Today we start with the news of Marc Maron retiring his podcast, and a possible shake up at the New Media Show (two shows with 16+ years). So who will fill their space you?
Bri Leever is a community building strategist at Ember Consulting and host of the show “Dear Bri.” I saw her present at a webinar put on by Hearbeat (my favorite community tool) and immediately joined her community (which lead to me asking her on the show).
Why Freemium Communities Don't Work
If you're free version is good, often people won't buy the paid version cause they are getting everything for free. If the free version is awful, then your first impression is blown, and there is no guarantee that the paid version would be any better.
Not So Fast on Starting that Community
Bri advises that those considering starting a community should typically wait and refine their expertise for at least two years before diving into community building. She suggests focusing on refining one's offer, business processes, and individual skills in a one-on-one setting during this period. This approach allows for growth and learning without the added pressure of managing a community. By gaining a deep understanding of their audience and the challenges they face, creators can ensure they have the authority and insights needed to build an effective community environment where members can collaboratively overcome challenges together.
Bri's Favorite Platforms to Build Communities
Bri's favorite platforms for building communities are Circle and Heartbeat. She favors these platforms because they are part of the “all-in-one” community platform category, which means they integrate events, conversation, and content into a single, centralized location. This setup offers a seamless user experience for members, avoiding the fragmented feel that multiple platforms can create.
Bri also appreciates that these platforms require users to create a new login, which, despite adding some friction, helps ensure that the community members are intentional about joining and participating. Additionally, the design and user experience of these platforms are tailored to fostering meaningful and safe interactions, something Bri values highly. They allow community builders to create customized environments that feel distinct from mainstream social media platforms, supporting more focused and engaged community interactions.
I use Heartbeat for the School of Podcasting community and courses
Mentioned in the Show:
Bri's Community of Community Builders
School of Podcasting Community
Takeaways:
- Marc Maron is hanging up his podcasting hat after 16 years, and that's a big deal.
- Having both free and paid communities can actually mess up your growth, who knew?
- If you want a thriving community, you gotta focus on what people actually want, duh!
- Starting a podcast with a small team is totally doable; you don't need a squad of 20.
- Don't be surprised if your free community outshines your paid one; it happens more than you'd think.
- People love talking about themselves, so just ask them questions and you'll be golden.
You Have A Message That Needs to Be Heard
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