Experiments, Challenges, and Articles on Making Money

How I Built a Mildly Successful Six-Figure Business in 17 Years

The following is an interactive timeline of my "journey" as an "entrepreneur" and how I "built" a "six-figure business" from "scratch."

The Definitive Guide to Podcast Marketing

How did we crack the top 100 podcasts on iTunes? Here are the 12 tricks (plus 30 more) that we tested and proved work for podcast marketing from scratch.

How to Build a Lean Mean Business Machine

I put my business on a diet. A long-term, lifestyle-changing, low-expense diet. Here's my new lean, mean online business framework.

Reach $15,000 Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) in 6 Months

We're launching our SaaS product on June 1st, 2019 and trying to reach $15,000 of monthly recurring revenue in six months. Can we pull it off? Let's see!

The YouTube Optimization Experiment

Can I increase my YouTube revenue by optimizing my entire back catalog of videos for the Swim University channel? Let's find out together!

Redesigning My Email Marketing Funnels With ConvertKit

I'm finally taking email marketing seriously by switching from MailChimp to ConvertKit, leveraging their focus on visual automations to increase sales.

The Small SaaS Makeover Experiment

Can we increase revenue on an existing small SaaS product by giving it a total makeover? Will a new name, logo, sales page, and pricing model be enough?

How to Record a Podcast That Sounds Insanely Professional

I've been leveling up my podcasting gear and audio quality since 2006. But I've finally reached the pinnacle of podcast perfection.

Launch a SaaS Product on New Year’s Day

We're accelerating the launch a year-long SAAS product (still in development) in just 30 days. Can we narrow our scope and get something to market by then?

Build and Sell an Online Video Course in 3 Days

Can I assemble all my knowledge about hot tub care and launch a paid online video course in just 3 days (technically 2 days)?! Let's find out right now!

The SEO Impossible Experiment

This experiment is to prove anyone can rank on the first page of Google for a highly competitive keyword simply by creating the best page on that topic.

Fuck Up Your Business and Succeed At The Same Time (2018 Year In Review)

The annual online entrepreneur tradition that lets me see all my failures and successes on one page. I can cry and pat myself on the back at the same time.

Build a Profitable Online Brand in One Year

Can we assemble a small team to re-build BrewCabin.com into a large brand website based around homebrewing beer, and make it profitable in less than a year?

The Ultimate Upsell Experiment

I'm making a course and adding it as an upsell to a successful product, instead of selling it as a standalone product. Can I make more money this way?

The Obvious Income Source I’ve Been Ignoring for Years

I noticed my YouTube videos weren't monetized. I turned the ads on and 15 days later I was shocked by how much I earned. This is how I'm capitalizing on videos again to make money.

The Podcast “Marketing Burst” Experiment

Can we quickly grow a new podcast using techniques we know have worked before? Can we do it again and is our strategy repeatable? This experiment to perform a podcast "marketing burst" should reveal the answers. Hopefully. Maybe. Who knows?

How to Sell a Website (Why I Sold My Profitable Site For $55,000)

I walk you though how and why I sold a profitable niche website for $55,000 after only two years of building it from the ground up.

I Launched a Business-Focused Podcast Because Why Not?

For years I've debated doing another podcast. I ran a successful one in 2014 that's still going and extremely popular. Can I do it again? Who knows?

The Great Website Optimization Experiment

Can I double the revenue on my website without adding new products or services? And can I do it by optimizing what's already in place only using free online tools? Let's find out.

Build and Sell a BIG Online Course in 7 Days

I'm going to take everything I know about SEO and put it into a massive online video course. And I'm going to do it seven days. Actually, I have to do it in six because I already made plans.

My 2017 Annual Review That Every Other Business Blogger Does in January Too

Last year, I wrote a year-in-review. And I'm doing it again because it was popular. So here's my annual review of all my successes and failures in 2017.

Create and Sell a Premium WordPress Plugin in 40 Days

Is "scratching your own itch" the best way to build a successful product? I'll find out by selling my custom affiliate Wordpress plugin I've used for years.

Want To Build a Software Startup? Don’t Do These 4 Things.

This is what it took to build a software startup. The failures, the fights, the wins, and most importantly, the FUCKING STRESS! This is our story.

I Demoted Myself So My Business Could Grow

I'm a bottleneck. The business doesn't grow if I'm in control. I'm not the right person for the job. So I hired more talented people and fired myself.

The Content Audit Experiment

In 2017, Roasty has been losing about 10% of its traffic each month. Instead of producing new content to give it a boost, I'm going to try a content audit.

Amazon Fucked Me, So I Changed My Entire Online Business Model

Thanks to Amazon, I completely revamped and optimized the Swim University brand in 25 days with new code, new products, and a brand new business model.

The Digital Media Company Mission

I don't want to strive for the middle and build a "lifestyle business." I want to build a media company with high-quality brands in different verticals.

Create a Membership Site in 14 Days

I'm teaming up with Doug Hill to build an ironic online membership training library and community to teach survival, bushcraft, and primitive skills.

Making The Home Barista Video Course

I made an online video course for Roasty Coffee during a snowboarding vacation in Breckenridge, Colorado. This article is a behind-the-scenes recap.

The Homebrewing Website Experiment

Can I build a "niche site" about homebrewing beer? Yes, but will make money, even if I ignore the competition and keyword research? Let's find out!

The Subscription Business Training Library Experiment

A short-lived project to build a Netflix-style training library to help pool and spa professionals market their businesses better online.

The 2016 Year In Review The Internet Made Me Write

I received many requests to share updates on Money Lab Challenges in 2016. And true to form, there will be details. LOADS of money-making details. Ready?

The Roasty Rebranding Experiment

This experiment is to see if rebranding RoastyCoffee.com will result in more website traffic, email subscribers, and total monthly recurring revenue.

Build and Launch a Web App in 60 Days

An amazing race to build and launch a web app from scratch with Jason Zook, by learning Ruby on Rails (and other programming skills) in only 60 days.

Produce and Sell a Rap Album in 30 Days

An ambitious and artistic challenge to prove that you can make money in the music industry in record time (pun intended) by selling a rap album.

Matt Wants to Be a Guest On Your Podcast

Matt Giovanisci will bring "value" and entertainment as a guest on your podcast. Don’t let his looks and charm fool you. He can talk about a lot of topics.

Build and Sell a Small Online Course in 7 Days

A quick money-making challenge to build, launch, and sell a small online video course called, "Asana For Bloggers" in just 7 days.

A Reversed Timeline of My Musical Side Projects

The following article is a reversed timeline of my musical side-projects. Including rap videos like "Hashtag Hustle" and "All My Money."

I Want Your Email Address

Don't think about it. Just enter your email address into any of the places I've annoyingly provided for you. Then, you can be on your way.

Sell Sponsorships on a New Website in 28 Days

An aggressive sales blitz to sell as many coffee sponsorship deals as I can on my one-year old website in only 28 days (4 weeks).

Hustlin®: A Prescription for Online Entrepreneurs

Hustlin® (wurkallthetime) is for online entrepreneurs looking to get ahead in business. Symptoms include lack of income, shiny object syndrome, and stress.

Co-Work With Me

Co-work with me whenever you’re feeling isolated or unproductive. This video is 25 minutes long so you can use it as a Pomodoro timer.

Relaunch an Online Course in 21 Days

A mind-blowing journey through relaunching an online course created by Jason Zook back in 2014 called "How to Get Sponsorships for Anything."