Consistency and conversation are the two magic words.

 

Let me start this off by saying that I didn’t intend to create a community. I started out just wanting to share my story in a book. I didn’t start out want to do an anthology or a podcast. Oh, and this little introvert had absolutely no intention of being a speaker. Now, as I look back on my journey thus far I have to say that I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

 

Has it been easy to be consistent and create content? Yes and no depending on the day. lol Ah, but it was and continues to be worth every bead of sweat that drips from my brow.

 

I rebranded my idea of a business and became a unicorn. A woman who through tragedy and pain had almost risen from the ashes to take on the mission of empowering women. With my cape in one hand and my pen in another, I set out to change the world. Whew! Who knew that the world had so much that needed to be changed? (Pun intended)

 

Through the mishandled money and depending on people that let me down, I found myself in a whirlwind of emotions. (I invested money I didn’t have into things I  didn’t really need) How many of you know that “in your emotions” is never a good place to be. I had failed at doing what I set out to do because I was so focused on doing what everyone else wanted me to do. The person who everyone else needed me to be, took precedence.  Over the years I had engaged in many communities but I would not understand the power they would give to others until 2016.

 

Here is a moment of honesty…I almost didn’t share this story because I thought it was too similar to others. Then I received a message that made me sit down and realize what I was actually doing.

 

“I’ve been following you for three years and your core principles have inspired me to start my business.”

 

Now what many didn’t realize was that I was consistent even in moments when everything around me was falling apart. I was attempting to start a business with no foundation. (Following Strategies that many of you have followed) I can’t count how many times I took classes and watched webinars that would do nothing for my business.

 

Then I created a community that shifted everything. The World Voice League was birthed out of a need I saw in the entrepreneurship industry. (Join the Community) One where women didn’t need to take 900 more classes or buy 50 more courses. They simply needed accountability and genuine support. Even in the free community men and women feel free to share personal stories and networks.

 

Well, you can imagine how popular that was right? Women had become conditioned to buying into FOMO deals and shiny object syndrome. They ooohed and aahed at the websites with the best graphics and celebrity photos.

This wasn’t that!

 

This was and will continue to be the answer to the question we all have. “Where is my community?” There are some who travel from community to community searching aimlessly for people, women, that support without being competitive or catty. We want to find genuine women who want to support, serve and win.

 

It takes time to find the right one. Trust me, I not only have my own communities but I am also apart of other communities where I am actively engaged. 

 

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room! This nasty “N” word keeps entrepreneurs from moving forward, it keeps authors from carrying copies of their book on them at all times and it stops the motivation speaker from stepping up and saying yes. Yup, that word is networking! Dun dun dunnnnnnnn!!!!!! Had to put that in for dramatic effect.

 

I found myself networking for success. Having conversations that shifted my mind, my money, my future, my family and dare I say it…my relationship with networking. lol The introvert that dislikes business cards and big crowds began showing up in the spaces with business cards and big crowds. I showed up both online and offline with a core principle.

 

Today I will have one conversation that will impact me and one conversation where I impact someone else. I know it may sound cheesy but it works.

 

So I was no longer just sharing posts into groups expecting someone to but from me. I was creating conversations that make people want to connect with me. I no longer tagged people online unless the post had something to do with the people I tagged. I built and engaged in communities and they in return supported me. This is were a lot of women crash. They aren’t creating meaningful conversations.

 

Some lack the time

Others lack the patience

Oh and we won’t even bring up the subject of focus

 

In all honesty, many want engagement and support without having to put in a lot of time. I know we all love the show Love is Blind but would you accept engagement on such short notice? Without some wooing and conversation at the least! Communities online can often feel like the first day of high school. (I literally just cringed…smh) Find your “people” and dive all in.

 

You can use timers or a planner to keep up with engaging in different communities. There may come with certain rules that only allow you to post certain things. Take note of that. When you go into a new community go with the intent to add value to either those who started the community or those within the community. I’m not saying you have to become robotic in how you connect either. Spice it up by asking questions or sharing a blog post. Build the conversation and you’ll soon find more and more people who connect with you.

 

I probably shouldn’t have to say this but I will. Being your authentic self will help you to go much further than attempting to be a replica of someone else. Don’t try to be Oprah….just be you!

 

With over ten years of writing, Altovise uses her platforms to create opportunities for women to have their voices heard. Founder of the World Voice League, she educates and empowers through courses, a weekly accountability call, blogging, books, and the #SpeakEasy Podcast.

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