The problem:
People think you need a grand plan, massive following, or insider knowledge to build a successful online community. Not true.
We stumbled into creating a thriving 400+ member Skool group without any of those things. Here's the truth about accidental success:
- You don't need a revolutionary idea
- You don't need to be an "influencer"
- You don't need to know everything from day one
The solution:
Embrace the unexpected, stay flexible, and above all, listen to your people.
- Start with what you know
We began with Facebook ads β our bread and butter. It wasn't groundbreaking, but it was our expertise. Don't overthink it. What skill do you have that others might want to learn?
2. Keep it simple and sustainable
We opted for a low-ticket offer for two reasons:
- Scalability with ads
- Easy delivery while running our other businesses
It's not about overnight millions. It's about creating something you can maintain without burning out.
3. Adapt to your actual audience
Plot twist: We thought we were targeting advanced marketers. Instead, we got mostly beginners. Rather than panic, we pivoted. We kept prices low for newbies and created a separate group for pros.
4. Let your community guide you
Your members will tell you what they need if you pay attention. When advanced folks asked for more, we launched a mid-tier offer β and built it with them.
5. Foster shared progress
Encouraging members to share their results became our secret weapon
- It motivated others
- Created healthy competition
- Provided real-world examples
- Built trust through transparency
6. Embrace accidental success
Our "strategy" that worked:
- Created a group people enjoyed by listening
- Built loyalty through adaptation
- Naturally segmented our audience
- Stayed flexible
- Grew alongside our community
7. Know when to say "no"
We constantly get asked to run ads for others. We don't. Why?
- It's time-consuming
- We prefer empowering people to DIY
- We don't want to feel their ups and downs (which are inevitable)
- It doesn't align with our vision
8. Filter the noise
As you grow, everyone will have advice. The challenge is figuring out what's actually valuable. Focus more on your members than on other marketers. Develop discernment.
9. Nurture your unexpected audience
Our biggest group now? The unplanned beginners. Train them well, and they'll grow into your advanced offerings.
The key takeaway:
Your Skool group is an extension of you. Let your personality shine, focus on member growth, retention, and be ready to pivot. That's how we ended up with 450 members β and counting.
Remember
You can't create outcomes, only conditions for success. Stay open, adapt, and let your community take you wherever it is you're going.