“Maximizing Your Free Time: How to Earn Money Online”

Linda
12 min readJan 30, 2023

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There are several ways to make money online, including:

  1. Freelancing — offer your skills and services such as writing, graphic design, programming, etc. on platforms such as Upwork or Fiverr.
  2. Selling products — start an online store and sell physical or digital goods through platforms like Etsy or Shopify.
  3. Affiliate marketing — promote other people’s products and earn a commission for each sale made through your unique affiliate link.
  4. Online surveys — participate in paid surveys through websites like Swagbucks or Survey Junkie.
  5. Content creation — monetize your blog, YouTube channel, or social media accounts through advertising, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing.
  6. Online tutoring/teaching — offer your expertise and teach others through platforms like VIPKid or Tutor.com.
  7. Dropshipping — create an online store and sell products without holding any inventory using a dropshipping business model.

Remember to research and thoroughly understand each opportunity before starting, and to consider the time and effort required to be successful.

1. Freelancing

Freelancing is a great way to make money online by offering your skills and services to clients around the world. There are many websites that provide platforms for freelancers to offer their services and find work, such as Upwork and Fiverr. On these websites, you can create a profile and showcase your portfolio, and then search for job postings that match your skills and expertise. Clients will then be able to view your profile and contact you if they are interested in hiring you. This is a great way to earn money doing what you love, and to work on your own terms.

Freelancer

A freelancer is an individual who offers their skills and services on a project or contract basis, rather than working as an employee for a single company.

Upwork

Upwork is a website that connects freelancers with clients who need their services. It’s a global freelancing platform that provides an easy and secure way for clients to find and hire freelancers for a variety of projects, such as writing, graphic design, web development, and more.

Fiverr

Fiverr is a popular online marketplace where freelancers can offer their skills and services, such as writing, graphic design, programming, and more, to clients all over the world.

PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour is a freelance platform where businesses and individuals can find and hire freelancers for various projects and tasks.

Hirable

Hirable is a platform that connects businesses with skilled professionals for freelance and contract work.

Toptal

Toptal is a platform for businesses and organizations to find and hire the top 3% of freelance software developers, designers, and finance experts. The platform offers a rigorous screening process for freelancers, and provides businesses with a curated list of highly skilled professionals to choose from for their projects.

2. Selling products

You can sell products online by starting an online store on platforms such as:

Amazon

Amazon is the world’s largest e-commerce platform. It allows individuals and businesses to sell physical and digital products to a global customer base.

eBay

eBay is an online auction and shopping platform that allows individuals and businesses to buy and sell a wide range of products. It operates on a bidding system, where users bid on items in an auction format, or buy items at a fixed price.

Etsy

Etsy is a popular e-commerce platform that focuses on handmade and vintage items. You can create a shop, list your products and start selling. Etsy provides a platform for artists, makers and creatives to showcase their work and reach a larger audience.

Shopify

Shopify is a comprehensive e-commerce platform that allows you to create a store, manage your inventory, process payments, and handle shipping and taxes.

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a free, open-source e-commerce plugin for the WordPress content management system. It allows individuals and businesses to sell products directly on their existing WordPress website.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a cloud-based e-commerce platform that provides a wide range of features and integrations to help businesses sell online. It offers an online store builder, payment processing, shipping and tax options, as well as integrations with popular sales channels such as Amazon, eBay, and Facebook.

Magento

Magento is an open-source e-commerce platform that provides a wide range of features and customization options to help businesses sell online.

3. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing involves promoting other people’s products and earning a commission for each sale made through a unique affiliate link.

Some popular affiliate marketing platforms :

Amazon Associates

It is an affiliate marketing program run by Amazon. It allows website owners and bloggers to promote Amazon products and earn a commission on each sale made through their unique affiliate link. It is a simple process, you sign up for the program, get your affiliate link, and start promoting Amazon products on your website or blog.

ClickBank

It is an affiliate network that specializes in digital products. Website owners and bloggers can sign up for the program, choose from a variety of digital products to promote, and earn a commission for each sale made through their unique affiliate link. It offers a wide range of products in various niches such as health, finance, and technology.

Commission Junction (CJ Affiliate)

It is one of the largest affiliate marketing networks, offering a wide range of products across multiple niches. Website owners and bloggers can sign up for the program, choose products to promote, and earn a commission on each sale made through their unique affiliate link. It offers a variety of tools and resources to help affiliates maximize their earning potential.

ShareASale

ShareASale is an affiliate marketing platform that enables businesses to connect with affiliates to promote their products and services in exchange for commissions on sales.

Rakuten Marketing

Rakuten Marketing is an affiliate marketing network that provides advertisers with access to a global network of publishers to promote their products and services. Advertisers can create campaigns, set commission rates, and track conversions, while publishers can access a wide range of offers and earn commissions for sales made through their affiliate links.

4. Online surveys

Online surveys are a way to make money by sharing your opinions on various topics. Companies and market research firms conduct surveys to gather data and insights from consumers, and they are willing to pay for participants’ time. Some popular websites for participating in online surveys are Swagbucks and Survey Junkie. Swagbucks allows users to earn money by taking surveys, watching videos, playing games, shopping online, and more.

Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a website that rewards users for completing various online tasks, including taking surveys. Users can earn points for completing surveys, which can then be redeemed for cash or gift cards.

Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is a website that pays users for completing online surveys. Users can sign up for free, and they will receive invitations to participate in surveys that match their interests and demographics. Once they complete a survey, they will receive points, which can be redeemed for cash or gift cards.

Toluna

Toluna is an online survey platform that pays users for sharing their opinions on various topics and products. Participants can take surveys, test products, and participate in discussions to earn rewards and enter sweepstakes

Pinecone Research

Pinecone Research is a market research company that pays individuals for taking surveys and providing their opinions on various products and services. Participants can earn money by completing surveys, testing products, and participating in research studies.

5. Content creation

Content creation can be a profitable venture through monetization methods such as:

  • Advertising: This involves displaying ads on your blog, YouTube channel, or social media accounts through ad networks like Google AdSense, Media.net, or BuySellAds.
  • Sponsorships: You can work with brands to create sponsored content or product reviews in exchange for payment.

Advertising

Displaying ads is one way to monetize your content through advertising. Ad networks like Google AdSense, Media.net, and BuySellAds provide the technology to display ads on your website or channel, and pay you a share of the revenue generated from those ads. To start earning through advertising, you typically need to meet certain requirements, such as a minimum amount of monthly traffic, and comply with ad network policies regarding content and placement of ads.

Sponsorships

Sponsorships are a way to monetize your content by working with brands to create sponsored content or product reviews in exchange for payment. This can include writing sponsored blog posts, creating sponsored videos, or promoting products on social media. To start earning through sponsorships, you typically need to have a significant following and a strong reputation in your niche, as well as the ability to create high-quality content that aligns with the brand’s messaging and goals. It’s also important to clearly disclose sponsored content to your audience to maintain transparency and credibility.

6. Online tutoring/teaching

Online tutoring and teaching platforms connect tutors and teachers with students who are seeking help in a particular subject or academic area. To start earning as an online tutor or teacher, you typically need to have a strong background in the subject you want to teach, a reliable internet connection, and the ability to communicate effectively with students. The pay for online tutoring or teaching varies based on the platform, subject area, and level of expertise, but it can be a flexible and lucrative opportunity for those with the right skills and experience

VIPKid

  • VIPKid is an online tutoring platform that connects North American teachers with students in China, offering English classes.
  • To become a teacher on VIPKid, you typically need to have a bachelor’s degree, experience teaching English, and be able to pass a certification process.
  • Once you’re approved as a teacher, you can create your own schedule and teach classes from the comfort of your own home.
  • VIPKid pays teachers per class and the pay rate can vary based on a number of factors, but the average rate is around $15-$25 per hour.

Tutor.com

  • Tutor.com is an online tutoring platform that connects students with tutors in various academic subjects.
  • To become a tutor on Tutor.com, you typically need to have a bachelor’s degree in the subject you want to teach, as well as prior teaching or tutoring experience.
  • Tutors can create their own schedules and earn money by offering tutoring sessions to students.
  • Tutor.com pays tutors per session and the pay rate can vary based on subject and level of expertise, but it is usually in the range of $10-$30 per hour.

Chegg Tutors

  • Chegg Tutors is an online tutoring platform that connects students with tutors in a wide range of subjects.
  • To become a tutor on Chegg Tutors, you typically need to have a strong background in the subject you want to teach, as well as excellent communication skills.
  • Tutors can set their own rates and offer tutoring sessions to students.
  • Chegg Tutors pays tutors per session and the pay rate can vary based on subject, level of expertise, and demand, but it usually starts at $20 per hour.

Cambly

  • Cambly is an online tutoring platform that connects English tutors with students worldwide.
  • To become a tutor on Cambly, you need to be a native English speaker, have a reliable internet connection, and be able to pass a background check.
  • Cambly pays tutors per minute of conversation with students, with a base rate of $0.17 per minute.

Teachable

  • Teachable is an online platform that enables individuals to create and sell their own courses.
  • To start earning through Teachable, you need to have expertise in a specific subject and create a course that provides value to your students.
  • Teachable provides tools and resources to host and market your course, and you can set your own prices and keep a portion of the revenue generated from course sales.

Preply

  • Preply is an online tutoring platform that connects students with tutors in various academic subjects and languages.
  • To become a tutor on Preply, you need to have expertise in the subject you want to teach and be able to pass a certification process.
  • Preply pays tutors per session and the pay rate can vary based on subject, level of expertise, and demand, but it usually starts at $10-$20 per hour.

Italki

  • To become a tutor on Italki, you need to be fluent in the language you want to teach and have experience teaching or tutoring.
  • Italki pays tutors per session and the pay rate can vary

7. Dropshipping

In dropshipping, an online store owner partners with a supplier who holds the inventory and ships the products directly to the customer on the store owner’s behalf. The store owner only pays the supplier for the products once they have been sold and doesn’t have to worry about storing or handling inventory. This business model allows for low start-up costs, flexibility, and scalability. However, it also means the store owner has less control over product quality, shipping times, and customer service.

Shopify

You can use Shopify as a platform to create and manage an online store. You can use the Shopify app store to find and install a drop shipping app, such as Oberlo or Modalyst, to easily import and sell products from suppliers.

Oberlo

Oberlo is a drop shipping app that integrates with Shopify. You can use it to search and import products from AliExpress, manage orders and shipments, and track your sales.

AliExpress

AliExpress is a global online marketplace that offers products from suppliers around the world. You can use AliExpress as a source for products to drop ship through your online store, with the help of a drop shipping app like Oberlo.

Spocket

Spocket is a drop shipping app that integrates with Shopify, allowing you to import products from suppliers in the US and Europe. You can use Spocket to access a curated selection of high-quality products and manage your orders and shipments.

Printful

Printful is a print-on-demand and drop shipping service that allows you to sell custom-printed products through your online store. You can use Printful to fulfill orders and handle shipping, while you focus on marketing and growing your business.

Modalyst

Modalyst is a drop shipping app that integrates with Shopify and allows you to import products from a variety of suppliers, including AliExpress and other marketplaces. You can use Modalyst to easily manage your orders, track your sales, and automate your fulfillment process.

Wholesale2b

Wholesale2b is a wholesale dropshipping service that provides access to a large selection of products from various suppliers. You can use Wholesale2b to import products into your online store, automate your order fulfillment, and manage your inventory.

Doba

Doba is a drop shipping service that provides access to products from a variety of suppliers. You can use Doba to search and import products into your online store, and manage your orders and shipments.

Conclusion

There are many opportunities to earn money online, so choose the one that aligns with your financial goals, abilities, and interests.

If you’re interested in e-commerce, start by setting up an online store. If you have limited funds, you can still make money by selling pre-owned items on auction sites, showcasing your handmade creations, offering stock images, or utilizing the drop shipping model.

For individuals with professional skills, tutoring and online courses are a great way to monetize your expertise. High-demand skills such as web development, graphic design, content creation, and search engine optimization can offer good employment and earning potential.

If a full-time job is not feasible, consider freelance opportunities. Opportunities include voice acting, starting a podcast, live streaming, or blogging, which can be monetized through advertisements for passive income.

With these ideas in mind, put your knowledge into action, work hard, and start generating income online. Good luck!

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Linda
Linda

Written by Linda

" | Passionate programmer with a love for writing. Crafting articles on all things programming. Let's code and create!"

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