1. You’re a business development manager…basically you do…
My job is to translate what our community managers do into relatable examples for potential clients. Building a community means creating content and conversation for members at every level, whether they have just arrived on your website or page, or are your hard core super fans.
All members have different needs; sometimes it’s ego building and sometimes it’s giving them some responsibility.
Like me writing this for Queenhood! I’ve been given more responsibility so I’m happily, more deeply involved with the community and the brand. Money and marketing alone can’t buy that, good community management can.
2. Quiip came about because…
Our CEO used to run the Essential Baby forum and before that, worked in journalism and the music industry building communities of fans. She recognised that the day was coming when businesses would thrive or die based on their community and that there wasn’t an agency providing this knowledge and expertise.
3. There are a lot of social media platforms and designer companies out there what can you add and how do you differ?
Social media is usually about building a members relationship with the brand; this is done through one-to-many conversations (i.e. the brand to the audience).
Community is about building members relationships to each other; this is done through many-to-many conversations (i.e. the members with other members).
A sense of community is hard to build but wildly powerful when you’ve achieved it. Think of what Etsy, or Michelle Bridges, or Airbnb have achieved; it’s largely through understanding that their community can and will grow their business for them if they give them the tools, respect and responsibility.
4. How do you describe a secure woman? What does she look like?
A secure woman is someone who understands her limits and knows that setting boundaries is healthy for herself and everyone she works with. Think of someone you admire or respect – a teacher, a mentor, a boss, or a friend. I bet they set boundaries. Whether it be not emailing out of work hours, or saying ‘no’ to something or that her Sundays are always family time.
Yet, when we ourselves are in a leadership position we think we are doing the best thing for everyone by allowing our limits and boundaries to be flexible – we aren’t! If people don’t trust you to say ‘no’ when you mean ‘no’ then they won’t trust you as a leader. I believe that abiding by your boundaries and values will bring security to you and those around you.
5. Have there been moments you’ve felt alone as you juggle life with character growth and a business?
[Ha! Anyone who says no to this is fibbing. Even Beyoncé would have to say yes to this question!]
Isn’t it the ultimate irony that we do all feel alone from time to time even though we are the most connected we’ve ever been? Of course, we know it’s the depth of the connections, not the quantity that matters.
I have two approaches to this:
Firstly, I’m a big believer in Brene Brown’s dogma of being vulnerable in order to have meaningful conversations and grow. It’s nerve wracking but putting yourself out there and being honest as often as possible is the way to do life, growth and business.
Secondly, it’s so easy to be pulled into the urgency of business matters when character growth isn’t urgent even though it is important. So prioritising catch-ups with the people who inspire you is key; make those meetings as sacred as your client ones and both ends of life will benefit.
7. The 1 QueenHood tip you’d give to women wanting to venture out into building their dream is…
Find your girlsquad! We are supposedly the average of the five people we hang out with most so make sure those people are people you respect and admire and who respect and admire you back. Also, if there’s someone you’ve been following online or whose work you admire, pleeeeease reach out to them and start a conversation. It’ll make their day and you never know where it might lead.
7. What’s on your bucket list right now for the remainder 2017?
My new year’s resolution was not to buy anything new this year; I’ve faltered a couple of times but that’s a goal that I have to be mindful of everyday.
One of my other goals this year is to be a better friend. I’m so grateful for the brilliant people I have in my life but we are spread all over the world from the UK to New Zealand to all over the east coast of Australia. When I make time to see my friends and put them first, I feel the results of it for the rest of the year.
