Skool Community Calls: Boost Retention and Revenue

Skool Community Calls: Boost Retention and Revenue
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The best Skool communities don’t just rely on static content—they create real-time, interactive experiences that bring members closer together. Live community calls are one of the most effective ways to increase engagement, build relationships, and convert free members into paying customers.
Ryan Duncan has used community engagement calls to turn casual members into active contributors, leading to higher retention rates, more referrals, and increased revenue. Whether it’s Q&A sessions, structured workshops, or even fun hobby-based events, these calls give members a reason to stay and participate.
This guide breaks down how to run high-impact community calls, from choosing the right format to structuring the agenda for maximum interaction and conversions.
Want to see how well-run community calls work? Join Ryan’s free Skool community here and attend your first live session.

Why Live Calls Are Essential for Community Growth

While asynchronous content (recorded lessons, posts, and discussions) is valuable, it doesn’t replace real-time interaction.

Key Benefits of Hosting Regular Community Calls:

Boosts Retention – Members who show up to calls are more likely to stay engaged long-term.
Builds Trust & Authority – Live interaction allows for deeper relationships and more credibility.
Encourages Immediate Action – A live Q&A or workshop creates urgency and motivation.
Increases Conversions – Calls can be used strategically to introduce paid offers in an organic, high-value way.
Creates a Stronger Sense of Community – Nothing builds camaraderie like real-time conversations and shared experiences.
Pro Tip: Ryan has seen that members who attend at least two live calls are 3x more likely to upgrade to a paid offer because they feel more invested.

Types of Community Calls That Drive Engagement & Sales

Not all calls are the same. The best Skool communities mix different formats to keep members engaged and coming back for more.

1. Q&A and Office Hours

  • Best for: Answering common member questions, troubleshooting challenges, and building trust.
  • Structure: 45-60 minutes where members can submit questions in advance or ask live.
  • Engagement Boost: Encourage members to share wins and challenges before the call to get them involved.

2. Workshops & Training Sessions

  • Best for: Teaching actionable skills with real-time implementation.
  • Structure: Educational component (30 min), interactive exercise (15 min), Q&A (15 min).
  • Engagement Boost: Create a downloadable workbook or checklist for members to follow along.

3. Hot Seat Coaching & Live Feedback

  • Best for: Providing hands-on support and personalized advice.
  • Structure: One member at a time presents a challenge, gets direct feedback, and the group learns from it.
  • Engagement Boost: Rotate featured members each week to ensure everyone gets value.

4. Social & Hobby-Based Calls

  • Best for: Building relationships in a casual, fun setting.
  • Examples: Virtual coffee chats, industry roundtables, even social hobby calls like Bachata dancing!
  • Engagement Boost: Use themed calls (e.g., “Wins & Lessons of the Week”) to create consistency.
Pro Tip: Ryan has hosted hobby-based calls that led to unexpected connections and collaborations. Sometimes, bonding over shared interests is just as valuable as business-focused discussions.

How to Structure a High-Impact Community Call

The difference between a high-value call and one that feels disorganized is the structure. Here’s a simple framework to follow:

1. Opening (5-10 minutes)

  • Welcome members and set expectations for the session.
  • Quick icebreaker (if relevant).
  • Encourage chat engagement early—ask, “Where’s everyone tuning in from?”

2. Main Content (30-40 minutes)

  • Q&A Sessions: Start with pre-submitted questions, then take live ones.
  • Workshops: Teach, then transition into an interactive exercise.
  • Guest Interviews: Have a structured discussion, followed by open Q&A.

3. Interaction & Breakouts (Optional – 10-15 minutes)

  • Use Zoom breakout rooms or group discussions to deepen participation.
  • Encourage members to share their takeaways before wrapping up.

4. Closing & Call to Action (5-10 minutes)

  • Summarize key takeaways.
  • Announce the next session to create anticipation.
  • Introduce an action step (e.g., “Post your biggest insight in the Skool feed!”).
  • If relevant, mention a paid offer naturally—no hard selling, just value stacking.

Promotion & Follow-Up: Maximizing Attendance & Engagement

A great call means nothing if no one shows up. Here’s how to ensure high attendance and ongoing engagement.

1. Promote the Call Effectively

  • Pin a post in your Skool community announcing the call 7 days in advance.
  • Send DM reminders to engaged members 24 hours before the event.
  • Use an email reminder sequence (if applicable).
  • Post a short teaser video highlighting what members will learn.

2. Keep Engagement Going After the Call

  • Post a summary in the community feed with key takeaways.
  • Ask members to drop their biggest insight from the session in the comments.
  • Upload the recording in the Skool Classroom for members who missed it.
Pro Tip: Ryan has seen that re-engaging members after a call significantly increases participation in future sessions.

Case Study: Using Hobby-Based Calls to Build Engagement

One of Ryan’s most successful community call experiments was hosting a non-business call around Bachata dancing.

Why It Worked:

  • It was unexpected and gave members a reason to connect outside of business topics.
  • It led to deeper relationships and stronger networking opportunities.
  • It resulted in higher participation in future calls, as members felt more personally connected to each other.
Not every call has to be business-focused—sometimes social experiences make your community even stronger.

Join a Free Community Call & See It in Action

Want to experience how a high-impact community call works? Join Ryan’s free Skool community and attend your first live session.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How often should I host community calls?

It depends on your engagement goals, but once a week or every two weeks is a great starting point.

2. What platform should I use for community calls?

Zoom is the most popular, but some communities use Google Meet or Skool’s built-in calendar feature to schedule and remind members.

3. Should I record my calls?

Yes! Always record and upload them to the Skool Classroom so members who missed them can watch later.

4. How do I get more members to show up live?

Send multiple reminders (one week before, one day before, and an hour before). Also, offer a reason to attend live, like exclusive Q&A time.

5. Can community calls be monetized?

Absolutely! Many Skool owners use live calls to introduce paid offers, upsell coaching, or run paid mastermind groups.

Conclusion

Community engagement calls are one of the most powerful tools for increasing retention, building stronger relationships, and driving more revenue inside your Skool community. Whether it’s a tactical Q&A, a hands-on workshop, or even a casual hangout, live calls bring people together in ways static content can’t.
Want to experience the impact of live calls firsthand? Join Ryan’s free Skool community and jump into the next live session.

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