Building an online group is a powerful way to position yourself as an expert; however, many business owners create a group because they were told to, only to watch it go quiet after the initial burst of excitement.

A thriving community isn't just about the numbers, but also about the energy, connection, and intention you bring to the space.

In this episode of the Talk podcast, I'm breaking down the difference between just having a group and building a true community. We'll explore how to define your group's role within your business ecosystem and lead a culture that keeps people coming back.

Phase 1: Defining the Role of Your Group

Before you think about growth, you must be clear on what role the group plays in your business's "offering tree."

Most successful groups fall into one of three categories:

A Learning Space: Where you share bite-sized education, tips, and mini-trainings that eventually lead to your larger offerings.
A Support Space: A community where members share challenges, ask questions, and get feedback from each other. This is the heart of my Business, Business, Business community.
An Action Space: A place for implementation and movement. This is the philosophy behind my Ideas, Impact & Marketing Circle, where members learn, connect, and actually do the work.

Phase 2: Building Culture over Content

People don't stay in a group for the content alone, but for the connection. To build a strong culture, you have to model the behaviour you want to see:

Lead the Conversation: Don't just "post and leave". Stay in the conversation, reply to comments thoughtfully by name, and celebrate member wins.
Safety and Vulnerability: Create a space where people feel safe to share their own struggles. Sharing your own vulnerable moments helps build this trust.
Establish a Rhythm: You don't need to post every day unless you have something to say. Use a simple weekly flow, like Monday Work-In-Progress, Wednesday Tools, and Friday Wins, to take the pressure off yourself and your members.

Phase 3: Growing with Intention

A group doesn't grow just because it exists. You have to invite the right people in.

Qualify Your Members: Use opening questions to ensure you are attracting the right audience, not just anyone.
Borrow Audiences: Use partnerships, collaborations, or guest trainings to bring aligned networks into your space.
Set Expectations Early: Tell people how to show up from day one. Encourage them to introduce themselves and share what they are working on.

Key Takeaway

Your group is a business asset designed to build expertise and trust. When it is a connected part of your customer journey tree, rather than a separate "thing," sharing an offer feels natural and aligned, not forced.

My Resources to Support Your Journey

The Ideas, Impact & Marketing Circle

This is my inner circle community where you can work with me on your marketing in a group environment. Members get access to my course library, monthly Q&A sessions, and monthly "How-To" webinars.

https://academy.enevergroup.com.au/bundles/MarketingCircle

The Marketing Tree Method

My book provides the sustainable, deep-rooted roadmap you need to grow your business with intention.

https://www.enevergroup.com.au/product/the-marketing-tree-method/

Business, Business, Business

If you aren't already a member, join our free community to connect with other amazing business owners.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/BusinessBusinessBusiness/

Brainstorming or Discovery Session

If your group feels quiet and you need help finding its role, book a session with me to get into the nuts and bolts of your community strategy.

https://www.enevergroup.com.au/booking-linda/

Enjoyed this episode? I'd love to hear what authority-building action you're committing to this week. Share your biggest takeaway or the belief you're choosing to stand for more consistently. In business, sharing is caring. If this formula helped you, share it with someone else who needs that support.

Highlights

00:00 Why Groups Go Quiet
01:13 Define Your Group Role
01:39 Three Types of Groups
02:32 Build Culture Not Content
03:02 Lead the Conversation
03:30 Simple Engagement Rhythm
04:24 Grow With the Right People
05:20 Set Expectations Early
05:30 Make It a Business Asset
06:11 Revive a Quiet Group