How to make money online
1. Pick up freelance work online
Make money online through websites such as Upwork, Fiverr and Freelancer.com. These sites offer opportunities to do a variety of freelance jobs, like writing, programming, design, marketing, data entry and being a virtual assistant.
A report from Freelancer.com found that computer security jobs had the fastest growth in listings on its site in the second quarter of 2024, up 27.1%.
Jobs involving writing skills are also in high demand. Although generative artificial intelligence (AI) is being used more for content creation, it can’t fully do the work of human writers.
Companies are looking for writers who know how to edit AI content and who have at least a basic understanding of search engine optimization — learning or beefing up SEO skills could be a lucrative side hustle.
No matter what freelancing you do, keep track of the going rate for the kind of work you provide so you know what to charge. Some freelancers are charging $100 an hour or more for their freelance writing services.
Expert take: Soraya Ivette is a content marketing strategist who offers services on Fiverr. She started freelancing part time when she was home with her young children, and has done well.
"Once I set up my profile on Fiverr, I started getting job requests within a couple of weeks and I started taking on more jobs and making regular money consistently every month," she said in an email interview.
Total time: It can take a while to get your first gig. Setup: 24-48 hours. How easy to start: Easy, if you have the expertise. Age threshold: Typically 16 to 18+. How fast you'll get paid: Varies by site.
2. Test websites and apps
Another way to make money from home is on sites like UserTesting.com. You get paid for your thoughts on how well — or not so well — certain websites and apps work. You’ll have to complete a short test to be accepted by UserTesting, then you’ll be paid depending on the test type.
Total time: Approval can take a few days. Setup: Less than an hour. How easy to start: Easy, if you have the tech gear and complete a sample test. Age threshold: 18+. How fast you'll get paid: Usually after 14 days.
3. Learn to use AI tools
Generative artificial intelligence is so hot right now. Research from PwC estimates that the North American economy will see a $3.7 trillion impact by 2030, thanks to the AI market
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It's a good time to learn how to make money by using AI tools. Some AI-related side hustles include:
Integrating AI tools as a freelancer, to help you create digital products or to edit AI content for a client.
Improving your advertising, marketing efforts and management of your existing small business.
Teaching others to use AI tools.
Total time: Depends on demand. Setup: Around 24-48 hours if using a site like Upwork or Freelancer.com. How easy to start: If you’re already familiar with AI tools, it will be easier to get started. Age threshold: 16+ for Freelancer.com and 18 for Upwork. How fast you'll get paid: Varies by client or the number of products you sell and your chosen platform.
4. Take surveys for money
You can make money from home by taking online surveys, but don’t expect to earn a lot. Survey sites don’t typically offer a big payoff, and many sites are more useful for earning gift cards than cash.
Some of the more popular survey sites include Swagbucks and Survey Junkie. Read about how little we made with survey sites to find out which one might be best suited for you.
Total time: It will take a while. Setup: Just minutes. How easy to start: Very. Just register and begin. Age threshold: 13 to 18+, depending on the site. How fast you'll get paid: Varies by site.
5. Make money from your blog with affiliate links
If you’re a blogger who gets decent traffic, you could make money by joining an affiliate network. Affiliates get paid when someone clicks through from the website to the partner site and buys something there.
Some bloggers make a lot of money this way, particularly those who do affiliate marketing full-time. You can use social media or a platform like Pinterest to drive traffic to your blog. Read more about affiliate marketing and other ways to make money blogging.
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: While getting started can be easy, creating regular content may be another matter. Age threshold: Varies. How fast you'll get paid: A month or two, on average.
6. Sell your wares on Etsy
Have a penchant for woodworking, jewelry-making, embroidery or pottery? Sell your crafts on Etsy, the go-to site for artisans selling home goods, art and knickknacks. According to Etsy, the company has more than 95 million active buyers. Learn more about how to make money on 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+. How fast you'll get paid: Daily, weekly, biweekly or monthly, depending on your preference.
7. Self-publish an e-book
Writing a good book is tough, but the internet makes it easy to bring it to market. If you’re a writer who can churn out pages, you can use Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing to sell your books(s) on the Kindle store. It’s free to publish a book, and you can earn up to 70% of each sale in royalties. Write your book, enter a clear description and the details to be displayed and upload your manuscript. Set the price and see if it sells.
Total time: How fast can you type? We don’t have to tell you writing a book can be a slog. Setup: Quick and easy on KDP once the book is ready. How easy to start: Just start writing. Age threshold: 18+, but parents and guardians can use their accounts to sell minors’ books. How fast you’ll get paid: Monthly. You'll need to meet a $100 threshold for wire or check payments.
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