The Real Reason Most People Fail at Making Money Online

The uncomfortable reality of digital entrepreneurship most people ignore

Mar 10, 2025

Money doesn’t grow on trees, and it certainly doesn’t magically appear from random websites.

I learned this the hard way after spending three years chasing digital mirages that promised instant riches.

My first online money-making attempt was a disaster.

Picture a naive 22-year-old me, convinced that dropshipping would be my ticket to financial freedom. I spent $500 on a course, another $300 on ads, and exactly $0 in actual profits.

My entire “business” collapsed faster than a cheap lawn chair at a sumo wrestling match.

Here’s the raw, unfiltered truth about online money-making that most “gurus” won’t tell you.

The Mindset Trap

Most people approach online money-making like it’s a get-rich-quick lottery.

They think pressing a few buttons will transform their bank account overnight.

News flash: it won’t.

Online income is a skill, not a magical money button.

Real success comes from understanding three critical components:

1. Skill Development:

Successful online earners invest in themselves.

They don’t just watch YouTube tutorials — they practice, fail, and improve.

Whether it’s writing, coding, design, or marketing, mastery takes time.

My friend Jake didn’t become a successful freelance writer overnight. He wrote 500 terrible articles before landing his first decent client.

2. Problem-Solving Mindset:

The internet rewards people who solve problems. Not people who complain.

Want to make money? Find what bugs people and create a solution.

When TikTok creator Mark realized people struggled with meal prep, he created quick recipe videos. Now he makes six figures showing busy professionals how to cook fast.

3. Persistence Over Perfection:

Most quit before they start seeing results.

They expect instant success and bail when things get tough.

Online money-making is like learning to ride a bicycle — you’ll fall multiple times before staying balanced.

The Hidden Costs Nobody Talks About

Here’s something wild: most people don’t calculate their actual expenses.

They see “$5000 per month” in a YouTube thumbnail and forget about:

Software subscriptions
Marketing costs
Time investment
Skill learning expenses
Potential failures

My cousin spent $2000 on a dropshipping store but forgot to budget for Facebook ads.

Result? Complete financial wipeout.

Realistic Paths to Online Income

Not all online money paths are created equal.

Some have lower barriers, some require specific skills.

Here are proven routes:

Freelancing:

Writing
Graphic design
Programming
Virtual assistance

Digital Products:

Online courses
E-books
Templates
Printables

Affiliate Marketing:

Promote products
Create genuine recommendations
Build trust with the audience

Content Creation:

YouTube
TikTok
Instagram
Blogs

I remember struggling to get traction on Medium — took me months to figure out the algorithm.

My views grew surprisingly fast using a specific posting strategy.

I made over $3,000 in just 4 months from a brand-new Medium account.

I’ve compiled everything I’ve learned into a Medium Growth Checklist.
It’s the exact blueprint I wish I had when I started — no fluff, just pure, actionable strategies that have helped me gain over 18000 followers in four months.

The Psychological Battlefield

Making money online is 80% mental, and 20% tactical.

Most people fail because:

They compare themselves to success stories
They expect rapid results
They lack consistent effort
They give up too quickly

Real Story: My Turning Point

Two years into my online journey, I made $67 total. Sixty-seven dollars.

Most would quit. I didn’t.

I analyzed every single failure, adjusted my approach, and kept learning.

Today, I make a comfortable side income.

Not millions. Not instant riches.

But steady, reliable money that grows with my skills.

Practical Tips for Actual Progress

Start small
Learn one skill deeply
Create before consuming content
Track your learning, not just earnings
Embrace failure as education

If you want to skip the guesswork and start making real money from writing, I offer a personalized ghostwriting consultation.

I create a custom strategy based on your niche, strengths, and income goals.

You’ll get a custom roadmap to landing clients, pricing your services, and turning writing into income.

Get your personalized ghostwriting client acquisition plan here.

Warning Signs You’re Heading Nowhere

Buying multiple courses without implementing
Constant “research” without action
Believing get-rich-quick promises
Copying others without understanding
Refusing to invest in yourself

The Brutal Truth

90% of people will read this and do nothing. 9% might try briefly. 1% will actually commit and see results.

Which group will you be in?

Online money-making isn’t a lottery. It’s a skill.

Skills improve with practice, patience, and persistent learning.

Your move.

Work With Me — Get High-Performing Content

I help writers, creators, and businesses grow with content that attracts readers, builds authority, and drives results.

I offer ghostwriting services for:

✅ Medium Articles — Grow your audience & monetize faster
✅ Newsletters — Engage subscribers & keep them coming back
✅ LinkedIn Posts — Build your brand & attract opportunities
✅ Blogs & Articles — Increase traffic & rank higher on Google

📌 Limited spots available — Check out my services here: Link
📌 Or email me at: contact.thehumanproject@gmail.com

Let’s create content that works for you!