If you’re asking “Can you make money here?” it’s the wrong question
I went to law school online. Nobody who goes to law school asks "can you make money as an attorney?".
But...
20% of the students pass the first year exam. You can't continue until you pass.
Of the ones left, some don't make it to the bar exam because they still have to pass 3 more years of law school and stick to a schedule of 20 hours a week of study, 48 weeks a year.
Of the ones left? Less than 10% who go to most online law schools pass the bar on their first attempt. And the stats aren't that much better on the second or third.
Still, I never asked the question, "Does anyone pass the bar exam who went here?"
Because I did on my first attempt.
So did another friend who is now a successful criminal attorney.
Three more of my colleagues did on their second try. One is a now on the Bar Board of Directors, one is a successful patent attorney with his own software company catering to attorneys needs. The third is a successful family law/immigration attorney.
None of us asked that question.
1. Why the Money Question Fails
People join programs like Wealthy Affiliate and jump straight to income stats. Yet even its own success page warns that results vary because effort and strategy differ wildly. Wealthy Affiliate
Affiliate marketing’s global spend will top $15.7 billion this year, but only about 9 % of marketers clear $50 k in annual profit. Rewardful - Affiliate Software for SaaSDemandSage
A 2,270-person Authority Hacker survey found experienced affiliates earn nearly ten-times more than beginners—proof that skill, not sign-up, drives results. https://www.authorityhacker.com
Focusing on averages is demotivating because the mean hides the path. Entrepreneur-magazine coaches echo that you must shift from an “income mindset” to a “value-creation mindset.” Entrepreneur
Forbes adds that purpose-driven companies outperform rivals precisely because purpose sustains hard work after novelty fades. Forbes
Business mentor Graham Cochrane calls “How do I make more money?” the wrong first question; wealth, he argues, is built on money plus time plus health. grahamcochrane.com
Key takeaway: Money is the result of valuable work, not the starting line.
2. The Bricklayers Parable—Purpose Powers Perseverance
Three men lay bricks. One says, “I’m laying bricks.” Another, “I’m building a wall.” The last smiles, “I’m building a cathedral.” Sacred Structures by Jim Baker
Each does identical labor, yet the third endures longest because his vision is bigger than any paycheck. Modern retellings trace the story to the rebuilding of St Paul’s after London’s 1666 fire. Medium
Researchers now confirm what the story implies: employees linked to a clear purpose are three-times more likely to stay engaged. Forbes
Action steps
Write a one-sentence mission for your site (“I help busy parents stretch grocery dollars”) and pin it above your screen. When traffic is low, that sentence keeps you publishing.
Block off at least 10 focused hours a week for content, keyword research, and audience outreach. Reddit veterans say two hours a day is a realistic minimum for growth. Reddit
4. What the Data Really Says About Affiliate Earnings
Sources:
https://www.refersion.com/blog/how-much-money-do-affiliates-make/
https://trustpulse.com/2024/01/07/affiliate-marketing-statistics/
https://www.demandsage.com/affiliate-marketing-statistics/
Large earnings are possible, but they sit atop a pyramid of consistent publishing and traffic generation. Authority Hacker records an average site RPM (revenue per 1,000 visitors) of $149, so traffic matters more than platform promises. https://www.authorityhacker.com
Action step
Stop refreshing the earnings tab. Instead, track leading indicators: keywords ranked, email subscribers gained, helpful posts published.
5. Better Questions to Ask
- Who will I help, and how? Value creation first.
- What skills must I master next? E.g., SEO, email copy, or Pinterest pins.
- How many practice reps today? Daily word count beats weekly bursts.
- How will I measure service, not sales? Comments answered, problems solved.
Quora contributors who thrive on Wealthy Affiliate echo these questions, stressing measurable goals and community leverage over instant profits. Forbes
6. Daily Habits That Beat the Odds
Publish relentlessly
Two optimized articles per week compound to 100+ posts in a year—ample to earn steady commissions. AffiliateWP
I started publishing 2 posts A DAY and in 4 months my earnings went up from $50 to around $300 per month and still growing.
As my traffic grows, I am being found by businesses who want my help.
Engage your audience
Purpose-driven outreach fuels loyalty; Wealthy Affiliate classes highlight four core traffic methods—SEO, social, paid, and email—each needing regular testing. Talkspirit
A lot of my ideas come from comments and emails. Listen to them!
Protect your runway
Like bar-exam candidates limiting outside work, ensure your schedule and budget let you invest at least a year before judging results.
I invested 3 years and the one year I worked full time as an attorney I made nearly a 6 figure income (I stopped because I had more of a passion for engineering. Still made 6 figures there and kept my patent practice for another 10 years).
7. The Payoff of Purpose
Purpose keeps you in the game long enough for the math of content and compounding skills to click. Forbes notes that purpose-centric firms also retain talent and customers better, giving them a durable edge. Forbes
Entrepreneur likewise insists a value mindset multiplies a business’s ultimate sale price—futureproofing your effort. Entrepreneur
Quick Reminders
- Money follows mastery. Shift from “How much?” to “How can I help?”
- Serve a real need. Bricklayers build cathedrals, not paychecks.
- Commit time. 10+ hours weekly beats endless forum reading.
- Track inputs, not dollars. Posts, emails, and outreach predict profit.
- Stay the course. Few affiliates cross $50 k, but those who do are the ones who persist.
Put purpose first, keep laying bricks, and the income you want will arrive—on its own schedule, but on your solid foundation.
Recent Comments
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Hi Michael. Thanks for this very informative post which is just what I needed today. Even though I know the principles of what you've said, it's always great to have some evidence and a reminder. I like your analogies and it's true that building a business takes time and patience and effort. I always tell people that this is not a 'quick fix' but a long-term strategy and I totally agree with you that a vision is what keeps you going.
Thanks for the motivation today and congratulations on passing your bar exam first time!
Gail
It was really about the analogy. First, that you really don't care what others do. It's all about what you do. The tools are here, and if you can't use them, find others that work.
I really liked this article. Of course, we all want to make money online, but shifting our focus from money to service is great advice. 10 hours a week commitment is certainly doable. I just started a new website a couple of days ago and I'm going through the training again. This time, I feel much more passionate about my niche.
Surgeons make 6 some make 7 figures
Imagine they walked into their first day of med school, raised their hand and asked their first question…
How do I make money?
This is no different
Very interesting post Michael. I like the ‘better questions to ask’ section. All great points.
As a solopreneur, I haven’t mastered the consistency of publishing 1 per week much less 2 or more per day. I’d like to know your basic processes, if you wouldn’t mind sharing.
That being said, my weight loss site is on hold and I’ve stopped writing anything for it. Working on new strategies.
My guitar site is being redesigned and will be live soon when released from staging. Haven’t been writing content for this one either until the new one goes live. Funny thing is, my impressions are going up.
A lot of this is long term strategy. Look at the numbers and look inside of you
I started with cybersecurity when I got here. I realized that short of posting 10 posts a day for 5 years, the only way I could monetize it was services. And I don’t have time to do that
So I pivoted
Many great points here! I especially enjoyed the bricklayers parable and feel that can be used with anything one may be trying to accomplish... having a vision can make all the difference. Thanks for the great post!
It’s always bothered me when people ask that question here. They’re not getting the point. If you wanna make money, sell apples. If you want a career, learn, have patience, be prepared to fail.
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Good morning Michael,
Thank you for a great and encouraging post, very wise words indeed!
The facts are interesting about the law school online and the pass rate, which seems quite low, especially for the first year. Although, I'm not doubting you, but it's also a good example of how we need to push forward.
As always, I believe that consistency is key and that's what many people struggle with, especially if they have families and full-time jobs. It's interesting how you published two posts daily for four months and your income increased, that says a lot!
I wish you continued success and growth.
Have a fantastic day.
Roy
Look up the first year law school exam
I call if consumer protection. A lot of law schools in California were not certified by the American Bar Association but charged a lot of money to people through a loophole in California that allows people to take the bar but only be certified to practice in California. And almost no one passed
So they came up with the idea of the first year exam to keep the pass rate from going through the floor. Even so most people from these schools who make it to the fourth year don’t pass
That's amazing, Michael!
Some things never fails to amaze me!
Have a fantastic day.
Roy