Well the obvious answer is “A Whole bloody lot” because that’s one thing we humans are good at and that’s changing things.
But before we dive into the whole “Making Money Online” rabbit hole (which is really the end game and not the starting point), let’s zoom in on what drives the entire machine.
It’s all about Content.
The reason you, me, the bloke down the road, and just about everyone else might end up buying something online usually comes down to one very simple activity. Back in the early days, we called it Surfing the Net.
And here’s the kicker: the number one reason we surf is to consume content.
That might sound a little boring, but think about it—content is the stuff we’re drawn to, whether we realize it or not.
- We surf for information when we need an answer.
- We surf for research when we want to compare options.
- We surf for entertainment when we’re bored or looking for a laugh.
- We surf just to see what we can find—curiosity has always been part of the human spirit.
- We surf to learn something new or sharpen our skills.
- We surf to solve problems and fix what’s broken.
- And yes, eventually, we surf and then… we buy things.
That’s the cycle. Content hooks us, entertains us, teaches us, and without us even noticing, guides us toward decisions, purchases, and commitments.
How Content Gets Made
Now here’s where things get interesting. For every one of us who’s surfing, there’s someone else out there creating that content. It doesn’t just magically appear, somebody had to make it. ( Just like ole muggins here creating this post… You are welcome.)
Sometimes it’s deliberate:
- A YouTuber carefully scripting, filming, and editing a video.
- A blogger typing away at midnight to share their experience or opinion.
- A podcaster recording their thoughts to build an audience.
- A company producing slick ads, articles, or social posts to pull us into their world.
And sometimes it’s accidental:
- A random photo shared on Facebook that goes viral.
- A quick TikTok made for fun that explodes with millions of views.
- A comment or review that unexpectedly influences thousands of buying decisions.
The point is, content creation ranges from highly strategic to completely spontaneous.
But either way, it all lands in the same place: in front of us, the surfers.
Why Content Exists
Here’s the part most people miss:
- Content is made to attract attention.
- Content is made to build trust.
- Content is made to influence decisions.
- And yes, content is made to eventually make money.
If you zoom out, it’s like a giant feedback loop:
Creators make content → We consume it → It shapes our thoughts, decisions, and purchases → Which encourages more content to be made.
That’s the dance of the internet. Content fuels the surfing, and surfing fuels the content.
The Real Game
So when we talk about “Making Money Online,” it’s easy to think that’s the starting point. But really, that’s the end game.
Because before the clicks, before the sales, before the bank account balance moves an inch, there has to be…content.
Content is what attracts.
Content is what educates.
Content is what entertains.
Content is what builds trust.
And eventually… content is what sells.
That’s why if you want to succeed in this digital ocean we’re all surfing, you don’t start by chasing money. You start by creating value.
The money follows the content, not the other way around.
So if you’re in affiliate marketing, stop worrying about “sales first” and start building the content that makes sales happen.