When I first started looking into making money online, I wasn’t aiming to become a millionaire overnight. I just wanted to make $100. That first hundred bucks felt like a mountain to climb—until it wasn’t. If you’re just starting out and feeling overwhelmed, I get it. The online world is full of scams, too-good-to-be-true promises, and way too many confusing strategies. So let me walk you through exactly how I made my first $100 online—and how you can too—without fluff, hype, or endless clicking around.
Step 1: Choosing What I Was Good At (Or Good Enough)
I started by doing something simple: writing. I wasn’t a professional writer, but I could string a few decent sentences together. That’s all I needed. I signed up for a freelance platform called Fiverr. I created a basic gig offering blog posts for small websites. My first gig? Writing a 500-word article for $10.
The trick here wasn’t to be the best—it was to be good enough and show up. A lot of beginners wait to feel “ready.” Don’t. The internet rewards action, not perfection.
Tip: If writing isn’t your thing, try what you can do reasonably well. Here are a few beginner-friendly ideas that actually work:
- Designing simple logos or social media posts using Canva
- Offering basic video editing using CapCut or DaVinci Resolve
- Doing voiceovers with a decent phone mic
- Translating short texts if you’re bilingual
- Creating PowerPoint presentations
- Helping people with resume formatting
Step 2: Learning the Platform
I spent about a day studying how Fiverr worked. I watched tutorials on YouTube (just search “How to get your first order on Fiverr”), looked at what top freelancers were doing, and tweaked my gig accordingly.
I added keywords, a clear title, and an honest description. No big claims, just something like: “I will write an engaging 500-word blog post for your website.”
Tool:
- Fiverr – The best starting point for freelancing
- YouTube – Free university of everything. Just search for tutorials on Fiverr, Upwork, Canva, or anything you want to learn.
Step 3: Getting the First Order
This part took the longest. It took me 12 days to get my first order. But I didn’t just wait. I kept optimizing my profile, tried different pricing ($5 intro offers help), and even reached out to a few forum communities asking if someone needed writing help.
When the order came, I treated it like gold. I delivered ahead of time, added a bonus paragraph, and formatted it neatly. That client left me a 5-star review and re-ordered. From that point, orders started trickling in.
Tip: Overdeliver on your first few jobs. Not in a way that burns you out—just enough to surprise the client. A little “extra” goes a long way when you’re starting with zero reviews.
Step 4: Scaling to $100
My first job paid $10. My second one paid $15. Then someone bought a $20 gig. Within about a month, I hit $100. It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t fast. But it was real. I didn’t need to invest money. I just had to show up, do good work, and keep improving.
Tool:
- Grammarly – To check my writing quality
- Google Docs – Easy, shareable writing tool
- Hemingway Editor – For simplifying my sentences
So, How Can You Do It?
1. Pick a Skill That Doesn’t Require Years of Learning
Don’t aim to become a blockchain developer in a week. Start simple. Some real beginner options include:
- Freelance writing
- Data entry
- Transcription
- Voiceover
- Graphic design (using templates)
- Virtual assistant tasks
- Selling templates or checklists on Etsy
Choose something you’re either curious about or already half-decent at. You can improve as you go.
Useful Sites:
- Upwork
- PeoplePerHour
- Freelancer
- Toptal (for more advanced users)
2. List a Simple Offer
Don’t get caught in the trap of perfection. Your first gig doesn’t need a Hollywood-level description. Just be clear, honest, and specific. Use a free tool like Canva to make a clean thumbnail. Choose 1 or 2 keywords clients might search for and stick them in your title and description.
Example: “I will write SEO blog posts about fitness and wellness topics.”
3. Leverage Free Learning Resources
You don’t need a paid course to get started. Just watch tutorials and implement as you go. Search for:
- “How to write your first Fiverr gig”
- “Upwork proposal tips for beginners”
- “How to price freelance services when you’re new”
Useful YouTube Channels:
- Justin Brown – Primal Video
- Ali Abdaal
- The Futur
- Income School (great for writing/blogging beginners)
4. Take Every Client Seriously
That $5 gig could lead to a $100 client later. Your first buyers are your first portfolio. Treat every job as a learning experience. Keep track of what works, what doesn’t, and which type of clients you enjoy.
5. Reinvest Your First $100 Wisely
Once you hit your first $100, don’t blow it all on pizza. Set aside a portion to invest in yourself:
- Upgrade your Fiverr gig with better visuals
- Buy a decent microphone if you’re doing voice work
- Grab a premium Canva plan
- Build a simple portfolio website with tools like Carrd or Notion
Tools to Grow:
- Notion – For organizing your client work
- Carrd – Build a clean portfolio site in one evening
- Canva Pro – Premium templates for branding
- Namecheap – Cheap domains if you want a personal site
Final Thoughts
Making your first $100 online is a huge mental win. It tells your brain: “Hey, this internet thing actually works.” The goal isn’t to chase fast money. It’s to build trust in yourself, one small win at a time.
If you’re stuck deciding what to do—just pick something. Try it for 30 days. You’ll learn more from doing one real gig than from watching 100 videos about it. And remember: most people never make a dime online because they never start. You already have what it takes to begin. The first $100 is waiting. Go get it.
