I remember once being “accused” of “making it” because I had help. I know this may be a shock, but that’s kind of how this works, you guys. We ALL need help to “make it”. No one in the history of life is going to “make it” off of hard work alone. 

The people that DON’T make it are the ones that are too proud to ask for help. Those types of people think asking for help is a sign of weakness. It’s not. Asking for help and asking for a handout are two different things.

[Tweet “The difference between asking for help and asking for a handout is the amount of effort put forth.”]

Needing help in certain areas of your life means that your strengths are SPECIFIC. Your strengths need to be complemented by your community. If we were all good at everything, relationships would be pointless. We were made to excel in communities.

[Tweet “We were made to excel in communities.”]

Build your relationships. Build your network. Build your community. There’s always going to be someone who has a hand in getting you to the next level, even if they’re with you for a season. You’re not gonna make it to the top relying only on solo efforts. 

[Tweet “You’re not gonna make it to the top relying on solo efforts.”]

When you pray over your life and business, ask God for favor. Ask Him to allow you to serve more and to be served. That’s what a community is. A community is being amongst people who pour into you as much you pour into them. If you’re going to ask God to bring people in your life, make sure you keep in mind that people of influence are ALWAYS watching. Don’t pray for blessings that you’re not prepared to accept. Be mindful of how you use your platform because every decision you make will effect your growth.

[Tweet “A community is being amongst people who pour into you as much you pour into them.”]

Building my community has been the single most important thing that has allowed me to expand my influence. Your community is split up into 3 segments:

1. Supporters

Your supporters are the people that read your blog, enjoy your content, and follow you on social media but haven’t purchased from you. They invest time, rather than money, into your brand. They either:

• don’t have a need for your current offerings, but like your brand
• can’t afford your current offerings so they indulge in the free content
• like you, but are still to scared to invest (they don’t 100% trust you)

Your goal with supporters should be to convert them into paying client/customers. Do this by building trust and inviting them to your free content (blog, podcasts, videos, webinars, etc).

2. Clients/customers

Your clients and customers are the people that are supporters through a monetary investment. You’ve built enough of the know/like/trust factor for them to convert into paying clients/customers.

Your goal with your clients/customers should be to get amazing case studies, portfolio pieces and/or testimonials. They should love you enough to invest in more of your products and/or spread the word about their experience with you.

3. Colleagues 

Your colleagues can be either supporters or past clients. If they’re a supporter, they probably don’t have a need for your product/service because they’ve completed the result in which your product/service offers. If they’re a client/customer, they’ve maxed out on buying your paid products/services that fit their needs and can now be used as an affiliate.

Your goal with your colleagues is to build a network and collaborations that will be mutually beneficial. They should go out and continue to spread the word about the results of your product/service and in return they can get an affiliate commission. Another option is to bundle one of their products/services with yours and pitch to both of your audiences. Your colleagues should generally have a very similar audience as you but a different offering. For example, a nutritionist teaming up with a fitness coach makes for a good collaboration. They target the same group of people but offer two different services.

People in your community are either going to help get you to the next level or connect you with others who have the ability to do so. In order to do that, you have to be able to build trust. The best way I’ve been able to build trust amongst my community is to consistently provide valuable content. Need help creating and monetizing your online content? Let’s work together!