What if you were to think about your “targeted reader” or “target client” as a member of your tribe? This is the framework that Seth Godin suggests in his excellent book, Tribes.
What’s the difference in a targeted reader and a tribal member?
Targeted Reader
Me: Them
Head
One Way
Not connected/siloed
Spectator
Consumer
Tribal Member
We
Heart
Two Way
Connected
Participant
Member
As an author, thought leader, and business professional, you want to create a tribe of connected, involved, and engaged members as a business development tool. Here are some of the strategies for engaging your readers so that they become tribal members:
- Collect the names and contact information for your tribal members so that you can connect with them on a regular basis. Invite your readers to visit your website, and use a landing page to collect this important data.
- Create strategies for two-way communication with your tribe, including blog posts, newsletters, social media posts, and dialogue.
- Communicate your passion for your topic. Engaging the hearts of your members is as important as engaging their minds, if not more important.
- Develop ongoing/regular communications, including daily social media posts, weekly blogs, or monthly newsletters.
- Create face-to-face opportunities to connect with readers, which might include speaking at conferences, book signings and readings at book stores, and other speaking engagements.
- Survey your tribe to discover who they are, what they want, and what they like so that you continue to meet their needs.
- Connect tribal members with one another at conferences, through blogs and social media, and interactive webinars.
- Identify those groups or associations that shares tribal issues or values, and collaborate to create partnerships with these organizations.