Definition of Tribes
(Culled from Seth Godin’s book Tribes)
Recently, our IMC Mastermind group met and discussed this short, thought-provoking book and how we can use its ideas in our consultancies. Our discussion led me to make tribe development a key component in my business's word-of-mouth marketing strategy development. Why? Tribe members are loyal, energized about their goal, and eagerly share information with each other and their networks.
Seth Godin's main concept shows us that the new "Marketing" is simply "Leadership." Form a group using the following characteristics, lead it, and you've begun your own tribe.
Characteristics of a tribe:
- Members must have a common goal/cause/interest
- Its leaders(s) lead, they don't manage
- The leader(s) create a space for members to communicate easily
- Members create what they will, organically, with a few pointers from the leader
- Members are exclusive to a certain group (some folk can't or won't join)
- It's not a group or crowd, but an interactive community
Established tribes:
- Oprah followers
- Homeschoolers
- Apple computer users
Here are some ideas to help you jump-start your own supportive tribe of clients, vendors, or associates:
- What common goal might your clients get behind to talk about? Make it something germaine to their lives and work, so they see what's in it for them.
- Easy communication/gatherings are paramount to the success of a tribe. Luckily, today's online tools make it relatively easy. In-person meetings are a great idea, too.
- How can you as a leader spark ideas/action within the group?
Ann N. Videan, APR
Videan Unlimited marketing connections
www.videanunlimited.com
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