Your Community Strategist

Rachel Starr
Your Community Strategist

Tune in to Your Community Strategist podcast, where we dive deep into all things community building. Whether you're looking for insights on virtual summits, workshop planning, or turning your audience into a thriving community, this is the podcast for you. Hosted by Rachel Starr, each episode is packed with actionable strategies, expert interviews, and real-world advice to help you master the art of community. Listen in to start transforming your community-building approach, one strategy at a time.

  1. JAN 9

    Why Gamification Matters in Your Community Strategy

    What if you could turn your community into a thriving, buzzing space where every post, comment, or event inspires deeper engagement and a true sense of belonging? In this episode, I’m diving into one of my favorite topics: gamification—and trust me, it’s so much more than just points, badges, and leaderboards. I’ll break down the psychology behind why gamification works, share tools that make it scalable (shoutout to Circle’s workflows and bulk rewards!), and give you practical strategies to create a system that keeps your members motivated, connected, and excited to participate. Whether you’re just starting out or running a well-established community, this episode is packed with tips to help you level up your engagement game. Let’s do this! Timestamps: 03:52 Understanding Gamification05:04 Sustaining Engagement with Gamification06:22 Encouraging Desired Behaviors07:33 Building Connection Through Gamification08:59 Psychological Drivers of Gamification13:24 Circle's 2024 Gamification Updates16:41 Designing a Gamification Strategy16:56 Practical Example: 30-Day Wellness Challenge24:28 Final Thoughts and Announcements Resources & Links: Get started with Circle: Your go-to platform for building communityJoin The Strategic Community Co-Op: For more tips, strategies, and a space filled with like-minded creatorsThe Community Brand and Image Hub: A free Notion template to organize your brand assets and create a polished, cohesive image for your community.Quick Wins for Circle Communities: A new YouTube series delivering actionable tips in bite-sized videos.

    27 min
  2. 12/19/2024

    2024 Wrapped: A Year of Growth, The 2025 Glow-Up, and What’s Next for You

    In this final episode of Your Community Strategist for 2024, I’m taking you on a journey through the year—reflecting on the milestones, challenges, and wins at Rachel Rose Coaching. From the rebrand to the launch of The Strategy Lab, mastermind magic, and virtual summits, this year has been transformative. But we’re not stopping there—2025 is shaping up to be a big year! I’m sharing exciting updates, including: ✨ The Community Creators Summit (coming in Q2 2025) ✨ The Glow Up: live community audits with personalized action plans ✨ A new YouTube series: Quick Wins for Circle Communities ✨ A gamification deep dive to kick off January ✨ And tools to help you start (or revive) your podcast in February, including a brand-new Notion Podcast Planner! Whether you’re a community leader, course creator, or podcast host, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to make 2025 your best year yet. Grab your favorite drink and let’s wrap up 2024 in style! Timestamps: 02:36 Major Milestones and Achievements03:28 Challenges and Overcoming Doubts03:46 Top Accomplishments of 202404:26 Exciting Plans for 202504:48 Community Creator Summit Announcement05:42 Introducing The Glow Up06:24 Summit Strategy Coaching06:48 Quick Wins for Circle Communities07:18 Gamification Strategies for 202507:53 Starting a Podcast in 202508:53 Wrapping Up 2024 and Looking Ahead09:14 Spotify Wrapped: Highlights and Wins10:43 Final Thoughts and Gratitude Resources & Links: Get started with Circle: Your go-to platform for building communityJoin The Strategic Community Co-Op: For more tips, strategies, and a space filled with like-minded creatorsFree Notion Goal Planner Template: Download hereThe Strategy Lab Retreat Replay: Learn more and access here Top Episode of the Year: The Lowdown on Free, Paid, and Hybrid Communities: Which Fits Your Vibe?Branding Before Building: The First Step to a Thriving Community on CircleChallenge Accepted: How to Create Engaging Challenges That Keep Your Community Hooked

    12 min
  3. 12/05/2024

    Turning Lurkers Into Leaders: Unleash The Hidden Potential

    Every community has them—those silent members who join with the best intentions but never engage. Are they really disengaged, or are they just waiting for the right nudge to shine? In this episode of Your Community Strategist, I’m diving into the art of transforming lurkers into active contributors—and even future leaders. I’ll uncover the common barriers that hold members back, from fear of judgment to feeling overwhelmed, and share actionable strategies to gently invite participation. From hosting low-pressure challenges to personalized outreach and celebrating small wins, I’ll give you the tools to foster connection, build confidence, and create a thriving, inclusive environment where every member feels valued. But we’re not stopping there. I’ll also show you how to nurture leadership, helping newly engaged members take ownership and grow into community champions. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your engagement game to the next level, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration to help your community flourish. Join me on Your Community Strategist and let’s start turning your lurkers into leaders today!  Timestamps: 02:16 Understanding Lurkers: Why People Stay Silent04:04 Breaking Down Barriers to Engagement08:58 Strategies to Encourage Participation13:58 Transforming Engaged Members into Leaders18:45 Actionable Steps for Your Community20:34 Conclusion: Building Thriving Communities Resources & Links: Get started with Circle: Your go-to platform for building communityJoin The Strategic Community Co-Op: For more tips, strategies, and a space filled with like-minded creatorsJoin The Strategy Lab: Save My Seat

    21 min
  4. 10/31/2024

    Reflecting on Your Community’s Year: Lessons from 2024 and a Plan for 2025

    Welcome back to Your Community Strategist! In this first episode of our six-part goal-setting series, we're diving deep into your 2024 community journey. Close your eyes and think back to January—what were your goals, and how did things turn out? Today, we’re reviewing the highlights, the hurdles, and everything in between, giving you a clear picture of where your community stands at year’s end. I’ll walk you through setting up your "community report card," breaking down goals into tangible insights, and using a SWOT analysis to map out strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Plus, you’ll learn how to turn challenges into stepping stones, identifying what worked and what didn’t, and setting the stage for 2025. Ready for more? Join me at the Strategy Lab, our upcoming three-day retreat, where we’ll dive even deeper into reflection, planning, and creating a winning strategy for the new year. Let’s get intentional about building the community you and your members deserve. Tune in and start paving the way to your best year yet! 🎧 Timestamps: 02:02 Setting Strategic Goals for 202502:38 Reviewing 2024 Goals and Outcomes06:19 Analyzing Successes and Challenges11:42 Conducting a SWOT Analysis13:08 Identifying Community Strengths13:49 Addressing Weaknesses15:09 Exploring New Opportunities16:29 Recognizing Potential Threats17:55 Comprehensive SWOT Analysis19:02 Reflecting on 2024: Successes and Challenges23:52 Planning for 2025 Resources & Links: Get started with Circle: Your go-to platform for building communityJoin The Strategic Community Co-Op: For more tips, strategies, and a space filled with like-minded creators

    27 min

About

Tune in to Your Community Strategist podcast, where we dive deep into all things community building. Whether you're looking for insights on virtual summits, workshop planning, or turning your audience into a thriving community, this is the podcast for you. Hosted by Rachel Starr, each episode is packed with actionable strategies, expert interviews, and real-world advice to help you master the art of community. Listen in to start transforming your community-building approach, one strategy at a time.

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