Hey hey! Let me introduce you to Travis Chappell, the mastermind behind not only the Build Your Network Podcast but also Guestio—a game-changing SaaS platform that connects podcast guests and hosts. If you’re a podcaster or someone trying to get booked on a show, Guestio is your new best friend! It helps you find top-tier guests, pitch yourself to hosts, and even monetize your time and audience.
But wait, there’s more! Not only does Guestio offer a self-service platform, but they also run a full-fledged agency for high-level clients (think 7- to 9-figure founders) who need done-for-you booking services. And it’s paying off—Travis and his team are pulling in $220K/month as of August 2022! 🎉
So how did all of this come to be? Well, let’s rewind a bit…
From Door-to-Door Sales to Podcast Powerhouse 💼
Travis started out in the hustle world of door-to-door sales while in college. Yep, knocking on doors, making sales, and learning the art of persuasion. While he was good at it, Travis realized this wasn’t what he wanted to do forever.
In search of something more fulfilling, Travis dove deep into personal development and—like so many of us—got hooked on podcasts. He loved the medium so much that he started his own show, Build Your Network. After a couple of years, it started to gain serious traction. But there was a problem…
The Lightbulb Moment 💡
As Travis’ podcast grew, people started asking him how they could do the same. How do you get good guests? How do you get yourself booked on other podcasts? That’s when it hit him—there wasn’t a streamlined way to make those connections easily.
And just like that, Guestio was born! Travis and his team built a marketplace that made it simple for podcasters to find guests and for people to get booked on shows to promote their stuff. What made it even better? He already had an audience ready to try it out. Within just a few months of launching, they had over 1,000 users organically!
Building the Product (And Learning the Hard Way) 🛠️
Travis is the first to admit that building software as a non-technical founder was a learning curve. He partnered with a development firm to bring the vision to life, but things didn’t go perfectly. For instance, they spent $20,000 on a scheduling feature, thinking it would be a must-have for users. Spoiler alert: It wasn’t. 😅
But that’s entrepreneurship—it’s all about learning and adjusting. After getting feedback, they realized they needed to shift focus. Instead of just helping podcasters find guests, they leaned into the demand for helping people promote their own projects by getting booked on podcasts. And that’s when things really took off!
Scaling to $220K/Month 🚀
For the first year, Guestio grew organically through Travis’ existing audience. But when they launched their first paid marketing campaign in early 2022, they went from $0 to $15K/month in software revenue in just 60 days! 💰
Their secret sauce? A killer acquisition funnel that offered a $1 two-week trial, upsells, and a valuable annual subscription offer. And for those who wanted more hands-on help, Travis introduced agency services, which now rake in over $50K/month alone.
What’s Next for Guestio? 🌟
Travis and his team are just getting started. They’re on track to hit $2 million in revenue this year, with plans to expand both the software platform and the agency side of the business. With their growth rate and profitability (thanks to the agency), the future is looking bright!
What Has Travis Learned Along the Way? 🧠
Running a SaaS business, especially as a first-time founder, is full of lessons. Here are a few nuggets of wisdom from Travis himself:
- Get a Co-Founder: If you’re starting a business, especially in software, find a co-founder who complements your skill set. Travis says it would have saved him tons of money and stress in the early days.
- Choose a Starving Market: The key to success? Pick a market that’s not just growing but starving for a solution. Guestio didn’t fully explode until they tapped into the demand for people wanting traffic and promotion.
- Solve Problems You Know: Travis had years of experience in podcasting before launching Guestio, which gave him a unique insight into the problem he was solving. That credibility made raising money and gaining trust so much easier.
The Books and Podcasts That Shaped Travis 📚🎧
What resources helped Travis get where he is today? Here are some of his top recommendations:
- The Lean Startup by Eric Ries – Perfect for anyone building a product, especially software.
- The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz – A fantastic read on leadership and resilience.
- Influence by Robert Cialdini – A must-read for anyone in marketing.
- Secrets Trilogy by Russell Brunson – For building sales funnels.
- 100 Million Dollar Offers by Alex Hormozi – Great for crafting irresistible offers.
As for podcasts, Travis recommends:
- The Jordan Harbinger Show
- Impact Theory
- Joe Rogan
- Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
- Culture Camp with Jason Haugen
And of course, don’t forget Travis’ own show, Build Your Network, with over 800 episodes featuring big names like Shaquille O’Neal and Rob Dyrdek.
Parting Advice for Entrepreneurs 🚀
Travis’ biggest piece of advice? Focus on becoming the person capable of achieving your goals, not just on hitting the goal itself. Skills like commitment, focus, and delayed gratification are what will carry you through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
And there you have it! Travis Chappell’s journey from door-to-door sales to SaaS mogul is proof that with the right idea, hard work, and a little bit of adaptability, anything is possible. 🎉
