How to Make Money Online in 5 Steps (When the Internet Feels Like a Lie).
So, you want to make money online in 5 steps. Cool. Me too, in 2017, broke, hungry, half-inspired by a Gary Vee video, and totally skeptical. And guess what? I failed. Hard. But then something clicked. Not all at once, but more like a dim, flickering light at 3 a.m. when your cat knocks over a lamp and you think it’s a burglar. Yes. Like that.
Anyway, let me save you years of scrolling and heartbreak.
You’ve Been Lied to (Sort of): The Messy Truth About Making Money Online.
Everyone’s launch shortcuts. « Passive income in 30 days! » or « A side hustle that pays you while you poop. » But beneath the flashy thumbnails lies a true story, one most people don’t talk about. It’s not that making money online is fake. It’s that it’s rarely quick, and never effortless (unless you get lucky or lie).
I once spent $297 on a « secret Instagram plan » that was essentially a Google Doc with a few vague screenshots and spelling mistakes that made me doubt everything, including my grasp of English. Spoiler: it didn’t work.
And yet… People do this. Every. Day. Successfully. So let’s get back to the actual steps that work.
Step 1: Choose a Niche That Pays (Not Just Cool)
Love knitting? Net. But is anyone paying for knitting tutorials in 2025? Maybe. But do your homework. Ask: Who’s buying? How often? How much? Here’s what you’re looking for:
- Obsession-level interest (think Taylor Swift fandom but for productivity hacks).
- Problems people are willing to pay to solve. Not just complain about.
- Ongoing relevance. Don’t build your empire on Wordle. It came and went… Okay, it didn’t really go away, but you get the idea.
Google Trends is useful. But Reddit? Reddit is gold. Dive into the rants, the FAQs, the weirdly angry threads. Pain is profit (a little grim, but true).
Step 2: Digital Curb Appeal – Why Ugly Works (Sometimes).
You don’t need a $10,000 website. In fact, those fancy animations could hurt conversions. Ask me how I know (Hint: 2% overnight drop after adding a rotating header. Stupid move).
What works? Clarity. Ugly but clear > Beautiful but confusing.
Here’s your MVP:
- One page.
- One message.
- One action (Sign up, Buy, Click, whatever. Just one.)
You want people to land, nod slowly, and think, « Okay. This person gets me. »
Oh, and mobile first. Everyone’s on their phones now. I once tested a landing page at 2 p.m. while waiting in line at Chipotle. If I can’t click your CTA with my thumb while holding a burrito bowl, you’ve already lost me.
Step 3: Don’t sell. Seduce. (But ethically, please.)
A product isn’t an offer. A product is just… a thing. An offer is a story, a feeling, a transformation wrapped in urgency and glitter. Think of it like a movie trailer. The best ones make you forget the $8 popcorn.
Let’s say you offer coaching. No one cares. Say it, « From chaos to clarity in 45 days or your money back, » now we’re listening. Use testimonials if you have them. If not, borrow evidence (case studies, industry stats, anything that says, « I’m not making this up, swear. »)
Free bonuses? Yes. Scarcity? Yes, but only if it’s real. Fake urgency looks like your ex texting « I miss you » at 2 a.m. Desperate and fake.
Step 4: Not All Traffic Is Created Equal.
You could get 10,000 clicks and earn $0. Or 100 clicks and earn $1,000. It’s all about who clicks. Intent matters. If you’re selling high-ticket consulting services, TikTok dance traffic won’t help you (unless you’re consulting with dancers, then hey, go for it).
Start with one channel. Master it. Then grow it. I started with Pinterest. Without Joke. In 2020, I earned $1,200 in affiliate income from a board on minimalist interior design. I don’t even live minimally. My closet is a war zone.
Organic vs. Paid
Organic is slow but loyal. Paid is fast but inconsistent. Use both, but don’t rely on either. Build an email list. Own your traffic. Otherwise, one algorithm change and you’re toast.
Step 5: Automate, but don’t ghost.
Set up systems, sure. Autoresponders, scheduled posts, Zapier automations that make you feel like a hacker from a movie. But don’t disappear. People are still hungry for the real thing.
I had an automation send a « Hey! Just checking in 😊 » message to 300 people. Then I forgot I’d set it up. The responses flooded in. One person thought I was dying. Another sent me $50 just for « being thoughtful. » It was awkward.
The point is, automation isn’t abandonment. Stay human. Be approachable, until you outgrow it. Then hire someone named Rachel to pretend to be you.
Quickfire Q&A (The Messy Version).
Q: Can you really make money online in 5 steps, or is this just another scam?
A: Yes, you can. But not if you just read this and scroll. Pick one thing and do it. Consistency trumps intelligence.
Q: What’s the easiest place to start?
A: Affiliate marketing. It’s low risk. Just be picky, promote what you would actually use. And test the links. Broken affiliate links are the silent killer of online dreams.
Q: Do I have to be on every platform?
A: LOL. No. Unless you enjoy burnout and crying in the shower. Pick one. Get results. THEN diversify.
Fragmented Thoughts on Scaling (Because Life Isn’t Linear).
When it works, it’s surreal. A single email. $600 in your Stripe. You scream. Your dog barks. Your partner thinks you’ve lost them. But behind that moment? Months of invisible effort. Testing. Quitting. Restarting.
And then, people start asking you for advice. Like you’re some kind of digital monk. It’s weird. Beautiful. Scary.
But let me be brutally honest: Scaling isn’t just about income. It’s about reducing chaos. Creating space. Setting boundaries. Saying no to shiny offers allows you to say yes to deep work.
I once took a « side gig » that paid $2,000. It nearly cost me my sanity. Lesson learned: Not all money is worth the energy it steals.
Here’s the unfiltered finale.
You’re not lazy. You’re not behind. Above all, You’re just overwhelmed by noise, novelty, and the fear of wasting time. I’ve been there. Still there, sometimes.
But here’s what I do know: You can make money online in 5 steps if you treat it like a real business and not a lottery ticket. You’ll fail, sure. But you’ll also learn, and then win, eventually, on your own terms.
Now go build something. Or not. But if you do, do it haphazardly. Do it boldly.
