The Cluster Levers

Core to the methodology we teach at Thought Leaders Business School (The Curriculum) is the Cluster Strategy.

Listen to the blog here.

The cluster strategy is a powerful approach used by thought leaders to grow their practice by combining three key elements:

• Message (what you know).
• Market (who values that knowledge).
• Method (how you share it). 

Think of each cluster like a spinning plate - your first cluster generates your first $10,000 per month, like your first plate spinning, and you make sure that's stable before adding another. In theory, a thriving black belt practice has six clusters, each bringing in around $10,000 per month. Rather than trying to be all things to all people, you can take one message to one market through one delivery method, get that working well, and then systematically add more clusters to build multiple stable revenue streams.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

This allows thought leaders to sense and experiment their way into building a commercially smart and deeply fulfilling million-dollar expert practice. 

As we design clusters, we want to consider all the variables that make a cluster work. 
The interplay between pricing, scale, impact, intimacy, and commitment is crucial in designing thought leadership offerings. At one end of the spectrum, you might have a $20 ebook that reaches thousands of people but offers limited personal connection. The impact is broad but relatively shallow, and the commitment required from both parties is minimal.

In the middle range, you could have a $15,000 two-day workshop for 20 people. This allows for meaningful group interaction and deeper learning, with moderate commitment from participants and a balance between reach and intimacy.

You might offer a $50,000 year-long one-on-one mentoring program at the higher end. Here, the intimacy is maximal, the impact can be transformational, and the commitment from both parties is substantial. However, this limits your reach to just a handful of clients.

The key is designing a portfolio of offerings across this spectrum - some high-volume/low-price, some medium-reach/medium-price, and some high-price/high-impact. This creates multiple pathways for clients to engage with your expertise while maximising both impact and income.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ You can also explore how luxe or lean the experience is. 

Think beyond price, days, and number of participants. 

If you want access to our new cluster curriculum pack, simply email us at info@thoughtleaders.com.au and we'll get you a copy.

Some ways we can help?

1. Get a copy of our book The Thought Leaders Practice. Request a copy here.
2. Invest in our Foundation Program and learn our curriculum in your own time and at your own pace. Sign up now.
3. Join our online Business School and start making money as you make an impact with the work you were born to do on the planet.  Join our next discovery session.