So you want to build an online community that *actually* feels like one…
How much is it? £180 for an hour.
One hour. Just us.
No slides. No jargon. No upsell at the end (promise).
Just honest, no-bullsh*t conversation about your community wherever you’re at.
We can talk about anything going on for you or your community — there’s no fixed agenda. But if it helps, here’s some stuff that people often want to talk about…
- Understanding what it really takes to start, maintain and grow an online community.
- The importance of values, boundaries, rules and trust — why they’re essential for your success, as well as your community members.
- How to protect your energy, time and mental health as a community builder.
- The hidden time sucks you’re not aware of — what they are and how to manage them.
- Making your community financially sustainable and ways to do that.
- Whether to use a paid model or a free model.
- Whether to have tiers or an all-access membership.
- Changing from one platform to another and bringing your members with you.
- Moderating content and making sure it’s a safe space for all.
- Clarifying the difference between an online community and a membership — and how the two can interact.
Hang on, what actually is a 'community'?
Good question!
To me, a community is an online space that can exist *without you* — the community builder. The value for members comes from connecting with each other, you’re just there to facilitate those connections.
It’s all about mutual support and understanding — a place where content is member-led, and learning is peer-to-peer, not top-down from you alone.
I run a membership — is the Community Clinic for me?
A membership is definitely not the same as an online community, so whether you get anything out of the session depends a bit on how your space is setup.
To me, a membership is one-to-many rather than peer-to-peer. It might contain things like courses, resources, live calls: where the value comes from you, the expert — teaching and guiding your members.
However, many membership models also have a social element. So a membership and online community can coexist. If what you’re doing involves both, then yes — very happy to chat to you about the community side and how the two elements interact.
I haven't started my community yet — is this still for me?
Yes, absolutely! The Community Clinic works whatever stage you’re at.
Maybe you’ve just got an idea and don’t know where to start. Maybe you’ve already fallen into running a community and want help firming up what you actually offer. Maybe you’re mid-way through moving platforms, or thinking about reinventing something that already exists but isn’t quite working.
Wherever you’re at, I’d love to help — there’s no ‘too early’ or ‘too late’.
How do I prepare / what should I bring?
Nothing formal — though it can help to have a rough idea of what you’d like to talk about, even if it’s not fully formed.
No need to send it over in advance or have it perfectly worded. When you book, I’ll ask a few questions about you and your community via Calendly, so I’ll already have some context before we start.
What happens afterwards? Do I get notes or resources?
Afraid not. This is very much just a chat — a chance for you to ask me whatever you want and dig in to my experience.
If you want to use any AI note-taking tools, please let me know beforehand. Thanks!
If I have to cancel, will I get a refund?
If you cancel with more than 48 hours notice — yes, you can absolutely get a full refund! Please email me at frankie@doingitforthekids.net and I’ll process the refund for you.
If you cancel within 48 hours of the scheduled time, I’m afraid I can’t refund you as I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to fill that slot at such short notice.
For more information on refunds — and all the other details about booking a call with me! — please read the Community Clinic Terms of Sale. By booking a Community Clinic call via Calendly, you are agreeing to these terms.
This photo of me is by Saskia Albers.
Why work with me?
Because I’d genuinely love to help you build something *brilliant*.
Plus, I’ve got 10 years experience nurturing thriving online spaces. And I’m not the sort of person to keep what I’ve learnt to myself!
Cue back story: In 2016, as a new mum, I struggled to find other freelance parents who got the specific chaos of my life — mat leave with no leave, unreliable childcare, feeding a baby mid client-call. So I built the space I needed: Doing It For The Kids.
Just like my own kids, DIFTK has grown and evolved (and occasionally kept me up at night). What started as a free Facebook group of 10,000 parents is now a smaller, more intimate paid-for space on Circle, complete with kid-friendly IRL meetups.
Ten years, several platforms, and a lot of brilliant community members later, I keep getting asked the same questions. How to start a community. How to keep it alive. How to make it sustainable without losing your soul.
I have almost certainly already made most of the mistakes you might be worried about — growing too fast, not growing enough, working out what on earth to charge…
So if you’re looking for a safe person to talk to about it all, I’d love to hear from you.