Build a Following
Grow your business's presence on The Word by building a community of engaged followers who care about what you do.
Grow Followers
Attract customers who want to hear from your business.
Share Updates
Keep your community informed with posts and announcements.
Engage Directly
Respond to comments and build real relationships.
Partner Locally
Connect with charities and other businesses in your area.
Why Community Matters
- Trust: Community-connected businesses are seen as more trustworthy
- Loyalty: Engaged customers become repeat customers
- Word-of-Mouth: Community members recommend businesses they feel connected to
- Resilience: Strong community ties help businesses weather challenges
Local Beats Global
70% of consumers prefer to shop at local businesses that are involved in their community. The Word helps you demonstrate that involvement and build those crucial local connections.
Content & Communication
Share content that resonates with your community and keeps your business top-of-mind.
Content Ideas
- Behind the Scenes: Show your team, process, and company culture
- Customer Spotlights: Feature customers and their stories
- Local News: Share relevant community news and events
- Tips & Education: Provide value through helpful content
- Cause Updates: Show your charitable involvement
- Promotions: Share deals and special offers
Engagement Best Practices
- Post consistently (2-3 times per week minimum)
- Respond to comments and messages promptly
- Ask questions to encourage interaction
- Share user-generated content
- Be authentic and show personality
Host Community Events
Bring people together with events that strengthen your connection to the community.
Event Types
- In-Store Events: Sales, workshops, demonstrations
- Community Gatherings: Meetups, networking, social events
- Charity Events: Fundraisers, awareness campaigns, volunteer days
- Educational Sessions: Classes, seminars, how-to workshops
- Celebrations: Grand openings, anniversaries, milestones
Event Features
- Event creation and promotion tools
- RSVP tracking
- Automated reminders
- Post-event engagement
- Attendee rewards and incentives
Local Partnerships
Collaborate with other local businesses and organizations for mutual benefit.
Partnership Opportunities
- Cross-Promotions: Partner with complementary businesses
- Joint Events: Co-host community events
- Charity Partnerships: Support local causes together
- Referral Networks: Send customers to trusted partners
- Bundle Deals: Create offers that span multiple businesses
Benefits of Local Partnerships
- Expanded reach to new audiences
- Shared marketing costs
- Enhanced credibility through association
- Stronger community presence
- Collaborative problem-solving
Collaboration Over Competition
Local businesses that collaborate see 25% higher growth than those that compete in isolation. When local businesses support each other, everyone benefits—including the community.
Community Groups
Participate in and create community groups around shared interests and causes.
Group Participation
- Join local business groups
- Participate in cause-based communities
- Connect with potential customers in interest groups
- Share expertise and build authority
Create Your Own Community
- Build a community around your brand or industry
- Create VIP customer groups
- Host discussions on relevant topics
- Provide exclusive content and offers to members
Reviews & Reputation
Build and maintain a positive reputation through genuine community engagement.
Reputation Building
- Encourage Reviews: Ask satisfied customers to share their experiences
- Respond Thoughtfully: Address all feedback professionally
- Showcase Testimonials: Feature positive reviews in your content
- Fix Problems: Use negative feedback to improve
- Stay Consistent: Maintain quality that earns good reviews
Social Proof
- Display charity partnerships and community involvement
- Show volunteer hours and donations
- Feature customer success stories
- Highlight awards and recognition
Measure Engagement
Track your community engagement efforts to understand what's working.
Key Metrics
- Follower growth rate
- Post engagement (likes, comments, shares)
- Event attendance and RSVPs
- Customer retention rates
- Referral traffic from community activities
- Brand mention sentiment