🎙️ Behind the Build: Help Us Build Monetization by Design

Donna Thornton

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9d • 🔬 Research Lab

Every month in the Research Lab, we explore a question together.

This month's question is...

How does value become revenue?

Sure... Todd and I will share what we're learning.

And we also want to discover answers with you.

When we announced this month's research theme was monetization, a few of you probably thought...

"Uh oh... they're going to make us talk about money." 😅

Well... yes.

But probably not in the way you're imagining.

Around here, we don't believe monetization starts with an offer.

We believe it starts with creating value.

And value looks different at every stage.

Maybe you've welcomed your first paying member.

Maybe your community has led to a consulting client, a partnership, or a speaking opportunity.

Maybe you're discovering what your members truly value before you've ever asked anyone to buy.

Maybe you've completely changed your strategy.

Maybe you've tried something that completely flopped.

(Honestly... those stories might save the rest of us a lot of time. 😂)

That's why we're launching Behind the Build as part of our Monetization by Design research project.

This isn't just a research project.

It's a monetization strategy hiding in plain sight.

Think about it.

What if you built a resource with your community instead of for your community?

Every conversation becomes a lesson.

Every lesson becomes part of a growing classroom.

Over time, you've created something genuinely valuable that can live in your classroom, become a member resource, be offered as a free lead magnet, or even grow into a paid product.

You're not waiting until everything is perfect.

You're creating value as you build.

That's exactly what we're doing with Monetization by Design.

Instead of disappearing for months to create a course, we're inviting our community to help shape it.

Together, we're documenting real experiences, discovering patterns, and building a library of case studies that future community builders can learn from.

And honestly...

We hope you'll borrow this idea for your own community someday.

Now... back to the fun part. 😄

Throughout the month, we'd love to feature Skoolology builders who are willing to pull back the curtain and share what's really happening inside their communities.

The exciting parts.

The messy parts.

The "I can't believe that actually worked!" moments.

The "I'd definitely do that differently now." lessons.

And yes... even the flops.

Because every story teaches us something.

If you'd like to be one of our Featured Builders, you can choose whatever format feels most comfortable.

🎙️ A live conversation.

🎥 A recorded interview.

✍️ A written Q&A.

💬 Or even a simple post.

We'll help with the questions.

No polished presentation required. No giant community. No revenue minimum.

Just a willingness to share what you've learned.

We'll also spotlight you and the community you're building.

Every story will become part of our growing Monetization by Design classroom, creating a library of real-world case studies that future community builders can learn from long after this month's research project is over.

Our goal isn't to collect success stories.

It's to understand how value becomes revenue across different communities, different audiences, and different stages of the journey.

Because someone joining Skoolology six months from now may be standing exactly where you are today.

Your story could be the one that helps them take their next step.

A few builders immediately came to mind... not because they've "arrived," but because each represents a different stage of the journey.

💜

@Sybil Hall

, you've already offered to share your monetization process, and I think so many of us could learn from how you've approached creating value before revenue.

💜

@Michael Wacht

, we'd love to feature you, too. You're building not one, but two communities, and we know many people would be inspired by the way you've woven generosity into your business by giving a portion of your proceeds to a cause that's close to your heart.

💜

@Lynne Vella

, you've just completed your founding member phase and made the transition to a paid community. I think many builders would benefit from hearing why you made that decision, what you've learned, and what you're watching as you step into this next chapter.

And to everyone else...

If you're thinking, "I'm not sure my story is interesting enough..."

It probably is.

Because someone else is standing exactly where you were not that long ago.

We already have a growing list of builders we'd love to feature.

If your ears start burning over the next few weeks... it's probably because Todd and I are talking about your story. 😄

Of course... you don't have to wait for an invitation.💌

If you'd like to be one of our Behind the Build Featured Builders, comment "I'm in!" below or send Todd or me a DM.🙌

Let's build the research together. ❤️

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🎙️ Behind the Build: Help Us Build Monetization by Design