How I Started Making Money Online
- Kai-Zen
- May 2, 2025
- 11 min read
It started with a YouTube video promising $100 a day doing basically nothing. I rolled my eyes, clicked anyway... and five hours later, I was knee-deep in a world of money-making apps, side hustles, and shady "gurus" selling $997 courses. Welcome to the rabbit hole.
Table of Contents
I didn’t get rich overnight (spoiler: no one does), but I did discover an entire universe of online income streams, digital freedom, and surprisingly, a lot of lessons about myself.
This post isn’t a “get rich quick” guide. It’s a brutally honest look at how I got started, what I wish I knew earlier, and how you can skip the dumb mistakes and start smarter.
1. The Accidental Click That Started It All
I wasn’t desperate, but let’s just say I wasn’t exactly ballin’ either.
I had bills, I had free time (probably too much), and I was starting to get that itch—you know, the “there’s gotta be a better way than this” kinda feeling. I wasn’t looking for a get-rich-quick scheme, but I also wouldn’t have said no to some cash showing up without me having to bleed for it.
So there I was, probably 2 AM, watching something completely unrelated—maybe cat videos or a breakdown of why GTA 6 is taking forever... and boom! “Earn $100 a Day Just By Installing This App.”
Yeah… I rolled my eyes so hard I almost sprained something. But then... I clicked.
The rabbit hole opened.
One minute, I was skeptical. Next, I was binge-watching testimonials, scanning Reddit threads, comparing reviews of apps I’d never heard of, like Honeygain, EarnApp, Swagbucks, whatever else popped up in my algorithm like it could smell my desperation.
I remember that weird mix of excitement and doubt bubbling up. Like: “Wait… is this actually possible?” Followed by: “Nah, this has to be a scam. Right?” And then: “Okay, but what if… just what if it isn’t?”
That’s the moment everything changed. Not because I earned a fortune right away (spoiler: I did not), but because I realized there’s a whole hidden economy online. Apps, platforms, microtasks, automation tools, entire communities making real money on the side or even full-time—and nobody in my everyday life was talking about it.
I had no plan. No strategy. Just a curious mind, a Wi-Fi connection, and some late-night optimism.
And that’s all it took to fall in.
2. My First "Online Money Making" Hustle Attempt (and the Cringe Mistakes I Made)
So after falling headfirst into the rabbit hole, I did what any half-sane person would do—I Googled “easy ways to make money online.”
Mistake #1: Trusting Google.
First up on the list? Online surveys. "Answer a few questions and earn cash? Sounds like getting paid to be opinionated. I do that for free!" I signed up for, like, six different survey sites in one night. Swagbucks, InboxDollars, Toluna, you name it. Within a week, I was drowning in emails, answering questions like “Do you prefer apples or bananas?” for 0.03 cents a pop.
And then I discovered something worse than boredom: survey disqualification. Nothing like spending 10 minutes answering questions only to be told “Oops, you don’t qualify.”Translation: “Thanks for the free data, sucker.”
Cringe level: maximum.
After that disaster, I found Honeygain. “This app pays you for your unused internet bandwidth!” Okay, that actually made sense. Passive income, no effort, install-and-forget type of deal. I installed it. Waited. Checked my earnings. 0.04 USD. Yay. I could almost afford… nothing.
Then came the microtask apps. I tried one where I had to take photos of receipts. Cool concept, but it felt like I was becoming a full-time receipt archivist for nickels.
And I almost—almost—fell for a shady "crypto trading bot" ad. The site looked legit, the testimonials looked real, and the minimum deposit was only $250. Luckily, my gut was like, “Bro... don’t.” I didn’t. But I still feel the secondhand embarrassment of almost getting scammed.
By that point, I was burned out. All I had to show for my effort was a few cents, spam emails, and the deep existential realization that “online money” is a minefield disguised as a gold rush.
This part had me questioning all my life decisions. Like… did I just get played by the internet? Is this what "financial freedom" feels like? Should I just sell my soul to a pyramid scheme and call it a day?
But even though it was rough, it taught me something important: there’s money out there, but you gotta know where and how to look.
3. Three Big Myths I Totally Believed (And Got Burned For)
Look, when you’re new to this online money jungle, you believe a lot of things, especially when some dude in a hoodie with a rented Lamborghini tells you it’s “easy.”
Spoiler: Most of it is "Bantha poodoo".
Here’s a few lies I bought into, and the reality slaps that followed.
Myth #1: “You Can Make Money Instantly Online”
Ah yes, the age-old promise of “Start earning today!” I legit thought I’d sign up for a site, click a few buttons, and boom! PayPal notification.
Reality check: The only thing I made instantly was… disappointment. Even apps like Honeygain or Swagbucks drip-feed you pennies like you’re on some kind of slow-motion financial IV drip. Passive? Kinda. Instant? Nope.
It’s like planting a tree and expecting apples by lunchtime.
Myth #2: “Passive Income Means Zero Effort”
Listen, the word “passive” is a scam in itself. You still need to set things up, test stuff, troubleshoot, learn, and wait.
I thought passive income was gonna be me lounging on a beach while money rained from the sky like in those shady Facebook ads. What it actually was: Googling "why isn't my Honeygain earnings moving" at 2 am, while refreshing the dashboard every 5 minutes.
Even the good apps require patience and strategy. Passive income is real—but “passive” doesn’t mean “magic.”
Myth #3: “Everyone Selling Online Advice Knows What They’re Doing”
Some of the people making tutorials online are just... winging it. You ever watched a guy claim to make $500 a day with zero proof, then realize he’s just reading Reddit threads out loud over stock footage? Yeah.
I followed a few of these “gurus,” bought into their affiliate links, tried the exact things they recommended… and guess what? They made money. Off me.
The reality is: many of them don’t make money from the method—they make it by teaching the method. Big difference. And that was my "ah crap" moment.
4. What I Wish I Knew on Day 1
Alright, let’s cut through the hype. If you’re looking to get into the online money game, there are a few hard truths you need to face.
Here’s the good, the bad, and the ugly. You ready?
You Need Patience More Than You Need Skill
I thought I’d get rich quick. Like, I literally believed there was some magic formula that if I just followed it, I’d be swimming in cash by next week. Wrong!
In reality, making money online is more like planting seeds and watching them grow. Sometimes it takes a while before you start seeing anything close to profit. And guess what? The first few things you try?
They probably won’t work that well. But here’s the kicker: You gotta keep going.
Most people tap out when they don’t see results fast enough. But the ones who stick with it adjust, tweak, and try again are the ones who make it.
I wasted a lot of time hoping for instant results. Don’t be like me.
Not All Apps or Sites Are Scams, but Many Are Sneaky as Hell
When I first started, I was super cautious, assuming everything was a scam. Then I found some legit apps and got all excited. But here’s the truth: There’s a fine line between “legit” and “sneaky as hell.”
Some apps and sites are fine, and they’ll pay you eventually, but they’ll never make you a millionaire. Ever. And some sites look legit, but they make money by selling your data or making you jump through hoops that don’t lead anywhere.
So, here’s the deal: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Look for reviews, do your research, and avoid the get-rich-quick traps. There’s no free lunch—but there are snackable earnings if you’re strategic.
Tracking Your Progress Is More Motivating Than Chasing Big Money
The first time I tried to make money online, I kept refreshing my earnings page like I was hunting for a miracle. I wasn’t tracking anything else, just waiting for that PayPal notification. That’s not how you build something sustainable.
I eventually realized that tracking the small wins, like the number of tasks completed, the time spent, or even the learning progress, was far more motivating than just looking for the big payday.
It's like training for a marathon. You’re not gonna run 26 miles on your first day, but each mile is a small win that keeps you going. And those small wins compound.
“Consistency > Speed” Is a Real Thing
This one hit me hard. I was so excited at the beginning that I tried to do everything at once—start a blog, sign up for every side hustle platform, chase every shiny opportunity I could find. And guess what? I was all over the place.
The people who actually make money online aren’t the ones doing a million things at once. They’re the ones who stick to a single, effective method and build on it consistently over time.
When I started focusing on one thing at a time—testing one platform thoroughly, committing to one hustle before jumping to the next—that’s when I began to see real results. It’s not about doing everything at once; it’s about mastering the small things first.
Not Everything You Try Will Be “The One”
It took me a while to come to terms with this one. When I started, I had that “if I just find the right side hustle, it’ll be my golden ticket” mentality. But in reality? That’s not how it works.
Some things will be a slow grind. Some will...
5. Why I’m Starting Zenkash (And What You’ll Get Here)
After all the clicks, mistakes, failed hustles, and awkward lessons, I realized something important: I wanted to share what I’d learned. I didn’t want to just be another person with a blog telling people what they should do. I wanted to actually show them.
That’s why I created Zenkash.
Zenkash isn’t about selling the dream of quick riches; it’s about building something real online. Whether you're looking for a way to make a little extra on the side, escape the 9-to-5 grind, or start your own small business as a solopreneur, this is the place where you’ll get no fluff and all facts.
I’ve made a ton of mistakes (seriously, I should start a “what not to do” series), but each one taught me something I can pass along.
And while I’m still figuring things out, because that’s the beauty of this digital hustle, I’m here to share what works, what doesn’t, and how you can get started with your own online journey without falling for the same traps I did.
So, what will you find here at Zenkash?
Real-World Passive Income Tools
I’ve tried dozens of passive income apps, websites, and platforms, and I’m committed to sharing the real reviews, the ugly truths, and which ones are actually worth your time. No more falling for the “easy money” promises. I’ll tell you what really works and what doesn’t.
Solopreneur Tips & Tools
Whether you’re trying to build a blog, start an online store, or offer services as a freelancer, I’ve got you covered.
I’ll break down the tools, tactics, and strategies I’ve personally used to go from
“What the heck is a solopreneur?” to
“Hey, I might actually be good at this”.
It’s not always glamorous, but I’ll make sure you have the practical tips and tools you need to grow your own digital empire—at your own pace.
Leveraging AI Tools to Level Up Your Hustle
One of the things that made a massive difference in my online journey was discovering how AI tools could make life so much easier. You don’t need to be a tech genius to use them, and trust me if you’re looking to optimize your time and work smarter, not harder, AI is your new best friend.
Whether it’s automating repetitive tasks, generating content, analyzing data, or helping you with customer service, AI tools can be a serious game-changer when you’re running an online business or side hustle.
Here are a few ways AI tools can help you:
Content Creation – If you’re running a blog or social media page, AI tools like ChatGPT or Copy.ai can help generate ideas, draft blog posts, or even optimize your content for SEO without you needing to burn out trying to write everything yourself.
Customer Support – Tools like Intercom or Zendesk provide AI-powered customer service bots that can answer frequently asked questions, troubleshoot issues, and even handle basic customer support tasks, all while you sleep.
Data Analysis – AI-powered analytics platforms (like Google Analytics or Kissmetrics) can help you make data-driven decisions by analyzing user behavior on your site or app, identifying trends, and suggesting improvements.
Social Media Management – AI tools like Hootsuite or Buffer can schedule and automate your social media posts, analyze engagement, and help you find the best times to post, cutting down the time you’d normally spend managing these platforms.
Automation Tools – Whether it’s automating email sequences (think ConvertKit or Mailchimp) or scheduling tasks (like Zapier), AI can handle the repetitive stuff so you can focus on the big picture.
In short: AI tools won’t replace your hustle, they’ll amplify it. If you're serious about growing your online income or business, learning how to integrate these tools can save you time and boost your efficiency, giving you more room to focus on what truly matters.
Support for Newbies
This site is also a place for anyone who feels overwhelmed by the “hustle culture”. If you’re a newbie who feels like you're falling behind or unsure where to start, Zenkash is where you can get grounded.
We’re starting small, and that’s okay. Let’s build something sustainable, together.
No Quick Fixes, Just Long-Term Gains
If you’re looking for a “how-to get rich in 30 days” guide, I’m gonna disappoint you.
Zenkash is about creating a real foundation, not chasing shiny objects. But I’ll promise you this: If you stick around and commit to the journey, the results will be way more fulfilling than anything you’ll get from a “get rich quick” scam.
So why am I doing this? Because, frankly, I wish I had someone to guide me when I was getting started, someone who would cut through the BS and tell me how it really is. And while I’m still learning, I want to share what works right now and help you avoid the same mistakes I made.
Call to Action
Now that we’ve gotten this far, if you’re ready to dive deeper into the world of real online money-making, subscribe to Zenkash.
Let’s figure this out together. You don’t have to go down the rabbit hole alone. And hey, if you’ve already tried some side hustles or apps that have worked (or failed), drop an email and let me know what’s worked for you—let’s get the conversation going.
You’re Not Alone on This Journey
I’m not going to pretend like I have all the answers, because let’s be real, I’m still figuring things out too.
But here’s what I do know: You don’t have to do it alone.
The online hustle isn’t just about earning a quick buck; it’s about growth, learning, and resilience. It’s about building something that not only supports you financially but also gives you the freedom and flexibility to live life on your own terms.
And trust me, if I can get through the chaotic maze of mistakes and missteps, so can you.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned through this process, it’s that every setback is just another step forward in disguise. Every “failure” is a lesson. Every tiny win is a victory. It’s not about chasing the dream of being rich in a week—it’s about building your own foundation for long-term success, brick by brick.
So, I want you to know: You’ve got this. Whether you're here to learn how to make passive income, kickstart your own business, or simply explore new possibilities, Zenkash is here to help guide you, step by step. And we’ll go through this journey together.
At the end of the day, it’s not just about the money—it’s about creating a life that’s yours. One that you’ve built with your own hands. And if I can help you along the way, whether by sharing my mistakes, tips, or tools that actually work, then that’s what Zenkash is all about.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for being part of this. I’m excited to see where this journey takes us, and I can’t wait to continue sharing the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
So, welcome to Zenkash! Your new home for real talk, real tools, and real results.
And that’s a wrap on the “big idea”! Zenkash isn’t about selling fantasies; it’s about offering real talk for those ready to take their online income seriously and sustainably.
Let’s get to work!!!