With the cost of living reaching new heights every year, even those of us who work full-time could use a little extra cash to help ease the strain. However, most of us feel that with work commitments, social lives, or families to look after, there just isn’t time to start a new moneymaking venture.
One of the best things about our digital age is how easily the Internet can be used to make money. These days, you don’t have to be a seasoned entrepreneur or an experienced salesperson to make your living online, and anyone can work freelance from home. What you do need, however, is knowledge, patience, and an hour or two to spare each day. To help you get started, here are ten online side hustles that will be worth your time.
Freelance Writing
While this endeavor does require a degree of skill, it’s never too late to learn to be a better writer. Improving your written communication skills can help you in all areas of life, plus it can quickly become a fast and effective way to make money.
You can write for freelancing websites like Fiverr or Upwork, or you can submit articles to agencies or private clients. It may take you some time to build up a portfolio, and you may need to offer your services for free to start with, but once you build up some experience, there’s no limit for what you can earn as a freelance writer.
Opening an Etsy Shop
If crafting is something you do as a hobby, you’ve probably heard of sites like Etsy where you can sell your creations. If you can knit, sew, or crochet and you come up with a marketable niche, your services could be in high-demand. To set yourself above the competition, offer personalized services. For instance, you could make baby clothes with the child’s name stitched on, or custom-made jewelry.
Playing Games Online
You can sign up to a site like Swagbucks and get paid to play games, watch videos, and take surveys online. Bear in mind that although the site is free, you will need to invest a lot of your time into this venture, and the “points” you earn won’t amount to much. However, if you like playing games and you’re happy to switch your search engine to Swagbucks’ own, you could make a little cash back every time you browse the net, and no one can argue with that.
Although you should exercise caution when betting online, playing online casino games can also be a fun way to put a little extra money in your pocket. Just don’t gamble what you can’t afford to lose, and remember to stay responsible. Unfortunately, there are some illegitimate and even dangerous sites out there, so make sure you do your research before signing up. MPL Casino provides trusted advice on how to find the right online casino and avoiding scammers.
Teaching Others
If you have a skill like math or English, you could use the Internet to impart your knowledge to students over the Internet. There are numerous online teaching platforms out there that will enable you to connect with students and host online courses. Alternatively, you could create a website and advertise your services on social media.
SEO Consulting
If you’re Internet savvy with an analytical streak, you could make money as a freelance SEO consultant. There are numerous courses you can take to fine-tune your search engine optimization skills, and knowing how to make websites and posts more visible is a highly sought-after skill in this digital age.
Publishing an e-Book
If you have knowledge or a story to share, write your own e-book and publish it online through Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Although this one may take up more time than you can dedicate to a side-hustle, once your book is saleable, listing it on one of these platforms is a great way to make passive income from your efforts. Just make sure you consult a publicist or research marketing techniques to help get your book in the spotlight.
Selling on eBay
If you have unwanted items or collectibles, eBay can be excellent moneymaking platforms, and you can de-clutter your home in the process. If you’re a particularly savvy seller, you can look out for potentially valuable items that no one is bidding on and buy and resell them. The same applies to defective tech items if you know how to fix them up. Sometimes, all it takes to make a sale is the right image and marketing pitch, so do your research and get to work. Just make sure you consider the site’s fees before you start.
Stock Photography
Are you a photographer in the making with an impressive portfolio of snaps? Then you could be selling them online to businesses and blogs. By uploading your images to a site like iStockPhoto, you’ll earn a royalty each some someone purchases one of your pictures.
Becoming a Virtual Assistant
As a virtual assistant, you can make money helping out busy professionals from the comfort of your own home, undertaking tasks like booking flights, answering phone calls, and managing an online diary. The downside to this option is that it’s typically not that flexible, as most entrepreneurs and professionals who want to use your services will require you to be available during standard working hours. However, if you have the right experience and can build up a reputation, you stand to earn up to $25 an hour from home.
Mystery Shopping
As a mystery shopper, you’ll be compensated for scoping out businesses, restaurants, and stores, either with money or freebies. Mystery shopping is a great option if you like shopping or eating out in restaurants, but it won’t make you a millionaire. You can also do “phone mystery shopping,” which is where your research is conducted over the phone as you pose as a customer.
So, there you have it: ten side hustles that could well improve your financial health. If you’re looking to work more flexibly, harnessing the Internet as a moneymaking tool is a great way to increase your income. Just be wary that not all sites are legitimate, so never give out your bank details online, and don’t expect to make a fortune overnight.