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Thinking of Starting a Skool Community?

If you’re a course creator, coach, or community builder, chances are you’ve come across Skool, a growing platform founded by Sam Ovens in 2019. Skool has been designed to bring education and community under one roof. In 2025, Skool has continued to gain traction as an all-in-one solution for hosting content, managing members, and building recurring revenue.

 

After personally using Skool for three months to run a self-publishing community, I wanted to share my experience and help you decide whether it’s the right platform for you. While I eventually paused my community, the lessons I learned and the potential I saw, left the door open for a future return when I feel I have the right community idea to re-launch.

 

So, let’s dive into what makes Skool different, the pros and cons, how pricing works, and what to expect when launching your own community.

 

What Is Skool?

Skool is an online platform that combines three key features into one:

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  1. Community: Think of it as a private Facebook group without the distractions or ads.
  2. Classroom: Upload your courses, PDFs, videos, and resources in a clean, structured format.
  3. Calendar: Schedule live events, group calls, or coaching sessions with ease.

 

What makes Skool unique is how seamlessly it brings these elements together, creating an engaging hub for both free and paid members. The dashboard is also super user-friendly but I'll cover more of that soon.

You can view my Full Skool Review on YouTube below

How Much Does Skool Cost?

 

Skool charges a flat rate of $99 USD/month, regardless of the number of members in your community. That means whether you have 5 members or 5,000, your monthly cost remains the same.This pricing structure is refreshingly simple compared to platforms that charge based on subscribers or tiers. There are no hidden fees, and you’re free to set your own membership pricing, from free groups to premium communities charging $200 USD+ per month.

My Experience Running a Skool Community

I launched a Skool community focused on self-publishing and ran it for about three months. I initially charged $19/month and attracted 30 paying members during that time.

While I ultimately chose to pause the community to focus on other projects, I still covered the full cost of the platform, and then some. It was a great chance to test the waters, refine my content delivery, and understand what members valued most.

 

The main takeaway? Skool works. But, be WARNED, it requires your attention, energy, and consistent engagement to truly thrive. If you’re not ready to show up for your members regularly, it may not be the right time. Because members are paying a monthly subscription fee, they deserve and expect your regular involvement in weekly livestreams or addressing questions. It is NOT a set and forget community.

Pros of Using Skool

Here’s what stood out as major benefits during my time using Skool:

 

✅ Predictable, Flat Pricing

No complex tiered plans or growth penalties. Just $99/month (at the time of writing), whether you’re just starting or scaling fast.

 

✅ All-in-One Simplicity

Skool brings your courses, community discussions, and event scheduling into one intuitive dashboard.

 

✅ Engaged Member Experience

Members can unlock content as they progress, earn points through participation, and feel part of something bigger.

 

✅ Scalable Monetization

You control your pricing. Some communities charge $10/month, while others charge $500+. Many creators are earning five to six figures per month by providing real value.

 

✅ Affiliate Program

Skool rewards you for referring new members with a generous recurring commission of $40 USD per person. This is certainly helpful for creators looking to monetize beyond just community fees.

What to Consider Before Launching

While Skool has many upsides, there are a few things you should know before diving in:

 

🚧 You Must Stay Involved

Skool isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it platform. Members expect fresh content, regular updates, and your ongoing presence.

 

🚧 You’re Responsible for Promotion

Skool doesn’t market your community for you. Unlike Udemy or other course marketplaces, you’ll need to drive traffic and visibility yourself, through YouTube, email, social media, or ads.

 

🚧 Cancellation of Your Community Requires Communication

If you decide to close your group, you’ll need to give your members a minimum of 30 days notice so they’re not billed unexpectedly. This means planning ahead and being transparent.

Who Is Skool Best For?

Skool is a great fit for:

  • Course creators who want more than just a learning platform

  • Coaches and consultants building paid communities

  • Experts with a niche audience and valuable knowledge to share

  • Creators tired of juggling multiple tools (Facebook Groups, Zoom, Kajabi, Teachable, Discord etc.)

 

You don’t need to be a celebrity or have a massive following. If you’re a few steps ahead of your ideal member and committed to helping them grow, that’s more than enough to start.

 

Real Examples of Skool Success

The platform is home to thousands of thriving communities. Here are a few highlights:

  • A health-focused group for menopausal women has 13,000 members at $10/month—generating over $130,000/month.

  • A language teaching group charges $27/month with 309 members, earning $8,343/month.

  • Even free groups benefit from strong community building and affiliate growth.

 

These examples show the range of what’s possible, whether your goal is income, impact, or both.

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Where to From Here?

 

Skool is more than just a platform, it’s a business model and one that rewards consistency, authenticity, and a clear value proposition.

 

If you have a skill, a message, or a mission to share, launching a Skool community might be the perfect next step. And if you’re like me, curious, experienced, but weighing the timing, it’s worth exploring now so you're ready when the opportunity strikes.

 

If you’d like to take a closer look at Skool and see how it might work for your business or brand, get started below.

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