Realistic Ways to Make Money: Here’s How It Actually Works
Entrepreneur and investor Dan Martell recently broke down the “Only 25 Ways to Make Money in 2026,” and his bucket system is a GAME CHANGER for anyone looking to start. We’ve distilled his expert advice into the top three most practical paths you can take right now.
Update 04.02.26: The AI Pivot: Why Dan Martell Switched to Claude 4.6
Watch the full breakdown in the video below:
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1. High-Income Service Skills (The “Easy” Bucket)
For beginners, the goal isn’t to build an empire on day one, but it’s to get your first dollar online. Dan identifies this as the “Easy Bucket,” where you can realistically earn $5k–$10k per month by solving immediate pains for others (03:39).
- The Plot: You master a specific high-income skill that AI makes faster to execute.
- The Opportunities: Think short form video editing, social media copywriting, or setting up AI receptionists for small businesses that are drowning in missed calls (04:08), (05:01).
- Why it works: Rich people hate wasting time. As Dan says in his book Buy Back Your Time, people will pay you to give them their hours back (05:46).
2. Automation & Outcome-Based Agencies (The “Medium” Bucket)
If you already have some technical skills (like the WordPress and caching mastery we’ve been discussing!), you can move into the “Medium Bucket.” Here, you stop selling your time and start selling outcomes.
- The Plot: You solve growth and revenue problems for businesses, earning $10k–$50k per month (08:05).
- The Opportunities: Building AI automation agencies or LinkedIn growth systems. Instead of “doing a task,” you own the result—like getting a CEO more reach or saving a company 40 hours a week through automation (09:12), (09:34).
- Why it works: This makes you “bulletproof” for the future because you aren’t just a freelancer; you’re a strategic partner (09:20).
3. Building AI-First Assets (The “Hard” Bucket)
This is the long-term play for those looking to build an empire. It requires leadership, systems, and a “1,000-day focus” (18:41).
- The Plot: You create an asset that someone else might eventually buy, with an income potential of $1M+ per month (12:05).
- The Opportunities: Licensing AI playbooks, investing in AI-first founders, or buying “boring” small businesses (like a campground) and modernizing them with AI software (13:26), (14:06).
- Why it works: You’re building enterprise value. By layering AI into operations, you increase your margins and create something that works even when you aren’t (17:13).
The Plot: See More
Alex Mormozi: How to Win in 2026: AI Business Strategy
Dan Martell: Make Money With AI: Dan Martell’s Zero Codes
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