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If I Had to Start Over in 2025, Here’s Exactly What I’d Do to Build an Online Business

Author Billy Holder Avatar
by Billy Holder
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A few years ago, I was spinning my wheels trying to build something online.

I chased strategies that didn’t fit me. I jumped from platform to platform. I bought courses I didn’t finish and tools I didn’t need.

I was working hard—but had almost nothing to show for it.

If you're feeling that way right now—like you're putting in time but not getting the traction—you’re not alone.

I’ve been there.

But then things changed.I focused in, simplified, and started doing what actually works.

And not long after that shift, I had my first $1,000 day online—$1,172 to be exact.

That’s when it clicked:It’s not about doing everything.

It’s about doing the right things in the right order.

Scattered focus gets you scattered results.

So if I had to start all over again in 2025—with zero followers, zero list, zero momentum—here’s exactly what I’d do differently.

Step 1: Pick ONE Platform and Dominate It

Stop posting everywhere. Start growing somewhere.

Alright, let me save you a year of frustration.

One of the biggest mistakes I made when I first started out online?

I was everywhere. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, MySpace—okay maybe not MySpace, but you get the idea.

I thought I was being “omnipresent.” What I was actually doing was burning myself out and getting a whole lot of nothing done.

It wasn’t until I buckled down and focused on just one platform—for me, that was YouTube—that I started seeing real results.

I got consistent. I got better. I built an audience.

And surprise… that’s when the money started showing up too.

Here’s the thing nobody tells you early on:

Trying to grow on five platforms at once is like trying to juggle flaming swords while learning how to ride a unicycle. Blindfolded.

It ain’t pretty. And it definitely doesn’t work.

So here’s the move for 2025:

Pick ONE platform you enjoy enough to stick with, and go all-in for the next 90 days.

  • Like short videos? TikTok or Reels.

  • Want evergreen traffic? Pinterest or YouTube.

  • Love to write? Twitter (X) or Medium.

Just pick ONE and get to work.

Because the truth is, growth doesn’t come from dabbling.

It comes from dominating.

You can always repurpose content later (I’ll show you how).

But if you’re still jumping around, trying to post a little bit of this and that hoping something pops?

You’re gonna be stuck in that hamster wheel for a long time, my friend.

Step 2: Leverage AI Immediately

 AI isn’t cheating. It’s your unfair advantage.

Alright, so let’s talk about Artificial Intelligence—aka that thing everyone’s either afraid of, overhyping, or ignoring completely while still manually writing Instagram captions at midnight.

Look, back in the day, creating content felt like running a marathon in quicksand. I’d sit there for hours trying to come up with the perfect hook, a clever caption, a thumbnail that wouldn’t make people vomit... and don’t even get me started on editing.

Now?

I open up ChatGPT, type a prompt like “Write 5 hooks for affiliate marketing reels,” and boom—done in 30 seconds. It’s like having a caffeinated intern who never sleeps and doesn’t talk back.

AI isn’t going to replace you—but if you don’t use it, it’s gonna replace your competition’s excuses.

Think about it: the faster you can create, the faster you can test. The faster you test, the faster you get feedback. The faster you get feedback, the faster you start making money.

It’s just math.

So instead of treating AI like some weird black box or an evil robot uprising, just use it. Pick one AI tool this week, learn it, and integrate it into your daily workflow.

Not ten.

Not twenty.

One.

For me?

It’s ChatGPT.

I use it every single day—writing scripts, brainstorming hooks, crafting email subject lines that don’t sound like a robot wrote them.

Sometimes I even use it to talk me down from doing something dumb... like buying yet another domain I’ll never use. 😅 (Seriously, I’ve got more parked domains than I will ever use)

I did have to train it to stop telling me I’m a genius and the greatest marketer of all time… but hey, I’ll take the compliments where I can get ’em.

Bottom line?

If you’re still doing everything manually in 2025, you’re going to get smoked by people who figured out how to work smarter—not just grind harder.

So grab your tool. Train it. Use it.

And let’s get back to growing your Freedom Machine like a pro.

Step 3: Show Up With Video

 People buy from people. Video builds trust faster than anything.

Alright, let’s talk about video — and yeah, I know, you might’ve just flinched a little.

Look, I used to dread it too. I’d overthink everything:

“What do I say?”

“Is this lighting trash?”

“Why do I sound like a cartoon goat when I hit record?”

But here’s the truth no one tells you in the early days:

You don’t have to be perfect on video. You just have to be present.

That’s it.

People don’t connect with polished robots or infomercial-level charisma. They connect with real humans who are trying, learning, messing up, and showing up anyway.

And here’s why this matters in 2025:

We’re in a world where trust is currency. And video is still the fastest way to earn it.

You could have the greatest funnel in the world, the smartest copy, the highest-converting offer…

But if no one feels like they know you, you’re gonna be stuck in scroll-and-ghost purgatory.

So whether it’s you talking to your phone, narrating a screen share, or using B-roll while you explain something… just start showing up.

And hey, if you really don’t want to be on camera?

There’s a million AI tools that can help now. Use a voiceover. Animate your script. Clone your voice (yes, seriously). It’s never been easier to show up without showing your face.

But no matter how you do it — do it.

Because here’s what I’ve learned after publishing hundreds of videos (some awful, some amazing):

The more people see you, the more they trust you. The more they trust you, the more they buy from you.

Simple as that.

Step 4: Build an Email List + Community

 Social media is rented land. Your List is Home Base

Alright, let’s have a grown-up conversation real quick.

Posting on social is great. Building followers is fun. Getting likes? Nice little ego boost.But here’s the truth: you don’t own any of it.

Instagram could shut your account down tomorrow.

TikTok could ghost your reach for no reason.

Pinterest could go full MySpace mode. And then what?

That’s why your email list = your insurance policy.

When I started taking list-building seriously, everything changed. Instead of hoping people would randomly find me again, I could literally send a message and drive traffic on demand.

Your email list is like a secret lever you can pull anytime you want attention, clicks, or sales.

And no, you don’t need some fancy funnel to start. You don’t even need 27 lead magnets. Just set up a simple landing page, give people a reason to join (even if it’s just “follow my 90-day journey”), and start growing it today—not “someday when I have more content.

”Here’s what most people miss though:

You don’t grow your list by shouting “Join my newsletter!” You grow it by giving value-first content that actually makes people care.

Teach. Show results. Share behind-the-scenes stuff. Give them something they want to keep getting.

Then give them a place to belong — a community.

That’s why I built my VIP 90-Day Challenge.

It’s not just “email updates.

” It’s accountability. It’s support. It’s a place where we actually build stuff together.

And the truth is, you don’t need a huge audience to make this work. You just need a list of people who trust you, learn from you, and believe you’ve got their back.

Because when you build that? You’ve got leverage. You’ve got freedom. You’ve got a real business — not just a content hobby with dreams attached.

Step 5: Sell Solutions, Not Just Products

 People don’t care about your link. They care about fixing their problem.

Alright, let’s talk about selling.

And listen… if just reading that word made your palms sweat, relax. We’re not doing shady sales here. We’re not pushing garbage just to get a commission.

This ain’t 2009 Clickbank nonsense. We’re doing it smarter now.

Because the truth is, people don’t wake up thinking “I hope I find a random affiliate link today.

”They wake up thinking:

“How do I get out of this 9–5?”

“How do I actually make this online thing work?”

“How can I grow my business without burning out?”

They want a solution. A shortcut. A path forward.

And that’s your job — not to sell them a link… but to show them the bridge from where they are to where they want to be.

So here’s what I do: I create content that helps first. I teach something simple. I solve a small problem. I show a real result. And then—only after they’ve gotten value—I say, “Hey, if you want to shortcut this, here’s the system I use.”That’s not salesy. That’s service.That’s how I made my first $1,172 day online — by recommending a system I actually use and believe in. (FreedomWithBilly.com, by the way, if you want to see it.)

And that’s why, if you’re gonna promote something, make sure it’s a product or program that:

You stand behind

Gets real people real results

Feels like something you'd recommend to your best friend

Because when you sell like that?→ You’re not “pushing a product.” → You’re offering a solution.

And that’s where the real money lives.

Alright, so there it is.

That’s exactly what I’d do if I had to start over in 2025. No fluff. No shiny object chasing. Just the real, battle-tested strategy that got me from spinning my wheels… to making my first $1,172 day online.

Pick one platform. Use AI to move faster. Show up with video. Build a list. And for the love of all things freedom — sell solutions, not links.

Now the only question left is…You gonna just read this—or are you actually gonna build your Freedom Machine?

Here’s how I can help you make it happen (without doing it alone):

Take the Next Step...

1️⃣ Grab the exact system that helped me earn my first $1,172 day

👉 freedomwithbilly.com

This is the proven affiliate system I personally used — and still stand behind — because it gets real people real results.

If you want a shortcut to start strong, this is it.

2️⃣ Join my VIP 90-Day Challenge (and build your Freedom Machine with me)

👉 Join the Challenge Here

We’re starting from scratch and implementing everything you just read — together.

You’ll get 90 days of step-by-step guidance, accountability, and community support to help you stay on track and actually make progress.

No more guessing. No more dabbling.

Let’s make the next 90 days the most focused, productive, and profitable stretch you’ve ever had online.

Let’s build it. Together.

About The Author
Billy Holder

Hey there! I'm Billy Holder, a bit of a country boy at heart with a knack for all things marketing. With over five years of experience in the trenches, I've honed my skills as a Marketing and Traffic Expert. My superpower? Breaking down complex concepts into easy-to-digest, bite-sized pieces and building systems that work. Because let's face it, "Systems Work, People Fail" – as someone wise once said. When I'm not busy crafting marketing strategies or untangling web traffic puzzles, you'll find me strumming my guitar, lost in the world of music. It's my way of unwinding and keeping the creative juices flowing. Here on my blog, I keep things casual and friendly. Think of me as that knowledgeable buddy who can guide you through the maze of marketing with a touch of humor and a lot of practical insights. So, whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, I've got your back.

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