How Young Entrepreneurs Can Make Money Online – Insights from Danny Leibrandt

What’s the best way to make money online if you’re just starting out? In this episode of the Coach Yu Show, I interviewed Danny Leibrandt, a young entrepreneur who has tried just about every way to make money online. He shares what he learned so you can avoid the same mistakes

Danny has been running his digital marketing agency, Pest Control SEO, for over two years. This has been his most successful venture, but he didn’t start there. He experimented with launching a software company, different agencies, affiliate marketing, and even selling niche products like spiritual items or “alpha male” merchandise. None of those took off.

His entrepreneurial journey began at 18. Before that, football was his focus. But as high school ended, he needed a way to make money. He jumped into every opportunity he could find, e-commerce stores, affiliate marketing, and more. None of it stuck until he tried copywriting.

Once Danny developed his copywriting skills, everything began to change. He later moved into website building and SEO, but the copywriting skills he built early on became essential. Those skills now shape every message he sends, every post he creates, and every headline he writes. Copywriting became the foundation of his sales, marketing, and relationship-building efforts.

Building fundamental skills like copywriting, sales, and marketing is critical. It’s not about chasing trends. It’s about learning how to communicate, connect, and genuinely understand your audience.

Focusing on Value and Trust

Danny created a top local SEO podcast, developed an industry-leading pest control course, and built a network based on real expertise. When you see these so-called “money gurus” flaunting Lamborghinis and claiming massive monthly incomes, ask yourself: are they providing real value or just trying to take your money? Danny proves that success comes from clear communication, honesty, and a commitment to helping others.

If you Google Danny Leibrandt, you’ll see his Knowledge panel, proof of his work, photos, videos, and real achievements. He’s built meaningful relationships and delivered value, showing the difference between someone who creates lasting results and someone who only talks about making money.

Most “gurus” out there are just scammers. Even if some make money, do you really want to succeed by deceiving others? Is the goal to take people’s money so you can buy a flashy car? Real success is about building a business that helps people and creates something you can be proud of.

He honors industry experts, focuses on relationships, and never brags about how much money he’s making. Why? Because real value keeps clients coming back. Those who only chase quick money don’t retain customers. They might show off a bank deposit, but there’s no trust, no relationship, and no lasting success.

Imagine if I posted about closing a deal with Richard McClure, an HVAC pro in Forney, Texas, and bragged about taking his money. How would he feel? Horrified. He’d think, “I thought we were friends. I thought you wanted to help my business.” That’s what happens when you treat clients as just another transaction. The best business owners don’t brag about their income; they focus on their impact.

Avoiding Easy Money Scams

When you’re just starting out, it’s tempting to think, “I don’t have a reputation or clients. I need to get money now.” But you don’t need to scam or hustle people. Start by building your brand and relationships.

A couple of years ago, Danny fell for one of those “easy money” programs. He was struggling to grow his agency and desperate for clients. He paid $10,000 for a course that promised done-for-you deals, no risk, and guaranteed results. But it was all a scam.

The program relied on spammy tactics, cold-calling, and conditions that made refunds impossible. Danny realized that the best way to gain clients wasn’t aggressive sales tactics; it was building a solid reputation and trust.

A great way to do that is by creating a podcast and interviewing industry experts. By associating yourself with trusted names, you gain credibility. People see you talking with well-known figures, which strengthens your authority.

Even if you don’t have authority now, you can still invite top experts onto your podcast. Over time, people will see you collaborating with industry leaders, and your own authority will grow. When I first started, I thought no one would want to talk to me. I was a nobody. But I followed Steve Sims’ advice: just ask. Steve has interviewed people like Elon Musk, and his “secret” is simply asking.

I was surprised by how many people said yes. For example, Greg Gifford,one of the top local SEO experts, came on my podcast when it was brand new. My setup was bad, I used the built-in camera on a 2018 MacBook, but Greg still said yes.

You need a respectful, genuine approach. When you ask someone to come on, be sincere. Say, “I really respect your work, and I’d be honored to have you on my podcast.” If you make it personal, mentioning something specific you’ve seen them discuss, they’ll be more likely to agree.

I never send generic requests. Before reaching out, I research their work, listen to their interviews, and understand their background. That personal touch makes a big difference. Whether you’re inviting someone to your podcast, pitching a potential client, or recruiting a team member, the key is showing you’ve done your homework and you value their time.

For example, if you’re pitching a client, don’t just say, “I’m the best at pest control SEO, book a call now.” Instead, do your research. Show them you’ve looked at their site, noticed areas for improvement, and found opportunities to beat their competition.

Offer value upfront without pushing them to commit. For instance, you might say, “I noticed a broken link here, and I saw one of your competitors doing this differently. I’d love to walk you through how they’re outranking you and what you can do to improve.” Lead with value and real insights rather than empty claims.

Focusing Your Efforts

When it comes to success, start by picking a niche, ideally, one you know. That background gives you an edge, helping you relate to the industry’s challenges and provide meaningful solutions. Danny chose home services because it was familiar. His dad owns a flooring company, his uncle runs a construction business, and his friends are in HVAC. That experience made it a natural fit.

Once you choose your niche, figure out their biggest problems, often lead generation, and the skills you need to help them. Danny found that SEO worked well for pest control businesses. For his dad’s flooring company, Facebook ads might work better. The same principle applies across industries: choose your niche, identify the skill that drives results, and focus your efforts.

If you market yourself as a general digital marketer, you’re competing with every other freelancer charging $20 an hour. But if you specialize, like focusing on digital marketing for home service businesses, or even more specifically, SEO for residential plumbers, you can charge much more. Each level of specialization makes you more valuable. Clients see you as someone who understands their business inside and out.

Even if you don’t know much about a niche at first, you can learn and become the go-to expert. Danny didn’t know everything about pest control when he started, but by focusing on it, he built authority. That authority attracts clients and helps you stand out. You’re no longer just another freelancer; you’re a trusted specialist.

Many new marketers hesitate to niche down. They think, “What if I choose the wrong niche?” But the truth is, you can always change. The important thing is to start somewhere. Pick a business type, like roofing or pest control, and focus on providing the best service possible. Over time, you’ll gain credibility, experience, and the flexibility to shift your niche as needed.

If you’re trying to do everything, Facebook ads, video editing, SEO, WordPress, you’re spreading yourself too thin. When you focus on a specific niche and skill, you stop competing with low-cost freelancers and position yourself as a premium provider. It’s the difference between charging $20 an hour and $200 an hour.

By concentrating your efforts, you earn more and build a reputation that sets you up for long-term success.