Achieving Community On Social Media

How to Build Community on Social Media with Boutique Expert Ciara Stockeland

We all know social media can feel a little tricky, especially when it comes to building true community.

Today on the podcast, I’m chatting with one of my amazing clients and boutique business genius, Ciara Stockeland. Ciara runs The Boutique Workshop, where she helps clients create realistic plans for more sales with less stress. (We love that!) 🙌

Together, we’re breaking down what it really looks like to create a genuine and engaged online community.

Because while social platforms can often feel overwhelming, once you put a few key systems and strategies in place… they get so much more manageable. Especially when you focus on the one thing that makes all the difference:

👉 Customer service.

Yup. Online or offline, community is built when people feel seen, heard, and appreciated.

And guess what? The stats back that up in a BIG way:

📣 “75% of people will likely post something positive about your brand if you make meaningful social media connections.”
📣 “If you give a positive social media customer experience, 71% of your consumers will likely recommend your brand to others.”
📣 “Customers will spend 20–40% more if you engage and respond to them in social media.”
(Source: Colorado State University)

That’s huge.

Whether you have a brick-and-mortar boutique or you’re running an online business, your customers want to connect. So let’s talk about a few simple strategies you can implement today to help build community on your social media platforms:

1. Treat online engagement like in-store conversation
If someone walked into your shop, you’d ask them what they’re shopping for, right? You’d make small talk, recommend a product, ask what they love.
🛍️ Do the same on social! Ask “this or that” product questions. Start polls. Get curious about what your people love.

2. DM your customers, both new and loyal ones
When someone follows you? Send them a DM. A simple “thank you for the follow” with a coupon code goes a long way.
Already have loyal customers? Pop into their DMs to say thank you or ask what product they’ve been loving lately.

3. Use voice and video messages
I know… it can feel a little awkward at first. But trust me, your followers love to hear your voice and see your face. It makes the connection feel real and personal and that builds long-term loyalty.

4. Reply to every comment
A double tap on a comment? It’s not enough.
Take a moment to actually reply. Even if it’s a quick thank you or a follow-up question, your comment section is your community table, keep the conversation going!

5. Nurture your private Facebook group
Private groups are powerful because you control the space. Use it to ask questions, host giveaways, start conversations. And let your members post too, with moderation in place. When they feel like it’s their space too, magic happens.

6. Focus on connection more than promotion
It’s not about selling all the time. The best sales come from trust and relationship. Let your content serve your audience through tips, storytelling, or simple inspiration and the sales will follow.

7. Show up in their feeds too
Don’t just wait for people to come to your page. Visit your followers' pages, like and comment on their content. It’s the Instagram version of waving to a customer when they walk into your store. It means something.

Let’s not overcomplicate community.

Your customers chose to follow you. They want to connect. They want to hear from you.

So whether you’re new to this or ready to level up your connection strategies, remember: genuine, small moments lead to big impact.

If you want to hear more from Ciara and I about how to build community that actually drives growth, listen to today’s episode of the Brandakin Social Media Podcast 🎧

And if you’re looking for help with your social strategy, I’d love to connect 💬 Just click the link below and let’s chat about your goals.

You’ve got this. You’re building something amazing 💖