Starting a niche website can be one of the most exciting — and frustrating — things you ever do online. For most beginners, Project 24 by Income School seems like the ultimate roadmap to escape the 9–5, make passive income, and finally see money rolling in while you sleep.
But what does it actually look like once you start?
In this post, I’ll break down my full experience — the struggles, the lessons, and the truth about how long it takes to see results. Whether you’re thinking about joining Project 24 or already knee-deep in articles and doubts, this post will help you set realistic expectations and find your next move.
What Is Project 24 (and Who Is It For)?
Project 24 is the flagship course from Income School, designed to help people build profitable niche websites from scratch. The “24” in the name refers to their promise that you can replace your full-time income in 24 months if you follow the system consistently.
The program teaches you how to:
- Pick a niche you can actually rank for.
- Write 30 pieces of content (response, staple, and pillar posts).
- Monetize through display ads, affiliate links, and info products.
- Build an audience through SEO, YouTube, and email.
It’s simple in theory — but in practice, it’s an emotional rollercoaster.
The Easy Start: The First 15 Posts
In the beginning, it’s pure adrenaline. You’re fired up, excited to hit “publish,” and convinced you’ll make your first $100 in no time.
As part of Project 24, you’re expected to write:
- 10 response posts (about 1,500 words each).
- 10 staple posts (about 2,500 words each).
- 10 pillar posts (about 3,500 words each).
The first 15 posts felt easy because of the initial motivation. Each article was fresh and exciting — I believed every one could be the one that went viral or brought in my first affiliate sale.
That early phase feels productive and fun. But around the halfway mark, reality sets in.
The Grind: Articles 16–25
This is where most people quit — and I get why.
Around post 16, you start to feel like you’re writing about the same thing over and over again. Traffic is almost non-existent, your site feels invisible, and that initial rush is long gone.
The doubt creeps in fast:
“Am I wasting my time?”
“Is anyone ever going to read this?”
“What if this whole thing doesn’t work anymore?”
Project 24 teaches you that this phase is normal, but it’s still tough when you’re living it. This “middle grind” is where consistency matters most — not creativity or excitement. You’re building momentum that you won’t see for months.
If you can push through this phase, you’re already doing better than 90% of people who start.
The Final Stretch: Articles 26–30
By the time I hit my last five articles, I wasn’t writing for traffic — I was writing for closure.
At this point, I had written over 70,000 words on one topic, and I just wanted to finish the challenge. But there’s a sense of pride that comes with completing all 30 posts. It feels like crossing a mental finish line, even if the financial reward hasn’t arrived yet.
That accomplishment matters. It’s proof that you can build discipline, stick with a long-term goal, and finish what you start — which is more than most people in the make money online world can say.
Monetization Reality: $3.27 in the Bank
Let’s talk about the money — because that’s what everyone wants to know.
At the time of recording, I had earned:
- $0.62 from Amazon affiliates.
- $2.65 from Google AdSense.
That’s $3.27 total — and I was actually happy about it.
Why? Because it proved the system works, even on a micro scale. It’s not about making thousands right away — it’s about understanding that every click, every impression, and every sale means your site is alive.
Project 24 warns you that the first year is about planting seeds. You won’t make much money until you hit consistent traffic, which often takes 12–18 months.
Still, even those small numbers felt like validation that I was moving in the right direction.
Three Ways to Monetize a Project 24 Site
Income School outlines three main monetization methods:
1. Display Ads
This includes platforms like Google AdSense, Mediavine, or AdThrive.
AdSense is easy to get started with, but you’ll earn very little until your traffic hits around 30,000 pageviews per month.
Once you reach that milestone, switching to a premium ad network can triple or quadruple your ad revenue per click.
2. Affiliate Marketing
This is the most beginner-friendly income stream.
You can promote relevant products in your niche and earn a commission for each sale.
But as Amazon and other programs reduce their payout rates, your strategy has to evolve — think direct brand partnerships or niche-specific programs with higher commissions.
3. Info Products
This is where the real money happens.
If you can create an ebook, digital course, or downloadable template, you keep 100% of the profit.
You can also use PLR (Private Label Rights) content to sell products faster.
Building an email list is key here — it gives you a direct line to your audience for repeat sales.
“Even one sale of your own product is 100% profit. That’s a win worth chasing.”Income School & Project 24_ Ans…
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The Hidden Lesson: The “Middle Ten” Matter Most
What most people don’t realize is that success doesn’t happen during the exciting first posts or the easy final stretch — it happens during the grind.
Articles 16–25 are where:
- Your writing improves drastically.
- You learn what content Google likes.
- You develop the consistency that separates winners from quitters.
If you’re in that phase right now, take this as your reminder: you’re doing better than you think.
The Emotional Journey: From Excitement to Discipline
This process isn’t just about SEO or traffic — it’s about mindset.
The shift from “I hope this works” to “I know it will if I keep going” is subtle but powerful.
Here’s the emotional timeline most people go through:
- Excitement – You publish your first few posts and dream of passive income.
- Doubt – You realize no one’s visiting yet.
- Frustration – You question if you’re wasting time.
- Breakthrough – You start ranking and making small sales.
- Confidence – You finally believe in your ability to win long-term.
Stick with it long enough, and your site becomes an asset that compounds over time — the definition of passive income.
Final Thoughts: Is Project 24 Worth It?
If you’re expecting instant results, Project 24 will disappoint you.
If you’re ready to build something long-term and put in the work, it’s worth every penny.
The system works, but you are the variable.
Most people quit before their 25th post — not because the system fails, but because the grind phase feels endless.
But if you can push past that wall, the results start to compound.
Remember: every successful blogger or niche site owner once stared at an empty analytics chart and wondered if this was all a waste of time.
The difference? They didn’t stop.
Final Call to Action
💡 Want to skip the slow learning curve?
👉 Join the Platform-Proof Profits Membership — where I help you create digital income systems that actually scale.