4 Tips For Cultivating An Inviting, Warm Space Online

It is incredibly easy to compare our own online spaces to those of others. Who has more followers or gets more likes? Who is growing faster than we are or is more popular? I didn't create my online healing community with a goal of growth. I never believed my account would draw in large numbers and high engagement. The growth was organic. It is the result of being vulnerable. Followers are drawn in when they can find themselves in the content. They stay when they are encouraged to be active members of the space and feel heard, seen, valued, appreciated, and loved.

Create a visually appealing space in which you share your story with pride and strength. Cultivate a space that is warm and inviting by being a grounding source of support for others. Engage, engage, engage. Support others who are working, like you, to change conversations and promote healing.

Be vulnerable. Talk about stuff that nobody else is talking about. Open up these conversations, even if you don't see anyone else doing it (especially if you don't see anyone else doing it). This means there's a need.

Feeling burnt out? Take some time off. Having a difficult week? Remind your audience that this is normal (we're human!) and mention how you're healthfully coping with this. Embrace all emotions and life moments. Showcase the good and the bad.

Take advantage of tools that allow for direct follower interaction. Post question submission boxes and polls to your stories. Tell stories in your captions and task your followers with sharing their own in the comments. Your content is a conversation, not a showcase.

You don't have to post every single or even multiple times a day, but show up for your audience often. If you need to take time away from this online space, let your followers know so they don't worry or wonder what is going on with you.

What this tells your audience: Healing is work that requires stability. When we are looking to heal, we're looking for roots and the ability to ground ourselves. Staying active in your space by consistently sharing some means of content tells your followers that you're here, you've shown up, you're continuing to show up, and they can reliably find you.