If you consider yourself an entrepreneur, then you’ve most likely heard of Gary Vaynerchuk, also known as Gary Vee. He’s on every platform making waves. But what makes his strategy effective isn’t just volume. Gary Vee builds community around every piece of content he puts out. For local and small business owners, this can feel impossible to replicate. You don’t have a content team or 20 hours a week to spend in comments. Here’s some good news: You don’t have to do that! We’re going to tell you how small businesses can build community by creating a better system. How? At ThinkDMG, we do exactly that—each and every day.
Key Takeaways
- Community matters more than content volume—especially for small businesses.
- Engagement in DMs, reviews, and comments can lead directly to sales.
- Stop selling; start serving—and watch trust (and revenue) grow.
- Use conversations as inspiration for future content and offers.
- ThinkDMG helps South Jersey businesses systemize authentic community growth.
Community Building > Content Creation
Why is it important to learn how small businesses can build community? Gary Vee says it best: “Content is the gateway drug to community.” How do you build a community without creating things that they can connect to? So you need to create content. However, that doesn’t mean you need to post daily videos or run complex campaigns.
Here’s what you should be doing:
- Showing up consistently
- Responding to real people
- Engage in conversations, not just broadcasts
If you’re posting on Instagram, Google Business, or Facebook and getting no traction, the issue might not be the content—it might be that you’re not creating connection.
Step 1: Be Where the Conversations Are
For small businesses trying to create a community, the best platforms are ones where you can have long conversations with people. This includes:
- Instagram DMs and Stories
- Facebook Groups and Local Pages
- Google Reviews and Q&A
- Comments on your own posts
Don’t wait for people to come to you and engage. Jump into threads. Thank people for reviews. Respond to DMs. Ask for opinions on stories.
Step 2: Shift From Selling to Serving
Gary Vee calls it “jab, jab, jab, right hook.” In other words, provide value, give again, give more—and then make the offer. South Jersey businesses often want to pitch immediately: “Book now!” or “Here’s 20% off!”
Instead, try:
- Answering common questions in a post or story
- Sharing customer wins
- Educating without selling
When your audience feels like you understand them, trust grows. Trust turns into action.
Step 3: Turn One Customer Into Ten
Knowing how small businesses can build community is important for multiplying your client base. Let’s look at Gary Vee once again. His secret isn’t in the number of followers he has. It’s in his community. The backbone of his community? Referral-worthy experiences.
How can you do the same? Ask yourself:
- Are you DMing loyal customers with a thank-you message?
- Are you asking for user-generated content?
- Are you spotlighting real customers in your feed?
If you’re a hair salon in Medford or a contractor in Cherry Hill, your best leads come from people who already trust you. Nurture that and scale it.
Step 4: Use Comments and DMs as Market Research
Gary Vee reads thousands of comments and messages. Why? Because your audience will tell you exactly what they want—if you’re listening.
- What posts get the most responses?
- What questions keep popping up?
- What confuses your customers?
These are clues to your next blog, service page, or Google Business post. Content should solve the problems your community is already telling you they have.
Step 5: Build Systems That Keep You Present
We get it—running a business is hard. That’s why ThinkDMG helps South Jersey businesses automate and simplify content and community-building systems. We’ll help you:
- Repurpose one message into five platforms
- Build a reply system for reviews and DMs
- Turn customer feedback into SEO content
- Create a monthly visibility plan based on actual interactions
If interested, we can also create chatbots to ensure that people aren’t left guessing, even when you aren’t in the office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a huge following to build community?
No. Even with a small audience, genuine engagement can turn into loyal customers.
How do I know if my content is building connection?
If people are commenting, DMing, or tagging you, you’re doing it right. Focus on depth, not reach.
What if I don’t have time to reply to everyone?
You don’t have to do it alone. We help set up systems so your engagement feels real—but takes less time.
Can ThinkDMG help me grow community through content?
Yes! We build local marketing strategies that prioritize trust, connection, and long-term ROI.
Now You Know How Small Businesses Can Build Community Like Gary Vee
Be like Gary Vee. He doesn’t sell. He connects. Plus, he teaches small businesses how to create a community. If you’re a local business owner looking to grow without burning yourself out, don’t resort to more ads. Think about developing a community around your content. It will be a lot more wholesome and effective.
If you’re ready to turn your DMs into dollars and your business into a brand, contact ThinkDMG.
Turn Followers Into Loyal Customers
Stop chasing clicks and start building a brand that people actually want to follow. Let’s create a content + community plan that turns DMs into dollars.
