How I Started Earning Online—and How You Can Too

By Eren

A few years ago, the idea of making money online sounded a bit far-fetched to me. Sure, I’d heard of people freelancing or starting YouTube channels, but it always felt like something “other people” did. Not me. I didn’t have a tech background or a big following. I just had a laptop, internet access, and a lot of curiosity.

Fast forward to today, and I earn a steady income working entirely online—no office, no commute. If you’re just getting started, here’s a straightforward look at how you can do the same.

Step 1: Forget the Hype. This Takes Work.

Let’s get one thing straight right away—working online isn’t some get-rich-quick shortcut. You’ll see YouTube ads with guys standing next to Lamborghinis telling you otherwise, but ignore them. If you want a real, long-term income, you need to treat online work like actual work.

That means putting in hours, building skills, and learning to deal with slow starts and occasional rejections. The good news? If you stick with it, it does pay off.

Step 2: Find One Thing You’re Good At (or Willing to Get Good At)

When I started, I dabbled in writing, basic graphic design, and even tried selling digital templates. I wasn’t great at all of them, but over time, writing stuck. I realized I enjoyed it and could improve with practice.

You don’t need to be a master at anything on day one. The internet rewards people who specialize and show up consistently. Whether it’s designing logos, translating languages, editing videos, or writing emails for businesses—there’s a market for it.

Pick something and commit to learning it for a month or two. Watch tutorials, take a free course, try small projects—even unpaid ones. That’s how you build confidence.

Step 3: Use Platforms That Actually Work

When I finally decided to go all in, I signed up for Fiverr and Upwork. At first, nothing happened. Zero orders. But after tweaking my profile and trying different service descriptions, someone took a chance on me. That first client led to two more. Then five.

There are tons of platforms, so don’t limit yourself. If you like teaching, check out Preply or Cambly. Want to sell designs or ebooks? Try Etsy or Gumroad. Just pick one and stick with it long enough to see results.

Step 4: Build Trust Before You Chase Big Money

Early on, you’ll need to prove yourself. That might mean doing a few projects at a lower rate just to earn some reviews and experience. I know, it’s not glamorous—but think of it as laying the groundwork. Every happy client is a mini billboard for your services.

Also: if you’re shy about creating a personal website or portfolio, don’t be. I used a free tool like Carrd to create a simple one-page site with samples. It helped a lot.

Step 5: Keep Yourself on Track (Or You’ll Drift)

One of the hardest parts about online work? No boss looking over your shoulder. It sounds great… until you realize how easy it is to procrastinate.

What worked for me was creating a daily routine—even a loose one. I’d block out time for client work, another block for learning new things (like SEO or writing headlines), and I’d check my emails only twice a day. Little things like that kept me sane and productive.

Last Thoughts: Start Small, But Start Now

You don’t need to have everything figured out today. You just need to start. Pick one skill, one platform, and one goal for the next 30 days. You’ll probably make mistakes, maybe even embarrass yourself a little. That’s part of the process.

Working online changed my life, not because it was easy, but because it gave me freedom. You can do the same—but only if you take that first (imperfect) step.