GUIDE: From Lurker to Leader - How to Build Presence Without Posting Daily
As a founder there are many things you can do to build community that will lead them to buy from you again. (And hopefully become evangelists)
When I started Soft Life CEO, I wasn’t sure who would show up.
I just knew I wanted to create a space for the in-between
the ones building slow, soulful lives and businesses with big visions.
This Substack was born out of a craving for more softness in leadership,
more intention in business, and more community that gets it.
Not the hustle. Not the noise. But the real inner work and the beauty of alignment.
Two months in and over 100 of you have subscribed, read, shared, and reached out!!!
I’m floored. I’m grateful. And I’m just getting started.
Thank you for being part of this corner of the internet where ambition doesn’t require burnout, and generosity is a strategy.
NOW… Let’s talk about the magic of community and how we keep building it from here..
No One Wants to Join Your Sales Funnel
People ask me all the time how to create more “community” and “brand loyalty” for their business. The truth is that loyalty is the result of intentional community building around your business. You can’t just create it out of thin air.
As a business owner, there are many things you can do to build community that will lead them to buy from you again. (And hopefully become evangelists of your brand!)
One of my favorite method’s right now are groups like Broadcast Channels or Facebook Groups, or even new platforms like Substack and Threads, or similar small gatherings that are NOT focused on SALES.
It’s more of a meeting place for like minded people to interact under the umbrella of the brand culture. Matter of Fact, I built one myself, but we’ll get to that soon.
Show up in the comments.
Not just your post, but every post where -you- lurk online. You see this with pages like Scrub Daddy and Duolingo who regulary engage with other major brands. It’s how your audience decides whether they actually like you. AKA if you’re just another content creator, or someone they want to connect with. Answering questions, sharing insights, adding value!!!
Yesterday, a girl made a post about the infamous “Birkin Bag”. I actually have recently acquired a tremendous amount of information about Jane Birkin (as you may have noticed), because I was really curious about this diva!
Because of that I was able to engage with a handful of post this week talking about; where the Birkin bag actually came from, stories about Jane Birkin's life before the Birkin bag even existed, and shedding light on the straw tote she carried before her run in with Hermes.
When you lead with genuine generosity, it gives “abundance”!
This is the stuff that keeps giving back.
Good brands talk. Great brands listen.
Have you ever seen somebody in the comment section pitch an idea and thought you said wow that's a wonderful idea! If people are talking to you about something they want to see from you, listen.
Here are a few notable examples of companies that changed or introduced something based on customer feedback from comments:
McDonald's replaced plastic straws with paper straws in the UK after a customer petition received almost half a million signatures.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has a history of responding directly to customer issues on social media, according to Brandwatch. Tesla is known for incorporating customer feedback by making weekly changes to their vehicles.
Fitbit uses social listening to improve product development and troubleshoot issues. They even have a "communities" page where users can directly discuss their experiences. One result of this was the "Reminders to Move" feature, added to newer models after users expressed a desire
Not every great idea is shouted, some are whispered.
Great ideas could be lurking on your biggest fans page.
Every comment is data. Are you paying attention?
Benefits of social listening and acting on feedback:
Identifying areas for improvement: Feedback highlights aspects needing attention.
Anticipating market trends: Observing discussions can reveal upcoming demands.
Making informed decisions: Feedback provides data for strategic choices.
Refining offerings: Businesses can improve products and services based on feedback.
Strengthening customer relationships: Listening builds trust and loyalty.
Improving brand reputation: Addressing concerns proactively avoids negative publicity.
Imagine This: Turning Passive Interest into Active Community Engagement
Scenario: Paige, a lifestyle creator from Chicago, posted on Threads:
“I wish I could try a color-matching mini class before I overhaul my entire wardrobe.”
Opportunity:
This is a golden example of a community-sourced idea waiting to be activated. If I were a stylist or a certified color consultant, I wouldn’t scroll past. I’d build the offer Paige is asking for.
Here’s how:
Start with the spark: Use Paige’s post as the inspiration for a pop-up event:
“Color-Match & Curate: A Style Mini-Class”
A hands-on workshop where attendees get professionally color-matched and then book 1:1 sessions with a stylist who helps them build a capsule wardrobe around their ideal tones.Engage the online-to-offline pipeline: Promote the idea in local Facebook groups, your Threads community, and Instagram Stories with polls like:
“Would you come to a color-matching pop-up?”
“Would you want to meet your personal stylist IRL?”Build real-time feedback loops: Collect DMs, comments, and responses to gauge interest—then collaborate with someone in your niche to make it happen.
Lesson:
Community-building doesn’t always start with your own ideas—it starts by listening. Social media is full of people posting their wishlist. When you respond to their curiosity with action, you position yourself as both valuable and relevant.
Ideas like this are literally everywhere. The most successful brands aren’t louder—they’re better at listening.
INTRODUCING THE LOUNGE
👉 Come say hi + introduce yourself to the group!
+On Monday’s we set the MOOD
+On Wednesday’s we celebrate our WINS.
+On Friday’s everyone is invited to share/promote themselves or something they love.
The Soft Life CEO Lounge was created because, let’s be honest, sometimes it’s hard to celebrate ourselves out loud. Maybe you’re worried it’ll come off as braggy, or that no one will really care — and that hesitation can make it feel safer to stay quiet. But here, we’re doing things differently.
This space is about rewriting that narrative. It’s a community where wins are welcomed, support is generous, and showing up as your full, proud, work-in-progress self is welcome. Whether your victory is a boundary you set, a launch you’re proud of, or just getting through a hard week — it matters.
You deserve to take up space, and we’ll be right here clapping for you when you do. This isn't just another FB group. It's a soft landing for ambitious creatives, founders, and conscious entrepreneurs who are building brands and better lives.
Inside, you'll get access to free events, like brand strategy workshops, and behind-the-scenes drops from Soft Life CEO. (cough cough *merch*)
If you're craving connection, aligned growth, and a supportive space to share ideas (and memes), this is your new favorite corner of the internet.
Ready to stop guessing and start building your brand with intention?
✨ A guided, foundational workbook to help you clarify your voice, vision, and vibe.
This is for the creators, founders, and Soft Life CEOs ready to build something real—without the overwhelm.
👉 Download it free and start shaping your brand on your own terms:
www.aliviakorsun.com/downloads
You’re not behind. You’re just one aligned decision away.