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One of the biggest fears community builders have is launching a community and hearing… crickets. No members. No engagement. No momentum.

But after years of building communities for both my own business and my clients, I’ve learned that sustainable community growth isn’t about chasing more tactics, spending more on ads, or trying every marketing strategy you see online.

You grow your community by focusing on the right foundations, the right funnel, and the right data.

In this final episode of Dear Bri Season 3, I’m breaking down the exact framework I use to help communities attract new members consistently. We’ll walk through the three stages of a community marketing funnel, the biggest mistakes people make when trying to grow their membership, and a simple prospecting audit you can use to identify exactly where your growth is getting stuck.

I’m also sharing a real client example that demonstrates how a small shift in positioning and offer design increased conversion rates from 17% to 61%.

⏳ Timestamps

00:00:00 | The fear every community builder shares

00:01:57 | The foundations every community needs before growth

00:04:14 | Community marketing funnel stage 1: Awareness

00:06:07 | Community marketing funnel stage 2: Nurture

00:07:39 | Community marketing funnel stage 3: The Close

00:10:09 | A real community growth case study

00:13:11 | How to run a prospecting audit [Framework]

00:15:31 | Full recap

📌 Resources Mentioned

Leveraging Other Communities for Growth: https://www.emberconsulting.co/post/the-ultimate-guide-to-leveraging-your-presence-in-other-communities-for-business-growth

Ideablossoms: https://ideablossoms.com/

Recalibration Intensive: https://www.emberconsulting.co/growth-strategy-for-community-builders

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

Book Your Discovery Call Today: https://www.emberconsulting.co/book-call

Hire a Skilled Community Manager: https://tally.so/r/w5gjZo

🎧 Episodes Mentioned

S3E1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SvqnZJojTo&t=4s

S3E2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP2NhaT03QM

S3E3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUntLq70AiM&t=253s

S3E4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz_qkyCCxNQ

S3E5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COoUA5iRZEU&t=18s

S3E6: https://youtu.be/gRr3Ybv_XPI?si=AJK5RuOMJTkaJdS7

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Engagement isn't something that happens organically. It's something you design for.

In this episode of Dear Bri, we're diving into one of the most misunderstood topics in community building: engagement. Most community owners focus on tactics, posting more content, creating discussion prompts, or trying to motivate members, but those solutions often miss the real issue.

Drawing on BJ Fogg's habit-formation research, I walk you through the two hidden forces that influence member behavior in every online community. You'll learn how both affect participation, why members often stop engaging without realizing why, and how small design decisions can dramatically change community outcomes.

Finally, I'll share the three-question Community Engagement Recipe I use to diagnose and improve engagement issues in any community, no matter its size or business model.

If you're tired of posting into the void, wondering why your members aren't participating, or looking for a more strategic approach to community engagement, this episode is for you.

⏳ Timestamps

00:00:00 | Why "How do I get engagement?" is the wrong question

00:02:23 | The question you should ask instead

00:02:59 | Why community engagement is a design problem

00:03:42 | BJ Fogg's habit formation model and how that translates into digital community design

00:07:13 | A real community engagement case study

00:11:57 | The Community Engagement Recipe [Framework]

00:15:52 | Full recap

📌 Resources Mentioned

S3E1: https://youtu.be/6SvqnZJojTo

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

52 Prompts for Engagement: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/775267/151824965371429968/share

Designing for Great Engagement Miniseries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA_cxyCo_r0&list=PLOOwTnL2Q6sY84bv-3McIQWfygPwIpv2r&index=3

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Pricing your community isn’t just about revenue. It shapes the kind of members you attract, how they engage, and whether your community actually creates transformation.

In this episode of Dear Bri, I’m breaking down the biggest myths around community pricing and why common strategies like free trials, low-ticket memberships, and tiered entry points often backfire. Because when pricing isn’t aligned with your community strategy, it can quietly erode the energy, retention, and results inside your space.

I also walk you through the “pricing compass” framework I use with clients to help them confidently choose a price point that aligns with their business model, their goals, and the transformation they want members to experience.

You’ll learn why low prices don’t always lower the barrier to entry, how membership tiers can accidentally create disengaged lurkers, and the one question you should ask before designing any offer or onboarding experience.

⏳ Timestamps

00:00:00 | Why community pricing matters more than you think

00:01:08 | Myth #1: Free trials get people in the door

00:02:29 | Myth #2: A lower price point will be easier to sell

00:03:45 | Myth #3: Start with a lower tier and members will upgrade

00:08:18 | Introducing the “pricing compass” [Framework]

00:12:00 | Monthly vs quarterly vs annual pricing

00:13:32 | The question that changes everything

00:15:37 | Full recap

📌 Resources Mentioned

Episode with Diana Davis: https://www.emberconsulting.co/post/17-creating-a-community-that-doesn-t-rely-on-you-with-diana-davis

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

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“Start with a free community, then upsell people into your paid offer.”

Sounds smart, right? It’s one of the most common community growth strategies out there, and in this episode of Dear Bri, I’m explaining why it usually backfires.

I break down the biggest flaw in the freemium community model, why mixing your audience and alumni in the same space creates confusion instead of connection, and what actually drives engagement inside a paid community.

You’ll also hear real client examples, including how one nonprofit community generated 78 paying members in its first two weeks by offering people a “taste” of the experience instead of unlimited free access.

If you’ve been wondering whether your community should be free or paid, how to structure your offer ecosystem, or why your community engagement feels flat, this episode will help you rethink your strategy before you build the wrong thing.

⏳ Timestamps

00:00:00 | Why Freemium Communities Rarely Work

00:01:15 | The Problem With Mixing Alumni and Audience

00:04:18 | The Myth: Understanding Good Community Strategy

00:05:14 | Charging for Community Changes Member Behavior

00:07:34 | Replace Your Freemium Strategy with This [Framework]

00:10:37 | Full Recap

📌 Resources Mentioned

Join the email list: https://www.emberconsulting.co/newsletter

Ligare Case Study: https://www.emberconsulting.co/post/case-study-launching-a-thriving-membership-community-on-heartbeat-from-idea-to-78-members-in

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

S3E5 How much should I charge for my membership community? https://www.emberconsulting.co/post/how-to-price-a-paid-community

Season 1 episode with Alli Ball: https://www.emberconsulting.co/post/if-i-build-it-how-do-i-make-sure-they-come-with-alli-ball-founder-ceo-of-food-biz-wiz

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If you’ve ever found yourself deep in the rabbit hole of comparing community platforms, you’re certainly not alone. From feature lists to demos to endless reviews, it feels like the right decision is just one more comparison away. But more research won’t solve your problem, a better strategy will.

In this episode of Dear Bri, I break down why so many business owners get stuck in what I call “platform paralysis” and how to finally move forward with confidence.

Instead of obsessing over features, I’m sharing the 3 questions I ask every client before we even look at platforms — because choosing the right tool has way more to do with your community model, risk tolerance, and how you like to operate than any “all-in-one” promise.

I’ll also give you a simple, honest breakdown of the most popular community platforms (including Circle, Mighty Networks, Heartbeat, and Skool) so you can start to see which direction might actually fit your business.

If you’ve been stuck trying to choose a platform or worried about making the wrong decision, this episode will help you take the first step forward.

⏳ Timestamps

00:00:00 | How to choose the right community platform

00:01:59 | The real reason people get stuck (platform paralysis)

00:03:54 | 3 Questions to ask before choosing a platform [Framework]

00:06:24 | The 2 distinct philosophies in the community platform world

00:07:57 | Platform breakdown: Circle, Mighty Networks, Heartbeat, Skool

00:11:49 | Full recap

📌 Resources Mentioned

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

Season 3 Episode 2: How do I know a community is right for my business?

Circle vs Heartbeat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnNZ5KZAszM

Skool vs Circel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHgJ_3YaZro

Community Platform Comparisons Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOOwTnL2Q6sY2nm2p0OdI0nZ0hg9i5AdF

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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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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

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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.

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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.