Ricky Kesler is a name that many online entrepreneurs have come to know and respect. As the co-founder of Income School, Ricky has helped countless people create successful web-based businesses.
His journey from a typical career path to internet entrepreneurship is inspiring and instructive.
In 2025, Ricky Kesler bought out his business partner Jim Harmer, becoming the sole owner of Income School. This move marked a new chapter for the company, which has been teaching digital marketing and content creation since 2015. Ricky’s expertise in these areas has been key to Income School’s success.
Income School’s YouTube channel has become a go-to resource for those looking to build an online income. Ricky and his team share strategies for SEO, content creation, and small business growth.
Their approach focuses on helping ordinary people achieve financial independence through internet-based ventures.
Key Takeaways
- Income School teaches people how to build profitable online businesses through content creation and digital marketing
- Ricky Kesler became the sole owner of Income School in 2025, continuing its mission of empowering entrepreneurs
- The company’s YouTube channel offers free, valuable resources for those looking to start their online business journey
Who Is Ricky Kesler?
Ricky Kesler is a successful internet entrepreneur and co-founder of Income School. His journey from education to partnering with Jim Harmer has led to a thriving online business venture.
Background and Education
Ricky Kesler’s path to entrepreneurship began with his education. He earned an MBA, which gave him a strong foundation in business principles. This knowledge proved valuable in his future endeavors.
Kesler’s interest in online business grew during his studies. He gained experience in digital marketing and content creation. These skills would later become crucial in his role at Income School.
Partnership with Jim Harmer
Ricky Kesler and Jim Harmer are friends from high school. Their shared interest in online business led them to start Income School in 2015.
The partnership combined Kesler’s marketing skills with Harmer’s business acumen. Together, they created a company focused on helping others build successful online businesses.
Their venture began as a podcast. It took time to grow, but their persistence paid off.
Ricky Kesler’s Role at Income School
At Income School, Ricky Kesler plays a key role in the company’s success. He focuses on digital marketing strategies and content creation.
Kesler helps teach others how to become financially independent through online businesses. His expertise in creating engaging content has led to millions of views on YouTube.
As an internet entrepreneur, Kesler continues to innovate and guide others in the ever-changing online landscape. His work at Income School has helped many aspiring entrepreneurs achieve their goals.
Income School’s Philosophy
Income School aims to help people earn money online through blogging and content creation. They focus on practical, proven strategies for building profitable websites.
Project 24 Overview
Project 24 is Income School’s flagship program. It teaches people how to create a full-time income from blogging in 24 months.
The course covers everything from picking a niche to creating content and monetizing a site. It uses a step-by-step approach that’s easy to follow.
Project 24 emphasizes building authority sites with high-quality content. This approach aims for long-term success rather than quick wins.
Content Creation Strategy
Income School’s content strategy focuses on creating helpful, in-depth articles. They teach writers to answer real questions people are searching for online.
Their method doesn’t rely on keyword research tools. Instead, they use a “Alphabet Soup” technique to find topics people care about.
Income School encourages creating a mix of informational and commercial content. This balance helps build trust with readers while also earning money.
They stress the importance of writing clearly and avoiding fluff. Their goal is to make content that’s easy for anyone to understand.
Importance of Internet Marketing
Income School views internet marketing as key to online success. They teach simple SEO techniques that don’t require fancy tools.
Their approach focuses on creating great content that naturally attracts links and shares. They believe this is more effective than aggressive link-building.
Ricky Kesler and Jim Harmer, Income School’s founders, emphasize the power of helpful content in driving traffic. They teach students to think like their audience and solve real problems.
Income School also covers social media and email marketing. But they see these as secondary to creating solid, search-friendly content.
Building an Online Business
Starting an online business takes planning and hard work. With the right approach, anyone can build a successful venture on the internet. Let’s look at some key strategies and tips for online entrepreneurs.
Starting with the Right Strategy
A good strategy is key for online business success. Pick a niche you know well and enjoy. Research your target audience to understand their needs. Create a simple business plan to guide your efforts.
Set clear goals for your business. Break big goals into smaller steps. This makes them easier to achieve.
Learn basic tech skills like website building and social media. You don’t need to be an expert, but knowing the basics helps.
Network with other online business owners. Join online groups or forums in your niche. You can learn a lot from others’ experiences.
Key Tips for Online Entrepreneurs
Focus on providing value to your audience. Create helpful content that solves their problems. This builds trust and keeps people coming back.
Be patient and consistent. Online businesses take time to grow. Keep working on your goals even when progress seems slow.
Stay up-to-date with your industry. Things change fast online. Read blogs, watch videos, and take courses to keep learning.
Build an email list from the start. Email marketing is a powerful way to connect with customers. Offer something free to get people to sign up.
Use social media to grow your brand. Pick 1-2 platforms where your audience hangs out. Post regularly and engage with followers.
Monetization Methods
There are many ways to make money online. Ricky Kesler from Income School teaches several effective methods.
Affiliate marketing is popular. You promote other people’s products and earn a commission on sales. This works well for bloggers and YouTubers.
Selling digital products is another option. Create ebooks, courses, or templates that help your audience. These have low costs and high profit margins.
Advertising can work for sites with lots of traffic. Place ads on your website or YouTube videos. You earn money when people view or click the ads.
Offering services is good for those with specific skills. Freelance writing, design, or consulting can be lucrative. Start on job boards or create your own website to find clients.
Strategies for Content Platforms
Ricky Kesler’s Income School teaches key strategies for success across different content platforms. These methods help creators build audiences and earn income through blogging, YouTube, and social media.
Blogging for Success
Blogging remains a powerful way to share ideas and make money online. Income School recommends choosing topics with low competition but high interest. This increases the chances of ranking well in search results.
Creators should focus on writing helpful, in-depth content that solves readers’ problems. Articles need to be at least 1,000 words long to rank well. Using relevant keywords naturally throughout the text is important for SEO.
Income School suggests publishing new blog posts 2-3 times per week. Consistency helps build an audience over time. Interlinking related articles on a site can boost overall traffic and keep readers engaged longer.
Optimizing for the YouTube Algorithm
YouTube offers big opportunities for content creators. Income School teaches how to make videos that do well on the platform.
Creators should focus on making high-quality, engaging videos that keep viewers watching. The first 30 seconds are crucial for hooking the audience. Using eye-catching thumbnails and titles helps videos stand out.
Income School recommends posting new videos consistently, ideally 1-2 times per week. Longer videos tend to perform better in the algorithm, with 10-15 minutes being a good target length.
Adding relevant tags, descriptions, and closed captions can boost a video’s visibility in search results. Creators should also encourage viewers to like, comment, and subscribe to increase engagement.
Leveraging Social Media for Business Growth
Social media platforms offer ways to connect with audiences and drive traffic to blogs or YouTube channels. Income School teaches strategies for several popular networks.
On Facebook, creators can join relevant groups to share their content and connect with others in their niche. Twitter is useful for networking and staying up-to-date on industry trends.
Instagram works well for visual content and building a personal brand. Pinterest can drive significant traffic to blogs, especially for topics like food, fashion, or DIY projects.
Income School suggests focusing on 1-2 platforms rather than trying to be active everywhere. Consistency and engagement are key to growing a following on any social network.
Advanced Entrepreneurship Skills
Ricky Kesler’s journey with Income School showcases key entrepreneurial abilities. These skills helped him grow the business and buy out his co-founder Jim Harmer. Let’s explore some advanced skills that set successful online entrepreneurs apart.
The Art of Negotiations
Negotiation is crucial for entrepreneurs. Kesler likely used these skills when buying out Harmer. Good negotiators listen carefully and find win-win solutions. They stay calm under pressure and know when to walk away.
Preparation is key. Before talks, smart business owners research the other side’s needs and limits. They also set clear goals for what they want to achieve.
During negotiations, it’s important to:
- Stay flexible
- Ask open-ended questions
- Look for shared interests
- Make reasonable offers
Gaining Recognition and Authority
Building authority in a niche takes time and effort. Income School became known for helping people create profitable websites. Kesler likely focused on consistent, high-quality content to grow their reputation.
Strategies for gaining recognition include:
- Speaking at industry events
- Writing guest posts for popular blogs
- Sharing unique insights on social media
- Creating helpful free resources
As Income School’s influence grew, Kesler probably got more chances to share his expertise. This helped attract new students to their courses.
Creating and Selling Niche Sites
Niche sites can be a great source of passive income. Kesler and Harmer taught others how to build these sites through their Project 24 program.
The process usually involves:
- Finding an underserved topic
- Creating helpful content
- Optimizing for search engines
- Monetizing with ads or affiliate links
To sell a niche site, owners need to show steady traffic and income. Buyers look for sites with growth potential. Kesler likely gained experience valuing and selling sites, which helped him in larger business deals.
The Journey to Passive Income
Ricky Kesler’s path to passive income started when he co-founded Income School in 2015. He and his partner Jim Harmer had a clear goal: help people build online businesses that generate steady income.
Their strategy focused on creating niche websites. These sites target specific topics and attract readers interested in those areas. The Income School method aims to make this process fast and effective.
Kesler and the Income School team developed a unique approach:
- Research low-competition topics
- Create high-quality content
- Optimize for search engines
- Monetize through ads and affiliate marketing
This method helps website owners earn money while they sleep. It’s the essence of passive income.
Project 24, one of Income School’s popular programs, promises to help people build a full-time income in just 24 months. It’s an ambitious goal, but many students have found success.
Kesler’s journey shows that passive income isn’t truly passive at first. It requires hard work and dedication. But with the right strategy, it can lead to financial freedom and flexibility.
Through Income School, Kesler continues to share his knowledge. He teaches others how to create their own passive income streams, helping them achieve their financial goals.
