This decade's version of the podcast boom…
Online Communities.
And more specifically, why you should have one!
From large spaces like Facebook to platforms for sharing updates with your neighbors, one thing is for sure — online communities work!
Not only do they offer you the ability to connect directly with your audience, but they also offer an outlet for your audience to connect with one another from anywhere in the world!
In an online community, members can connect with like-minded peers and find creative inspiration all while getting guidance and support from you.
They're are so important to businesses now that we made an entire podcast about them called, The Community Experience!
It was not too long ago that we launched our own online community, SPI Pro, which brings together entrepreneurs from around the world to get advice, share ideas, and get real feedback.
While our original concept was for our online community to complement our courses, bootcamps, and workshops, our online community has grown to become an industry leader, a pillar to our company, and a model used by other companies.
Ultimately, the key to starting an online community is laying a solid foundation, having a plan, using the right tools, and knowing where to go once you start.
On this page, you'll find:
- Recommended podcast episodes to get you started
- Suggested courses and workshops to make the right moves
- The best tool on which to build your community
- Free guide to growing your online audience
Whether you decide to offer your audience a free or paid community, it's important to remember:
You have to have value and you have to set it up properly.
-Pat Flynn
Podcasts
Let's hear what people have to say about online communities.
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The Community Experience
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Smart Passive Income Podcast with Pat Flynn
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The Community Experience
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Smart Passive Income Podcast with Pat Flynn

The Community Experience
Whether you’re facilitating an online community based on a brand, fandom, niche hobby, or something else, you’re in the right place. Join host Jillian Benbow for weekly insights from folks on the cutting edge of community building.
Featured Episodes:
October 5, 2021The CX 008: Protecting Yourself with Boundaries and a Healthy Mindset with Espree Devora
September 28, 2021The CX 007: The Unique Potential of Online Summits — a Roundtable feat. Rob Gelb
September 21, 2021The CX 006: MRR (Monthly Recurring Relationships) with Rosie Sherry
September 14, 2021The CX 005: Pandemic Remote, Real Remote, and Rejecting Hustle Culture with Marissa Goldberg

Smart Passive Income Podcast with Pat Flynn
Weekly interviews, strategy, and advice for building your online business the smart way.
Featured Episodes:
August 18, 2021SPI 501: Niching Down & Leaning In to Your Passion So You Can Make a Profit with Megan Gilger from Fresh Exchange
April 21, 2021SPI 477: How to Launch and Manage a Successful Membership Community with Stu McLaren
December 23, 2020SPI 453: A Reflection on 2020 and a Chat about Our 2021 Goals
October 28, 2020SPI 445: Courses, Community, and Courage—How Sam and Joe Built a Successful Online Business with Mum
Courses and Workshops
Courses to grow your skills

Making of a Membership Community Workshop
Free

Email Marketing Magic
Grow your list, make more money, and automate like magic with this course on establishing an email marketing program. Ideal for anyone new to or frustrated with email marketing.

A to Z Webinars
A step-by-step roadmap to help you create and deliver webinars that work. Grow your list. Increase trust. Make more money. Ideal for business owners looking for growth.

Traffic Booster Workshop
Learn to increase your exposure and grow your business without paying for ads with this 90-minute workshop from Pat Flynn. Learn strategies you can immediately put into action.
Recommended Tool
Circle
Eventually, you will need to pick a platform on which to build your online community. Look no further than Circle. Not only is Circle our recommended tool for online community building, but its also where we built SPI Pro and SPI Academy. Offering the easiest way to set up a premium community experience, Circle is powerful enough to support some of the largest and most successful online communities—while being easy to use for community builders who are just starting out. Circle is fully white-labeled so it can match and integrate with your brand. Your members stay looped into your community—increasing engagement, retention, and connection.It’s the perfect blend of power and simplicity, and it's the best tool for promoting products to your audience.
Get Circle