How I’ve Made $350,000 From AI-Constructed Apps

At this time, I’m excited to share an article from Pete McPherson. Pete has constructed and offered AI-built apps, incomes over $350,000 with out expertise. On this publish, he explains precisely how he did it and how one can get began, too. This may be an fascinating strategy to make further revenue!

Three years in the past, I used to be a burnt-out creator debating whether or not to return to a “actual job.”

Since then, I’ve…

• “Coded” 8 apps
• Bought 2 software program firms
• Earned over $350k+ (simply from these).

Whereas working lower than 20 hours every week…

With no developer expertise(!)…

And no large viewers…

The key?

You guessed it: A.I.

This publish is the “how I did it” story–the errors, technique, and “vibe coding” blueprint.

No fluff. Simply worth.

Let’s roll 👇

What this publish gives you…

This publish explores “vibe-coding.”

• What it’s
• Why it issues
• How one can begin

And while you shut this browser tab, I would like you to have 3 issues:

1. Inspiration 👉 PROOF that these wild alternatives exist
2. Data 👉 There’s numerous TEACHING right here.
3. Confidence 👉 My purpose is to make this as NON-TECHY as doable, and I hope you have got a number of “a-ha!” moments.

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“Woah Pete. Code? AI? Saas? Sounds techy and overwhelming…”

• Excellent news = You do NOT should be tremendous techy to “use” this weblog publish
• Unhealthy information = There’ll at all times be new phrases & tech to be taught

I imply, heck…

I’m NOT a skilled developer. I’m a full-time content material creator.

For those who’ve realized WordPress or video enhancing software program, you are able to do this, too.

I’m going to indicate you find out how to let AI do all of the arduous stuff for you.

Your job?

1. Provide you with concepts
2. Chat with AI
3. Information the method

This publish will maintain issues useless easy.

Beneficial studying: 10 Finest Methods To Use ChatGPT To Make Cash

How I realized how to do that stuff…

Right here’s my timeline:

October 2016

I give up my accounting job (after 2 years of concern). I take a part-time gig at a small startup so I can spend extra time SIDE-HUSTLING. Get laid off after one paycheck (ruh roh).

June 2017

I launch Do You Even Weblog by accident by recording interviews with money-making bloggers (Thanks, Michelle 🙏). I LOVE THIS WORK SO MUCH!

2017 – 2021

I ran the podcast, YouTube channel, weblog, programs, and a membership! Made sufficient $$$ to outlive. Nonetheless beloved it.

Summer season 2021

Burnout. Boredom. Began OTHER companies (12+ web sites, 3 YouTube channels, 2 podcasts). Selection is sweet. Cash is sweet.

December 2022

My media empire is rockin! I made an in depth plan for 2023. Then ChatGPT releases.

January 2023

Panic. I really feel like AI is the following ‘factor,’ however I’m afraid to drop my complete plan. After a month, I pivot all the pieces to AI.

March 2023

I see a YouTube video the place ChatGPT codes. Thoughts blown. I begin “coding” my first app.

June 2023

I spend LITERALLY 3 MONTHS on this app, and it was one of the tough & irritating issues I’ve ever achieved, and I solely acquired about 10 paying customers. However I shipped it and I’m proud.

August 2023

I attempt once more. This app solely takes 3 WEEKS (what?!) and it instantly grows to $1,000/month in recurring income.

October 2023

FABB AI (stands for Absolutely Autonomous Weblog Bot) is making about $3k/month, however I’ve a well being emergency and pause ALL my work.

March 2024

I construct Topical Map AI in about 3 DAYS(!) to resolve my very own ache level. Made a number of grand, then went passive.

April – November 2024

Constructed extra small apps with AI. Took companions for Topical Map AI who promoted it. Income grew to $7-8k/month and it’s principally passive for me.

December 2024

Listed FABB AI for $45,000 “simply to see what occurs” and it sells inside 10 days. Um. What. Didn’t know I may try this.

January 2025 – At this time

Following the “blueprint” full-time (it’s beneath!) Created Code Playbook to show others how to do that stuff. Bought Topical Map AI after 10 months of ignoring it (whoops, however yay!). Now I ship apps part-time-ish, earn cash, and I’m having the time of my life.

Let’s transfer into “educating mode” for a second 👇

My precise “blueprint” for creating wealth:

Listed below are my vibe-coding philosophies (constructed from the previous 2 yr of craziness):

1 – Construct in Public

At all times develop your private model outdoors of particular companies! Methods go stale and tasks go away, however it’s important to have an viewers that follows you within the long-term.

“Construct in public” = share behind-the-scenes. What you’re engaged on, classes realized, ideas & methods, and many others. This builds your authority and not directly builds curiosity to your subsequent product.

2 – The “Viewers-First” Rule

I don’t construct something except I can clearly see the place my first 10-100 prospects will come from.

Sure, I’ve my Do You Even Weblog viewers (an enormous asset), however I additionally search for methods to succeed in new folks. I wish to know this BEFORE I begin work on a product.

3 – The “Thought Abundance” System

Cease ready for “huge concepts” and begin capturing “tiny concepts” DAILY. I maintain an “concept inbox” for simple brain-dumping.

(On the finish of this publish, I’ll share my 3 methods for shortly producing app concepts in case you’re caught).

4 – Construct it to Promote

I get bored simply and I don’t get pleasure from advertising and marketing. 2 issues that make “scaling” actually tough.

So I begin each mission asking, “Can I promote this in 12 months?” or “Can I make this 90% passive?” If the reply is not any, I don’t even begin!

I realized this the arduous method. I might’ve made extra money if I hadn’t PAUSED each firms I offered.

5 – The large image for every new mission

My present course of:

1. Month 1 👉 Sloppy MVP and alpha testers
2. Month 2 👉 Clear it up and launch the beta at a reduced worth
3. Month 3 👉 “Kill or maintain” the mission. It will get apparent quick.
4. Month 4 👉 Create documentation and onboarding.

The whole lot after that needs to be advertising and marketing.

6 – Leverage companions

I hate advertising and marketing, so I discover companions who’ve the viewers I want!

Associates are good, however fairness companions are SO significantly better. They supply extra vitality, viewers, and even concepts. It’s a surprisingly straightforward pitch!

7 – Construct to promote, half 2

I’ve realized quite a bit about what consumers search for:

• STABLE income
• A simple transition
• An fascinating model

I construct with these issues in thoughts, at the beginning!

P.S. For those who’d moderately watch my blueprint for these steps, I put it on YouTube.

What’s “vibe-coding?”

Vibe-coding = utilizing AI to code.

It’s not about programming languages, frameworks, syntax, and extremely technical stuff…

It’s about…

• Having an concept
• Chatting with an AI about it (therefore the ‘vibe’)
• Letting the AI do all of the HARD work (i.e. the precise coding)
• Going forwards and backwards till it really works 💪

You could have concepts and handle. AI writes code.

You vibe code forwards and backwards till it WORKS.

No engineering levels. No bootcamps. Simply chatting, testing, tweaking, and SHIPPING.

The instruments I exploit & suggest

First, an essential level: the instruments matter lower than MOMENTUM.

There are new AI coding instruments launched on daily basis, and you need to ignore 99% of that.

You’ll actually solely want 3 issues:

1. A laptop computer
2. An AI code editor
3. A number

I’ll skip the pc suggestions and get to the enjoyable stuff (additionally, beneath is a YouTube video the place I dive deeper into my instruments).

An AI code editor

You may see these known as “IDEs,” by the way in which.

All the large choices have AI baked proper in!

I’ve tried all of them, and I like to recommend utilizing Cursor. 

For those who’re going to pay for ANY instrument to vibe-code, it’s Cursor, however you can even begin on the free plan!

What about Bolt & Lovable and all these “does all the pieces for you” instruments? 

I do NOT suggest them.

It may be simpler to get began, however you get much less management, extra bugs, and extra headache within the long-term. Skip them!

A number

Similar to you want a number to your WordPress web site, you want a number to your app web site.

Use Vercel.

The most effective free tier, straightforward GitHub join, quick deploys, and many others. Accomplished.

VIBE-CODING PRO TIP:

The “finest instrument” is the one you’ll truly open and USE. Scale back friction. Use Cursor or Windsurf. Construct stuff day by day.

“Pete, what about programming languages? Frameworks? Databases?!”

Who cares? 

Let the extra techy builders argue about Python vs Javascript vs Deno vs Bun vs PostgreSQL.

Your prospects don’t care, so long as your app works.

Ask ChatGPT to suggest a “easy, beginner-friendly stack,” after you describe what you need (see beneath).

Or–you could possibly use my pre-made “equipment.”

It’s like shopping for a cake combine as an alternative of baking from scratch 🎂

That is the “tech stack” I exploit for each single mission:

• SvelteKit – Net-app framework. Makes use of Svelte + JavaScript (AI is aware of it effectively).
• Firebase – Your “backend as a service” aka your database
• Tailwind CSS – The way you type your app. AI is aware of this effectively!
• Stripe – For getting that cash 💸

AI can set 95% of this up FOR you!

And for the 5% it could’t, it could stroll you thru it.

How one can vibe-code your first app, step-by-step

Right here’s the 30,000-foot overview of the method I exploit for each app I construct.

1 – Arrange your pc

There’s one handbook factor to do earlier than you vibe code–establishing your pc!

It’s like connecting your Tremendous Nintendo console to your TV earlier than you possibly can play.

You solely have to do that as soon as.

AND…AI can stroll you thru it step-by-step

1. Discover the “terminal” in your pc (Google can present you ways!)
2. Set up Cursor
3. Set up each Node.js and npm (AI can do that)
4. Join a free GitHub account

2 – Ask AI to arrange your app (with a starter template)

First, I like to recommend chatting with ChatGPT/Claude about your mission…

• Clarify the concept
• Clarify any options you need
• Clarify–all the pieces

Ask it for suggestions–in addition to what “framework” or “tech stack” you need to use.

Then you definately’ll immediate AI (in Cursor) to set it up!

1. (Non-obligatory) Find the documentation to your app framework (SvelteKit is right here, for instance) Copy/Paste the URL for the documentation to your AI
2. Immediate AI to arrange a brand new mission (give it your particulars, just like the identify, and many others.)
3. Troubleshoot errors with AI
4. Get your mission working “domestically” (in your pc) and take a look at it with the humorous URL that your AI offers you.

This proves your native setup is working!

VIBE-CODING PRO TIP:

Even seasoned builders get errors CONSTANTLY! That’s the job. Construct, fail, repair, repeat. Don’t be discouraged while you get errors. It occurs on a regular basis within the coding world! Plus, AI is nice at fixing errors.

Technically, you constructed an app! Congrats!

Now let’s deploy it to the web.

3 – Deploy it to the web

“Deploy” simply means “connect with a number, who serves your app to web site guests.”

1. Create a free Vercel account
2. “Commit” your code in git (AI can do that for you)
3. Create a “distant repository” in your GitHub dashboard, then copy/paste the code snippet again in your terminal–this may add your code to GitHub

1. In Vercel, create a brand new mission and “join” it to your new GitHub repo
2. (Non-obligatory) Add a customized area identify within the Vercel mission settings!

If all goes effectively–your app is now reside on the web!!

If it doesn’t go effectively, chat with AI about it 🤷‍♂️

4 – Construct options with the “AI Coding Loop”

Now you’re able to construct YOUR factor.

Under is my means of coding something.

Begin with the boring options first (header, footer, login and logout) OR begin with no matter you’re enthusiastic about constructing (to maintain momentum)!

The “AI Coding Loop,” defined

That is the core vibe coding course of:

1 – Plan

Chat together with your AI (no code but!) about what you need to construct.

Brainstorm. Go nuts. Dream up cool stuff.

• What’s the concept?
• What would you like it to appear to be?
• What 2-3 options must you begin with?

Give AI as a lot context & element as doable, then ask it to create a plan for implementation.

Travel with AI till you’re glad with the plan.

2 – Implement

Ask AI to construct it.

Seize espresso when you wait.

3 – Check it 

Mainly, use your app. 

TRY to interrupt it. 

You will get errors. Feed them again to AI instantly, then once more, then once more…till it really works.

If AI is actually failing, you possibly can Google the error, get assist in any vibe-coding communities, or delete all the pieces the AI simply did and begin over.

4 – Repeat

A characteristic is working with no errors?

You probably did it!

1. Save your work (utilizing Git. You’ll need to watch 15 minutes of YouTube movies. Or AI can do it for you 🤪)
2. Do some dance
3. Transfer on to the following factor

Increase!

The advertising and marketing methods I’ve discovered best

Truthfully, this may very well be its personal article (or three)…

On one hand, you possibly can market a Saas like every digital or bodily product.

Alternatively, there are a few methods which can be uniquely efficient for apps.

1 – Private viewers (duh)

Okay, this isn’t distinctive, however it’s SO essential.

Construct a private model that may observe you for the long-term!

• If you have already got an viewers, incredible!
• If not, begin at present together with your current social media channels and an e-mail record.

Share behind-the-scenes. Classes realized. Even a small following can kickstart early traction.

2 – Companions (Fairness and all the pieces)

I hate advertising and marketing, so this has been my go-to technique.

Discover any person who has your audience, and persuade them to companion with you.

This “pitch” is difficult for many digital merchandise, however surprisingly simpler for Saas:

1. I construct the app, present help, and run all the pieces (i.e. 97% of the work)
2. YOU advertise each time the chance arises
3. We break up month-to-month earnings 50/50, and after we ultimately promote the app!

I’ve achieved this twice, and it’s a ravishing association!

Simply do not forget that partnerships really are like marriage. It helps if you understand the individual(s) already, and get all the pieces in writing! (your function, their function, obligations, and many others!)

3 – Associates

Associates are by no means going to be as incentivized as fairness companions–however there’s far much less competitors for selling Saas merchandise.

Get your first few prospects, collect some testimonials, then associates could have a neater time saying “sure.”

4 – Chilly Outreach

I’ve NEVER urged chilly emailing folks as a technique, till now.

The marketplace for programs, podcast company, and many others, is saturated, however apps simply have a distinct vibe (for now).

“Hey! I made a course…” is a extremely lame chilly e-mail. 

“Hey! I run an app known as Record Gadget…” looks like an even bigger deal.

Chilly outreach is rarely enjoyable (in case you’re like me, that’s), however there’s a window of alternative for this technique.

QUICK NOTE: 

“Pete, what about launching on Product Hunt? Hacker Midday? Reddit?”

For those who’re already plugged into these communities, go for it. 

However for most individuals? It’s not definitely worth the effort. I’ve been upset with each “Product Hunt launch” I’ve tried.

Deal with discovering your audience instantly (and dealing with individuals who have already got them)!

3 Methods to “provide you with app concepts”

For those who’re sitting all the way down to “consider a enterprise concept,” you’re doing it incorrect.

As an alternative, develop the behavior of recognizing alternatives in on a regular basis life.

Maintain an “concept inbox” in your notes the place you possibly can shortly braindump random concepts. Do that DAILY, in case you can.

That mentioned…

Listed below are three particular strategies to kickstart your mind with concepts:

1 – Scratch your personal itch

The best technique ever–while you domesticate the mindset of noticing while you really feel ache or frustration.

Practice your self to acknowledge these “Oh, that is annoying” moments. You’ll begin seeing app concepts in every single place.

2 – “Unbundle” Enormous Apps

Large firms like Hubspot, Ahrefs, or Google Office pack in 1,000 options into their apps.

What in case you took simply ONE of these options, and turned it right into a standalone app?

I solely used the “Web site Explorer” characteristic in Ahrefs, and I discovered myself wishing it was a standalone app.

Within the instruments you utilize, what options are you paying for however aren’t utilizing?

Which apps are overcomplicated?

3 – Undercut Overpriced Apps

5 years in the past, paying $10/month for Calendly was completely affordable. 

Now? I may construct my very own Calendly in a day or two. Why ought to I pay?

I constructed a (free) note-taking app, Bulletfinity.com, in 10 days, as a result of I didn’t need to spend $10/month for its rivals.

The KEY for this technique is to give attention to apps that don’t value quite a bit to run, i.e. they’re very scalable.

8 Assets to stage up and get help

Have I piqued your curiosity (and/or overwhelmed you)? I hope so 😎

There’s clearly extra to this vibe-coding enterprise than what you possibly can be taught in a weblog publish, so listed below are a number of free & paid assets to go deeper:

1. Vibe-Coding for Full Newcomers: How It All Matches Collectively: A free 5-day mini course – that is the next move!
2. Code Playbook (course): That is my vibe-coding course that’ll stroll you thru each step, and supply a non-public Discord neighborhood the place you may get assist
3. Code Playbook YouTube: I additionally launch free movies on that YouTube channel. Go subscribe 🎥
4. “Make” e-book: That is an internet e-book (a extremely cool format btw) by “ranges.io”, the founding father of NomadList, RemoteOK, and extra–that was launched BEFORE the AI craze, however is incredible for future indie builders.
5. My weekly publication: It’s informal, however I share all the pieces I’m doing!
6. Different folks to observe: Marc Lou, Ian Nuttall, Internet Ninja on YouTube for excellent free coding programs (probably not vibe-coding, however nonetheless)
7. The documentation for no matter AI agent you utilize! Instance: the Claude Code documentation is SO HELPFUL. Select your instrument, then bookmark their docs!
8. My e-mail deal with: I’m not a mega-influencer who will get 10,000 emails a day. E mail me together with your questions–or simply say whats up! Pete (at) doyouevenblog (dot) com 😎

Is your mind reeling with concepts?

(or overwhelmed on the potentialities? That’s completely okay, too).

I hope you loved this publish 😉

Ciao!

~Pete

Creator bio: Pete McPherson left the company world in 2017 to develop into a full-time on-line entrepreneur, constructing 20+ worthwhile manufacturers, two of which he efficiently offered. Through the years, his work has reached hundreds of thousands of individuals by YouTube, podcasts, and blogs, amassing over 4,000,000 YouTube views and 3,000,000 podcast downloads. At this time, Pete teaches creators and entrepreneurs by Code Playbook, his program and YouTube channel devoted to serving to folks construct and launch apps with AI.

Have you ever ever considered constructing your personal app with AI? What sort of instrument or downside would you need to create one for?

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