MBA2274 Extended Interview: Tom Ross – How to Build a Thriving Online Community
Mar 27, 2023
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Tom Ross, an expert in building online communities and founder of DesignCuts, discusses the immense value of a thriving community for businesses. He emphasizes that a well-managed community can be as valuable as the product itself, offering insights on fostering meaningful engagement. Ross shares personal anecdotes that illustrate how supportive networks can alleviate entrepreneurial loneliness and enhance success. He also highlights strategies for launching online communities effectively and the benefits of asynchronous engagement for sustained interaction.
An intentionally cultivated online community can significantly enhance business success and be as valuable as the product itself.
Active management and protection of the community space foster genuine engagement, leading to sustainable business growth over time.
The unique attributes of online communities facilitate meaningful connections that differ from traditional social media interactions, promoting loyalty and collaboration among members.
Deep dives
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The Importance of Building Online Communities
Establishing a thriving online community significantly enhances a business's success by fostering genuine connections and support among members. The conversation emphasizes how both hosts Omar and Tom Ross built their businesses and maintained their friendship through community engagement. Tom's insights underline that community is crucial for collaboration, as no entrepreneur can succeed alone. By sharing experiences and learning from each other, members can cultivate an environment of mutual support and progress.
Navigating Early Entrepreneurial Challenges
Tom Ross shares his journey, illustrating the common struggles new entrepreneurs face, including burnout and health issues from overextending themselves. Despite initial rapid success, working continuously without balance brought significant challenges that acted as valuable learning experiences. The story they share reflects the evolving nature of entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices over simply chasing quick wins. Through this candid exchange, they underscore the value of community support during tough times.
The Evolution of Community Dynamics
The conversation highlights the unique attributes of online communities compared to traditional social media platforms, emphasizing their role in fostering true interactions. Online communities allow for meaningful exchanges, unlike the one-way nature of social media. Real connections thrive in these environments, which can last even when community leaders step back from daily interactions. Through empowering members to contribute, communities create autonomous interactions that result in loyalty, growth, and a sense of belonging.
Sometimes, it’s not the brand that’s the star of the show — it’s the community. As today’s special guest explains, an intentionally fostered community can be as valuable an asset as your product!
Yes, you read that right.
When it comes to everything from marketing to your company’s valuation, a well-planned and managed community can be worth its weight in gold. But too many entrepreneurs simply open an online space and then…hope people engage on their own.
That won’t do the trick.
In this special extended conversation with Tom Ross (founder of DesignCuts and learn.community), learn how to actively cultivate the kind of community that can turbocharge growth, and sustain your business for years to come.
Create and protect the space for your audience to truly, collaboratively engage, and they’ll reward you over and over. Click Play at the top of the page!