You understand the power of community. You’re sold on the idea of moving beyond a passive audience to build a resilient, subscription-based business. But then, a terrifying thought creeps in: “I only have 800 followers. Who am I to launch a community? I need a massive audience first.”
This single belief is the biggest killer of great communities before they even begin. It’s a myth.
You don’t need a huge audience. You don’t need a fancy launch. You don’t need a complex content calendar. To start, you only need one thing: ten true fans.
Welcome to the concept of the Minimum Viable Community (MVC). Inspired by the “Minimum Viable Product” methodology from the startup world, an MVC is the smallest, simplest version of your community that you can launch to test your idea, deliver real value, and co-create the experience with a core group of dedicated supporters.
Starting with just 10 founding members isn’t a compromise; it’s a strategic advantage. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Hand-Pick Your Founding Ten
This is not a public launch. Do not post “I’m starting a community, who wants to join?” on social media. This initial phase is a private, personal invitation. Your goal is to find the people who are already raising their hands.
Who are they? They are your “true fans.”
- The ones who reply to your newsletters with thoughtful comments.
- The ones who always ask insightful questions on your LinkedIn posts.
- The ones who have sent you DMs asking for your opinion or advice.
- The past clients who loved working with you and respect your expertise.
Your Task (The Invitation): Over the next week, your only job is to identify 15-20 of these people. Then, send them a short, personal message. This is not a sales pitch; it’s a genuine invitation.
- Example Invitation:
“Hey [Name], I’ve really appreciated your thoughtful comments on my posts about [Your Topic] recently.
I’m putting together a small, private group of about 10 people in our field to go deeper on these topics. We’ll have a monthly group call to share what’s working and help each other solve challenges.
Because you’re someone whose opinion I really respect, I wanted to invite you to be a ‘founding member.’ Your feedback would be invaluable in shaping what this becomes.
The founding member rate would be a deeply discounted [e.g., $29/month], and it would never go up for you.
No pressure at all, but would you be interested in hearing a bit more?”
Step 2: Craft the Irresistible “Founding Member” Offer
You are not selling a polished, finished product. You are selling an exclusive status and the opportunity to build something special. This must be reflected in your offer.
- The Price: Offer a significant “founding member” discount. This could be 50% off the future price, locked in for life. This rewards their early belief in you.
- The Promise: Be honest and set clear, simple expectations. Your “Minimum Viable” promise could be as simple as: “One live 90-minute group coaching call with me per month” and “A private, 24/7 chat space on Discord to connect with each other.” That’s it. Don’t overpromise.
- The Position: Frame them as co-creators, not customers. Emphasize that their voice and feedback are critical. “Your input will directly shape the future of this community, from the topics we discuss to the experts I bring in.”
Step 3: The First 30 Days – Your Job is to be a Master Facilitator
You have your ten members. They’ve paid. They’re in the chat space. Now what? Your #1 job is not to create content; it’s to spark connection.
- Host a Kick-Off Call: Get everyone on a group video call in the first week. Don’t teach anything. Your only agenda is to go around the “room” and have everyone introduce themselves and share what they’re hoping to get out of the group. This is the single most important action you can take to turn a collection of individuals into a community.
- Ask Great Questions: In your chat space, be the one who starts the conversations. Post open-ended questions like, “What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing in your business this week?” or “Share a small win you had today!”
- Make Personal Introductions: As you learn about your members, act as a connector. Post publicly: “@Jane, you mentioned you were struggling with copywriting. You should definitely connect with @Mark, he’s a genius at that.”
Starting with a Minimum Viable Community de-risks the entire process. It allows you to test your value proposition, build a loyal and passionate core, and perfect the member experience before you ever think about a public launch. Stop waiting for a bigger audience. Your first ten members are already listening. You just have to invite them to the campfire.