Building Authentic Relationships: A Guide for B2B Sellers, AEs, and SDRs in Niche Communities

Let's be honest: the internet is a mess. It's hard for buyers to find unbiased and accurate recommendations for new solutions. This is why buyers have turned to niche communities, and you see a new Slack community popping up every week. Buyers are trying to tap into folks they trust for recommendations and help. Cliff shared smart strategies to tap into these niche communities for growth as a seller. Here are four things that stood out to me:

1. Find communities where your ideal customers hang out. This could include Slack groups, conferences, networking events, etc. Identify where your potential buyers are already engaged.
2. Provide value without pitching. Focus on building authentic relationships by offering helpful advice and expertise, not selling. Ask questions and listen.
3. Be consistent and empathetic. Keep showing up consistently over months and years. Put yourself in their shoes. Treat people how you want to be treated (the golden rule).
4. Think long-term. Have patience in building trust and credibility. If you do this properly over time, the referrals and word-of-mouth momentum will come.