Going Beyond The Echo Chamber ‒ How To Create Connection And Community With Your Content

Written by: Jo Gifford, Executive Contributor

Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.

We are in an era of information saturation.

Let’s face it, we have been for some time, actually. If we are being really honest, before social media came along we were already overwhelmed. But now those waves of posts, reels, tweets, emails, WhatsApps, podcasts, videos, shorts and more just take up more and more of our brain space, our time, and our sanity.

We are in content shock (hat tip to Mark Schaeffer), and as business owners and change makers, thinking carefully about creating true human connection versus simply adding to the noise or your own echo chamber is essential.

So, how can we create connection and community with content for humans with info-addled brains? First, understanding the needs of your audience and your market is absolutely crucial. This will determine how you create content and community, where, and through what media. For example, if your best-fit audience and clients are leaders who spend their days managing teams, coaching clients, or consulting in business it’s highly unlikely that they would go anywhere near a Facebook group for an overwhelming community filled with daily “challenges” activities. It’s more likely that you will reach this audience through podcasting, personal referral, white papers, creative reports, in-person events, or curated online facilitated networking.

Secondly, creative community and human connection in a way that enriches their lives, businesses, and wellbeing will feel far more appealing that creating more “stuff” to consume, read, listen to or engage with.

Creating community and connection in a way that aligns with the values, needs and aspirations of your clients is where the sweet spot is - and that may require some creative thinking to spark some magic alongside gaining data on what’s needed.

Before going into brainstorm mode and creating wild and wonderful ways to create connection and community, make sure you are acutely aware of your clients, their needs, values, and habits - with real data from conversations, client touchpoints, and wider insights from the marketplace. Then, consider how you might add your own spark and magic to create and curate content, conversations and community that adds value to their lives and businesses. Communities can exist in comment sections on videos, blogs, or social media, Circle or Mighty Networks spaces, hosted events and conversations (both IRL and on Zoom), Telegraph or WhatsApp groups, and so much more that go way beyond putting everyone into a Facebook group and hoping for the best. So, get creative. Get curious. And create real human connection and community.

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Jo Gifford, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine

Jo Gifford is an author, podcaster, writer, wild swimmer, creative thinker and prolific human connector.

Her soul passion and purpose is to create connections and conversations with unboxed leaders that use their brilliance to create change.

Jo believes that human connection is where change happens; when we connect, create and grow, momentum and magic take their seat.

She believe in building legacies, movements and missions that are designed to make a difference, and that we can truly change the world one word, one thought, and one connection at a time.