Here’s a powerful strategy by Doug Boughton for leveraging Skool’s one-time products to maximize revenue and community engagement. It’s simple, it works, and it’s one of the easiest ways to replace the headaches of a low-ticket offer. ➡️ Step 1: Switch from Subscription to One-Time Payment Instead of charging a monthly membership (like $97/month), flip it into a one-time payment (e.g., $997) within your free community. Here's why: - No churn: No more worrying about members dropping off every month. - Higher commitment: When someone pays upfront, they take it seriously. They show up, put in the work, and get results faster. - Cash boost: You’re collecting what would’ve been ten months of payments all at once. Bonus move: Offer the $997 as credit toward a higher-tier program (like a $5k/year coaching program) once they complete the initial program. ➡️ Step 2: Keep Paid Members in the Free Community This doesn’t just boost revenue—it changes the whole vibe of the community. Paid members stay in the free community, and here’s what happens: - Engagement skyrockets: The energy is different when you mix paid and free members. - Creates status: Paid members get perks—special Zoom backgrounds, hotseat feedback—and that makes others want in. - Win visibility: Paid members share their success, which motivates others to step up and upgrade. ➡️ Step 3: Client Spotlights for Social Proof Shine a light on your top paid members. Interview them, promote their communities, and use their testimonials. It’s a win-win—they get exposure, and you get proof that your system works. ➡️ Step 4: Set Up a Smooth System for Paid vs. Free When someone buys the $997 offer: - Unlock the course and call calendar automatically. - Give them access to a paid-only category for exclusive support. - Have your client success manager keep an eye on these posts to prioritize their questions. ➡️ Methods to Sell the $997 Offer 1. Free course in the Start Here module — It’s basically a sales funnel disguised as a free course. 2. Launch posts and email promotions — Do this a few times a month, highlight new bonuses. 3. Onboarding calls — Invite people to enroll, and highlight client wins in pinned posts. 4. Paid member shoutouts during Q&A — Let attendees know they can get in on the action by enrolling. 5. Celebrate new members — Publicly welcome new paid members a couple of times a week. 6. Spotlight paid members — Promote their communities and celebrate their wins. 7. Workshops and other paid products — Sell them separately, or offer as bonuses with $997 enrollment. 8. VSLs in all paid products — Include links to the $997 with extra bonuses. 9. Calendar events — Promote enrollment with event links every month. 10. Free live trainings — Cover topics from the program, with an invite at the end.