Of course! Here is an article on how to make your first $100 online, written specifically for complete beginners.
How to Make Your First $100 Online (Even as a Complete Beginner)
The idea of making money online can feel like a mythical quest. You hear stories of digital nomads and six-figure bloggers, but the path from where you are now—scrolling on your laptop—to actually earning your first dollar seems shrouded in mystery.
Let’s demystify it.
The goal isn’t to get rich overnight. The goal is to earn your first $100. Why $100? Because it’s a meaningful, achievable milestone. It’s the proof of concept. Once you’ve made $100 online, you know it’s possible, and you can scale from there.
This guide is for the absolute beginner. You don’t need a massive social media following, a fancy degree, or a stash of startup cash. You just need a computer, an internet connection, and the willingness to take action.
The Most Important First Step: A Mindset Shift
Before we get to the methods, let’s get your mindset right.
- Action Over Analysis: Don’t spend weeks researching the “perfect” method. The secret is to pick one and start. You will learn more by doing than by reading.
- Value Over Easy Money: You’re not looking for a magic button that prints cash. You’re going to earn money by providing value, whether it’s your time, your opinion, a skill, or a product.
- Start Small, Think Big: That first $5 you earn from a survey is just as important as the $50 you might earn from a freelance project. It’s all part of the journey to $100.
Ready? Let’s dive into four practical paths to your first $100.
Method 1: The “No-Skill-Needed” Starter Pack (User Testing & Surveys)
This is the fastest way to prove to yourself that you can earn money online today. You are getting paid for your opinion and your attention.
- What it is: Companies will pay you to test their websites and apps and give feedback. Is their checkout process confusing? Is a button hard to find? You get paid to share your honest thoughts as you navigate their site. Similarly, market research companies pay for your opinions through online surveys.
- How to get started:
- User Testing: Sign up for platforms like UserTesting.com, Intellizoom, and TryMyUI. You’ll usually take a practice test. Once approved, you’ll get notifications for paid tests, which typically pay $10 for a 15-20 minute session.
- Surveys: While many survey sites are a waste of time, some are legitimate. Prolific and Swagbucks are popular and trusted options. The pay per survey is low, but it’s consistent and adds up.
- Path to $100:
- Complete 5-7 user tests ($10 each) = $50 – $70
- Dedicate a few hours to surveys = $30 – $50
- Total: ~$100
Method 2: The Freelance Hustle (Using Skills You Already Have)
“But I don’t have any freelance skills!” You probably do, you just don’t call them that. If you can write a clear email, you can do freelance work.
The key is to start with micro-gigs—small, defined tasks that are easy to complete.
- What it is: Offering a simple service to businesses or individuals who need help.
- Skills you might not know you have:
- Basic Writing/Proofreading: Proofreading product descriptions, writing short blog posts, or creating social media captions.
- Data Entry: Copying information from one document to another. It’s tedious, which is why people pay for it.
- Simple Graphic Design: Using a free tool like Canva to create basic social media graphics or logos.
- Transcription: Listening to audio or video and typing out what is said.
- How to get started:
- Create a profile on Upwork or Fiverr. Don’t get intimidated!
- On Fiverr, create a “gig” like: “I will proofread 1,000 words for $10” or “I will create 5 simple Canva graphics for $20.”
- On Upwork, search for entry-level jobs with terms like “data entry,” “virtual assistant,” or “proofreader.” Apply to several. Your first job is the hardest to get, but it builds momentum.
- Path to $100:
- Land two small proofreading gigs at $25 each = $50
- Get one client who needs 10 basic Canva templates = $50
- Total: $100
Method 3: The Digital Declutter (Selling Things You Own or Know)
You have assets right now that can be turned into cash. This can be physical stuff lying around your house or simple knowledge in your head.
- What it is: Selling physical or simple digital products online.
- How to get started (Physical Goods):
- Walk around your house and find 5-10 things you no longer need: old video games, textbooks, clothes, electronics, or kitchen gadgets.
- Take clean, well-lit photos.
- List them on Facebook Marketplace (great for local, no-shipping sales), eBay (for shipping items), or Poshmark (for clothing).
- How to get started (Digital Goods):
- What are you good at? What do friends ask you for help with? Baking sourdough? Planning a budget trip? Creating a workout routine?
- You don’t need to write a 200-page ebook. Create a simple, 1-2 page PDF guide, checklist, or template.
- List it for $3 – $5 on a platform like Etsy or Gumroad. You’d be amazed what people will buy. A “Weekly Meal Planner Template” or a “Beginner’s Guide to Houseplants” can absolutely sell.
- Path to $100:
- Sell an old gaming console on Facebook Marketplace = $60
- Sell a few items of clothing on Poshmark = $40
- Total: $100
Your Action Plan to a Fast $100
Don’t try to do everything at once. Create a simple “recipe” for your first $100.
- This Weekend: Sign up for UserTesting.com and Prolific. Aim to make your first $20.
- Next Week: Find three things in your house to sell. List them on Facebook Marketplace. Aim to make $40.
- In Parallel: Create a simple profile on Fiverr offering one specific micro-service (e.g., “I will transcribe 10 minutes of audio for $10”). Your goal is to land a few small gigs to make your final $40.
You’ve Made $100. Now What?
Earning that first $100 is a monumental step. You’ve broken the barrier. You’ve proven that making money online isn’t a fantasy—it’s a tangible reality based on action.
From here, you can double down on what worked. Did you enjoy freelancing? Look for bigger projects. Did your digital product sell? Create another one.
Stop reading, stop wondering, and start doing. Your first $100 is waiting for you to claim it.
