Editor's note (2026): Lynn Terry's Elite Mastermind Forum operated during the early days of internet marketing communities. While the specific membership program reviewed here is no longer available in its original form, the principles behind why mastermind communities accelerate business growth are as relevant as ever. I'm keeping this review updated because the lessons apply to any mastermind or coaching community you might consider joining today.
The Power of Mastermind Communities
Here's the big secret that nobody wants to hear: building an internet business takes work, and it can be a lonely grind. Especially if you're doing it part-time, late at night, after your day job and family responsibilities are handled. That isolation is one of the biggest reasons people quit.
Mastermind communities solve that problem. Find people who are successfully doing what you want to do, learn from them, and eventually collaborate with them. I've written about the importance of coaching before, and I've invested my own money in multiple coaching programs over the years. The return on investment has been enormous every single time.
What Made Lynn Terry's Community Special
I paid out of my own pocket to join Lynn's Elite Forum, and I was a paying member for years. What made it work wasn't just the content or the training materials — it was the culture Lynn created. Positive, focused, helpful, and kind. No negativity, no toxic behavior, no guru posturing.
The key elements that made the community valuable:
- Direct access to expertise. Lynn personally responded to nearly every thread. With 13+ years of affiliate marketing experience, her guidance was worth multiples of the subscription cost.
- A safe space to test ideas. Not sure about a business direction? Post your question. Between Lynn and the other experienced members, you'd get honest, constructive feedback.
- Weekly brainstorming calls. Lynn hosted a live mastermind call every Thursday. Those calls alone were worth the subscription price.
- Range of experience levels. Questions ranged from “How do I get started?” to advanced technical and marketing challenges. Everyone was welcome.
- Hidden guru bonus. Several well-known internet marketers participated in the forums, creating an unannounced coaching bonus for members.
Finding the Right Mastermind in 2026
The internet marketing landscape has changed dramatically since 2009 when I first joined Lynn's community. But the fundamental need for connection, accountability, and expert guidance hasn't changed at all. If anything, the explosion of AI tools, platform changes, and new business models makes having a trusted community even more critical.
When evaluating any mastermind or coaching community today, look for these qualities:
- Active, engaged leadership. The person running the community should be present and responsive, not just collecting subscription fees.
- A positive, no-hype culture. Avoid communities built around get-rich-quick promises. Look for places where people do real work and share real results.
- Relevant expertise. Make sure the community's focus aligns with your business model. Lynn's strength was affiliate marketing and content creation — if you needed PPC expertise, it wasn't the right fit.
- Affordable enough to stick with. The best communities are priced so members can stay for years, not months. Long-term relationships compound in value.
- Accountability built in. Whether it's weekly calls, progress threads, or partner check-ins, accountability is what turns knowledge into action.
The single most important investment you can make in your online business isn't a tool, a course, or a strategy — it's surrounding yourself with people who are doing the work and willing to help you do it too. That was true when I joined Lynn's community in 2009, and it's just as true today.
Hi Mark!
I signed up and entered a help desk ticket with my PayPal receipt e-mail attached to it as a PDF. Hope that suffices for the free stuff! 🙂
@MARK SIERRA: Search for “To claim your bonus,” here on this page — you’ll Mark Mason’s instructions there.
Ciao everybody,
Bill Dawson
Thanks for the detailed description Mark. IMHO the price point for Lynn’s membership site is a bit stout for an interactive forum. However, realizing I have not tried it out, that may prove to be an opinion I would change.
Also, I’d be the first to admit the price for any IM membership site has jumped in the past 2-3 years, so maybe there’s more value there than I realize. For most sites of this type, the lifeblood is the newbie, and the newbie will also need to have hosting, a good auto-responder, domains, probably another service or two, a little bit of outsourcing. All of a sudden the newbie is spending $100/month right off the top and, the spouse is now questioning the sanity of this new IM’r.
That’s the reality of the newbie, so I always get a little concerned when you throw in a membership site on top of that.
Mark,
What is the difference between Lynn’s site and Josh’s site? I am thinking of joining Josh’s site because I need help setting up sites during the holiday season and he answers questions. But maybe I should join Lynn’s instead. Now I am confused. Suggestions please?
That’s a valid concern, Kent. I’ll give you a little more information that might help you get a better idea of what to expect, and the value for dollar equation.
We have a live Brainstorming Hour every week, where we brainstorm specific business models and ebiz challenges. These 4-5 live hours per month alone are worth far more than the membership dues. The forum is also very active, a place where you can get specific answers and specific help brainstorming your ideas, your website(s) and your model – every single day.
There are a lot of other perks which Mark mentioned above. The main focus of the group is action & implementation. We have a new member that joined a few weeks ago – had been researching IM for quite some time (long enough to become skeptical *grin*). In her first few weeks she identified her niche, got her website up, modified it into a great look, and is already brainstorming her second site.
Is that worth 27 bucks to a newbie who might otherwise spend months (or even years) trying to figure things out on their own, or buying products they aren’t sure they need to try to accomplish what they’re not sure they’re trying to achieve? All day long…
It’s an awesome community. You’re welcome to try it out for a month, see if it’s a good match for you, and of course you can cancel anytime.
Hi Mark,
I liked what I saw, so I joined up to become an elite member (under your link of course). Do you get notified or do I need to send you something to show it?
Hey Bill, thanks for pointing that out. Guess I need to up my medication. 🙂
@Kent — I definately understand. I certainly would never advocate people spending more money than they should based on what they can afford to invest. Every investment like this needs to have return on investment (ROI). For me, I usually evaluate these things periodically and decide what to do. In my case, the value of this membership forum has been substantially higher than the investment. If, some day, it no longer adds value, I would cancel. As far as my current experience, there are a couple of cases where I can show direct revenue – and the indirect benefit looks like it could be huge. But, each case is different. From my perspective, a month is plenty of time to determine if the site is helpful, and $27 is a steal. (Obviously, that is why I recommended it). New people can certainly benefit from this site, but your point is spot on — people who cannot afford to join should no join.
@Citigurl — great question. As you know, Josh is my hero. I continue to learn from him every day, and I am still a moderator in his forum. My simple answer is that Josh is an AdSense guru that is also good at information and affiliate marketing. Lynn is an affiliate marketing guru that is also good at information marketing. I would not use either for PPC learning, although both have PPC experience. Both have high integrity and a strong work ethic. Lynn’s forum is currently busier than Josh’s. Does that help?
@Mark — please submit a ticket at http://www.masonworld.com/support with your receipt.
Mark, a month ago I asked you for some guidance re: which type of coaching forum or program to sign up for. I really appreciate the honest advice you gave me, based on the goals and objectives I shared with you.
One recommendation you gave was to sign up for Lynn Terry’s forum. I tried her free forum for a few weeks, and immediately saw the value.
I’ve met some great folks in just a few weeks. Everyone is helpful and willing to share what they know. Lynn puts a ton of effort into the webinars she hosts and the info she shares.
I signed up for the Elite Forum last week. The case study you’re doing there is well worth the price of admission, let alone everything else that Lynn offers and the expertise that other members share.
Thanks SO much for the recommendation!
Mark,
Got your email about this.
Thought, “Hmm, I’ll see what he has to say about this. See how it’s helped make Mark MORE MONEY…”
Apparently, this new forum that you’re recommending is a great place to hang out if you have nothing better to do.
What have your results been since joining the forum? How has it helped to make you more money?
Why was that part left out of your “review”?
This is just a fluff piece, Mark.
Not trying to be rude or mean, but…really?
By the way, are you ever going to get around to completing your review of AAS?
Thanks Chris — that is a fair comment/question — how specifically has Lynn’s forum helped me make money.
I don’t have and answer like this — “I followed the 17 step plan that I found in Lynn’s forum and made $147 in two weeks.”
Lynn’s group is a mastermind group. As such it is a place to get help with stuff from people with experience and “get unstuck”. For example, I am currently launching an information product in a non-internet marketing niche. I do not have a list in that niche, and was not sure how to get affiliates, or what affiliate materials should be provided in non-IM niches. Lynn and a few other experienced people in the forum were able to comment on my question, and I am currently executing a promotional plan based on their recommendation. That is one of many common examples.
The forum is more like a “support group” to help you build your business. Sure, there are free course materials inside and various ways to learn stuff. But that is almost never what I need. I have an entire hard drive full of that stuff. Usually what I need is to hear from people that have already solved a problem that I am facing in my business. This forum is excellent for that.
Does that help?
Admittedly, the direct ROI is difficult to calculate — but for me the ROI is quite high.
Thanks,
Mark
Thanks,
Mark
Mark,
That’s fair enough.
We need sounding boards from time to time.
I hope that your launch goes great in the new market!
I further support Mark’s comment about getting unstuck. I’ve only been a member for a couple of weeks, but I’m very pleased with what I’ve experienced so far.
Just yesterday I made a post asking for tips on getting into a difficult market. In addition to other members chiming in with tips, Lynn herself took the time to respond. I was on the fence about getting into that market, but Lynn’s response was the tipping point I needed, so I’m now actively doing more research thanks to her and others.
Will she respond to all posts? I wouldn’t expect her to, nor does she promise to. She’s only human, after all. But I don’t feel cheated either when she doesn’t because there are other members just like me who can help.
Looks like Lynn is closing the doors for a bit prior to planned price increases. So, if you want to lock in, you need to do it before 3/31.