The Differences in Online Money-Making Courses – and Which Ones Actually Work

Every day, someone promises you the secret to making money online.

It’s easy to get lost in a sea of online courses that offer “passive income,” “freedom from the 9 – 5,” and “overnight success.” But not all money-making courses are created equal – and some won’t make you a penny.

Let’s break down the different types of online money-making courses, and most importantly, which ones actually deliver results.

1. Dropshipping Courses

What they teach:

Set up an online store, list products, and have a third party ship them when someone orders.

What works:

Good if you’re great at marketing and willing to test ads.

Platforms like Shopify + TikTok ads have worked well for many.

What doesn’t:

Courses that don’t explain ad spend risks.

Any that promise “hands-off” success without testing.

Verdict:

Can work, but expect high learning curves and upfront ad costs.

2. Affiliate Marketing Courses

What they teach:

Promote other people’s products and earn a commission per sale.

What works:

Niching down (e.g. fitness, digital tools, finance).

Courses that teach SEO, email marketing, or TikTok traffic.

What doesn’t:

Courses that just push paid ads with no strategy.

Ones that tell you to spam links everywhere.

Verdict:

Scalable and low cost. Works if you’re patient and consistent. One of the best long-term plays.

3. Amazon FBA Courses

What they teach:

Buy products in bulk, ship them to Amazon, and sell using Amazon’s fulfilment system.

What works:

Proper product research and branding.

Understanding logistics and fees.

What doesn’t:

Relying on generic products from Alibaba.

Expecting quick profits – it’s capital intensive.

Verdict:

Potentially profitable, but not beginner-friendly without capital and risk tolerance.

4. Coaching & Digital Product Courses

What they teach:

Turn your knowledge into an online course or coaching program.

What works:

You have actual expertise or results to offer.

Building an audience via content or paid ads.

What doesn’t:

Thinking you can fake it till you make it.

Copying others without adding value.

Verdict:

Great profit margins, but works best if you already have credibility or are willing to build it.

5. Freelancing & Service-Based Courses

What they teach:

How to sell services like writing, design, ads management, or virtual assistance.

What works:

Real skill-building (e.g. copywriting, SEO, video editing).

Client acquisition tactics via Upwork, LinkedIn, or cold outreach.

What doesn’t:

Courses with no portfolio-building guidance.

Those that over-promise $10k/month instantly.

Verdict:

One of the fastest ways to make real money online. No need for ads, just skill and hustle.

So… Which Course Type Actually Works Best?

Here’s the honest answer:

The best course is the one that fits your strengths, resources, and personality.

But based on thousands of success stories and industry insight:

Freelancing + Affiliate Marketing are the most accessible and sustainable for beginners.

Digital Products & Coaching scale best once you have an audience or proof of results.

FBA and Dropshipping can work – but come with higher startup costs and risk.

Final Advice

Before you buy any course, ask:

Does this teach real skills?

Is the instructor still doing it today – or just selling the dream?

Will this method still work in 1 – 3 years?

And most importantly:

Execution matters more than the course.

Even the best course fails if you don’t take consistent action.

Follow me as I post for 60 days straight

#commit 60