How I Made My First $100 Online With Zero Inverstment



In today's digital world, making money online is no longer a mystery. But for many beginners, especially in Kenya, the idea of earning online without investing a single shilling feels impossible. I used to think the same—until I did it. Here’s how I made my first $100 online using just my smartphone, free apps, and internet bundles.

Step 1: Learning the Basics

I started by searching on YouTube and blogs for “how to make money online in Kenya.” Most people were talking about writing, surveys, freelancing, affiliate marketing, and watching ads. I didn’t have money to invest in websites or paid courses, so I focused on what I could do with zero cost.

Step 2: Creating a Free Blog

I signed up for Blogger.com, which allows you to create a free blog with a .blogspot.com domain. My niche was “smart hustles,” where I wrote about side hustles, job tips, and digital tools. I wrote 1–2 posts per week. I promoted my blog using Facebook groups and WhatsApp statuses.

Step 3: Monetizing with Adsterra

After publishing 5 blog posts, I applied to Adsterra (a free ad network). I added their code to my blog’s sidebar. At first, I saw no earnings. But as my traffic grew from WhatsApp and Facebook sharing, I started seeing a few cents each day.

In one month, I had over 3,000 views and earned $12. In three months, I had earned $54. I kept writing and sharing until I reached my first $100 in five months.

Step 4: Other Free Platforms

Apart from blogging, I also used Opera News Hub to write short articles. They pay per read, and my first viral post earned me KSh 1,900 in just 3 days. I also tried affiliate links on my blog, promoting Jumia products and getting small commissions.

My Advice

  • Start with what you have: time, smartphone, bundles.
  • Be consistent. The first months are slow but keep going.
  • Share your blog/posts in Facebook groups that match your topic.
  • Use free tools like Canva for blog thumbnails and ChatGPT for ideas.

Conclusion
Earning online doesn’t require money upfront—it needs effort, time, and patience. My $100 may not be millions, but it showed me what’s possible. And if I can do it, you can to it.

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