the core of this experience is neural coupling, a fascinating neurological process that helps align thoughts and feelings between the speaker and the listener.

However, if the message is unclear or complicated, that connection breaks, and listeners disengage. That’s why it’s crucial to keep your message simple and relatable so your audience stays engaged and emotionally invested.

Remember, people don’t buy just for the sake of buying; they buy because they see a better version of themselves in your story.

Your message must paint a compelling before-and-after journey that allows your audience to see themselves in it. Think about it: would you rather hear a generic statement like “We help small businesses scale” or a real-life story that tugs at your emotions? For example:

“Two years ago, Lisa was drowning in admin work, struggling to keep up with clients. Late nights, missed family time, constant overwhelm. Fast forward to today, she runs a thriving business, has reclaimed her evenings, and finally enjoys spending time with her kids. What changed? She found a system that worked.”

From there, you can naturally introduce your business within the story.

Storytelling is key to building strong relationships with your audience. Why? Because it turns a dull marketing message into something they can relate to.

4. How to Build Trust Within Your Online Community

Building a thriving online community will not happen overnight. You need to nurture it consistently through genuine communication and real engagement. Be present and listen to what they have to say.

Think about it: if someone in your life only hears from you when you need something, they’ll feel used and disrespected.

The same thing applies to your audience. Don’t just show up when you have something to sell or want more engagement because they’ll see right through it. Show your audience you value them beyond business interactions. Here’s how:

Show up consistently on your chosen platforms, not just when you have something to promote.
Offer value first by sharing content that educates and helps solve their problems.
Engage like a human being, not just a brand. Respond to comments, ask thoughtful questions, and create real conversations.

5. Turn Your Online Community Into a Brand Ambassador

A strong online community means having loyal members champion your brand. Your members can become your strongest advocates, bringing in others because they believe in your work.

However, advocacy doesn’t happen through sheer luck. It’s more than just reeling in a huge following.

Focus on creating an experience so valuable and personal that people are willing to share their experience with their circle. Here’s how you can turn your customers into passionate advocates:

Create an Inclusive Online Community

We all love exclusivity because it makes us feel extraordinary. With that being said, give your community behind-the-scenes access or even the chance to shape the direction of your new offer.

When they feel like they’re part of something important, they’ll be excited to share it.

Try this: Launch a “first-look” club where select customers get early access to new releases. Not only will they feel valued, but they’ll also help you refine your offer before it hits the market.

Encourage User-Generated Content (UGC)

Your most powerful content doesn’t come from you; it comes from your audience. UGC naturally creates social proof, which strengthens trust and influences buying decisions.

As real customers share their experiences with your brand, it builds trust signals and credibility. In fact, 59% of consumers consider user-generated content the most authentic type of content.

Try this: Run a challenge or giveaway where users post about their experience with your product, using a specific hashtag. Feature the best submissions on your platform to encourage more participation.

Celebrate Your Online Community

A thriving online community boosts customer retention and loyalty. Forbes says brands with strong communities enjoy 66% customer loyalty. No wonder businesses are doubling down on community engagement for long-term success.

How to implement:

Do “Member Spotlights,” where you feature a community member’s story or achievements.
Repost customer testimonials and success stories.
Send thank-you messages or small surprise gifts to your most active members.

Conclusion:

Building a loyal online community is an essential business strategy for gaining loyalty from your members. It can reduce marketing costs, increase retention, and turn customers into long-term advocates.

To recap, here’s what you need to focus on:

Define your brand identity and be clear on what you stand for.
Ditch corporate jargon and speak your audience’s language.
Connect with your members through emotionally appealing stories.

At Wisdome, we’ve built a strong, engaged community by applying these exact principles. Our users are our biggest advocates, bringing in new customers simply because they believe in what we do.

You too can try sharing your knowledge and show up for your audience by putting our valuable courses, coaching programs, or memberships.

Start FREE today!