Turn Your Group Or Community Into A Money Machine

by MISTY KORTES

October 23, 2024

You may have noticed that groups have been getting a lot of attention over the last few years. Even if you haven’t been following all the trends, I’m sure you’ve seen it in action—it’s where business owners create free groups, usually on Facebook, to build a community around their audience. They share value, offer support, and foster engagement—all with the goal of turning that community into paying clients down the road. It’s about nurturing relationships first, then leading to sales. And it works! Tons of people are still seeing incredible results with this strategy.

But here’s the thing—while that strategy has worked for a lot of people, there are some challenges popping up now. For starters, it’s become super competitive. With so many free groups out there, it’s getting harder to stand out and keep people engaged. You’ve probably seen this yourself—members join a group, maybe comment once or twice, and then just disappear. Engagement drops off, and it feels like you’re constantly working to keep the conversation going.

Plus, managing a free group can be a lot of work without any immediate payoff. You’re pouring in your time and energy to provide value, but it can take months—sometimes even longer—to see those efforts turn into paying clients.

So, while this strategy still works for some, I’ve noticed more and more people feeling frustrated because they’re not seeing the results they expected. That’s why today, I’m excited to share a different approach—one that turns your group into a space where you can create value and generate revenue from day one.

BTW, this isn’t just for people who already have a business. If you’ve been thinking about starting a group or community, this is a great way to begin building something that can actually make money—whether you’re launching a passion project, sharing a hobby, or just want to create a space where people connect around a common interest. You don’t need an existing business to get started. This approach works for anyone looking to turn their knowledge, interests, or expertise into something profitable.

Now, before we dive into this new approach, I want to share a little backstory. Some of you might know Alex Hormozi—he’s the entrepreneur behind $100M Offers and has really made waves in the business world. Well, Alex partnered up with the team behind a platform called Skool. It officially launched back in 2019 by Sam Ovens, but Alex Hormizi started promoting it earlier this year, and that’s when I personally got introduced to it.

For the last decade, I’ve had a membership where I stored all my programs and trainings. It was great, but something was always missing—the community aspect. I wanted a space where people could not only access my content but connect with each other, share their wins, ask questions, and build real relationships. When I first heard about Skool, I was intrigued, but I’m not usually an early adopter, so I waited a few months to see how it played out. Then, I checked it out again and realized it was exactly what I’d been looking for. I’ll give you an inside peek into the community platform in a few minutes.

Now, here’s the thing—communities have been around forever, right? I mean, the idea of people gathering around a common goal, interest, or passion is nothing new. But what’s really exciting right now is how technology, especially AI, is changing the game. We’re seeing automation and AI tools pop up everywhere, but here’s what I’m noticing: People are craving real, human connection more than ever.

In a world where chatbots and algorithms seem to run the show, people want something authentic. They want to connect with real people, have genuine conversations, and feel like they’re part of something that’s meaningful. And that’s where we, as entrepreneurs, come in. I truly believe we’re standing at the edge of a new wave—one where the need for real communities is growing, and with it, a massive opportunity for us to build and nurture spaces where people can truly belong.

So, what does this mean for you? It means that now is the perfect time to lean into building a community that offers real value and connection, but with a twist—we’re going to turn that community into a revenue-generating machine—which is what I want to talk about today. 

As more entrepreneurs and businesses start building their own communities, we’ve seen a ton of community-based platforms popping up. Of course, there’s Facebook, which we all know well—it’s a popular choice because it’s free and easy to set up. But here’s the catch: you can’t charge for access to your Facebook group…at least, not yet. That might change in the future, but for now, if you’re looking to monetize, Facebook has its limitations.

Beyond that, Facebook’s biggest issue is organization. Once you start sharing a lot of valuable content—like trainings, videos, or resources—things can get messy fast. There’s no real way to organize it all in a way that’s easy for your members to find what they need when they need it. Plus, we can’t forget about the algorithm. The Facebook algorithm decides who sees your posts and who doesn’t. So, even if you’re putting out incredible value, there’s no guarantee that all of your group members will actually see it, which is not ideal at all.

Now, there are other platforms that solve some of these issues. Circle is a great example. It allows you to create a structured community with clear sections for courses, discussions, and events, so it’s way easier for people to find and engage with your content. Mighty Networks is another powerful option—it lets you combine a paid membership model with courses and social networking, all within your own branded app.

But after looking at all the options, I ended up choosing Skool for my brand-new community – Extraordinary Entrepreneurs. I’ll drop a link so you can check it out…

Extraordinary Entrepreneurs Community Link:
https://mistykortes.com/community/ 

Here’s why I chose this platform…

It’s super simple to set up—I’m talking 30 minutes or less! In the past, I’ve spent hundreds of thousands of dollars (and more hours than I’d like to admit) building custom membership platforms, constantly tinkering with features, and trying to make it all work. With Skool, it’s quick and painless. You get your community up and running without needing a tech team or months of development.

Skool also directly connects to Stripe, which means in 30 seconds of connecting your existing account or even setting up a new account, you can charge for your community (or courses.)

I also love how easy they make it to organize everything. You have the community, which is essentially a live chat feed – but more organized.

You have the classroom, where you can put all of your programs, trainings, and resources.

A calendar where you can invite members to events you’re hosting.

And more…

Skool also includes leaderboards and badges that keep your community motivated and engaged. This makes it more than just a passive space—it turns it into an active environment where members stay excited about engaging with each other.

And, unlike social media platforms, you’re not fighting algorithms that decide who sees your content. Your members see everything you post, meaning your engagement is consistent, and you don’t have to fight for attention.

And another reason I love Skool—it’s not just about managing your community, it actually helps you promote it too. Skool has built-in features that make it easier to grow your audience without needing to invest tons of time or money into complicated marketing strategies.

For one, Skool makes it really easy to invite people. You can send invites directly from the platform which are trackable. So, when you’re doing promotions or sharing your community with your email list or social media audience, you can easily track who’s joining and where they’re coming from.

But here’s something even better—Skool has a Discover Communities feature. This means that other Skool users who are actively looking for communities like yours can find your group right within the platform! It’s like having a built-in marketplace where people can stumble upon and join your community without you having to chase them down. This is an amazing way to attract members who are already interested in what you have to offer, giving your community an even greater chance to grow organically.

But listen, I’m not here to sell you on Skool (but if you’re curious and want to check it out, I’ll drop my affiliate link below—it comes with a 2-week trial so you can explore it and see what you think). 

Skool Affiliate Link:
https://www.skool.com/signup?ref=fa686196acc6485c82317419bb12e1d7 

Now, let’s get into what you came here for—how you can set up a community and start making money, possibly as soon as today, even if you don’t have a business!

Speaking of communities, I want to take a moment to highlight one of my clients, Kimberley Borgens, who recently launched a community on Skool called The Hive Society. It’s designed specifically for female entrepreneurs who are looking to grow, connect, and support each other in a meaningful way. Kimberley’s vision for The Hive Society is to create a space where women can step into their power as leaders while building strong relationships with like-minded peers.

What makes her community special is how she’s fostering true collaboration and connection—she calls it being ‘superconnected.’ It’s more than just networking; it’s about creating a space where women can exchange ideas, support one another’s growth, and become more confident leaders in their fields.

If you want to check out what she’s doing with The Hive Society, I’ll drop the link:
https://www.skool.com/hivesociety/about 

You might be thinking… Are communities only for businesses? Absolutely not! Communities can be built around any passion or interest. Let’s look at a few unique communities:

Raw Food Romance

This community brings together people who are passionate about a raw food lifestyle. It’s a space for members to share recipes, tips, and support each other in living a healthy, plant-based life. It’s not about business—it’s about wellness and connection!

They have 348 members at $47 a month (which is $16,356 a month in revenue) talking about food!

Then there’s the Creditprenuer

Which is focused on financial empowerment; this community is designed to help individuals improve their credit and build financial freedom.

If you’re a mortgage broker; this is a great idea for a group you could start to support people who don’t qualify for a loan yet.

3,400 members at $49 a month. This group is generating $166,600 a MONTH in revenue (which is just shy of $2 million dollars a year!)

Now let’s look at Pocket Singers Elite

It’s a community that helps singers enhance their skills, share their progress, and connect with other music lovers. 

They have 306 members at $59 a month.

Ok, now let’s talk GOAT Care (yes, that’s right)

It says – “Learn a holistic approach to goat health with tips, trainings, and content to help you succeed in a natural goat care journey.”

$999 a month with 92 members.

Little Alpha Wife

This community provides support for women who want to balance femininity with strength in their personal lives. It’s focused on relationships, empowerment, and faith, offering guidance for women who want to thrive in their roles as wives and leaders in the home.

1,500 members at $7 a month.

And lastly, here’s a group called “The Lady Change”

A community supporting women in menopause with a 6-week weight loss challenge.

1,500 members at $47 a month.

So, as you can see, communities aren’t limited to business. They can be built around any passion or shared interest. Whether it’s about food, music, finance, or even goat care!

Alright, now let’s talk about a few unique ways you can leverage communities—whether as a stand-alone business or an addition to what you’re already doing.

Create a Paid Membership Community
One of the easiest ways to turn your community into a business is by creating a paid membership. This could be a place where you offer exclusive content, trainings, or even networking opportunities. Like the ones I just shared with you. 

You Can Add a Community to Your Existing Business
If you already have a business—whether it’s a product or service-based business you can create a space where your customers can interact with each other, share tips, and get support. 

Community as a Learning Hub
You can also use your community as a stand-alone educational platform. If you have expertise in any niche, you can build courses and provide structured learning through your community. 

Niche Networking or Mastermind Groups
You can create a niche networking or mastermind community where people can connect, exchange ideas, and even collaborate on projects. 

Or you can Host Exclusive Events or Challenges
For example, you can host a 5-day challenge that helps your members achieve a specific goal. 

And that leads me perfectly to a special invite to my upcoming 5-Day Fast-Track Business Bootcamp! In this challenge, I’ll help aspiring entrepreneurs turn their knowledge, experience, and expertise into a profitable business—and start making money in just 14 days. Whether you’re interested in launching a membership community, offering coaching or consulting services, creating a digital product, or building a service-based business, I’ll walk you through the process step-by-step so you can hit the ground running and see results fast.

If that sounds like something you’d love to join, just drop the word bootcamp in the comments, and I’ll reach out to you with all the details!

Alright, that’s a wrap! I hope you’re walking away with some fresh ideas and inspiration on how to build a community that not only connects people but also generates revenue. Whether you’re starting a community from scratch or adding it as a powerful component to your existing business, there’s so much potential here to create something meaningful and profitable.

Remember, building a community isn’t just about business—it’s about creating a space where people feel connected, supported, and valued. And as we’ve seen, there are so many different ways to make that happen, no matter your niche or passion.

Before we go, don’t forget about the 5-Day Fast-Track Business Bootcamp—if you’re ready to turn your expertise into a profitable business and start making money in just 14 days, drop bootcamp in the comments, and I’ll send you all the details!

Thank you so much for joining me today. See you again next week!

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