What exactly is a micro-community? And why do you need one?

Two companies are offering similar items, however one is growing faster, attracting more customers growing rapidly into new market.

What is the distinction between the two? One has a micro-community where members gather to share their feedback. They basically tell the company owners what features and add-ons they want.

If you're looking to establish quality relationships with customers, convert leads faster, and deliver value to your audience, a niche community is just what you need. Although they may seem small (as the term "micro" implies) however they offer huge benefits for companies and consumers alike.

Wondering what micro-communities are and how you can easily use these to help expand your business? Follow us to get a quick, but thorough overview.

What exactly is a micro-community?

Micro-communities are exclusive, highly-focused online groups that are hosted by an organization to help customers or prospects. Although micro-communities can be tiny (up to 100 members), "micro" doesn't necessarily indicate the size of the community. In fact, "micro" refers to the micro or niche focus of the community and not its size.

A few examples of micro-communities

Micro-communities come in a wide range of structures and formats. The way you organize and structure your own micro-community depends on your goals for the group. Here's a little inspiration for your own...

Glossier's communities of customers

Glossier, fondly known as"the "people-powered beauty ecosystem" has developed the art of keeping in touch with customers. They do this through inviting the top customers into Slack chat groups in which they are able to connect and keep in touch.

The groups are hyper-localized, the members communicate more than 1,100 messages weekly which creates an interaction loop with Glossier's most loyal fans.

Doodle Institute's member clubhouse

Doodle Institute offers online courses to help people learn to draw. The students receive basic instruction through the program. As a bonus, they also get access for the Doodle Clubhouse.

The Clubhouse offers students a safe place to discuss their artwork, and connect with fellow doodlers.

MyYogaPal's Community

MyYogaPal helps people connect with themselves as well as their yoga routine. It also offers a yoga community where students can connect with other individuals who share a passion for yoga.

One of the biggest benefits of having micro-communities are the benefits that come with them.

Micro-communities foster feedback

Micro-communities are typically informal and intimate , and provide an ideal place where individuals are able to share their thoughts and hopes. As a result, they're a smart strategy for gathering real feedback about your products and services.

A study conducted by Zak found that 60 percent of those under 30 prefer sharing their views in protected spaces like private groups and feel less comfortable talking on public forums. But this isn't an age-related issue. If a group is comprised of people "like me" individuals tend to feel more confident speaking out.

If you build an intimate community in which your customers feel valued (and involved) and feel connected, they're more likely to share their opinions and stories.

A tip to follow: Don't let good feedback get lost. Take action on it and customers will feel extra appreciated and special, just like this customer of Payment processor Stripe.

From anonymity to connection

Often, it becomes hard to put a face to a name when you're getting comments from your clients on the Internet. Although Google reviews and the comments posted on forums are great evidence of your company's social standing however, they're not as valuable as you think they might be. There are people on forums that aren't in your ideal customer profile, the one that you could benefit from the most.

However, if you establish the micro-community of 100 top customers, you can ensure that you be sure to trust their opinions.

If you are able to interact with them on the social scene You'll begin to get familiar with each of them. You'll begin to understand the goals they have, and what they're trying to accomplish. With this information it will be possible to develop new features and products that help them achieve those targets.

Build a mutually beneficial help network

As community members share similar objectives and desires They can develop solid bonds. In turn, they will support one another and make your work much easier.

If customers publish a question regarding your service or product on a micro-community, you're likely to get answers from multiple like-minded individuals who want to share their stories, experiences thoughts, opinions, and experiences.

These are rich interactions centered on your brand. A positive outcome for your business as well as your fans.

What are the reasons to should you start a micro-community?

We've talked about how micro-communities make a significant contribution to every business. You may still think about whether a community is the perfect choice for your needs. To help make your decision simpler, here are top three reasons to consider setting up a micro-community.

You become more than the service you provide.

If you can make your clients feel connected (through micro-focus communities or any other way) it is more than a recognizable name or a popular celebrity. Communities can help build authentic connections with your customers, increasing their sense of belonging and loyalty.

Today, you're viewed as a mentor, friend, or friend, not just another online course creator. That expands your network, making it easier to create and sell new products.

It's much easier to accommodate multiple customer types.

Micro-communities are a great option for serving customers from multiple industries or particular niche.

For example, let's say that you offer corporate training for big companies. You also sell self-guided training courses which teach the same content to individual. Instead of creating one group that isn't able to serve both groups effectively, you could develop a separate community that is specific to each audience.

You can laser focus on the needs of your customers, and tailor your content according to their needs. Thus, each group receives the assistance that is most helpful for them.

It acts as social proof.

Micro-communities offer " social proof" for your company. Once someone signs up to your group you will see their posts and the respect they show for you. If they weren't aware of your name prior to joining, they'll quickly realize you're a leader who can be trusted.

The positive vibe is infectious. The new members are quick to absorb the positive energy that is present in the group and will adopt the same optimistic attitude. Be aware that if your product has issues or your brand is criticized for its ethical practices (may that not be true) the community can be an avenue for the venting of the frustrations.

How can a micro-community grow into something more substantial?

If you establish a micro-community and provide customers a safe place to interact with you and other members, it engenders loyalty.

In the world of business the value of loyalty is higher than gold. It's the only thing that cannot be bought, no matter the amount you invest in marketing.

Not only are loyal customers more likely to purchase from you, but they're more likely to talk highly about your services and products among other like-minded individuals which can increase your sales.

In promoting loyalty and improving customer experiences, micro-communities can become the growth engine for your company, which can lead to retention of customers, the acquisition of new customers, and even fantastic ideas for innovative products and services you know consumers are looking for!

Here's a great way to grow a micro-community into something larger.

In the group, share your ideas for your course. Check your course's content with participants in the group, and ask for their comments. Once you know what they want, you'll be able to design the course you want to offer.

It is possible to use the group to serve as an incubator for different services as well. When you have released your course, you can invite your top students to join the micro-community. Invite them to provide you with feedback on your course and seek their feedback as you develop your next product.

Then, you can start a spin-off group, where all of your students interact with one another, work through the course material together, and answer one another's questions.

Start building your micro-community

Have you been convinced about the value and possibilities of micro-communities? If so, the next step should be to start creating one. Here are our tips to get to the point of starting:

Select the best strategy for you. You can either create micro-communities by yourself, or partner with influencers. Influencers already have an active audience, but the creation of your own makes the micro-community seem more substantial.

Invite members. Spread the word about your community. Invite people who can help you create an active, positive environment that you want to create.

Create relationships with your community of interest. Be sure to interact with your members. Be present and accessible. It's also an excellent idea to give them first peeks into the latest products and services. Let them feel special with exclusive access.

Make it enjoyable, engaging, empathetic and focused. The group shouldn't be used to sell or market. The focus is creating relationships and sharing information.

It was specifically designed for entrepreneurs. This means you are able to host your community, courses as well as coaching all on the same business-building platform.

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