- Feb 28, 2019
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This is my 5000th message in the forum. So, I've decided to post a guide for beginners. Although I've written it keeping beginners in mind, the senior members may find something useful. Let's dive in!
Most beginners come here hoping to find a way to make money online. Some want to give it a shot while others are passionate about an IM career. Regardless of what one wants, the success in IM is random and it might seem erratic to beginners. No matter how much they try, some people never see a penny and consider everything to be white noise while some others give up after a couple of courses or after losing money in a scam. More than luck, it's psychology that affects your decisions and eventually - the end result. Let's delve into the topic for a deeper insight.
So you want to make money online but don’t know which path to choose? You’re not alone. Most newcomers are at cross-roads struggling to take the right decision in the right time. The goal of this post is to give an overview of IM career options so that you can take a more informed decision.
Mindset and Psychology: Laying the Right Foundation
Making money online is as much about mindset and strategy as it is about tactics. Here are some key perspectives to keep in mind:
Privacy & security is a shield: Privacy and security should run in your mind like a background process. Always be wary of who/what you are dealing with. Pay money to strangers, buy a new course, install software/tools/plug-ins from unknown sources, work for a client without any advance payment, click a suspicious link to download a digital product, and do a lot of risky things but only after taking preventive measures. Read rules, use sandbox, install antivirus/antimalware tools, double check everything before payments, read reviews and ask questions before making purchase decisions. Consider it a skill and you'll be proud of it for the rest of your IM career.
Easy money is fool's gold: Someone might've told you that it's easy to earn money online. Well, he is an idiot and you should realize it before you waste either time or money. IM is like stock market. Some people earn money, some lose it, while some others keep waiting for the right time or opportunity. Some call it luck, some call it timing, while some others call it a trade secret. The opinions and perspectives keep changing and make it more complex than what it actually is.
Passive income is possible but only after significant upfront work. So, don't fall for promises, courses, or methods that tease you with easy money or a process that keeps generating money without any effort or creativity. Most people quit long before they see real rewards. The ones who push through the initial grind are the ones who eventually “make it.” Think of building an online income like pushing a snowball uphill at first – it gets easier (and more passive) only after you’ve reached a certain momentum.
Be hungry but don't be greedy: You should know how much you can handle. Don't do hundred things at once hoping to make a million dollars. As soon as you master a business, automate the process or hire VAs before jumping on to other avenues. If you must handle ten things everyday, then time management is the key. You should also consider taking the help of AI to get things done faster.
Shiny object syndrome: In the online business world, there’s always a shiny new method or trend every few months. It’s easy to get distracted by the latest “hot opportunity” – one week it’s drop-shipping, next week it’s crypto, then some new AI hack. Chasing every new idea is a recipe for getting nowhere. You keep running but stay where you are - clueless and exhausted. The problem is not in the opportunities but in your decision making. You should rather pick a promising method and commit to it long enough to see results. You can always pivot later, but don’t let new opportunity derail you every week.
Embrace learning and adaptation: The online landscape changes fast. What worked last year might not work next year (Google algorithm updates, social media trends, AI updates, etc.). Approaching this game with a learner’s mindset is key. You’ll need to continuously learn new skills, experiment, and adapt. Treat failures as feedback rather than final defeats. Almost everyone who succeeds online has a history of projects that didn’t pan out before they found what works. Be ready to tweak your approach and stay agile.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket: Unlike a normal job, online ventures have less guaranteed outcomes – and that’s okay. Feeling some fear is normal. Even folks who make six or seven figures online admit that there’s always uncertainty and nothing is guaranteed. Platforms change, economies fluctuate – that’s part of the game. Don’t let the fear paralyze you; let it motivate you to diversify and stay sharp. For example, if you’re building a niche website getting all its traffic from Google, acknowledge that a Google update could hurt, and have a plan B or additional traffic sources. In short, don’t put all your eggs in one basket (at least not forever). The upside of online business is huge, but so are the swings; be mentally prepared for highs and lows.
Think Value and Long Term: Money ultimately comes from providing value – whether to an audience, clients, or other businesses. Scams and shortcuts might make a quick buck, but they won’t last (and can burn your reputation). Instead, focus on solving real problems or fulfilling desires for people out there on the internet. That could mean creating genuinely helpful content, offering a service that businesses need, or building a product that people find useful. If you lead with value, you’ll build assets that last (trust, brand, audience loyalty), which pay off much more in the long run than any one-off scheme. In the long term, many successful online entrepreneurs even end up with multiple income streams – it’s often said the average millionaire has several streams of income, not just one. Keep that big picture in mind: the skills you develop in one method can often translate to others. But start by building one thing of value, and you can expand later.
Overview of Online Money-Making Methods
There are dozens of ways to earn money online, but most legitimate methods fall into a handful of broad categories. Below, I’ll break down some of the most common avenues you’ve probably heard about on the forum.
Niche site: You create content (usually articles) on a website, attract traffic (typically via Search Engine Optimization, i.e. ranking on Google), and then monetize that traffic with ads (like Google AdSense). The appeal is that a successful content site can become a mostly passive income source once it’s established.
Low startup cost and passive income potential are enticing but there is always the risk of fierce competition and relying on the mercy of Google updates. There are many guides available on the forum to help you carefully craft a niche site as a long-term asset.
Affiliate Marketing: Affiliate marketing is similar to niche site but there is a slight difference. You earn commissions by promoting other companies’ products or services. Affiliate sites may or may not have regular ads but some people consider it counter-productive as these ads may steal a portion of your affiliate commissions while paying you relatively less. Apart from websites, you can do affiliate marketing through YouTube videos, email lists, or social media. So, it depends on your strengths as a marketer than on a specific platform.
Affiliate marketing is a low-cost business to start – basically you need a platform to share your affiliate links (website, social account, etc.). Successful affiliate marketers earn significant income. Affiliate marketing as an industry is huge and growing. It's an ever green field where your income is proportional to the quality of traffic and your marketing skills. However, affiliate income can be unstable; you’re often relying on Google rankings or social media algorithms (which can change) and the affiliate programs’ rules (which can change or shut down too).
Affiliate marketing works best when you pick a niche you understand and build an audience or traffic source around it. Without an audience, your links won’t get clicked. The upside is real, but expect to put in serious effort and patience to see results (think months or years, not weeks).
Social Media & Influencer Marketing (Instagram, TikTok, etc.): Another path is building a following on social platforms and monetizing it. This could mean becoming an influencer yourself (growing an Instagram/TikTok/YouTube audience and earning through sponsored posts, brand deals, or ad revenue shares like YouTube’s Partner Program), or running theme pages and selling shoutouts/promos. Many members here make money by managing large Instagram pages or YouTube channels.
The barriers to entry are low – it’s free to start an account and start posting. If you have a knack for creating engaging content (be it images, short videos, or even memes), you can grow very quickly on some platforms. The income potential has skyrocketed in recent years: Influencer marketing is now a multi-billion dollar industry (estimated $32+ billion globally by 2025), which means brands are spending a lot to collaborate with creators. Even micro-influencers (with small but focused followings) can earn decent money in their niche.
However, becoming a social media influencer is a bit like trying to become a celebrity – everyone is trying it, so competition is intense and success can be hit-or-miss. It often requires consistency over a long period. You might need to post content daily for a year before seeing big results. There’s also platform risk: algorithm changes can crush your reach, or as we saw with the rumored TikTok bans, you could lose a platform overnight. Monetization isn’t automatic either – you need to hustle for brand deals or drive your followers to affiliate offers/your own products. It can also be a content treadmill; taking a week off can slow your growth. That said, concrete examples abound – from people selling $10K+ in products with a single TikTok video, to Instagram pages charging hundreds for a shoutout. If you enjoy creating content and engaging with an audience, this path can be very rewarding (and not just financially – you build a personal brand). Just go in with eyes open that it’s a real job to be an influencer, not just snapping selfies and cashing checks.
CPA (Cost-Per-Action) Marketing: CPA marketing is a twist on affiliate marketing worth mentioning because it’s popular in some “make money” circles. Instead of getting paid per sale, you get paid per action – that action could be a lead form submission, an app install, a click, or some defined conversion. There are CPA networks that have offers like “we’ll pay $5 for every person who signs up for this free trial” or “$2 for every email submit.” Marketers then promote these offers via whatever means – often paid ads, social media, or parasite methods.
CPA can be beginner- friendly as you don’t need to convince someone to pull out their credit card and buy something, only to take a simpler action (like give their email). Payouts can still be high for certain actions (finance or insurance leads, for example, can pay well). It’s also quick – you see results (conversions) in real-time if you’re running ads. For hustlers who are good at media buying or creative funnel tactics, CPA offers a playground to make money without a product of your own.
However, keep in mind that it requires traffic – often paid traffic – which means risk and cost. Beginners can lose money fast buying ads for CPA offers that don’t convert. Some CPA niches are very saturated and competitive. Additionally, many CPA networks have a strict approval process and don’t just accept anyone; as a newbie you might face rejections. There’s also a learning curve to tracking, optimizing campaigns, avoiding fraud, etc. In short, CPA can make money quickly if you hit a winning campaign (some folks scale to thousands per day in revenue), but it’s a high-risk/high-reward, somewhat technical game. If you’re analytically minded and okay with potentially burning money to learn, this could be up your alley. Otherwise, you might be better off building organic traffic first.
Black hat niches/methods: You wouldn't be here if you don't know what black hat is, but let me give a simple intro. Black hat refers to methods that are against the rules of major platforms or borederline unethical. This could mean that you are breaking some rules to earn money but not pulling off a scam. Some members pride themselves on finding loopholes or tricks to make quick cash.
Black hat is a high-risk/high-reward field. You should understand the risks and take precautions to avoid penalties and bans. Some niches like casino, pharma, game hacks, etc. are not white hat-friendly, so black hat tactics are common in these niches. Black hat is also popular for churn & burn projects.
Freelancing and Agencies (Selling Services): This is one of the fastest ways for a beginner to start making some money online, because you’re leveraging skills you have to directly solve a problem (which people will pay for). For example, if you’re good at SEO, you can get a business to pay you monthly to improve their website’s rankings; if you know Facebook ads, you can manage campaigns for clients. There’s huge demand for digital marketing services – the global SEO services market alone is expected to be over $100 billion in 2025. Unlike building your own site or app where income might take months, client work gives more immediate cash flow. You also learn a ton by working directly on different projects. Many members actually run SEO agencies or SMM (social media marketing) agencies. Others might freelance as web designers, content writers, developers, etc.
While there are many merits, it’s essentially a job/business, not passive at all. You’re trading time for money and dealing with clients (which can be challenging – some clients are demanding or flaky). Scaling an agency means hiring people and managing a team, which not everyone wants to do. There’s also a credibility hurdle when starting out – landing your first few clients can be tough without a portfolio or reputation. You might have to undercharge initially or use freelance marketplaces (Upwork, Fiverr) which can be a race to the bottom.
If you have a particular skill, freelancing can be a great starting point to fund other projects. Just be careful not to get so caught up in client work that you never build your own assets. Some of the most successful online entrepreneurs started by providing services, made money, then invested that money into building websites, software, or other scalable income streams.
Creating and Selling Products (E-commerce, Courses, SaaS, etc.): This is a broad category, but basically involves making your own product to sell. It could be a physical product (e-commerce store or Amazon FBA business), a digital product like an online course or ebook, or even a SaaS (Software as a Service) if you have tech chops. Many online marketers eventually gravitate here – after promoting others’ products (affiliate) or doing services, you realize owning a product can be more profitable long-term.
When you create something of your own that provides value, you have the most control and potentially the most profit per sale. For example, building a SaaS can lead to steady recurring subscription revenue; a successful e-commerce brand might be sold for a big payday; a popular online course can generate passive sales for years. We’re seeing huge growth in these areas – the SaaS market is projected to reach around $300 billion by 2025, and e-commerce as a whole continues to boom. If you catch a trend (say, a hot new product) or solve a niche problem with a tool, you can ride that wave to significant earnings.
However, this path typically has the highest barrier to entry. Creating a good product or service isn’t easy – it might require capital (buying inventory, hiring developers), specialized knowledge, or just a lot of upfront work (recording a 10- hour course, writing a book, etc.). It also usually involves many skills combined: product development, marketing, customer support, etc. For a beginner, it can be overwhelming to start here. There’s also risk – you might invest time/money into a product that doesn’t sell. Usually, people succeed here after gaining experience (e.g. an affiliate marketer notices a product gap and launches their own to serve that audience, or a freelancer keeps getting asked for a certain solution and decides to turn it into a product). That said, if you do have a great idea or expertise, don’t shy away – just be prepared for a longer, more complex journey. The payoff can be the biggest here because you’re building real equity (something you own outright).
These are some of the popular categories to make money online. You can absolutely mix and match them too – many folks do a bit of each. For instance, you might start freelancing to pay bills, build a niche site on the side, then add affiliate links to it, and later launch your own product to that site’s audience.
Looking Ahead: Trends and Opportunities to Capitalize On
The only constant in the online world is change. Technologies emerge, user behaviors shift, and new platforms rise (and fall). Staying ahead of the curve can give you a huge advantage. While this post isn’t about chasing every new fad (remember the shiny object syndrome warnings!), smart entrepreneurs keep an eye on trends and figure out how to ride the wave or build the shovel for the gold rush. Here are a few big trends in 2024–2025 that you should be aware of and consider incorporating into whichever method you pursue:
AI and Automation Tools: You’ve probably noticed the explosion of interest in AI thanks to things like ChatGPT. Generative AI in particular has gone mainstream – in fact, since ChatGPT’s launch in late 2022, search volume for “generative AI” has skyrocketed, and it’s predicted that generative AI will account for about 30% of the entire AI market (roughly a $60 billion segment). What does this mean for making money online? Two things:
Being an early adopter in legit crypto projects can lead to outsized rewards (we’ve all heard the stories of someone who bought an NFT for $100 and sold for $10,000, or the gamer who earned tokens that became valuable). But keep in mind that the crypto world can crash quickly, and a lot of “opportunities” in this space are scams. If you’re a beginner, perhaps the simplest way to dip your toe is to be informed – even if you’re not directly doing a crypto business, know what’s happening there. For example, if you run an e-commerce store, maybe start accepting Bitcoin just to appeal to that niche audience; or if you’re a freelancer, consider that crypto startups need marketers and writers too. Keep an eye on Web3 developments, but approach with caution and do thorough research.
SaaS and Subscription Economy: We touched on creating products, but specifically the trend of everything moving to a subscription model is big. Consumers and businesses are now used to paying monthly for services (think Netflix, Spotify, but also B2B tools, membership communities, etc.). If you can create something that people or companies will pay a small monthly fee for, you build recurring income. The technology to do this is more accessible than ever – you don’t necessarily need to code everything from scratch; sometimes you can integrate white-label solutions or use no- code tools to build a SaaS. The market is massive (the global SaaS market is projected to be $250+ billion and growing fast). Even a tiny slice of that can be lucrative for an indie founder. Also, consider info-product subscriptions or memberships – creators are making private Discord communities or premium newsletters that charge monthly. The idea is to get out of the one-off sale trap and into providing ongoing value for ongoing revenue. This trend is your friend if you can think of a way to serve a niche continuously. For example, one might start with freelancing (one-off projects) but then turn that into a monthly retainer service (ongoing subscription), or turn a one- time course into a continuously updated membership. People are increasingly willing to pay for valuable content, software, or communities on a recurring basis.
Others to Keep an Eye On: There are always more things on the horizon – the key is to keep your ear to the ground. For instance, the rise of short-form video (TikTok-style content) changed how a lot of marketing is done – those who adapted their content strategy to short videos gained massive reach. Voice search and smart devices are changing SEO (people search differently by voice). Remote work becoming commonplace means more opportunities for online collaboration and freelancing globally. Even the creator economy itself (individuals monetizing their personalities or skills) is evolving – now we have platforms for paid newsletters, fan funding (Patreon), etc. The forum is a great place to hear about new tricks and tactics, but always consider how does this fit into a larger trend and if it is sustainable.
In summary, encourage yourself to be forward-looking. While you’re working on the method that pays you today, allocate some time to experiment with or learn about what could pay you tomorrow. The winners in the online space are often those who built foundations in an emerging area while others were skeptical or sleeping. Just balance this with not losing focus on your main thing (again, shiny object syndrome — find the balance between innovation and consistency).
Conclusion: Your Game Plan as a Beginner
I hope I gave you a bigger picture. While I might've initially discouraged you by narrating the difficulties in making money online, I'm confident that you can earn money online like me and thousands of members here. It's just a matter of choosing a path and sticking to it.
For beginners feeling confused about which method to pick, here are some parting tips to formulate your game plan:
Pick a Path and Commit (at least for a while): Based on what you’ve read, decide which method resonates most with your skills, interests, and resources. There is no perfect method – each has trade-offs. The “best” one is the one you can actually see yourself working on consistently. If you love writing and hate talking to clients, a content/affiliate site might be ideal. If you have marketing chops and some savings to invest, maybe try a CPA or e-commerce venture. If you’re short on cash but have a skill, freelancing is a quick win. Once you pick, give it your focus. Set a timeline (e.g. “I’ll work on this for the next 6 months and build XYZ before I judge its success”). You need to give yourself permission to dive deep into one thing without second-guessing every other day.
Leverage the Community: This forum is a goldmine of experience. Use it! Start a journey thread, share what you’re working on, ask questions when stuck. Not only will this keep you accountable, but you’ll get feedback and maybe even partnerships. As a fellow member on BHW suggested, even just documenting your progress can help you stick to a project (and others can learn from it). Making money online can be a lonely grind, but it doesn’t have to be – engage with others on the same path.
Be Prepared for Challenges: Set realistic expectations. In all likelihood, you will hit walls – a campaign might flop, your site might get 100 visits instead of 1000 as you hoped, a client might screw you over. This is normal. It’s those who adapt and try again that eventually see results. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it and this forum wouldn’t exist because we’d all be rich and retired . When the going gets tough, remember why you started (whether it’s financial freedom, passion for the work, or just the desire to not have a boss). Use that as fuel to keep pushing.
Think Long Term, but Take Action Now: It’s good to have a long-term vision (e.g. “I want to have 3 websites earning $5k/month each and also a SaaS product in 5 years”). But you don’t get there in one leap. Focus on the next actionable step. Maybe it’s registering a domain, maybe it’s applying to a freelance gig, maybe it’s posting your first YouTube video. Do that next thing. Planning is important, but nothing beats action. You’ll learn more from launching something (even if small and imperfect) than from months of theoretical research. Each small win or failure will teach you and build momentum.
Finally, I want to emphasize: the fact that you’re here, eager to learn, already sets you apart. Most people just talk about wanting to make money online; you’re actually in a community doing it. Take advantage of that.
As this post is about money psychology, I'm not discussing individual methods and strategies. I hope this post helps you to clearly differentiate between short-term and long-term goals, make well-informed decisions, choose a path that fits your interests and has good potential, research new trends before investing either time or money in them, and regularly follow new trends to look ahead of the curve.
Most beginners come here hoping to find a way to make money online. Some want to give it a shot while others are passionate about an IM career. Regardless of what one wants, the success in IM is random and it might seem erratic to beginners. No matter how much they try, some people never see a penny and consider everything to be white noise while some others give up after a couple of courses or after losing money in a scam. More than luck, it's psychology that affects your decisions and eventually - the end result. Let's delve into the topic for a deeper insight.
So you want to make money online but don’t know which path to choose? You’re not alone. Most newcomers are at cross-roads struggling to take the right decision in the right time. The goal of this post is to give an overview of IM career options so that you can take a more informed decision.
Mindset and Psychology: Laying the Right Foundation
Making money online is as much about mindset and strategy as it is about tactics. Here are some key perspectives to keep in mind:
Privacy & security is a shield: Privacy and security should run in your mind like a background process. Always be wary of who/what you are dealing with. Pay money to strangers, buy a new course, install software/tools/plug-ins from unknown sources, work for a client without any advance payment, click a suspicious link to download a digital product, and do a lot of risky things but only after taking preventive measures. Read rules, use sandbox, install antivirus/antimalware tools, double check everything before payments, read reviews and ask questions before making purchase decisions. Consider it a skill and you'll be proud of it for the rest of your IM career.
Easy money is fool's gold: Someone might've told you that it's easy to earn money online. Well, he is an idiot and you should realize it before you waste either time or money. IM is like stock market. Some people earn money, some lose it, while some others keep waiting for the right time or opportunity. Some call it luck, some call it timing, while some others call it a trade secret. The opinions and perspectives keep changing and make it more complex than what it actually is.
Passive income is possible but only after significant upfront work. So, don't fall for promises, courses, or methods that tease you with easy money or a process that keeps generating money without any effort or creativity. Most people quit long before they see real rewards. The ones who push through the initial grind are the ones who eventually “make it.” Think of building an online income like pushing a snowball uphill at first – it gets easier (and more passive) only after you’ve reached a certain momentum.
Be hungry but don't be greedy: You should know how much you can handle. Don't do hundred things at once hoping to make a million dollars. As soon as you master a business, automate the process or hire VAs before jumping on to other avenues. If you must handle ten things everyday, then time management is the key. You should also consider taking the help of AI to get things done faster.
Shiny object syndrome: In the online business world, there’s always a shiny new method or trend every few months. It’s easy to get distracted by the latest “hot opportunity” – one week it’s drop-shipping, next week it’s crypto, then some new AI hack. Chasing every new idea is a recipe for getting nowhere. You keep running but stay where you are - clueless and exhausted. The problem is not in the opportunities but in your decision making. You should rather pick a promising method and commit to it long enough to see results. You can always pivot later, but don’t let new opportunity derail you every week.
Embrace learning and adaptation: The online landscape changes fast. What worked last year might not work next year (Google algorithm updates, social media trends, AI updates, etc.). Approaching this game with a learner’s mindset is key. You’ll need to continuously learn new skills, experiment, and adapt. Treat failures as feedback rather than final defeats. Almost everyone who succeeds online has a history of projects that didn’t pan out before they found what works. Be ready to tweak your approach and stay agile.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket: Unlike a normal job, online ventures have less guaranteed outcomes – and that’s okay. Feeling some fear is normal. Even folks who make six or seven figures online admit that there’s always uncertainty and nothing is guaranteed. Platforms change, economies fluctuate – that’s part of the game. Don’t let the fear paralyze you; let it motivate you to diversify and stay sharp. For example, if you’re building a niche website getting all its traffic from Google, acknowledge that a Google update could hurt, and have a plan B or additional traffic sources. In short, don’t put all your eggs in one basket (at least not forever). The upside of online business is huge, but so are the swings; be mentally prepared for highs and lows.
Think Value and Long Term: Money ultimately comes from providing value – whether to an audience, clients, or other businesses. Scams and shortcuts might make a quick buck, but they won’t last (and can burn your reputation). Instead, focus on solving real problems or fulfilling desires for people out there on the internet. That could mean creating genuinely helpful content, offering a service that businesses need, or building a product that people find useful. If you lead with value, you’ll build assets that last (trust, brand, audience loyalty), which pay off much more in the long run than any one-off scheme. In the long term, many successful online entrepreneurs even end up with multiple income streams – it’s often said the average millionaire has several streams of income, not just one. Keep that big picture in mind: the skills you develop in one method can often translate to others. But start by building one thing of value, and you can expand later.
Overview of Online Money-Making Methods
There are dozens of ways to earn money online, but most legitimate methods fall into a handful of broad categories. Below, I’ll break down some of the most common avenues you’ve probably heard about on the forum.
Niche site: You create content (usually articles) on a website, attract traffic (typically via Search Engine Optimization, i.e. ranking on Google), and then monetize that traffic with ads (like Google AdSense). The appeal is that a successful content site can become a mostly passive income source once it’s established.
Low startup cost and passive income potential are enticing but there is always the risk of fierce competition and relying on the mercy of Google updates. There are many guides available on the forum to help you carefully craft a niche site as a long-term asset.
Affiliate Marketing: Affiliate marketing is similar to niche site but there is a slight difference. You earn commissions by promoting other companies’ products or services. Affiliate sites may or may not have regular ads but some people consider it counter-productive as these ads may steal a portion of your affiliate commissions while paying you relatively less. Apart from websites, you can do affiliate marketing through YouTube videos, email lists, or social media. So, it depends on your strengths as a marketer than on a specific platform.
Affiliate marketing is a low-cost business to start – basically you need a platform to share your affiliate links (website, social account, etc.). Successful affiliate marketers earn significant income. Affiliate marketing as an industry is huge and growing. It's an ever green field where your income is proportional to the quality of traffic and your marketing skills. However, affiliate income can be unstable; you’re often relying on Google rankings or social media algorithms (which can change) and the affiliate programs’ rules (which can change or shut down too).
Affiliate marketing works best when you pick a niche you understand and build an audience or traffic source around it. Without an audience, your links won’t get clicked. The upside is real, but expect to put in serious effort and patience to see results (think months or years, not weeks).
Social Media & Influencer Marketing (Instagram, TikTok, etc.): Another path is building a following on social platforms and monetizing it. This could mean becoming an influencer yourself (growing an Instagram/TikTok/YouTube audience and earning through sponsored posts, brand deals, or ad revenue shares like YouTube’s Partner Program), or running theme pages and selling shoutouts/promos. Many members here make money by managing large Instagram pages or YouTube channels.
The barriers to entry are low – it’s free to start an account and start posting. If you have a knack for creating engaging content (be it images, short videos, or even memes), you can grow very quickly on some platforms. The income potential has skyrocketed in recent years: Influencer marketing is now a multi-billion dollar industry (estimated $32+ billion globally by 2025), which means brands are spending a lot to collaborate with creators. Even micro-influencers (with small but focused followings) can earn decent money in their niche.
However, becoming a social media influencer is a bit like trying to become a celebrity – everyone is trying it, so competition is intense and success can be hit-or-miss. It often requires consistency over a long period. You might need to post content daily for a year before seeing big results. There’s also platform risk: algorithm changes can crush your reach, or as we saw with the rumored TikTok bans, you could lose a platform overnight. Monetization isn’t automatic either – you need to hustle for brand deals or drive your followers to affiliate offers/your own products. It can also be a content treadmill; taking a week off can slow your growth. That said, concrete examples abound – from people selling $10K+ in products with a single TikTok video, to Instagram pages charging hundreds for a shoutout. If you enjoy creating content and engaging with an audience, this path can be very rewarding (and not just financially – you build a personal brand). Just go in with eyes open that it’s a real job to be an influencer, not just snapping selfies and cashing checks.
CPA (Cost-Per-Action) Marketing: CPA marketing is a twist on affiliate marketing worth mentioning because it’s popular in some “make money” circles. Instead of getting paid per sale, you get paid per action – that action could be a lead form submission, an app install, a click, or some defined conversion. There are CPA networks that have offers like “we’ll pay $5 for every person who signs up for this free trial” or “$2 for every email submit.” Marketers then promote these offers via whatever means – often paid ads, social media, or parasite methods.
CPA can be beginner- friendly as you don’t need to convince someone to pull out their credit card and buy something, only to take a simpler action (like give their email). Payouts can still be high for certain actions (finance or insurance leads, for example, can pay well). It’s also quick – you see results (conversions) in real-time if you’re running ads. For hustlers who are good at media buying or creative funnel tactics, CPA offers a playground to make money without a product of your own.
However, keep in mind that it requires traffic – often paid traffic – which means risk and cost. Beginners can lose money fast buying ads for CPA offers that don’t convert. Some CPA niches are very saturated and competitive. Additionally, many CPA networks have a strict approval process and don’t just accept anyone; as a newbie you might face rejections. There’s also a learning curve to tracking, optimizing campaigns, avoiding fraud, etc. In short, CPA can make money quickly if you hit a winning campaign (some folks scale to thousands per day in revenue), but it’s a high-risk/high-reward, somewhat technical game. If you’re analytically minded and okay with potentially burning money to learn, this could be up your alley. Otherwise, you might be better off building organic traffic first.
Black hat niches/methods: You wouldn't be here if you don't know what black hat is, but let me give a simple intro. Black hat refers to methods that are against the rules of major platforms or borederline unethical. This could mean that you are breaking some rules to earn money but not pulling off a scam. Some members pride themselves on finding loopholes or tricks to make quick cash.
Black hat is a high-risk/high-reward field. You should understand the risks and take precautions to avoid penalties and bans. Some niches like casino, pharma, game hacks, etc. are not white hat-friendly, so black hat tactics are common in these niches. Black hat is also popular for churn & burn projects.
Freelancing and Agencies (Selling Services): This is one of the fastest ways for a beginner to start making some money online, because you’re leveraging skills you have to directly solve a problem (which people will pay for). For example, if you’re good at SEO, you can get a business to pay you monthly to improve their website’s rankings; if you know Facebook ads, you can manage campaigns for clients. There’s huge demand for digital marketing services – the global SEO services market alone is expected to be over $100 billion in 2025. Unlike building your own site or app where income might take months, client work gives more immediate cash flow. You also learn a ton by working directly on different projects. Many members actually run SEO agencies or SMM (social media marketing) agencies. Others might freelance as web designers, content writers, developers, etc.
While there are many merits, it’s essentially a job/business, not passive at all. You’re trading time for money and dealing with clients (which can be challenging – some clients are demanding or flaky). Scaling an agency means hiring people and managing a team, which not everyone wants to do. There’s also a credibility hurdle when starting out – landing your first few clients can be tough without a portfolio or reputation. You might have to undercharge initially or use freelance marketplaces (Upwork, Fiverr) which can be a race to the bottom.
If you have a particular skill, freelancing can be a great starting point to fund other projects. Just be careful not to get so caught up in client work that you never build your own assets. Some of the most successful online entrepreneurs started by providing services, made money, then invested that money into building websites, software, or other scalable income streams.
Creating and Selling Products (E-commerce, Courses, SaaS, etc.): This is a broad category, but basically involves making your own product to sell. It could be a physical product (e-commerce store or Amazon FBA business), a digital product like an online course or ebook, or even a SaaS (Software as a Service) if you have tech chops. Many online marketers eventually gravitate here – after promoting others’ products (affiliate) or doing services, you realize owning a product can be more profitable long-term.
When you create something of your own that provides value, you have the most control and potentially the most profit per sale. For example, building a SaaS can lead to steady recurring subscription revenue; a successful e-commerce brand might be sold for a big payday; a popular online course can generate passive sales for years. We’re seeing huge growth in these areas – the SaaS market is projected to reach around $300 billion by 2025, and e-commerce as a whole continues to boom. If you catch a trend (say, a hot new product) or solve a niche problem with a tool, you can ride that wave to significant earnings.
However, this path typically has the highest barrier to entry. Creating a good product or service isn’t easy – it might require capital (buying inventory, hiring developers), specialized knowledge, or just a lot of upfront work (recording a 10- hour course, writing a book, etc.). It also usually involves many skills combined: product development, marketing, customer support, etc. For a beginner, it can be overwhelming to start here. There’s also risk – you might invest time/money into a product that doesn’t sell. Usually, people succeed here after gaining experience (e.g. an affiliate marketer notices a product gap and launches their own to serve that audience, or a freelancer keeps getting asked for a certain solution and decides to turn it into a product). That said, if you do have a great idea or expertise, don’t shy away – just be prepared for a longer, more complex journey. The payoff can be the biggest here because you’re building real equity (something you own outright).
These are some of the popular categories to make money online. You can absolutely mix and match them too – many folks do a bit of each. For instance, you might start freelancing to pay bills, build a niche site on the side, then add affiliate links to it, and later launch your own product to that site’s audience.
Looking Ahead: Trends and Opportunities to Capitalize On
The only constant in the online world is change. Technologies emerge, user behaviors shift, and new platforms rise (and fall). Staying ahead of the curve can give you a huge advantage. While this post isn’t about chasing every new fad (remember the shiny object syndrome warnings!), smart entrepreneurs keep an eye on trends and figure out how to ride the wave or build the shovel for the gold rush. Here are a few big trends in 2024–2025 that you should be aware of and consider incorporating into whichever method you pursue:
AI and Automation Tools: You’ve probably noticed the explosion of interest in AI thanks to things like ChatGPT. Generative AI in particular has gone mainstream – in fact, since ChatGPT’s launch in late 2022, search volume for “generative AI” has skyrocketed, and it’s predicted that generative AI will account for about 30% of the entire AI market (roughly a $60 billion segment). What does this mean for making money online? Two things:
- Tools to work smarter – As a content creator or marketer, AI can drastically speed up your workflow. For example, AI writing assistants can help draft articles or social media captions (though you still need to edit to make them truly good), and AI image generators can create unique visuals for your campaigns. Automation can handle routine tasks, letting you scale more than a one-person operation normally could. Many businesses are already adopting AI to improve productivity and customer experience (nearly 70% of consumers expect businesses to use AI for better service).
- New business ideas – Where there’s a trend, there are opportunities. Could you create a micro-SaaS that uses an AI API to solve a niche problem? Could you become an “AI consultant” helping local businesses implement AI tools? Could you capitalize on the AI content boom by becoming an expert in AI-driven SEO? These are forward- thinking angles to consider. The key is, don’t ignore AI – it’s not just hype; it’s a tool set that’s here to stay and growing rapidly. Those who learn to leverage it (while others are sleeping on it) will have an edge.
Being an early adopter in legit crypto projects can lead to outsized rewards (we’ve all heard the stories of someone who bought an NFT for $100 and sold for $10,000, or the gamer who earned tokens that became valuable). But keep in mind that the crypto world can crash quickly, and a lot of “opportunities” in this space are scams. If you’re a beginner, perhaps the simplest way to dip your toe is to be informed – even if you’re not directly doing a crypto business, know what’s happening there. For example, if you run an e-commerce store, maybe start accepting Bitcoin just to appeal to that niche audience; or if you’re a freelancer, consider that crypto startups need marketers and writers too. Keep an eye on Web3 developments, but approach with caution and do thorough research.
SaaS and Subscription Economy: We touched on creating products, but specifically the trend of everything moving to a subscription model is big. Consumers and businesses are now used to paying monthly for services (think Netflix, Spotify, but also B2B tools, membership communities, etc.). If you can create something that people or companies will pay a small monthly fee for, you build recurring income. The technology to do this is more accessible than ever – you don’t necessarily need to code everything from scratch; sometimes you can integrate white-label solutions or use no- code tools to build a SaaS. The market is massive (the global SaaS market is projected to be $250+ billion and growing fast). Even a tiny slice of that can be lucrative for an indie founder. Also, consider info-product subscriptions or memberships – creators are making private Discord communities or premium newsletters that charge monthly. The idea is to get out of the one-off sale trap and into providing ongoing value for ongoing revenue. This trend is your friend if you can think of a way to serve a niche continuously. For example, one might start with freelancing (one-off projects) but then turn that into a monthly retainer service (ongoing subscription), or turn a one- time course into a continuously updated membership. People are increasingly willing to pay for valuable content, software, or communities on a recurring basis.
Others to Keep an Eye On: There are always more things on the horizon – the key is to keep your ear to the ground. For instance, the rise of short-form video (TikTok-style content) changed how a lot of marketing is done – those who adapted their content strategy to short videos gained massive reach. Voice search and smart devices are changing SEO (people search differently by voice). Remote work becoming commonplace means more opportunities for online collaboration and freelancing globally. Even the creator economy itself (individuals monetizing their personalities or skills) is evolving – now we have platforms for paid newsletters, fan funding (Patreon), etc. The forum is a great place to hear about new tricks and tactics, but always consider how does this fit into a larger trend and if it is sustainable.
In summary, encourage yourself to be forward-looking. While you’re working on the method that pays you today, allocate some time to experiment with or learn about what could pay you tomorrow. The winners in the online space are often those who built foundations in an emerging area while others were skeptical or sleeping. Just balance this with not losing focus on your main thing (again, shiny object syndrome — find the balance between innovation and consistency).
Conclusion: Your Game Plan as a Beginner
I hope I gave you a bigger picture. While I might've initially discouraged you by narrating the difficulties in making money online, I'm confident that you can earn money online like me and thousands of members here. It's just a matter of choosing a path and sticking to it.
For beginners feeling confused about which method to pick, here are some parting tips to formulate your game plan:
Pick a Path and Commit (at least for a while): Based on what you’ve read, decide which method resonates most with your skills, interests, and resources. There is no perfect method – each has trade-offs. The “best” one is the one you can actually see yourself working on consistently. If you love writing and hate talking to clients, a content/affiliate site might be ideal. If you have marketing chops and some savings to invest, maybe try a CPA or e-commerce venture. If you’re short on cash but have a skill, freelancing is a quick win. Once you pick, give it your focus. Set a timeline (e.g. “I’ll work on this for the next 6 months and build XYZ before I judge its success”). You need to give yourself permission to dive deep into one thing without second-guessing every other day.
Leverage the Community: This forum is a goldmine of experience. Use it! Start a journey thread, share what you’re working on, ask questions when stuck. Not only will this keep you accountable, but you’ll get feedback and maybe even partnerships. As a fellow member on BHW suggested, even just documenting your progress can help you stick to a project (and others can learn from it). Making money online can be a lonely grind, but it doesn’t have to be – engage with others on the same path.
Be Prepared for Challenges: Set realistic expectations. In all likelihood, you will hit walls – a campaign might flop, your site might get 100 visits instead of 1000 as you hoped, a client might screw you over. This is normal. It’s those who adapt and try again that eventually see results. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it and this forum wouldn’t exist because we’d all be rich and retired . When the going gets tough, remember why you started (whether it’s financial freedom, passion for the work, or just the desire to not have a boss). Use that as fuel to keep pushing.
Think Long Term, but Take Action Now: It’s good to have a long-term vision (e.g. “I want to have 3 websites earning $5k/month each and also a SaaS product in 5 years”). But you don’t get there in one leap. Focus on the next actionable step. Maybe it’s registering a domain, maybe it’s applying to a freelance gig, maybe it’s posting your first YouTube video. Do that next thing. Planning is important, but nothing beats action. You’ll learn more from launching something (even if small and imperfect) than from months of theoretical research. Each small win or failure will teach you and build momentum.
Finally, I want to emphasize: the fact that you’re here, eager to learn, already sets you apart. Most people just talk about wanting to make money online; you’re actually in a community doing it. Take advantage of that.
As this post is about money psychology, I'm not discussing individual methods and strategies. I hope this post helps you to clearly differentiate between short-term and long-term goals, make well-informed decisions, choose a path that fits your interests and has good potential, research new trends before investing either time or money in them, and regularly follow new trends to look ahead of the curve.
