An internet connection makes nearly everything accessible, regardless of location or device. If you’re looking for ways to make money immediately, consider our top picks:
- Complete online surveys. Make extra cash by sharing your opinions on popular survey sites.
- Test games and software. Provide developers with insights into their software’s user experience.
- Review websites. Give feedback on people’s websites to improve their usability.
- Try mystery shopping. Get paid to review businesses and share your experience as a customer.
- Sell second-hand items. Declutter your home and sell used items like clothes, appliances, and vehicles.
- Sell school notes. Popular among students who want to maintain good grades while earning money on the side.
- Do voice-over work. Lend your narration talents to commercials, trailers, and audiobooks.
- Monetize art and designs. Sell products bearing your designs and accept art commissions.
- Sell stock photos and footage. Ideal for photographers and videographers looking for a way to make passive income.
- Carry out small jobs. Excellent for people with limited technical skills and a few hours of free time.
Let’s take a closer look at these online money-making ideas and discuss tips to make your business successful.
1. Complete Online Surveys
Method Stats:
- Setup time: a few minutes – users just need to create an account
- Age threshold: 13+ to 18+, varies among different sites
- Time of payment: varies depending on the minimum required amount to cash out
It might sound too good to be true, but you can earn extra cash by completing surveys online during your spare time.
Many companies pay people to participate in surveys for general market research and consumer behavior analysis. These surveys help companies make business decisions, like which products to launch or where to publish advertisements.
However, not everyone can do online surveys. For example, some surveys only target specific groups of people, such as people of a certain gender, age, or occupation.
Most survey sites provide relatively low pay with a certain earnings threshold.
For example, you may make $0.50-$3/survey. But unless you reach a total of $10-$25 in earnings, you won’t be able to cash out. For these reasons, surveys are not a viable long-term way to make money online.
If the potential drawbacks don’t phase you, here are some popular survey sites:
- Swagbucks. Watch videos, play games, and complete online surveys to earn points. Then, redeem them for cash or gift cards.
- Survey Junkie. Help brands deliver better products and services by participating in their market surveys.
- Harris Poll Online. Enter a rewards program by answering polls run by the survey platform.
- QuickRewards. Get paid via PayPal by completing surveys, playing games, watching videos, completing offers, or shopping online. No minimum amount is required to cash out.
2. Test Games and Apps
Method Stats:
- Setup time: minutes to hours, depending on the game’s length
- Age threshold: 18+
- Time of payment: ranging from several days to a few months after completing the game or its beta version
In 2021, the video game industry was worth $178.73 billion – a 14.4% increase from 2020.
Video games also hold the largest share of the global digital media market. As a result, many opportunities have appeared for users to make money online by testing games and other apps.
Some apps, like Mistplay, require players to perform specific tasks and collect in-game currency rewards. These rewards can be redeemed as gift cards or real-world money.
The Global Beta Test Network by Keywords Studios pays people to play games before their official release. Other online games like Givling offer real cash prizes.
However, beware of platforms that use games and apps as a front for scams to steal personal information and bank account details. While they provide an easy way to make money online, check reviews and ensure their legitimacy first.
3. Test Websites and Give Feedback
Method Stats:
- Setup time: a few minutes – users typically need to sign up and take a quick practice test
- Age threshold: 16+ to 18+, varies among different sites
- Time of payment: one or two weeks after the test
If you have a keen eye for website design and development, consider becoming a website tester. It’s a great way to make money quickly and immerse yourself in the web development industry.
To test websites, you must have critical and logical thinking skills, excellent communication abilities, and knowledge of website functionality and design. These qualities can improve your job prospects and test-reporting quality.
Payments are usually project-based, and the rates differ based on the testing methods and the platform’s policy.
For example, UserTesting offers $4–$120/test. Website testers who participate in live interviews with clients make more money.
Here are a few other marketplaces where people can make money online via website testing projects:
- Ubertesters. A crowdsourced testing service focusing on websites, mobile apps, and games.
- Userbrain. An online tool offering user experience testing for websites and digital product prototypes.
- Testbirds. User experience testing for digital products, including eCommerce stores, mobile apps, and fitness trackers.
- Userlytics. In addition to testing websites and apps, it offers projects focusing on reviewing video commercials.
- Trymata. Provides usability tests for websites and mobile apps via recorded videos and survey-based written feedback.
4. Try Mystery Shopping
Method Stats:
- Setup time: a few minutes – users just need to register on the website
- Age threshold: 18+
- Time of payment: once or twice a month, varies between companies
If you love shopping, becoming a mystery shopper is an excellent way to make extra money.
Retailers and market research companies hire mystery shoppers to shop at specific locations and report on the overall consumer experience. They monitor customer service, store conditions, and product quality without the company’s employees knowing they’re being examined.
You can do some mystery shopping work remotely. For example, some jobs involve testing call center quality or evaluating an online retailer’s shopping experience.
Here are some of the most popular companies where people can sign up to be mystery shoppers:
- Market Force. Get hired by grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, and even gas station convenience shops to try their products and services.
- BestMark. Become a field representative or evaluator to help companies improve their business operations.
- Secret Shopper. Perform on-site or phone service evaluations for companies all over the world.
Payments for mystery shoppers vary depending on the company. For each job completed, you can get reimbursed for the items you purchased, receive vouchers and gift cards, or earn between $10–$25 on average.
To avoid scams, remember that you should never pay to become a mystery shopper. And since you would be an independent contractor, companies can’t force you to take on a certain number of mystery shopper jobs.
5. Sell Second-Hand Items
Method Stats:
- Setup time: at least a few hours – users need to sign up on the website, take product photos, and create product listings
- Age threshold: 18+
- Time of payment: once every week or every ten days
Selling or renting out second-hand items is another excellent way to make money and a great motivation to start decluttering your space. Furthermore, selling used items can be a way to save money since you are only selling items you already have.
After inventorying the items you want to sell, take high-quality product photos before listing them on online marketplaces. If you plan to do this long-term, consider making a website to host your own online store.
One of the most popular second-hand items categories is clothing. The market value of the second-hand clothing industry is projected to reach $77 billion by 2026. Therefore, it’s a good time to start your own secondhand clothing store.
Many online marketplaces cater to the second-hand clothing and accessories market. Here are a few examples:
- thredUP. An online consignment and thrift store for buying and selling high-quality secondhand clothes.
- Etsy. An excellent marketplace to sell unique handmade or vintage items.
- Depop. A popular platform for selling vintage and designer goods, like pre-loved T-shirts, sneakers, and jewelry.
Other than clothes and accessories, you can make good money online by selling other used items such as furniture, gadgets, sports equipment, and cars. In the United States, the used car market grew significantly in 2021 and is predicted to remain strong in 2023.
Some of the best online selling sites for used items are eBay, Gadget Salvation, Swap.com, Reverb, and Fat Llama.
6. Sell School Notes
Method Stats:
- Setup time: minutes to hours, depending on the number of notes you’re uploading
- Age threshold:13+ to 18+, varies among different sites
- Time of payment: monthly, upon request, or when you have enough credits to cash out – varies between sites
Selling copies of school notes is one of the easiest ways for students to make money fast.
However, make sure you aren’t committing plagiarism or academic misconduct by selling school notes. For example, do not disclose upcoming assignments or tests and avoid distributing copyrighted material.
The safest bet is to sell notes containing general but insightful information about a subject, such as modules, flashcards, and study guides. Be careful not to present your notes as facts since they are only supplementary study documents.
Aside from student or alumni message boards and community forums, here are some of the best places to make money online by selling school notes:
- Nexus Notes. They offer a 50% commission per notes sale.
- NoteXchange. Sell notes for $5-$40+ and earn a 100% commission if you become an affiliate.
- Notesgen. With over 5.5 million users, this India-based platform accepts handwritten notes and presentation slides. Study notes go for ₹100-₹1000+.
- OneClass. Earn up to 20% of the recurring revenue when someone subscribes to your content. Each subscription costs around $1.8-$24.
7. Do Voice-Over Work
Method Stats:
- Setup time: a few hours –you’ll need to put together your recording equipment and software in addition to signing up on sites
- Age threshold:18+
- Time of payment: ten days after project completion, every month, or every week – varies between sites
Voice-over work is an excellent way to make money fast. Since most voice-over jobs are project-based, a long-term commitment isn’t required.
Companies are always looking for new voice-over talents to narrate audiobooks, advertisements, commercials, trailers, demonstration videos, and audio guides.
How much you earn from voice-over projects depends on your experience, the project’s type, and the script’s length. The average salary of voice-over artists in the United States is around $30/hour.
On the other hand, experienced audiobook voice talents can earn up to $200/finished hour – which refers to a book’s reading time.
One of the easiest ways to get started is by creating a profile on a freelance marketplace like Upwork and responding directly to voice-over job ads. Joining freelance websites is an excellent way to test the waters and compare available jobs.
Alternatively, sign up for Voices or ACX, which connect voice-over talents with clients and audiobook narrators with authors.
A good voice-over talent is versatile and dynamic. They can bring a script to life no matter the topic. With audiobooks, a consistent narrative voice, excellent articulation skills, and the ability to voice different characters are crucial.
Try out sample scripts and see which niche fits your voice and style the best. Since producing high-quality audio is crucial for this job, investing in a good microphone and recording software is a must. Also, try to minimize background noise when recording audio samples.
8. Sell Art and Designs
Method Stats:
- Setup time: a few days to a few months, depending on how much time you spend creating art and designs
- Age threshold: 18+
- Time of payment: five to seven days after transaction completion or every month – varies between sites
Selling digital products is one of the best ways for artists to make money.
List your creations on art marketplaces like DeviantArt and ArtStation. This is a great way to gain exposure in the creative online community and reach potential clients.
Alternatively, sell artwork and designs independently via another sales channel like your social media account. As of January 2022, Facebook had 2 billion+ monthly active users, and Instagram had 1 billion+. Such numbers make these platforms great for increasing exposure.
Selling on social media is a good way to make money fast, especially if you promote your art on specific networks.
For example, start selling on Facebook Marketplace and promote products by joining groups and interacting with potential buyers. Alternatively, activate the Instagram Shopping feature on an account dedicated to your artwork.
Improve your sales by posting your artwork regularly, creating engaging captions, utilizing hashtags, interacting with bigger accounts, and following users with similar interests.
If you choose a marketplace like ArtStation, earning up to 95% from sales is possible. On the other hand, selling on your own social media profiles lets you keep up to 100% of the profit.
9. Sell Stock Photos and Footage
Method Stats:
- Setup time: a few days to a few months, depending on how much time you spend taking the photos and footage
- Age threshold: 18+
- Time of payment: every month or according to the chosen payment schedule – differs across websites
If you’re an avid photographer or videographer, consider selling stock photos and footage to generate passive income. You’ll be able to pursue your passion and make money simultaneously.
Many companies and business owners use stock content in their marketing campaigns, ads, and websites. In addition to the standard stock photo format, companies constantly look for fresh ideas and unique perspectives to make their brand stand out.
You can make a photography website and sell photos there. It’s also a good idea to sign up for online marketplaces and list your digital downloads. That way, you’ll get a head start at cultivating your personal brand while promoting it to potential buyers.
Some of the biggest stock photography and videography websites include:
- Shutterstock. Offers multiple earning levels based on the number of image and video licenses per year.
- Getty Images. Pays at a royalty rate of 15-45%, depending on the license exclusivity agreement.
- VideoHive. Deals in stock videos as part of the larger Envato ecosystem. The earnings depend on the number of items sold and whether you sell exclusively on the platform.
- Dissolve. Specializes in selling high-quality stock videos and photos, with a standard royalty rate of 30% of the net selling price for non-exclusive contributors. Exclusive contributors can make more money with rates that are available upon request.
10. Carry Out Micro Jobs
Method Stats:
- Setup time: a few minutes – just sign up on the website
- Age threshold: 13+ to 18+, varies across different sites
- Time of payment: up to two weeks after task completion, every month, or upon request – depending on the site
To make extra money, try micro jobs. A micro job is a short-term, temporary job that pays per task completed. Earnings vary from a few cents to $50/task.
Micro jobs are a good way to make quick cash. Some micro jobs take less than an hour to complete, allowing people to do multiple tasks in their spare time.
They’re great for freelancers, new graduates, and college students because they can help you gain experience and build a portfolio. The most common online micro jobs include blogging, short translations, data entry, and administrative tasks.
In addition to checking out local classifieds, try finding micro jobs on these websites:
- Fiverr. One of the most popular platforms for various small jobs, from logo designing to translations.
- Amazon Mechanical Turk. An excellent platform for people with video, image, and data entry and processing skills.
- Appen. Make money online by doing small tasks like transcribing or categorizing data.
Top 25 Long-Term Strategies on How to Make Money Online
After covering some of the best short-term ways to make extra cash, it’s time to explore several long-term strategies to earn money online.
Unlike the previous section, the money-making ideas in the following list may require some time and money investment. Even so, they are worth considering if you want to expand your skills and work portfolio.
1. Become a Virtual Assistant
Method Stats:
- Setup time: a few minutes – just sign up on the website
- Age threshold: 13+ to 16+, varies across different sites
- Time of payment: up to two weeks after task completion, every month, upon request – differs depending on the platform or company
A virtual assistant provides supporting services for individual clients or businesses. If you enjoy organizing, planning, or doing administrative tasks, becoming a virtual assistant is a great way to make money online.
Many virtual assistants are independent contractors, so they are free to work remotely. Moreover, the startup costs are minimal, and you can earn an average annual pay of around $58,000/year.
Some skills to master as a virtual assistant include communication, time management, and writing.
Knowing how to operate online tools and software for bookkeeping and project management is also essential. Virtual assistants often use multiple platforms, including Google Drive, QuickBooks, and Asana.
The easiest way to market your services is through online platforms like Fiverr and Freelancer. Alternatively, join a virtual assistant company and make money by working with verified clients.
2. Apply for Freelance Jobs
Method Stats:
- Setup time: a few minutes – just sign up on the website
- Age threshold:16+ to 18+, varies across different sites
- Time of payment: up to ten days after project completion, every month, or based on the chosen payment schedule – differs depending on the site
Freelancing is a great way to make money at your own pace. You can choose clients, set your own hours, and determine your rate.
There are 50 million+ freelancers in the United States alone, making it a trendy way to earn extra money. Muhammad Qasim and Kelly Vaughn are two among many successful freelancers.
You can offer all kinds of freelance services. Some of the most in-demand freelance skills are web design and development, translation, accounting, and video production.
To get started, sign up for some of these freelance websites and start scouting for gigs:
- Upwork. Focuses on large projects requiring freelancers with specific skills.
- Freelancer. Provides 1,800+ categories of freelance work opportunities.
- Guru. Offers projects from individuals or small to middle-sized businesses.
Make an online portfolio to supplement your profile on job marketplaces and improve your chances of landing high-paying projects.
Finally, make sure that your pricing structure aligns with the time and effort required to finish each project.
3. Invest in Stocks
Method Stats:
- Setup time: setting up an account takes only a few days, but learning how to trade stocks can take up to a few months
- Age threshold: 18+, although the Fidelity Youth Account is available for teenagers aged 13 to 17 years old
- Time of payment: around two business days after the trade date
Becoming a stock investor is a great way to make passive income. Start by purchasing a share in a company and selling it once its value increases.
It can be tricky in the beginning. Fortunately, many blogs, podcasts, and YouTube channels offer trading advice. They often provide insights, tips, and tricks about stock trading strategies.
Popular learning sources include Collab Fund, A Wealth of Common Sense, and We Study Billionaires.
Following market news and reading trade reviews by stockbrokers can also help. Rayner Teo and WhiteBoard Finance are among the many stock trading YouTube channels to follow.
The easiest way to buy stocks is through an online stockbroker facilitating transactions. Here are some of our top picks:
- E*TRADE. Ideal for long-term investors looking for a zero minimum deposit. However, users must fund accounts within 30 days.
- TD Ameritrade. A commission-free trading platform with excellent customer support.
- Fidelity Investments. Provides fractional shares, which allows investors with limited capital to participate in the stock market.
- Charles Schwab. Offers a wide range of investment products, including international stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
4. Make Money Blogging
Method Stats:
- Setup time: a few hours to a few days – you have to create a website, configure the design, and publish posts
- Age threshold: 18+
- Time of payment: varies depending on the income sources
Blogging is an excellent way for avid writers to earn income. Many people start a blog to share insights, express views, and establish brands. Some popular blogs are Say Yes and Anywhere We Roam.
You can start a blog about any topic. Researching popular blog ideas can help you find a profitable niche. Some blog niche examples include travel blogs, food blogs, and book blogs.
The most common ways to make money blogging are through advertising, affiliate marketing, brand sponsorships, and selling products.
To have a profitable blog, find a niche and build your audience by consistently posting quality content. Implementing effective marketing and search engine optimization (SEO) strategies is also important.
5. Publish eBooks
Method Stats:
- Setup time: uploading your book to the site can take just a few minutes, but writing the book can take up to a few years, depending on its topic and length
- Age threshold: 18+
- Time of payment: 30-45 days after the end of the month in which the sale occurs
The rise of self-publishing has made it possible for anyone to publish eBooks. It’s an excellent option for beginners since there are no printing or shipping costs.
To publish an eBook, submit your writing to a self-publishing platform. There are two types of publishing companies – retailers and aggregators. Retailers sell books directly to customers, whereas aggregators distribute them to retailers at additional costs.
The revenue you generate from eBooks will depend on the publishing company’s royalty policy. For example, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing pays up to 70% royalties for books sold on the Kindle store.
Aside from Amazon, here are other eBook publishers and their royalty rates:
- Barnes & Noble Press. Provides a 70% royalty rate for eBook sales.
- Kobo Writing Life. Gives authors 70% of the book’s list price if the book costs at least $2.99.
- Apple Books for Authors. Offers writers 70% royalties for eBook sales regardless of the cost.
- Smashwords. The world’s largest indie eBook distributor, charging a 10% commission when selling to other retailers and libraries and 15-18.5% when selling on their website.
- Draft2Digital. Lets authors earn 60% royalties of their eBooks’ list price.
Before self-publishing an eBook, don’t forget to thoroughly check for formatting issues, typos, and grammatical errors. Also, consider hiring a graphic designer to help create an appealing eBook cover.
6. Create an Online Course
Method Stats:
- Setup time: a few days to a few weeks – you will need to plan your courses, produce and publish them, and submit them for quality review
- Age threshold: 16+ to 18+, varies across different sites
- Time of payment: two days or a month after the sale, every month, or based on the chosen payment schedule – varies between sites
The global eLearning market is projected to reach almost $400 billion by 2026. If you excel in a particular subject and enjoy curating learning material, it’s an excellent time to start selling online courses.
Digital courses come in different formats, from simple PDF downloads to videos. Popular online course topics include computer skills, digital marketing, health and wellness, business and entrepreneurship, finance and investing, and personal development.
There are two main ways to make money online by selling digital courses – by joining an eLearning platform or creating an eLearning website. The former is easier to do, but the latter provides more opportunities to experiment with different formats and monetization methods.
You can create an eLearning website with a WordPress LMS plugin. Then, sell courses as digital products or create a membership system to lock them behind a paywall.
If you want to try out a few eLearning platforms first, consider the following:
- Udemy. Provides courses, quizzes, coding exercises, and discussion forums on various topics.
- Skillshare. Excellent for selling courses on digital art and creative skills.
- Teachable. Creators can have their courses and live events featured on Spotlight, an eLearning marketplace powered by Teachable and Hotmart.
- Podia. A platform for selling online courses, digital downloads, and membership subscriptions. Users can create standalone or drip courses. They can also group similar courses and market them as a bundle.
- Pathwright. A design, teaching, and learning platform. Its courses emphasize active learning through actionable steps.
7. Tutor Students Online
Method Stats:
- Setup time: a few days to a few weeks to sign up as a tutor, get approved, create your lesson plan, and set up your tutoring schedule
- Age threshold: 18+ to 21+, varies across different sites
- Time of payment: every week, every month, or upon request – varies across sites
If you’re interested in teaching but selling digital courses is not for you, consider becoming an online tutor.
Many students today actively look for remote lessons. Independent tutors often offer their services via video communication apps like Zoom or Skype and accept payments via PayPal.
Evaluate your expertise before choosing a topic to teach. Some popular tutoring subjects include math, languages, and computing. Make money by creating learning modules, giving on-demand lessons, and providing personalized feedback.
Get certified to enhance your credibility as an online tutor and improve rates. And before giving live lessons, set up a solid internet connection to ensure smooth video communication.
When ready, create a website or join an online tutoring platform to promote your services. Here are four popular platforms for people interested in the online tutoring business:
- Skooli. Schedule lessons in advance or accept them whenever you’re online.
- TutorMe. Connects students with tutors based on their needs and preferences.
- Tutor.com. Offers US-based tutors the opportunity to teach 250+ subjects to students of varying ages and education levels.
- Preply. Teach different languages and set custom rates for your services.
8. Offer Digital Marketing Services
Method Stats:
- Setup time: only a few minutes to create a marketing service website if you already have a work portfolio
- Age threshold: 18+
- Time of payment: varies on a case-by-case basis
Marketing consultants help business owners attract their target audiences and improve sales performance.
Provide SEO services to help sites rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs), receive more traffic, and generate leads.
You can also offer social media management services by planning and executing marketing plans on various social platforms. These activities encourage better audience interaction and brand recognition.
An excellent social media manager keeps up with trends, identifies a brand’s target audience, and tracks social media data for better results.
If you use WordPress, many resources are available to help you learn WordPress SEO. Consider getting an SEO certificate from a reputable platform like Semrush Academy or take a Google Analytics Academy course to deepen your knowledge.
You can also take social media marketing courses and learn about the relevant tools, concepts, and strategies. There are excellent digital marketing resources on Coursera and social media marketing courses on Udemy.
When you’re ready to monetize your skills, offer your services on job marketplaces like Fiverr and Freelancer. Or, consider applying to a marketing agency as a digital marketer for a long-term career in this field.
9. Become a Travel Consultant
Method Stats:
- Setup time: up to a few hours to set up your own website or create a profile on trip consultant platforms, if you already have travel experience
- Age threshold: 18+
- Time of payment: varies on a case-by-case basis
Since the tourism industry is surging, there is a higher demand for travel consultants.
Travel consultants curate the ideal travel experience for individuals and businesses. This job is fantastic for well-traveled individuals or locals who love sharing the best spots in town to make money online.
The average base salary for a travel consultant is around $70,000/year in the United States. The job’s benefits include remote working, a flexible schedule, and opportunities to travel.
Start your career by getting familiar with popular travel management software tools. Additionally, consider taking tourism, hospitality, or foreign language courses to improve your competency.
Promote your services on your own website. Take inspiration from consultants like Wanderlust Travel Consultants and TravelBoecker Adventures. Alternatively, sign up as a travel consultant or trip designer on platforms like Reco.
10. Sell Advertising Space
Method Stats:
- Setup time: a few minutes, if you already have a working website
- Age threshold: 18+
- Time of payment: every month, every week, 30 days after putting in a request or reaching the minimum payout threshold – varies across sites
Selling digital advertising space is one of the most common ways to monetize a website and earn passive income. Since advertising revenue is measured based on clicks or user impressions, the more interactions you get, the more money you’ll make.
Advertisers consider a website’s content category, audience demographics, and user devices before buying a space. So, creating quality content and improving SEO strategies are key.
To sell ad spaces, sign up for an ad network like Google AdSense and embed the ad code on your site. If you run a WordPress website, follow our tutorial on how to add AdSense to WordPress.
However, don’t oversaturate the site with ads and negatively affect user experience. Instead, use a heatmap software tool to determine the best ad placement locations for optimal conversions.
Here are other advertising networks you can sign up for:
- Adcash. Use an anti-block feature to bypass users’ ad blockers and obtain higher earnings.
- PropellerAds. Supports multiple ad formats, including interstitials and push notifications.
- Media.net. Get access to the search demand from the Yahoo! Bing Network for keyword-targeted ads.
- Carbon. A great option for technology and design-based ads.
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