Today, we’re diving into a topic that I know so many of you are interested in—how to build an online community. Community is at the core of the Boss Mom brand, and it has played a huge role in our growth and success. If you’re a business owner looking to create deeper connections and foster a thriving space where people want to engage, you’re in the right place.
Before we jump into the how-tos of how to grow an online community, let’s first talk about why it matters. In today’s world, building a successful brand isn’t just about selling products or services. It’s about creating a sense of belonging, a space where people feel connected and valued.
The most successful brands don’t just sell—they build communities. Brands like Apple have cultivated loyalty not just by their products, but by fostering a feeling of belonging among their customers. People want to be part of something bigger, and that’s exactly what an online community does.
For the Boss Mom brand, our Facebook group, which has grown to nearly 50,000 members, is a perfect example of how to grow an online community that’s both engaged and supportive. It didn’t happen overnight, and it wasn’t an accident. It took time, strategy, and a lot of focus on creating meaningful connections.
So, how do you actually grow an online community? There are several key elements that we’ve implemented in Boss Mom to make our community thrive, and I want to share those with you today.
At the heart of every successful community is a feeling of belonging. People want to feel like they have a place where they are understood and accepted. When you’re working on how to grow an online community, focus on how you can create that sense of belonging for your audience.
In the Boss Mom community, we talk a lot about giving people permission. This isn’t about permission to push harder or do more; it’s permission to be who they already are. We let our members know it’s okay to be a work-at-home mom, to send their kids to daycare, or to want to build a thriving business without guilt. We make it clear that it’s normal to feel overwhelmed, and we give them permission to be honest about those feelings without judgment.
If you want to grow an online community, ask yourself: What permission can I give my audience? What do they need to hear to feel safe and accepted in this space?
When people ask me how to grow an online community, one of the first things they want to know is how to increase engagement. But here’s the thing: engagement doesn’t come from you having all the answers. Your role as the leader of a community is not to teach and tell all the time. It’s to create space for connection and collaboration.
Your community members want to feel valuable. They want to contribute. They want to be part of something. So, instead of focusing on constantly teaching, start asking questions. Get your community involved in conversations. Ask them for feedback, for opinions, for ideas.
One of the biggest mistakes I see in community-building is leaders trying to control everything. They want to lead every conversation and provide all the answers. But when you give up that space and let your community contribute, magic happens. People connect, collaborate, and form meaningful relationships—and that’s where true engagement starts.
When thinking about how to grow an online community, simplicity is key. Ask simple, engaging questions that make it easy for people to respond. Sometimes we overcomplicate things by asking too much of our audience too soon. But the reality is, engagement doesn’t have to be complex.
In the Boss Mom community, I often ask questions like, “Are you excited or nervous for the new year?” It’s simple, and it invites people to share their feelings without overthinking. Once people start responding, deeper conversations naturally flow from there.
The beauty of a simple question is that it invites a wide range of responses and allows everyone to engage at their own comfort level. This helps foster a habit of engagement, and as more people engage, the community becomes more vibrant and active.
Another crucial aspect of how to grow an online community is authenticity. Your community will only thrive if they trust you, and that trust comes from being genuine. Be honest about your own struggles, challenges, and successes. Let people see that you’re human, too.
In Boss Mom, I don’t shy away from talking about the hard stuff—whether it’s the difficulties of balancing work and motherhood or the mistakes I’ve made along the way. People appreciate authenticity because it’s relatable, and it helps them feel like they’re not alone in their own journey.
When you show up as your true self, your community will feel more comfortable doing the same. And that’s where real connection happens.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in how to grow an online community is that you don’t have to have all the answers, and you don’t have to do everything yourself. In fact, the best communities are the ones that can run without you constantly steering the ship.
Your role is to set the stage and create a space where people feel comfortable connecting. But beyond that, let the community take the lead. Ask them what they want to talk about, what they’re struggling with, and how they’d like to be supported.
Asking for input not only increases engagement but also makes your community members feel valued and heard. And when people feel valued, they’re more likely to stick around and contribute even more.
Building a community is a long-term game. If you’re thinking about how to grow an online community that lasts, know that it takes time and effort. But when done right, it can be one of the most powerful assets for your business.
One of the best things you can do for your people is to give them space to engage, share, and collaborate. Stop putting so much pressure on yourself to be the answer for everything. Your community has valuable insights and experiences, and when you let them take the lead, the group becomes more dynamic and self-sustaining.
Whether you’re building a community on Facebook, in a private membership group, or on another platform, the principles are the same: foster belonging, encourage engagement, keep things simple, be authentic, and let your community lead.
If you’re looking to master how to grow an online community that’s not only engaged but also thriving, then BossMom+ is the perfect place for you. In BossMom+, we don’t just teach you the strategies to build a community—we immerse you in one! Join a group of like-minded moms who are there to support, share, and grow alongside you. You’ll get access to expert resources, training, and the community you need to thrive.
Join us in BossMom+ today and start building a community that will take your business to the next level.
Click here to join BossMom+ and learn how to build an engaged, authentic space that supports your business growth.
