Community-driven learning: ‘Skool’ generating millions; helping entrepreneurs learn, connect, grow

By CAROLYN GREEN

One of the hottest things in online information sharing over the last 6 weeks has been a Learning Management System (LMS) called Skool. Created in 2019 by business coach Sam Ovens, Skool is an all-in-one platform where people are making hundreds of thousands of dollars with courses, communities, and events.

The recent fervor was fueled by an August 16 YouTube book launch where Skool investor Alex Hormozi sold 2.9 million copies of his latest book “$100M Money Models” at $30 per copy. One of the giveaways that helped generate $87 million or so in sales that day was a 90-day free Skool membership so readers could implement the book’s strategies for themselves.

By the last week of September, over 174,000 community creators are now on the platform, producing content for an unknown—though probably million-plus—user base.

What people like about the platform is:

• Community-driven learning – Skool makes community and engagement (peer discussions, accountability, etc.) central to the learning experience.
• Ease of use – Creators don’t have to stitch together multiple tools for launching a course, building community, generating discussion, and hosting events.
• No ads or self-promotion are allowed in the Skooler community. That and bossy comments amongst community members are promptly deleted to encourage participants to share experiences instead promoting their personal way of doing things.
• Gamification and engagement – The platform encourages activity with badges, requires engagement to level up, and features visible leaderboards.

Here’s my experience:

A year ago, I signed up for a very inexpensive Skool course on building high-value email lists using Facebook ads. The promise was simple; by the end of the course attendees would have a list-building machine where we pay only when we get a lead.

The system worked, but it was the course platform itself that impressed me the most.

Unlike traditional learning sites I loved the practical, results-driven training. Attendees posted their progress on each lesson and gave each other feedback and support on what I can best describe as a chat board.

This spring, within days of hearing Skool had launched a $9 a month plan, I started my own Skool group to replace my existing growth groups. For the last couple years, I have hosted calls to help owner-operators build consistent marketing habits to reach revenue milestones. People loved the calls, but I was never able to monetize it.

It seems to be a way to grow my program without adding overhead. If you charge for your courses Skool takes a percentage of the profits that depending on the plan you choose. The low-priced hobby version takes a 10% transaction fee but if I start generating much revenue I can move up to the $99 a month plan which has a low transaction fee.

Skool is not the only option. A lot of good LMS platforms make information and training more accessible, allow participants to learn from peers, test their ideas, and stay accountable in ways that fit their bandwidth. Corporations may prefer more structured options for corporate training, onboarding, compliance training, and skill development.

Skool seems to be the one of the most popular for online coaches and enthusiast communities. It is kind of like a world-wide Facebook or LinkedIn group organized around a topic. Headquartered in London, Skool has gained momentum world-wide many groups see activity round the clock. My little group already has members from Canada, England, and France.

Each group has an about page which is discoverable to Skool members searching for other classes as well as search engines. You can charge whatever you like for your classes, and many hobbyists simply make them available at no charge.

I created my lessons to share with clients at no charge. But once it I had it in writing on the platform I added a low-cost do-it-yourself option for business owners and marketing managers who don’t need a lot of support. It’s still under construction, but I’m having a lot of fun with it.

Most of the Skool course creators are individuals, some of whom make over $300 thousand in Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR). In what is called the “Skool Games,” they have their own leaderboard to see who can increase MRR the most.

The leader in the business/money category this quarter is a French speaking community of creative entrepreneurs who learn to build, launch and sell digital products using AI. Their owner’s MRR has increased over $324,000 per month.

Skool has made courses easy, inexpensive, and broadly accessible. It has created a shift in how entrepreneurs learn, connect, and grow. It has made it possible for course creators to monetize their information and experience, and some people are making big money there.

If your social media community is highly focused or you need to share core knowledge, you might want to investigate learning management systems like Skool.

The Skool about page: https://www.skool.com/skoolers/about

My new platform’s page: https://www.skool.com/planasyou-grow-7756/about

 

Carolyn Green is CEO and senior strategy advisor for CGA, headquartered in Edwardsville, Ill., located in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. She shares ways to increase revenue with weekly marketing tips at www.cgreenassociates.com/mm/.