Hey {{contact.first_name},

If you’re focused on scaling your business, launching new products or growing your company, there’s one game-changing strategy you can’t afford to ignore: building an engaged community.

Here’s the truth → Your audience is not your community.

✅ An audience watches, listens and consumes.

✅ A community participates, engages and advocates.

The businesses that won in 2024 (and beyond) are the ones that fostered deep connections, created real engagement and turn customers into raving fans!

Here’s what separates thriving communities from dead ones:

🚀 Quality > Quantity – 10 engaged members are more valuable than 10,000 silent ones.

💬 Conversations Drive Growth – If your community isn’t talking, it’s dying.

💰 Free vs. Paid? Test Hybrid Models – Paid members = higher commitment & retention.

🔧 Use the Right Tools – Community platforms, automation and data insights matter.

🛠 Prune & Optimize – Remove inactive members to keep engagement high.

Why does this matter for you? Because an engaged community = higher retention, lower churn and a built-in growth engine for your business.

Want to learn how to build, engage and monetize your community the right way?

Hit me up on LinkedIn and let me know – what’s your biggest challenge with community growth right now?

To your success,

Ericka Bates

Talk Virtual / The Virtual Summiteers Peer Group

P.S.

We're getting ready to host another 4 part series! Featuring a Virtual Summiteer community member: Thomas Ballard, The Groundwater Guy.

Thomas's talk's will be around, Small Business Collaborations!

We'll kick off his 1st. talk with an Introductory Interview Tonight! 02.24.2025 @6pm ET.

Description:

Join us for an insightful conversation with Thomas Ballard, founder of Southeast Hydrogeology, PLL and Groundwater Academy. Known as The Groundwater Guy, Thomas brings a unique blend of technical expertise, innovative problem-solving and a passion for education to everything he does.

In this live-streamed interview, we’ll explore:

• How Thomas uses cutting-edge technology to tackle groundwater challenges and enhance well performance.
• His mission is to equip water professionals with knowledge through live and online training.
• The art of customizing solutions for clients, especially small to medium water districts.
• Insights from his community leadership, including his role as a school board member, and how it shapes his approach to education and problem-solving.

This dynamic session will feature an interactive Q&A, where live-stream participants can join the conversation and ask Thomas their burning questions.

Don’t miss this chance to learn from The Groundwater Guy himself!

🗓 When: Monday, February 24th, 5:00 PM CT / 6:00 PM ET

📍 Where: Live-streamed on Ericka Bates’ social media channels via OneStream Live or here's a link / button!

Join Us Live!

🎥 Don’t miss your chance to join the conversation, ask questions and connect with a true expert in the field!

*Keep Moving Forward!