{"id":14943,"date":"2010-09-02T23:43:13","date_gmt":"2010-09-02T18:13:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=14943"},"modified":"2026-10-12T14:18:43","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T08:48:43","slug":"making-millions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/09\/making-millions\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Build an Online Business, Not a Job: 5 Lessons (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Why settle for $30 a day from AdSense if aiming bigger takes similar effort? In 2010 guest author Michael Fridman challenged QuickOnlineTips readers with that question. His core idea: stop trading hours for money and <strong>build an online business<\/strong> that runs as a system. The provocative headings (&#8220;be lazy&#8221;, &#8220;be stupid&#8221;) hide practical advice that still applies in 2026, with a few caveats.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-64600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/build-online-business-not-job-1024x538.webp\" alt=\"How to build an online business\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/build-online-business-not-job-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/build-online-business-not-job-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/build-online-business-not-job-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/build-online-business-not-job-768x403.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/build-online-business-not-job.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> To build an online business instead of a low-paying &#8220;job&#8221;, value your time, work with specialists instead of doing everything yourself, create systems that earn without your constant effort, invest profits back into growth, and fund bigger ideas with a clear plan. Keep realistic expectations: most online businesses grow slowly, and every investment carries risk.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ae85aa49ea48\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ae85aa49ea48\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/09\/making-millions\/#Michaels_5_lessons_updated\" >Michael&#8217;s 5 lessons, updated<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/09\/making-millions\/#1_%E2%80%9CBe_lazy%E2%80%9D_value_your_time\" >1. &#8220;Be lazy&#8221;: value your time<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/09\/making-millions\/#2_%E2%80%9CBe_stupid%E2%80%9D_build_a_team\" >2. &#8220;Be stupid&#8221;: build a team<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/09\/making-millions\/#3_Know_the_difference_between_a_job_and_a_business\" >3. Know the difference between a job and a business<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/09\/making-millions\/#4_Invest_dont_just_save\" >4. Invest, don&#8217;t just save<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/09\/making-millions\/#5_Turn_ideas_into_funded_plans\" >5. Turn ideas into funded plans<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/09\/making-millions\/#Building_online_business_systems_in_2026\" >Building online business systems in 2026<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/09\/making-millions\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/09\/making-millions\/#Whats_the_difference_between_a_blog_job_and_a_blog_business\" >What&#8217;s the difference between a blog job and a blog business?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/09\/making-millions\/#Do_I_need_investors_to_build_an_online_business\" >Do I need investors to build an online business?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/09\/making-millions\/#Is_passive_income_really_passive\" >Is passive income really passive?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Michaels_5_lessons_updated\"><\/span>Michael&#8217;s 5 lessons, updated<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_%E2%80%9CBe_lazy%E2%80%9D_value_your_time\"><\/span>1. &#8220;Be lazy&#8221;: value your time<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Michael&#8217;s point wasn&#8217;t to do nothing; it was to stop selling every hour. One person can&#8217;t be marketer, programmer, writer and SEO expert at once. Focus on what you do best and find ways to get the rest done.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_%E2%80%9CBe_stupid%E2%80%9D_build_a_team\"><\/span>2. &#8220;Be stupid&#8221;: build a team<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Successful founders don&#8217;t assume they know everything. They hire or partner with specialists. Today that can be freelancers, agencies or contractors for writing, design, development and ads.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Know_the_difference_between_a_job_and_a_business\"><\/span>3. Know the difference between a job and a business<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A blog that earns $30 a day only while you write two posts daily is a job. A business is a system that keeps earning and growing even when you step away, like the difference between a single hamburger stand and a franchise. Documented processes, a team and recurring revenue make that possible.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Invest_dont_just_save\"><\/span>4. Invest, don&#8217;t just save<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Michael argued that wealthy people focus on multiplying money rather than only cutting costs. Reinvesting profits in content, tools and people can grow a business faster. Keep an emergency fund, though, and remember every investment can lose money; this isn&#8217;t financial advice.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Turn_ideas_into_funded_plans\"><\/span>5. Turn ideas into funded plans<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Write a business plan, test the idea cheaply, and look for funding if it needs more capital: investors, a business loan, or partners who share in the profits. If no one wants to back it, improve the idea.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Building_online_business_systems_in_2026\"><\/span>Building online business systems in 2026<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Productise<\/strong>: sell digital products, courses or memberships, not just your time.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Automate<\/strong>: email sequences, scheduling tools and AI assistants handle repetitive work.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Diversify income<\/strong>: ads, affiliate links, products and services together are safer than one source.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Measure<\/strong>: track which content and channels actually bring revenue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Our post on becoming a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/irresistible-profitable-blogger\/\">profitable blogger<\/a> covers the mindset side, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/12\/average-marketers-into-overnight-gurus\/\">expert positioning<\/a> explains how to stand out.<\/p>\n<p><em>Originally written by guest author Michael Fridman of SiteMonetized.com. Updated for 2026 by QuickOnlineTips.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_the_difference_between_a_blog_job_and_a_blog_business\"><\/span>What&#8217;s the difference between a blog job and a blog business?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A job pays only while you work; a business has systems and people so it can keep earning without you doing everything.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_I_need_investors_to_build_an_online_business\"><\/span>Do I need investors to build an online business?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No. Most start small and reinvest profits. Investors or loans make sense only for ideas that need significant capital.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_passive_income_really_passive\"><\/span>Is passive income really passive?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Rarely at first. It takes upfront work and ongoing maintenance, but it can earn without trading every hour.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why settle for $30 a day from AdSense if aiming bigger takes similar effort? In 2010 guest author Michael Fridman&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":64600,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[44,49],"class_list":["post-14943","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blogging","tag-guest-posts","tag-tutorials"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14943","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14943"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14943\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":64601,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14943\/revisions\/64601"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64600"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14943"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14943"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14943"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}