25. Top Mistakes to Avoid in Setting Up an All-in-one Community Platform

Brianna Leever
Aug 5
3 min read

In the second episode of this two-part Solo Series, we’re hearing from Hungry for Good Advice. Our letter today deals with a community creator who's looking for some tips to set up their community platform right the first time.

Over the last five years, Bri has partnered with dozens of clients and community members to select the right community platform for them and to avoid some of the most common pitfalls related to the setup process.

So, tune in for the three most common mistakes Bri sees people making when they set up their all-in-one community platforms, some of which she's had to rescue people from. She is exploring all possible angles and sharing what you can do to avoid each pitfall.

Click to learn more about Heartbeat, Bri's favorite all-in-one community platform!

In this episode:

(03:12) The communitea: Hungry for Good Advice’s letter

(04:39) #1 Beware the freemium model

(12:05) Don't turn your community into both the product and the funnel

(13:35) The free trial fiasco

(15:59) Debunking the belief that it's morally wrong to charge for community

(17:53) #2 Keep it simple, sweetheart

(19:33) Leverage your channels and spaces with engaging words and the right size

(22:23) Avoid the great mistake of introducing friction

(24:22) #3 Develop a plan for leadership early on

Watch on YouTube

Resources Mentioned:

📩 If you're getting started with community building from scratch, check out my email drip series with 4 Foundational Strategies for Beginning Building.

🔥 Catch up with Part 1 of this Solo Series to find out which all-in-one platform is the best fit for your community.

🎧 Continue the discussion about a free community that leads to a paid one with Dear Bri Episode 8 with Alli Ball.

🎙️ Hear all about the fiasco of the two-week trial in Dear Bri Episode 17 with Diana Davis.

📺 Watch Bri's FREE masterclass to learn the 4 Types of Communities and which is the right one to support your business.

❤️ 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.

Noteworthy quotes

“ Before you make the assumption that your audience is not ready to pay for a community, I would ask them what communities they are paying for today, and if they're already paying for communities, if your value proposition is tight, they will pay for yours." - Bri Leever

“When you're architecting the channels and the spaces on the side of your community, keep it simple. Keep in mind the number and the volume of members that you're bringing in, and make sure that you are matching the number of spaces." - Bri Leever

Bri Leever

Bri got her start building a community and growing it to a multi-million dollar revenue stream for a social enterprise in Portland, OR. Now, she supports folks used to running their business on content, coaching, and consulting to create their community offer. She's a Community Strategist by day and a Campervan host by night on the Big Island of Hawaii and you'll usually find her on, in, or under the water.

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