Working online is often portrayed as an ideal lifestyle — and to be honest, for the most part it can be. But there are important truths about making money online I want to share.
With an online business you can:
- Work from home
- Work while you travel
- Earn a substantial income
- Help many people and more
Many people assume owning a business or earning well online means flashy cars, nonstop first-class travel, or other extravagant displays. Because of that, some doubt the legitimacy of online income when they see someone’s success.
The reality is that running a business online is not always glamorous. I’m writing this now beside a campfire at a free campsite — and there’s a portable toilet nearby. That image may be less glamorous than some expect, but it’s honest.
I’m not sharing these truths to discourage you. My goal is to motivate you to work hard, to normalize the frustrations that might make you want to give up, and to remind you that persistence matters.
Get-rich-quick schemes don’t exist.
I publish monthly blogging income reports not to make things look easy, but to show the work behind the results and to offer practical tips. True rapid riches are rare; success generally requires sustained effort.
During my first year blogging, I often earned only cents per hour if I totaled the time invested. It eventually paid off, but that period included many stressful nights and long hours. Blogging can become a rewarding career, but only if you’re willing to put in the work.
Making money online can mean working around the clock.
I love every aspect of my business, which is wonderful — and also a challenge. Because my work is online, it’s available 24/7, and that makes it easy to work constantly. While passion is great, working nonstop is unhealthy. It’s important to set boundaries, take breaks, and make time for sleep, meals, and social life. That’s often harder than it sounds when your work is always a click away.
Expect lots of pajamas and workout clothes.
My typical outfit is workout shorts and a tank top. If I need to look presentable for a video call, I’ll wear a nicer top and keep the shorts hidden off-camera. Many online professionals adopt the same casual wardrobe — don’t be surprised if you stop dressing up for day-to-day work. It’s one of the less glamorous effects of remote work.
There’s no single path to earning online.
Online business involves trial and error. There isn’t one universal roadmap that guarantees results. Your pace of success may differ from others, and strategies that work for one person might not work for another. Because of that uncertainty, it’s wise to save a significant portion of your earnings. For example, we save around 80–90% of our income to guard against fluctuations.
Some days you’ll feel on top of the world, and other days you won’t.
Revenue and ideas can fluctuate dramatically. One week you might earn a lot; the next you might earn nothing. Creativity can feel plentiful one day and absent the next. These emotional swings are normal for business owners. When low moments come, push through them and keep moving forward — bad days don’t define your entire journey.
You don’t need to be technical to succeed online.
I’m not highly technical: I don’t enjoy testing code, I’m not a computer whiz, and I don’t obsessively analyze every metric. That surprises people, but it’s true — you can learn what you need and outsource the rest. Hiring help for technical tasks is affordable for most businesses and a smart use of your time.
Find motivators beyond money.
Money is a valid motivator, but running a business is challenging, and having additional reasons to keep going helps sustain passion. Consider motivators like wanting to travel, staying home with children, helping others, or sharing a passion through writing. These deeper purposes make perseverance easier and success more fulfilling.
It can feel lonely sometimes.
Working online often means spending long stretches working alone. While I rarely felt lonely compared to previous jobs where I had no one to talk to, some people miss daily in-person interaction. To combat loneliness, attend conferences, join coworking spaces, seek local meetups, or connect with peers online. Intentional networking can make a big difference.
You may be able to live your dream life.
Five years after starting my blog, it grew to hundreds of thousands of monthly visitors and reached a six-figure monthly income. That success has allowed my family and me to live the life we wanted. I don’t say this to promise the same for everyone — online work isn’t guaranteed to suit every person — but it can enable the lifestyle you dream of if you’re willing to do the work.
Working online is not a shortcut to instant wealth, and full-time success is not guaranteed. But with perseverance, strategy, and realistic expectations, an online business may help you reach your goals. I wish you the best of luck on your journey.
Which truth about making money online resonates with you? Which claim do you disagree with?