Communities And Business
July 26, 2025
Whether we realize it or not, communities are all around us. They have always been here and we have always either actively or passively participated. But why are communities such a big deal for businesses?
Because humans are drawn to communities. We want to belong to a group of people who share our interests or our situations. It’s human nature. And people will pay money to belong to a community.
Think back to high school. You’re sitting in the cafeteria eating something they called “lunch” and a few tables over was “that” table. The cool kids table. You wanted to be at that table and probably would have paid money to be there. And if you were one of the “cool kids” who sat at that table you probably felt pretty good about yourself. You felt like you belonged to something.
So the other kids had their own tables with a group they belonged to. But we’re all grown up now (most of us are anyway). Those groups have gone away and have been replaced. Now we have entrepreneurs, business owners, engineers, doctors, CEOs, etc. It’s an endless list of groups of people who crave a place to belong. A place to connect with others in their business who they can talk with, learn from, and network with.
How does that help me and you? Someone needs to facilitate such a group. What do you have experience in? What have you done in your life that others can benefit from. You don’t have to be an expert. You just have to know how to bring people together. You don’t have to be mortgage broker or banker to bring together borrowers and lenders in one community site. You don’t have to be a chiropractor to bring chiropractors together to learn how to run a business.
If you can think of a business that exists there is probably a community of those people who pay money to belong to it. Take goat herders as an example. Think they might have a community?
Yes, there are paid online communities for goat herders. What could you possibly get from a goat herder community? Resources, training, a supportive network of other goat herders. Choose any business enterprise and insert their name into a search for “online communities for_____” and you will find communities that provide resources, training and a supportive network.
What makes it such a good business model?
1. It provides recurring revenue. People pay money to be a member. Every month.
2. You serve the people of the community. You provide value and resources to the members.
3. Low entry cost. For two or three hundred bucks a month you can set up a community site and start taking in members. You don’t need paid ads. You can use organic reach and word of mouth.
4. Great return. With 100 members paying you $100 per month you have a 5 figure a month business.
You serve the community, facilitate networking, learning, communication, and a sense of belonging. Provide the members with value and they will provide you with an income and the ability to grow your business to serve more people.
A community is also a way to turn your hobby into a business. Other people will surely have the same hobby as you. They will pay to join a community. Like to draw animals? There are many paid communities for that.
Action Steps:
1. Search for online communities in your business area. Find out what they charge for membership. You might be surprised.
2. Search online for communities of people who have a similar hobby as you.
That's it for this time. See you next week!