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Engagement isn't something that happens organically. It's something you design for.

In this episode of Dear Bri, we're diving into one of the most misunderstood topics in community building: engagement. Most community owners focus on tactics, posting more content, creating discussion prompts, or trying to motivate members, but those solutions often miss the real issue.

Drawing on BJ Fogg's habit-formation research, I walk you through the two hidden forces that influence member behavior in every online community. You'll learn how both affect participation, why members often stop engaging without realizing why, and how small design decisions can dramatically change community outcomes.

Finally, I'll share the three-question Community Engagement Recipe I use to diagnose and improve engagement issues in any community, no matter its size or business model.

If you're tired of posting into the void, wondering why your members aren't participating, or looking for a more strategic approach to community engagement, this episode is for you.

⏳ Timestamps

00:00:00 | Why "How do I get engagement?" is the wrong question

00:02:23 | The question you should ask instead

00:02:59 | Why community engagement is a design problem

00:03:42 | BJ Fogg's habit formation model and how that translates into digital community design

00:07:13 | A real community engagement case study

00:11:57 | The Community Engagement Recipe [Framework]

00:15:52 | Full recap

📌 Resources Mentioned

S3E1: https://youtu.be/6SvqnZJojTo

4 Types of Community - The Masterclass: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/775267/185716772091987335/share

52 Prompts for Engagement: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/775267/151824965371429968/share

Designing for Great Engagement Miniseries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA_cxyCo_r0&list=PLOOwTnL2Q6sY84bv-3McIQWfygPwIpv2r&index=3

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Bri Leever

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Pricing your community isn’t just about revenue. It shapes the kind of members you attract, how they engage, and whether your community actually creates transformation.

In this episode of Dear Bri, I’m breaking down the biggest myths around community pricing and why common strategies like free trials, low-ticket memberships, and tiered entry points often backfire. Because when pricing isn’t aligned with your community strategy, it can quietly erode the energy, retention, and results inside your space.

I also walk you through the “pricing compass” framework I use with clients to help them confidently choose a price point that aligns with their business model, their goals, and the transformation they want members to experience.

You’ll learn why low prices don’t always lower the barrier to entry, how membership tiers can accidentally create disengaged lurkers, and the one question you should ask before designing any offer or onboarding experience.

⏳ Timestamps

00:00:00 | Why community pricing matters more than you think

00:01:08 | Myth #1: Free trials get people in the door

00:02:29 | Myth #2: A lower price point will be easier to sell

00:03:45 | Myth #3: Start with a lower tier and members will upgrade

00:08:18 | Introducing the “pricing compass” [Framework]

00:12:00 | Monthly vs quarterly vs annual pricing

00:13:32 | The question that changes everything

00:15:37 | Full recap

📌 Resources Mentioned

Episode with Diana Davis: https://www.emberconsulting.co/post/17-creating-a-community-that-doesn-t-rely-on-you-with-diana-davis

4 Types of Community - The Masterclass: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/775267/185716772091987335/share

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Bri Leever

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“Start with a free community, then upsell people into your paid offer.”

Sounds smart, right? It’s one of the most common community growth strategies out there, and in this episode of Dear Bri, I’m explaining why it usually backfires.

I break down the biggest flaw in the freemium community model, why mixing your audience and alumni in the same space creates confusion instead of connection, and what actually drives engagement inside a paid community.

You’ll also hear real client examples, including how one nonprofit community generated 78 paying members in its first two weeks by offering people a “taste” of the experience instead of unlimited free access.

If you’ve been wondering whether your community should be free or paid, how to structure your offer ecosystem, or why your community engagement feels flat, this episode will help you rethink your strategy before you build the wrong thing.

⏳ Timestamps

00:00:00 | Why Freemium Communities Rarely Work

00:01:15 | The Problem With Mixing Alumni and Audience

00:04:18 | The Myth: Understanding Good Community Strategy

00:05:14 | Charging for Community Changes Member Behavior

00:07:34 | Replace Your Freemium Strategy with This [Framework]

00:10:37 | Full Recap

📌 Resources Mentioned

Join the email list: https://www.emberconsulting.co/newsletter

Ligare Case Study: https://www.emberconsulting.co/post/case-study-launching-a-thriving-membership-community-on-heartbeat-from-idea-to-78-members-in

4 Types of Community - The Masterclass: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/775267/185716772091987335/share

S3E5 How much should I charge for my membership community? https://www.emberconsulting.co/post/how-to-price-a-paid-community

Season 1 episode with Alli Ball: https://www.emberconsulting.co/post/if-i-build-it-how-do-i-make-sure-they-come-with-alli-ball-founder-ceo-of-food-biz-wiz

Book Your Discovery Call Today Hire a Skilled Community Manager

Bri Leever

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📹 Youtube

📱LinkedIn