From Chrysalis to Connection: Build a Community of Business Friends
What kind of impact would you like to make?
Someone may be “just a name” that you see on the screen, but when you choose to begin nurturing that connection into a positive relationship, when you start building a community of “business friends,” that is where the biggest impact can happen.
Just like a butterfly helps flowers bloom, you can help others thrive through connecting with them. Think of LinkedIn like a garden and you’re the butterfly. The “garden” is filled with all kinds of beautiful “flowers” (people) who you can help bloom through “pollination” (connecting and commenting).
While progress might seem slow at first, your efforts to expand your network will compound as you get to know people. You can create a ripple effect by making strategic connections. Your engagement with others can create an impactful community of business friends, collaborators, and clients.
In the world of social media, it is easy to get caught up in the “caterpillar stage” by feeling stuck in a dark, quiet chrysalis where it seems like nothing is happening despite your efforts. You might be tempted to measure your success by the size of your network, but the “Butterfly Strategy” shares a different way. This heart-centered approach focuses on 3Cs: strategic connecting, meaningful commenting, and thoughtful content. This article is focusing on the first C: strategic connecting.
The "Body" of Your Strategy
In the butterfly metaphor, connecting represents the “body” of the butterfly.
Choose to focus on people, instead of using LinkedIn as a “profile collector” or for transactional sales. The Butterfly Strategy is about people, because people do business with people. When you connect with intention, you acknowledge others. As you highlight others, this can lead to more people discovering who you are and who you serve.
When butterflies travel from flower to flower, they don’t just consume nutrients for themselves, but also give back through pollination, which helps the flowers to bloom. Just like the butterfly creates a ripple effect, you can do that too by giving first in helping others.
Share a tip that solves a problem, offer to help someone get unstuck, or make an introduction with no expectation of reciprocity. Choose actions that help you become a resource that lets people know you care. When you share and serve generously, it’s a wonderful way to support your community.
If you’re currently using social media strictly to drive sales or conversions and you’re seeing lackluster results, here’s a gentle reminder as to why the platform was designed: for people to connect! Focus on creating a community of people who champion and advocate for each other.
Building a positive community helps to make a difference in running a successful business, in building a community for the book you’ve written, and in finding “your people.” But that community doesn’t just appear out of thin air the day you sign up to the platform. It develops from building relationships.
Start by simply making a comment! That one comment can lead to a conversation which can lead to a business friendship. On LinkedIn, anyone is a potential business friend. The power of a business friend is invaluable! While some may become a client, most will not, but they can become a resource or a referral source. Or someone who will amplify your voice.
Cultivate a Positive Community
To cultivate a supportive online community, here are some ideas to help you find people to connect with and then start a conversation with.
- Focus on “who,” not numbers: It is better to have “real connections” with people who align with your values than a massive list of random profiles who don’t know who you are and won’t refer you to anyone.
- Serve first, give first: Networking isn’t about getting; it’s about giving. Ask yourself: “What do I know or care about that might help someone else today?”
- The (virtual) coffee chat: When you find someone whose content resonates with you, don’t just hit “connect.” Start a conversation. When the time feels right, invite them to a 15-minute, no-agenda “virtual coffee chat.” Get to know the person behind the screen.
- Look for content you resonate with: Find posts that you resonate with or speak to your heart. Make positive comments on those posts. Follow the people and then connect with them.
- Skill-based discovery: Follow people who share skills you want to learn about. Notice who else is commenting on their posts. You may discover some more people to connect with.
- Group call connections: When you attend a webinar or masterclass, make a note of other people on the call and follow up with those who seem interesting to you.
- Respond to comments: Notice who makes comments on your posts and respond back to each one. See if you are connected with them.
The Foundation for an Impactful Business
Getting to know people is the foundation for an impactful business/organization. Choose to create a community of business friends, collaborators, and clients through your connections.
One note: while connecting is vital to this impact, it reaches its full potential only when combined with the other two “Cs” – commenting and content creation. Commenting is the key to opening the door to a conversation. Content will have more meaning after you have connected with someone who is already curious about you.
This article focused on the first “C” of connecting. There is a lot more to share about it, along with the other two “Cs” which can be found in my book, “The Butterfly Strategy: Transform Online Connections into Community and Clients.”
This book is available at: valroskenstews.com/
