How to Attract the Right Members to Your Online Group
My Mistake with the Wrong Members
When I started my first online group, I made the mistake of trying to attract everyone. My posts were generic, my pitch was broad, and I figured “the more people, the better.”
But what I got was a community that felt scattered. Some members were serious, others weren’t. Some wanted real results, while others just wanted to lurk for free tips. I ended up spending more time managing conflicts than actually growing the group.
That’s when I realized: it’s not about getting the most members—it’s about getting the right members. When your group is filled with aligned, motivated people, it practically runs itself. Today, I’ll show you how I turned things around and built a thriving group using Skool as the backbone.
Table of Contents
Why “The Right Members” Matter
Not every member is a good fit for your online group. Here’s why attracting the right people makes all the difference:
- Higher engagement – Right-fit members actually show up, post, and contribute.
- Stronger results – When everyone is focused on a similar outcome, members succeed faster.
- Lower churn – Members who feel aligned with the group are less likely to quit.
- Less stress – You don’t spend your time babysitting or managing drama.
I’ve learned that one committed member is worth more than ten uncommitted ones.
Step 1: Define Your Ideal Member
Before you attract the right members, you need to know exactly who they are. I asked myself three questions:
- Who do I want to serve? (Coaches, entrepreneurs, creatives, etc.)
- What problem do they need solved? (Building a business, getting fit, learning a skill.)
- What mindset do they have? (Serious, action-oriented, willing to invest in themselves.)
When I defined this clearly, my messaging started speaking directly to the right people—and naturally filtering out the wrong ones.
Step 2: Clarify Your Community Promise
People don’t join groups just for content. They join for a promise of transformation.
Ask yourself: What outcome will members get if they join my group?
For example:
- Instead of “a fitness group,” make it “a group where busy professionals lose 10 pounds in 8 weeks.”
- Instead of “a business group,” make it “a group where coaches land 5 clients without social media.”
When your promise is clear, you’ll repel the wrong people and attract the ones who are ready.
Step 3: Choose the Right Platform
This was a game-changer for me. I tried running communities on Facebook and Discord, but I kept running into problems:
- Facebook groups were noisy, full of ads and distractions.
- Discord was chaotic, with too many channels and too little structure.
When I switched to Skool, everything changed.
Here’s why it worked:
- Community hub – A clean, ad-free space where members focus.
- Classroom – A place to host courses and onboarding resources.
- Calendar – Members see upcoming events and calls automatically.
- Gamification – Levels and leaderboards that reward contribution.
If you want to attract the right members, you need the right home. Try Skool here.
Step 4: Craft a Compelling Entry Point
The way you invite people into your group sets the tone. I use these strategies:
- Free lead magnet – A valuable checklist, training, or resource that funnels into the group.
- Application form – Asking simple questions filters out people who aren’t serious.
- Clear rules – Setting expectations upfront ensures only the right members join.
- Positioning – Framing the group as exclusive makes people value it more.
The entry point isn’t just about numbers—it’s about filtering.
Step 5: Use Content to Attract the Right People
I stopped posting generic “join my group” messages and instead created content that spoke directly to my ideal member’s pain points.
Here’s the formula I use:
- Call out the problem – “Are you tired of wasting hours on social media without landing clients?”
- Share a solution – “I built a system that gets coaching clients without Instagram.”
- Invite them in – “I teach it step by step inside my private Skool community.”
This way, only people who resonate with the problem and solution will apply.
Step 6: Set Up Onboarding That Filters for Quality
Onboarding isn’t just about welcoming members—it’s about making sure they’re the right fit long-term.
In my Skool community, I set up:
- Welcome video – Explains the culture and expectations.
- Pinned posts – Clear steps for new members.
- Starter challenge – Gets them engaged right away.
- Gamification – Rewards positive participation.
By setting this up, I don’t have to hand-hold every new member. The system itself filters for quality.
Step 7: Create Engagement Loops
Attracting the right members is only half the battle—you also need to keep them engaged. I designed engagement loops like:
- Weekly prompts – Questions or discussions that spark conversation.
- Recognition posts – Highlighting members who contribute.
- Challenges and accountability threads – Members hold each other accountable.
- Member-led content – Encouraging people to share their own tips and stories.
The right members will naturally engage when the environment makes it easy and rewarding.
Step 8: Use Social Proof
The best way to attract aligned members is to show that others like them are already inside.
- Share testimonials and success stories.
- Highlight member wins in your marketing.
- Showcase community milestones (“We just hit 500 active posts this month!”).
When people see others like them succeeding, they’re more likely to join—and they’ll be the right kind of people.
Step 9: Monetize Strategically
One of the best filters for the right members? Charging for access.
Free groups attract freebie seekers. Paid groups attract serious action-takers.
With Skool, I set up monthly memberships. Even a modest fee of $30–$50/month makes a huge difference in member quality.
Ready to set yours up? Get started with Skool here.
Step 10: Scale Without Losing Alignment
As your group grows, the temptation is to let anyone in. But if you want a high-quality community, you need to stay selective.
Here’s how I scale while keeping standards high:
- Applications – I review responses to ensure fit.
- Tiers – Offer a low-ticket tier for beginners and a high-ticket tier for advanced members.
- Moderators – Empower trusted members to help manage culture.
- Consistent messaging – Keep marketing focused on the right audience.
Scaling doesn’t mean lowering standards—it means creating systems that maintain them.
Why Skool Helps Attract the Right Members
Skool isn’t just another platform—it’s designed in a way that naturally attracts and retains the right kind of members:
- Gamification rewards contribution, not lurking.
- Classroom onboarding creates clarity from day one.
- Calendar events make it easy for serious members to show up.
- Simple interface keeps people focused on learning and engaging.
This is why I recommend Skool over Facebook, Discord, or other tools.
Try it for yourself: Sign up for Skool here.
FAQs About Attracting the Right Members
1. How many members do I need for my group to succeed?
It’s not about numbers. Even 20–30 committed members can create amazing results.
2. Should I start free or paid?
Paid is better for filtering serious members. Free groups often attract the wrong crowd.
3. How do I handle members who don’t fit?
Be clear with rules, and don’t be afraid to remove people who disrupt the culture.
4. Do I need a big audience to start?
Not at all. A small, targeted group is often more valuable than a massive, unfocused one.
Conclusion: Attract Members Who Belong
Building an online group isn’t just about numbers—it’s about alignment. The right members will engage, contribute, and stay. The wrong ones will drain your energy and damage your culture.
By defining your ideal member, creating a clear promise, and using the right platform like Skool, you can attract people who truly belong.
For me, this shift turned my group from a scattered audience into a thriving, profitable community.
If you’re ready to attract the right members and build your own online group, start with Skool: Sign up here.