We’re deep into the age of the internet. At this point, you can do basically anything through a screen — including increase your income.
Yep. You can earn, sell, invest, work full time, work part time and even watch videos for some extra cash… all from your computer or smart phone screen.
Bookmark this post to peruse it anytime you want to make extra money or need inspiration for a career change.How to Make Money Online: 31 Legitimate WaysSocial Media ManagerFreelance Writer & EditorGraphic DesignerRide-Share DriverTakeout Delivery DriverGrocery Delivery DriverPackage Delivery DriverVirtual AssistantVirtual Tutor or Online TeacherMake Money Through AdvertisingSell Products OnlineSell Services OnlineCustomer Service RepTechnical Support WizardSales ConsultantPersonal ShopperCopywriterTranscriptionistSell Unused Gift CardsTake Online SurveysBuy & Sell Real EstateTest UX on WebsitesList Your Spare RoomStart InvestingGet Cash Back When You ShopSell Your PhotosSell Your Clothes OnlineTrade in Your Used ElectronicsFlip Flea Market FindsSell Craft Supplies on EtsyDesign & Sell T-Shirts
A list of money-making ideas could go on for days — no kidding. You don’t have time to read about all of the possibilities. There’s so much you can do to earn money with just a laptop and an internet connection.
In this post, we’ve broken down some common ways to work from home: freelancing, gig work, starting a business, work-from-home jobs and ways to make extra money.
Within each of those categories, you’ll find common ways people make money online. Don’t let these ideas limit you! Use them as a launching point for how to make money online, and get creative to set up the work, life and income you want.1. Social Media Manager
Social media marketing is constantly changing. For many business owners, staying up to date on the best practices and devising a strategy to grow an audience on social media is time-consuming and challenging.
That means social media skills are in high demand — and we don’t just mean your on fleek selfies (or your knowledge that “on fleek” hasn’t been a thing since 2016). Social media managers know how to cultivate an engaged following around a brand and grow their clients’ businesses online.
It pays pretty well, too. You could charge at least $1,000 per month per client for daily posts, responding to comments and mentions, and removing spam comments. That rate can go way up if you contribute to the brand’s overall strategy.
Need a banking service that's built for freelancers, helping you save for taxes and keep track of your expenses? Check out Lili. (It's free!)2. Freelance Writer & Editor
If you’re into writing, you might run across a lot of unpaid or low-paid writing gigs out there. But making a living as a freelance writer/editor is totally possible if you look for gigs in the right places.
Take a note from writer Jamie Cattanach. In her first year as a full-time freelancer, she earned more than $50,000 — beating the salary she’d made as a staff writer by several thousand dollars.
If you’re looking to make a living at it, your best bet is to build a business around a lucrative niche you enjoy writing in. That includes subject matter, such as:Personal financeHealth and medicineLaw
It also includes specialized services, like:Grant writingSEO content writingAd copywritingCase study writingWhite paper creationVideo script writingPress releasesBusiness plansTechnical writing
You can also expand your repertoire by offering writing-related services. If you’ve got an eye for typos and a serious dedication to the nuances of grammar, you could find additional work by becoming an editor or a proofreader.
The average per-page rate for freelance proofreaders is 35 cents, according to Caitlin Pyle, the founder of Proofread Anywhere, an online course that teaches you how to become a proofreader.
Wondering if the gig is right for you? You can test your grammar wiles with a free grammar quiz and learn how to find freelance jobs in Pyle’s free seven-day introductory course for proofreaders.
Back to top ↑ Getty Images3. Graphic Designer
Want to unleash your inner artist — and earn good money for it? Graphic design could be the route for you.
Design skills are in high demand across industries. Every business needs a logo, website design and social media graphics, and many need designs for product labels, signs, flyers, newsletters, presentations and more.
You could earn money as a graphic designer online either as a remote employee or working for yourself as a freelancer.
As a freelancer, you set your own rate — usually a flat rate for a project or per hour — and common rates are $65 to $150 per hour.
To get started, brush up on your skills with software like Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft PowerPoint, and use your eye for aesthetics and fundamentals of visual storytelling. Plus, hone your communication skills — those will be your Online Shop biggest asset for landing clients and understanding their vision for a project.
You could earn a degree in graphic design through a college, or self-teach the skills through online courses or tutorials.
For an artist, this field can be a deeply satisfying way to make money.
Parker Myers, a graphic designer in Nashville, Tennessee, says he loves it because he gets to spend his days “just making beautiful things. The aesthetic side of design is so easy to fall in love with and is so fun to chase and spend hours on little details that nobody else will care about.”Back to top ↑4. Ride-Share Driver
If you don’t mind leaving the house, you can use apps that connect you with gigs that let you make money with your car.
As a ride-share driver, you’ll chauffeur people around your city and earn money as a side hustle or full-time gig.
Uber and Lyft, the most popular ride-share companies, are always looking for drivers. To qualify, you need to be at least 21 years old, have a valid U.S. driver’s license, proof of car insurance and vehicle registration, a four-door vehicle that seats five people, and the ability to pass criminal and driving background checks.
Pay is based on a ride-by-ride basis, plus tips, that can translate into a handsome hourly wage once you get the hang of it. Earnings are largely determined by tips and how many rides you complete.
Back to top ↑5. Takeout Delivery Driver
Driving around strangers isn’t for everyone. If that’s where you’re at, try meal delivery instead.
Most food delivery apps and services work the same: A customer places a food order with a local restaurant, you drive to the restaurant, grab the order and take it to the customer. You get paid by the order plus tips.
Find food delivery gigs through nationwide and regional apps including:DoorDashUber EatsPostmatesBiteSquadEat StreetGrubHub
DoorDash and Uber Eats dominate the market nationally, and they’re generally the most consistent. Compared to ride-share driving, the car requirements are less stringent. You’ll still need a valid driver’s license, insurance and the ability to pass a background check.
Earnings are largely determined by tips and how many deliveries you complete each hour.
Back to top ↑ Getty Images6. Grocery Delivery Driver
Going to the supermarket, especially when you have kids, can be quite an affair. Then throw in the pandemic. That’s why grocery delivery services are on the rise.
These apps employ armies of gig workers who go shopping, pick up requested items and deliver them to customers’ homes.
This gig involves more labor and skill than many delivery apps, but generally pays better and offers potential for higher tips, too. You’ll receive an order from a customer — their grocery list — and you’ll shop for them. That means some heavy lifting — and knowing the difference between a kumquat and orange.