The COVID-19 Pandemic sent me on a long journey to find a profitable side hustle. If you are here, you are probably on the same journey and, like me, have stumbled upon the world of blogging and making money online. Initial searches revealed the certain riches that come from minimum amounts of work. Right?
After buying a website and blogging for two years, I realize I was foolish to believe these lies but I still believe in the worthwhile profits made possible by diligently creating high quality content online.
In all my research, I set out to find a blogging course that could shorten the learning curve and help me make money online. I was looking for 3 things:
- Don't get scammed
- Find a course with a systematic approach
- Find something simple enough to follow for a noob like me
I am happy to report, these 2 courses were the best I could find. While very different in their approaches, I believe both courses are beneficial. I aim to help you know what you will get if you purchase and which one may be best for you. Let's dig in.
Key Takeaways
- The Fat Stacks Blogging course and Income School's Project 24 are both thorough blogging courses that can help you build profitable niche sites.
- The Fat Stacks Blogging Bundle covers a wide range of topics, including niche selection, keyword research, content creation, Facebook & Pinterest marketing, and monetization. Income School has a systematic process that focuses on creating high-quality content (Blogging and YouTube) and covers various monetization methods. Income School focuses on a step by step path for each course they offer.
- The best course for you depends on your goals and learning style.
Income School Overview
Income School focuses on quality content and a “natural link building formula”. Jim and Ricky are outspoke about the fact that they do not believe in link building tactics you will likely read about. Their approach is simple:
- Master the art of keyword research
- Create high quality content
- Create lots of high quality content
- Stay consistent in your efforts to create lots of high quality content
It is a little more complicated than that but I appreciate their honesty and straightforward approach.
The course is great for beginners and covers the basics of creating a successful niche site. Income School also has a great community and resources for bloggers looking to monetize their sites through affiliate marketing, display ads, and selling online courses.
Income School Features
Income School is an internet marketing company that teaches people how to create an online business through blogging and creating YouTube channels. The platform offers a variety of features, including:
- Step-by-step tutorials on how to start a blog and make money from it
- Access to a private Facebook group for members to connect and get support
- A library of video courses covering topics such as SEO, content creation, and monetization
- Weekly live Q&A sessions with the founders, Jim and Ricky
- A community forum where members can ask questions and get feedback on their websites
Income School Pros and Cons
Like any platform, Income School has its pros and cons. Here are some that I have noticed:
Pros
- The tutorials are easy to follow and provide actionable steps to take
- Extensive library with multiple paths to success (YouTube, Blogging, Selling Online Courses)
- The founders, Jim and Ricky, are knowledgeable and engaging
- Income School has proven that many of its members are earning a full time income from blogging
- Intuitive platform includes goal setting and progress meters
- The community forum is a valuable resource for getting feedback on your website and asking questions
Cons
- The platform is geared towards beginners, so more experienced bloggers may not find as much value in it
- The courses can be a bit repetitive, covering similar topics in different videos
- Their targeted approach may not be for everyone
Overall, I think Income School is a great platform for beginners who are looking to start a blog and make money from it. The tutorials are easy to follow, and the community support is invaluable. However, more experienced bloggers may find that the platform doesn't offer as much value to them.
Fat Stacks Overview
Fat Stacks, created by Jon Dykstra, is a comprehensive training program that covers everything from niche selection to monetization methods. The course bundle includes several modules covering from the initial niche selection to scaling up by building a content team. The course is actionable and provides little-known strategies that can help you earn up to $50,000 per month. The course bundle includes training on keyword research, hiring writers, display ads, affiliate marketing, and more. Additionally, the Fat Stacks private forum access is a great resource for students to get feedback and ask questions.
Fat Stacks Features
Fat Stacks Blogging Bundle is a series of courses created by Jon Dykstra, a successful blogger who has been earning a full-time income from his niche sites for over a decade. The bundle includes nine courses that cover everything from niche selection to content creation to monetization strategies.
One of the standout features of Fat Stacks is the emphasis on creating simple, low-maintenance niche sites that can generate significant passive income. Unlike some other blogging courses, Fat Stacks doesn't rely on complex SEO techniques or require a significant time investment to see results.
Fat Stacks Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive course material covering all aspects of niche site creation and monetization
- Emphasis on simple, low-maintenance niche sites that can generate significant passive income
- Jon Dykstra has a proven track record of success in the niche site industry
Cons:
- Higher price point compared to some other blogging courses
- Some of the material may be too basic for experienced bloggers
- Course is not laid out in a systematic way like Income School. A little more a-la-carte
Overall, I highly recommend Fat Stacks Blogging Bundle for anyone looking to create and monetize niche sites. While it may be a bit pricier than some other options, the comprehensive course material and emphasis on simplicity make it a great investment for anyone serious about making money online.
Library and Resources Comparison
Income School Library and Resources
I found the Income School library and resources to be very comprehensive and well-organized. The library consists of a mix of written and video content, making it easy to learn through whichever medium suits your learning style. The content is also kept up-to-date, with new courses and tutorials added regularly.
One of the standout features of the Income School library is the Project 24 course, which is a step-by-step guide to building a profitable niche website. The course is comprehensive and covers everything from niche selection to content creation and monetization strategies. Additionally, the Income School community forum is a great resource for getting support and advice from other members.
Fat Stacks Library and Resources
The Fat Stacks library and resources are also very extensive and cover a wide range of topics related to niche website building and content creation. The library includes a mix of written and video content, and the courses are well-organized and easy to follow.
One of the standout features of the Fat Stacks library is the Niche Site Profits course bundle, which includes several modules covering everything from niche selection to scaling up by building a content team. Additionally, the Fat Stacks blog is a great resource for keeping up-to-date with the latest trends and strategies in niche website building.
Overall, both Income School and Fat Stacks offer excellent libraries and resources for learning about niche website building and content creation. The choice between the two will likely come down to personal preference and the specific topics you are interested in learning about.
Course Layout Comparison
Income School Course Layout
The Income School course is divided into two main sections: Project 24 and Acabado. Project 24 is a 60-step program that is designed to help bloggers create a successful niche site in 24 months. The program covers everything from niche selection to content creation, SEO, and monetization. Acabado is a WordPress theme that is designed to be fast and lightweight, making it ideal for niche sites.
The Project 24 program is broken down into 12 different modules, each of which covers a specific topic in detail. Each module is further divided into 5 steps, which are designed to be completed in one week. The steps include a mix of video lessons, written content, and assignments.
Fat Stacks Course Layout
The Fat Stacks bundle is a collection of courses that cover a wide range of topics related to niche site creation and monetization. The courses are designed to be taken in a specific order, with each one building on the knowledge gained in the previous course.
The courses in the bundle include High Volume Content Publishing, Easy Wins for Amazon Affiliate Sites, Niche Exponential, and Display Ads Deep Dive. Each course is broken down into a series of video lessons, which are accompanied by written content and assignments.
The High Volume Content Publishing course is the flagship course in the bundle and covers everything from niche selection to content creation and promotion. The course is broken down into 8 modules, each of which covers a specific topic in detail.
Comparison
Both courses are designed to help bloggers create successful niche sites, but they take different approaches. The Income School course is more structured and focused, with a specific timeline and set of steps to follow. The Fat Stacks bundle, on the other hand, is more flexible and allows bloggers to choose which courses to take based on their specific needs.
The Income School course is also more focused on creating niche sites that rely on display ads for monetization, while the Fat Stacks bundle covers a wider range of monetization strategies, including affiliate marketing and product creation.
Overall, both courses have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between them will depend on the blogger's specific needs and goals.
Monetization Methods Comparison
Fat Stacks Monetization
Fat Stacks Blogging Bundle provides a comprehensive guide to monetizing niche sites. The course covers a range of monetization methods, including display ads, affiliate marketing, and digital product sales. The course emphasizes the importance of building an audience and creating high-quality content to attract visitors to your site.
One of the unique features of the Fat Stacks course is its focus on using display ads to generate revenue. The course provides detailed guidance on how to optimize ad placement and ad networks to maximize ad revenue. The course also covers affiliate marketing in detail, including how to find profitable affiliate programs and how to promote them effectively.
Another monetization method covered in the Fat Stacks course is creating and selling digital products. The course provides guidance on how to create and market digital products, including ebooks, courses, and software.
Income School Monetization
Income School's Project 24 course focuses on building niche sites that generate revenue primarily through affiliate marketing. The course emphasizes the importance of creating high-quality content that attracts visitors and builds trust with your audience.
One of the unique features of the Income School course is its focus on creating a “branded” site that provides value to visitors beyond just promoting affiliate products. The course provides guidance on how to create a site that is an authority in its niche and builds trust with visitors.
Another monetization method covered in the Income School course is creating and selling digital products. However, this is not emphasized as much as affiliate marketing.
Conclusion
Both Fat Stacks and Income School provide comprehensive guides to monetizing niche sites. The Fat Stacks course focuses on using display ads and affiliate marketing to generate revenue, while Income School emphasizes building a branded site that provides value beyond just promoting affiliate products. Ultimately, the best monetization method will depend on your niche, audience, and goals.
Community and Support
When it comes to learning how to build niche sites, having a supportive community can be invaluable. Both Fat Stacks and Income School offer some level of community and support, but there are some differences.
Fat Stacks Community
The Fat Stacks blogging bundle includes access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions, share tips, and get feedback from Jon Dykstra and other members. Jon is an active participant in the group, and he often shares updates on his own niche sites and answers questions from members.
In addition to the Facebook group, the Fat Stacks course material itself is very comprehensive and includes detailed explanations and examples. This means that even if you don't have a lot of interaction with other members, you'll still have a lot of resources at your disposal.
Income School Support
Income School offers a different kind of community and support. They have a public YouTube channel where they share a lot of free content, and they also offer a paid membership program called Project 24. Project 24 includes access to a private forum where members can ask questions and get feedback from other members and from the Income School team.
The Income School team is very active in the forum, and they offer a lot of personalized feedback and advice. They also have a lot of experience building niche sites, so they can offer insights that might not be available elsewhere.
Conclusion
Both Fat Stacks and Income School offer some level of community and support, but the specifics are different. If you're looking for a more hands-on, personalized approach, Income School might be the better choice. But if you're comfortable learning from course material and interacting with other members in a Facebook group, Fat Stacks could be a good option.
Pricing and Value for Money
Fat Stacks Pricing
When it comes to pricing, the Fat Stacks Blogging Bundle is a one-time fee of $497 for access to all the courses. This includes 18 mini-courses that cover everything from niche selection to content creation to display ads and affiliate marketing. The bundle also comes with lifetime access to all future updates and new courses that are added to the bundle.
Compared to other blogging courses, the Fat Stacks Blogging Bundle offers a lot of value for its price. It's a comprehensive course that covers all aspects of niche site creation and monetization, and it's taught by someone who has a proven track record of success in this field.
Income School Pricing
Income School, on the other hand, offers a different pricing model. They have two main courses: Project 24 and Acabado. Project 24 is a comprehensive course that covers everything from niche selection to content creation to monetization. It's a monthly subscription that costs $449 per year, or $49 per month. Acabado is a WordPress theme that's designed to be lightweight and fast, and it costs a one-time fee of $99.
While Project 24 offers a lot of value for its price, the fact that it's a monthly subscription can be a turn-off for some people. Additionally, some people may not need all the information that's covered in the course, and may prefer a more targeted approach like the Fat Stacks Blogging Bundle.
Conclusion
When it comes to pricing and value for money, both the Fat Stacks Blogging Bundle and Income School have their pros and cons. The Fat Stacks Blogging Bundle offers a one-time fee for lifetime access to all courses, while Income School offers a monthly subscription for access to their comprehensive course. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Final Verdict
After carefully considering both the Fat Stacks Blogging Bundle and Income School's Project 24, I have come to a conclusion.
While both courses offer valuable information and strategies for building successful niche websites, I believe that the Fat Stacks Blogging Bundle is the superior choice.
Here are a few reasons why:
- The Fat Stacks Blogging Bundle is more affordable than Project 24, making it a better option for those on a budget.
- The course creator, Jon Dykstra, has a proven track record of success with his own niche websites, earning over $80,000 per month. This level of success is not matched by the creators of Project 24.
- The Fat Stacks Blogging Bundle offers a comprehensive set of courses that cover a wide range of topics, including display ads, affiliate marketing, and SEO. Project 24, on the other hand, focuses primarily on content creation and marketing.
- The Fat Stacks Blogging Bundle is highly practical and provides actionable steps for building and monetizing niche websites. Project 24, while informative, can be more theoretical and less hands-on.
Overall, I believe that the Fat Stacks Blogging Bundle is the better choice for those looking to build successful niche websites. With its affordable price, proven track record of success, and comprehensive set of courses, it offers everything you need to succeed in the world of niche blogging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the differences between Fat Stacks Blogging Bundle and Income School?
Both Fat Stacks Blogging Bundle and Income School offer courses on how to build successful niche websites. However, there are some differences between the two. Fat Stacks Blogging Bundle, created by Jon Dykstra, focuses on building niche websites with display ads as the primary monetization method. Income School, on the other hand, teaches how to build niche websites that rely on affiliate marketing as the primary monetization method. Additionally, the teaching styles of the two courses differ, with Fat Stacks Blogging Bundle being more focused on actionable steps and Income School being more focused on building a sustainable online business.
Which course is better suited for beginners, Affiliate Lab or Blog Growth Engine?
Both Affiliate Lab and Blog Growth Engine are beginner-friendly courses. However, if you are just starting out and have no prior experience with niche websites, Blog Growth Engine may be a better choice for you. This course covers the basics of building a niche website from scratch, while Affiliate Lab assumes some prior knowledge.
What topics are covered in the Fat Stacks podcast?
The Fat Stacks podcast covers a wide range of topics related to niche websites, including content creation, SEO, monetization, and website design. Jon Dykstra shares his own experiences and insights, as well as interviews with other successful niche website owners.
Are there any negative reviews of Income School?
While Income School has a large following and many satisfied customers, there are some negative reviews of the course online. Some people have criticized the teaching style as being too basic, while others have expressed disappointment with the lack of support and updates.
Has Passive Income Geek reviewed the Fat Stacks Blogging Bundle?
Yes, Passive Income Geek has reviewed the Fat Stacks Blogging Bundle and given it a positive review. The reviewer praised the course for its actionable steps and valuable insights.
What do people say about Blogging Fast Lane?
Blogging Fast Lane has received positive reviews from many satisfied customers. People have praised the course for its comprehensive coverage of niche website building, as well as its supportive community and helpful resources.
