Money. It makes the world go round.
Yeah, sure.
In the real world, it pays for student loans, covers the rent, and buys your four-dollar lattes. That’s what salaries are for, right?
Right.
But you want more. Saving for a house deposit, a summer trip to Barcelona, and your rainy-day fund all scream out for your attention.
So, you create a budget. You read up on frugal living and decide to become a master chef at home.
But what if you don’t fancy beans on toast?
Why not start an online side hustle?
You ditch the 9 to 5 and start busting the 5 to 9 instead. You get busy. Because your goals are way bigger than your paycheck.
I’m not talking about dog walking, baking cookies, or feeding the neighbors’ cats.
You’re looking to earn money that will make a difference. Something that will set you free. A game-changer.
The great news is that today, more than ever before, we are flooded with opportunities to start and grow an online side hustle that suits any lifestyle or schedule.
No matter how busy. No matter how broke.
Below you’ll find a list of the most profitable online side gigs you can start to work from home today. If done right, each one has the potential to turn into a full-time cloud-based income. Let’s dig in.
1. Freelance Writing
If you’ve got mad ink-slinging skills, why not profit from it? Freelance writing has become the go-to way to earn an extra income online.
In fact, the industry is buzzing. A recent survey by FreelanceWriting shows most freelance writers work between 10 and 20 hours per week and earn up to $10,000 per year. That number jumps to $40,000 for full-time writers with more than 3 years of experience.
Not bad!
Brace yourself for some stern competition online. For the best chance to land your first few writing gigs, try hitting up the major job boards and pitching daily. These include ProBlogger, BloggingPro, Freelancewriting.com.
Pitching correctly is a fine art that will make you stand out from the competition.
A good pitch
- quickly sums up your skills
- portfolio pieces
- the benefits of working with you
Make sure you tailor your pitch for each job by mentioning the company and contact name.
If you’re a newbie, you’ll want to build up a portfolio to showcase your skills. Over time, referrals and repeat clients will become your primary source of work. So be sure to ask for testimonials after you’ve put together a stellar piece.
Finally, be consistent. You will get better over time and find your voice. That’s when the real fun starts for your online side hustle.
2. Monetize Your Blog
Blogging can become an absolute money-making machine, but… it won’t happen overnight.
Before you start thinking about making any profit, you’ll need a plan and a whole lot of passion. Unfortunately, passion doesn’t pay the rent. If it did, I would be living on the moon right now.
So – let’s focus on the plan.
Choosing a profitable niche is an excellent place to start. Some will earn you money easier than others. But most importantly, you’ll need traffic.
It doesn’t matter how good your blog posts are if nobody reads them. Aim for 10,000 unique monthly visitors to create a decent stream of income. Simply having the numbers won’t guarantee you a profit either, but it’s your best bet to stand a chance.
Already have a blog? Good news! There are numerous ways to monetize your blog, even if you have less than 1000 visitors per day, like:
- Offering a paid subscription to your premium content
- Earning money from online ads
- Writing sponsored posts
- Offering consulting services
At the heart of any passionate blogger is a deep-seated desire to express themselves. It can be a great way of building your brand over time. Unfortunately, blogging alone won’t generate revenue unless you can find a strategy that works for your audience.
So be passionate, express yourself, and learn to live with a little bit of patience. You’ll be surprised where your words might take you.
3. Affiliate Marketing
As an affiliate marketer, you earn commissions for selling other people’s products. And this is a popular model of online side hustle that folks on the internet do.
You simply
- find a product you like,
- promote it, and
- receive a piece of the profit for every successful sale you refer.
What?
To show you how simple it is, check out one of my favorite books of all time, Rich Dad Poor Dad, by, Robert Kiyosaki.
Like what you see? Buy the book, and I’ll earn a commission for referring the sale, at no extra cost to you.
Seriously. It’s that easy.
There are many good reasons to get started as an affiliate marketer.
You don’t need a million-dollar idea. Look into your favorite clothing brand. They probably have an affiliate program.
No capital to start your own business? With affiliate marketing, there’s nothing to worry about. You only need a website, a laptop and an internet connection. I’m guessing you already have two of those covered.
For an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide on how to become an affiliate marketer, feel free to watch this four-part workshop series that covers all you need to know.
4. Sell Stuff on Amazon
Selling stuff on Amazon is the easiest way to reach millions of potential buyers.
Whether you know how to sell a little or a lot – Amazon provides you with all the tools and traffic you need to launch your own successful product.
Amazon sales now make up a whopping 49% of all US e-commerce sales. That means 1 in every 2 online buyers goes to Amazon for anything from food to furniture.
The good news is you can start right away. You don’t need a website. You don’t even need your own product. You only pay $0.99 for every item sold. Worried about shipping? Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) has got your back.
It’s the fastest way to earn on this list. Check out this detailed step-by-step guide on how to get started selling on Amazon FBA in 2020.
5. Start a Podcast
Starting your own podcast is one of the coolest ways to build an audience.
The great thing about podcasting is that your content is audio, which makes it easy to produce and convenient to consume.
People have short attention spans. Podcasting allows the listener to multi-task. How often do you tune into your favorite podcast while doing the dishes, cleaning your apartment, or commuting to work?
Building a money-producing podcast takes a little bit of time and a lot of know-how, but can be a life-changing experience in many ways. Not everyone who listens to your show will come back for more, but those who like what they hear will become loyal followers.
Sharing insightful content on a specific topic consistently will help you establish yourself as an authority in your niche over time. By interviewing guests on your show, the value of your network will increase tenfold.
Once you have the download numbers, there are various ways to monetize your podcast. Charging sponsors to mention their products is a prominent place to start.
It gets even better! Your podcast can be a great tool to promote your own products and services to a loyal fan base.
Getting hired for public speaking gigs, selling mastermind sessions or consultations are further indirect strategies to build solid streams of revenue from your podcast.
6. Build WordPress Websites
If you ever come across a newbie with a website, chances are they’re using WordPress. It has become the go-to website building tool for most small online business owners, and it’s easy to understand why.
WordPress is mind-blowingly simple to use. It also comes with thousands of free themes and offers a plethora of tools and plugins to make your DIY website look smashing.
But, website building isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
I know at least 20 online business owners by name who get the goosebumps at the mere mention of anything tech-related.
Stiff backs, blurred vision, sweaty palms. So they outsource.
Creating custom-made sites for clients can bag you up to $500 for a straightforward design. More advanced gigs can rake in the north of $2000.
To get you connected with potential clients, go to platforms like Codeable, Upwork, and Toptal. You don’t need to be a WordPress genius to land a gig. You’ll be surprised how far the basics will get you.
Add some flair and present yourself professionally and you’re a winner. Also, remember to ask for a review of your services to boost your portfolio of testimonials. Nothing attracts clients with thick wads of cash more than social proof.
7. Teach English Online
You probably thought you had to cross borders for this one right?
Not anymore. In the last decade, learning – and teaching – English has gone online!
Forget about dusty textbooks, photocopy machines, and boring worksheets. Think YouTube videos, blogs, and fun language apps to interact with students.
But first things first.
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) requires you to be certified. Unfortunately, helping your baby brother learn the alphabet doesn’t count.
Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean a four-year college major, though. Check out a list of the best TEFL online courses that will help you lay the groundwork to start your teaching side gig.
So, how much can you earn from teaching English online? First-time tutors with a TEFL certification typically make between $10-$20 per hour. All from the comfort of your living room!
Finding a gig isn’t as hard as you might think. English First, VIPKID and Lingoda are always looking for passionate teachers willing to bring their knowledge to the cloud. These platforms provide all you need to interact in a virtual classroom.
To Conclude
It has never been easier to start a profitable side hustle than today. The internet provides an abundance of opportunities for hustlers of all shapes and sizes to boost their wallets.
Besides the extra income, your online side hustle will allow you to learn new skills and build your personal brand. So be creative!
A side hustle done right can be grown and scaled to a full-time income and allow you more time freedom. It presents the best opportunity to live life on your own terms.
Barcelona? Santorini? Who knows where your online side hustle might take you. Besides, a little extra cash each month never hurt anybody.