As the cost of living goes up, so does the need to have extra income. Getting a second “job” isn’t always an option, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t other opportunities you can take advantage of, often right from the comfort of your own home. The internet is a goldmine if you know how to take advantage of it. This guide will give you a closer look at ten legitimate ways you can make money online starting today. The following options have proven effective for those looking to make money online, and can in some cases even lead to full-time work. 1) Online Surveys If you’re looking for a fast way to make a little extra cash, taking surveys online is one way to do it. There are companies out there willing to pay for your opinion. Survey taking can be done anytime you have a few extra minutes. Sites like Swagbucks, Toluna, and Survey Junkie will pay for your time and options. This feedback is used to provide market research to companies that then leverage that feedback to help them make better marketing, branding and product development decisions. 2) Self-Publishing Kindle Publishing is an Amazon e-book company that is free to use. If you have a flair for writing, but don’t have the time or money to go the traditional publishing route, self-publishing is for you. Simply set up the format, design a cover page, and set your own price. Kindle will not take their payment until your book starts to sell. Then they take a small percentage of the gross sales revenue. Don’t think you have anything worth writing about? Start with any hobbies or things you’re good at. Simple “how-to” guides that solve specific problems can be a great entry into the world of publishing.
3) Google AdSense
If you use the internet, you know that Google ads are everywhere. If you have a blog or website, Google AdSense can make you money simply by placing their ad code on your site. Sign up for a free AdSense account, and Google will give you a unique code to paste on your website. This code helps them track your page views, traffic, and any earnings. As consumers click on your page, you will be pulling in a few extra dollars. With enough traffic you might find that this solution brings in a nice little paycheck each month.
4) Recycling Electronics
Once you purchase a new electronic, there is often the question of what to do with the old one. Cell phones get thrown in drawers while laptops gather dust in a closet. If you want to make a little extra money, they still have a purpose. Recycle. Companies like Plunc, will collect and pay for your old electronics such as selling your old iPad online.
5) Podcasting
Starting up a podcast is also a way to make extra money in your free time. Those individuals with something to say may find it easy to sit in front of a camera and address an online audience. If your podcast is received well, some companies may offer sponsorship for what you have to say. Podcasting can be a very lucrative business, depending on your viewership.
6) Freelance Writing
Traditional journalism may have seen a downturn in popularity and demand, but online content has more than made up for this. If you have a knack or a passion for writing, freelancing can be a great part-time, flexible way to earn money on the side. Companies big and small frequently hire or outsource writing for their company websites, blogs, social media, newsletters and more. A good start is to sign up at all of the freelance websites and create a professional profile detailing your experience. Over time, repeat customers can really add up and before you know it, you may have more work than you know what to do with.
7) Online Investing or Micro-loans
Sites such as Betterment and M1 Finance will help you to invest money online. It doesn’t matter if you are looking for long-term investments or quick payouts, you don’t have to be an expert to invest. Enter your information, and the website will do the rest. However, it should be noted that investments are not “get rich quick” plans towards additional income and do have inherent risks that may not be suitable for your situation. Alternatively, if you have money to lend, “peer to peer” lending platforms allow you to offer micro-loans to others, collecting on the interest.
8) Sell Your Talents and Old Belongings
If you like to paint, draw, woodwork, knit, or even make clothing, you have an asset. You can sell your DIY goods on sites like Facebook Market Place and Etsy. It’s possible to make decent money by selling homemade products.
You can also earn income by selling old furniture, clothing, toys, games, and movies online. By utilizing sites like eBay and Facebook marketplace, you can sell belongings you don’t use anymore and make some extra cash.
9) YouTube Partner
Everyone wants to be YouTube famous. To make money on this platform, you will need to start off by becoming a YouTube partner. To do this, you need to show that you maintain an average of 4,000 watch hours a year and have a minimum of 1,000 subscribers. Once you meet the requirements, YouTube will allow a partnership that pays.
10) Online Teaching / Tutoring
By creating online classes, you can get paid to instruct people on how to do almost anything. There are courses for cooking, cleaning tips, and even fixing cars. If you have a passion for something, this may work for you. There are also companies looking for individuals to teach English to students overseas. You will have to pass some tests first, but it’s a great way to make money working from home. Lastly, there is a big demand for online tutoring. Consider specializing in a particular area such as math or science, or test preparation.
Closing Thoughts About Making Money Online
The digital world is a great place full of opportunities to make a part-time or full-time income online. Many of these opportunities are especially useful for those needing an additional stream of “side income” from a flexible “gig”. However, always do your due diligence. There are also plenty of “get rich quick” schemes and online frauds. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
