Buckle up, community builders! We're about to dive into the wild ride of Jennifer Gizzi, the interior design influencer who traded paint swatches for profit margins. This former Air Force Academy grad and CrossFit gym owner didn't just pivot - she pole-vaulted into the world of online business coaching, turning her 630,000 Instagram followers into a goldmine of opportunity.
This post is my attempt to break down the key takeaways from the Skool Stories podcast with Jennifer Gizzi who scaled to $55,000 in just 30 days (full episode below).
馃摎Key Lessons from Jennifer's Success:
- Leverage existing influence: Jennifer utilized her large Instagram following to launch her coaching business, demonstrating the power of existing platforms.
- Focus on genuine conversations: Instead of traditional marketing, Jennifer relied on personal DM conversations to enroll members, emphasizing authenticity.
- Create a safe, supportive environment: Jennifer prioritized building a space where members feel comfortable sharing challenges and celebrating wins.
- Address the whole person: Her coaching goes beyond just business tactics, addressing personal growth and work-life balance issues.
- Embrace transparency: Jennifer openly shares her own struggles and journey, fostering trust and relatability with her community.
- Prioritize retention and community value: After initial growth, Jennifer focused on providing exceptional value to existing members rather than constant recruitment.
馃幆Action Items for Community Owners:
- Audit your existing platforms: Identify your largest and most engaged audience Create a content plan to organically introduce your coaching offer
- Implement a DM strategy: Craft a series of conversation starters for DMs. Set a goal to have 5-10 meaningful conversations daily. Track conversion rates from DM conversations to paid memberships.
- Foster a supportive community culture: Create weekly threads for sharing wins and challenges. Implement a peer support system where experienced members mentor newcomers. Host monthly "vulnerability sessions" where members can openly discuss struggles.
- Expand your coaching focus: Survey members to identify top personal development needs. Incorporate mindset and work-life balance topics into your content calendar. Bring in guest experts for holistic growth workshops
- Share your personal journey: Create a "founder's story" highlight on Instagram or a dedicated page on your website. Regularly share personal anecdotes and lessons learned in your community. Be open about your own challenges and how you're overcoming them.
- Prioritize member retention: Implement a "member of the month" spotlight to recognize engaged participants. Create an advanced tier or mastermind for long-term members. Conduct quarterly surveys to gather feedback and improve your offering.
- Balance growth and quality: Set a cap on new monthly enrollments to maintain community quality. Create a waiting list to build anticipation and qualify leads. Focus on deepening relationships with existing members through personalized outreach.
What will you implement in your community based on the key takeaways shared in this post?