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How to actually make money online in 2025 (and beyond)


The internet is growing up. It’s maturing into a place to share insightful and educational content — not just a place to get likes for your sunglasses.

A staggering 57% of Gen Zers said they’d like to become an influencer as their career. But if you’re paying attention, it’s not just teenagers who are building careers online anymore.

 

Now, more than ever, you’ll find middle-aged adults trading in their 9–5 jobs to create content online. But they aren’t trying to become internet famous. Their content focuses on helping their audience solve a problem, or teaching them a new skill.

While the influencer economy is still growing strong, we’re entering the dawn of the creator economy.

Old way: Become an online celebrity

 

A few years ago, if you wanted to make money online, you needed to become an internet celebrity.

That might be an oversimplified definition, but it’s essentially true. To become an influencer, you have to:

  • Build a massive following online (10k+)

  • Share beautiful pictures and videos of your gorgeous self

  • Pray for a brand to give you a deal

This path works for many people. If you need proof, look at Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. These platforms are where most popular influencers like to hang out. So if you want to be an influencer, get comfortable taking selfies and videos of yourself.

If all that excites you, be my guest. But becoming an influencer comes with some drawbacks.

First, you have to create near Hollywood-worthy content to get noticed. While technology makes doing so easier than ever, it still often required buying expensive equipment and hiring a team. For example, MrBeast employs over 200 people!

To be an influencer, you often have to (or get to) travel to exotic locations, or rent exotic vehicles. It’s all about keeping up appearances. Yes, there are influencers whose whole vibe is authenticity, but they’re rare.

All this means influencers often end up working longer hours than if they’d just gotten a 9–5 job. For all their hard work, many influencer’s lives don’t match what they present on social media. And with unending pressure to gain and keep attention, how could they be?

Of course, being a successful influencer has rewards.

Influencers who land brand deals can make millions of dollars. Monetized YouTube accounts can do the same. For some, this may be a good career route — especially if the camera likes you.

But not everyone wants this kind of “new” job.

New way: Become an online educator

 

Many people aren’t interested in becoming an internet celebrity or securing a big brand deal. They want to build a simple business that earns plenty of money and allows them to do other things they love — not manage employees.

Enter the creator economy.

Now, following this path won’t likely get you on any Forbes lists, or invited to big celebrity parties. But most folks who go this route aren’t interested in those things.

The creator economy is all about connection and education. Creators connect with their audience, and educate them in the skills necessary to solve their problems. They don’t need millions of followers. Many make a full-time income from a four to six-figure audience. This path doesn’t require highly produced videos, or even posting a selfie every day.

Creators are often one-person shows (solopreneurs) or work with limited freelancers and virtual assistants. Their businesses focus on staying lean and profitable.

How do they do it?

  • Pick a topic to talk about online, something you already know a good bit about.

  • Build an email list to directly communicate with your followers.

  • Create a product that solves a specific problem your followers face.

In other words, being a creator is all about building trust and solving your audience’s problems. Creators often sell products like online courses or books that productize their knowledge.

They share their content on platforms like:

  • Medium

  • LinkedIn

  • Twitter/X

  • YouTube

Like influencers, Creators come in lots of flavors. They might be freelancers sharing tips for landing clients, or entrepreneurs sharing business secrets. There are also many writers who share their insights on a particular topic or niche. Their ultimate purpose is to educate their audience.

But with less pressure to “look” the part, creators have an easier time being authentic. They don’t have to keep score by how good they look, but by how many people they can help.

For example, popular creator Justin Welsh (from LinkedIn) started out talking about SaaS. But as his follower count grew, people began asking him how he gained so many followers. So, he created affordable online courses that educate students on his process. People trusted Justin, so they bought his courses, earning him millions of dollars in the process.

There are creators in ever niche and topic imaginable, because people are interested in learning about every topic imaginable.

Which path is best?

 

You’re probably thinking, “Aren’t influencers and creators basically the same?”

The answer is yes, they are. But there are some key differences you might not have picked up on yet. Many differences come down to the type of work you want to do.

Do you want to be a celebrity who promotes brands and affiliates? If so, go for the influencer path. If you’re good looking, you might have a chance.

Do you want to teach your audience valuable skills and make a living doing it? You can do that as a creator.

You may still educate through videos and Instagram pics (like an influencer), but your content will typically lean more toward writing. Creators sell solutions, not brands.

The creator economy is taking off because the internet changed how we relate to information. You no longer need to pay a university to take a class. You can buy an online course and learn from people at the height of their field.

The best part? It’s usually for a fraction of the cost of a traditional education.

Choose your path wisely

 

There is no easy — or guaranteed — path to making money online. But if you aren’t up for posting selfies every day, you have another option. Join the creator economy.

Influencers persuade their audience to engage with their content and buy their brands. Creators solve problems and package the solutions for their audience to buy.

The influencer economy will continue to grow. But over the next few years, we’ll see exponential growth in creator economy as more people embrace online courses and learning as a legitimate form of education. So, if the content creator path interests you, don’t wait another day to get started!