Are you wondering how people actually make money online? I was once skeptical too. But in this article, I’ll walk you through exactly how I made my first $100 online—with no upfront investment, no coding skills, and no prior experience.
๐ก Spoiler: It’s easier than you think—with the right strategy and mindset.
Step 1: Picking the Right Method (And Avoiding Scams)
The internet is full of promises to make money fast. When I first started searching for ways to earn online, I came across everything—from pyramid schemes to "get-rich-quick" courses.
After weeks of research, I filtered my choices down to three realistic and legitimate online income sources:
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Freelance writing
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Affiliate marketing
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Online surveys
Each method had its pros and cons, but they all required time, not money.
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Step 2: Starting with Freelance Writing (My First $50)
I chose freelance writing first because I enjoyed writing and already spoke English well.
I created a profile on:
My first gig? Writing a 500-word blog post for $10.
I kept my rates low to attract initial clients. Within 7 days, I completed five small writing jobs. That earned me $50!
I reinvested my time to:
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Improve my profile description
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Collect 5-star reviews
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Niche down to “SEO blog writing”
Step 3: Affiliate Marketing (My Next $30)
Once I got the hang of writing, I started a free blog on Blogger.com and began sharing content about tools I was already using.
I joined several affiliate programs, such as:
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Amazon Associates
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Canva Affiliate
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Grammarly Affiliate
I wrote honest product reviews and embedded my affiliate links.
In the second week, someone clicked my Grammarly link and bought the premium plan. That single referral gave me $30 in commission.
This taught me that affiliate marketing is passive income—once you write a post, it can keep earning you money 24/7.
Step 4: Online Surveys (Final $20 to Reach $100)
To quickly bridge the gap to $100, I joined legit paid survey websites, including:
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Swagbucks
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InboxDollars
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ySense
These platforms don’t pay much per task, but they’re simple. I spent about 2 hours per day answering surveys, watching ads, and completing offers. In 4 days, I earned $20.
This helped me reach my goal: $100 made entirely online!
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What I Learned Along the Way
✅ 1. You Don’t Need to Be an Expert
Most platforms are beginner-friendly. You can start with basic skills like writing, organizing, or even sharing links.
✅ 2. Consistency Beats Speed
I didn't get rich overnight, but consistent effort helped me build trust, reviews, and traffic—which led to income.
✅ 3. Free Tools Are Enough (At First)
I used free versions of everything: Google Docs, Blogger, and even free keyword tools like Ubersuggest.
Bonus Tip: Scaling After Your First $100
Once I hit $100, I knew I could do more. Here's how I scaled:
๐น Started My Own Blog
I moved from Blogger to WordPress, bought a domain, and created long-form SEO articles.
๐น Promoted My Own eBook
Later, I wrote an eBook using ChatGPT and published it on Amazon Kindle. That became another source of passive income.
๐น Used Pinterest to Drive Traffic
I created Pinterest pins to drive readers to my blog posts. It worked wonders for affiliate conversions.
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Final Thoughts
Making your first $100 online isn’t about luck—it’s about taking action. Whether it's freelance writing, affiliate marketing, or even small tasks like surveys, there are real ways to make money online, even as a beginner.
Once you earn that first $100, your mindset shifts. You realize it's possible—and from there, it's all about growing, experimenting, and scaling.
✅ Recommended Tools to Start With
| Tool | Use Case | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Fiverr | Offer freelance services | https://fiverr.com |
| Grammarly Affiliate | Earn passive income | Sign up here |
| Swagbucks | Get paid for small tasks | Sign up here |
๐ Your Turn!
Have you made money online yet? Share your journey in the comments. Or better yet—start today.
๐ If you want a shortcut, grab my beginner’s eBook: AI Goldmine: How to Build Passive Income with ChatGPT and AI Tools