How do I create stronger relationships with my audience or customers?

Building strong relationships with your audience or customers is key to a thriving freelance or creative business. Here’s a blend of my personal insights and practical steps:

1. Show Up Consistently: Whether it's through social media, newsletters, or personal emails, make sure you're consistently engaging with your audience. In the early days of my freelancing journey, I committed to weekly blog posts and newsletters. It created a rhythm and trust with my audience.

2. Listen Actively: Engage in conversations, not just monologues. Ask questions and genuinely listen to the feedback, concerns, and aspirations of your audience. For instance, responding to comments or running interactive Q&A sessions can build a real connection.

3. Add Value First: Offer insights, advice, or resources that truly benefit your audience. When I started sharing my experiences transitioning from corporate to freelancing, I focused on providing tangible takeaways—things people could apply right away.

4. Be Authentic and Vulnerable: Share both your wins and your struggles. It can be powerful to let people in on the messy middle. When I launched The Corporate Dropout, I was honest about my failures and setbacks. It resonated because people value realness over perfection.

5. Personalize Interactions: Tailor your communication as much as feasible. This could mean using people’s names in communications or following up on previous interactions with relevant insights or resources. It shows you care about them as individuals.

6. Create Community Spaces: Consider creating a community space where your audience can interact not just with you, but with each other. This can be in the form of a forum, a Facebook group, or even a Discord channel. It builds a sense of belonging among your audience.

7. Gather and Implement Feedback: Use surveys or informal feedback channels to truly understand what your audience wants and needs. Then, act on it. When you listen and adapt based on their input, it demonstrates that you value their perspective.

Remember, building strong relationships takes time. It’s like investing in a garden: the more care and attention you give, the better it grows. Stay genuine, keep the lines of communication open, and don’t shy away from letting your true personality shine through.