Dear Bri: Community Strategy, Fiascos, and Drama

In this episode, we’re hearing from Burnt Out and Bound by Dependency. Our letter today deals with the exhausting dynamic where you're the one person everyone is dependent upon for value in the community, and how to shift away from that.To better help Burnt Out and Bound by Dependency, I invited Pia Silva as my guest expert. She's the founder of the No BS Agency Mastery community, which has been running since 2021. During that time she managed to leave the place where she was the main source of value and develop community leaders to also provide value.So, tune in for lessons on how to transition between platforms, reset expectations, gracefully deal with internal drama, and leadership development done the right way.In this episode:(03:23) The communitea: Burnt Out and Bound by Dependency’s letter(04:56) Pia's No BS Agency Mastery community(06:08) Transitioning from Facebook to Circle and resetting expectations(12:33) How Pia developed her star students into leaders and support coaches(16:37) The compensation model for Pia's community leaders(17:53) Gracefully handling an issue with a misaligned leader(23:49) The importance of honesty and transparency within your community(25:52) Find your ideal vision for your community and work backwards(27:32) How Pia is scaling her community while maintaining the feeling of intimacyResources Mentioned:🎧 Get the Badass Your Brand audiobook.❤️ Sign up for Heartbeat. Bri’s recommended all-in-one community platform.💛 Join Ember. The place for go-getter community creators building community-powered businesses.Pia Silva🖥️ Website📱 LinkedIn🎙️ PodcastBri Leever🖥️ Website📩 Newsletter📹 Youtube📱LinkedInAnd before you go…💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 💚 Leave a review on SpotifyThat 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.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, we’re hearing from The Jealous Host. Our letter today deals with a community builder stuck in a comparison spiral, whose insecurities are taking the wheel and making them feel like they're competing with community members and other communities, and falling short.To better help The Jealous Host, I invited Charmaine Jennings as my guest. Like me, she's no stranger to this conundrum. She founded Hustle + Charm, a supportive in-person community for women and nonbinary entrepreneurs focused on life, business, and career growth.Since Charmaine was going down a community comparison spiral of her own, and she was brave enough to open up and share her experience with us, we were able to turn this episode into a live coaching session using The Work of Byron Katie.Tune in for several tools EVERY community builder needs in their toolkit for this good, hard work of community building.In this episode:(03:43) The communitea: The Jealous Host’s letter(06:13) Reframe the feeling of being behind your community members' growth(10:29) Charmaine's in-person community: Hustle + Charm(13:12) How Bri and Charmaine experience their community comparison spirals(17:18) Distill the belief created by comparison(19:21) The Work: four questions to challenge your belief(27:04) The Work: turn around your belief(34:28) The value of this inquiry process for navigating your stubborn thoughts(38:04) The comparison syndrome from Charmaine's standpoint(39:57) Understand what to focus your energy on with the three types of judgments(44:56) The impact of inherited bias judgmentResources Mentioned:📝 Learn more about Byron Katie's process of self-inquiry.🎧 Catch up with Eric Plantenberg's Dear Bri episode.❤️ Sign up for Heartbeat. Bri’s recommended all-in-one community platform.💛 Join Ember. The place for go-getter community creators building community-powered businesses.Charmaine Jennings🖥️ Website📱 LinkedInBri Leever🖥️ Website📩 Newsletter📹 Youtube📱LinkedInWant 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.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, we’re hearing from Community Creator at the Crossroads. Our letter today deals with someone who's proven the concept for their community but is overwhelmed with what comes next and how to build something truly sustainable and scalable.To better help Community Creator at the Crossroads, I invited Jac White as my guest because she's in the same crossroads. She helps women sell with confidence and build a scalable sales system. She is the founder of Honeybees Group, which she recently launched as a membership community with a beta group that was a big success.This episode is different as it is like a live coaching call. We focus on how to architect the programs in your community in a way that serves you and your business. We take a hard look at the different types of formats and structures that might require a lot of you and might not always bring the reward that you're looking for.In this episode:(02:40) How this episode's unique format came about(04:20) The communitea: Community Creator at the Crossroads’s letter(06:11) Jac's very own community-building conundrum(07:58) The pros and cons of leveraging cohorts and memberships(10:58) The different education-connection community models(16:22) The strengths and challenges of a  transformative community(19:41) Lessons from Bri's journey to a membership with cohorts baked into it(24:27) The solution to a common pain point around cohorts(28:40) How to scale without losing the small community magic(34:11) Figure out how to make your community valuable and sustainable long-term(41:49) Just get startedResources Mentioned:🐝 Apply for the Honeybees Sales Circle.📗 Learn more about The Mom Test.❤️ Sign up for Heartbeat. Bri’s recommended all-in-one community platform.💛Join Ember. The place for go-getter community creators building community-powered businesses.Jac White🖥️ Website📱 LinkedIn🎙️PodcastBri Leever🖥️ Website📩 Newsletter📹 Youtube📱LinkedInWant 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.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, we’re hearing from Overwhelmed on the Delegation Struggle Bus. Our letter today deals with figuring out how to get the right type of help to make sure your community will thrive even when you're not there.To better help Overwhelmed on the Delegation Struggle Bus, I invited Kristen Pavle as my guest expert. She is a relational designer transforming community-driven businesses into creative, self-sustaining ecosystems. As a community strategist, she has experience founding and creating her own communities, as well as supporting  fresh new communities into a life of growth and thriving.So, tune in to better understand the different types of community management help available and which one makes the most sense for you and your community. You'll also be the first to know the details on the Ember community's newest program, Ember Fractionals.In this episode:(05:21) The communitea: Overwhelmed on the Delegation Struggle Bus’s letter(07:20) The 3 buckets people who run communities fall into(08:59) Kristen's experience of taking a step back as a DIY founder/community creator(12:53) The value of leadership development within your community and asking for help(17:19) Bri's experience and insights on getting help from virtual assistants for your community(20:10) The identity and mindset shift behind allowing yourself to ask for help(24:02) Hiring for your internal community versus your external community(25:04) Bringing in the strategy piece with a fractional  community manager(32:00) How you can break into the next level of your community skills(33:22) A sneak peek into the game-changing Ember Fractionals Program(38:33) It's never too late to turn your community aroundResources Mentioned:Join the Ember Fractionals: https://www.emberconsulting.co/fractional-community-managersHire an Ember Fractional: https://www.emberconsulting.co/hire-a-community-managerKristen Pavle🖥️ Website📱 LinkedInBri Leever🖥️ Website📩 Newsletter📹 Youtube📱LinkedInAnd before you go…💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 💚 Leave a review on SpotifyThat 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.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This week on Dear Bri, we hear from Seeking Community Connection, and they’re in the middle of one of the most universal dilemmas in online community management: how to foster peer-to-peer connection and learning.To solve this community conundrum, Bri invited community strategist and business coach Diana Davis, founder of Recess for Creatives. With a background in photography, graphic design, and seven years of community-building behind her, Diana has cracked the code on what it takes to create an online community that doesn’t orbit around the founder, but thrives because of thoughtful, playful structure.In this episode:(3:43) The communitea: Seeking Community Connection’s letter(6:55) Connection-centric design: Letting go of the spotlight(10:24) Being a professional nudger: The value of proactive outreach(19:04) Community tips: Competition and family/friends discounts(24:01) Craving the spotlight vs. creating sustainable community(26:02) Teaching kickball: Coaching vs. facilitating in community(27:20) Is it a membership or a community? Key distinctions(34:00) Community product design: Mixing the flour before the eggs(38:01) Why Diana made her community paid (and why free communities can fail)(40:01) Building boundaries: RSVP culture and the cost of flakiness(43:02) Events as the cheese plate: Using synchronous experiences to convert(46:02) Nudging and teaching members how to show upResources Mentioned:🧲 Check Diana’s Free Attraction Masterclass: magnetize dream clients with ease and alignment.❤️ Sign up for Heartbeat. Bri’s recommended all-in-one community platform.💛 Join Ember. The place for go-getter community creators building community-powered businesses.🔥 Diana Davis gets real about almost walking away from her community. Watch the conversation.Diana Davis🖥️ Website📱 Instagram🎙️ PodcastBri Leever🖥️ Website📩 Newsletter📹 Youtube📱LinkedInWant 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.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, we’re hearing from Ready to Retreat. Their letter explores how to deepen connection in a thriving online community through an in-person retreat.To better support them, I invited Eric Plantenberg as my guest expert. He’s a client, friend, and mentor—and the founder of the deeply transformative Abundant Living Retreat. I’ve been to many retreats, but none like his. Tune in to hear how Eric creates powerful containers for in-person retreats, what it takes to be a great facilitator, and a fresh, liberating way to approach goals and meaningful connection.In this episode:(04:36) The communitea: Ready to Retreat’s letter(07:43) It's critical to have both an online and an offline experience(10:02) What makes a great facilitator of in-person experiences(12:10) The seemingly contradictory way to having the best experience(16:11) How to effectively draw people into a retreat(18:06) The gap between aspirational and actual values(20:45) Matching retreat leadership to real-life leadership(23:54) Eric's journey of founding Abundant Living and Humm Kombucha(28:37) The commitments behind such a transformative container(32:36) Holding the tension is critical for a valuable community(34:15) It's your job to provide value, not make people comfortable or not(39:24) It's better to have fewer but truly engaged members(42:39) Goal setting, releasing the outcome, and becoming who you want to beResources Mentioned:👥 Join Izozi Membership.🌄 Get Your Ticket to Abundant Living (and join Bri there!)📕 Check out the Way of the Peaceful Warrior.📺 Watch Eric's TEDxTalk, The Anatomy of Results.❤️ Sign up for Heartbeat. Bri’s recommended community platform.💛 Join Ember. Community creators building community-powered businesses.🔥 Ready to hear the stories we almost kept to ourselves? Here's this week's secret episode with Eric!Eric Plantenberg🖥️ Website📱 LinkedInBri Leever🖥️ Website📹 Youtube📱LinkedInWant 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.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, we’re hearing from Wavering But Hopeful. Our letter today deals with the very tough reality of deciding whether to continue putting in the effort to keep your community going or to close the doors when it feels like there’re more times when it isn’t working.To better help Wavering But Hopeful, I invited Salome Schillack as my guest expert. She has been through over a decade of owning her craft and her expertise, and five years of running her own community membership, which she tastefully sunset after realizing it was no longer in alignment. Having been in Wavering’s shoes, her insights deeply resonate.So, even if you’re not thinking of whether or not it’s time to shut down your community, make sure to tune in to this episode because you’ll discover what to anticipate, what to think about, and the questions you need to ask now in order to build a community for longevity and to decide if stopping or pivoting is the way to go.In this episode:(03:03) The tale of how Bri and Salome first met(05:49) The communitea: Wavering But Hopeful’s letter(07:03) Salome’s own experience of building a membership and making the decision to close it(15:14) What ultimately wasn’t working in Salome’s membership(21:53) How Salome’s community journey translates into Bri’s matrix of communities(24:40) Approaching the decision to close the doors or pivot as a marketer(29:02) How to turn your community around if shutting it down is not the way to go(31:04) What to ask yourself and keep in mind for a community that lasts and lights you up(37:38) If you’re also wavering, know you’re not alone🤫 A boundary that felt impossible (but built more trust). Here's the bonus conversation with Salome!Resources Mentioned:🧑‍🏫 Check out the 4 Types of Communities Masterclass.🎙️ Tune into Salome’s podcast, The Launch Lounge Podcast.❤️ Sign up for Heartbeat. Bri’s recommended all-in-one community platform.Salome Schillack🖥️ Website📱 LinkedInBri Leever🖥️ Website📹 Youtube📱LinkedInWant 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.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, we’re hearing from Community Newbie. Our letter today deals with how overwhelming it can be to enter the world of community-building without really knowing where to begin.To better help Community Newbie, I invited Marjorie Anderson as my guest expert. She is the Director of Community for Exos and the Principal Strategist at Community by Association L.L.C. Marjorie is a bright light in the community spaces, has been professionally building community for 11+ years, and has helped many people get started with community.So, tune in for some incredible plant analogies that will make you look at both problems and community in a whole new way, the tools you need to lay a strong foundation for your new community, and tips on what you can do to have the best community for both you and your members.In this episode:(03:16) The communitea: Community Newbie’s letter(04:21) Stop feeling stuck with Marjorie’s beautiful oak tree analogy(07:24) Who should be looking to build community, and who shouldn’t(10:24) Beware of sabotaging your own community(11:36) Let’s make one thing clear: Community DOES really work(16:02) 3 foundational questions and a boundary to get you started with building community(24:35) The importance of interviewing 10 of your ideal members and what to ask them(27:27) Build the unique community you and your members want and have a manager(33:24) Listen to your community members with  equal parts authority and empathyResources Mentioned:📗 Learn more about The Mom Test.❤️ Sign up for Heartbeat. Bri’s recommended all-in-one community platform.💛 Join Ember. The place for go-getter community creators building community-powered businesses.🔥 Ready to hear the stories we almost kept to ourselves? Here's this week's secret episode with Marjorie!Marjorie Anderson🖥️ Website📱 LinkedIn🎙️ PodcastBri Leever🖥️ Website📩 Newsletter📹 Youtube📱LinkedInWant 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.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Zach Hawtof, Co-founder and CEO at Tightknit, dives deep into the evolution of community building. He discusses why offline connections always triumph over digital ones and reveals the 'cheat code' for engagement isn't automation. Zach also unpacks why Slack is both a community platform and not at the same time, sharing insights on anticipating member needs and the significance of listening. He candidly reflects on his biggest mistake and the challenges communities face today, especially with the rise of AI.

Murtaza Bambot, Founder & CEO of Heartbeat, shares insights on building niche communities, especially around sensitive topics. He emphasizes empathy and communication for attracting initial members. Murtaza discusses grassroots strategies over paid ads, the power of a paid waitlist, and the necessity of constant research and testing. He highlights the importance of focusing marketing on transformation and advises on leveraging tools like ChatGPT for support. This conversation is a goldmine for anyone looking to foster genuine community connections!