Do you really need to keep your group program tiny to ensure everyone has a great experience? It’s a common belief, but let me let you in on a secret: the size of your cohort isn’t what makes or breaks your program—it’s your curriculum and community.
In this post, I’m busting the myth that keeping your group program “small and intimate” is the only way to create a stellar experience for your clients.
If you’ve been holding back from growing your cohort size because you think bigger groups mean lower quality, I’m here to show you why that isn’t true—and how a strong curriculum and a vibey community can do the heavy lifting for you.
Myth: The only way to ensure clients feel seen and supported in a group program is to keep the cohort small.
Maybe you’ve believed this. After all, isn’t intimacy what makes group programs special? Aren’t smaller groups the only way to ensure everyone gets personalised attention?
It’s easy to see why so many of us cling to this belief. We’ve all heard horror stories about people signing up for large group programs and feeling like just another number. And when you’re used to 1:1 work, the idea of scaling your impact without scaling yourself can feel daunting.
Here’s the thing: it’s not your fault for thinking this way. You’re smart, and you care deeply about your clients’ experiences. But this belief might be holding you back from creating the truly scalable and transformational program you want.
When you keep your program small to “protect the experience,” you’re unintentionally capping your impact—and your revenue. You’re stuck in the belief that your presence and personalized attention are the only ways to create results. And that’s exhausting. It also makes it harder to scale because you’re still the bottleneck.
Actually, here’s the truth:
1. Your Curriculum Is the Real MVP
Think of your curriculum as the foundation of your program. When it’s well-structured and results-driven, it gives your clients clarity, direction, and a path to success—no matter how many people are in the group.
How I know: I’ve seen coaches with programs that scale to hundreds of participants, and their clients still rave about the experience because the curriculum is simple, actionable, and impactful.
2. Community Creates Transformation
A thriving community can be even more powerful than 1:1 support. When clients connect, share wins, and support each other, they stay motivated and engaged. And the best part? You don’t have to facilitate every interaction.
How I know: Programs I’ve worked with that prioritize community (using things like Slack channels, accountability pods, or live events) often see higher completion rates and better client results.
3. Big Groups = More Momentum
Larger cohorts create their own energy. More people means more ideas, more perspectives, and more excitement. A big group doesn’t dilute the experience—it amplifies it.
How I know: Think about the vibe at a sold-out concert versus a sparsely attended event. Momentum builds when people see others around them making progress.
Reframe Your Thinking
Instead of focusing on keeping your group small, focus on making your curriculum and community scalable. Ask yourself:
1. Audit Your Curriculum
Is your curriculum doing the heavy lifting? Ensure it’s focused on results, easy to follow, and doesn’t overwhelm your clients with unnecessary fluff.
2. Build a Community Framework
Create intentional spaces for your clients to connect. This could be a Facebook group, Slack channel, or even breakout sessions during live calls. Facilitate conversations, but let the community grow organically too.
3. Shift Your Role
Position yourself as the guide, not the lifeline. Let your curriculum and community take center stage while you step in strategically to lead, inspire, and course-correct as needed.
Let’s talk about Alex, a marketing strategist who used to cap her group program at 10 participants because she thought that was the only way to ensure quality. But after streamlining her curriculum and adding a Slack channel for peer support, she scaled to 50 participants per cohort—and saw better results. Clients loved the energy of the larger group, and Alex finally had the bandwidth to focus on growing her business instead of micromanaging her program.
“But won’t a bigger group feel less personal?”
Not if you set it up right. A strong curriculum and intentional community keep your clients feeling supported and connected.
“What if I’m not ready to handle a bigger cohort?”
You don’t have to go from 10 to 100 overnight. Start by adding a few more spots, test your systems, and tweak as you grow.
The idea that “smaller is better” is holding you back from scaling your group program and serving more people. The real magic isn’t in the size of your cohort—it’s in the strength of your curriculum and the vibe of your community. With these in place, you can scale without sacrificing client experience.
Don’t let this myth keep you stuck. Your clients are ready for the transformation you offer—and with the right framework, you can give it to them at any scale.
If you’re ready to scale your group program without losing that personal touch, let’s chat. My program Rave Results is designed to help you build a curriculum and community that can grow with you. Click here to learn more.