

Community Creators with Shana Lynn
Shana Lynn Bresnahan
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
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 14, 2025 • 35min
How to Create a Community People Never Want to Leave
https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersIn this episode, Shana revisits her Community Cultivated Framework—the same strategy that has helped thousands of artists and entrepreneurs build thriving communities. In this episode, you’ll learn:Why community is the key to retention, referrals, and recurring salesThe four timeless pillars that make communities thriveHow to create belonging and safety so people never want to leaveListen in and discover how to build a community that sets you apart in the AI age because human connection is something no algorithm can replace.Additional Resources:Discover your retention rate and the lifetime value of your members using this simple calculator. Access it here: www.memberltv.comDownload the Community Cultivated Framework guide www.ccframework.comGet 77+ actionable ways to build engagement and loyalty at https://connectionideas.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

Oct 7, 2025 • 5min
From Being the Only Face of the Brand to Having a Team of Rockstars
https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersEp 111 - Foster a Fans First Team Culture with Emily Cole of The Savannah Bananas: https://www.shanalynn.com/podcast/foster-a-fans-first-team-culture-with-emily-cole-of-the-savannah-bananasWhen you think of the Savannah Bananas, chances are you picture Jesse Cole in his bright yellow tux and top hat. But behind the scenes, the Bananas have been very intentional about making sure the brand isn’t tied to just one person. In this episode, co-founder Emily Cole joins Shana to share how the team has expanded its cast of characters so that every fan can see themselves reflected — whether that’s in the athletes, the pep band, Princess Potassium, the Banana Nanas, or even the dad-bod cheer squad.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why the Savannah Bananas moved beyond one central voice.How diverse characters help fans of all ages feel included.What leaders can gain by letting their team take the spotlight.Don’t let your brand rest on one voice. Invite your team to step into the spotlight and see how connections grow.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

Sep 30, 2025 • 7min
How to Calculate Churn and Retention Rate
https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersToday we’re diving into the one metric every membership site owner must track—your retention rate. If you're not tracking this yet, don’t worry. In this episode, you’ll learn:What retention rate actually means for your membership.Why it directly impacts your revenue and growth.The simple formula to calculate your monthly retention.By the end of this short but powerful episode, you’ll know exactly what it is, why it matters, and how to calculate it—no complicated spreadsheets needed.Additional Resources:Discover your retention rate and the lifetime value of your members using this simple calculator. Access it here: www.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

Sep 23, 2025 • 7min
Risks of a Faceless Brand
https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersEp 129 - Create a Valuable Personal Brand with AJ Vaden: https://www.shanalynn.com/podcast/create-a-valuable-personal-brand-with-aj-vadenFaceless brands may be trending, but are they built to last? In this episode, AJ Vaden shares why hiding behind anonymity can cost you trust, loyalty, and long-term success — and why personal branding is more than just vanity metrics.What You’ll Learn in This Episode Highlight:Why the “faceless brand” fad can be risky for your businessThe difference between authenticity and transparency — and why you don’t have to share everything onlineHow offline relationships can fuel massive growth, even without followers or fancy websitesThe role of purpose and mission in building a personal brandWhy trust and human connection still outperform algorithms and trendsIf you’ve ever been tempted to hide behind a logo, this conversation will make you rethink your strategy.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

Sep 16, 2025 • 8min
How to Apply the Retention Accelerator Framework to Onboarding
https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersIn this episode, we dive deeper into how to strategically apply the Retention Accelerator Framework—introduced in a previous episode—specifically to the onboarding process within your membership or community program.Shana walks us through her thought process as she evaluates and optimizes onboarding, showing how to use the 3 R’s of retention: Results, Recognition, and Relationships. Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your member journey, this episode gives practical insights to create an onboarding experience that reduces churn, increases engagement, and builds long-term loyalty.What You’ll Learn:Why onboarding is the highest-impact place to start improving retentionHow to reduce friction and guide members to a clear next step and quick winWhy reselling the vision during onboarding keeps motivation high and prevents churnHow to use personalization, celebration, and stories to build connection fastBy applying the Retention Accelerator Framework, you can create an onboarding experience that not only welcomes your members but sets them up for long-term success.Additional Resources:Ep 181: 3 Accelerators to Reduce Churn & Keep Members Longer https://www.shanalynn.com/podcast/3-accelerators-to-reduce-churn-keep-members-longerWant 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

Sep 9, 2025 • 5min
How to Leverage SEO on Pinterest
https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersEp 144 - Pinterest Marketing Secrets to Build Your List and Grow Your Membership with Meagan Williamson: https://www.shanalynn.com/podcast/pinterest-marketing-secrets-to-build-your-list-and-grow-your-membership-with-meagan-williamsonWhen most business owners think about growing their audience online, Facebook and Instagram usually top the list. But there's a powerful and often overlooked platform that deserves your attention—Pinterest. In this highlight from Shana’s podcast interview with Pinterest strategist Meagan Williamson, we explore how Pinterest works more like a visual search engine than a social media site, and why that matters for your business growth.What You’ll Learn in This Episode Highlight:Why Pinterest isn’t just about promoting launches—but building top-of-funnel visibilityThe unique way users search on Pinterest (and how it differs from Google and YouTube)How to optimize your boards, pins, and profiles using strategic keywordsThe evergreen nature of Pinterest content (pins can bring traffic for years!)Tips for effective Pinterest SEO: from keyword mapping to writing compelling pin copyThe importance of user intent and why Pinterest visitors are often closer to making decisionsMeagan shares her expertise on how to leverage Pinterest’s SEO potential to build long-lasting, evergreen traffic that feeds your funnel over time. Whether you’re trying to grow your email list, boost podcast listeners, or drive traffic to a free group, Pinterest can play a crucial role in your strategy.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

15 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 9min
The 5 Biggest Obstacles to Member Progress (And How to Overcome Them)
Discover the five key obstacles that hinder member progress, including belief, clarity, skills, motivation, and time. Explore the psychology behind member disengagement and why simply adding more content isn't the answer. Learn practical strategies to create an engaging membership experience that boosts retention and motivates members to take action. Design your offerings with members' challenges in mind to eliminate barriers and foster meaningful progress.

Aug 26, 2025 • 7min
Avoid These Common Hiring Mistakes
https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersEp 147 - How to Hire a Rockstar Community Manager with Paula Maidens https://www.shanalynn.com/podcast/how-to-hire-a-rockstar-community-manager-with-paula-maidensIn today’s episode, Shana shares a powerful clip from her recent interview with hiring and leadership expert Paula Maidens, diving into the most common hiring mistakes and—most importantly—how to avoid them.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why hiring based on referrals or familiarity—without vetting—can lead to costly misalignmentThe most common assumptions that sabotage your hiring process (and how to avoid them)How to design interviews that test real skills and bring candidates into your business realityA simple mindset shift to stay confident when hiring and managing team membersWhy clear communication and role expectations from the start lead to better retentionAs your team grows, hiring well becomes one of the most critical (and costly) skills you need to master. Paula breaks down the missteps she sees over and over, and offers actionable advice to help you build your dream team with confidence and clarity.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

Aug 19, 2025 • 7min
Which Subscription Billing Cycle is Best for your Membership
https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersThinking about changing your membership’s billing cycle? Should you offer monthly, quarterly, or annual options? What about weekly? Every billing cycle has trade-offs, and choosing the wrong one could hurt your conversions, increase churn, or complicate operations.In this episode, we’re breaking down:What the data says about different billing cycles and their impact on conversions, engagement, and retentionThe operational complexity of offering multiple billing options and why every new choice needs a clear ROIHow pricing psychology impacts member perception of value and commitmentWhy annual renewals require a completely different retention strategy than monthly renewalsThe truth about upfront investment fees—do they actually reduce churn, or do they just lower conversions?If you’ve ever wondered whether adding or changing your billing cycle could help your membership grow, this episode will give you the clarity you need.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

Aug 12, 2025 • 8min
Modeling a Core Framework & Why You Need One
https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More MembersEp 69 - How to Develop a Winning Framework with Mel Abrahamhttps://www.shanalynn.com/podcast/how-to-develop-a-winning-framework-with-mel-abrahamYou’ve probably heard people talk about frameworks in business. You’ve heard me talk about my frameworks—like the Progress Wheel, Community Cultivated, and the Retention Accelerator. But what is a framework really, and how do you use one effectively?In this highlight from a longer conversation, I’m joined by my friend Mel Abraham, a brilliant business strategist, to break down what a strong framework actually looks like in practice. You’ll hear how Mel builds one of his signature frameworks and why these tools are essential for simplifying your message, structuring your offer, and elevating your sales and strategy.In this episode, you’ll learn:What a business framework really is (and isn’t)Why frameworks help you communicate and connect betterHow to use a framework in a speech or sales conversationA sneak peek into Mel Abraham’s powerful framework processIf you’re ready to turn your knowledge into influence and income, this episode is your invitation to start thinking in frameworks.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