If you’re listening to this, it’s probably because you’ve been hearing the buzz about building a community-based business. Maybe you’ve seen a few friends launch their own groups, or you’ve scrolled past one too many “find your tribe” posts on Instagram. And now, everywhere you look, it’s AI this, AI that. Robots are writing emails, automating jobs, and—let’s be honest—making you wonder when the robot uprising is coming for your job (and if it’ll at least have the decency to give you a two-week notice).
So, you want a backup plan. Or maybe a little extra income. Or a shot at retiring before you’re 97. Or heck, maybe you just want to finally quit that job that drains your soul every Monday morning. Whatever your goal, the idea of starting an online community is starting to sound…pretty darn appealing.
But then you hit the wall. You’re stuck at step one:
What should my community actually be about?
But then—bam!—the brain gremlins show up.
You start spiraling:
“What if I pick the wrong topic?”
“What if nobody joins?”
“What if I get bored and want to quit?”
Or my personal favorite: “What if I’m secretly just not cut out for this and everyone finds out I’m a fraud?” (Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt personally victimized by your own self-doubt.)
Here’s the truth: This is the thing that trips everyone up. We get so tangled up in the idea that our community has to be perfect, or permanent, or some kind of legacy project that our grandkids will talk about at Thanksgiving. Spoiler alert: It doesn’t have to be any of those things.
Today, I’m going to walk you through how to choose a community niche that actually fits you—your skills, your experience, your passion, or even just that thing you can’t stop talking about at dinner parties. And here’s the best part: It doesn’t have to be forever. You can change your mind. Your community can evolve. People can come and go. It’s not a marriage proposal—it’s more like a first date. Low stakes, high potential, and if it gets awkward, you can always blame it on the WiFi.
So, if you’re ready to stop overthinking, ditch the perfectionism, and finally start building something meaningful (and maybe a little bit fun), let’s dive in.
I promise, by the end of this episode, you’ll feel a whole lot lighter—and maybe even a little bit excited to get started.
Links Mentioned In This Episode:
Join The Community Launchpad
Niche-Match AI
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Personal Story
If you know me, you know I’m a doer. I’m the kind of person who gets a wild idea, grabs a notebook, and starts mapping it out before the coffee even kicks in. In my twenties, I started so many things—sometimes I finished them, sometimes…well, let’s just say my husband could tell you all about the time I got a hair up my butt when I was pregnant with my fourth child thinking I could paint the house in a single day – by myself.
Fast forward a few decades, and I’ve built a multi-million dollar marketing agency by being the person who actually implements things for other businesses.
So, when I started my first online community, I didn’t get bogged down in analysis paralysis. I just picked something and ran with it.
However, what I’m seeing now within my own community is that many people are getting stuck at this very first step. They’re waiting for lightning to strike, for the “perfect” idea to fall from the sky, for some magical sign that says THIS IS THE ONE.
But let me be completely honest with you: I’ve already changed the focus of my own community twice. And it’s only been a few months! Did the world end? Nope. Did people leave in droves? Not at all. In fact, the community got stronger and more aligned each time I tweaked the focus.
Why am I telling you this? Because in the beginning, you do NOT have to have it all figured out. Honestly, you couldn’t if you tried. Communities are living, breathing things—they grow, they shift, and they evolve right along with you.
Let’s do a quick risk assessment together, shall we?
What’s the worst that happens? You spend $99 and take 30 minutes to set up a Skool community (and hey, I’ll drop my link in the show notes so you can get two weeks free to check it out). That’s about the cost of happy hour these days! If it doesn’t work out, you’re not out a fortune—you’re out the price of a couple of margaritas and some mediocre nachos.
So, really, there is no risk.
That said, you do have to start with SOME idea. Not necessarily a forever idea. Not a “carved in stone, tell-your-grandkids” idea. Just one that excites you enough to get started.
And that’s exactly what we’re going to figure out together now…
4 Steps To Choosing A Profitable Community Niche
If you’re with me so far, here’s where it gets fun. I’ve broken this down into four simple steps. No jargon, no overwhelm. Just a clear, doable process to help you choose a community niche that feels like a natural fit for you—and one that people will actually want to join (and maybe even pay for).
Step 1. Choose a Profit-Powered Industry
What is a profit-powered industry? It’s an industry where people are already spending significant time and money—think of it as a space with a proven track record for generating income and attracting paying customers. These industries are “powered” by real demand and the profit motive, meaning people actively seek out solutions, products, or communities and are willing to pay for them.
Instead of chasing a passion that might be a little too niche (like competitive cheese rolling—unless that’s secretly a booming business), you focus on areas where your efforts are more likely to pay off financially. In short, a profit-powered industry is where your community idea has the best shot at turning into actual income, not just another hobby that drains your wallet.
So, what does that actually look like in the real world? It means choosing a space where people are already spending money, searching for answers, and looking for connection. These are the industries where folks are hungry for solutions, support, and community—so you’re not trying to convince them to care, you’re just showing up where the party’s already happening.
There are four primary industries, they are:
- Health: Fitness, wellness, mental health, holistic healing, nutrition—you name it. If people are Googling it at 2 am, it’s a good sign.
- Wealth: Entrepreneurship, investing, money management, side hustles. Basically, anything that helps people make or manage money.
- Lifestyle: Hobbies, personal development, travel, minimalism, creativity. If it sparks joy, it fits here.
- Relationships: Parenting, dating, marriage, friendships, networking. Because, let’s face it, people want to connect.
Pick one that makes sense for the direction you’re headed.
Step 2. Answer These Five Key Questions
Now, it’s time to get personal. Here’s what I suggest that you do. Just listen and let these questions and examples to spark your creativity. Don’t worry about writing down these down—just let the ideas flow. And if nothing comes to mind right away, no worries—I’ve got a tool that’ll guide you through this whole process, step by step.
Question 1: What’s something you’re really good at or have experience in?
Maybe you’re the unofficial family travel agent, or you’ve survived raising teenagers (and have the gray hairs to prove it). Or maybe you’re the one who always organizes the office parties, or you’ve managed to keep houseplants alive for more than a year.
Question 2: What do people already come to you for advice or help with?
Are you the “tech whisperer” at work? The go-to for meal planning? The person who always knows how to fix things? Maybe friends always ask you for book recommendations, or you’re the neighbor everyone calls when their dog escapes the backyard.
Question 3: If you could talk about one topic all day without getting bored, what would it be? Maybe it’s gardening, or personal finance, or how to finally declutter your garage. Or maybe you light up talking about travel hacks, DIY home projects, or your favorite true crime podcasts.
These first three questions are designed to help you uncover your natural strengths, lived experiences, and passions—the things you already enjoy doing, talking about, or helping others with.
They’re the clues to what makes you unique—and what could become the foundation for your community.
Question 4: Who do you feel most called to help or serve?
Is it fellow empty nesters, new entrepreneurs, people navigating midlife career changes? Or maybe it’s nursing moms, single parents, caregivers, or folks who are just starting to think about retirement.
This question helps you clarify who you feel connected to—whose struggles you understand, whose wins you want to cheer for, and whose journey you’d love to be part of.
When you know who you want to serve, it becomes a whole lot easier to know what kind of space to create for them.
Question 5: What’s the biggest challenge or struggle this group faces?
Overwhelm? Loneliness? Not knowing where to start? Maybe it’s feeling stuck in a rut, battling imposter syndrome, or just needing someone to say, “You’re not crazy, I’ve been there too.”
When you understand the specific challenges your people are facing, you can build a community that speaks directly to their hearts.
This is where real connection happens—when people feel seen, supported, and surrounded by others who truly get it.
And that’s the kind of space people will not only join—but stay in, grow in, and even pay to be part of.
Now, if you want to skip the overthinking and make this whole process way easier, do yourself a favor and check out my NicheMatch AI tool (link’s in the show notes).
It’ll walk you through these exact questions—but here’s the fun part: it doesn’t just ask, it actually analyzes your answers and serves up a list of niche ideas that align with your skills, experience, and the stuff you actually like talking about.
No more spinning your wheels, Googling “business ideas at 2 am,” or trying to crowdsource clarity from your group chat. This tool gives you legit, personalized ideas you can run with—right away.
Step 3. Create a PICM Snapshot
Now we’re about to get a little nerdy… but don’t worry, it’s the good kind of nerdy. The kind that actually helps you move forward instead of spinning your wheels.
So, let’s break this down:
What the heck is a PICM Snapshot?
Well, PICM stands for Perfect Ideal Community Member—aka the person your community is built for. This isn’t some long-winded branding exercise. This is simply a quick profile of your dream member—the kind of person you’d absolutely love to have inside your space.
This little clarity exercise will help you stop trying to talk to “everyone” (which really just ends up connecting with no one)—and instead focus on exactly who you’re here to serve.
So let’s build your PICM Snapshot in 3 simple parts:
1. Primary Demographics: Who are they?
We’re not going for a full FBI profile here, but just get a basic sense of who this person is.
Are they in a certain age range? In a certain stage in life? Are they on a particular career path? Maybe they share a personality type, mindset, or lifestyle.
The more real they feel to you, the easier it is to create a space that feels tailor-made for them.
And don’t worry, in a second, I’ll give you some examples.
2. Shared Experience or Symptom: What are they dealing with?
This is the heart of it. What’s going on in their life right now that would lead them to need or want a community like yours? Maybe they’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, bored, lonely, confused, or just craving something more. It doesn’t have to be dramatic, but it should be something they feel in their day-to-day life.
3. Tangible Outcome: What do they want more of?
This is what they’re hoping your community will help them get. It could be support, clarity, confidence, friendships, a specific skill, or even just a fun outlet where they feel seen and heard.
Think about what would make them say:
“This is exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Now, Let’s Put It All Together…
To make this super easy, I’ve got a plug-and-play sentence you can use to bring it all into focus:
“I help [insert Primary Demographic] who struggle with [insert Shared Experience] by creating a community where they can [insert Tangible Outcome].”
Simple, right? Let’s walk through a few examples so you can see it in action:
- “I help beginner photographers who feel overwhelmed with tech by creating a community where they can learn simple editing skills and share their work confidently.”
- “I help plant lovers who want to turn their homes into green sanctuaries by creating a community where they can swap tips, troubleshoot plant problems, and share their plant jungle pride.”
- “I help women navigate midlife transitions by creating a community where they can connect, feel seen, and explore what’s next with confidence and joy.”
- “I help remote workers who feel isolated by creating a community where they can connect with fellow digital nomads and swap travel tips, work hacks, and life updates.”
See how that works?
When you know who you’re talking to, what they’re going through, and what they actually want, everything else gets easier.
So take 5 minutes. Fill in the blanks. Trust your gut.
You’re not carving it into stone—you’re just getting clear enough to start.
And that’s what this whole thing is about: starting.
Step 4. Validate Your Idea
Alright, before you run off and build the Taj Mahal of online communities—complete with a custom logo, seven-tier onboarding system, and 14 bonus modules—you’ve got to do one simple thing:
Make sure people actually want it.
This isn’t about writing a business plan, building a full-blown brand, or spiraling into research land for the next six months.
This is just a quick gut-check. A pulse check. A “do humans actually care about this?” moment.
And here’s the good news: it’s easier than you think.
Here are Three Simple Ways to Validate Your Community Idea
1. Ask Real Humans
Yep—start with actual people. If you know someone who fits your Perfect Ideal Community Member profile, reach out. DM them. Send a text. Or call them (remember phone calls? Like…with voices? Wild, I know – HA!)
You’re not pitching. You’re not selling. You’re just being curious and paying attention to their response.
Here’s how the conversations or messages might sound:
- For Midlife Career Changers:
“Hey Sarah! Random question: If there were a space for people in their 40s and 50s to talk about changing careers or starting something new—do you think that’s something folks would actually be into?” - For Parents with Grown Kids:
“Hey Mike! Do you wish there was a place for empty nesters to swap travel ideas or talk about what life looks like after kids leave the house?” - For Busy Wellness Seekers:
“Hey Jen! I have a question for you—I’ve been thinking about creating a space for busy professionals who want to prioritize self-care without it feeling like another job. Do you think people would actually want something like that?”
Two quick things to remember:
- If someone doesn’t give you the response you hoped for, don’t take it personally.
They might be distracted, not your target member, or just not see the value yet. That’s totally okay. Ask a few more people and look for patterns. - This is not about convincing—it’s about listening.
If they ask for more info, great! Just say, “I’m still exploring the idea right now, but I’ll keep you in the loop.” No pressure. No awkward energy. Just curiosity and connection.
2. Run the “People Pay for This” Test
Open up your podcast app, browse Amazon, or search Udemy. Are there books, courses, YouTube channels, or podcasts about your idea?
If yes, that’s amazing! That means people are already paying attention—and paying money—for this kind of content.
This is where a lot of people get stuck thinking: “But it already exists!”
And here’s the reframe I want you to try on: If it already exists, it means there’s demand.
Your job isn’t to be the only voice—it’s to be the voice your people resonate with. Because they’re not just buying information—they’re buying the way you deliver it.
3. Peek Into Existing Communities
Next, do a little digital snooping. Check out Facebook groups, Reddit threads, or even LinkedIn circles that are related to your topic.
Ask yourself:
- Are people active?
- Are they asking questions?
- What questions are they asking?
- Are they connecting with each other?
If you see real humans posting and responding—bingo. That’s market validation in action!
And if you see a group that looks like what you want to build? Don’t panic. Just remember this mantra:
“If it exists, I can make it better, easier, or more aligned with my people.”
You’re not trying to be the only option—you’re aiming to be the right one for your people.
You’re not trying to find a unicorn idea.
You’re just looking for a good, solid starting point that feels aligned with your strengths and solves a real problem for real people.
Action Steps For Today…
Alright, let’s do a quick recap of the four steps we just covered to help you choose a niche that actually works—for you and your people:
- Pick a profit-powered industry – Start in a space where people are already spending time, money, and attention. No need to reinvent the wheel—just show up where the action already is.
- Answer the five key questions – These help you uncover what you’re good at, what lights you up, and who you’re meant to serve.
- Create your PICM Snapshot – So you know exactly who you’re talking to, what they’re going through, and what kind of transformation they’re looking for.
- Validate your idea – Talk to real people, do a little digging online, and make sure your idea has traction before you build the whole dang thing.
These are the four simple steps to choosing a profitable, purposeful community niche that lights you up and gives you something to actually build momentum around.
You don’t need a perfect idea.
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You just need to take the first step.
So don’t overthink it. Don’t wait for a sign. And definitely don’t let perfectionism call the shots.
Start messy. Start curious. Start now.
Conclusion
Now, let’s wrap this up.
Choosing your community niche doesn’t have to be this huge, overwhelming thing. At the end of the day, it’s just about finding that intersection where your skills, your interests, and what people actually want come together.
Start with a simple idea that feels exciting—then give yourself permission to tweak and evolve it as you go. You’re not locking yourself into anything forever. You’re just starting.
And hey—if you’re feeling like “Okay, I’m ready to do this, but I’d love a little support along the way,” come join us inside The Community Launchpad. It’s a no-pressure space where you can learn, test, ask questions, and build alongside other people who are figuring it out too. I’ll drop the link in the show notes if you want to check it out.
Thanks for hanging out with me today. I hope this gave you the clarity (and the nudge) you needed to move forward.
Can’t wait to see what you create.
I’ll see you again soon!