Onboarding Blueprint: Hook New Members in the First 10 Minutes

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When it comes to growing a thriving Skool community, Ryan Duncan’s onboarding framework is second to none. Ryan has helped countless community leaders transition from disorganized chaos to structured onboarding systems that engage new members right from the start. His proven approach is designed to answer a key question: How do you ensure new members stay, engage, and convert into paying clients?

The quick answer is to nail the first 10 minutes. In those moments, your members decide whether to explore your community further or click away, never to return. Ryan's onboarding blueprint—rooted in pinned posts, auto-DMs, and a well-organized "Start Here" classroom—provides clarity, builds momentum, and primes members for success.

If you want to see Ryan’s strategies in action, join his free Skool community here and experience an onboarding process that converts.

Why the First 10 Minutes Matter

As Ryan always says, “The first impression is the most powerful sales pitch you’ll never have to give.” People join a community because they’re excited to solve a problem or learn something new. If they can’t figure out what to do right away, they’ll leave—taking their potential value with them.

Here’s why the first 10 minutes are so critical:

They establish trust. A clear and welcoming first experience shows you’re a professional who respects their time.

They guide action. Members need to know what to do next—whether it’s watching a video, commenting, or downloading a resource.

They reduce overwhelm. Structure and simplicity help new members feel confident and comfortable.

They build loyalty. If someone sees value immediately, they’ll be much more likely to stick around, engage, and eventually invest.

Ryan compares this to hosting a party: if your guests walk in and find a messy living room with no instructions or introductions, they’ll feel awkward and want to leave. But if you greet them at the door, show them where the snacks are, and introduce them to others, they’ll settle in and stay.

Auto-DM & Welcome Post

Ryan’s onboarding strategy starts with two essential tools: the Auto-DM and the Pinned Welcome Post. Together, these ensure every new member knows exactly what to do the moment they join.

Auto-DM: Start with a Personal Touch

Ryan recommends setting up an Auto-DM that’s short, friendly, and actionable. Think of it as a virtual handshake that welcomes members and points them in the right direction.

Here’s an example Auto-DM based on Ryan’s approach:

“Hey [Name]! Welcome to [Community Name]. We’re so excited to have you here! 🎉 Your first step is to check out the pinned ‘Start Here’ post—it’s packed with everything you need to get the most out of this group. Got questions? Just reply to this message—I’d love to help!”

Pro Tips from Ryan:

Use the Auto-DM to reassure members they made the right choice by joining.

Include one clear action step (e.g., “Go to the pinned post”).

Keep it conversational and welcoming.

Pinned Welcome Post: Your Community’s Front Door

Ryan always emphasizes the importance of a pinned Welcome Post that acts as a central hub for new members. This post should include:

A Warm Welcome: A friendly introduction that reflects your personality.

A Quick Intro Video: Ryan suggests keeping this under 3 minutes, explaining who you are, what the community is about, and what members will gain by participating.

Key Links: Direct them to essential resources, such as the Classroom or upcoming events.

Clear Instructions: Ask members to take one simple action, like introducing themselves in the comments or watching the first video in the "Start Here" classroom.

Ryan often reminds community leaders, “Your pinned post is like your homepage. Make it simple, valuable, and impossible to ignore.”

“Start Here” Classroom

One of the most effective onboarding tools Ryan swears by is the “Start Here” Classroom, a feature built into Skool. This section gives new members an organized, step-by-step guide to navigating your community.

What Should the “Start Here” Classroom Include?

Welcome Video: A friendly overview of the community’s purpose and how it will help them achieve their goals.

Community Tour: A short walkthrough showing how to use the platform, where to find key posts, and how to join calls or discussions.

Next Steps: A clear call to action, like completing a mini-task or introducing themselves in the community feed.

Ryan’s secret? He keeps his Classroom lessons short and actionable. For example, a 5-minute video showing how to navigate the platform eliminates confusion and gets members interacting right away.

Sparking First Interaction

Ryan believes the fastest way to engage new members is by encouraging them to interact within their first day. As he puts it, “People don’t stay because of what they consume—they stay because of how they contribute.”

Strategies to Get Members Talking

Introduce Yourself Thread: Ryan always pins a thread inviting new members to share their name, location, and why they joined. It’s a great icebreaker and instantly creates a sense of belonging.

First Post Prompt: Ask members, “What’s one thing you hope to learn or achieve here?” This gets them thinking about their goals and sharing with the group.

Quick Win Challenge: Ryan often challenges new members to complete a small task, like watching a video or commenting on someone else’s post. This creates momentum and reinforces engagement.

Connect Onboarding to Monetization

While the onboarding process might seem purely functional, Ryan’s system is also deeply tied to monetization. By creating a seamless experience that encourages engagement, he primes members for future conversions.

Here’s how onboarding supports monetization:

Trust Is Built Early: Members who feel guided and supported are more likely to invest in your paid offers.

Engagement Drives Sales: Active members—those who comment, DM, or participate in calls—are statistically more likely to convert into paying clients.

Seeds Are Planted: Ryan often hints at the benefits of his paid programs in the Classroom or pinned posts, subtly encouraging members to take the next step.

A Quick Look at the Onboarding Funnel

Below is a brief table showing how onboarding ties into a free-to-paid funnel within the first few days:

Phase	User Action	Your Role	Outcome
Join	Sees your public invite or link	Provide a clear, compelling reason to join	Low barrier entry; user curiosity sparked
Auto-DM	Receives immediate welcome message	Personalize greeting, direct them to pinned post	User feels recognized and guided
Pinned Post	Watches intro video, learns community basics	Offer simple instruction and free resources	Quick wins and trust-building
“Start Here” Classroom	Consumes orientation lessons	Show how to navigate, highlight the main value	Deeper engagement, sense of direction
First Interaction	Introduces self, comments on a post	Welcome them warmly, reply to comments quickly	Positive feedback loop; user invests in community
Ongoing Engagement	Browses content, joins calls, interacts with posts	Monitor engagement; keep track of “hot” members	Prime audience for future paid offers

Common Onboarding Pitfalls (and Ryan’s Solutions)

Even a great plan can hit snags. Here are common mistakes and how Ryan addresses them:

Overloading New Members: Bombarding people with too much information or too many steps can overwhelm them. Solution: Focus on one or two key actions.

Generic Messaging: Sending bland or impersonal Auto-DMs feels robotic. Solution: Personalize the message and include your voice.

No Interaction Prompt: If members don’t engage early, they’ll likely disengage entirely. Solution: Always include a “first post” or comment prompt in your pinned post.

Action Steps

Here’s a quick checklist based on Ryan’s onboarding blueprint:

Set Up Your Auto-DM: Write a short, friendly welcome message with one clear action step.

Craft a Pinned Welcome Post: Include an intro video, links to resources, and a simple action prompt.

Create a “Start Here” Classroom: Add a concise welcome video and a step-by-step guide to your community.

Encourage First Interaction: Use an “Introduce Yourself” thread or a small challenge to spark engagement.

Track Results: Monitor how many members complete these steps and adjust as needed.

FAQs

What if my community is brand new and I have no content yet?

Start small. Record a 5-minute intro video and place it in a “Start Here” Classroom module. Even minimal structure helps you appear more organized and welcoming than having nothing at all.

How do I handle different types of members with different goals?

Create multiple short modules or pinned posts. For instance, if some members are total beginners and others are advanced, you can have separate “Start Here” paths but keep them equally concise.

Can I automate further than just an Auto-DM?

Yes, but keep it simple in the beginning. You can set up drip emails or chatbots outside Skool, but many find Skool’s built-in features enough to manage a smooth onboarding flow.

Should I mention paid offers right away?

A light mention or “coming soon” reference is fine, but don’t oversell. Let them explore the community and build trust first. People are more open to offers once they see real value in your free content.

How do I measure onboarding success?

Look at new member retention (do they return after Day 1?), first-week engagement (do they comment, watch videos, or download resources?), and ultimately, conversions to your paid offer (in the longer term).

Conclusion

Ryan Duncan’s onboarding framework is designed to make every new member feel welcome, confident, and excited about participating in your Skool community. By nailing the first 10 minutes, you set the stage for long-term engagement, trust, and even monetization.

If you’d like to see this system in action, join Ryan’s free Skool community today and experience firsthand how a smooth onboarding flow can transform your membership funnel.