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/shanaspeaks I’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

  1. 4D AGO

    The Cancellation Process Fix That Boosts Retention and Reputation

    https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More Members When it comes to memberships, most business owners focus heavily on the sales and onboarding experience—but the cancellation process often gets ignored. In this episode, we talk about why hiding your cancellation button actually hurts your business, your brand, and your long-term growth. Using real client experiences, we break down how the cancellation process acts as the final “bookend” of the membership journey and why it deserves just as much intention as the front end. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why making cancellation difficult creates more problems than it solvesHow hidden cancellation buttons negatively impact trust and customer experienceThe legal considerations membership owners need to be aware of, including state regulations that require easy cancellationHow a thoughtful cancellation process can provide valuable feedback and insightsWhy cancellations are often missed opportunities for retention and re-engagementHow your exit experience shapes how members remember your brand Don’t hide the cancellation button. Use it strategically. Treat canceled members as alumni, not lost customers. With the right approach, your cancellation process can become a powerful tool for insight, retention, and brand loyalty. 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.com Listen on the go? Subscribe to the podcast for more membership retention strategies: Apple, or Spotify Make 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/cultivate Connect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaks Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivated

    12 min
  2. FEB 10

    The Launch Strategy that 3x’ed Her Membership

    https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More Members Ep 135 - More than 40% Conversion and 3X Members in 1 Launch with Ali Kay https://www.shanalynn.com/podcast/more-than-40-conversion-and-3x-members-in-1-launch-with-ali-kay What does it really take to triple a membership in a single launch—without relying on hype or burning out your audience? In this highlight episode, Shana sits down with Ali Kay to unpack the exact launch strategy that took Ali’s membership from 1,400 to over 4,400 members in just nine days. What started as a $10 paid workshop turned into a powerful growth engine built on trust, community, and intentional connection. In this episode, you’ll learn: How a $10 paid workshop can outperform a free challenge when launching a membershipWhy breaking even on ads before opening the cart can put you ahead from day oneThe power of showcasing your existing members as your strongest advocatesHow to “seed” your membership early and often without turning people offWhy teaching live for a week created massive trust, connection, and momentum Whether you’re planning your first membership launch or refining an existing one, this episode offers practical insights into building trust, scaling sustainably, and creating an experience people want to stay in. 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.com Listen on the go? Subscribe to the podcast for more membership retention strategies: Apple, or Spotify Make 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/cultivate Connect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaks Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivated

    10 min
  3. FEB 3

    The 7-Figure Lie: What Every Business Owner Must Know

    https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More Members What does it really mean to be a seven-figure business owner? In today’s episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most common (and most misunderstood) titles in the online business space. You hear it everywhere - on Instagram, podcasts, sales pages but very few people stop to define what “seven figures” actually represents. In this episode, you’ll learn: Who is a 7-figure business owner?Revenue is all good, but what’s your profitWhy profit is the number that actually impacts your lifeKnowing your numbers like a real CEOWhy titles don’t equal credibility Being a smart business owner isn’t about hitting an arbitrary revenue number. It’s about knowing your numbers, understanding your profit, and building a business that actually works for you and your family. 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.com Listen on the go? Subscribe to the podcast for more membership retention strategies: Apple, or Spotify Make 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/cultivate Connect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaks Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivated

    17 min
  4. JAN 27

    The Keys to a Great Framework

    https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More Members Ep 69 - How to Develop a Winning Framework with Mel Abraham: https://www.shanalynn.com/podcast/how-to-develop-a-winning-framework-with-mel-abraham If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to turn your ideas into a clear and compelling framework or you’re ready to refine the one you already have, this episode is your blueprint.  Shana sits down with Mel Abraham, renowned expert in thought leadership and content architecture, to break down exactly what makes a powerful framework and how to build one that truly resonates. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why Every Business Needs a FrameworkThe Four Elements of a Powerful FrameworkFrameworks as Teaching Ecosystems If you’re building curriculum, coaching, speaking, or content creation into your business, this episode will change the way you think about frameworks forever. 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.com Listen on the go? Subscribe to the podcast for more membership retention strategies: Apple, or Spotify Make 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/cultivate Connect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaks Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivated

    9 min
  5. JAN 20

    The Membership Growth Ceiling & Retention’s Revenue Impact

    https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More Members When membership growth feels stuck, the instinct is almost always the same: get more leads, spend more on ads, create more content. But what if the real issue isn’t acquisition at all? In this episode, Shana breaks down her favorite diagnostic tool - the Growth Ceiling Calculator and explains why churn is often the hidden reason memberships plateau. Using real numbers and simple math, she walks through how retention directly determines how big your membership can actually get, no matter how good your marketing is. In this episode, you’ll learn: What a growth ceiling is and why every membership eventually hits oneHow Shana uses the Growth Ceiling Calculator on potential client callsWhy increasing acquisition alone won’t fix stalled growthHow churn mathematically caps the size of your membershipThe difference retention makes—even without adding a single new member If you’ve ever wondered why your membership won’t grow past a certain number—or why more marketing hasn’t solved the problem—this episode will completely change how you think about retention, revenue, and sustainable growth. 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.com Listen on the go? Subscribe to the podcast for more membership retention strategies: Apple, or Spotify Make 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/cultivate Connect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaks Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivated

    6 min
  6. JAN 13

    Break Through The Membership Plateau and Scale Effectively

    https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More Members A lot of membership owners hit a wall — that point where growth stalls and it feels like you’re gaining as many members as you’re losing. If you’ve ever wondered why your numbers just won’t climb past that 500, 1,000, or even 5,000-member mark, this episode is for you. Shana sits down with her longtime friend and powerhouse entrepreneur Corinne Crabtree, who runs an eight-figure membership business, to unpack what it really takes to break through that membership plateau.  In this episode, you’ll learn: Why most memberships plateau—and what it really means when you hit that growth wallHow focusing on small percentage gains in retention and conversion can create massive resultsThe mindset shift to stop searching for big changes and start fixing the small leaksHow to scale intimacy in a growing membership so members still feel seen and supportedWhy it’s crucial to teach your members to embrace growth instead of fearing it If this episode inspired you to take a closer look at your membership strategy, don’t stop here. Go back to your retention numbers, your member experience, and the systems that support your community — and start testing those small but powerful changes. 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.com Listen on the go? Subscribe to the podcast for more membership retention strategies: Apple, or Spotify Make 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/cultivate Connect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaks Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivated

    9 min
  7. JAN 6

    How to Use Outreach to Slash Membership Churn

    https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More Members When people see detailed member journey maps, they often wonder how to come up with so many meaningful touchpoints. In this episode, Shana breaks down exactly how she does it — by using two simple but powerful types of outreach tactics that can transform the way you connect with your members.  In this episode, you’ll learn: The difference between time-based and trigger-based outreach tacticsReal examples of touchpoints that keep members connected and reduce churnHow to identify moments in your member journey that deserve a personal touchWhy recognizing what members aren’t doing can be just as important as what they are doingHow to make your members feel noticed and valued beyond their purchase Whether you’re running a coaching program, a membership, or a community, you’ll walk away with fresh ideas to make your members feel more seen, supported, and engaged every step of the way. 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.com Listen on the go? Subscribe to the podcast for more membership retention strategies: Apple, or Spotify Make 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/cultivate Connect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaks Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivated

    9 min
  8. 12/30/2025

    What You Need to Focus on After the Sale

    https://www.retainguide.com/ - Get Instant Access to The Membership Retention Roadmap: 5 Systems You Need to Keep More Members Most business owners believe profitability and sustainability come from sales and marketing—but the truth is, your real growth happens after the sale. In this insightful conversation with Shana’s friend Melinda Cohen, we dive deep into what it really takes to build a thriving, sustainable business: client retention, progress tracking, and creating results-driven experiences. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why sales and marketing are only the starting point of profitabilityThe overlooked power of client retention in sustainable growthHow to shift focus from your perspective as a coach to your client’s learning journeyPractical ways to spotlight and celebrate client progressThe data-backed impact of improving retention on your marketing budgetHow small, consistent improvements lead to lasting client success Whether you're a new coach shifting to group programs or a seasoned business owner running memberships and courses, this episode will challenge the way you think about growth.  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.com Listen on the go? Subscribe to the podcast for more membership retention strategies: Apple, or Spotify Make 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/cultivate Connect with Shana: https://www.instagram.com/shanaspeaks Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@communitycultivated

    6 min
5
out of 5
29 Ratings

About

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/shanaspeaks I’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

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