
Community Creators with Shana Lynn
Entrepreneurs and online business owners can no longer grow with great marketing alone. If you want to scale your course, membership, or coaching program, I’ll teach you how to maximize your profit and multiply your impact by creating a thriving online community. Be sure to connect with me on IG: http://instagram.com/shanaspeaksI’ve spent over a decade working with top brands and entrepreneurs to cultivate thriving online communities and empowered community teams that increase their reach, retention, and revenue. This podcast is a space for community creators like you and me to share our insights, best practices, and what’s working now in the community space.You’ll discover proven strategies, actionable tactics, and innovative ideas that you and your team can use to reduce refunds and increase retention. You won’t want to miss an episode! Subscribe now and let’s get started! Show notes & more: https://ShanaLynn.com
Latest episodes

Jul 15, 2025 • 6min
The #1 Red Flag to Watch for as Your Business Scales
https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersCheck out the full episode: https://www.shanalynn.com/podcast/preparing-your-business-for-scale-with-alex-charfenScaling a business is an exciting goal, but it comes with challenges. In a recent conversation with Alex Charfen shared the biggest red flag entrepreneurs should watch for when growing their business. Speaking from personal experience, he knows firsthand the pain of ignoring this warning. Consider this your heads-up - don’t overlook this crucial insight!Additional Resources:https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersWatch on YouTube :https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivatedLearn how to work with Shana: https://www.shanalynn.com/Learn more about Shana’s Community Training Program: https://www.shanalynn.com/cultivateConnect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaks

Jul 8, 2025 • 6min
Why Your Community Manager Feels Like More Work (And How to Fix It)
https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersIf you feel like your community manager is creating more work for you instead of solving problems, you’re not alone. Many membership owners hire a community manager expecting them to drive engagement and improve retention—but instead, they end up micromanaging every decision.The problem isn’t your community manager. The problem is that they’re working reactively instead of proactively.In this episode, I’ll break down:The difference between a Community Manager and a Community Moderator (and why most membership owners accidentally turn their manager into a moderator)How a reactive community manager adds work instead of solving problemsWhat a proactive community manager actually does to drive retention and engagementBest practices for training your community manager to be more strategicIf you’re ready to shift your community manager from reactive to proactive, this episode will show you how.Additional Resources:Want to train your community manager to drive engagement and retention? Learn more about my Cultivate Community Training Course at shanalynn.com/cultivate.Want expert help mapping out your member journey and setting up feedback loops that actually work? Apply for my high-level membership consulting program, Retain: https://joinretain.comListen on the go? Subscribe to the podcast for more membership retention strategies:Apple, or SpotifyMake sure to subscribe for more strategies on keeping members engaged and growing your recurring revenue!Learn how to work with Shana: https://www.shanalynn.com/Connect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaksWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivated

Jul 1, 2025 • 15min
How Showing Up Authentically Impacts Business Success
https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersEp 132 - Unlock your Full Potential in Life and Business with Tracy Harris: https://www.shanalynn.com/podcast/unlock-your-full-potential-in-life-and-business-with-tracy-harrisAuthenticity online is often discussed, but what does it really mean for your business? In this highlight, Shana shares insights from Tracy Harris, known for embracing her true self online and attracting incredible clients because of it. Tracy reveals how showing up authentically has impacted her success and why you shouldn’t fear being yourself. Don’t miss this valuable lesson in building a genuine and thriving online presence!Additional Resources:https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersWatch on YouTube :https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivatedLearn how to work with Shana: https://www.shanalynn.com/Learn more about Shana’s Community Training Program: https://www.shanalynn.com/cultivateConnect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaks

Jun 24, 2025 • 7min
How to Adjust Pricing for Your Membership Without Losing Members
https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersThinking about raising your membership price but worried about losing members? Or wondering if your price is too high and hurting conversions?Pricing adjustments can feel risky—but they don’t have to be. The truth is, pricing isn’t permanent. You can test, analyze, and optimize your pricing without guessing or hurting retention.In this episode, I’m walking you through smart pricing adjustments based on data, not fear. I’ll also share a real-life example of a membership owner who raised his prices based on advice from a mastermind—but after testing different price points, he actually made more revenue by lowering his price.In this episode, you’ll learn:The biggest pricing mistakes membership owners makeFour smart ways to adjust pricing without hurting retentionThe psychology of pricing and how it affects conversionsWhy pricing alone won’t fix retention or sales problems if your value isn’t clearIf you’re making pricing decisions based on what feels right instead of real data, this episode is for you.Additional Resources:Want to see how a pricing change could impact your membership’s lifetime value and revenue? Grab my free Membership LTV calculator here: memberltv.comWant expert help mapping out your member journey and setting up feedback loops that actually work? Apply for my high-level membership consulting program, Retain: https://joinretain.comListen on the go? Subscribe to the podcast for more membership retention strategies:Apple, or SpotifyMake sure to subscribe for more strategies on keeping members engaged and growing your recurring revenue!Learn how to work with Shana: https://www.shanalynn.com/Learn more about Shana’s Community Training Program: https://www.shanalynn.com/cultivateConnect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaksWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivated

7 snips
Jun 17, 2025 • 7min
Create Intentional Connection with the REACH Framework
https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersEp 96 - How this One Question can be Rocket Fuel for your Business with Blake Fly: https://www.shanalynn.com/podcast/how-this-one-question-can-be-rocket-fuel-for-your-business-with-blake-flyIf traditional networking feels overwhelming or just isn’t your thing, you won’t want to miss this! In this short clip, Shana sits down with her friend Blake Fly, who shares his powerful REACH framework - a simple yet effective approach to building meaningful and lasting connections. Whether you're an introvert or just looking for a better way to connect, this method will change the way you think about networking.Additional Resources:https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersWatch on YouTube :https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivatedLearn how to work with Shana: https://www.shanalynn.com/Learn more about Shana’s Community Training Program: https://www.shanalynn.com/cultivateConnect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaks

Jun 10, 2025 • 5min
The Stoplight Strategy - How to Identify and Retain At Risk Members
https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersMost membership owners focus on who cancels, but the real opportunity is tracking who is at risk before they cancel.By the time a member officially cancels, it’s already too late. The Stoplight Strategy helps you categorize members based on their engagement levels so you can take action before they churn.In this episode, I’ll walk you through:What the Stoplight Strategy is and how it helps reduce churnThe three categories of members and how to recognize themHow to integrate this into your Member Journey Map to create a reactivation strategyWhy personalization at scale is critical for retentionIf you want to move from reactive to proactive retention strategies, this episode is for you.Additional Resources:Want expert help mapping out your member journey and setting up feedback loops that actually work? Apply for my high-level membership consulting program, Retain: https://joinretain.comListen on the go? Subscribe to the podcast for more membership retention strategies:Apple, or SpotifyMake sure to subscribe for more strategies on keeping members engaged and growing your recurring revenue!Learn how to work with Shana: https://www.shanalynn.com/Learn more about Shana’s Community Training Program: https://www.shanalynn.com/cultivateConnect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaksWatch on YouTube :https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivated

Jun 3, 2025 • 5min
Million Dollar Personal Branding Strategies
https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersEp 93 - Millionaire Sales Secrets and the Power of Personal Branding with Lauren Tickner: https://www.shanalynn.com/podcast/millionaire-sales-secrets-and-the-power-of-personal-branding-with-lauren-ticknerBuilding a strong personal brand is essential for business success, and few understand this better than Lauren Tickner. As a past guest on Shana’s podcast, Lauren shared how she became a millionaire by 23 through the power of personal branding. Even as she expands into more corporate ventures, she continues to see its value. In this highlight, Lauren discusses the importance of a personal brand, along with her strategies for batching content and leveraging her team to maintain and grow her presence.Additional Resources:https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersWatch on YouTube :https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivatedLearn how to work with Shana: https://www.shanalynn.com/Learn more about Shana’s Community Training Program: https://www.shanalynn.com/cultivateConnect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaks

May 27, 2025 • 7min
The Membership Growth Ceiling- Why Your Membership Has Stalled (And What to Do About It)
https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersIs your membership growing, or are you just replacing lost members every month?Many membership owners feel stuck at the same member count and revenue, no matter how much effort they put into marketing and content. If you’ve ever had a big launch, only to see your numbers drop back down a few months later, you’ve likely hit a membership growth ceiling.But here’s the thing—this isn’t just a theory. It’s a mathematical calculation. Based on your current members, new member acquisition, and churn rate, you can determine exactly where your membership will stall.In this episode, you’ll learn:What the membership growth ceiling is and how to calculate itThe key signs that you’ve already hit your ceilingWhy acquisition alone won’t fix growth issues (and can even make things worse)How retention—not just marketing—determines whether your membership scales or stays stuckThe real revenue impact of reducing churn and how it compounds over timeWant to see the numbers in action? I’ll be sharing my screen and running real calculations to show you exactly how this works, so if you’re listening on the podcast, I highly recommend watching the video version on YouTube for the best experience.Additional Resources:Want expert help mapping out your member journey and setting up feedback loops that actually work? Apply for my high-level membership consulting program, Retain: https://joinretain.comListen on the go? Subscribe to the podcast for more membership retention strategies: Apple, or SpotifyMake sure to subscribe for more strategies on keeping members engaged and growing your recurring revenue!Learn how to work with Shana: https://www.shanalynn.com/Learn more about Shana’s Community Training Program: https://www.shanalynn.com/cultivateConnect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaksWatch on YouTube :https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivated

4 snips
May 20, 2025 • 9min
How to Create a Success Path in Your Membership with Stu McLaren
Stu McLaren, a membership expert known for his strategies in retention and engagement, shares insights on creating a success path for memberships. He emphasizes the importance of structured frameworks that guide members in tracking their growth. Using relatable examples from martial arts and swimming, Stu discusses how clear stages and actionable milestones can motivate members. His game-changing strategies promise to enhance engagement, ensuring that both new and established communities thrive with a sense of progression.

4 snips
May 13, 2025 • 7min
Why You Need a Success Path in Your Membership with Stu McLaren [Highlight]
https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersEpisode 07 - The Secret to Member Progress with Stu McLaren, Membership Expert: https://www.shanalynn.com/podcast/the-secret-to-member-progress-with-stu-mclarenIf you're thinking about starting a membership or have recently launched one, this episode is a must-listen. Shana dives deep into the importance of having a clear path to help your members progress, a key pillar in her Community Cultivated Framework. With years of experience as the Director of Community for Stu McLaren, the founder of The Membership Experience, Shana understands what it takes to build a thriving membership. In this episode, Stu shares insights on the Success Path—a proven strategy not only for increasing retention but also for attracting new members through effective marketing. Whether you're in the early stages or looking to refine your membership strategy, this conversation will help you lay the foundation for long-term success.Additional Resources:Want expert help mapping out your member journey and setting up feedback loops that actually work? Apply for my high-level membership consulting program, Retain: https://joinretain.comRegister now for Stu's membership training. It only happens one time a year! Listen on the go? Subscribe to the podcast for more membership retention strategies:Apple, or SpotifyMake sure to subscribe for more strategies on keeping members engaged and growing your recurring revenue!Learn how to work with Shana: https://www.shanalynn.com/Learn more about Shana’s Community Training Program: https://www.shanalynn.com/cultivateConnect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaksWatch on YouTube :https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivated