Mastermind Moves: The 4-Question Fit Test  ## Metadata - Author: [[The Amy Porterfield Show]] - Full Title: Mastermind Moves: The 4-Question Fit Test - Category: #podcasts - URL: https://share.snipd.com/episode/f9c32a19-881b-4c03-a49d-b5d49c0070dc ## Document Notes ## Highlights - **Community-Powered Launch Wins** - Amy describes Devin, a Millie Club member, who launched her course using an engaged Facebook community and email marketing instead of webinars. - Devin offered meaningful waitlist perks and achieved her biggest launch yet using simple, authentic marketing. Transcript: Amy Porterfield And I've gotten to understand her business at a deeper level. So here's what she does. She has a podcast. It's called Point Me to First Class. Such a great name because it's a show for professionals and business owners with higher than average personal or business expenses who want to leverage these expenses into credit Card points that they could spend on travel. So very specific, right? And she has a program called Points Made Easy. Now, here's why I wanted to bring her up on this episode. She just had her biggest launch yet. And why that's so significant is she just has one program that she sells a few times a year. And get this, she doesn't do webinars. She doesn't do video sales letters, VSLs. She doesn't even do bootcamps. And you all know how I feel about a really good bootcamp. What Devin has is a community on Facebook that she has nurtured for a while now. And this community is really engaged and she's engaged in the community and it has grown over the years. And when she launches her course, she uses the community to let everybody know that it's coming, which they get on a waitlist. I'm going to tell you about her wait list in a moment. It's not an average wait list. And then when she launches, when she opens the doors to her program, it's an email marketing campaign. Now for her to be in the Millie Club means that she makes really good money for the record. So I'm not going to give her numbers away, but she did incredibly well. Biggest launch yet just recently with a community, a waitlist and email marketing. ([Time 0:00:55](https://share.snipd.com/snip/e8f6f8bf-68dc-497d-b526-99806ac49d43)) - **Readiness Is A Decision** - Readiness for a mastermind is a decision, not a feeling, based on whether your next 12 months depend on better thinking and a stronger inner circle. - If your environment won't support faster, better decisions, it's time to find a new room. Transcript: Amy Porterfield The thing is you don't wait until you feel ready because readiness isn't a feeling. It's a decision. Readiness isn't a feeling. It's a decision. And here's how you know that you're ready to join a mastermind. You gotta ask yourself, if your next 12 months depend on the quality of your thinking and your strategy and your inner circle, is your current environment built to support that? I'm gonna ask you that one more time. If your next 12 months depend on the quality of your thinking, your strategy, and your inner circle, which hint, they do, then is your current environment built to support that? If the answer is no, it's time to look for a mastermind. Now, at this level, it's not always about learning more. It's about making better, faster, more aligned decisions. So you know you're ready when content isn't what you're craving anymore. This is really interesting and actually funny I'm bringing it up now because it kind of relates to last week's episode when I talked to Julie Solomon and we talked about messaging. And she said that you don't want to market to people that all they want is five steps to this and 10 steps to that and 20 steps to this. Cause she said, you're going to give them 50 million steps and they're not going to make any decisions. So she gets into that and why that matters in that episode. So just amyporterfield.com forward slash 35. You could go check it out. But I want to repeat really the point here. You know when you're ready for something bigger, when you're not just craving more information or more content. ([Time 0:07:41](https://share.snipd.com/snip/d0b3f81a-c0f0-4980-b183-bfacb255285b)) - **Vet The Host First** - Audit the host: respect their business, leadership style, and transparency about methods before joining. - Remember you borrow the host's lens, so ensure their values and boundaries align with how you want to lead. Transcript: Amy Porterfield First, you've got to audit the host. Do you respect the host, let's say, business or circumstances? Like, it's not always about business, right? You could join a mastermind that could be about something other than business. But because I speak to people about growing their businesses and making money, I'll just use that as an example here. But let's say you wanted to join a mastermind to grow your business. Do you respect the host business? Would you trade places with them in some areas? And that's such a great question because the mastermind shouldn't be all about the host, but the host is going to have a big part in your journey of transformation. And so you've got to ask yourself that. And this host that is putting on the mastermind, are they transparent about what their methods are, their strategies are, and are they willing to share how they got there? So are they going to take you behind the scenes in a way that could really help you? Because you're not just learning from their strategies, you're borrowing their lens. So you're looking at their values and their leadership style and their boundaries and how they manage their time and how they lead their team and how they show up in the world. That energy is going to influence you. So you've got to really respect the person who is encouraging you to join their mastermind. And if you say, yeah, Amy, okay, I'm thinking of a program. I respect the host. Then look at who they attract. So masterminds are rarely about the curriculum. Like I don't even have a set curriculum for either of my Millie club or my made to scale mastermind. Now there's teaching for sure. And there are strategies and nuances and techniques that I know I'm going to share in each one differently, but there's not like, watch this and watch that and then watch this and then Do that. That's not what these groups are for. They're about the caliber of ([Time 0:11:31](https://share.snipd.com/snip/a4878630-bb76-47c4-8ea5-9ed4660a0890)) - **Choose The Right Peer Group** - Evaluate who the mastermind attracts and whether members will stretch you while still feeling like peers. - Seek intentional, aligned communities rather than generic groups open to everyone. Transcript: Amy Porterfield So masterminds are rarely about the curriculum. Like I don't even have a set curriculum for either of my Millie club or my made to scale mastermind. Now there's teaching for sure. And there are strategies and nuances and techniques that I know I'm going to share in each one differently, but there's not like, watch this and watch that and then watch this and then Do that. That's not what these groups are for. They're about the caliber of the conversations. And that comes down to who's in the room. So you want to ask yourself, are these the kind of people I want to collaborate with? Do they stretch my thinking while still feeling like peers? Because I have to say, when I joined that first mastermind, when I first left Tony Robbins, everyone didn't feel like they were way above me, that I didn't fit into the group. I still felt like I was a peer in the group. I just was aware of who was doing way better than me. And then I was really watching them closely and seeing how they navigated through the group and what they shared. So that's something you want to think about. Also ask yourself, is this a community that will both challenge me and like get me? Will I be understood in this group? ([Time 0:13:08](https://share.snipd.com/snip/36ffe2f8-a0a8-498d-91d1-291d7798b801)) - **Check Structure And Events** - Check structure: cohort size, call frequency, hot seats, guest experts, and learning style fit before joining. - Consider live events and be willing to stretch beyond comfort for the expansive benefits of in-person connection. Transcript: Amy Porterfield How many people are in it? How many calls are there? Are there any guest experts? Are there hot seats? Does the style match how you learn? Like, is it large cohorts or small cohorts? It's not going to be perfect. Like not everybody who comes into the Millie club or made to scale. It's like exactly what they want. I'm sure they'd love more one-on time with me. I'm sure they'd love more time to ask a bunch of questions, even though I have that, there's only so much I could do as one person. Right. But if you go into a group and the way they set it up is not what you like at all, it's just not your style, it's probably not going to be a great group for you. Another question is, do they have any live events? And are you excited about that? Now, I will say I have a few introverts that would rather me not do live events. For the Millie Club, I do one when we open it up. Millie Club is six months. So when we open it up, I have a live event in Nashville. When we close it, I have a live event in Nashville. At the time of this recording, we're finishing up cohort two and my Millie Club members are coming to Nashville for two days. And then made to scale, I actually have three live events in Nashville because it's a year long cohort. And so you might not love live events because one, you might not want to travel away from your family. And two, you're just an introvert and don't love it. I do say stretch yourself in these two areas because this is me. I'd rather never travel. I'm just like traveled out. And so if you said I never have to travel for business again, I'd say sign me up. But I do it because every time I get in the room, I'm like, why don't I do this more often? This stretches me. This is expansive. This is what I need. ([Time 0:16:43](https://share.snipd.com/snip/5b1e8978-5374-4588-a943-4b88ccd15df1)) - **Run The 4-Question Fit Test** - Run a four-part check-in: host model, conversational stretch, defineable result, and whether you feel pulled or pushed by FOMO. - If you answer yes to at least three of four, you're likely ready to join. Transcript: Amy Porterfield So number one, is the host modeling the kind of business or the kind of atmosphere or experience, if it's not related to business, that I want to get to the next level? So ask yourself, would I trade places with them in this current season? Not forever, not like, do I want their life? That sounds super creepy, but like, can you see yourself in their shoes in the future? And then number two, will the conversations in this room challenge how I currently think and operate? So ask yourself, will this group stretch my standards, refine my ideas, elevate my expectations? That's not always comfortable. So if you join a mastermind, I'm going to tell you right now, you're likely going to be uncomfortable. You're going to be nervous. If it's in person, like a few sessions in person, you're going to be dreading it. That's all normal. Not everyone. Some of my students, I can't wait till our live events, but I know a lot of them are like, Ooh, this is out of my comfort zone, but I want you to be challenged. I know you're sick of hearing me say this. If you read my newsletter or if I've mentioned it on another podcast episode, I actually mentioned it last week, but I'm doing this new program to clean up my food and really push me in The gym. Like I want to go to the next level. And it's not like I love every day, but I love the challenge. That's what's keeping me in it. I crave being challenged right now. Not always, but I want you to crave being challenged and allow this mastermind to kind of push you beyond what you think is possible. ([Time 0:18:41](https://share.snipd.com/snip/9d448152-364c-4868-a4a1-a02d05eef3f2)) - **Define Your Win Before Joining** - Before joining, be able to clearly define a business-shifting win you want to achieve within 90 days. - Also ensure you join from alignment, not anxiety or FOMO, to get the most from the room. Transcript: Amy Porterfield So ask yourself, what would a clear business shifting win? Now, again, I'm using business as the example for the mastermind, but what would a clear business shifting win look like for me? Like in 90 days, kind of get clear about what you're looking for and what you want, just to make sure those expectations could line up. And then four, do I feel pulled toward this room or pushed by pressure and the fear of missing out? So I don't want anyone to join the mastermind or the Millie club if they're just like, oh my gosh, I feel like I should be there. My friends are there or I know it's right for me. I totally don't want to do it, but I'm just going to do it because I have FOMO. Oh my gosh. No, the right room will energize you. The wrong ones make you feel like you need to prove something. So how do you get around this? You ask yourself, am I joining out of alignment or out of anxiety? Like I joined this new health program at a full alignment alignment. I've been working hard for a year and a half. I've, I've hit a plateau, bring it on. But if I just joined because Stacy joined, cause she joined before me. And that was the only reason like, oh my gosh, Stacey's in it. I'm going to miss out. I need to join. I would not be doing a good job. And I feel like I'm a star student in this program. And so join for the right reasons. Now, if you're a strong yes on, let's say, three out of four of these types of questions, you're likely ready to go, my friend. ([Time 0:22:49](https://share.snipd.com/snip/3b5bf9fd-067e-4bb8-9dcd-a59f33ae1235)) - **Insist On A Vetting Call** - For high-ticket masterminds, require a vetting call with the host or team before paying large sums. - Treat lack of vetting or only an application as a red flag for expensive programs. Transcript: Amy Porterfield And I'm talking about a significant investment, $20,000, $30,000, $40,000. Before you put down that kind of cash, and I've done that many times, even in my very early days when I didn't have a lot of money, I'm all about investing in myself to get in the right rooms. But before you do that, I think you should be able to talk to the host or someone on the team just to make sure that you feel like you're a good fit. And quite honestly, they feel like you're a good fit as well. If there's no vetting process or just only an application for that price point, I think that's a red flag. And so like for the Millie Club and the Made to Scale Mastermind, I vet everyone. I get on the phone with everyone where I've read their application. I think they're a good fit. We get on a 30-minute call and it's a vibe check. I want to make sure that they're a good fit for the mastermind. I want them to think that they're a good fit for the mastermind and I'm someone they want to learn from. So I personally am vetting all the people that come into the Millie Club in the mastermind, but I could have someone on my team do it as well. I just, I want to know who I'm accepting into the program. ([Time 0:24:18](https://share.snipd.com/snip/196627af-5254-4c48-9e16-35e7e3ffbb2e)) - **Earn The ROI By Showing Up** - The ROI of a mastermind is earned by how you show up: lead with value and contribute when no one's watching. - Offer resources, intros, and note-taking to build trust and reciprocity within the group. Transcript: Amy Porterfield It's earned. So I want to make sure you heard that. The ROI, it is not guaranteed. It's earned. The most successful members aren't the ones who know the most. They're the ones who know how to show up. So here's how to do that strategically. First, lead with value. Show up like the kind of leader you want sitting next to you. Masterminds aren't about airtime. They're about how you contribute when no one's watching. So that means taking notes for someone else during their hot seat or offering a resource or introing someone to someone you know that could really help them. Like in one of my masterminds, one of my students gave an intro to another student to help her get into target with her product. Like that's a huge get, right? And so those are the kinds of things I love are one of my students suggested a great lawyer to the other person and that lawyer has really shifted their business. So it's those kinds of things. You can offer, again, offer a resource without even being asked or sharing wins and failures to create real connection, celebrating others when it's not your turn. Like those micro moments build fast trust. And in high-level rooms, trust is the most valuable currency. Also, you want to start building real relationships on purpose. ([Time 0:25:38](https://share.snipd.com/snip/6ecb548d-d2e8-492c-adab-d372cad74fa5)) - **Build Intentional Relationships** - Choose three people in the room to intentionally connect with and schedule calls to build deep relationships. - Ask meaningful questions that open useful conversations and follow up consistently to grow trust. Transcript: Amy Porterfield I want you to choose three women or men or whoever's in the room with you, but just three and commit to getting to know them. Send a message, jump on a 50-minute call, follow up after a group session. Don't overthink it. Just be genuine and real and reach out with curiosity and generosity, but kind of have your eye on a few people like, I'm going to be intentional about this. And also ask questions that actually matter. Like, what's one decision that feels heavy for you right now, like in your business or like questions. Like if you're connecting with someone, ask them questions that when you hear their response, it will mean something to you and it will maybe add value to them to talk about. I hate small talk. Like Hobie does not like this about me because when we're out and about, let's say on date night and someone starts talking to us, I don't want to be rude and I never am. But if there's a little too much small talk with like other people in our group, I just like find my way out of it as quickly as possible. And then why he hates it is he is left alone doing the small talk, but I'll go deep really quick. And so, you know, ask really great questions. It will open the door to that connection. And then make it your job to be helpful. If someone mentions they're hiring, share their job description. If they're stuck on a funnel, maybe offer a tip that worked for you. And if you don't have something to add just yet, that's okay. Listen closely, ask thoughtful questions. They'll be valuable to other people as well. Sometimes the most valuable thing you can give is your presence and your perspective and stay consistent. So great relationships don't happen from one conversation. They happen because you followed up because you're engaged. So you want to check in with people, circle back with a voice note, maybe after someone does a hot seat and say like, I've been thinking about you and I wanted to share X, Y, Z. Remember what people are working on and check in on them. Be brave. ([Time 0:28:04](https://share.snipd.com/snip/7f07cdc0-f36d-4781-b4f2-04a3265b420a)) - **Set A North Star Outcome** - Before the first session, answer: what decision have I avoided, what constraint blocks growth, and what ripple result matters most. - Turn your answer into a North Star sentence that guides focus and protects you from distractions. Transcript: Amy Porterfield So before you ever join that first call or post in the Slack channel in your new mastermind group or traveled to that in-person event, define what success actually looks like for you And ask yourself these three questions before your mastermind actually begins. Number one, what decision have I been avoiding that's keeping me stuck in my current level? So what decision have I been avoiding that's keeping me stuck? Two, what constraint, if removed, would unlock exponential growth or peace of mind? So what constraint, if removed, would unlock growth? And what result would create a ripple effect across multiple parts of my business? So I want you to think about those questions, ask those questions, and really just maybe even journal on them. But at the same time, that's up to you now. It's not up to your host. It's not meant for your mastermind members to fulfill for you. You need to fulfill those questions. Answer the questions and then say, I'm going to be intentional to get these questions answered or to fulfill these goals I have that are kind of behind what these questions are asking. And something to think about, you could say, if I leave this mastermind with like insert the result or when you want, it will have been a hundred percent worth the investment. So that sentence now becomes your North star. It gives you permission to focus and say no to distractions and fully own the way you move through the mastermind. But it's up to you. It's not up to me as the host or the other members of the group. ([Time 0:30:50](https://share.snipd.com/snip/0f873b60-0bf2-42f5-81c6-80c2c818e3f5)) - **Discomfort Signals Value** - Expensive mastermind investment should feel uncomfortable because that fire drives action and accountability. - Reframe spending as buying proximity to high-level peers and potential ripple-effect ideas. Transcript: Amy Porterfield It should feel uncomfortable. That's the fire that helps you show up and take action. It should light a fire under you. The investment that you're making is about proximity to high level peers, strategic breakthroughs you wouldn't get elsewhere, acceleration of your business and your confidence. So reframe this as you're not spending money. You're investing in one ripple effect idea that could shift everything. And really, truly one ripple effect idea that you get could shift everything. ([Time 0:32:42](https://share.snipd.com/snip/75c40520-4bfd-4051-80e8-185c51c10ae1)) - **How Her First Mastermind Changed Her** - Amy recounts joining Marie Forleo's mastermind right after leaving corporate and feeling scared, underqualified, and emotional. - Those two years accelerated her decisions, exposed her to new conversations, and produced lasting entrepreneurial friendships. Transcript: Amy Porterfield But when I joined my very first high-level mastermind, I've talked about it before, it was with Marie Forleo, rich, happy, and hot. I certainly didn't look ready on paper when I applied. And if I'm being honest, was not financially or emotionally ready. I cried during that mastermind more times than I'd like to admit, like not in front of everyone, but back in my hotel room, I was just terrified. I didn't feel like I belonged in the beginning. And I was embarrassed because I had just left my corporate job, but I wanted to be in that room. And quickly, I realized these are my peers. Not everyone is like doing major things beyond me somewhere, like I said, but not everyone. And I started to kind of rework how I looked at it. So I was very scared just in the beginning, and I hardly could afford it. So that made it even scarier. I wouldn't change it for the world. I really think those two years that I was in that mastermind were part of the reason why I saw the success I did just a few short years into my business. I don't think I would have had the knowledge and the understanding of what it took if I didn't see these other women doing it. And I remember questioning whether I had made a huge mistake. Like I didn't tell anyone but Hobie and I hardly told him in the beginning, which is not great. I was newly married. That's not a great way to start a marriage, but I was a little quiet about the whole thing again. But looking back now, I laugh at how small that investment feels compared to what I got from it, because the mastermind gave me the confidence to make decisions faster. ([Time 0:33:41](https://share.snipd.com/snip/59894258-280a-403f-afbb-51b440e54b02))