Category: Personal Financial

The Real Reason Why 90% of People Fail When Starting to Make Money Online

Every year, thousands of people set out with the dream of making money online. They’re lured by the promises of freedom, passive income, and the ability to work from anywhere. Yet, despite the countless success stories and online courses, over 90% of people fail in their first attempt at building an online income.

Why does this happen? Is it because the market is too saturated? Are the methods too complex? Or is it simply that making money online is just another scam?

The truth is deeper—and far more human. In this blog post, we’ll uncover the real reasons why most people fail to make money online, and more importantly, how you can avoid becoming part of that 90%.

1. Unrealistic Expectations

One of the biggest traps beginners fall into is believing in “overnight success.” Thanks to clickbait YouTube thumbnails and exaggerated marketing promises like “Earn $10,000/month with no experience”, many people enter the online world with the wrong mindset.

Why It Fails:
  • Expecting fast results leads to impatience.
  • When quick success doesn’t come, most people give up.
  • People often underestimate the effort needed to build a real online business.

Solution: Treat your online venture like a real business. Expect to invest time, energy, and patience. Real success often takes 6–18 months to gain traction.

2. Shiny Object Syndrome

This refers to the habit of constantly jumping from one method to another—dropshipping today, affiliate marketing tomorrow, crypto the next day.

Why It Fails:
  • No focus means no progress.
  • You never master one skill before moving on to the next.
  • You waste money on dozens of courses but build nothing substantial.

Solution: Pick one method and commit to it for at least 90 days. Master it. Ignore distractions, new trends, and flashy ads.

3. Lack of Skill and Value Creation

Making money online requires delivering value—whether through content, services, or products. Most beginners think they can just “copy-paste” strategies without building real skills.

Why It Fails:
  • Poor content, weak branding, and low-quality offers get ignored.
  • Without value, there’s no trust—and without trust, there’s no sales.
  • Algorithms and audiences reward quality, not shortcuts.

Solution: Invest in learning. Focus on copywriting, marketing psychology, SEO, video editing, social media strategy, or whatever skills are relevant to your model.

4. Fear of Failure and Impostor Syndrome

Many beginners never fully commit because deep down, they’re afraid it won’t work. They doubt themselves, their ideas, and their worth.

Why It Fails:
  • You hesitate to publish content or launch products.
  • You procrastinate or self-sabotage.
  • You give up when things feel uncomfortable.

Solution: Accept failure as part of the process. Every successful entrepreneur failed multiple times before getting it right. Progress, not perfection, is the goal.

5. Lack of a Long-Term Plan

Trying to “make money online” without a strategy is like trying to build a house without a blueprint. Many people jump in with no clear goals, audience, or monetization strategy.

Why It Fails:
  • Random actions lead to random results.
  • Without a plan, it’s easy to burn out or lose direction.
  • No structure = no momentum.

Solution: Define your niche, your target audience, and your business model (ads, services, digital products, etc.). Then create a content and growth strategy for at least the next 6 months.

6. Giving Up Too Soon

This is perhaps the most common reason of all. People give up just before things start to work. They try for a few weeks or months and quit because “it’s not working.”

Why It Fails:
  • Most online success comes after consistent effort.
  • Algorithms and audiences reward long-term creators.
  • You never see results because you stopped showing up.

Solution: Make a one-year commitment to yourself. Post even when no one is watching. Sell even when no one is buying. Results compound over time.

7. Following the Wrong Gurus

Not all advice is good advice. Some “internet marketing gurus” sell dreams but don’t offer real value or proven strategies. Many beginners fall for scams or outdated tactics.

Why It Fails:
  • You waste time and money on false promises.
  • You adopt bad habits and wrong mindsets.
  • You get discouraged when things don’t work as promised.

Solution: Follow people who walk the talk—those who provide real results, transparency, and education. Vet your mentors. Look for case studies, consistency, and proof.

The Truth Most Won’t Tell You

The real reason why 90% of people fail when trying to make money online isn’t because the internet is broken. It’s because most people treat it like a lottery ticket, not a business.

Success online requires:

  • Long-term thinking
  • Consistent action
  • Real skill development
  • Focus and patience
  • A deep understanding of how to serve others

If you’re willing to do what 90% of people won’t—then you can absolutely achieve what 90% of people never will.

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Making Money Online Isn’t Easy – And These Are the Common Traps

In the digital age, making money online has become a dream for millions. Social media is flooded with influencers showing off their luxurious lifestyles, claiming they made it big through dropshipping, affiliate marketing, or freelancing. But behind the scenes, the reality is much more complex.

Making money online isn’t easy—and if you’re just starting out, there are many traps waiting to derail you. In this blog post, we’ll break down the common pitfalls that new online entrepreneurs face, why they happen, and how you can avoid them.

Why So Many People Are Drawn to Online Income

Before diving into the traps, it’s important to understand why so many people jump into online business opportunities in the first place:

  • The promise of passive income
  • The dream of freedom and flexibility
  • Low startup costs compared to traditional businesses
  • The belief that “anyone can do it” with just a phone or laptop

But the truth is that while starting is easy, succeeding is not. Most people give up after a few months because they fall into one (or more) of the traps below.

Trap #1: Chasing “Easy Money” Schemes

This is the most dangerous trap of all. When people first start looking to make money online, they often fall into scams or “get rich quick” schemes.

Common examples include:

  • Ponzi or MLM schemes disguised as digital marketing
  • Fake trading platforms or crypto pumps
  • Gurus selling $997 courses promising overnight success

The Reality: There is no shortcut. Any legitimate way to earn online requires time, learning, consistency, and real value delivery.

How to Avoid It:

  • Don’t buy courses from random people promising millions.
  • Avoid any platform that requires “investing money first to make money.”
  • Stick to tried-and-tested models like freelancing, affiliate marketing, or content creation.

Trap #2: Trying Too Many Things at Once

When you’re new, everything sounds exciting—dropshipping, Amazon FBA, blogging, affiliate marketing, YouTube, print-on-demand… and the list goes on.

Many beginners jump from one model to another without giving any of them the time or focus they deserve.

The Reality: Each business model has a learning curve. Spreading yourself too thin will get you nowhere.

How to Avoid It:

  • Pick one business model and master it.
  • Give it at least 3–6 months of consistent effort.
  • Focus on skills, not just money.

Trap #3: Expecting Instant Results

A dangerous mindset many beginners have is expecting to make money in days or weeks. When that doesn’t happen, they think it doesn’t work and quit.

In reality, online success is delayed gratification. It often takes:

  • Weeks to build an audience
  • Months to earn your first $100
  • Years to make a full-time income

“Overnight success” stories are usually years in the making.

How to Avoid It:

  • Set realistic expectations.
  • Treat your online venture like a business, not a hobby.
  • Celebrate small wins (e.g., first subscriber, first sale, first $10 earned).

Trap #4: Not Learning Digital Skills

Another trap is relying purely on platforms without developing real, transferable skills. You may be able to set up a Shopify store or post on Instagram, but can you:

  • Write compelling copy?
  • Run Facebook or Google Ads?
  • Design eye-catching graphics?
  • Understand SEO or email marketing?

Platforms come and go, but skills stay forever.

How to Avoid It:

  • Invest in skill-building: copywriting, content creation, paid ads, SEO, analytics.
  • Take free or low-cost courses from platforms like Coursera, HubSpot, or YouTube.
  • Practice daily. Build a portfolio.

Trap #5: Comparing Yourself to Others

Social media creates unrealistic expectations. You see 21-year-olds making $50K/month and wonder, “Why not me?” What you don’t see is their failed attempts, lucky breaks, or team behind them.

Comparison leads to frustration and self-doubt. Everyone’s journey is different.

How to Avoid It:

  • Focus on your path.
  • Track your own progress, not someone else’s highlight reel.
  • Remember: Success is not a race.

Trap #6: Not Treating It Like a Real Business

Many people treat online income as a side hustle, hobby, or experiment. But making consistent income requires the same discipline as any offline business.

No plan = no progress. No consistency = no results.

How to Avoid It:

  • Set work hours—even if it’s just 2 hours a day.
  • Plan your content or tasks weekly.
  • Track income, expenses, and time spent.

Trap #7: Fear of Failing or Looking Stupid

You’ll probably suck in the beginning—your first blog posts won’t get traffic, your first videos will be awkward, and your first sales funnel may flop. That’s normal.

The fear of imperfection stops more people than failure itself.

How to Avoid It:

  • Embrace the beginner phase.
  • Publish, then improve. Done is better than perfect.
  • Focus on progress, not perfection.

What You Should Do Instead

If you’re serious about making money online, here’s a better approach:

  1. Pick a Path: Choose one method (e.g., freelancing, YouTube, e-commerce) that fits your skills and interests.
  2. Learn the Skills: Commit to becoming competent, not just interested.
  3. Start Small: Build experience before chasing big results.
  4. Be Consistent: Show up daily, even when no one’s watching.
  5. Track & Improve: Analyze what works, and double down.

Final Thoughts

Yes, you can make money online. Thousands of people are doing it every day—some as a side hustle, others full-time. But it’s not effortless, instant, or guaranteed.

The internet is full of opportunities and traps. The difference between success and failure often comes down to mindset, patience, and how quickly you can learn and adapt.

Avoid these traps, and you’ll already be ahead of 90% of people who start and quit.

Discover how this 7-minute “song” can make money start appearing everywhere in your life.

5 Common Mistakes When Starting to Make Money Online

The idea of making money online is more appealing than ever. With promises of passive income, location freedom, and the potential to escape the 9-to-5 grind, it’s no surprise that millions of people try their hand at online income every year.

However, despite the opportunities available, most beginners fail to earn anything significant — or worse, lose money. Why? Because they fall into common traps that could have been easily avoided.

In this article, we’ll explore 5 common mistakes people make when they start trying to earn money online, and how you can avoid them. Whether you’re thinking about freelancing, affiliate marketing, eCommerce, or content creation — this guide will help you start smarter and faster.

1. Chasing Too Many Opportunities at Once

One of the most dangerous mistakes beginners make is trying to do too much at once. They jump from one method to another: dropshipping today, affiliate marketing tomorrow, creating a YouTube channel next week, then trying crypto or print-on-demand.

This “shiny object syndrome” leads to burnout, confusion, and wasted time.

❌ Why it hurts:

  • You never master any single method.
  • You waste money on tools, courses, and platforms you barely use.
  • You lose motivation when results don’t come fast.

✅ What to do instead:

  • Pick one proven business model based on your skills and interests.
  • Commit to it for at least 3 to 6 months before switching.
  • Follow one mentor or roadmap and ignore distractions.

“Success comes from consistency, not constant change.”

2. Expecting Quick Results

Let’s be honest: online income is often sold as easy and fast. Many YouTubers and “gurus” show screenshots of massive PayPal balances and promise that you can do it too — in 30 days or less!

This leads beginners to expect instant money, and when they don’t get it, they quit.

❌ Why it hurts:

  • You get discouraged too quickly.
  • You don’t build long-term assets.
  • You’re more likely to fall for scams or shady shortcuts.

✅ What to do instead:

  • Treat your online income journey like building a business, not a lottery.
  • Be patient. It may take months to see serious profits.
  • Focus on learning skills and adding value — the money will follow.

3. Ignoring Skill Development

Many people dive into online income opportunities with no real skills, thinking that tools and templates will do the work. But here’s the truth: making money online requires real skills — just like any offline job or business.

❌ Why it hurts:

  • You depend too much on luck or automation.
  • Your work is low-quality and uncompetitive.
  • You miss opportunities that require expert-level knowledge.

✅ What to do instead:

  • Invest in learning high-demand skills like:
    • Copywriting
    • SEO
    • Graphic design
    • Video editing
    • Email marketing
    • Web development
  • Use free platforms like YouTube, Coursera, Udemy, or HubSpot Academy.
  • Practice daily. Action beats theory every time.

“You don’t get paid for time; you get paid for the value you bring to the market.” – Jim Rohn

4. Not Building an Audience or Brand

In the online world, attention is currency. Yet many beginners spend months doing gigs or promoting affiliate links without building any kind of brand or audience.

This makes your income fragile and limited.

❌ Why it hurts:

  • You depend on platforms (like Fiverr or Upwork) instead of owning your traffic.
  • You can’t scale or increase your rates.
  • You miss long-term opportunities like email marketing, partnerships, or product sales.

✅ What to do instead:

  • Build a personal brand on at least one platform (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn).
  • Collect email addresses early. Your list is your biggest asset.
  • Share value consistently to build trust and authority.

5. Giving Up Too Soon

The biggest mistake? Quitting before success has a chance to show up.

Online income takes time. Most people underestimate how long it takes to succeed and overestimate how easy it is.

They try for a month, make $0, and say “This doesn’t work.”

But in truth — it does work. You just gave up too soon.

❌ Why it hurts:

  • You throw away all your early progress.
  • You miss the compounding effect of consistent effort.
  • You lose confidence and return to old patterns.

✅ What to do instead:

  • Set realistic expectations: 3–6 months for results, 1+ year for stability.
  • Track progress, not just income.
  • Join online communities or find accountability partners to stay motivated.

Build Slow, Grow Strong

Making money online is absolutely possible. But it’s not magic, and it’s not free. It requires time, effort, patience, and most importantly — the ability to avoid common mistakes.

By staying focused, developing real skills, building your personal brand, and refusing to quit — you give yourself the best chance to win in the long run.

Make $3k/week making up words. Seriously, by inventing words! Watch this quick video and see how it works. Take 5 minutes and check it out.

Increase Your Income Without Working More – Do the Right Work Instead

In today’s fast-paced world, many people believe that the only way to increase their income is to work harder and longer. More hours. More hustle. More stress. But what if that belief is wrong?

What if increasing your income isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing the right things?

This blog post will explore the mindset, strategies, and practical steps that will help you earn more without burning out, by focusing on smarter decisions, not harder work.

Why Working More Doesn’t Always Mean Earning More

Let’s bust a common myth: hard work always pays off. While effort is important, there’s a limit to how much time and energy you can give. We all have 24 hours a day. If your income is only tied to time, there’s a ceiling you will eventually hit.

Here’s why doing more often doesn’t work:

  • Burnout is real: Overworking leads to fatigue, mental fog, and even health issues.
  • Diminishing returns: More hours don’t always mean more productivity.
  • Opportunity cost: The more time you spend on low-value work, the less time you have for high-impact activities.

The solution? Stop trading time for money, and start increasing the value of what you do.

The Key Shift: From Doing More to Doing What Matters

The secret to increasing your income is not working more — it’s doing better, more aligned work. That means:

  • Focusing on high-leverage tasks
  • Identifying and doing income-generating activities
  • Learning skills that deliver exponential returns
  • Saying “no” to things that don’t serve your goals

Let’s explore how you can put that into action.

1. Identify High-Value Activities

Not all work is created equal.

Some tasks move the needle. Others just keep you busy.

Use the 80/20 Rule (Pareto Principle):

20% of your tasks often bring 80% of your results.

Ask yourself:

  • What activities directly generate income?
  • What brings the most results with the least effort?
  • What tasks can be delegated, automated, or eliminated?

Examples:

  • For a freelancer: Pitching high-paying clients vs. tweaking your logo for the tenth time.
  • For an entrepreneur: Launching a new offer vs. endlessly posting on social media without a strategy.

2. Build Skills That Multiply Your Earning Power

Working smarter requires better tools. And in the modern economy, your skills are your tools.

Instead of trying to work more, learn things that make your time more valuable.

High-value skills include:

  • Copywriting
  • Digital marketing
  • Sales
  • Coaching or consulting
  • Automation tools (e.g., Zapier, Notion, AI)
  • Public speaking
  • Negotiation

When you upgrade your skills, you upgrade your income potential — without increasing your hours.

3. Charge Based on Value, Not Time

Hourly work limits your income.
Value-based pricing unlocks it.

Shift your thinking from:

“I charge $25/hour”
to
“I help businesses make $10,000/month — and I charge based on that result.”

Clients and customers don’t care about your hours. They care about what results you bring.

Tip: Focus on outcomes, not deliverables. Frame your work as solving a painful problem or achieving a powerful result.

4. Automate and Delegate Low-Impact Work

You don’t need to do everything yourself.

Use tools and systems to automate routine tasks. Delegate or outsource anything that doesn’t require you specifically.

Examples:

  • Use AI tools to write drafts or emails
  • Hire a virtual assistant for admin tasks
  • Use scheduling tools instead of back-and-forth emails
  • Automate customer onboarding or invoices

Every task you eliminate gives you more time and energy to focus on growth.

5. Develop a Focused Strategy (Instead of Random Hustle)

Many people work hard without a clear plan. They try everything and end up getting nowhere.

A focused strategy helps you move faster with less effort.

Ask:

  • Who do I serve? (Target audience)
  • What problem do I solve?
  • What unique value do I offer?
  • How do I reach and convert my ideal clients?

When you align your actions with a clear strategy, every move you make has more impact — and that’s how you earn more while doing less.

6. Say No to Low-Paying or Misaligned Work

Every “yes” to low-value work is a “no” to bigger opportunities.

Be brave enough to say no to:

  • Clients who underpay or don’t respect your time
  • Projects that don’t align with your long-term vision
  • Time-wasting distractions (e.g., constant social media scrolling)

Saying no creates space for what truly moves you forward.

7. Create Leverage with Digital Products or Passive Income

To truly scale your income without increasing effort, you need leverage.

One of the best ways? Create assets that work for you, such as:

  • Online courses
  • Ebooks or guides
  • Affiliate marketing
  • YouTube or blog monetization
  • Membership communities

These systems allow you to earn again and again from one-time efforts — that’s smart work.

For a step-by-step blueprint on building automated income systems, check out our guide on How to Build an Automated Online Income System.

Real-Life Example: From Overworked Freelancer to Strategic Consultant

Meet Sarah.

She used to juggle 8 low-paying clients, working 60+ hours a week. She felt exhausted but stuck.

Then she shifted:

  • Dropped 5 clients who paid the least
  • Learned how to package her services into strategic offers
  • Focused on one high-value niche
  • Started charging based on value and results
  • Used automation for proposals, onboarding, and follow-ups

Result? She now works 30 hours a week and earns double what she used to.

Mindset Shift: You Deserve to Earn More by Doing Less

Let go of the guilt that says you must suffer to succeed.

Working smart doesn’t mean cutting corners. It means being strategic, intentional, and courageous in choosing how to use your time.

You’re not here to stay busy — you’re here to build a life of freedom, fulfillment, and flow.

To learn more about the benefits and trade‑offs of both income types, see The Difference Between Active and Passive Income – And Why You Need Both.

Make the Right Work Your New Habit

To increase your income without working more, start by changing your approach:

  • Focus on high-value tasks
  • Master valuable skills
  • Price based on results
  • Delegate and automate
  • Say no more often
  • Build scalable assets

The goal isn’t to do more — it’s to do what matters most.

So today, take one step. Audit your tasks. Learn a new skill. Raise your rates. Say no to the wrong client.
And begin the journey to working less and earning more — by doing the right work.

Discover how this 7-minute “song” can make money start appearing everywhere in your life.

What to Do After Work to Increase Your Income Without Burning Out?

In today’s fast-paced world, many people are looking for ways to increase their income. Inflation is rising, expenses are growing, and relying on just one paycheck often isn’t enough. But how do you earn more money after work without exhausting yourself or sacrificing your health and personal life?

If you’re asking this question, you’re not alone. The good news is: there are practical, sustainable strategies you can implement today to boost your income while maintaining your energy and peace of mind.

In this blog post, we’ll explore smart, low-stress ways to earn more after your 9-to-5 job—without feeling burnt out.

Why More Income Doesn’t Have to Mean More Exhaustion

One of the biggest myths about making more money is that it always requires working harder. But the truth is: working smarter is often more effective than working longer hours.

Burnout happens when we constantly push ourselves without rest or purpose. To avoid that, you need strategies that:

  • Match your interests and skills
  • Can be done in short time blocks
  • Have long-term income potential
  • Fit your lifestyle and energy levels

1. Turn Your Skills Into Freelance Income

Do you have a skill like writing, graphic design, video editing, translation, or coding?

Freelancing is a flexible way to make extra income after hours. Platforms like:

  • Upwork
  • Fiverr
  • Freelancer
  • Toptal

… allow you to find gigs that match your expertise and schedule.

Tip:

Start by offering small, low-effort services and raise your rates over time. You don’t need to freelance full-time—just a few hours a week can make a big difference.

2. Sell Digital Products That Work for You 24/7

Digital products are one of the most scalable, low-stress ways to build income.

You can create:

  • Ebooks
  • Printables
  • Online courses
  • Canva templates
  • Notion dashboards
  • Meditation audio or guided journals

Once created, they can be sold on autopilot through platforms like:

  • Gumroad
  • Etsy
  • Payhip
  • Teachable
  • Podia

This is passive income at its best—you put in work once and keep earning over time.

3. Monetize a Passion Through Content Creation

If you love talking about a topic—fitness, self-development, parenting, tech, beauty—turn that passion into content.

Start a:

  • YouTube channel
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Instagram or TikTok account

Once you build an audience, you can monetize through:

  • Brand sponsorships
  • Affiliate marketing
  • Selling your own products
  • Paid memberships

Important:

Start small. Don’t try to post daily. One quality piece of content a week is enough to grow sustainably.

4. Tutor or Teach Online

If you’re good at a subject—math, English, music, languages—you can tutor others online in your spare time.

Popular platforms:

  • Preply
  • Cambly
  • Outschool
  • Wyzant
  • Italki

Online tutoring is flexible, pays well, and helps others. You can teach from your living room and even choose your own schedule.

5. Do Low-Energy Micro Tasks for Quick Cash

If you’re low on energy but still want to earn, microtasks are a great option. These small jobs take just minutes.

Examples include:

  • Taking surveys (Survey Junkie, Swagbucks)
  • Testing websites (UserTesting, TryMyUI)
  • Doing small gigs on TaskRabbit or Amazon Mechanical Turk
  • Data labeling or transcription work

You won’t get rich, but even $10–$50 a week adds up.

6. Offer a Local Service (Offline Side Hustles)

Not all income ideas require a screen. Depending on your interests, try offering:

  • Dog walking
  • Babysitting
  • House cleaning
  • Plant care
  • Delivery or rideshare driving (Uber, DoorDash)
  • Weekend photography

These can be refreshing breaks from computer work and allow you to interact with people face-to-face.

7. Invest in Long-Term Assets That Generate Income

Some income sources take longer to grow but offer powerful returns.

Start learning about:

  • Stock investing (through apps like Robinhood or eToro)
  • Real estate crowdfunding
  • Buying dividend stocks or ETFs
  • Creating an online store or brand
  • Building a blog that earns from ads and affiliates

These take upfront effort or money but can lead to true passive income.

8. Protect Your Energy: The Key to Sustainable Growth

You can’t earn more if you’re burned out. Protect your time and energy with these tips:

  • Set boundaries: Only work 1–2 hours max after your main job.
  • Take breaks: Don’t hustle every single night.
  • Prioritize sleep and health: No side hustle is worth your mental or physical health.
  • Say no to distractions: Cut out Netflix or doomscrolling and use that time to build your future.
  • Track your energy: Do what energizes you—not just what pays.

Start Small, But Start Today

You don’t need to launch a business or work 5 extra hours a day to increase your income. Even one small step each evening—sending a pitch, creating a design, recording a short video—adds up over time.

The key is consistency, not intensity.

You can make more money after work.
You can do it without burning out.
And you deserve a life of freedom, abundance, and joy.

You may also like:

For actionable, easy-to-follow steps, check out 5 Passive Income Ideas You Can Start This Weekend.

Discover how this 7-minute “song” can make money start appearing everywhere in your life.