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They say that money makes the world go round. Whether you are struggling to pay bills, want to save up for something special, or just want to have some extra fun money available, you do not need to go out and look for another job outside of the home to increase your dough. We live in an internet- and computer-based society, and that means there are more ways than ever to earn money online and from the comfort of your home. Work-at-home jobs are not just limited to customer service anymore and while it may not always be easy to find a full-time job, there is plenty of work available to add up to full-time pay.
1. Sell Used Stuff
There are so many sites today that allow you to sell items you no longer want. If you are looking to earn some extra cash, start out by looking around your house for things you no longer want; list them on eBay or Poshmark. For a more local approach, you can also make some fast cash on Facebook marketplace.
You can also purchase clearance sale items or thrift store finds and gain profit by listing them as well. The key to reselling is to do your research and find out what’s selling and for what price and then make smart purchases.
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2. Get Crafty
Makers gonna make. In the past few years, craft marketplaces have popped up all over the Internet and offer a place where you can sell your handy work to those who appreciate handmade items. Etsy is the most popular marketplace out there. You can create your own web store on this site and list your handmade crafts, vintage items, and craft supplies. There are plenty of other sites on the web that cater to arts and crafts of all types. You can earn some extra money while enjoying your favorite hobbies.
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3. Product Testing
Some of the best things in life are free and market researchers love to hand out new products in exchange for consumer feedback. If you like to try new products and have the opportunity to try them out for free, do some research and find the market research companies that offer products you desire to try. You can join campaigns and they will send the products or coupons to you to test them and provide feedback. You will generally have to fill out surveys and provide written reports (think affiliate marketing) based on your opinions. You will get to keep the products and they will sometimes even send you a monetary gift as an offer of thanks for doing the work.
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4. Surveys
Completing paid online surveys is one of the most popular ways to earn extra cash online. Survey sites are devoted to just surveys, so you can register with and be paired with work that best fits your profile. You will get paid according to the terms listed at the beginning of the survey and will have the chance to add some extra money to your wallet. When taking surveys, it is important, to be honest, and take them seriously because you can be banned from the site if the researchers determined you did not put any effort into your answers.
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5. Videos
Videos are everywhere on the Internet and some work-at-home websites will give you the opportunity to get paid for watching them. Video creators get paid for clicks – every hit their video receives online. Those who are new to the business will often try to maximize the views by sharing small profits with those who are registered to watch the videos for pay. You will earn a few cents per video watched and can kick back on the couch while doing it.
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6. Freelance Writing
The world becomes a better place when people learn new things, and if you are a good writer, you can put your skills to use and help educate the world. If you love to write, consider your next side gig as a freelance writer. Freelance writers are always needed for blog posts, magazines, websites, and more. Business owners are often willing to pay a good price for a well-written article they can use, and you will get some fast cash as a result. There are several different ways in which you can embark on a freelance writing career. You can register for an article writing website, look through the writing job boards, or contact a publication on your own and pitch your ideas. The sky is the limit to how much you can earn.
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7. Paid Tasks
If you know your way around a computer, have a solid internet connection, and can type fast; consider doing paid tasks for companies on the Internet. You can do data entry, web design, research information and so much more. You can register for online micro-task companies. You will get to work with clients who need to get projects done and will be able to work from the comfort of your own home.
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8. Receipt Uploads
If you are comfortable with market researchers knowing what you buy and tracking your spending behaviors, you can earn cash by downloading receipt apps to your phone and taking photos of your receipts. With each receipt you take a picture of, you will receive points that you can cash in for money or gift cards.
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9. Create Your Own Website
If you have ever dreamed of making your own stamp on the world and have some computer skills, create your own website and start earning cash. You can create a blog and sell advertising space, as well as websites where you can sell your own products and services. There is no limit to the number of ways you can make money with your own website. Find a niche that interests you and explore how profitable it can be.
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Thanks to the Internet you no longer need to go out and get a second job in order to make some extra cash. You can take advantage of online platforms that are already out there or branch out and create your own money-making website. The possibilities are endless and you will be able to live a better life as a result.
10. Share Your Skills
Any skills you have can offer you a legit way to potentially make money online, as well – think about it. You can produce work through Upwork or Fiverr or you can spend some time teaching others how to do that work for themselves.
Do you have fantastic Photoshop or photography skills? Maybe you know how to build a killer social media schedule, understand how to rock search engine optimization, or plan an amazing event (like a party). Perhaps you’re a pro when it comes to designing WordPress sites. With a site like Udemy, you can actually teach these skills to others online and earn an income off things you already know! It’s easy to get started and Skillshare offers plenty of resources to help you build your class.
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11. Social Media Management
Today, pretty much any business can benefit from some form of social media presence, whether that’s just a Facebook page or a full-on suite of streams including Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram as well. Learning each of these websites involves an investment of time and attention that not every business owner is ready or willing to give. That’s where you come in. If you are skilled at using social media platforms: become their Social Media Manager! Most of us have spent plenty of time on these platforms, but owning a social media account doesn’t make you an expert. However, owning social media accounts and having a strong knowledge of what is trending, how to build advertising revenue, and knowing how to engage a customer is a recipe for success.
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12. Transcription
This is one of the classic online work opportunities and well-suited to picking up your downtime. All you need to do basic transcription is the ability to listen and type what you hear – correctly – at a respectable typing speed. On average, it’s best if your typing speed is around 65 WPM and you can maintain an accuracy of at least 95%, though you’ll find that most transcription opportunities urge you to maintain 99% accuracy. Many transcription companies pay per audio hour transcribed, so it’s in your best interests to be as quick and accurate as possible to maximize your earnings. You can often make more by having the background to specialize in medical or legal transcription.
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13. Capture Cash Through the Tube
Find your niche and launch your side gig through YouTube.
Once you have identified your core subject matter, create a schedule for uploads, plan your content, and start building a loyal and strong audience.
*Almost* every kind of tutorial is available on YouTube. Teach skills, stream yourself playing video games, makeup tutorials, getting crafty, auto maintenance, gardening… you name it, there is a good chance there is some kind of content on YouTube.
The caveat is that you need to make content that people actually want to watch. Passive income (or in some cases, major income) is created by increasing the views of your content. Your youtube channel needs followers. Once you have reached the elusive 1,000-subscriber goal, you are ready to monetize.
While you do not necessarily have to be a professional photographer/videographer to find success on YouTube, creating strong content is key. Create eye-catching titles, use keywords, and get yourself out there to not only gain viewers but also gain advertise. This is a great way to get yourself a part of an affiliate program to increase your income even more.
14. Search the Web
Believe it or not, but simply searching the web is a viable way to make some extra cash from home. There are two main methods of getting paid for web searches, and the first means being comfortable giving your information to marketers and foregoing your usual search engine. Several “Get Paid To” sites like Swagbucks or MyPoints will reward you for using their site’s search engine to search the web by periodically (and randomly) giving you points for your searches. The second method is to become a web search evaluator – these jobs give you specific search assignments and pay you for doing these web searches and evaluating the results.
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15. Website or App Testing
One major part of any design process is checking to make sure that what you’ve created actually works as it is intended – so there are a ton of websites and apps out there that need to be checked, and you could make some extra money by being the one to test them! Testers are usually paid by the test, and it’s often only around $10 per test – however, $10 for a few minutes of your time isn’t bad! You’ll generally be given a website or app to look at along with a series of instructions on what you should try to do – then you’ll either have your voice and screen actions recorded or you’ll write a short report afterward on how well the website or app worked. That’s it.
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16. Tutor
The need for online tutors seems to be growing every day, particularly in the ESL industry. (ESL stands for English as a Second Language.) There are many apps that are looking for native English speakers to assist their students, often through simple conversation – so there are opportunities for you even if you don’t have any teaching experience. Beyond the English-teaching market, there’s also a niche for those who can help middle school students with their homework assignments and more general tutoring positions available online to assist students at all levels with their studies.
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17. Answer Questions
Just like you can turn a profit on sharing your skills online, you can also do so using your knowledge. There are a variety of sites out there that will pay you to do research, answer questions, or be an on-call expert in a number of different industries. Have a nursing degree? You can pick up some extra cash when you’re off duty by answering medically-related questions. Off-duty handyman or plumber? You can do the same thing with home improvement questions. If you just enjoy researching, you can pull in some cash by doing research through a website like Wonder.
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18. Moderator
Social networking is the name of the game these days, which has led to a proliferation of interactive sites – from social media giants Facebook and Twitter to open web forums like Reddit to private forums on the company and personal sites large and small. One thing these sites all have in common is that they require moderators and content specialists – people monitoring interactions, ensuring they follow the terms of service and maintain the level of etiquette required by each site. Brands hire moderators (and customer service reps) to babysit their brand image on social media, responding to complaints and making sure everyone has a positive experience – as much as possible, anyway. While some companies handle moderation in-house, there are a number of companies out there looking for moderators – and it’s something you can do part-time!
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19. Virtual Assistant
Becoming a virtual assistant is not just a legit work-from-home opportunity – it’s a position you can build a business and career on! Virtual assistants can work with a company that specializes in outsourcing assistants to various clients or you can fly solo and set up your own VA company. Each path has its own benefits and drawbacks – for example, if you work for a VA company, they do all the work of finding you, clients. But they also take a cut of what clients pay for your services. Becoming a VA is a great option if you have many different office skills – or writing skills, research skills, agenda-planning skills, and more. My very first remote job was working as a virtual assistant and I have tons of resources on my site to help you.
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20. Private Labeling
If you have some money to play with, a creative method of income is through private labeling. The practice of private labeling essentially involves choosing a product you’d like to sell, sourcing a generic version of that product for resale, creating your own brand, and selling your products through Amazon. It may take a significant investment of time to set up, but you can set it up so it’s all automated and hands-off after you first launch. Ship your product to Amazon, Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) will handle shipping (and returns) to your customer, and you collect the money you make. You get to sell a product without the worry of launching your own online store, running ads, or shipping.
Learn more:
- How to Make Money Selling Private Label Products on Amazon
- 9 Work-from-Home Side Hustles That Can Earn You $50,000 a Year
