How to Use Member Spotlights to Keep Your Community Thriving

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One of the biggest reasons people stay engaged in an online community is because they feel seen, valued, and appreciated. If members feel like just another number, they’ll disengage.

The solution? Member spotlights.

Ryan Duncan has seen that Skool communities that regularly feature and celebrate members experience:

✅ Higher engagement, as members feel recognized and involved

✅ Stronger community culture, where people actively support each other

✅ Lower churn, as members have more emotional investment in staying

In this guide, you’ll learn:

✅ Why member spotlights keep Skool communities thriving

✅ How to structure a high-impact member spotlight system

✅ The best ways to feature members and increase participation

Want to see a community that actively highlights its members? Join Ryan’s free Skool community and experience how recognition increases engagement.

Why Member Spotlights Keep Communities Alive

People stay in communities for connection, not just content. Recognizing members publicly creates a stronger emotional bond between members and the group.

The Key Benefits of Running Member Spotlights

✔ Boosts Engagement – People engage more when they know their efforts could be recognized.

✔ Encourages Contribution – Members post more, share more, and help others when they see active contributors being featured.

✔ Strengthens Retention – Members who feel valued are more likely to stay long-term.

✔ Builds a Positive Community Culture – A culture of celebration and support keeps the group active.

📌 Example: Communities that highlight at least one member per week see higher participation rates than those that don’t.

Pro Tip: If members feel invisible, they’ll disengage. Making them feel valued keeps them hooked.

How to Structure a Member Spotlight System in Skool

For member spotlights to be effective, they need consistency and a repeatable format.

1. Create a Weekly or Monthly Spotlight Rhythm

✔ Decide on a frequency – Weekly for active communities, monthly for smaller ones.

✔ Pick a specific day – Example: “Member Spotlight Monday” or “Feature Friday”.

✔ Announce it as a regular part of your community’s culture.

📌 Example: Communities that make Member Spotlights a ritual see higher long-term engagement.

2. Choose Spotlight Criteria (What Gets a Member Featured?)

To keep the system fair and engaging, set clear criteria for selecting members.

✔ Engagement-Based: Members who actively comment, post, or contribute value.

✔ Win-Based: Members who have achieved a milestone or success story.

✔ Helpfulness: Those who support others, answer questions, or mentor new members.

✔ New Member Feature: Highlight new, engaged members to make them feel welcome.

📌 Example: Some Skool groups run a “Top Contributor of the Month” feature based on points and leaderboard rankings.

Pro Tip: If members know what behaviors lead to recognition, they’ll naturally engage more.

3. Create a Member Spotlight Post Template

To make spotlights easy to create and engaging, use a consistent format.

Example Member Spotlight Post Template

🔥 Member Spotlight: [Member Name] 🔥

👏 This week, we’re celebrating [Member Name], who has been absolutely crushing it in the community!

✨ What They’ve Been Up To:

🚀 [Share their recent achievement or contribution]

💡 [Highlight something valuable they’ve shared]

🤝 [Mention how they’ve helped other members]

🎯 Their #1 Piece of Advice for the Community:

🗣 “[Insert a quote from the member on what’s helped them succeed].”

Drop a 🔥🔥🔥 in the comments to show some love for [Member Name]!

✔ Why This Works:

Makes the member feel special.

Encourages positive reinforcement and comments.

Creates a culture of celebrating wins.

📌 Example: Communities that tag featured members in their spotlights get 3x more interaction than those that don’t.

Pro Tip: Always ask the featured member for a short quote—it makes the post more personal.

4. Turn Member Spotlights Into Content & Engagement Triggers

Spotlights should do more than just feature members—they should spark engagement and community growth.

✔ Encourage Discussion – End each spotlight with a question (e.g., “What’s your biggest takeaway from [Member’s] journey?”).

✔ Turn It Into a Lesson – If the member shares a strategy that worked, turn it into a community lesson.

✔ Create a ‘Hall of Fame’ Thread – A dedicated pinned post where all spotlights are stored for new members to see.

📌 Example: Instead of just saying “Congrats to [Member Name]”, Skool groups that turn member wins into actionable insights get higher engagement.

Advanced Member Spotlight Strategies for More Engagement

1. Run “Member of the Month” Polls

✔ Let members nominate and vote for top contributors.

✔ Creates fun competition and boosts participation.

✔ Encourages more members to engage so they can be featured.

📌 Example: Some Skool groups run a monthly poll where members vote for the person who’s been most helpful that month.

2. Combine Spotlights With Live Events

✔ Feature the spotlighted member in a live Q&A or interview.

✔ Gives them a chance to share deeper insights with the community.

✔ Builds more connection and trust within the group.

📌 Example: If a member has achieved a major milestone, invite them to share their story live on a Zoom call.

3. Create a Leaderboard for Top Contributors

✔ Use Skool’s built-in point system to track engagement.

✔ Recognize the top 3 contributors weekly or monthly.

✔ Use titles like “MVP of the Month” or “Community Legend.”

📌 Example: A Skool group could feature “Top 3 Contributors of the Week” in a leaderboard post.

Pro Tip: Public recognition motivates members to engage more.

How to Keep Member Spotlights Fresh & Engaging

✔ Rotate different types of spotlights (e.g., “Rising Star,” “Top Mentor,” “Most Improved”).

✔ Let members nominate each other—this increases participation.

✔ Include photos or short video clips to make posts more engaging.

✔ Encourage members to tag others in comments to create discussions.

📌 Example: Communities that change up their spotlight criteria keep engagement higher than those that repeat the same format.

Pro Tip: Member spotlights should feel like an honor, not a routine post. Keep them exciting and engaging!

Join a Community That Celebrates Its Members

Want to see how a structured member spotlight strategy increases engagement? Join Ryan’s free Skool community and experience how recognition creates long-term participation.