Is there really money to be made on the internet, or are we simply paying people who claim to know how to make it?
The world is changing so fast, and if you’ve been paying attention, you’ll agree with me. People are relocating abroad every other day. The japa wave is no longer just a trend; it’s a movement. Not that it wasn’t happening before, but lately, it feels like it’s moving at the speed of light. At the same time, another thing has become glaringly obvious to me. There is money to be made on the internet. Real money.
Everywhere you turn, someone is cashing out with one digital skill or another. Content creation, Video editing, Documentary filmmaking, Storytelling, Affiliate marketing, Influencer marketing, AI, Remote jobs, UGC, Copywriting, Prompt engineering. You name it. Everybody online seems to have one thing in common. They have something to exchange for money. Not necessarily a physical product but their skill, their intellect, their creativity, or simply their ability to use the internet better than the average person. And honestly? It’s inspiring… until it isn’t.
One minute you’re inspired, the next minute you’re being sold a dream.
The internet is such a funny place. One minute, you’re smiling while scrolling through BellaNaija Weddings, admiring another beautiful love story. The next minute, you’re watching someone like Esiaga casually show off insane storytelling and video editing skills that leave you wondering, “God, when?” Then, before you know it… Boom, an advert appears. “How I went from broke to earning $10,000 monthly,” “How I landed a remote job without experience,” “How AI changed my life forever,” “This one skill made me a millionaire in two years.” And because you’re human, and maybe even looking for a breakthrough, you click. You register, you attend the free webinar.
The webinar trap we all know too well
Let’s be honest. These people know exactly how to keep you glued to your screen. They tell emotional stories. They show screenshots. They throw around words like financial freedom, multiple streams of income, earn in dollars, location independence and soft life. Before you know it, one hour has passed. Sometimes two. You’re taking notes, nodding your head, feeling motivated, thinking, “This is it. This might actually change my life.”
Then comes the grand finale. “To get the complete blueprint…,” “Join our Telegram community…,” “Get lifetime access…,” “Only ₦50,000,” or ₦35,000 or ₦75,000, depending on how ambitious they are that day. You hesitate for a minute, then you remember you’re job hunting, or you’re tired of your 9-5, or maybe you’re simply looking for another source of income. So you pay, because you don’t want to miss an opportunity.
Then reality hits.
You join the Telegram group with so much excitement. You expect mentorship, live classes, proper guidance, feedback, support. Instead… Nothing. The energy suddenly changes. The people who sounded passionate during the webinar become unavailable. The admins reply with attitude. Sometimes they don’t even reply at all. Questions go unanswered. The videos you’re given look like they were recorded three years ago. Some messages are obviously scheduled or AI-generated. Everything suddenly feels automated. You’re left wondering… “Wait… na this thing I pay for?”
The funniest or should I say most painful part is that they are excellent at email marketing. Every other day, another email drops. “Here’s a recap of the webinar.” “You’re one decision away from changing your life.” “Don’t sleep on this opportunity.” “Take action now.” “Your future self will thank you.” At that point, I just sigh, because the marketing is almost better than the product.
Why does it feel like we have to pay a fortune just to make money?
This is the question I keep asking myself. Why does making money now feel like another business entirely? Don’t get me wrong. I’m not expecting people to hand over years of experience for free. Knowledge is valuable. People deserve to be paid for what they know. I completely understand that. But somewhere along the line, it feels like some people realized there’s even more money in selling the dream than in teaching the skill. Think about it.
They make money from YouTube views, they make money from Instagram, they make money from TikTok, they make money from brand deals, they make money from affiliate links, they make money from the webinars, then they make even more money when thousands of people pay for the premium class. And after all that… Many people leave with little or no value. That’s the part I struggle with.
Teach people, don’t just collect their money.
If you’re going to charge people to learn from you, then teach. Teach well. Don’t disappear after payment. Don’t hand everything over to rude moderators who treat people like they’re disturbing them. Don’t promise mentorship if all you’re offering is a folder of old videos. Don’t sell community when there’s no community. Remember that many of the people paying for your course are desperate for a breakthrough. Some are unemployed, some borrowed the money, some genuinely believe your course could change their lives. Please don’t take advantage of that vulnerability. Make your students feel like they actually got value for every naira they spent. Because that’s how trust is built.
But let’s also tell ourselves the truth…
Despite everything I’ve said, I still believe there is serious money to be made on the internet, and I mean serious money. AI is changing everything. People are building businesses with AI. They’re creating videos, telling stories, writing books, editing documentaries, generating content, automating tasks, designing websites, creating digital products.
Some people are quietly making millions simply because they learnt how to use the right tools before everyone else. And honestly? I want to tap into those opportunities too. If we’re being sincere, who no like better thing?
Content creation isn’t as easy as people make it look
Now let’s talk about content creation for a second. People always say, “Just start creating content.” Okay… Creating content about what exactly? My everyday life? You people want me to carry camera and start recording myself buying Agege bread and entering danfo? Because some days my life is genuinely uneventful. I sometimes wonder what exactly people find interesting enough to watch every day. But then I remind myself of something. Nobody starts with thousands of people watching them. Nobody. Every creator started with zero views, zero likes, zero comments. The consistency is what builds the audience. The same way I sit down to write articles like this without knowing who will read them… I still write. Because one day, somebody will. Maybe that’s what content creation really is. Showing up before people know your name.
My final thoughts
Here’s where I’ve landed. Yes, there is money on the internet. Lots of it. Yes, you may need to invest money to learn a skill. That’s life. But investment should never mean blindly throwing money at every webinar with flashy screenshots and motivational music. Do your research, read reviews, ask questions, learn from YouTube if you’re just starting. There are countless free resources that can give you a solid foundation before you ever pay for a course.
And if you eventually decide to pay, make sure you’re paying for real value, not just promises. As for me? I’m still learning, still exploring, still trying to figure out where I fit into this ever-changing digital world. Because one thing is certain, I want more. Not out of greed, but because growth requires it. After all, people like Tony Elumelu didn’t build wealth by relying on just a salary from 9-5. They built systems, they built businesses, they created value. Maybe that’s the real lesson. The internet isn’t the goldmine. Your skill is. The internet is simply the marketplace. So learn. Build. Create. Just don’t let desperation make you an easy target. And if one webinar starts with, “This secret changed my life…,” abeg… shine your eyes first.
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