5 realistic ways to make money online in 2021

Reading Time: 3 mins

The upheavals of 2020 made many of us consider how we can generate extra income in this climate of uncertainty.  Having a sideline to bring in extra cash can not only make us feel more secure financially but can also provide a fun and creative outlet for our skills.

Here are four simple ways to make money online. It’s easy to get started, so what’s stopping you?

• Sell your stuff
• Sell your skills
• Sell a product
• Teach online
• Launch a blog

 

Sell your stuff

The first question to ask is how much money do you have tied up in stuff that you no longer want or need? Take a good look around your house and consider which items you could sell online to bring in some useful cash.  Select things in good condition, so they’ll sell more easily, and take the best photos you can. Next list them on one of the many popular sites: Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, eBay, etc.  Be clear about your payment terms – set up a Paypal account if you don’t already have one. For bulkier or heavier items, also consider how you’re going to handle deliveries and who’s going to pay.

 

Sell your skills

Are you a talented writer, designer, or IT specialist? Why not monetise your skills with some online freelance gigs?

Sites such as Upwork, Freelancer, and Fivver have clients all over the world looking for people who can help them with specific projects. Bid for the work you’re interested in, agree on price and deadlines, then enjoy the satisfaction of being paid for doing what you love. Working through these platforms ensures that you’ll receive payment on completion of the job.

If you’re a designer all you’ll need to do is find an office printer so you can see what your designs look like on the page, and if you’re a writer the only thing you’ll need is Google for your research and an online thesaurus to ensure you impress your readers.

 

Sell a product

Are you a natural salesperson? Consider buying a product in bulk, to resell online. This works best if it’s something you have in-depth knowledge of and you can vouch for the quality. Before you start, do your research and ensure what you’re choosing is in a niche that’s trending. Launch yourself as an Amazon reseller, or start small with Facebook and other social media promotions.

 

Teach online

If you’re an expert in a particular field and know how to teach or coach others, why not create content and launch your online courses. Whether it’s yoga, a dance style, or a second language, you can build an audience providing your videos are engaging and people can learn from them.

Begin with free videos on Youtube, then invite your followers to join paid webinars or purchase your online courses.  Of course, this does need an investment of your time (and some cash to create high-quality videos), but when you think about it, once you have the content, people can continue to purchase indefinitely, so the rewards can be great. You’ll be sharing your knowledge and bringing in money even while you’re asleep!

 

Launch a blog

When we read about online influencers who make fortunes by blogging, it’s natural to ask how they do it. Blogging is having a significant influence on the brands we choose to buy, and companies spend increasing amounts of their marketing budget on placing their brands on the right blogs. The most popular bloggers can make a good living just via their online content, so how can you monetize your hobby or area of expertise?

Setting up a website is easy and inexpensive, especially if you use a website builder such as Wix or Weebly. The key is to ensure you create engaging content that attracts and grows an army of loyal followers, and keeps them returning to your site. Without visitors, you’re not going to earn the revenue you want, so choose a niche that isn’t already overcrowded.

Next, how to get paid? The first way is by placing external adverts on your site. Check out Google AdSense and similar programs which facilitate this by positioning ads on your blog.

If you opt for a pay-per-click model you’ll be paid a small amount each time someone clicks on the advert on your page.  Alternatively, pre-set a cost per 1000 impressions (CPM) and get paid each time 1000 people just see the ad- regardless of whether they click on it or not.

Bloggers also make money via affiliate links to particular brands they work with. A hyperlink to their product is supplied, which you embed into your content. When a reader clicks that link and buys the brand’s product (within 30 days, and providing they don’t delete their cookies), you will be paid a percentage of their total spend.

So, if you have a passion or hobby, and time on your hands to create attractive content, blogging can become a lucrative and enjoyable way to create additional income.

Find out more about making money blogging here. 

 

The post 5 realistic ways to make money online in 2021 appeared first on MoneyMagpie.