I want to talk to you about something that feels simple… but often isn’t.
How to make your first £100 online.
Most people think they want to make thousands. And sure, eventually. But that first £100?
That’s the real mountain.
And I know exactly how it feels. You’re hopeful. Curious. Maybe desperate.
But you’re also sceptical. Unsure. Overwhelmed.
You’ve probably Googled things like “make money online” or “easy side hustles UK”.
And within five minutes, you’re drowning in a sea of crypto bros, courses, and 100 ways to earn £3 for an hour of your time.
So let’s cut through all that. No fluff. No pressure. No weird apps you’ve never heard of.
The truth about that first £100
Here’s why that first £100 is such a big deal:
It’s not really about the money.
It’s the confidence. It’s the proof that this whole thing is real. That you can earn from your laptop or computer… without getting ripped off or going mad.
And once you do it once, it’s easier to do it again. And again.
But I’ll be honest… the first bit of online money is the hardest.
You’re juggling doubts.
You’re learning a bunch of stuff from scratch.
And your brain’s screaming “What if this is a waste of time?”
Why you feel overwhelmed (and how to fix it)
You’re not alone if you’ve been burnt before.
Loads of people feel like this:
- “What if I get scammed?”
- “What if I try something and it doesn’t work?”
- “I’m not techy enough…”
- “There are too many options – I don’t know what’s legit.”
- “Why does everyone else seem to have it figured out except me?”
You’re not broken. You’re not behind. You just haven’t had someone lay it out simply for you.
So that’s what I’m going to do now.
5 ways to earn your first £100 online
Here are five beginner-friendly ways to make your first £100 online.
None of these are flashy. But they work.
1. Paid surveys and microtasks
Sites like Prolific, YouGov, and Qmee pay you for opinions or little tasks.
It’s not loads per survey… but £1 here and £2 there adds up.
This is great for spare-time earning. I know people who’ve made hundreds just ticking away at it over time. The tasks are that simple, you could even do them while you’re watching TV.
If this sounds up your alley, then check out this blog post where I talk about it in more detail.
2. Freelance gigs (writing, admin, design)
Can you write a simple blog post? Create a Canva graphic? Organise a spreadsheet?
If yes, you can freelance.
Platforms like Fiverr or PeoplePerHour are good starting points.
Beginner gigs might pay £20–£30, which is enough to build momentum.
If you interested in microservices, check out this post.
3. Selling stuff you already own
You’d be shocked how much money is sitting in your garage, loft orwardrobe.
Old phones, books, clothes, DVDs… list them on eBay, Vinted, or Facebook Marketplace.
This is one of the easiest and fastest ways to hit £100.
4. User testing and quick feedback gigs
Websites like UserTesting pay you to test apps and give feedback.
Some pay £8–£10 for 15 minutes.
It’s not always available, but when it is… it’s fast, decent money.
5. Offer a basic service
This one’s personal.
If I was starting again… I’d offer a “done-for-you” task to a Facebook group.
it could be writing a CV, proofreading or making a social media post.
You’d be surprised what people will pay for.
A few groups that you can join are:
- UK small business support group
- Work from home UK
- Newbie freelancers UK
Offer value, keep it simple… and people will bite.
A realistic 7-day plan to earn £100
Here’s what I’d do if I was starting today:
Day 1: Pick one or two methods above. Focus is key.
Day 2: Set up your accounts. Create a profile. Take an hour and just get it done.
Day 3: Go for a quick win. Do a few surveys, sell something, or apply for a gig.
Day 4: Follow up. List another item. Send another application.
Day 5: Check your totals. Reinvest time into what’s working.
Day 6: Push hard. One more task. One more sale. Keep stacking.
Day 7: Tally it up. You might be over £100… or really close.
Even if it takes you ten days instead of seven to kake your first £100 online… it’s still worth it. Because once you’ve done it once, it’s repeatable.
What to do with your first £100
You’ve done the work. The money’s in. What now?
Here are some smart options:
- Use it for something urgent (bills, debt, food)
- Reinvest a bit into better tools or software
- Save some for the next step
- Treat yourself to something small – even a takeaway. Celebrate the win
- Set a bigger goal: £250, £500, £1k
What matters most is this: You’ve proven to yourself that you can do it.
That’s powerful.
Final thoughts (and your next step)
Look…
If you’re reading this and thinking “Yeah, I really want to do this…”
Then just start.
Start small. Start slow if you need to. But start. The first £100 matters more than the next thousand…Because it shows you what’s possible.
Just take the next step.
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