Nicholas Smith, an online entrepreneur, managed to generate $40,000 in just 10 days without spending a penny on advertising. His strategy didn’t rely on traditional social media platforms like LinkedIn or Instagram, nor did it involve Facebook ads. Instead, Nicholas used an innovative traffic source that’s not only free but also evergreen, meaning it continues driving results long after the initial setup.
In this case study, we’ll break down the steps Nicholas took to create a system that continually generates revenue while driving traffic to his online community.
The strategy: turning $0 into $40,000
Nicholas’s approach wasn’t just about getting traffic; it was about building an entire ecosystem that multiplied his revenue streams. The core of his strategy focused on creating a free community, monetizing it through affiliate links, and upselling to a paid community and high-ticket offers. Here’s a simplified overview of how it worked:
- Choose a platform: Use a platform that captures attention and drives organic traffic;
- Create a free community: Offer valuable content for free to attract members;
- Monetize with affiliate links: Strategically place affiliate links within the community;
- Launch a paid community: Offer premium content to those willing to pay for more value;
- Introduce high-ticket offers: Upsell to an advanced program for dedicated members.
Now, let’s break down each step and see how Nicholas executed this strategy.
Step 1: Securing a top spot on the platform
Nicholas started by choosing Skool, a platform designed to build communities around specific interests. He created a free community that quickly grew to 12,000 members, securing a spot on Skool’s front page. Ranking high on a platform like this is crucial because it naturally draws in more traffic, increasing visibility.
Why It worked?
Nicholas earned his audience’s trust by offering free, valuable content upfront. No hard sales pitch, just genuine value. This helped him grow his community naturally, building goodwill and creating stronger, more authentic connections with his members. People were eager to stick around because they felt they were getting something meaningful without being sold to right away.
Step 2: Using a hidden traffic source
The real game-changer in Nicholas’s strategy was using faceless YouTube automation channels. These channels generated traffic through well-crafted videos without Nicholas ever showing his face on camera. He outsourced the entire process, hiring scriptwriters, voiceover artists, and video editors to produce content.
Monetization through affiliate links:
Before diving into traffic generation, Nicholas set up a steady revenue stream through affiliate links. His community featured a “recommended tools” section filled with affiliate products, which generated around $12,000 a month in commissions. By offering value upfront, people trusted his recommendations, leading to consistent affiliate income.
Step 3: Building a premium, paid community
Once his free community was thriving, Nicholas introduced a paid version. For $99 a month, members could unlock access to premium content, personalized support, and even monthly giveaways. This setup kept people engaged and boosted his monthly recurring revenue (MRR).
Why it worked?
Nicholas had already delivered so much value for free that by the time he introduced the paid option, people were ready to invest. They’d seen the benefits firsthand, so paying for even more perks felt like a no-brainer. This made it easy to convert free members into paying ones.
Step 4: Offering a high-ticket program
For the most engaged members, Nicholas introduced a high-ticket program tailored to those looking to take their journey to the next level. This program was a key revenue driver, with around 35 clients contributing significantly to his overall profit.
Why it worked?
The high-ticket offer appealed to the most dedicated members who were ready to invest more in their personal growth. This allowed Nicholas to maximize revenue from his most loyal followers.
Step 5: The evergreen traffic source — faceless YouTube channels
Nicholas’s secret weapon for driving traffic was faceless YouTube automation channels. He created channels in niches like personal development and finance, aligning with the interests of his community. By outsourcing the content creation, Nicholas was able to produce videos at scale, with each video costing between $50 and $100 to make.
Proof that it works:
One of his YouTube channels generated $105,000 in ad revenue over 30 days. These channels not only drove consistent traffic to his community but also earned passive income through YouTube’s AdSense program.
Step 6: Keeping content evergreen
One of the biggest advantages of YouTube is the evergreen nature of the content. Unlike platforms like TikTok or Instagram, where posts have a short shelf life, YouTube videos continue to generate views and traffic for years. This long-lasting effect made YouTube a key tool for Nicholas’s long-term success
Step 7: Scaling the system
Once Nicholas established his communities and YouTube channels, he focused on scaling his success. Here’s how he did it:
- Expand with more channels: He created additional YouTube channels in different niches to reach new audiences;
- Optimize continuously: Nicholas constantly refined his videos and communities to boost engagement and increase revenue;
- Diversify offers: As his audience grew, he introduced new products and services to maximize his earnings.
Results:
Nicholas’s system proved to be both powerful and sustainable. By combining free traffic from YouTube with a well-structured community offering, he was able to generate substantial income without relying on paid ads or constantly being in front of the camera.
Key Metrics:
- $40,000 in 10 days;
- $12,000 per month from affiliate links;
- $105,000 in YouTube ad revenue from one channel in 30 days.
FAQs
Do I need experience?
No, you can outsource most of the work, from scriptwriting to video editing.
How long until I see results?
Results vary, but most YouTube channels see significant traffic and revenue within a few months.
Can this work in any niche?
Yes, this method can be applied to various niches as long as you’re providing value to your audience.
How do I monetize a free community?
You can monetize through affiliate links, paid memberships, and high-ticket offers.
Is this strategy sustainable?
Absolutely. The evergreen nature of YouTube content and the recurring revenue from communities make this a long-term, sustainable strategy.
By following Nicholas Smith's proven steps, you can build a revenue-generating system that uses free traffic and sustainable growth, allowing you to achieve similar success.
Conclusion
Nicholas Smith’s story shows just how powerful it can be to mix free YouTube traffic with a community-driven business model. By following his steps — creating a free community, adding affiliate links, offering a paid membership, and using YouTube automation — anyone can use this system to make serious money online.
The best part? Nicholas’s method keeps working even after it’s set up. Thanks to YouTube’s evergreen content and the steady income from his community, he continues earning long after the groundwork is done. This case study is a perfect guide for anyone wanting to build a long-term, profitable system without paying for ads or constantly being on camera.
