Introduction

Influencer marketing is a powerful tool for growing your business, but it's not an easy one. Here are ten tips that you can use to build an online community around your brand.

1. Get Your Influencer Strategies Down

• Know what you want to achieve.
• Set up a calendar and stick to it.
• Show authenticity, not perfection.
• Ensure your contact list is current and functional (and if it's not, make sure to update it).
• Don't pick the wrong people for collaborations -- sometimes this means saying no!

2. Know What You Want to Achieve

• Know What You Want to Achieve

You can't build an online community if you don't know what that community is for. Are you building an online forum for fans of your brand, or do you want them to buy products? Do they need advice on how to use the product, or are they just looking for inspiration? Knowing your goals will help guide the content and strategy decisions that come later in this process.

3. Set Up a Calendar and Stick to It

A calendar is a must-have for any influencer, but it's especially important for those who are looking to build an online community. A calendar can help you keep track of your daily schedule and make sure that you stay on top of all the tasks that need completion.

The best way to set up your own personal calendar is by using Google Calendar or another similar service in order to access it from anywhere--especially if you plan on working remotely! You can even sync multiple phones and computers so that everyone in your team has access as well.

Once created, stick with this schedule as much as possible: don't let yourself get distracted by other things or people when there's work that needs doing!

4. Show Authenticity, Not Perfection

The most important thing to remember is that you are not perfect. You will make mistakes, and that's okay. Your followers want to see the real you--not some polished, edited version of yourself. They want to know what motivates you and what makes you tick. They want transparency from their influencers, so sharing things like your struggles or experiences will help build trust between them and the brand/influencer they follow (and ultimately buy from).

• Show authenticity by being vulnerable and showing that you are not perfect

Being vulnerable means being open about who you are as an individual by sharing your own struggles with others who may be going through similar situations as well as sharing positive experiences that have shaped who they have become today.*

5. Ensure Your Contact List is Current and Functional

• Ensure Your Contact List is Current and Functional

It's important to keep your contact list up to date, as this will ensure that you can contact the right people at the right times. If you're running a business and trying to build an online community, it's especially critical that your team is easily accessible through one central location. Make sure that everyone knows what they need to do in order for you or someone else on the team (like a customer service representative) to reach them quickly if needed.

6. Don't Pick the Wrong People for Collaborations -- Sometimes This Means Saying No

Sometimes, the best thing you can do is say no.

It's important to collaborate with the right people and not just anyone who reaches out to you. Don't be afraid to turn down collaboration requests if they don't align with your values or goals, or if someone isn't a good fit (for example, if they are an excellent writer but not so great at managing their time).

Collaborating with people who don't communicate well can also be problematic; it's better for everyone involved if there is an open line of communication throughout the process so that misunderstandings don't happen later on down the road when it comes time for feedback or payment details.

7. Reward, Reward, Reward! (And Remember that Content Delivery is Key)

If you want to build a successful online community, you need to reward those who participate in it. After all, what's the point of engaging with your audience if there isn't anything in it for them?

It doesn't have to be expensive or complicated; rewarding your community can be as simple as sending out free swag or offering discounts on products related to their interests. The key is making sure that whatever reward you offer is relevant and appealing enough for them--and making sure that it arrives on time!

8. Be Willing to Adapt, Adjust and Change as the Marketplace Changes Around You (It Will!)

You know that feeling you get when you've just created something and want to share it with the world? It's exciting! You're so proud of your work, and you can't wait for people to see what you've done.

Then they do see it--and they hate it. They think it's stupid or boring or too long or too short or too something else entirely that doesn't make sense to them at all but definitely doesn't work for them as an audience member.

What do we do then? Do we keep doing exactly what we were doing before because "it worked" (i.e., got us lots of clicks) in the past? Or do we change course based on new information about who our audience is today versus who our audience was yesterday?

9. Be Open to New Ideas, Opportunities & Challenges From Other Platforms or Brands (That You Might Not Have Even Considered Yet)

• Be open to new ideas, opportunities and challenges from other platforms or brands.

This one can be a challenge for some people, but it's worth it. It's about creating community and finding people who share your passion for what you do.

• If someone says something that you disagree with, don't get defensive--just let it go! As long as they're not attacking anyone personally (which is never OK), then there isn't any need to get upset over small disagreements or misunderstandings.

10. Work Hard, Play Hard -- And Remember it's About Creating Community and Finding People Who Share Your Passion for What You Do!

• Work Hard, Play Hard -- And Remember it's About Creating Community and Finding People Who Share Your Passion for What You Do!

It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day minutiae of running a business and forget that life is meant to be lived. So don't forget to have fun! If you want to go out with friends or family, do so; if there's an event happening locally that you'd like to attend (a concert or movie), then go ahead and make plans; even if all you want is some time away from work by reading a book on your couch while drinking wine--do all these things! If someone asks why you aren't working right now, tell them "because I'm having too much fun!"

Being able to take breaks from time-consuming tasks will keep your energy levels high enough so that when those moments come where there are things that need immediate attention or quick decisions need making without delay...you'll have plenty left over (and probably even more than enough).

Conclusion

So, there you have it: 10 influencer tips for building a successful online community. As with any type of marketing strategy, there are no guarantees in this game -- but by following these guidelines and using your best judgement at all times (which we know you will!), you'll be well on your way to creating a thriving community that shares in your passion for what they do best: being awesome!