Can anyone make a comfortable living working for themselves on the Internet? Absolutely. If you are reading these words, at bare minimum, I know at least two things about you for certain. First, you own (or at least have access to) some sort of device that can get online. Second, you have (or at least have access to) a connection to the Internet. Armed with only these two requirements, it is fully within your grasp to start earning real income online.
At Your Fingertips
And if you are reading these words, more likely than not, you have a computer or at least a computer-like device (like a tablet with a keyboard accessory) that allows you to do all sorts of wonderful other things, like take pictures and run applications. And you probably have Internet access at home or in a reasonably convenient location too. Even if this means using the public terminals at the public library, using the free Internet access there for half an hour at a time, you can make money online.
Almost anything can be run through a browser-based app these days. You can store your files in the cloud, access your email through a web browser, install your website on a remote server, edit photos and videos, upload content to YouTube and WordPress, manage your affiliate account, and do just about anything else. It’s all just a couple mouse clicks away.
It is absolutely true. It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, black or white, male or female, American or Armenian. The opportunity is there. Anyone can do it.
But Most People Don’t. Why?
Most people don’t want to put in the time and effort to learn new software or new technology. Anyone can learn how to purchase a domain, sign up for a hosting plan, and install WordPress on a server, but not too many people choose to learn. Anyone can take the time to familiarize themselves with different affiliate programs and how best to promote the various offers and products, but not too many people can be bothered to learn.
Anyone can reap the benefits of literally limitless earning potential on the Internet, but they don’t want to risk the uncertainty that this non-conventional approach to work will require. When you have a regular job, you’re trading hours for dollars. You get paid a set amount of money for every hour you put in. When you work for yourself on the Internet, there is never this simple 1:1 relationship.
You could spend dozens of hours learning how to configure a WordPress blog and not make a single dime for doing so. It’s an investment. It could pay off in spades or it could quite literally be a waste of time. You won’t really know until you do it yourself.
And even when your blog is up and running, even when you configure and optimize a number of monetization methods, even when you deploy a series of promotional and marketing techniques, can you equate one specific hour of work with that particular offer conversion? No. It’s not a 1:1 relationship.
It’s Up to You
The question is not whether anyone can do it. The real question is whether or not you will do it. Almost anyone can pursue almost any career given the right opportunity, but making money online truly does level the playing field.
If you want to make it as an entertainer, you may be at the mercy of talent agents and they might be after a certain look. If you want to make it as a brilliant astrophysicist, you may need a certain predisposition toward math and scientific inquiry. If you want to be a professional athlete, you may need to be endowed with certain physical attributes. If you want to start the next Apple, Facebook or Microsoft, you may need to be born into a wealthy and well-connected family that can afford you access to opportunities unavailable to the general public.
But to make money online, all you need is an Internet-capable device and the ability to get online in a reasonably reliable and consistent manner. And you need to put in the time, effort and energy to dedicate yourself to this opportunity. It truly is up to you to decide if you “can” make money on the Internet.