The Contributor Goldmine: Why Your Community Needs a System (Like, Yesterday!) with Candice Grobler

Your Community Strategist

Let's be real—if you're still the one creating all the content, answering all the questions, and trying to keep the energy up, it's no wonder you're exhausted. But here's the thing: your members want to contribute—they just don't know how. And that's where a solid contributor system comes in.

To help us break this down, I'm joined by Candice Grobler, founder of Candid Collab. Candice is a powerhouse when it comes to building systems that let brands grow their communities without selling their souls to non-stop content creation. After realizing she wasn't meant to be anyone's employee (her words, not mine, but honestly, I love the energy), she built a business helping others create sustainable, thriving communities.

Today, we're diving into why you need a contributor system, how it transforms your community, and what steps you can take today to make it happen.

HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1️⃣ Find Your Top Contributors - Learn how to identify the top 10% of engaged members who are already invested in your community and ready to step up.

2️⃣ Match Contribution to Motivation - Discover how to research what drives your potential contributors and create systems that align with their goals.

3️⃣ Start Small, Start Today - Get a simple five-step action plan you can implement immediately to begin building your contributor system without overwhelming yourself.

So, if you're ready to stop doing everything yourself, grab your notebook—this one's for you.

MEET OUR GUEST

Candice Grobler, founded Candid Collab after deciding that her last manager was right to call her “unemployable”. After struggling to fit into an “employee” mould that never felt natural, she's excited to finally have real security knowing that she can provide for herself as a business owner, community mentor and now — speaker!

Now she helps stretched brands build community systems around their products and services — so they can market their businesses without selling their souls. 😉

And as a passion project, she mentors aspiring consultants who want to break free of the “employee” role.

Learn more about Candice by checking out her website and following her on her socials:

• Instagram
• Threads
• Linkedin

So, your marketing is held together with duct tape and prayers? Friend, you need a system!

Subscribe to the Candid Consult to learn how to get scrappy with what you've got and actually start growing your community.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Get started with a 14-Day FREE trial of Circle
• Kick start your community by joining The Strategic Community Co-Op
• Quick Wins for Circle Communities is our new YouTube series delivering actionable tips in bite-sized videos.
• Discover bite-sized, big-hearted community strategies every week on Community @ Heart—your go-to YouTube playlist for building connection that actually sticks.
• Love my emails? Steal my secret weapon—Flodesk! Try it for free today.
• Your community deserves the best—so do you! Get The Scoop, my weekly newsletter packed with insights and strategies. Sign up today!

MORE FROM ME

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TIMESTAMPS

• 00:00 Introduction: The Exhausting Reality of Content Creation
• 00:23 Meet Candace Grobler: Building Sustainable Communities
• 00:57 The Importance of a Contributor System
• 01:22 Rachel Starr's Journey to Community Building
• 02:56 Candace's Story: From Burnout to Business Owner
• 05:12 Understanding Sustainable Systems and Contribution
• 07:52 Identifying and Engaging Potential Contributors
• 10:44 Examples of Successful Contributor Programs
• 16:32 Building a Contributor Program for Your Community
• 24:50 Sharing Your Story: The Power of Personal Experience
• 25:14 Building a Personal Brand: Overcoming Fears
• 25:38 The Importance of the 'About Me' Page
• 26:28 Understanding Contributor Programs
• 27:17 Motivations Beyond Money: Long-Term Rewards
• 27:47 Case Study: Duolingo's Contributor Strategy
• 28:49 Creating a Successful Contributor Program
• 32:16 Personal Experience: Building My Own System
• 33:31 Engagement and Contribution: Setting Standards
• 38:27 Practical Steps to Start a Contributor Model
• 41:29 Final Thoughts and Where to Find More