It seems as though the internet has been around forever. We’ve become so reliant on it, it’s difficult to imagine how we ever managed before.
During the 2000s, people were genuinely scared of shopping online in fear of scams. Nowadays, the internet is often the first point-of-purchase. It’s also given us easier access to more information than ever before. Anything you want or need, you can find. More businesses and services are moving online as people look to stake their claim in this growing marketplace.
Traditional offices might soon be affected. The amount of companies letting people work from home has increased 115% since 2005 in the United States. And in the last five years, there’s been a 40% increase, allowing them to make big savings.
Employers save $44 billion each year by adopting this practice. Companies have an obligation to maximize profits. With huge savings to be made, you can expect more to adopt this new way of work.
Liveops is leading the way for remote work. Providing you have a phone line, internet access, and a PC, you can work from the comfort of your own home. At the moment, they insist you be based in the States, but the world is changing fast. In the not-too-distant future, you might be able to do the same from a tropical beach town or a villa in Portugal.
In the meantime, there are plenty of other ways to make money online.
While researching this subject, a key theme kept coming up: Provide value. Do not look for the easy buck. Short term this might mean doing a lot for little return. Once you are recognized as an authority, however, reap the rewards of your hard work.
Google AdSense
Use Google AdSense is a handy way of generating some extra income through your own website, blog, or Youtube channel. It allows Google to place ads on your site and you get paid every time someone clicks on them. Providing your ads earn you more than US$100 per month, Google will pay you by direct debit. If you learn less, your payment will simply roll over to the next month until you reach US$100.
There are lots of benefits to using this program. It’s free, and they’re happy to work with nearly any site. If your page is new or not yet generating a lot of traffic, Google AdSense is still likely to work with you.
Pay heed to this warning: Google AdSense will terminate your account if your site is doing something they don’t like. Be watchful of cautioning emails from Google and act quickly to resolve any issue.
This is a great way to earn some extra income and monetize your blog or website. However, it’s not a way to earn a full-time living.
Affiliate Marketing
Promote somebody else’s product on your website through an ad or link in exchange for commission. Cookies monitor all visitors. If they make a purchase, you’ll receive a profit. Usually, what you earn is a percentage of the sale you generate, but you can opt for a set fee.
Start by signing up for an affiliate program, Amazon is a good choice. The best way to earn affiliate commissions is to write articles that highlight and promote the affiliate link. For example, if you write a travel blog, you can mention how a distinct travel pillow made sleeping on your flight easy. On that same page, add a link to the product.
Affiliate marketing is an easy way to get your website working for you. Find out what kind of links work well with your site and go for it.
Coaching And Consulting
If you’re an expert in a specific field, you can use that to generate income online. Establish yourself as an expert and earn big money.
First, set yourself up with an online presence. Create a profile highlighting your experiences and successes. Get people to visit your site by doing some research. Find out how your knowledge can help them.
Write out a list of FAQs and provide people with some answers. Giving free information is a useful way of generating good reviews. This is important if you plan to ask people for payment in advance (which is a wise option in most cases).
Online Courses
If you have some skills or knowledge to pass on, structure them in the form of a course. Provide a complete guide for anyone who wants to learn a new skill. Get paid again and again for the same document by offering a pdf people can download.
Websites like Teachable are a good starting point, and they also help with receiving payments. Advertise through your own website and, for extra publicity, visit forums dealing with your subject and advertising your product.
Teach English
Teaching through Skype is good fun and a way to earn decent money. If you’re based overseas, put up some ads in local schools, colleges, and universities. Online community notice boards are another good place to advertise.
With hard work and patience, teaching English online can prove to be the fastest and easiest way of generating a full-time income. As an added benefit, you don’t need to invest any money to get started.
Podcasting
If you have the gift of eloquence, make a regular income podcasting. Advertisers are spending billions each year to market successful podcasts. You don’t need experience or backing from a big company. Many of the most successful podcasts consist of nothing more than a few friends and recording equipment.
If you provide quality content that your listeners engage with, they may choose to donate. This can help cover the costs of your equipment when you’re just starting. Although podcasting is an interesting option for making money, it is unlikely you will make your fortune here. This is a means of earning some extra income doing something you enjoy.
Freelance Writing
Freelance writing can provide a steady income, often equal to that of a more conventional job.
Starting a blog is probably the easiest way in this line of work. It requires minimal cash and time to set up a professional looking website. You can find popular blogs on any subject. Write about your hobbies, passions, or anything else you might enjoy.
These are great for increasing your online presence. You can also send material to other companies if you’re looking to get hired as a writer. Although it may take several months (even years), it can become a big earner once you have a strong online following.
Another option is getting work as a copy writer or article writer. There are lots of websites and businesses in need of quality content. If you can provide this, they will pay you well.
YouTube
Most people won’t earn bucket loads of money, but YouTube can generate a decent income. From music lessons to mechanics, if your videos are engaging, this option might work well for you.
Build An Online Community
Create a website that becomes a meeting point for an online community and make a lot of money through advertising and affiliate links. You need to find a gap in the market, but the rewards can be great. Provide educational, entertaining, and motivational content. If you are not an expert in a field, try to get a Q&A session with someone who is. Share their knowledge with your community.
It can be built around almost anything. For example, a community of teachers share lesson plans. Another example can be one of bodybuilders who meet and discuss all the latest training methods and nutritional products.
To be successful, focus on providing the most valuable content for the user. Make sure they have a forum to share ideas and participate in discussions, and moderate comments to prevent trolls from taking things off course. Keep people engaged.
Shutterstock And iStock
Nearly every article, post, or news story needs some illustration, so demand for new high quality images is rather high. Keep an eye on news stories and current affairs. Grab hold of a good camera and try to think of images that reflect these stories.
To register with iStock, you need to submit three images. If they pass the quality test, you’re given an account where you can upload the rest. Generally, you start earning money once you have over 100 photos uploaded to your profile. Your pictures will be available for sale online. Once your account balance reaches US$100, you can withdraw the money.
Fulfilled By Amazon—Buy Books For Upcoming Films, Disney DVDs, Etc.
Although normally associated with spending money, it also offers some interesting ways to make money. Fulfilled by Amazon allows you to become an Amazon seller and tap into its global reach.
Amazon started out as a book selling company, which remains a valid way to earn money. Identify books that are likely to increase in value and buy them early. One way of doing this is to check for films scheduled to be released over the next couple of years. Buy the books before they’re in the public consciousness and sell for a tidy profit when everybody is watching the film and talking about the book.
Another way is to stock up on Disney DVDs and Blu-rays. Disney operates using something known as the ‘Disney Vault’. To keep prices and demand high, Disney limits the number of releases. For example Snow White was first released in limited numbers in 1937, then not sold for another 7 years. Most major films are only available every 7 to 10 years. So, if you can hold your stock for a few years, you can make some easy money when the supply is low.
Work For Uber Or Lyft
Not exactly an online job, but being online is key. Uber and Lyft are rapidly taking over traditional taxis and they offer great benefits to people overseas.
You can work as much or as little as you like and at convenient times for you. If you’re working when prices “surge,” you can double your fee.
UberEATS is also becoming more popular. The market is changing and Uber and Lyft seem to be a reliable income maker for a while.
Cryptocurrencies might benefit Uber or Lyft drivers in the coming years. The shift toward instant payments will allow you to be paid literally by the hour. If you need some extra money for an unexpected bill, you can go straight out and drive for Uber.
Oliver Lovett
