Community At Heart: Building, Growing, and Monetizing Paid Membership Communities

Rachel Starr, Circle Expert, Membership & Community Growth Strategist
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Community at Heart is a strategy-first podcast for creators, educators, and entrepreneurs who are ready to build, grow, and monetize a paid membership community—and turn community into a true growth engine for their business. Hosted by Rachel Starr, Circle Certified Partner and founder of coCreator Society, this podcast delivers practical strategies, real-world insights, and proven frameworks for designing, launching, and scaling membership communities inside Circle (and beyond). Rachel breaks down what actually works when it comes to engagement, retention, pricing, and sustainable recurring revenue—without sacrificing the human connection that makes communities thrive. If you’re feeling stuck with a free community that won’t convert, overwhelmed by running a membership, or unsure how to grow without burning yourself out, Community at Heart meets you where you are. Each episode helps you move from “community as a nice add-on” to community as a core business asset. Community at Heart is for community builders who believe growth flows more naturally—and business feels lighter and more fun—when we build together. From onboarding to engagement, systems to storytelling, this is your space to learn how to build smarter—not solo—and keep your community’s heart front and center.

  1. 12H AGO

    The Free Community Trap (And Why Nobody's Converting)

    Should you start with a free community and convert people to paid later? Or charge from the beginning? If you're asking this question, you're probably hoping free is the safer choice. The easier choice. The one that won't scare people away. But here's what I need to tell you: starting with a free community and trying to convert it to paid later almost never works. In this episode, I'm breaking down why free communities fail, why paid communities work better for everyone, and the one trial strategy that actually converts (spoiler: it's not a free trial). Because here's the truth—when people don't pay for something, they don't value it. They don't show up. They don't engage. They don't have any skin in the game. And when it's time to convert them to paid? They ghost. But when people pay from the start, everything changes. They commit. They show up. They engage. They get results. And you build something sustainable. In this episode, you'll learn: Why free communities never convert to paid (and the psychology behind it)The "skin in the game" problem that kills free communitiesHow to build trust WITHOUT giving your community away for freeWhy paid communities create better members, better engagement, and better resultsThe $1 trial strategy that doubled my community conversions (and why it works when free trials don't) Want to see what a paid community looks like? Join the coCreator Society at cocreatorsociety.com Watch the full breakdown of the $1 trial strategy: The $1 Trial Strategy That Doubled My Circle Community Conversions

    21 min

  2. FEB 12

    The Community Platform Question Everyone's Asking

    You've been researching community platforms for weeks. One person swears by Circle. Another says Kajabi does it all. Someone else told you to just use a WhatsApp group because it's free. And you're stuck wondering: which platform is actually right for my business? Here's the truth nobody tells you—the platform you choose shapes everything. It shapes your member experience, your retention, how sustainable your community is to run, and whether people actually show up. In this episode, we're breaking down the most popular community platforms: WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord, Patreon, Kajabi, Heartbeat, Skool, and Circle. I'll tell you what each one is actually good for, where they fall short, and how to know which one makes sense for your business. And yes, I'm biased—I'm a Circle Certified Partner and I run my own community on Circle Plus. But I'm going to be honest about all of them, because choosing the wrong platform can cost you months of momentum and member trust. In this episode, you'll learn: Why WhatsApp and Slack aren't built for real communities (even though everyone uses them)The problem with Kajabi's community features (and why course platforms don't do community well)What makes Circle different from every other platformHow Circle is becoming a true all-in-one with email and website featuresWhy your platform choice is a strategic decision, not just a technical one Ready to build your community the right way? Join the coCreator Society at cocreatorsociety.com or learn more about my Circle consulting at rachelbusinesscoach.com. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction: The Community Platform Dilemma 00:30 The Importance of Choosing the Right Platform 01:34 Common Pitfalls in Platform Selection 02:36 Overview of Popular Community Platforms 05:27 WhatsApp and Telegram: Messaging Apps, Not Community Platforms 08:30 Slack and Discord: Built for Teams, Not Communities 10:59 Facebook Groups: Familiar but Flawed 13:08 Patreon: Great for Creators, Limited for Communities 14:23 Kajabi: All-in-One but Lacking in Community Features 16:16 Heartbeat: Beautiful but Still Growing 17:27 School: Gamification with Limitations 18:50 Circle: The Best Choice for Serious Community Builders 24:05 Conclusion: Strategic Platform Selection for Long-Term Success

    26 min

  3. JAN 29

    Behind the Scenes of Building a Summit That Actually Serves Your Audience

    Brittni Schroeder is a business coach and marketing strategist who's built her business on automation, sales funnels, and helping entrepreneurs scale without burning out. But what caught my attention wasn't her impressive background—working with clients featured in The Wall Street Journal and Good Morning America, running a magazine, founding a nonprofit—it was the fact that she's in her third year of hosting the Fusion Collective Business Summit with 30 speakers. And she's doing it differently than most people. I met Brittni through the Flodesk partners Slack channel, and what struck me immediately was how thoughtfully she approaches collaboration. She's not chasing big names for the sake of visibility. She's not recycling the same tired topics everyone else is covering. She's curating experiences that actually serve her audience—even if that means saying no to speakers who don't align. What sets Brittni apart is her willingness to be honest about what works and what doesn't. She talks openly about the chaos of her first summit, the frustration of speakers who ghost, and the evolution of going from 10 speakers to 30. But she also talks about the magic that happens when you mentor people coming up behind you, the power of paying it forward, and why your closest circle matters more than your follower count. So if you've ever thought about hosting a summit but didn't know where to start, if you're tired of surface-level collaboration and want to build something real, or if you just love conversations about community and doing business with integrity, this one's for you. 👉 Grab your free spot at the Fusion Collective Business Summit (Feb 3-5): https://courses.brittnischroeder.com/a/2147832720/Gq2kzmCT 👉 Join coCreator Society: cocreatorsociety.com 🗒️ Show Notes: https://rachelbusinesscoach.com/behind-the-scenes-of-building-a-summit-that-actually-serves-your-audience/

    23 min

  4. JAN 22

    Why I'm Using a Challenge to Launch (And Why You Might Want To, Too)

    I'm doing a podcast episode about why I'm using a challenge to launch my next intensive... while actively running that challenge. Yeah, it's meta. But here's why I wanted to talk about it: Challenges are one of the most misunderstood tools in online business. People either think they're gimmicky and salesy, or they think they're this huge, complicated thing that requires a massive audience and a million-dollar tech stack. Neither of those things is true. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on why I chose to use a challenge to launch my next Society intensive, what makes a challenge actually work, and why this format might be one of the smartest moves you could make in your business this year. In This Episode: What a challenge actually is (and what it's not)Why challenges work better than webinars, email sequences, or "just posting about it"The five things that make a challenge actually effective (most people get at least three of these wrong)How challenges filter the right people in—without being salesy or manipulativeWhy I'm running this specific challenge for the second time (and what I learned the first time)How to know if a challenge makes sense for your business Action Steps: Ask yourself: Is there one transformation I could guide people through in 5 days?Think about what your audience keeps asking you—could that become a challenge?Consider whether a challenge could help you validate an idea before building the full offer Challenges aren't just for big launches or people with huge audiences. They're for anyone who wants to build trust, create real engagement, and give people an actual experience of what it's like to work with you. 👉 Join Challenge Creator Lab (FREE - starts Jan 26): https://cocreatorsociety.com/challenge-creator-lab 👉 Join coCreator Society: cocreatorsociety.com

    20 min

  5. JAN 15

    5 Signs You're About to Build Something Nobody Wants

    You just spent three months building an offer. You mapped out every detail. You created all the materials. You wrote the perfect sales page. And then you launched and... crickets. Or worse—a couple people signed up out of obligation and never engaged. Here's the thing: there were warning signs. Red flags that showed up before you invested all that time and energy. In this episode, we're breaking down the five signs you're about to build something nobody wants—and what to do instead. Because these aren't just random mistakes. They're patterns that show up every single time someone builds the wrong thing. In This Episode: Why "nobody's asking for it" is your biggest red flag (and how to actually listen)The danger of building something just because someone else didWhat "I can't explain who this is for" really means about your offerWhy building for positioning instead of transformation always backfiresHow to test your idea before you waste months building the wrong thing Action Steps: Keep a running list of questions you're getting from your audience—look for patternsAsk yourself: "Does my audience actually need this, or do I just want to build it?"Get specific about who your offer is for (not "entrepreneurs"—actually specific)Test before you build: run a challenge, workshop, or pilot first Your offers should be built on validation, not guessing. And the best way to validate? Run a challenge. 👉 Join Challenge Creator Lab (FREE - starts Jan 26): https://openinapp.link/jhy0c 👉 Join coCreator Society: cocreatorsociety.com

    22 min

  6. JAN 8

    The Client Questions That Should Make You Rethink Your Offer

    You just got off a call with a potential client and something feels off.They asked if they could "just buy one part" of your package. Or if you could have it done by next week. Or they compared your offer to something completely different. And you answered. You clarified. You explained. But you didn't stop to ask: why are they confused in the first place? In this episode, we're breaking down the five client questions that should make you rethink your offer. Not tweak your sales page—actually reconsider what you're selling and who you're selling it to. Because those questions aren't random. They're patterns showing you exactly where your offer isn't landing. In This Episode: Why "Can I just buy one part?" means they don't value your most important workWhat "Can you do this by next week?" really tells you about client fitHow vague messaging makes people compare you to the wrong thingThe difference between selling transformation and telling people what they actually getWhy "Is this for me?" means your audience is too broad Action Steps: Review the last 5 questions potential clients asked—look for patternsGet clear on why your offer is structured the way it isAdd a simple "Here's what's included" section to your sales pageDefine exactly who your offer is for (and who it's not) Your offers should be clear, not confusing. And the questions will tell you exactly where to start. 👉 Join coCreator Society: cocreatorsociety.com 👉 Free 5-Day Challenge Creator Lab (starts Jan 26): https://openinapp.link/jhy0c

    17 min

  7. JAN 1

    What If This Was the Year You Built Your Business Differently?

    You’ve worked hard. You’ve invested. You’ve tried to do all the “right” things. And yet… your business still feels heavier than it should. If you’re heading into a new year tired, stuck, or quietly wondering if this is just how entrepreneurship feels—you’re not alone. And more importantly, you’re not broken. In this episode, we’re having an honest conversation about something most creative entrepreneurs don’t talk about enough: the cost of building alone. From decision fatigue to burnout to constantly second-guessing yourself, the solo grind is exhausting—and it’s not actually the badge of honor we’ve been told it is. We’re talking about what changes when you stop trying to do everything yourself and start building with other people. Not in a “new year, new you” way—but in a fundamental shift that makes business feel more sustainable, supported, and even enjoyable again. Because building differently isn’t about working harder. It’s about working smarter—and not in isolation. In This Episode:Why working harder isn’t fixing what feels hardThe real reason so many creative entrepreneurs feel stuck and burned outWhat actually happens when you stop building your business aloneHow collaboration accelerates growth without adding more hoursWhy community isn’t a “nice to have”—it’s a strategyWhat 2026 could look like if you stopped doing everything yourself Key Quotes:“The problem isn’t your work ethic—it’s the model you’re trying to build alone.” “Asking for help isn’t a weakness. It’s strategy.” “You don’t have time not to build relationships.”Action Steps:Notice where you’re stuck spinning alone instead of asking for helpIdentify one area of your business where collaboration would change everythingStart showing up in spaces where people understand what you’re buildingShift from competition to connection—and watch what opens up About coCreator SocietyIf you’re tired of building in isolation and craving real support, referrals, and collaboration, coCreator Society is where you belong. It’s a space for creative entrepreneurs to stop doing business alone—and start building with people who actually get it. Inside, we normalize asking for help, sharing opportunities, collaborating on bigger projects, and building businesses that support real life—not just survival mode. 👉 Learn more and join us at cocreatorsociety.com You don’t need to work harder this year. You just don’t need to do it alone. And what if this was the year you built differently?

    13 min

  8. 12/18/2025

    Why You're Undercharging (And How to Raise Your Rates Without Losing Clients)

    You’re skilled. Experienced. Getting real results for your clients. And yet… you’re still charging the same rates you set when you were just trying to get someone—anyone—to say yes. Sound familiar? In this episode, we’re having the honest conversation so many service providers avoid: you’re probably undercharging—and fear is the reason why. From worrying about losing clients to questioning your own worth, we’re unpacking why pricing stagnates even as your skills, confidence, and results skyrocket. More importantly, we’re talking about how to raise your rates without blowing up your client roster, your reputation, or your nervous system. Because raising your rates isn’t about being greedy—it’s about building a business that doesn’t require burnout to survive.   In This Episode: Why most service providers never update their rates (even when they should)The three biggest fears keeping you underpaid—and how to move past themHow to price based on value, not hoursA simple framework to determine what you should be chargingExactly how to raise your rates with current clients—without awkwardness or panicWhat actually happens when you charge more (spoiler: it’s usually better clients)   Key Quotes: “You’re not undercharging because you’re not good enough—you’re undercharging because you’re scared.” “Your rates should evolve as you evolve.” “Raising your rates isn’t about making more money. It’s about sustainability.”   Action Steps: Look at your current rates and ask: are these based on who I was—or who I am now?Calculate your pricing using value, market standards, and sustainability (not vibes).Set a realistic timeline to raise your rates and communicate it clearly.Update your website, proposals, and offers—and hold the line.   About coCreator Society If pricing conversations make your stomach flip and you’re tired of second-guessing every number in isolation, coCreator Society is where you belong. It’s a space for creative entrepreneurs to talk openly about money, value, and building businesses that actually support real life. Inside, we workshop rates, unpack pricing strategy, and normalize charging what you’re worth—without shame, hustle, or burnout. 👉 Learn more and join us at cocreatorsociety.com (Link’s in the show notes.) You deserve to be paid what you’re worth. And your business deserves better than fear-based pricing.

    18 min
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Community at Heart is a strategy-first podcast for creators, educators, and entrepreneurs who are ready to build, grow, and monetize a paid membership community—and turn community into a true growth engine for their business. Hosted by Rachel Starr, Circle Certified Partner and founder of coCreator Society, this podcast delivers practical strategies, real-world insights, and proven frameworks for designing, launching, and scaling membership communities inside Circle (and beyond). Rachel breaks down what actually works when it comes to engagement, retention, pricing, and sustainable recurring revenue—without sacrificing the human connection that makes communities thrive. If you’re feeling stuck with a free community that won’t convert, overwhelmed by running a membership, or unsure how to grow without burning yourself out, Community at Heart meets you where you are. Each episode helps you move from “community as a nice add-on” to community as a core business asset. Community at Heart is for community builders who believe growth flows more naturally—and business feels lighter and more fun—when we build together. From onboarding to engagement, systems to storytelling, this is your space to learn how to build smarter—not solo—and keep your community’s heart front and center.

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