2x Your Conversions with an Amish Strategy
In an era of instant gratification and information overload, where technology often isolates us from meaningful human connections, there is something profound to be learned from the way Amish communities are built on the foundations of deep connection and community. As coaches and mental health professionals navigate the vast online landscape, they too can tap into the power of building smaller, more intimate online communities.
What is an Online Community?
Online communities, including coaching membership sites, are essentially groups of people who come together online because they share a common interest or goal. These communities have their own unique needs and guidelines, such as how members engage with each other, how the community is moderated, and how it's managed.
Now, here's the exciting part: we're diving into a specific type of online community called branded online communities. These communities are created and run by businesses like yours. They provide a space for your clients, customers, employees, or partners to connect and collaborate in a focused way that not only brings them benefits, but also affords your coaching or mental health company a huge boost.
What is a Branded Online Community?
Imagine a place where people come together, united by a common purpose or goal. That's exactly what a branded online community is all about. It's a virtual platform that brings individuals together to connect, collaborate, and grow in a vibrant online environment. It's a space where you can meet like-minded people, share ideas, and work towards achieving collective success.
Where branded online communities differ from other types of online communities is that a business establishes the branded community online with the aim of connecting members, customers, employees, partners, or any relevant stakeholders of the community. They typically receive a monthly or annual payment in exchange for their facilitation of the community, as well as for providing content.
Understanding the Power of Small Online Communities
Just as the Amish foster close-knit communities, online communities and community-based coaching membership sites can create small online groups where like-minded individuals gather to share experiences, seek support, and engage in meaningful conversations. These communities provide a sense of belonging that allows members to connect with others who share similar interests, goals, or challenges.
For coaches and therapists, these communities offer a unique opportunity to establish a deeper connection with their target audience and build trust. For coaches and therapists, these communities offer a unique opportunity to establish a deeper connection with their target audience and build trust. According to a survey conducted by Sector Intelligence, brand managers from 16 Fortune 500 companies have embraced the use of private online communities to establish consistent communication channels with their customers. Of those, an impressive 86% report that they have experienced “deeper insight into customer needs” as a result of their online community, while 82% say they have gained the “ability to listen and uncover new questions.”
Building Brand Awareness and Enhancing Your Online Presence through Communities
More and more, coaches and therapists are recognizing the impact of online coaching membership sites on their business success. They are seizing the opportunity to align communities with their desired outcomes, resulting in significant benefits for their top and bottom lines.
Let's explore the key business outcomes that were most frequently reported in 2022:
Customer loyalty and retention at 68%
Awareness and branding at 60%
Product usage at 45%
Employee retention at 65%
Culture change (internal) at 57%
Cultivating a Sense of Belonging
Building a sense of belonging is essential in small online communities.
Through the lens of anthropology, the connection among humans can be understood by studying the evolution of our species, which dates back 2.6-1.8 million years. Early humans developed tools to procure food and formed groups to share essential resources beyond their familial ties. They established preferred locations for collaboration, rest, and communal meals, fostering social bonds that enhanced their chances of survival.
In the context of online communities, notably coaching membership sites, this concept holds true. Individuals are actively seeking connections with others who share similar interests, values, and experiences. They desire a space where they feel a sense of belonging, a place that feels like home when they come together. When they find a community that fulfills their needs and allows them to contribute to others, they are more likely to stay and nurture those reciprocal relationships. The psychological significance of these bonds can be as profound as those found within physical tribes.
As a coach or therapist, you can create a safe and inclusive space in coaching membership sites where members feel comfortable expressing themselves and sharing their experiences. By fostering a sense of community and actively encouraging participation, you can create an environment that cultivates trust, engagement, and a deeper connection with their audience. When individuals feel a sense of belonging and support within a community, they are more likely to become loyal followers and engage in your offerings. This increased engagement and trust can lead to higher conversions as individuals are more willing to invest in your products or services, knowing they are part of a community that understands and supports their journey.
Offering Personalized Experiences
Personalization is a cornerstone of Amish community building, and it applies to small online communities as well. Tailor your content and services within coaching membership sites to meet the specific needs and interests of your community members. Send personalized emails, offer targeted resources, or provide one-on-one interactions.
When it comes to increasing conversions, these actions can make a significant impact. By taking the time to understand your clients' unique needs, preferences, and goals, you can create a tailored approach that shows you care about their individual journey. This personalized attention helps build trust, credibility, and a stronger connection with your clients. When they feel seen, understood, and valued, they are more likely to convert into paying customers.
By providing targeted guidance, recommendations, and solutions that resonate with them on a personal level, you demonstrate your commitment to their success and create a deeper engagement that leads to higher conversions and long-term client satisfaction.
Fostering Meaningful Connections
The true power of small online communities – and by extension, coaching membership sites – lies in the connections and relationships formed within them. You can facilitate these connections by organizing virtual events, hosting webinars, or facilitating group discussions. Encourage your community members to engage with one another, share insights, and provide support. In doing so, you create a dynamic and thriving community that benefits everyone involved.
And this isn't just beneficial from a feel-good standpoint; it also makes serious business sense. According to Inversoft, 77% of companies believe that fostering meaningful connections significantly improves brand exposure, awareness, and credibility.
Leveraging User-Generated Content
User-generated content is a powerful marketing tool within small online communities.
Creating a coaching membership site can be a game-changer for coaches and therapists like you, as it provides a platform for user-generated content that can greatly benefit your business. When you foster a strong community, members are encouraged to share their success stories, testimonials, and experiences, which serve as authentic and persuasive content.
This user-generated content not only builds social proof and credibility but also attracts new members who resonate with the real-life impact of your services. By leveraging user-generated content within your online community, you can effectively market your expertise to a wider audience and establish yourself as a trusted authority in your field, leading to increased visibility, client engagement, and business growth.
Why Now is Better Than Tomorrow
In the aftermath of Covid, people are feeling more isolated than ever. They are joining online communities in droves, desperate to learn, connect, and simply be. As a result, there has never been a better time to launch your own online coaching membership site community.
You can bring people together, just as the Amish are skilled at doing, as well as establish yourself as a trusted authority within your niche, engage with your clients on a deeper level, drive client satisfaction, and ultimately propel your business growth.
You can establish yourself as a trusted authority within your niche, engage with your clients on a deeper level, drive client satisfaction, and ultimately propel your business growth.
If you're ready to leverage the potential of small online communities for your coaching or mental health practice, reach out to us today for personalized guidance and support. Together, we can create an effective strategy that will help you build meaningful connections and achieve your business goals.
