Are People Making Money Online? Or Making Money Teaching YOU?

Online Business • Courses • Affiliate Marketing

Everybody on the internet seems to know how to make money online.

They’re selling courses, hosting webinars, offering coaching programs, and promising to teach you how to build a profitable business.

But here’s a question I’ve been thinking about.

Are these people actually making money doing what they’re teaching? Or are they making most of their money teaching YOU how to do it?

Because those are two very different things.

And before you spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on somebody’s online business program, you deserve to understand exactly what you’re buying.

Watch: Are People Making Money Online? Or Making Money Teaching YOU?

Watch the video below, then keep reading for the questions I’d ask before purchasing an online business course.

The Online Money-Making Industry Has Its Own Business Model

Let’s say somebody creates a course teaching beginners how to start an affiliate marketing website.

They charge $499 for the course.

If 100 people buy it, that’s $49,900 in gross course revenue.

Now, that doesn’t mean they made $49,900 in profit.

They may have advertising expenses, software subscriptions, payment processing fees, refunds, employees, and other costs.

But it illustrates something important.

Selling information about making money can itself be a significant source of revenue.

That isn’t inherently wrong.

However, if the instructor claims to have built a successful dropshipping business, you should be able to ask whether their success comes from dropshipping or selling dropshipping courses.

Those are different revenue streams, and knowing the difference can help you evaluate their experience.

1. A Screenshot of Revenue Is Not Proof of Profit

You’ve probably seen the screenshots.

“$100,000 in sales!”

“$20,000 in one month!”

“$5,000 in a single day!”

Those numbers certainly get attention.

But here’s what I’d want to know.

How much did it cost to generate those sales?

If someone made $100,000 in revenue but spent $95,000 on advertising, products, fees, and other expenses, their remaining profit would be $5,000 before any additional applicable taxes.

Revenue and profit are not the same.

And a screenshot alone doesn’t necessarily verify either one.

Don’t confuse impressive-looking sales figures with evidence of a profitable business.

2. Ask Where Their Money Actually Comes From

Here’s a question more beginners should feel comfortable asking:

“What percentage of your income comes from the business model you teach, and what percentage comes from selling courses or coaching?”

A legitimate educator may have multiple income sources.

There’s nothing wrong with that.

But if somebody promotes a method as their secret to financial success, the source of their earnings is relevant information.

For example, somebody teaching YouTube monetization might earn from advertising, sponsorships, affiliate commissions, courses, and consulting.

That doesn’t make their advice worthless.

It just means you shouldn’t assume all their income comes from YouTube ads.

3. The Free Webinar Might Be a Sales Presentation

Have you ever registered for a free class that promised to teach you how to start making money online?

You sit through the presentation, take notes, and start getting excited.

Then, right when you expect the actual instructions, the presenter introduces a paid program.

Now, offering a paid course after a free presentation isn’t automatically deceptive.

But a webinar advertised as comprehensive training may disappoint if it provides little practical education and focuses mainly on selling.

Before signing up, check whether the event is an educational workshop, a product demonstration, or a sales presentation.

Knowing that upfront helps set realistic expectations.

4. Watch Out for the Endless Upsells

Here’s how some online sales funnels work.

First, you’re offered a low-cost introductory product.

Then comes an advanced course.

Then private coaching.

Then a premium membership.

Then special software that supposedly makes everything easier.

Optional upgrades aren’t automatically bad.

But they become a problem when important limitations or costs are concealed until after you’ve paid.

Before purchasing, ask for the total cost of the training you actually need.

Find out whether there are recurring subscriptions, additional software requirements, or other expenses.

You should also understand the refund and cancellation terms.

5. Student Testimonials Don’t Tell the Whole Story

Every course seems to have a few incredible success stories.

Somebody quit their job.

Somebody bought a new house.

Somebody claims they made six figures in their first year.

But here’s what I want to know:

What happened to everybody else?

A handful of impressive testimonials doesn’t tell you what a typical customer experiences.

The Federal Trade Commission warns that misleading earnings claims and testimonials can be used to sell questionable business opportunities.

You can read the FTC’s guidance on business coaching scams .

6. Some Courses Teach Information You Can Learn for Free

Before purchasing expensive training, take a look at what’s already available.

There are free resources for learning website building, SEO, email marketing, digital marketing, and business fundamentals.

For example:

• Google’s SEO Starter Guide explains important search fundamentals.
• Google Skillshop offers training on Google tools.
• HubSpot Academy offers marketing education.

Paid training can still be worthwhile.

A well-organized course may save time, provide feedback, and offer structured practice.

But make sure you’re paying for something that adds value, not simply information you could easily access elsewhere.

7. The Real Warning Sign Is Guaranteed Income

If someone promises you’ll make $10,000 a month just by following their exact steps, be careful.

No legitimate instructor can guarantee that every student will achieve the same financial result.

Different people have different skills, budgets, experience, available time, and circumstances.

The FTC specifically warns consumers about business coaching programs that promise easy money, guaranteed income, or unusually large returns.

Read the FTC’s guidance on identifying business coaching scams .

8. Teaching Online Business Can Be a Legitimate Business

Now, I don’t want to suggest that everyone selling a course is doing something dishonest.

Think about it.

A professional guitar teacher doesn’t have to earn all their income from performing concerts to teach guitar effectively.

And a business instructor doesn’t necessarily have to earn all their income from one particular business model to provide useful instruction.

Teaching is a skill of its own.

What matters is whether the instructor is honest about their experience, provides accurate information, and delivers the training promised.

That’s a much better standard than assuming every course is either a scam or a guaranteed path to success.

9. Seven Questions to Ask Before Buying an Online Course

Here’s a checklist I’d use before spending money on any business training program.

7. Can I Afford to Lose This Money?

Even a legitimate course may not produce the business results you want.

Don’t use money needed for essential expenses to chase an uncertain income opportunity.

What I’d Recommend to Someone Just Starting Online

If you’re a beginner, I’d focus on learning one practical skill before purchasing a collection of courses.

You could start with website building, content writing, search engine optimization, email marketing, or video editing.

Choose something that interests you and has real-world applications.

Then practice it.

Build a small project.

See whether you enjoy the work involved.

And only then consider whether paid training would help you improve.

If affiliate marketing interests you, you can also read my Affiliate Marketing for Beginners guide .

What About Wealthy Affiliate?

Since we’re talking about people making money from online business education, I want to be transparent about something.

I promote Wealthy Affiliate through an affiliate relationship.

That means I may earn a commission if someone signs up or makes a qualifying purchase through my link.

Wealthy Affiliate offers training related to affiliate marketing and website building.

But that doesn’t mean everyone who joins will make money.

And I wouldn’t recommend purchasing any membership without first reviewing its current features, costs, limitations, and cancellation terms.

You should compare it with free resources and other training options before deciding what’s right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts: Are They Selling the Method or Selling the Dream?

There’s nothing wrong with teaching people how to build a business.

There’s nothing wrong with charging for valuable education.

But there is a difference between teaching a useful skill and convincing people that buying a course will automatically change their financial situation.

So the next time somebody shows you a luxury car, a beautiful vacation, or a screenshot of their supposed earnings, ask yourself something.

Am I seeing proof of a successful business model, or am I watching a really good sales pitch?

Because sometimes the most profitable product in the entire presentation is the course they’re trying to sell you.

And that’s worth knowing before you pull out your credit card.

My advice: Buy education for the skills it teaches, not for the lifestyle it promises.

Have you ever purchased an online business course? Did it actually teach you something useful, or did you feel like you were being sold another course?

Share your experience in the comments.

Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

Editorial Note: This article is an original educational companion to the embedded YouTube video, not a verified transcript. It does not make accusations against any specific instructor or company.