From Zero to Something: My Honest Journey Into Online Income (And Why I’m Not Giving Up)

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If you've ever typed “how to make money online” into Google, you've probably seen a hundred different methods promising instant riches—Kindle publishing, blogging, affiliate marketing, drop shipping, and who knows what else.

I used to scroll through TikTok and see people casually say, “I make $5K a month in passive income!” And at first, I’d roll my eyes. But deep down, I was curious. Could this really work?

I didn’t buy any fancy course or get a mentor. I just watched free videos and thought, Why not? It can’t hurt to try.

So, in January, I published my first book using Kindle publishing. In February, I launched a blog. And in March, I signed up for Amazon’s Affiliate Program. Now, a few months in, I’ve made… absolutely nothing. No sales. No commissions. No passive income.

And yet—I’m still here. Still learning. Still building. Still believing.

Because here’s the truth no one wants to hear: this is a long game.

The (Not-So-Glamorous) Reality of Making Money Online

Every successful creator I admire had a slow start. Most people don’t hit gold overnight, even if that’s what social media makes it look like. What they don’t show you is the months (sometimes years) of trial and error before the breakthrough.

For Kindle publishing, I’ve been writing books that I believe will help people—books on acne, self-worth, and even a Jamaican cookbook for allergy-free pastries. My books are out there, but they’re not selling yet.

For blogging, I’ve been figuring out how to write posts that actually drive traffic. I want to create content that helps people solve problems, so they naturally click on my books and affiliate links.

And for affiliate marketing, I’ve signed up, added links, and gotten clicks—but no conversions yet.

It’s easy to get discouraged. But I remind myself: Everything I’m doing is laying a foundation.

What Keeps Me Going?

  1. I Believe in My Content

    • My books are real, valuable, and needed. I didn’t just slap together low-quality stuff—I put in the effort. The readers and supporters will come.

  2. I’m Learning SEO & Content Strategy

    • Writing a blog isn’t just about sharing thoughts. It’s about solving problems people are searching for. I’m now focusing on topics that align with my books and affiliate links, so everything connects.

  3. I See the Bigger Picture

    • Maybe my first few books won’t sell much. Maybe my first blog posts won’t rank. But every piece of content builds momentum.

Where Do My Books, Blog & Affiliate Links Fit?

If you’re also trying to make money online (or thinking about it), here’s what I’ve learned about integrating multiple income streams:

  • Blogging as a Bridge: Each blog post should answer a real question people are asking. If I write about “Acne treatment” I’ll naturally link to my book My Acne Journey and recommend helpful products with my affiliate links.

  • Affiliate Marketing That Feels Natural: Instead of just throwing links everywhere, I mention products that genuinely help. For example, in a blog post on “My Acne Journey,” I’d include my experience with PanOxyl (https://amzn.to/4ivEhw7) and link to it on Amazon.

  • Books as Authority Builders: Having books in different niches helps establish credibility. Someone struggling with self-worth might find Having a Man Is Not an Achievement (https://amzn.to/41APofI) useful. Someone looking for allergy-free pastry recipes might love my Jamaican Allergy-Free Pastry book.

What’s Next?

I’ll be honest—I’m impatient. I want to see sales now. But I also know that consistency wins.

So I’ll keep writing, learning, and refining my strategy. I’ll test different blog topics, optimize my SEO, and maybe even explore email marketing and continue to use Pinterest to help drive traffic and awareness of my blog, my books and affiliate links.

Most importantly, I’ll remind myself why I started. Not just for money, but for the freedom, the creativity, and the possibility of making a real impact.

If you’re on this journey too, know that you’re not alone. Keep going. The breakthrough is coming.


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