Check out my recent videos on the AI Freelancing Gold Rush & Side Hustles:
How do you make money online in 2026 if you’re starting from scratch?
I’ve been experimenting with online businesses, YouTube, websites, freelancing and side hustles since 2013.
If I had to start over today with almost nothing, this is how I would approach it.
The biggest mistake people make is expecting $10,000 a month immediately.
Forget that.
Start by figuring out how to make your first $100. Then $500. Then $1,000 a month.
In this video, I break down what I’ve learned from more than a decade of trying to make money online, building YouTube channels, freelancing, creating websites and now participating in the rapidly growing AI freelance economy.
AI contracting is one of the biggest opportunities I’m watching in 2026. Platforms are currently connecting professionals with flexible remote work involving AI evaluation, training and subject-matter expertise – sometimes at exceptionally high hourly rates depending on experience and specialization.
The opportunity is changing fast.
The goal isn’t necessarily to quit your job tomorrow.
The goal is to build another stream of income.
$500 a month matters.
$1,000 a month matters.
$2,500 a month matters.
Start somewhere and stay consistent.
⏱️ CHAPTERS
0:00 Making Money Online Since 2013
0:39 How I’d Start in 2026
1:30 The K-Shaped Economy
2:26 How to Make Money Online
2:31 Stop Chasing the Millionaire Dream
3:04 My First $1,000 Month
4:00 Start With $500-$1,000
4:24 My First YouTube Income
5:00 Why Most People Give Up
5:40 It Took Me 1,000+ Videos
6:34 The Power of Scalable Income
6:52 Websites, SaaS & Digital Products
7:03 Focus on ONE Thing
7:29 Active vs. Passive Income
7:47 Give It 5-10 Hours Per Week
8:35 Starting From Scratch in 2026
8:42 The AI Freelancing Opportunity
9:03 What Happened After I Lost My Job
9:37 Why AI Contracting Is Exploding
10:25 The Realistic Side Hustle Strategy
10:51 $500-$5,000 in Extra Income?
11:23 Building Income Around a 9-to-5
11:47 Why Consistency Wins
12:01 My Journey Since 2013
13:13 Where I’d Start Today
📚 InvestDaily Education:
I recently made a full video breaking down the new AI freelance economy, including platforms such as Mercor, micro1, Handshake AI, DataAnnotation and others. Check that video out next if you’re interested in remote AI contracting opportunities.
There are no guaranteed results with any online business, freelance platform or side hustle. Income depends on your skills, available work, consistency, demand and countless other factors.
What would YOU start today if you had to build an additional $1,000 per month from scratch?
Comment below.
Subscribe to @InvestDailyApp for videos covering money, careers, AI, side hustles, investing and the changing economy.
#MakeMoneyOnline #SideHustle #AIJobs #WorkFromHome #PassiveIncome
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