LESSON #4: 18 Ways to Make Money Online

By | June 16, 2008

Thus far, I’ve given my definition of what an online business is, and I’ve given you what I feel are a few prerequisites to becoming a successful online business owner.

So now let’s get more detailed as we drill down closer to what you’ll actually be doing. A lot of people say they want to make money on the internet, but they really have no idea what that looks like in real life.

One of the problems is that there are literally thousands of ways to make money on the internet…

(Watch this video…)

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Main points:

  • There are thousands of ways to make money online.

  • My way is NOT the only way.

  • Being able to follow a blueprint is great, but I also want you to be able to create your own blueprint when the lessons are over.

  • I want you to see the big picture so that you can look at my business model in the proper context.

  • Avoid the “bright shiny objects” and focus on one opportunity at a time.

    Some ways to make money online include (see video for details):

  • 1) Ebay

  • 2) Info products/Digital products

  • 3) Physical products

  • 4) Affiliate marketing

  • 5) Work from home job

  • 6) AdSense or other contextual ads (Ok here’s one affiliate link… If you really want to learn all about AdSense I do recommend my friend Joel who is the foremost expert: AdSense Secrets)

  • 7) MLM

  • 8] Coaching/consulting

  • 9) Service site

  • 10) Web hosting – Here’s a free 114 page ebook I wrote about how to be a web hosting reseller.

  • 11) Membership site

  • 12) Social network/web 2.0 site – maybe you will start the next facebook?

  • 13) Freelancer – My favorite freelancer site (where I hire the most people from) is vWorker (formerly known as RentACoder). Another good one is Odesk

  • 14) Paid Blogger – here are some blog posts listing a bunch of paid blogging sites: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 (UPDATE: The link I mentioned in the video is no longer valid, but the links here should work)

  • 15) Domainer – my personal domain registration site is LifeDomains

  • 16) “GPT” sites

  • 17) Sports betting arbitrage

  • 18) Trading (Stocks, commodities, forex, etc) – If you decide that this is an opportunity you want to pursue, I highly recommend my Trading Pro System

  • (This is by no means an exhaustive list)

    Action steps:

    Your action step today is optional. And it’s simple:

    1) look around and see how big the picture is, and how numerous the opportunities are.

    If you want to look around and see what else is out there, now is the time… NOT when we’re on lesson #55 and you’re in the middle of following my online business blueprint. Because once we get started, I want you to commit to following through and finishing it, because if you don’t finish it you won’t succeed with it.

    Now IF you do go out and research some of the opportunities I’ve just mentioned, remember what I said in Lesson #3… don’t buy stuff unless you know what you’re doing!

    I know this goes against the grain of what most marketers would do in my situation. I should be reeling you in and hooking you on my own idea. But I don’t want to do that. I want you to understand the scope of opportunity out there, and then choose to follow my lessons because you WANT to. Not just because you feel like its your only option. And if you’re confident in your decision to follow my blueprint, you’ll be much more focused, and you’ll be more likely to stay the course.

    As always, you are welcome to post your questions and comments below.

    Have a great day!

  • 499 thoughts on “LESSON #4: 18 Ways to Make Money Online

    1. Eric Post author

      That’s right, it will take about 4-5 months. But that’s ok, because it took me several years to learn it. Also, the action steps will be much more involved later on.

      Reply
    2. Eric Post author

      I will be doing 15-20 lessons all about traffic. But those won’t start until about lesson #63 or so. If you’re looking for information to buy before then, you could check out Web Traffic Machines . If you’re not sure if you’ll use the software, just do the $37 trial, and you’ll get a bunch of ebooks and videos that you can keep even if you cancel the membership.

      Reply
    3. Nicky

      Very helpful lesson. I liked the way you explained these options as well as the potential earnings you’ve realised from some of them.

      It actually validates the claims of some marketers …(although those I didn’t believe I had nothing to so with!) I know the list isn’t exaustive, but want to know if you class Master Resell Rights products under digital/ebook products. Or if you have an opinion on MRR products.
      thanks.

      Reply
    4. Ron Wiebe

      Hi Eric,

      I’ve had some success at MLM in the past while witnessing a whole bunch of people lose a lot of money and their will to go on. I agree with you – Eric – in gently warning against MLM. I think there are people who are geared to being successful MLMers and there are others who are not. Then there is the whole matter of MLM companies going the way of the Dodo bird just about the time you finally start seeing some profits and all the rest of it. So here – to sum it up is my advice on MLM for what it’s worth. (If you have the desire to work the very hardest that you can possibly work for the least amount of security you can possibly receive than MLM might be right for you.) And here’s a side note – your prospect will see first hand what you do to try and recruit them and that’s when they start asking themselves if they really want to do that too! Enough said.

      Reply
    5. Dexter

      I`am enjoying the tips.You are leading The Three Blind Mice to the Cheese,great tips Eric.

      Reply
    6. Mayank

      Eric, this is a wonderful post. I personally have been cheated of lots of money I have spent online. This is the first video that I watched and was so informative that I went back to unread mails in my inbox and read the previous 3. I am an indian and would just like to say one word for all this-AMAZING EFFORT

      Reply
    7. proson

      yeah Eric, thanks for list of business opportunities and don’t buy stuffs!!

      I did buy many stuffs but most of them I
      don’t need and yes I got distracted so I
      am making big money yet…

      anyway your tips are legitmate.

      and God bless…

      Reply
    8. Eric Post author

      Resale Rights/MRR products could be classified as a business opportunity, or they could be classified simply as products for resale. I have made a lot of money with RR/MRR products, and have found them to often have a good ROI. But the thing to keep in mind is my qualifier. Don’t buy stuff **unless you know what you’re doing**. If you know what you’re doing, then you can make good purchases of RR/MRR, and if you know what you’re doing then you’ll know how to turn around and sell it for a profit (and you already have a list or market in mind for it).

      Reply
    9. Susan O'Connor

      Eric, this info is great. Judging from the first four lessons this is exactly what I need to get me out of this quagmire. You said it…analysis paralysis. Didn’t know where to begin. Thank you so much. I look forward to all the lsessons. Susan

      Reply
    10. elsy

      All this lesson is amazing, but the most important thing for me is your honesty to show the good and the bag side of each one.
      thanks

      Reply
    11. Blanca I. Vargas

      Hi, Eric, all is o.k. for someone that have a perfect English, but I nedd help, because is not so much that I catch for my short English, so ¿is it possible send me information in Spanish?. Thanks

      Reply
    12. Norman

      Eric, thanks for the great info. You really set yourself apart from everyone else. I’m looking forward to your next lesson.

      Reply
    13. Kalynn

      I receive emails from at least a dozen internet marketers every day but there are only 3 that I look forward to hearing from and you are one of them.

      With this new series of Tips, you’ve just jumped to the TOP of my list!

      Reply
    14. Maggie

      Wish I’d seen a video like this a year ago! It cuts through all the confusion. Thanks so much.

      Reply
    15. Guita

      Erik, automatic translators are horrible. They change the sense of the words and don’t understand expressions. So I wouldn’t recommend that for Blanca or anybody.
      I am taking some notes to share them in Spanish with my friends telling them about your blog -of course- that is not the same as watching your video and hearing you but it could help to all this people who doesn’t understand English.
      I like your blog better day after day.

      Reply
    16. Warren

      Eric:
      I did not rec.the 5 ebooks as noted when I signed up. Please advise. By the way,I’m hooked on the tips. I’m trying to absorbe every word.Thanks.
      Warren

      Reply
    17. Gary

      Again Eric,

      Sincere and to the point. I think that most people do not realize how much work is involved in creating and maintaining an online Internet business.

      Reply
    18. Gary

      Hi Steaphen,
      If you look at Erics Marketing Tips and Business Opportunities on the right hand side of his website…you’ll also get a lot more ideas…some really good archived stuff! 🙂

      We Give You 120 Individual Turnkey Websites With Your Paypal ID On Each
      http://www.Instant-Paysites.com

      Reply
    19. Nik Nasruddin

      Eric, I agree with you about making money online.I’ve read a lot of online books and internet marketing books.They said the same thing that you have mentioned above.Your info make me more knowledgable in online business.

      Visit our http://www.easyartscraftstips.com to start your own easy arts and crafts business online now. By using Eric’s tips, it is not impossible to have another millionaire in online business.

      Reply
    20. Bounama

      Hi Eric!
      You didn’t fake it. Those are all that is there for businesses. Thanks
      I just have one question. You told about MLM “if you are not in, you don’t need to”.
      I’m not defending any mlm, i just want to have more indepth about that industry cause they’re talking too much about it.
      Thanks.
      Braveheart

      Reply
    21. Gary

      I agree with Eric…build the foundation first with a good education and understanding. Just read some of the posts here and you will see how easy it is to lose money before you know what your doing.Best of luck to y
      😉

      Reply
    22. Gary

      Yeah..4 or 5 months sounds a lot better than 4 or 5 years! Thanks again Eric

      🙂

      Reply
    23. Webber

      THX so much that u could share the precious opinions with me!!! ^_^

      Reply
    24. ramesh

      its so nice.can i put this vidio in my blog? can i get any problem from adsense?.i dont know any thing.plz see my blog and suggest me to improve it.i am handicaped that to poor financially.at present i am not in a position to invest any thing.my all fingers post burns contracthers cos i met with fire accident in the year of 2005.so please help me.i want to make adsense as my full time cos i am running internet cafe for my lively hood.i was the journalist.

      Reply
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    26. Blake

      Your apporach is very creative and innovative. “We stand on the shoulder of giants” as they say. You are definitely lending a hand to help us up.

      New things are so hard to promote. Do some of your future lessons show how to promote New Products created by your devoted readers?

      Sunshine to all.

      Reply
    27. Melina Crisostomo

      This is such great stuff, Eric! Your information is informative and inspiring.

      I couldn’t agree more about staying focused. With so many different opportunities available, it’s easy to become distracted and never finish any of the projects that you’ve already started.

      Information overload truly disrupts your momentum and drains your action taking energy.

      Thanks,
      Melina
      http://www.seminarswagbag.com

      Reply
    28. khozema

      Dear Eric
      Is there any reason behind listing the various
      ways in the order above For instance why have you listed ebay as number one Thanks

      Reply
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    30. Anonymous

      u r quite a genuine guy, we need guys like u in the net where u get drowned by the “sea of information” and “swept by the tide of confusion” once more , thx

      Reply
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    32. joe

      Thanks Eric, for the common sense of your information. You are absolutely right, there’s so much out there and it all comes with creating a sense of urgency for buying it. I’m glad to have gone through this lesson and for the information you have provided.
      thanks very much for your generosity.

      Reply
    33. johntanyishin

      It’s good advice for people, especially people who are starting out online. “Don’t buy stuff because you don’t need them.” I wish I have seen this lesson years ago.

      I’m looking forward for the next lesson.

      JTYS

      Reply
    34. Laura

      Hi, Eric! I got the info about your existence through a lady I recently met at the new church I joined in Tavares, FL. I was born in a marketing/advertising home in Buenos Aires, Argentina. My parents met at the South American branch of McCann Erickson, They were working together so I grew up listening about this but the Internet didn’t exist for those times. Nowadays I am absolutely convinced that I have the right profile to develop an Internet Business. Even when I have to be patient because I am listening to things I already know, I am absolutely convinced that this lesson and how you could give a format to all this info is cool! I am good at helping people with their start ups plus I was a leadership coach for many years. I am deeply convinced that I am going to find my niche through these lessons. Btw, I made the decision to do it. So far, I still couldn’t find any fake concept in your speech… and that’s awesome. Think that I am probably 20 years older than you. Since I am sort of receiving your knowledge about these issues, I wonder if I can return with the knowledge I have to you. None of us is perfect so exchanging is the fair thing to do here. Btw, do you offer private consulting? You can contact me privately if you want just emailing me at the email address you have. I also have a profile on Linked In if you want to check it out. Just let me now if you want it. Warm regards, Laura
      P/S.: MLMs are not legal scam but they are not exactly a great biz for anybody else but themselves… and I am talking because unfortunately I had a short experience and I decided to say NO to them

      Reply
    35. C. Sturm

      Hi Eric,

      Thanks for the info. In response to some of the MLM comments made here by other visitors I agree that you should proceed with caution, perform due diligence and determine if the particular type of ‘MLM’ model is for you.

      I have never been an MLM guy….and I actually couldn’t stand any of them for a long time. Most are shameless self-promoters but I have found a couple to be legitimate businesses operated by honest, humble people of faith. One in particular I decided to join and shortly after began making great money. In about 3 weeks I had made 3x’s my initial investment…but it wasn’t as “automated” as people think and are many times led to believe.

      In my opinion, what has caused the term ‘MLM’ to carry a bad name is the self-promoters themselves with over hyped do nothing and get rich quick claims that follow. The business I work for a few hours a week is technically not MLM, because you break-away after 2 sales and keep all earnings beyond.

      I am fascinated by business modeling and have studied all aspects of them professionally for 13+ years. I have found that once you strip away all the fluff and clutter surrounding any business there is an MLM component within a large majority and particularly so with internet based businesses.

      I think keeping an open mind is crucial when examining a business model. Prejudging a biz opportunity can provide likewise results as doing the same in our personal lives.

      Most importantly, when evaluating an opportunity, be sure to check your emotions at the door. Making a decision fueled by emotion is the same as making one out of fear. Praying about it also helps:)

      Keep up the great work!

      Reply

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