Yes, we can make money online. A lot of people do that. But it’s not easy. One has to tread carefully as there is a deluge of websites that make false claims. In case you get associated with a wrong website you end up in frustration. So we have compiled a list of ways you can earn online. Here’s the list of legitimate ways we can make extra bucks -
Sell the Unwanted Stuff
Declutter is one of the new age mantras to live a stress-free life. While coming close to your inner self, why not make some extra cash? Sell old, extra, and unwanted stuff online. Get rid of those extra items lying around the house and make money. Use Quikr, Amazon, OLX, ListUp and Tradly to sell second-hand items. Harness the power of social media and use Facebook Groups to sell the items you don’t intend to use. In case you want to take the experience to another level, start an auction on eBay. eBay is the oldest and most reliable platform to sell products online.
Monetize your Blog
If you have a passion, start a blog. Then use Adsense to monetize it. With SEO and marketing, one can earn money with increased traffic over the years. Another route to earn via advertisement is to run an affiliate program on your blog. Amazon, FlipKart, VCommission, BigRock, GoDaddy, and TripAdvisor are few of the best affiliate programs in India. Sponsored work for brands is another way bloggers earn money. In the long run, you can earn a substantial amount by clubbing these methods. Some bloggers sell backlinks to make money, but I don’t recommend this method. It dilutes the brand value of your blog and it is not good for your Google Pagerank.
Freelance for Websites
Most of my artist and blogger friends freelance. It gives them extra cash and liberty to work on their terms and conditions. Pick your specialty, build it, and associate with top websites that offer freelance work. Upwork, Fiverr, ListVerse, iWriter, and Freelancer are good platforms for freelancing. Writers, photographers, techies, artists, accountants, virtual assistants, and legal assistants — all can find freelance work. There are tons of work online. Surf and pick one that suits your interest and talent. Work in your free hours and make extra cash.
Promotions on Social Media Handles
I found this very interesting and it’s definitely a step-up in marketing. Pick your niche. Create an account on Facebook, Youtube Channel, Twitter, or Instagram. Upload posts and pictures related to the theme you picked. If you are travel enthusiast, share travel related posts. If food makes you happy, stick to food updates. Once you have a certain number of following, register with portals like FohrCard, BlogMint, Eleve Media, Fromote, and GetEvangelized. Depending on your reach, you will get paid for social media posts. This is how it works — brands want real people to advertise their products. Honest feedback on their products and services. They pick profiles that match with their brand. You post a picture, status, or video and you get paid for it. Our last trip was financed with my husband’s Instagram earnings. Word of caution — don’t buy followers or likes to be in the top of the race. Most advertising agencies use software to track genuine following. They blacklist profiles with a fake following.
Tutor Online
Love teaching, you can become a tutor online. It’s an easier alternative than to conduct physical classes. You can conduct live sessions and you can also upload the recordings and sell them. There are many online tutoring jobs in India. There is immense scope for professionals who want to earn side income. Work 2–3 hours a week and get paid. In case you want to explore more, make online courses and sell it on Udemy.
Money via Apps
Apps are a great way to make easy bucks. If you are a techie, you can make an app and sell it online. Or you can handle it on your own and make money in the long run. Another way is to register with an app that requires your services and earn side-income with it. You can become an Uber driver or rent the extra room in your home on Airbnb.
Open an online shop
No, I am not talking about having a website. Use platforms like Etsy or Shopify. For artists, Etsy is the best website to market and sell products. Make the entire world your consumer base. Create an account on Etsy and sell your handmade products there. In case you don’t want to pay commission and find Etsy too difficult, try Facebook. Create a Facebook Page or use Facebook Swap Shops and sell your products on social media. Use relevant Facebook groups to promote and market your work. In case even this is too much, use WhatsApp. Share your work with your contacts and politely ask them to circulate it. My friend runs her boutique business on WhatsApp. She sends her latest dress designs and if a contact likes it, she gets the order. Her business has doubled in the last 2 years using WhatsApp. Use the power of these platforms to increase your revenue. Remember — don’t be too aggressive while marketing your products within your circle. People don’t like too much shares, messages, and promotion.
There are other ways like email marketing, taking surveys, and click and get paid but I don’t find them rewarding enough for the time you spend. So I won’t suggest it to anyone. It’s better to learn a skill, build a profile, and grow.
Today technology has seeped into our day-to-day existence. It has changed the way we think. Our reactions are often guided by what we read on Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp.
So why not use it to earn our livelihood or make extra cash? Use these methods to supplement your income in 2018.
Post written by Saru Singhal and originally published in Money View Blog here.
