How to Build a Recurring Revenue Business Without Ads
When I first started building my business, I relied heavily on ads. I thought the only way to grow was to keep spending money on Facebook and Instagram ads to bring in new customers. But that approach was exhausting — and expensive.
Eventually, I learned how to build a recurring revenue business without ads, and it completely changed everything for me. Now, I generate predictable monthly income without waking up to ad bills or worrying if my next campaign will flop.
Here’s exactly how I did it, and how you can do the same.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Shift From One-Time Sales to Recurring Revenue
One-off sales are stressful. You’re always chasing the next client or launch. Instead, focus on building a model where customers pay you monthly or yearly for ongoing value.
This could be through a membership, subscription, or community. Once people are in, they stay because they continue to see results and value. This model is how I built the foundation of my business without ads.
Step 2: Build a Community That People Want to Stay In
The easiest way I’ve found to create recurring income is to build a paid community. When members feel like they belong to something special, they’re happy to pay for access.
I host mine on Skool. It’s an all-in-one platform that gives you a community feed, classroom for lessons, event calendar, and Stripe payments. You can launch your own group in less than an hour.
If you’re ready to start, sign up for Skool here, name your group, add one valuable resource, and invite your first members. Don’t wait until it’s perfect.
Step 3: Use Organic Marketing Instead of Ads
When I stopped relying on ads, I started focusing on organic marketing:
- Posting helpful content consistently on social media
- Building an email list and sending regular updates
- Hosting free challenges or workshops
- Showing up in podcasts, YouTube videos, and collaborations
The key is to give value publicly and then invite people to join your private paid community or membership.
Step 4: Start Small and Scale Over Time
You don’t need hundreds of members to make this work. My first Skool group had 12 paying members at $29/month, which covered my platform costs and gave me proof of concept.
Once you hit your first milestone, you can increase the price, add more value, and grow your income steadily. The beauty of recurring revenue is that it compounds over time.
Step 5: Keep Members Engaged
The secret to recurring revenue is retention. If people leave after one month, you’ll always feel like you’re starting over.
Here’s how I keep my members engaged:
- Welcome each new member personally
- Post weekly updates, prompts, or lessons
- Run at least one live Q&A or call per month
- Celebrate wins and highlight member success
Skool makes this easy with a leaderboard system, calendar, and classroom so members stay active and know exactly where to find things.
Why This Model Works Without Ads
When you build a business around a paid community or membership, your income doesn’t depend on constantly bringing in new leads. Members stay for months (or years) because they feel connected and supported.
This means you can grow at a sustainable pace using organic traffic, collaborations, and word of mouth. And as your group grows, your recurring revenue grows too.
What You Should Do Next
- Sign up for Skool here
- Create your group name and upload a simple welcome message
- Add one resource or lesson that delivers value
- Invite your first 5–10 people (friends, followers, clients)
- Focus on giving them the best experience possible
Even a small group can create recurring income and change the way you run your business.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a huge audience or expensive ads to build a successful business. By focusing on recurring revenue and community, you can create stability and freedom.
For me, that journey started the day I launched my first paid community on Skool. It was simple to set up and gave me everything I needed to succeed without ads.
Your next step: go to Skool and sign up here, create your community, and start building recurring revenue today. This one decision can completely transform your business.
One of the biggest mindset shifts I had to make was realizing I didn’t need a huge audience to succeed. You don’t need thousands of followers or a massive email list. You just need a small group of people who see the value in what you’re offering and are willing to pay for it consistently.
The key to building a recurring revenue business without ads is focusing on quality, not quantity. Even 20 people paying $49/month equals nearly $1,000 in predictable income. And as that base grows, your revenue compounds.
This is why I’m so passionate about community-based businesses. They allow you to grow steadily without the rollercoaster of launches and ad spend. When members feel supported and get results, they stay.
If you’re ready to start, the fastest way is to sign up for Skool here. It’s the same platform I use to run my community, and it will give you everything you need in one place.
Once you’ve set up your group, focus on engaging your first 10 members. These are your founding members, and their success will set the tone for everyone else. Give them your best support, celebrate their wins, and use their feedback to improve the experience.
One tip that helped me early on was offering a beta round at a discounted price. This gave people an incentive to join right away and allowed me to refine my offer without the pressure of perfection.
When it comes to organic marketing, consistency is key. Share valuable content on your social channels, post about your community, and invite people to join. The more you show up, the more people see the value you provide.
I also recommend starting an email list if you haven’t already. Email is a powerful way to build relationships with potential members, and it works even when social media algorithms change. Skool integrates with email tools, so you can stay connected with your audience easily.
Another strategy is to collaborate with other creators or coaches. Guest appearances on podcasts, joint workshops, or cross-promotions can bring new members into your world without spending a dime on ads.
As your group grows, you can add new layers of value like guest expert sessions, bonus trainings, or premium tiers. But don’t try to do it all at once. Start simple and scale over time.
The most important thing is to take action now. You don’t need everything perfectly mapped out. Sign up for Skool, create your group, and invite your first few members. That momentum will keep you moving forward.
Here’s what to do today: go to Skool and sign up here. Create your group name, upload a welcome post, and invite at least 5 people by the end of the week. This one decision can completely change how your business grows from here.