Skool review: I went from a newcomer to a power-user in 2024

So here's my review of Skool.. 11 months ago I was like "what the hell is Skool?" Fast forward to October 2024 and I'm a super user of sorts who's made a lot of money off of the platform and has several communities with hundreds of paying members.

I've known who Sam Ovens is for years, and last year got into Hormozi's stuff on YT, so I knew they were, and that they wouldn't launch a junk product... But I wasn't a couch and didn't have anything to sell at that time. All that changed since then, so here's what I think of Skool now and my Skool review:

So, what is Skool?

Skool is an all-encompassing platform that seamlessly blends course hosting with community interaction (kinda like FB groups). Unlike traditional Learning Management Systems (LMS) that often feel impersonal and disjointed, Skool prioritizes community engagement, making learning a collaborative and interactive experience. It provides a space where members don't just consume content like usualy—they connect, discuss, and grow together.

In my search, I found that many platforms either excelled at course delivery or community features, but rarely both. Skool decently bridges this gap by integrating these elements into a single, user-friendly ecosystem.. This integration was a game-changer for my groupsit's , enhancing both engagement and the overall learning experience..

*** Why I Chose Skool

Integrated Community and Courses

Seamless Experience: Managing separate platforms for courses and community discussions was cumbersome. With Skool, my content and community live under one roof. Members can easily navigate between learning materials and engaging in discussions without juggling multiple logins or interfaces.
Enhanced Engagement: I've noticed a significant uptick in member participation. The ease of starting discussions directly related to course content has led to richer conversations and deeper understanding among members.

*** Skool's User-Friendly Interface

Intuitive Design Reviewed: Skool's clean and straightforward interface was a breath of fresh air. Both tech-savvy members and those less comfortable with technology found it easy to use, which reduced barriers to participation.
Accessibility: The platform works seamlessly across devices. Whether members access it from their desktops or mobile devices, the experience remains consistent and enjoyable.

*** Gamification Features

Motivational Tools: The introduction of Skool's leaderboards and badges injected a fun, competitive element into the community. Members earn points for participating in discussions, completing courses, and helping others. This feature significantly increased engagement levels in my group.
Recognition: Celebrating members' contributions through badges and rankings fostered a supportive environment. It motivated members to be more active and contribute valuable insights.

*** Efficient Content Management

Organized Structure: Skool allows me to organize courses into modules and lessons efficiently. Updating content is straightforward, ensuring that my material stays current without the hassle.
Ease of Use for Members: Members can track their progress, revisit lessons, and access resources effortlessly, which enhances their learning experience.

*** Customization Options

Brand Alignment: I was able to customize the look and feel of my community space to align with my brand. This consistency reinforced my brand identity and provided a professional appearance.
Personal Touch: Adjusting settings to match the tone of my content helped create an environment that resonated with my community's culture.

************ Skool vs. Other Platforms ************

Having experimented with other platforms like Facebook Groups, Kajabi, and Teachable, I found Skool to stand out in several key areas.

*** Skool's Distraction-Free Environment

Focused Community: Unlike Facebook Groups, where members are bombarded with ads and unrelated content, Skool offers a dedicated space free from distractions. This focus keeps members engaged with the community and the learning material.
Privacy: Members appreciated the enhanced privacy, knowing their data wasn't being used for advertising purposes.

*** Community-Centric Approach

Holistic Experience: Platforms like Teachable are great for hosting courses but lack robust community features. Skool's integration ensures that learning is interactive and communal rather than isolating.
Engagement Over Consumption: The platform encourages active participation rather than passive content consumption.

*** Skool Pricing Review

Simple Model: Skool is free with limitations, so go and give it a try! You can take advantage of any current promotions and extras if you signup with this link.

Later, when you want to upgrade, the Skool pricing of $99 per month per community isn't bad at all. This flat fee includes unlimited members and courses, which was cost-effective for my growing group.

No Hidden Costs: I didn't have to worry about escalating costs as my community expanded, allowing for better financial planning.

*** Enhanced Engagement Tools

Active Participation: The gamification and community features led to higher engagement levels compared to my previous platforms.
Member Retention: Engaged members are more likely to stay and contribute, which has been beneficial for the continuity of my group.

************ Key Features That Made a Difference ************

Skool's Analytics Dashboard

Valuable Insights: Skool's analytics provided me with data on member engagement, course completion rates, and active participation. These insights allowed me to tailor my content and strategies to better serve my community.
Informed Decisions: Understanding which courses or discussions resonated most helped me focus on areas that added the most value.

Integration Capabilities

Workflow Automation: Integrating Skool with tools like Zapier streamlined many administrative tasks. For instance, new member onboarding processes became more efficient.
Extended Functionality: While Skool covers the core needs, integrations allowed me to connect with other tools I rely on, such as email marketing services.

Mobile Accessibility

Convenience for Members: Many of my members appreciated being able to engage with the community and access courses on the go via Skool. The mobile optimization ensured that the experience remained smooth across devices.
Increased Engagement: Mobile accessibility meant members could participate during their free moments, leading to more consistent interaction.

Customer Support

Responsive Team: Whenever I encountered issues or had questions, Skool's support team was quick to assist. This responsiveness made managing the community less stressful.
Helpful Resources: The availability of tutorials and a supportive user community helped me maximize the platform's features.

************Skool Benefits I Observed ************

For Educators and Coaches

Enhanced Offerings: Skool allowed me to offer more than just courses—it provided a community where members could support each other, leading to better outcomes.
Client Satisfaction: The interactive environment led to higher satisfaction rates among my clients.

For Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

Brand Loyalty: Building a community around my content strengthened relationships with members, turning them into advocates for my brand.
Customer Education: Skool served as a hub for educating my audience, which in turn supported my business objectives.

************ Success Stories from My Experience ************

Since transitioning to Skool, I've witnessed significant positive changes within my community.

Increased Engagement

Active Participation: Engagement levels soared by over 60% within the first few months. Members were more involved in discussions, and peer-to-peer interactions flourished.
Motivated Members: The gamification features motivated members to contribute more frequently and thoughtfully.

Simplified Management

Efficiency: Managing courses and community interactions from a single platform streamlined my administrative workload.
Cost Savings: Eliminating the need for multiple platforms reduced my overall expenses.

Challenges I Encountered

************ Drawbacks, and things that Skool sucks at ************

Limited Customization

Design Flexibility: I sometimes wished for more extensive customization options to make the platform more uniquely branded.
Feature Availability: Certain advanced features available on other platforms were not yet present on Skool, though updates are continually being made.

Learning Curve for Members

Initial Adjustment: Some members took time to get used to Skool's interface, especially those accustomed to traditional social media platforms.
Onboarding Effort: I needed to invest time in creating guides and tutorials to help members navigate the new platform effectively.

************ Pros and Cons from My Perspective ************

*** Pros of Skool

Integrated Platform

Unified Experience: The combination of courses and community enhanced engagement and made management more efficient.

User-Friendly Interface

Skool's Easy Navigation: Both I and my members found the platform intuitive, which encouraged regular use.

Gamification Features

Boosted Engagement: Leaderboards and badges made participation fun and rewarding.

Transparent Pricing

Budget-Friendly: The flat-rate pricing simplified financial planning and was economical for my community size.

Strong Support from Skool.com and Analytics

Helpful Insights: Analytics helped me understand member behavior and improve my offerings.

*** Cons of Skool

Limited Customization

Branding Constraints: I wanted more flexibility to tailor the platform's appearance to match my brand fully.

Feature Maturity

Developing Tools: Some advanced features I needed were still in development.

Member Learning Curve

Adjustment Period: Members needed time and assistance to get comfortable with the new platform.

Integration Limitations

Workflow Adjustments: I had to adapt some of my existing processes due to limited direct integrations.

Lack of Built-In Marketing Tools

Additional Tools Needed: I still relied on external platforms for email marketing and sales funnels.

********** Re-cap of my Skool experience and journey in 2024 **************

Building a thriving online community requires more than just great content; it needs a platform that fosters connection and engagement. From my experience, Skool delivers on this front. It's not just about delivering courses—it's about creating a space where members feel connected and motivated to participate.

If you're an educator, coach, or entrepreneur looking to elevate your online community, I highly recommend giving Skool a try. Its integrated approach and focus on user experience might just make it the perfect home for your content and your community.

If you want to check it out, you can sign-up for Skool for free with this link to their official signup page.

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