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Here’s what I know after designing and building 79 online communities in the past 6 years alone…

Before you pick a platform, price your offer, or map out your curriculum, there’s one thing you need to do first: have 10 real conversations with potential members.

In this episode of Dear Bri, I break down what’s really driving the rise of communities, how to validate your idea before you build anything, and the 3-part framework I use to determine whether a community is right for your business (read: will succeed long-term).

If you’ve been feeling pulled toward community but unsure if it’s the right move, this episode will give you clarity.

And if you’re asking questions like:

Should I start a community for my business?

Will people pay to be a part of a community?

Or, is it too late to launch a community?

Then this episode is for you.

⏳ Timestamps

00:00:00 | Introduction to season 3: Community strategy

00:01:11 | The right time to build a community

00:04:46 | Is a community right for your business?

00:05:15 | The one question NOT to ask

00:08:15 | Real examples of community strategy in action

00:10:57 | How to find your sweet spot [Framework]

📌 Resources Mentioned

Tapestry Community Case Study: https://www.emberconsulting.co/post/case-study-how-molly-mahar-and-stratejoy-built-a-thriving-member-led-community-on-heartbeat

Discovery Guide: https://calendly.com/bri-15/the-community-audit-clone

Season 3 Episode 1: What community model is right for my business?

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Bri Leever

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I know predictable recurring revenue sounds awesome, and a membership community is usually the first idea that comes to mind… But if you’re not familiar with community strategy and design, you can easily spend months (or years!) building the wrong type of community for your business — and then wondering what you’re doing wrong when results don’t follow.

Or maybe you’ve past that and now feeling stuck trying to find new members, struggling with engagement, or endlessly planning without launching.

In this episode of Dear Bri, we kick off Season 3 with a powerful framework that will completely change how you think about community building.

I’m sharing a simple (but game-changing) matrix I spent the past decade refining. It is designed to help you identify the right type of community for your business because most communities don’t fail from lack of effort… they fail from misalignment.

You’ll learn why copying someone else’s community model is a fast track to frustration, the key difference between an audience and a community, and the biggest mistake people make when trying to balance education and connection inside a community.

If you’re thinking about launching a paid community in 2026, or fixing one that isn’t working, this episode is your starting point. Do not skip it.

⏳ Timestamps

00:00:00 | Introduction to season 3: Community strategy

00:02:19 | The fastest way to build the WRONG community

00:04:17 | Your community vs. your audience

00:05:23 | The community strategy matrix [Framework]

00:07:42 | Imagine your ideal community member

00:08:50 | The one myth I’ll bust right now

00:11:03 | Full recap

📌 Resources Mentioned

4 Types of Community - The Masterclass: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/775267/185716772091987335/share

Book Your Discovery Call Today Hire a Skilled Community Manager

Bri Leever

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Community strategy is hard enough without having to pick between 50 different tools. If you’ve ever stared down the long list of platform options—Circle, Heartbeat, Mighty Networks, Skool, Kajabi, and more—and thought, "How do I even choose?", this episode is your clarity compass.

In this special panel format of Dear Bri, we go beyond surface-level platform comparison and get into the real talk. Join four veteran builders—Candice Grobler (Circle), Starlight Mundy (Mighty Networks), Mike Phillips (Heartbeat), and Duncan Rogoff (Skool)—as they share what they love, what drives them bonkers, and how each platform supports (or sabotages) their community management efforts.

If you're looking to build a thriving online community but feel stuck at the starting line, this episode delivers honest reviews, platform strategies, and key decision-making tips—direct from experienced community architects who have tried them all.

Whether you're craving customization, chasing simplicity, or getting serious about member onboarding, this episode is a must-listen.

⏳ Timestamps:

00:00:00 | Introducing our community builders: Candice, Starlight, Mike, and Duncan

00:07:48 | Which community platform is the best?

00:13:12 | Favorite features: Heartbeat’s AI made Mike mad!

00:36:51 | Is Skool's simplicity a good thing or a bad thing?

00:38:34 | Are Circle and Mighty Networks too complex?

00:44:46 | Community building in the AI era: what are the skills we'll need in the future?

01:03:40 | Member onboarding: How each platform approaches it

01:12:08 | Final words: what real builders wish every community leader knew

Resources Mentioned:

▶️ Watch this live panel on YouTube.

🗒️ See a complete resources list here.

✅ Download my complete Community Platform Comparison Guide.

💛Join Ember. The place for go-getter community creators building community-powered businesses.

Bri Leever

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And before you go…

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

💚 Leave a review on Spotify

That helps the podcast more than you know and I deeply appreciate it. 🙏

Want your story to be next? Submit an anonymous letter about your community conundrum, fiasco, drama, or other dilemma here.

*Dear Bri is produced by Ideablossoms.