Episode 29

Why I Pivoted to a Paid-Only Community Model (And How to Choose the Right Structure for Yours)

In today’s episode of Your Community Strategist, we’re diving into the decision to shift The Strategic Community Co-Op from a free and paid model to a paid-only community. I’ll share the reasoning behind this change, what it means for members, and how finding the right structure for your community can make all the difference. We’ll also discuss various ways to monetize your community, whether as a standalone product, a value-added component to a course, or even an upgrade option to a free space.

Whether you’re building a new community or refining an existing one, this episode will give you insights and actionable tips on choosing the best model for your goals and audience.

Timestamps:

  • 00:44 Meet Rachel Starr: Your Community Strategist
  • 02:13 The Pivot: From Free to Paid Community
  • 02:59 The Evolution of the Community Lab
  • 04:30 Why Financial Commitment Matters
  • 06:19 Exploring Monetization Models
  • 08:42 Benefits of a Paid-Only Model
  • 13:04 Conclusion: Building a Meaningful Community

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About the Podcast

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Your Community Strategist
Mastering the art of community one strategy at a time.

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About your host

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Rachel Starr

Hi friends! I'm Rachel Starr – founder of coCreator Society and community strategist with 20+ years of helping creators build thriving businesses and communities.

I'm basically Leslie Knope with tech skills, turning complex community challenges into strategic solutions. From my podcast "Your Community Strategist" to building The Co-Op community, I'm all about helping creators connect, collaborate, and grow without the overwhelm.

When I'm not building platforms that actually work for people, you'll find me on the ski slopes, caffeinating heavily, or wrangling two awesome teenagers. I believe the best business happens when great people find each other – which is exactly why coCreator Society exists.

Here's to new adventures, epic collaborations, and really good coffee!