How to make money online
Making money online is what a lot of people think about when they first hear about the gig economy. It has a lot of benefits and advantages, but it also has some pitfalls.
1. Pick up freelance work online
Despite what some may think, you can make money online through websites like Upwork, These sites offer opportunities to do a variety of freelance jobs and can provide you with a source of income. However, these sites can also be difficult to navigate, especially for beginners. If you want your freelance business to take off, you need to become fluent in a second language.
Sites such as Gengo and One Hour Translation offer online translation services. If that’s not enough, many freelancers maintain their site sites matter what kind of freelancing they do, keep track of the going rate for the kind of work they provide so you know if you’re charging too much or too little.
Total time: It can take a while to get your first gig.
Setup: 24 hours.
How easy to start: Easy, if you have the expertise.
Age threshold: 13+ but varies by site.
Payment speed: Varies by the site.
2. Test websites and apps
If you’re looking for ways to make some extra cash from home, UserTesting.com is a great option. You can get paid for your feedback on how well certain websites and apps work. After you pass a short test, you’ll be able to earn $10 for each 20-minute test. This will involve recording yourself and answering four follow-up written questions. If you’re interested, you could also earn up to $120 by participating in a video conversation with a customer.
Total time: Approval time can vary.
Setup: Less than an hour.
How easy to start: Easy, if you have the tech gear and complete a sample test.
Age threshold: 18+.
Payment speed: Seven days.
3. Pick up tasks on Amazon’s Mechanical Turk
Even though automation is commonplace in many industries, some jobs are still better suited for human workers. Companies will often use services like Amazon’s Mechanical Turk to outsource these types of positions. As a “worker,” the tasks you may be assigned can be repetitive and time-consuming, such as tagging images, transcribing videos, or classifying receipts. These tasks can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to complete.
“Employers who are only looking for temporary workers, or “requesters”, set the price for each task. They also get to approve the finished product before paying you. This can, unfortunately, leave room for scams, so do your research before you start working. Join a community like the MTurk Crowd forum, or the MTurk and Turker Nation subreddits. These can help you steer clear of shifty employers.”
These groups and like-minded individuals can provide answers and give you a better understanding of how much money you can make. Reading more about Mechanical Turk can help you make money quickly and efficiently.
Total time: Several days to find out if you’re approved.
Setup: Depends on the task you choose.
How easy to start: Easy if you have certain skills.
Age threshold: 18+.
Payment speed: You get paid following work approval, which can take up to 30 days.
4. Take surveys for money
There are several ways to make money from home, taking online surveys being one of them. However, don’t expect to get rich quickly by doing this. In most cases, survey sites won’t offer a large payout, and many are better suited for earning gift cards than actual cash. Some of the more popular survey sites include Swagbucks and Survey Junkie.
Total time: It will take a while.
Setup: Just minutes.
How easy to start: Very. Just register and begin.
Age threshold: 13 to 18+.
Payment speed: Varies by the site.
5. Make money from your blog as an affiliate
As a blogger, you could potentially make money ways by joining an affiliate network. With affiliate marketing, you get paid when someone clicks through from your website to a partner site and makes a purchase. Some bloggers have made a lot of money through this method.
Total time: It can take quite a while to build an audience.
Setup: With blog templates, building a site is easy.
How easy to start: Starting is not that difficult. Creating regular content may be another matter.
Age threshold: Any.
Payment speed: A month or two, on average.
6. Sell your wares on Etsy
Do you have a passion for woodworking, jewelry-making, embroidery, or pottery? Then Etsy is the perfect platform for you to sell your wares. With over 82 million active buyers, it’s certainly a marketplace worth considering. Not to mention, it generated over $10 billion in merchandise sales in 2020 alone! So if you’re looking to get started in eCommerce, be sure to check out Etsy.
Total time: It might take quite a while for customers to find you.
Setup: Can be quite involved.
How easy to start: Leaning toward “hard” on the difficulty meter.
Age threshold: 13+.
Payment speed: From the next day to seven days after a sale.
7. Get advertising revenue from your blog or YouTube channel
You can turn your cat videos into cash videos by signing up for Google AdSense. This program allows businesses to place ads on your YouTube channel or blog, and you earn money every time someone clicks on an ad. There are some requirements you must meet to be eligible for AdSense, but it’s a great way to make money from your cat videos!
Total time: It can take several weeks to get up and running.
Setup: Not that hard.
How easy to start: Depends on how good you are at producing interesting videos.
Age threshold: 18+.
Payment speed: Could take a long while to earn the first payout; then monthly.
8. Become an Instagram influencer
Many businesses are using Instagram influencers to market their products. If you have a large and dedicated following on the platform, you can apply for opportunities with marketing platforms like Open Influence or AspireIQ. Alternatively, you can directly contact the brands you want to work with.
Total time: You’ll need to stick with it.
Setup: Quick and easy.
How easy to start: Not that easy. It’s a very competitive platform.
Age threshold: 13+.
Payment speed: Varies on partnerships.
9. Monetize your Twitch channel
If you’re a gamer with a large following on Twitch, you could make money from home by broadcasting your gameplay. Viewers can donate to their favorite broadcasters, and if you reach Affiliate or Partner status, you can earn a share of the subscription and ad revenue. Learn more about how to make money on Twitch.
Total time: This can be a long game.
Setup: Quick and easy.
How easy to start: Easy to start; takes a while to build a following.
Age threshold: 13+.
Payment speed: Monthly.
10. Sell your photography
There are several ways to make money from your photographs online. Fine Art America is one site that lets you upload your images to sell as prints, T-shirts, phone cases, and more. Other marketplaces for photographers include SmugMug, 500px, and PhotoShelter. Some sites require a subscription but may provide features ranging from.
There are several ways to monetize your photography online. Fine Art America is one site that lets you upload your images to sell as prints, T-shirts, phone cases, and more. Other marketplaces for photographers include SmugMug,
Total time: Buyers need to find you — and like your work.
Setup: Just a few hours.
How easy to start: If you have a library of photos, you’re on the way.
Age threshold: Any.
Payment speed: Depends on your sales platform.
11. Sell unused gift cards
Sell your unwanted gift cards for cash on a site like CardCash or GiftCash. These websites typically pay out up to 92% of the card’s value. On CardCash, you can also trade in your card for one you’ll use.
Total time: Depends on the popularity of the gift card.
Setup: Easy. How easy to start: The more gift cards you have to sell, the better.
Age threshold: Old enough to have a credit card.
Payment speed: Varies by sale method.
12. Sell your gently used clothes
One quick way to make some money is to sell clothes you no longer wear. You can start by taking your clothes to local consignment shops or by using sites like ThredUp or Poshmark to find buyers. If you go the online route, be sure to take clear, well-lit photos of your pieces and research similar items to set competitive prices.
Total time: Varies by sales channel.
Setup: Easy and fast. You can simply go to a consignment shop or fill a box with clothes and send it in.
How easy to start: Easy. Cleaning out the closet may be the hardest part.
Age threshold: Any.
Payment speed: Varies by sales channel.
13. Trade in old phones, and electronics for cash
Do you have an old phone, iPad, or gaming system taking up space? Sell it on a site like Swappa or Gazelle. You could also check out Amazon’s trade-in program, which gives you Amazon gift cards for your old devices. eBay also has a similar program. If you need cash quickly, try an ecoATM kiosk. These kiosks give you cash for your old devices on the spot.
Total time: Lots of options, so your time spent will vary.
Setup: A breeze.
How easy to start: Easy. Have a phone, a cell phone.
Age threshold: Any.
Payment speed: Varies by where you sell.
14. Get a babysitting gig
There are many opportunities for college students and recent retirees to make money by watching other people’s children. Getting referrals from friends and family is a great way to get started, but you can also create a free profile on Care.com or Sittercity to expand your reach. Be sure to note any specialized skills or qualifications you have that could be of interest to potential clients.
Total time: Online setup takes minutes; neighborhood referrals may take a while.
Setup: Just minutes.
How easy to start: Getting the word out is the main thing.
Age threshold: Very young if you’re using referrals. 18+ online.
Payment speed: When the parents come home.
15. Rent out your car
City-dwellers often find that they don’t need to use their cars for days or weeks at a time. This can free up extra money by renting out their car through services like Getaround or Turo. Getaround and Turo take a cut for protecting your car while it’s being rented, but you take home the majority of those earnings.
Total time: Demand for your car will depend on the local market.
Setup: It takes about a half-hour to set up an account.
How easy to start: With an appropriate vehicle, it’s easy.
Age threshold: A valid driver’s license and 21+.
Payment speed: Varies by the site.
16. Sign up for TaskRabbit
Do you enjoy putting together Ikea furniture or standing in long lines? You may be cut out for doing tasks for others. Websites like TaskRabbit can connect you with people who need help with a variety of things, such as moving, cleaning, delivery, and handyman services.TaskRabbit can help you with a variety of tasks, both virtual and in-person. To get started, simply create an account and browse the available tasks. You can also read more about how to get started on the TaskRabbit blog.
Total time: Local demand for your skills will determine the time you spend.
Setup: A couple of hours, then some time for approval.
How easy to start: Easy, though you’ll need to do some research.
Age threshold: 18+.
Payment speed: A few days after a job.
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17. Drive for Uber, Lyft
Be your boss and make money by driving passengers around with Uber or Lyft. Just make sure to factor in gas and maintenance costs. You’ll need an eligible car in good condition and must agree to a background check and review of your driving history. Learn more about how to become an Uber or Lyft driver.
Total time: Depends on your market demand.
Setup: A few weeks.
How easy to start: Not difficult, but you’ll need the right type of vehicle.
Age threshold: Licensed to drive in your locality with one year of licensed driving experience.
Payment speed: Very fast. Either instantly or within days.
18. Make deliveries for Amazon, Uber Eats
If you’re looking to earn some extra cash, why not sign up for a delivery service like Instacart, Uber Eats, Postmates, DoorDash, or Amazon Flex? You’ll get paid per delivery, and in some cases, you can even earn tips. You don’t always need a car to make deliveries. In some cities, you can use a bike or scooter. But you will almost always need to go through a background check first. Learn more about how to get started with Amazon Flex, Uber Eats, and Instacart.
Total time: Depends on your market demand.
Setup: About a week.
How easy to start: Easy, if you have dependable transportation.
Age threshold: 21+.
Payment speed: Varies by the vendor.
19. Find work as a house sitter
If you’re interested in being a housesitter and taking care of someone’s home while they’re away – like feeding the pets, watering the plants, and taking out the garbage – you can try looking online at websites like HouseSitter.com. People usually make around $25 to $45 a day from doing this.
Total time: Depends on your market demand.
Setup: Minutes — or more if you try to drum up business by referrals.
How easy to start: That can depend on the need in your area.
Age threshold: Varies by the site.
Payment speed: At the end of a gig.
