---
title: 'Making Money Online is Easy, Actually (Just Copy Me)'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=gTZSVThRWF8'
video_id: 'gTZSVThRWF8'
date: 2026-07-28
duration_sec: 750
channel: 'Mark Tilbury'
---

# Making Money Online is Easy, Actually (Just Copy Me)

> Source: [Making Money Online is Easy, Actually (Just Copy Me)](https://youtube.com/watch?v=gTZSVThRWF8)

## Summary

The video presents a framework called 'The Online Wealth Wheel' for building a successful online side hustle, outlining four stages from starting out to reaching an elite level. It emphasizes avoiding common pitfalls like Shiny Object Syndrome and provides actionable steps for product-based businesses, including using AI tools and automation.

### Key Points

- **Introduction and Personal Story** [00:00] — The creator shares a personal story of being a self-made millionaire in 1995 whose business was disrupted by the internet, leading him to figure out online money-making strategies.
- **The Online Wealth Wheel Framework** [01:11] — Introduces the main concept of the video: a framework with three main stages and a secret fourth stage for building an online side hustle.
- **Stage 1: Starting Out** [01:39] — Discusses that 55% of people never start a side hustle due to the overwhelming and confusing nature of the online space. Recommends starting with a skill you can sell (e.g., graphic design, coding) or a product-based business without inventory.
- **Stage 2: The Failing Side Hustle** [02:40] — Defines a failing side hustle as earning less than $50 per month, which traps 28% of people. Attributes this to 'Shiny Object Syndrome' – jumping between trendy methods without commitment.
- **Solution: Focus on One Scalable Idea** [04:06] — Advises to forget the perfect side hustle and instead focus on one idea that suits your skills and has potential to scale. Recommends using AI-built Shopify stores for automation.
- **Automation with AI and AutoDS** [05:18] — Highlights the biggest mistake of manual work and introduces AutoDS as a tool that syncs with Shopify, imports trending products, updates pricing/images, and automates order fulfillment. Mentions a three-month Shopify trial for $1/month.
- **Driving Traffic and Full Disclosure** [06:03] — Suggests driving traffic by creating TikTok videos about products. Discloses that AutoDS is a long-term sponsor but still recommends it.
- **Stage 3: The Successful Side Hustle** [06:41] — Only 16% of people make more than $50/month. Breaks down four key steps: 1) Stop appealing to everyone – define your ideal customer; 2) Consistency over intensity – small daily actions; 3) Show, don't just tell – demonstrate product benefits; 4) Build trust with social proof – testimonials and photos.
- **Stage 4: The Elite Side Hustle** [10:23] — Less than 1% reach this level. The key is reinvesting profits back into the business – in marketing, outsourcing, and tools – rather than just taking the money out.
- **Conclusion and Call to Action** [12:15] — Encourages viewers to start thinking about reinvestment early to avoid getting stuck at lower levels. Promotes a related video and asks for subscriptions.

### Conclusion

The video provides a structured path from starting an online side hustle to scaling it into an elite business, emphasizing focus, automation, and reinvestment as key differentiators.

## Transcript

- This is me in 1995, a 28-year-old self-made millionaire figured out I've built a thriving business empire consistent Then, almost overnight, the internet made it irrelevant.
You know me, I wasn't about to quit, about making money online and like most people today,
I tried every method out there, and guess what? But through trial and error, I cracked the code But this time with the internet at the core of my strategy,
and making money online isn't just important. That's exactly why I'm making this video. and refining, losing millions, making millions,
I can help you avoid all the mistakes So if you're tired of false promises and build something real, this is for you.
No gimmicks, no BS, just the process that actually works. All right, so this is The Online Wealth Wheel, There are three main stages that define
plus a secret fourth stage that only a few ever reach. (upbeat music) This is where everyone starts with no side hustle,
and sadly, 55% of people never start at all. And let's be real, So, if having a side hustle is essential, why do 55%
Because the online space is a jungle. that confuse more people than they actually help. that suits your skills, budget, and lifestyle.
graphic design, coding, or even setting up discord servers, people pay great money But what if you don't have a skill to sell,
That's where product-based businesses come in. without ever holding inventory yourself. That brings me on to... (energetic music)
I'm classing a failing side hustle as earning less than $50 sadly, 28% of people are trapped here.
but it has to be said. or doesn't work, I know that could be hard to hear,
It's down to something called Shiny Object syndrome. from one trendy online moneymaking method and putting your absolute all into any of them.
then selling books on Amazon KDP, then trading stocks, The truth is, But each requires a different level of time commitment,
It's like that classic diagram of miners tirelessly digging for gold only to give up just before striking it rich. they abandon their progress, start fresh somewhere else,
over and over again. of other people, then you need to recognize it Forget the idea of a perfect side hustle.
and has the potential to scale. then I'm gonna make this super simple for you. that has made me the most amount
So I recommend you focus on that, A lot of beginners assume starting or complex setups,
That's because you can now utilize AI-built Shopify stores. to back in the day, to launch a fully automated store
But this does it for free in a matter of minutes. pick a niche like fashion, tech, or pets, and makes it look professional from day one.
then just click the link in the description From there, it syncs directly with Shopify, to a three-month Shopify trial for only $1 per month.
Well, the biggest mistake people make Surprise, surprise. That's why the free AI store builder also walks you through
of like the autopilot system on a plane. It imports trending products, updates pricing and images, This means you don't have to touch inventory,
You focus on driving traffic Full disclosure, AutoDS are long-term supporters of the video, I'd still recommend them.
by creating videos about 'em on TikTok for free. and buy your product for $10,
So if you are serious about breaking out then choosing a simple automated model like this gives you No more bouncing between business ideas,
just commit, launch, and put in the work to scale it up. Believe it or not, only 16% of people
than $50 per month. on the low end all the way up to $10,000 a month. So what are these 16% of people doing differently
Well, there's some clear things that I've noticed who actually make money online. I'm gonna break them down into four key steps
Step 1 is to stop trying to appeal to everyone. but in reality, it does the opposite. So before you even start promoting your store,
and describe your ideal customer. What are their struggles The clearer you are about this, the easier it becomes
Think of it like this. It's always easier to get one person's attention and hope someone listens.
Most people go all in for a few weeks, then vanish the moment they don't see instant results. You don't need to be working 12-hour days
You just need small daily actions So here are some actionable things you should focus on Post content about your products daily to stay visible
Engage with comments and messages to build trust, and increase the likelihood of conversions. and images since even small tweaks can
Step 3 is to show, don't just tell. the mark, no pun intended. why someone should buy their product, for example,
Just posting a gameplay clip People need a clear reason to buy. you need to show and tell.
demonstrating how the extra buttons, paddles and trigger stops enhance gameplay. like how these features help players react faster
Finally, compare it to a standard controller If customers can't clearly see the product, how it benefits them, they won't buy it.
Step 4 is to build trust with social proof. especially when buying from a brand they've never heard of. Would you buy a fitness program that promises insane results
but has zero before and after photos and no testimonials? If you're just starting out, order your own product what customers will receive.
ask friends or family to test them out to have some feedback than none at all. instead of relying solely on stock photos.
I mean, we've all seen those situations so make sure your customers know exactly (upbeat music)
Well, that's Stage 4, running an elite side hustle. and building a solid side hustle,
but this is the level that I estimate less than 1% So what sets these 1% of people apart from the rest? As soon as you start making money,
A lot of people think the goal of making money is to make even more money. but when you are just starting out,
It's your own business. over growing your own side hustle. that actually helps you make more?
In the beginning, you might be doing everything manually, that save you time can help you scale. The people that make the most money online don't just wait
They reinvest in marketing to bring in more traffic or working with small influencers Thirdly, you can start to outsource.
the 1% reinvest in outsourcing small. this might sound like something you should worry never reach this level.
to design a better logo for your store, If you start thinking this way early on, knowing into growing your side hustle,
who get stuck at these lower levels. I'm gonna leave that video right up there, Make sure to subscribe if you want to grow your wealth.
Okay, (finger snaps) I'll see you over there.