first internet dollar

The YouTube Trap

For years, I watched YouTube videos. I watched “gurus” teach me exactly how to build a business. I consumed courses, podcasts, and tutorials. I thought I knew how to do this.

But the second I actually sat down to do it? My mind went blank.

I realized that watching someone else drive doesn’t teach you how to handle the car. You can watch a million videos, but until you get behind the wheel, you are just spinning your tires.

There is no substitute for experience. The only way to learn is to do.

The “Easy” Way vs. The Right Way

I spent days trying to use free “all-in-one” tools. I tried Systeme.io, and while it’s an amazing tool for some, I found it ridiculously difficult to navigate.

Then I looked at the “easy” website builders. Sure, they are simple. But you have zero freedom. You get Option A, B, C, or D—and that’s it. Good luck trying to customize it later.

I had to decide: Do I want a cookie-cutter site, or do I want to build something real?.

I chose the hard way. I grabbed a hosting account (Hostinger) and decided to learn the ropes myself. I am still a rookie. I still suck at it sometimes. But I am finally moving.

Are You Willing?

There is a great book called Unf*ck Yourself that changed my perspective on this.

The question isn’t “Can I do this?” The question is, “Am I willing to do this?”

• Are you willing to put in the effort?
• Are you willing to be frustrated?
• Are you willing to have your wife yell at you to come to bed because you’ve been staring at a screen for too long?.

If the answer is yes, then you can succeed. It’s actually not that hard once you stop listening to the noise.

Stop Waiting, Start Clicking

If you are standing where I was 24 days ago—paralyzed by “Information Overload”—I have one piece of advice for you.

Just start.

Stop researching the “perfect” software. Stop worrying about which email provider is the best. You will learn a hundred things in tutorials that you will never actually use.

Open a new tab. Buy the domain. Pick a host. And just go.

You will make mistakes. You will have days when you want to throw the computer. But until you start, you will always wonder, “What if?”

I’m done with the “What ifs.” I’m done with the ramen noodles. I’m coming for the lobster.

I’ll see you in the trenches.

     Hi, I’m James.

  This site is going to be two things: a personal journal and a brutally honest classroom.For the last six years, I have been obsessed with marketing. I haven’t been playing video games. I haven’t been listening to music. I have been consuming everything I can find on how to make money online. Videos, podcasts, courses—if it’s out there, I’ve watched it. But there was a problem.

                    The Trap of “Passive” Learning

I was an expert at learning, but a novice at doing.In the past, I started a couple of sites. I tinkered. But I never put in the grunt work needed to actually see a return. I was waiting for the “perfect” moment. That ends today.

   Why FirstInternetDollar.com is Different

       I think this is the site that finally gets me into the “I Make Money Online” club. Not because I’m a guru—but because I’m done making excuses.I have the tools (a bare-bones tech stack). I have the support. I have the drive. This isn’t just a blog. It is a fully documented journey. You are going to watch me go from absolutely nothing to (hopefully) a lot. From the bottom to the top. From the hippie to the tippie. If you are standing right behind me on this journey, watch closely. I’m going to show you exactly how the first dollar is made so you can do it too.

 My Strategy: The Bare Bones Approach

You see a lot of gurus recording videos in rented Lamborghinis. That’s not this. I am starting with the “First Internet Dollar” philosophy: Keep costs low, keep effort high. I’ve purchased this domain and cheap hosting. That is it. No expensive software, no paid ads, no virtual assistants. I am going to use three main channels to grow this beast:

1. This Blog: The headquarters where I document the technical details.
2. TikTok: Where I’ll share the daily grind and quick tips.
3. YouTube: Where I’ll break down the longer lessons I learn along the way.

If I can sell something, I will. If I find a tool that actually works, I’ll share an affiliate link. But I promise you this: I won’t recommend anything I haven’t personally stress-tested.

  Join the Crew

 If you are looking for a polished expert who has it all figured out, you are in the wrong place. But if you want to see what it really looks like to build an income stream from scratch—mistakes, technical failures, and eventually, that first dollar—then stick around.

I’m James. The journey starts now.

Follow the daily updates on TikTok here: @firstinternetdollar25