The Only 25 Ways to Make Money in 2026

About this video

Martell sorts online money-making ideas into four buckets and gives his own income claims for each, which should be read as his estimates. His trash bucket, which he says earns nothing or loses money, includes NFT flipping, crypto trading, multi-level marketing, basic captions, low-level data entry, Fiverr microtasks, generic print on demand, and day trading, filtered by whether AI is replacing it, the industry is shrinking, or losing is easier than winning. His easy bucket, which he claims can reach $5,000 to $10,000 a month within one to two months, covers short-form editing, social copywriting, AI chatbot setup, AI receptionists, UGC middleman work, and virtual assistance, launched with an outcome-based offer and daily outreach. His medium bucket, which he claims reaches $10,000 to $50,000 a month within a year, includes automation agencies, AI-powered LinkedIn growth, micro-SaaS, AI content agencies, and premium motion graphics, sold as outcome-based retainers backed by case studies. His hard bucket, which he says can take two to ten years but build sellable assets, includes investing in AI founders, AI software products, buying and automating small businesses, personal-brand deal flow, AI-curated communities, and licensing AI playbooks. He warns most people fail by switching buckets every few weeks.

Key takeaways

• Run ideas through his trash filter: AI-replaced, shrinking, or easier to lose than win means walk away
• He claims beginner services work when sold as a specific outcome with risk removed
• He advises daily outreach and one clear offer to land first clients
• He says medium-term money comes from outcome-based retainers and measurable case studies
• Avoid shiny-object syndrome: commit to one path for the long term

Episode details: published January 20, 2026 · 19:45 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Business results and any income figures mentioned are Dan Martell’s own claims, shared for education — they are not typical or guaranteed.

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