Many people decide to go on the journey of building a business on their own. Though it can be a fun and fulfilling experience, it can start to feel lonely as a solo entrepreneur, or solopreneur. Having a great community around you won’t only help you in terms of getting social interaction, it can actually be extremely beneficial for your business as well.
According to The Community Connection, “It’s normal to fall into the trap of wanting to do things on your own and in your own way. However, being able to talk to other business owners can help to ensure you don’t repeat common mistakes. It can be a great learning experience, even for smaller challenges such as finding the right label printer or choosing an appropriate courier.”
In today’s article, we’ll be sharing 5 ways you can find a community of other entrepreneurs. We’ll go through a mix of physical communities as well as online communities so that you can have a group of people regardless of your location. Fortunately, with so many groups, events and spaces, finding a community isn’t as hard now as it once was.
1. Join a group on social media
One of the easiest things you can do is join a group on a social media platform such as Facebook or LinkedIn. You’ll often be able to find groups for your specific location or your specific niche. If you don’t want to, you don’t have to post anything. However, if you do have questions, it’s a great way to get answers.
For example, you can join the ECommerce Australia group on Facebook if you’re looking to start or grow an eCommerce business in Australia. The small community of like-minded people responds to queries quickly and allows for a judgement-free zone. There are a tonne of similar pages depending on what type of advice you need.
2. Join a group linked to a personality
Another popular way of getting the conversation started is by joining a group linked to a personality. This could mean a lot of different things. For example, you might have a digital marketing guru or a financial freedom influencer that you love. These personalities often have forums or groups that you can join. You’ll know that you have a common interest with others in the group, making for a great way to break the ice.
3. Go to networking events
If you’re ready to branch out into meeting people in person, there are a heap of different networking events that you can go to. It can be daunting but remember that most of the other people going to these events are also going alone. You can find events on platforms such as Meetup, Eventbrite, or even just on Facebook.
You’ll be able to practice explaining your business idea in person and to new people. This can help to get new perspectives and allow you to really hone in on what you want your value proposition to be. You’ll also be able to hear about other people’s ideas, helping to keep your creative and innovative gears working.
4. Join a coworking space
If you’re a more established entrepreneur or you’re starting out with a bigger budget, joining a coworking space might be the right next step for you. There are a range of different coworking spaces that are targeted towards a certain niche. For instance, you might be able to find more corporate coworking spaces, creative coworking spaces, and affordable coworking spaces in your area.
5. Do an in-person course
For those looking to expand their knowledge and meet people at the same time, doing an in-person course is the perfect opportunity. You can find short courses or long courses in business, marketing, or finance in most locations. Both traditional universities or more niche educators such as General Assembly offer in-person courses.
Final words
You don’t have to solve all your problems and lay out all your plans on your own. Even if you’re the only person working on your business full-time, getting help from other entrepreneurs is a great idea. You’ll be able to help others as well, even if you think you don’t have the greatest experience. The more you learn, the more you’ll be able to guide other budding entrepreneurs in the future.
