I thought it might be useful to share a bit of background on why this group exists and why I’m spending time here. I'm Phil and I'm an author, international speaker and marketing coach. I started my first online community 24 years ago. At the time, it was the world’s first online community in financial services. There were no platforms, no playbooks and certainly no algorithms to lean on. I ended up building my own platform from scratch. Since then, I’ve built and run communities across just about every environment you can imagine – my own platforms, Facebook Groups, LinkedIn Groups, Skool, Mighty Networks and more. Some worked brilliantly. Some didn’t. All of them taught me something. What hadn’t really occurred to me until relatively recently was that this is something I could teach. I’ve spent years just doing it – experimenting, adapting, watching how people behave, what keeps them engaged, and what causes communities to quietly fade away. I’ve since written a book pulling much of that thinking together. If you’ve ever started a community, you’ll know the early days feel like shouting into an empty aircraft hangar. That part is normal. But there are specific techniques that help momentum build, conversations start, and members begin engaging with each other rather than just with the host. Those are the techniques I’ll be using and sharing here. I also firmly believe that community can be a genuinely powerful business model. Done well, it can support your clients, deepen relationships, and – importantly – allow almost anyone to create a sustainable income around their expertise. So why now? Because the landscape has changed. LinkedIn and Facebook increasingly work in their favour, not ours. Reach is unpredictable and content disappears quickly. Communities on the other hand, create continuity, connection and control. This group is a place to explore all of that together – practically, honestly, and without hype. And best of all, we'll share tips, tricks and strategies to build, grow and monetise.

Hi - I'd like to get a sense for where members are in their community journey, so please help with this poll. Thanks in advance...

This group exists for people who believe online communities and memberships are not just a side project, but a serious, long-term business model. Whether you’re already running a community, building a paid membership, or exploring how community can replace or enhance traditional marketing, you’re in the right place. The focus here is practical and grounded. We’ll talk about what actually works when it comes to building engaged online communities, structuring memberships, increasing retention and turning relationships into sustainable, recurring revenue. No hype. No hacks. Just thoughtful discussion, shared experience, and learning from people who are doing the work. For context, my name is Phil and I’ve been creating and running online communities since 2002, so this space is shaped by what I’ve seen working – not what’s fashionable this month. This is a place to think clearly, compare notes, and build communities that last. Question to get us started: Do you currently have your own online community or membership? If yes, tell us what it’s about, who it’s for and how it works. If not, what’s drawing you towards community right now? Thanks for joining us! Phil