How to Start a Paid Group Without Using Patreon or Gumroad
When I first wanted to monetize my audience, the obvious platforms that came up were Patreon and Gumroad. They’re well-known, easy to set up, and used by a lot of creators. But after trying them, I quickly realized they weren’t designed for what I needed — a real, interactive, paid community where members could learn, connect, and grow together.
That’s when I found Skool, and honestly, it changed everything. If you’re looking to start a paid group and don’t want to deal with the limitations of Patreon or Gumroad, let me show you exactly how I did it — and why I believe Skool is the best choice.
Table of Contents
Why I Left Patreon and Gumroad Behind
Patreon was great for basic memberships, but it lacked flexibility. There was no real sense of community, and the content delivery system felt clunky. Gumroad was fine for digital products, but it’s not built for ongoing interaction or community building. I didn’t want to just sell — I wanted to create an experience.
Skool: The All-in-One Platform I Use Now
After testing several options, I discovered Skool, and it instantly felt like home. With Skool, I was able to create a paid group that included my content, my community, a calendar for live sessions, and a built-in leaderboard for engagement — all in one place.
What I loved the most? No extra plugins. No email tools needed. No stress. Just a simple dashboard that works right out of the box.
Step-by-Step: How I Started My Paid Group
1. I Chose My Niche and Offer
Before jumping into the platform, I clarified what I wanted to offer. My group is focused on helping people grow online, so I mapped out a few core lessons, a weekly call, and a Q&A forum.
2. I Signed Up to Skool
I used my own affiliate link to test the waters: https://www.skool.com/signup?ref=1ec568c8b52c4003bec6f83bc60e710c. In less than 10 minutes, I had my group created, named, and customized with my branding.
3. I Added My Course Content
Skool lets you organize your videos and lessons inside a classroom section. I uploaded my welcome video, training modules, and bonus materials without needing to learn a single line of code.
4. I Set My Pricing
I connected Stripe inside Skool and set my monthly fee. Everything from sign-up to payment processing is handled by the platform. No more chasing payments or worrying about access management.
5. I Launched to My Audience
I posted about the group on my email list, social media, and YouTube. Since it was clean, professional, and easy to use, people joined quickly — and stuck around.
Why Skool Works Better Than Patreon or Gumroad
Real Community: Members aren’t just “subscribers.” They’re part of a space where they can engage, comment, and support each other. That kind of connection builds loyalty.
All-in-One Access: I don’t need to link people to Zoom, Dropbox, Discord, or Calendly. It’s all inside the platform.
Gamification: Skool uses a simple points system that keeps members coming back. They want to interact, rank up, and stay involved — which keeps my retention high.
Recurring Revenue: Unlike Gumroad, which is mainly one-time purchases, Skool makes it easy to build a stable monthly income.
Clean Design: My group looks legit. No messy interfaces. No confusing navigation. Just a professional experience that’s easy for everyone to use.
How Much Does Skool Cost?
At the time of writing, it’s $99/month — and worth every cent. I replaced 4 tools with just one. If you’re serious about running a paid group, that cost is minimal compared to the value it brings.
Can You Do This Without a Website?
Absolutely. You don’t need a site, email list, or even a funnel. You can use your Skool group as your main hub, and drive traffic directly to it using content on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or whatever platform you’re already on.
My First 10 Members Paid for the Platform
I launched with a small $27/month offer, and just 10 people joining already covered my Skool subscription. From there, the group started to grow through word of mouth and organic promotion. And the best part? It all runs smoothly without me micromanaging it.
How to Get Started Right Now
If you want to create your own paid group without the stress of building a website or connecting 5 different tools, I highly recommend Skool. You can sign up here with my affiliate link, and start building your community in less than an hour.
Trust me, if I knew about this sooner, I would’ve skipped the mess with Patreon and Gumroad altogether.
One of the biggest challenges I faced before switching was the lack of control. On Patreon, you’re stuck with their layout, their limitations, and their lack of real-time engagement. Gumroad wasn’t built for ongoing interaction either — it’s more of a “buy and download” type of experience. I wanted something deeper. I wanted transformation. Skool gave me that.
Skool also gave me more freedom with pricing. On Patreon, your tiers are static. On Skool, I could experiment with monthly pricing, bundles, upsells, or one-time offers — all without hiring a tech team. It’s flexible, and that flexibility helped me find the sweet spot for my audience.
What surprised me the most was how fast I got results. I didn’t launch with a big list or run ads. I simply explained my offer, used my story, and dropped my group link. Within days, members joined — and many stayed long-term. That’s the power of combining authenticity with the right tool.
With Skool, I also stopped worrying about tech headaches. No WordPress plugins breaking. No extra Zapier zaps. No ugly redirects. I just log in, post new lessons, answer questions, and keep building value. It feels like I finally got my time and energy back.
I love that Skool gives you insights and data that actually matter. I can see who’s most active, what lessons are being completed, and where people are dropping off. That helps me improve the experience and serve my members better.
Another huge win is the built-in calendar feature. I host live Q&As, bonus calls, and mastermind sessions — and everything is listed right inside the group. No Google Calendar links. No “check your email” reminders. Members always know where to go and when.
Skool also made it easier to create mini-courses inside the community. Let’s say I want to reward my most loyal members — I can simply add hidden modules, unlockable content, or even milestone bonuses based on engagement. Try doing that on Patreon or Gumroad — you can’t.
I started treating my Skool group like a digital clubhouse. Members don’t just consume content — they contribute ideas, share their wins, and collaborate with others. That kind of community energy can’t be replicated by one-way platforms like Gumroad.
Also, the design matters. Skool’s clean interface makes it feel like a premium experience. I don’t need to worry about branding hacks or external themes. The platform looks modern and runs smoothly on all devices. That builds trust.
If I had to start from scratch today, I wouldn’t waste a second on older platforms. I’d go straight to Skool using this link, and focus on building a community that brings long-term income and real transformation.
It’s not just about money — it’s about ownership. With Skool, I own the relationship with my members. I can communicate freely, adjust the offer as I grow, and keep 100% control over my content. That’s the kind of leverage every creator deserves.
So if you’ve been thinking about launching a paid group but you’re tired of outdated tools, I say skip the middlemen. Start smart, stay focused, and build your group on Skool here. I’m glad I did.