30 Money-Making Paths

1. Give Your Product Away for Free – Then Charge for Extras

Freemium model: Offer a free version (like an app or e-book) to hook users, then monetize through upgrades, add-ons, or subscriptions.

2. Discourage Customers from Buying – and Spark Curiosity

Scarcity & exclusivity play: Say ‘This product may not be for you’ to make it more desirable, leveraging the human need to prove worth or feel unique.

3. Expose Your Flaws Publicly – Build Trust and Loyalty

Radical transparency: Admitting weaknesses (e.g., “Our shoes aren’t for everyone”) builds authenticity, earning long-term customers who appreciate honesty.

4. Teach People to Do It Themselves – Then Sell Convenience

DIY paradox: Offer free tutorials or guides, then sell a ready-made solution to those who realize it’s easier to buy than build.

5. Show How NOT to Do Something – and Sell the Fix

Demonstration trap: Highlight common mistakes in a niche, then sell the service/product that avoids them.

6. Refuse to Sell – Create Demand Through Rejection

Invitation-only access: Limit entry or make people apply to buy, making them crave what’s hard to get.

7. Say You’re Not an Expert – Become the Trusted Voice

Anti-guru effect: Position yourself as a curious learner, not a know-it-all, which often makes people trust and follow you more.

8. Criticize Your Industry – Then Offer a Better Alternative

Disruptor strategy: Call out the flaws in your industry and gain fans who are frustrated too. Then sell them your ‘fix’.

9. Promise to Make No Profit – Then Win with Volume or Upsells

Loss leader strategy: Publicly claim you’re not making money, which drives massive sales you later monetize through upsells or data.

10. Say It’s Not About the Money – Attract More of It

Mission-first model: Focus on purpose over profit in branding. People love to support meaningful businesses—and will pay more for values they believe in.

11. Tell People Not to Buy Now – Increase Future Conversions

Delayed gratification hook: ‘Don’t buy this today. Sleep on it.’ Builds credibility and lowers sales pressure, often leading to higher conversions tomorrow.

12. Give Away Your Best Secrets – Sell the System Behind Them

Trust magnet: Share your most valuable insights freely. People will pay to access the full system, tools, or personal help behind them.

13. Downplay the Value – Then Overdeliver

Underpromise, overdeliver: Saying ‘It’s just a small guide’ and then delivering a masterclass creates wow-factor and loyal, paying fans.

14. Admit You’re Not the Cheapest – Sell on Value Instead

Premium play: ‘We’re not for everyone’ pushes away bargain hunters and attracts those willing to pay for quality.

15. Limit Access to Wealth-Making Info – Build a Waiting List

Exclusivity model: Keep your content invite-only or behind a waitlist. It feels like insider knowledge and raises perceived value.

16. Help People for Free – Let Them Tip or Donate

Voluntary contribution model: Like Patreon or buy-me-a-coffee, helping first encourages guilt-based or value-based giving.

17. Make a ‘Worst Product Ever’ Video – and Go Viral

Anti-advertising trend: Purposefully ridiculous or self-deprecating ads create buzz and drive attention to your real offers.

18. Create a ‘Failed Attempt’ Brand – Then Flip the Story

Underdog appeal: Build a brand around your failed past or mistakes. People love comebacks and authenticity.

19. Launch with No Product – Let People Fund the Creation

Pre-sale confidence test: Market your idea before it exists. Use the money to build what people already said they’d buy.

20. Claim You’re Not for Everyone – and Become Irresistible

Selective appeal: ‘This is only for ambitious founders.’ Makes others want to prove they belong.

21. Dare People to Prove You Wrong – Sell the Challenge

Challenge-based monetization: Frame your offer as a dare: ‘Bet you can’t do this in 30 days!’ Then sell the tools to win.

22. Create a Free Community – Sell to the Most Engaged

Filter funnel: Offer massive free value. Then monetize the top 10% with premium coaching, masterminds, or products.

23. Sell the Boring Path – While Everyone Else Sells Hype

Reality check offer: Say, ‘No, you won’t get rich quick. But here’s how to actually build wealth.’ You attract serious buyers.

24. Expose Scams – Then Sell the Legit Way

Clean-up authority: Break down fake money-making schemes. Build trust. Then show people a proven path.

25. Give a Refund No Matter What – Build Confidence to Buy

Risk reversal: A ‘no-questions-asked’ refund makes buying easier and increases overall sales—even with a few refunds.

26. Say You Don’t Care About Sales – Watch Sales Increase

Detachment effect: When you seem detached, people get curious: ‘Why don’t they care?’ This mystery boosts conversions.

27. Create a Waitlist – But Let People Skip it (For a Price)

VIP bypass: Make waiting free, but charge for instant access. Works well with events, tools, and digital products.

28. Don’t Show Off – Let Customers Brag for You

Social proof strategy: Focus on customer stories and results rather than your credentials. It feels more believable.

29. Offer Free Consulting – Then Let Them Hire You for Done-for-You

Service upsell: Offer free strategy sessions. People often realize they need help implementing—and pay you for it.

30. Go Slow in a Fast World – Sell Peace, Not Hype

Anti-hustle model: Promote calm, sustainable success. People overwhelmed by the hustle culture will flock to your offer.