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| How to make money online |
Money doesn't grow on trees, but when you learn how to make money online, your bank account can grow while you're still in your pajamas. And in the words of the Hulk, "I see this as an absolute victory." With that being said, how do you know if these online money making strategies are legitimate and legal and not some sketchy program or pyramid scheme?
Well, first do some research, and then. . . you get to work! To help you get started, here is a list of 13 ways to make money online.
1. Sell your stuff online.
Do you know "that" closet or drawer in your house? The one that is full of things that are perfectly useful, you just don't use them anymore. Maybe it's time you turned those things into cold cash by selling them online.
Listen, you probably haven't used that curling iron since the '80s, but some youngster might be inspired to buy it with all the Stranger Things hype. & that juicer you bought for the cleanse that lasted exactly five hours? Someone wants you to cut down on your daily trips to the local juice bar. Even that light blue double breasted suit your best friend made you wear to his wedding might be on someone's wish list.
Selling your stuff online could be beneficial for you: less mess and more cash. As the old idiom says, "one man's trash is another man's treasure." So, let's turn that junk into cash.
Useful Websites: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Poshmark, Decluttr
Please note: think about what is involved in the front end of this one. Taking quality photos (object is well framed, in focus, no distracting backgrounds), writing good detailed item descriptions, and leaving or shipping things all take time. And you also have to factor in gas or shipping costs when you price your items.
2. Sign up for user trials.
Most companies have this thing & where they want their websites & products to be the best they can be &, well, help them make money.& Sometimes those companies pay others to provide feedback on everything from homepage headlines to pilot episodes to beta products.
You can participate by registering for user trials. They will pay you to give your opinion! And help companies create better experiences for their customers. & All from the comfort of your sofa.
Useful Websites: UserTesting, TryMyUI
Please note: Check the company's payment policy to find out how often you will be paid. Is it after reaching a minimum number of tests, or every two weeks? This helps when you are planning how to budget for your extra income!
3. Take online surveys.
Here's another place where you can earn extra money online by giving your opinion: online surveys. That's right, answer a few questions honestly and get paid for it. How awesome is that?
You may need to complete a certain number of surveys before you get paid, so don't expect to be making money after your first round. But it is still a great option that you should know about.
Useful Websites: MyPoints, Survey Junkie
Please note: You probably won't qualify to take every survey you see on these sites. Sometimes the survey requirements are super specific to make sure the person responding can answer. So if you've never played a video game in your life, you probably won't be chosen to fill out a survey about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II on Xbox.
4. Teach English.
You might be thinking of one of two things here. 1) Hey, I speak that language. How hard can it be? or 2) Oh man, I'm seriously unqualified to teach anyone anything!
Don't worry. There are many online programs to teach English where they do the planning and get you ready and ready to start. It can be a rewarding way to earn money online.
Useful Websites: VIPKid, Cambly
Please note: You are not required to have an ESL (English as a Second Language) degree, but some of these online teaching companies will require certification. Even if you are not required to become certified, you can still improve your profile and get more jobs.
5. Tutor online.
Good news. You didn't have to graduate at the top of your class to be a good tutor. Getting an online tutoring gig is all about helping others with the things you're good at.
So yeah, you don't want to sign up to tutor for Concepts in Quantum Mathematical Theory if you struggled with basic algebra. But if grammar is your thing, many people need help in their Writing 101 courses.
Useful websites: Tutor.com, TutorMe and Studypool
Please note: I hate to say it, but sometimes people "looking for a tutor" really just want someone to do their homework. Be sure to skip jobs that ask you to write their articles. Teach them to fish, not to cheat.
6. Become a financial adviser.
Guess what. You too can help others with their finances. Yes. We don't have the market share on that. But really, & have you ever thought about becoming a financial coach? Nope? Well, maybe you should! Yes? So you are reading the correct point.
You'll need the proper training to let people know you're legit. The good news is that we have a program here at Ramsey that does just that. It is aptly named Ramsey Financial Coaching. If you're not sure, you can take our five minute quiz to see if you have what it takes.
Useful Websites: Financial Coach Master Training, Financial Coach Live Workshop
Keep in mind: This is one of those where you have to pay something up front to get the training and credibility you need to get the job done. But it's also a way to earn money online that can be turned into a full-time job if you want.
7. Get freelance jobs.
Calling all creatives! One of the best side hustles you can get involved in is landing some freelance jobs online. I mean, you can also go full time, whatever works best for your money goals and personal schedule.
Anything from typing words to editing, making videos to edit, taking photos to edit. (Wow, there's a lot of editing in the creative world.)
These jobs can come from networking in person or profiling on a great freelance app or website.
Useful Websites: FlexJobs, LinkedIn, Fiver
Please note: If you end up having to set your rates, remember this: your time and talent are valuable! Don't underestimate yourself, even if you're 5'6". Check other creatives in a similar field with similar experience to find out exactly how much you should charge.
8. Sell your photos online.
Did you know that companies will pay for your photographs?& From landscapes to portraits, those snapshots on your phone could be worth something, & not just sentimentally or for your future wedding slideshow.
Useful websites: Alamy, Getty Images, Dreamstime
Please note: be careful with this. Do not upload photos of your nephew's birthday without your sister's permission.& She doesn't want to see him become the poster child for something awkward because a company bought that stock image.& Just keep in mind who is involved in the photos you sell!
9. Offer print-on-demand.
If you are an artist or designer and have always dreamed of seeing your work on t-shirts, wall hangings and bags, this could be a great way to make money online. Set up an online store, choose the items you want to offer, and tell people where they can buy your merchandise!
You'll have to spend time marketing and self-promoting to get people to want to buy your stuff, but the best part of this option is the "on demand" part. The company will print and ship the product for you when the order arrives, so you won't have a large inventory.
Useful Websites: Spring (formerly Teespring), Threadless, Society6
Please note: Remember that the company you are working with will keep a portion of the sale. It makes sense. They're doing a lot of the work, which is part of the beauty of this option. But it's something to think about when you price your products.
10. Try drop shipping.
Don't kick Save that for rugby and WWE. Drop shipping is the perfect job to make money online for anyone who's ever wanted to open their own store but didn't want to pay the rent (or felt too introverted for all that populating).
Basically it works like this: set up an online store through a wholesaler (or supplier). A customer buys something in your store. The wholesaler (or supplier) ships the item to that customer. You get a cut.
This is different from print on demand because you are not selling your designs. In this case, you are like an intermediary. But so are most physical store owners! And with drop shipping, you can be that middleman while sitting in your favorite chair and not on a mountain of inventory. The best parts: You're not ordering items in advance and waiting for them to sell. And you're not dealing with shipping!
Useful Websites: Sunrise Wholesale, Shopify.com
Please note: Do not join a wholesaler or supplier that charges you a monthly fee. That is a mark of a scam. Plus, you're doing these companies a favor by helping them sell their products.& They make money when things sell,& they don't need a monthly fee.
11. Be an affiliate marketer.
If you're the type of person who loves to talk about products, you may be able to make money doing just that. Take a look at the world of affiliate marketing. You will connect with companies that pay you to generate sales. Every time your advertising on that product gets a sale from your unique affiliate link, you earn a commission.
Useful Websites: Amazon Associates, Shopify Affiliates
Please note: Hey, if you don't use the product and would never use it, don't try to sell the product. You'll get a lot more sales if you can honestly tell people how much you love the things you're marketing. Plus, you won't feel weird pushing something you don't care about. Be authentic.& That's good advice for your side hustles and for your life.
12. Flip thrift finds.
Okay, hardcore savers. This one is for you. If you love looking at shelf after shelf and shelf after shelf for bargains, plus knowing when you see a piece with great resale potential, you could make a lot of money online flipping through those pre-owned finds.
Here's what I mean: You buy a side table for $5 on Facebook Marketplace, give it some love with a wood stain or chalk paint, then sell it online for $50. Or you find a snakeskin Versace bag that's somehow in the $5 bin at Goodwill, and you make a hundred-dollar profit online. All because you know the current price and value of things.
This option makes you earn money by shopping. It sounds too good to be true, but it doesn't have to be.
Useful Websites: eBay, Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, thredUP
Please note: listen, this applies to each of these ideas, but it needs to be said here for sure. Don't go into debt while trying to make money. That just doesn't add up. Like, literally.
Work with a cash only mindset (or debit card only, but you know what I mean). If you can't pay, don't play. And before you buy something to flip, always do your research to make sure you can actually turn a profit. (Pro tip: ebay is a good place to start if you're filtering by completed and sold listings!)
13. Make and sell items online.
For all my crafty friends, you could make money with what is now just a hobby. This works for everything from making handwritten inspirational quotes to hand-knitted pup cardigans. Not that I bought the last one or anything, although my Frenchies do get cold in December.
As you price your items, look around you to see what similar items are looking for. You don't want to price too high and lose a sale or too low and have reduced profit margins.
Useful Websites: Etsy, Squarespace, Amazon Handmade
Please note: with Etsy, you have listing fees and a portion of the sale goes to your pockets. Amazon Handmade doesn't charge you to list items, but it takes a pretty big percentage of the sale.
Here's the thing though: Etsy and Amazon both get a lot of traffic and are very trusted. Therefore, buyers sometimes prefer to deal with them instead of their personal website. You just have to weigh the pros and cons! Also, don't forget about your local neighborhood Facebook group, that can be a great place to sell homemade treats!
Make money online. . . then what?
I hope this list has been helpful. But you know what is not useful? Make money and not budget it. Yeah, that's a surefire way to accidentally spend everything you made,& which will get you nowhere in the end.& That is not the point of all this. You have goals to achieve or inflation to fight. When you make money online, make sure every extra dollar gets you a job.
So before you set up your storefront or post your first article, download EveryDollar. It's our free budgeting tool, and it's the perfect way to make sure all this extra money doesn't go to waste. He gets to work!
