Updated: • Reading time: 7–9 minutes
If you’re starting from zero and just want a fast, realistic plan to make your first $100 online, this guide is for you.
Every method below is beginner-friendly, takes little or no upfront cash, and can scale if you keep at it.
Where it helps, I’ve added tools and resources — and a single universal Amazon link so you can browse any gear you might need.
Table of contents
- Resell items you already own
- Micro-gigs and quick freelance tasks
- Simple print-on-demand designs
- One-link “starter” affiliate post
- Local services with online booking
- Sell a tiny digital product
- Bonus: surveys/earning apps (low effort)
1) Resell items you already own
Walk your home with a notes app and list 20 things you haven’t used in 6+ months
(headphones, kitchen gadgets, old phones, books). Photograph in daylight against a plain background and post to
Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or eBay. Price at 60–70% of the going used rate to move fast.
Helpful gear: If you need bubble mailers, a cheap postage scale, or packing tape,
browse Amazon supplies here
and pick what fits your budget.
2) Micro-gigs and quick freelance tasks
Spin up fast wins with short tasks: remove photo backgrounds, simple data entry, or turn audio notes into text.
Pitch in local Facebook groups or on Fiverr/Upwork with a 1-paragraph offer and 3 examples.
- Tip: Package offers (“10 product photos background-removed for $15 in 24 hours”).
- Tooling: Free web tools like PhotoRoom/Canva get you started; upgrade later if needed.
3) Print-on-demand: simple text designs
Create 5–10 short, niche quotes (pets, trades, hobbies) and place them on shirts or mugs using
Printify/Printful integrated with Etsy. Keep designs text-only at first — black/white typography sells.
Research in 10 minutes: Search Etsy for your niche + “shirt”, sort by “Top customer reviews,”
note phrasing themes, then create something fresh (not copied).
4) The “one-link” starter affiliate post
Don’t overthink it: write a 600-word post recommending your 3 favorite budget tools for your hobby or work —
but link every “Buy on Amazon” button to one universal link so you never have to build product links.
- Your universal link:
Shop on Amazon
- Template sections: problem → what I used → what I’d buy today → quick setup tips.
- Conversion tip: Put the “Shop on Amazon” button above the fold and at the end.
Example snippet you can reuse
“If you only get one thing today, make it a reliable USB microphone so your calls sound clean.
You don’t need fancy — just something that doesn’t hiss.
Shop on Amazon →”
5) Local services with online booking
Offer a simple service (lawn cleanup, car interior detail, window washing, dog waste pickup) and
let people book through a free calendar link. Post before/after photos and a flat “$49 starter” package to remove friction.
6) Sell a tiny digital product
Whip up a 3-page checklist, recipe pack, or printable habit tracker in Google Docs/Canva.
List it on Gumroad/Ko-fi for $3–$7. Promote in one relevant subreddit or Facebook group (following their rules).
7) Bonus: surveys & earning apps (snack money)
Won’t make you rich, but if you’re waiting in lines a lot, stacking a couple of legit apps can nudge you over $100
in your first month. Treat this as filler time, not your main plan.
Next step (today)
- Pick one method above.
- Schedule 90 minutes on your calendar.
- Post your first offer or list your first 5 items.
Need basic gear? Use the universal link and grab only what’s necessary:
Shop Amazon.
Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases —
at no extra cost to you.