Before we begin, if you’re someone who would rather ‘watch’ instead of read, then click the video link below:
What's up? I'm Taylin.
I’m that ex-college teacher who stopped grading papers to start writing online.
Because life’s too short to babysit entitled students who think they’re doing you a favor just by showing up.
Now, 3 years later, my writing businesses pull in around $400K a year.
But trust me, it didn’t start that way.
I spent the first 6 months stuck. Struggling to make my first $1,000 online.
Podcasting, MLMs, I tried them all before I finally found a real path to my first $1,000 online.
And now I’ve got not just one, but 5 of those paths to share with you.
But first, let’s face the harsh truth that keeps most writers, creators ,and solopreneurs stuck at zero:
There are 2 types of people who write online:
1) Victors
2) Victims
Victors choose a path, commit, and push through the hard times.
They see problems as fun puzzles to be solved, not prisons.
Victims bounce from trend to trend, never seeing real results, then blame anyone but themselves.
Victors BUILD. Victims BLAME.
I'll admit, I used to be a victim. It's why I tried and failed so many times before.
If this is you, you need to understand something:
You're only a victim if you choose to be a victim.
The modern world is designed to steal your goals, your focus, and your motivation.
The system wants you numb. Working within it's grey, bleak walls. For its own survival, not yours.
But there is a different way of thinking that will allow you to take back control—for those who are serious about making a change:
Stop being a dopamine addict. Become a dopamine architect.
Say no to chasing quick highs that leave you hollow. Say yes to one meaningful aim that leaves you feeling fulfilled when you crawl into bed at night.
Below, you’ll find five realistic ways to earn your first $1,000 online.
All of them work. And I mean all of them.
But only if you pick one and see it through.
Let's find the one that will work for you. Harness that fresh excitement into sustained effort. And get you one step closer to making your first $1,000 online…
Writing tweets, LinkedIn posts, or Instagram Reels for busy CEOs who lack the time or the skill to do it themselves.
Ads are getting pricey, personal brands are more popular than ever, and social media ghostwriters are the hidden heroes behind it all.
This is how most beginners I know—including myself—made their first $1,000 online.
How Much Can You Make?
Per Post: $50–$500
Monthly Income: $1,500–$5,000+
Agency Opportunities: $10k–$100k a month if you build a team
Pros
Remote Worker: Ditch the office, travel, and set your own hours
High Demand: Business owners are waking up to the power of personal branding
Little Competition: Ghostwriting is a new opportunity (not much competition)
Get Paid to Learn: You’ll learn valuable lessons from high-level entrepreneurs
No Up-Front Cost to Start: Just a laptop, writing skills, and a willingness to learn
Great Opportunity for Introverts: Work behind the scenes, from anywhere with Wi-Fi
Cons
Must Nail Clients Voice & Style: Nailing someone else’s tone takes practice
Creative Burnout: Too many clients can turn fun projects into tight deadlines
Changing Social Media Algorithms: Platforms change fast—you’ll need to keep up
If you love writing, crave a flexible schedule, and don't mind being the 'spooky-invisible writer', social media ghostwriting could be the perfect fit for you.
Click here to learn how to get started.
High-ticket sales is perfect for extroverts who love talking.
Think selling luxury cars, but instead of vehicles, you’re selling premium coaching, consulting, or agency services that often cost $1,000 to $10,000 (or more).
This path has two main roles:
Appointment Setters: Friendly voices who DM people, offer to solve their problems, and get them onto a sales call.
Closers: Sales pros who hop on Zoom calls to seal the deal.
Why It’s Worth Considering
Essential for Business Growth: Every business needs sales if it wants to make money.
High Demand: More businesses are going digital, creating a big need for skilled salespeople.
Lucrative Commission: Appointment setters can earn 6% per sale; closers often get 10–15%. That can lead to $50k–$100k a year, sometimes more.
Pros
Flexible Schedule: You’re on calls, but you often set your own schedule.
High Earning Potential: Hitting $10k/month isn’t unheard of if you’re good at it.
Stacking Valuable Skills: Sales teaches negotiation, networking, and persuasive skills.
Cons
Big Time Commitment: You’ll be on Zoom calls a lot.
Experience Matters: Lack of sales skills can mean minimal income.
Terrible for Introverts: Chatting with strangers nonstop can be draining.
Pressure to Perform: Commission-based pay means you need results to earn a healthy living.
If you love people, conversation, and a bit of pressure to close deals, high-ticket sales could be a great path for you make your first $1,000 online.
If you're an introvert at heart, who finds hours of Zoom calls exhausting, then keep reading…
Think of it as getting a piece of Amazon’s massive money-printing machine.
Amazon takes care of the annoying work—store, pack, and ship. You find products and market them.
Why It’s Worth Considering
Major Income Potential: Part-timers can make $1k–$10k a month; full-timers sometimes reach $10k–$100k.
Global Reach: You’re not limited by your location—Amazon’s reach is worldwide.
Scalable: Start small or build an e-commerce empire.
Pros
Built-In Business Model: Shipping and storage are handled by Amazon.
Scalable Growth: You can grow from a tiny side hustle to a full-blown business.
Passive Income(ish): Amazon handles many daily tasks once you’re making money.
Cons
Expensive To Get Started: Inventory and fees can be steep.
Tough Competition: It’s a crowded space, and new sellers flood in daily.
Platform Reliance: Amazon’s rule changes or they raise fees that hurt your bottom line.
Complicated Logistics: Product listings, refunds, and supply chains can be overwhelming for beginners.
Amazon FBA can be a cash machine…
If you have the money to start and patience to see it through.
But if you’re brand new and want to make that first thousand dollars, you might want a simpler path…
Selling with your words.
But this path doesn't involve writing social media content. It involves writing sales pages, email campaigns and marketing funnels.
It’s in high-demand but also high-competition.
Why It’s Worth Considering
High Demand: Every online business needs effective copy to generate sales.
Income Potential: Freelancers can earn $50–$150/hour; experienced pros often net $50k–$90k annually.
Pros
Creative Freedom: You get to craft compelling stories that drive action.
Networking: Working with founders and marketers can open doors to bigger, better gigs.
High Income Potential: The ability to charge $10,000 for a single sales page.
Cons
Tons of Competition: Plenty of new writers flood the market daily.
Inconsistent Income: Clients (and pay) can be unpredictable early on.
Steep Learning Curve: Becoming truly good at copywriting takes years.
If you live and breathe words and have years of time to spend getting good then copywriting might be a fit for you.
But if you need a faster track to your first dollar, consider another option…
Similar to social media ghostwriting, but you’re writing newsletters and email sequences that lead directly to sales.
Why It’s Worth Considering
Businesses Need Email: Email often leads to direct sales, and you get the credit.
Steady Demand: If you’re making businesses money, they’ll never want to fire you.
Great Income Opportunity: $100–$300 per newsletter at first; up to $500–$2,000 once you’re experienced.
Pros
Great for Introverts: Work from anywhere, on your own schedule.
Consistent, Sustainable Work: Many businesses send emails weekly or even daily.
High Value Networking Opportunity: Collaborating with business owners can lead to more opportunities.
Cons
Repetitive: Writing similar newsletters can get old.
Copy Skills Needed: If you can’t sell, clients won’t hire you.
Performance Pressure: Clients expect profit—and might drop you if they don’t get it.
Email ghostwriting is a fantastic way to snag that first $1,000 if you can blend writing and sales psychology. Pair it with social media ghostwriting to charge $5k–$10k a month per client.
Whether you choose:
Sales calls or sales copy
Product distribution or persuasive posts
Commit to one path and push past the learning curve until you make your first $1,000 online.
If you're still unsure which path is right for you, then I personally recommend ghostwriting.
But just know, I'm more than a little biased.
It's the path I took to make my first $1,000… $10,000… and $50,000 writing online.
It's the path that allowed me to:
Quit my college teacher job
Travel to 13 countries in 2 years
And spend my days doing meaningful work I actually love and care about.
And it's the path I've helped over 50 students make their first $1,000.
I'm not going to tell you it's the easiest path. Or that it's the path for you. All I can say is that it was and is the path for me.
So don't just take my word for it. Take the time to do your own research.
That's what our past students did. And it helped them arrive at their own conclusions.
You can see what they have to say here on Trustpilot: CLICK HERE.
If ghostwriting sounds like a fit for you, DM me 'Ghost' on either X or LinkedIn.
Click here to DM me on LinkedIn.
-Taylin John Simmonds
PS. What others are saying about Growth Ghost
(Btw, I'm partnered on Growth Ghost with Dakota Robertson. If you keep seeing his name pop up in these pictures, that's why 😉)