How I Made My First $1000 Online Without a Degree

By Imdad Ullah Chemist

I Never Thought I Was "Qualified"

I used to think a college degree would lead to a good life. Society tells us: get a degree, get a job, get a life. But what happens if you don’t follow that path or worse, you do follow it and still find yourself broke, confused, and stuck?

At 24, I had no degree. I dropped out of college halfway through because of financial issues and growing anxiety. I worked random shifts at a local store, barely making enough to cover rent, and secretly worried I was destined to fail.

The internet was filled with people boasting about "making money online." Most of it sounded like scams. I wasn’t tech savvy. I didn’t have fancy equipment or a personal brand. But I had something that many overlook:

Time and the willingness to try.

The Accidental Discovery

One night, while scrolling through Reddit, I found a post titled "Made $150 Writing Articles This Week, AMA." I was surprised. People actually pay for writing? Like... words?

I clicked on it. The writer shared their experience creating content for websites like Textbroker, iWriter, and later, Medium and Vocal Media. They weren’t making a fortune, but they were making something.

I loved writing; I just never thought anyone would pay for it.

I dusted off some old essays, rewrote one into a blog post, and created an account on Vocal Media. I called it “What Growing Up Without WiFi Taught Me About Patience.” It was raw, awkward, and not friendly for search engines, but it was honest.

To my surprise, it got over 1,000 reads in two days.

The First Real Dollar

Encouraged, I wrote more. Personal essays. Odd observations. Short stories. Some didn’t do well, but one went mildly viral “Why I Quit Watching the News for 30 Days” and earned $15 from reads.

It wasn’t much, but it was my first time making money without a traditional job.

That $15 felt like a fortune. Not because of the amount, but because of the opportunity.

I began to experiment. I joined Medium and submitted to publications. I pitched articles to small blogs and magazines. I signed up on Fiverr and Upwork, offering blog posts for $10 to $20.

It took me six weeks to earn my first $100 online. Each dollar felt like a small act of defiance against the belief that I wasn’t qualified.

The Turning Point: Consistency and Strategy

By the third month, I had a routine. I spent mornings writing pitches and evenings on paid gigs. I learned to write quickly, edit better, and research efficiently.

Here’s what helped the most:

Writing about what I knew. Personal stories, beginner guides, and lessons learned from working retail.

Repurposing content. One blog post could turn into a script, a social media thread, or a different story for various platforms.

Not underpricing forever. I started low, but once I had testimonials, I slowly raised my rates.

I got my first big break when a small business owner on Reddit hired me to write four blog posts for $75 each. That $300 felt like winning the lottery.

By the end of that month, I had earned $1,043. I took a screenshot of my PayPal account. I still have it.

What No One Tells You

People often talk about the money, but they rarely mention the self doubt that comes with freelancing or creating online.

Every day, I wondered if I was good enough. Every rejection hurt. Each week, I thought about quitting. But I didn’t. Those small victories kept me motivated.

Gradually, I realized: you don’t need a degree to create value you need discipline, authenticity, and resilience.

I wasn’t trying to be the best writer in the world. I just wanted to be useful, helpful, and real. That’s what people paid for.

Where I Am Now

A year later, I’ve made several thousand dollars writing online. I’ve built connections with editors and small businesses. I’m not rich, but I’m free.

I can work from anywhere. I set my own schedule. I learn every day. No one has ever asked about my degree.

Final Thoughts for Anyone Starting From Zero

If you’re reading this with self-doubt and no degree, listen to me:

You are not unqualified. You are underrated.

Your life, your struggles, your voice all have value. Don’t wait for permission to use them.

Start messy. Start small. But start.

Your first $1,000 isn’t just about money. It’s about proving to yourself that you can.

And once you do?

You’ll never see yourself the same way again.