Why connection is the most underrated business tool
- Jo Draper
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
🔥 Boldness rating 🔥
Outdated belief we're smashing: "Your business will grow if you focus on systems, sales funnels, and shiny branding."
Spoiler:Your systems mean nothing if no one feels connected to you. Your audience doesn’t want another ‘expert’ - they want a human who sees them.
The business tool no one’s talking about
You’ve probably spent hours researching email marketing strategies, social media hacks, and sales funnels.
But the thing that will move your business faster than any swipe file or perfectly curated Canva post? Connection.
The problem is, connection isn’t sexy.
It’s not a 10-step funnel or a colour-coded Notion board.
It’s messy.
It’s human.
That’s why most people overlook it.
Connection is the difference between a transactional business and a sustainable, thriving one.
What connection means (and why you’re probably getting it wrong)
When I say connection, I don’t mean:
Dropping a random emoji in your newsletter and calling it “authentic.”
Sending a generic “Hey lovely!” DM to cold leads.
Liking people’s posts, hoping they’ll magically buy from you.
That’s a performative connection.
It’s fake. It’s lazy. People can smell it a mile away.
A real connection happens when you stop trying to sell and start trying to see.
When you treat your audience like humans, not metrics.
When you build relationships before you build revenue.
Why connection beats every other strategy
You can have the best systems in the world, but you'll always be hustling if you’re disconnected from your audience.
Connection:
Builds trust faster than a five-email nurture sequence.
Creates loyalty beyond any discount code.
Makes people want to buy from you even when they don’t need what you’re selling.
Think about it.
How many times have you bought something because you liked the person behind it?
Because you felt like they got you?
That’s connection.
It’s hands-down the most underrated business tool there is.
The real reason you’re not prioritising connection
Let’s be honest.
You’re not prioritising connection because it’s not scalable.
You want systems. Automation. One-to-many.
Connection isn’t a funnel. It’s a conversation.
That terrifies you.
When you stop hiding behind systems, you have to show up.
You have to be vulnerable.
You must stop treating your audience like faceless followers and treat them like real people.
It’s easier to schedule a month of Instagram posts than to reply to every comment.
Easier to tweak your sales page than to talk to your audience.
But easier doesn’t mean better.
What happens when you lead with connection
Here’s what shifts when you prioritise connection:
Your audience feels seen, heard, and understood.
You stop sounding like every other “online business owner.”
You create relationships that turn into referrals, testimonials, and long-term clients.
Connection compounds.
It’s the ripple effect you’ve been looking for.
You don’t need a bigger following.
You need a deeper one.
How to build real connection in business
Connection isn’t something you can automate.
You can, however, systemise it so it feels effortless.
Here’s how:
1. Talk like a human
Ditch the “Hey lovely!” and show up as yourself (unless that’s how you do show up as yourself, of course).
Share your quirks, wins, and face (yes, even when you feel scruffy).
2. Invite conversation
Stop broadcasting. Start talking.
End every piece of content with a question, a prompt, or an invitation to reply.
3. Listen more than you speak
Your audience will tell you what they need - if you listen.
Use polls, question boxes, and DMs to gather real insights.
4. Show you care
Celebrate their wins.
Comment on their content.
Be the business owner who shows up without expecting something in return.
5. Prioritise depth over reach
Would you rather have 100,000 followers who scroll past you…
Or 100 who’d buy from you, refer you, and cheer you on?
The rule-breaking truth
You’ve been told to focus on scaling, selling, and automating.
Here’s the real story:
If you don’t focus on connection, you’re building a house of cards.
Your audience isn’t an algorithm.
They’re people.
They’re craving real connection.
Your rule-breaking challenge
This week, pick one connection action and do it:
Reply to every comment on your latest post.
DM five people in your audience and start a real conversation.
Share something vulnerable, honest, or funny about yourself.
Connection isn’t built by shouting louder.
It’s built by showing up, asking questions, and caring.

What’s next?
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