How to Earn $130,000 in Three Months Without Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube

How I Made $130,000 in Three Months Without Posting on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube

In a world obsessed with social media, everyone seems to believe that platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are the only ways to make money online. But I’m here to tell you that’s not true. I made $130,000 in just three months with a brand-new, faceless account—without posting a single thing on those video-heavy platforms. In this article, I’ll break down exactly how I did it, the platforms I used, and the biggest mistake that holds most people back. Let’s dive in and explore a smarter, more efficient way to build an online income.

Why I Avoided Traditional Social Media

Yes, I run a YouTube channel, but that’s just one part of my business—my personal brand. I also manage multiple businesses, and creating high-quality content for each one while maintaining the depth my audience deserves is simply not feasible. The idea of spending hours every day posting on Instagram or TikTok to chase likes and followers wasn’t appealing. Content creation for my YouTube channel is already time-intensive, but I love helping people figure out how to succeed online. So, I created a new faceless account to drive traffic to a set of digital products without relying on traditional social media.

The problem with the conventional “create content to drive sales” approach is that it can take months—or even years—to build an audience and see results. Social media content creation is a specialized skill that demands time and expertise. Instead of waiting to grow a personal brand from scratch, I focused on platforms where customers are already looking to buy, allowing me to make sales from day one.

The Power of Marketplaces: Etsy and Beyond

The first method that fueled my revenue was leveraging online marketplaces like Etsy. Contrary to popular belief, Etsy isn’t just for handmade crafts. I’ve built multiple six-figure Etsy stores selling print-on-demand products and digital downloads, such as eBooks, templates, and guides. The beauty of Etsy is its built-in traffic—95 million people visit the platform every month with their wallets out, ready to buy. Unlike TikTok or Instagram, where users are scrolling for entertainment, Etsy users have purchasing intent.

To succeed on Etsy, you need to stand out from the competition. Customers will see dozens of similar listings, so your product descriptions, images, and pricing strategy must be compelling. Focus on low-ticket digital products priced under $27 to attract buyers and use these as lead magnets to build your email list. While Etsy is a fantastic launchpad because you don’t need to build a website or drive traffic yourself, you’ll need to differentiate your offerings and price strategically, as high-ticket items (over $100) may not perform as well in some niches.

Another platform worth exploring is Gumroad, which is great for selling eBooks, mini-courses, tools, and digital guides. However, Gumroad’s marketplace doesn’t attract as much organic traffic as Etsy, so you’ll need to drive traffic to your listings. The key is to research what’s already selling in your niche and create optimized versions of those products. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel—just share your expertise or lessons learned in a way that provides value.

Text-Based Social Media: A Low-Effort, High-Impact Strategy

While I avoided video-heavy platforms, I did use text-based social media platforms like X, Threads, LinkedIn, and Substack to drive traffic. These platforms offer serious advantages over Instagram and TikTok. They’re less saturated, have higher engagement rates, and require far less time and effort. A valuable post can be written in five minutes, compared to the hours spent filming, editing, and posting a video that might get buried by algorithms.

On X and Threads, I shared industry insights, business lessons, and actionable tips to engage with my niche and build relationships with potential customers. LinkedIn was particularly effective for selling B2B digital products like professional templates, business guides, and productivity tools. By commenting on industry discussions and sharing longer-form insights, I connected with people who have purchasing power.

To streamline the process, I used AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to write posts and scheduled them in advance, allowing a few hours of work to cover a month’s worth of content. One game-changing strategy is to create a single valuable post (e.g., on LinkedIn) and repurpose it across platforms like Threads, Substack, or even as an email. This “create once, repurpose everywhere” approach maximizes efficiency and impact. Text-based platforms are still relatively uncrowded, but this opportunity won’t last forever, so act quickly.

Email Marketing: The Secret to Long-Term Success

Email marketing remains the most effective way to build relationships and drive sales, even in 2025. Instead of delivering digital products directly through marketplaces, I directed customers to a landing page where they had to enter their email to access their download. This is allowed on Etsy and is a crucial step for building an email list.

The key is to provide immediate value. My welcome email sequence includes a free bonus that complements the purchased product—for example, a business template pack might come with a step-by-step guide and a social media marketing checklist. This shows subscribers that being on my email list means real value, not just promotional offers. I follow up with actionable tips and social proof (like testimonials) before softly pitching higher-value products.

For print-on-demand or physical products on Etsy, tools like Everbee can help collect emails by including a discount code in the “message to buyer” after a purchase. The golden rule of email marketing is 80% value, 20% promotion. This approach builds trust and keeps subscribers engaged.

The Biggest Mistake to Avoid

The biggest mistake most people make is relying solely on social media to build an audience from scratch. This approach can take months or even years to yield results, especially on entertainment-focused platforms. Instead, focus on platforms with built-in traffic and purchasing intent, like Etsy, and combine them with strategic email marketing and text-based social media. Skills and consistency matter more than chasing algorithms. Solve real problems for real people, and the money will follow.

My Funnel: How It All Came Together

I didn’t make $130,000 by selling one product on one platform. I created a funnel:

1. Low-ticket product on Etsy:Priced under $27, this served as the entry point to attract buyers and collect emails.

2. Email marketing: I provided immediate value through welcome sequences and upsold higher-ticket products ($500–$1,000).

3. Text-based social media: Platforms like X, Threads, and LinkedIn drove additional traffic to my listings.

This multi-strategy approach was key. While marketplaces allowed me to make sales from day one, building real wealth took time and consistent effort. As someone experienced in digital marketing, I reached these numbers in three months, but beginners should expect progress, not overnight success. Celebrate small wins and stay committed.

Action Steps to Get Started

1. Research: Explore digital products selling well on Etsy in a niche that interests you.

2. Start small:Create one low-ticket digital product (under $27) and commit to selling it for 30 days.

3. Build an email list:Use a landing page to collect emails and create a welcome sequence that provides value.

4. Leverage text-based platforms:Share insights on X, Threads, LinkedIn, or Substack to drive traffic without burning out.

If this approach resonates with you, join my community for deeper insights into these strategies (link in bio). You don’t need millions of followers to make money online—just the right strategies, consistency, and a focus on providing value. Start today, and you’ll be amazed at what’s possible.