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The rise of technology has presented the global workforce with the opportunity to make the transition from offline to online working. While physical offices are still the majority, there is no denying that the past few years have seen a rapid acceleration of online career opportunities.
The ways by which one could earn money online are endless. Content writing, blogging, photography, public influencing, etc. are some lucrative career paths. Whether you’d like to earn a little bit of pocket money or plant roots for a long-term career, there is an online career out there that is exactly right for you. All you have to do is take the time to find it.
There are many perks to working online with the main being that you get to work from the comfort of your own home and avoid the nuisance of daytime traffic. However, getting into online work may be harder than it seems. To help you navigate your way through the virtual job market this article shall be elaborating on how to make money online for beginners.
How Do People Make Money Online?
There are a great number of ways people can earn money online. As time goes on there continue to be new prospects through which one could earn a living through virtual work. Due to the infinite possibilities of work that differ depending on region or culture, the ways people make money online cannot be encapsulated briefly.
If I were to generalize for the sake of simplicity, online work could probably be categorized as either “self-employed” or “working for a company”. Many jobs can be both or lie somewhere in between these two distinctions. However, most online jobs can be defined as either one of the following.
Self-Employment
This usually refers to people who do not have a long-term contract or agreement with any organization or company. The terms of their work are generally set by themselves and any income they make is determined by their work rather than an already established amount set in a contract.
Self-employed online earners can mainly refer to freelancers, influencers, or bloggers. These people are not employed full-time by any company. Though they do make an income through their presence on certain social media platforms, they are not employees of those platforms. Whatever money they make is determined by the clients or audience that engage with their work.
Working for a Company
This refers to people who work for companies that function online. Many companies, during the pandemic, resigned their office leases and opted for working online. Though the pandemic is mostly under control now, the culture of online working is still as prominent as ever. Because of this, there are many ways now for people to earn online by being full-time employees.
The types of work for contractual online employees vary. Nowadays many companies hire writers, graphic designers, customer service executives, assistants, etc. who work online. The jobs available will vary from company to company but almost any job that can be done virtually will have options where you can use them to earn online.
15 Best Ways to Make Money Online
There are a great many ways to earn a living online. Each job has its characteristics and is suited towards different skill sets. Figuring out what job best suits you will require you to closely evaluate your skills and what you enjoy doing. The best and most popular ways of earning money online include the following.
- Content Writer/ Copywriter
The rise of content marketing has entailed the need for more content writers. If you have a knack for doing extensive research and then explaining them using simple language, then this job might be perfect for you. If you are already good with writing and have decent SEO (search engine optimization) knowledge then it will be easy for you to begin a career as a content writer.
You may also want to consider if you’d like to be a content writer or a copywriter. Both of these jobs require you to write SEO-friendly articles. What sets them apart is that content writers tend to specialize in writing about one particular subject while copywriters are more versatile and write about a wide range of subjects. Many companies hire writers online but you can also choose to work as a freelancer instead.
- Graphic Designer
Social media is a visual medium. Because of this graphic designers are in high demand these days. Many companies hire graphic designers as a permanent part of their team. However, this is also a job that you can do as a freelancer as well. If you are skilled in Photoshop or infographic designing, then this may be a good career path for you.
You can work by taking orders online and making designs based on what the client wants or you can also make designs or infographics and sell them online. Graphic designing is one of the most fruitful online career options right now. Thus regardless of what you choose, you are likely to have a lot of success earning online by being a graphic designer.
- Freelancer
Freelancing can refer to pretty much any skill or service you are willing to offer in exchange for payment. Freelancing sites such as Fiverr, Upwork, and more allow freelancers to meet clients in a safe space. Freelancing comes with a lot more freedom than working in a company. However, this also means that you must take responsibility for your work.
Most common freelancing jobs include writing, designing, drawing, tutoring, etc. However, pretty much any job you can do online can be offered as a type of freelancing service. Browse through your desired platform to see what types of services other freelancers are providing to get inspiration for your own.
- Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant is another job that you can do as part of a company’s permanent team or as a freelancer. The responsibilities of a virtual assistant are quite flexible and depend on the person who is doing the job. The main job of a virtual assistant is to help businesses get more organized and run smoothly.
The most common services a virtual assistant provides include admin work, schedule organization, handling accounts, and financing, etc. However, as the job has evolved, it has come to include various sets of specialties that differ from person to person. Nowadays Vas can even offer video editing, translating, writing, or designing services.
- Customer Service Executive
The job of a customer service executive mainly requires a person to sit at a desk and answer the phone. Therefore this job nowadays is being shifted to an online workspace rather than an office cubicle. As long as you have a pair of good headphones, a good internet connection, and the ability to follow a script, you won’t have trouble adjusting to this particular job.
Most online customer service executive jobs may require you to work the night shift. Since the job is online and can be done from home, this should not be too much of an issue. However, if you are a person who does not wish to work at night, you may want to double-check the working hours when applying for these jobs.
- Blogger
Blogging is an amazing way of earning money on your terms. Being a blogger gives you a lot of creative freedom regarding how and when to do your work. The main issue with blogging is that the income you receive through this job is slightly turbulent. Your income will directly depend on how big of an audience is interested in your work.
If you have proper blogging knowledge and have information to share that you think people would be interested in, then starting a blog can be a great way of generating an online income. This happens to be one of those jobs that take time to take off. So do not get discouraged if it takes some time for your blog to gain a readership.
- YouTuber
Over the years, YouTube has turned into a popular and realistic career choice for many people. No longer is it a hit-or-miss platform where random people suddenly achieve fame. There is a specific formula to achieving success on YouTube that requires you to analyze your target audience and the YouTube algorithm.
Despite what people may think, becoming a YouTuber does not mean you have to become some sort of celebrity. Think of it as something similar to blogging, only in video form. Whether it is daily vlogging or making informative videos, becoming a YouTuber is a good choice for an online career if you prioritize creative freedom.
- Content Creator
If YouTube is not your desired platform, there are various other platforms form you can consider. You might prefer making content on Facebook or Twitter instead. The rise of social media has facilitated a need for content marketing. Aside from writing and pictures, this also extends to videos. This job can be done on your own or you may also find companies that are looking for content creators.
As a content creator, a company may hire you to make content for their organization. This content can range from stories, videos, songs, designs, etc. You may need to create several of these things or perhaps just one. In the world of digital marketing, content creators are in constant high demand.
- Influencer
Influencers usually refer to people who have a large online following. Though this is applicable for pretty much any social media platform, the term is generally used for people on Instagram, Tiktok, or YouTube. Though people can already generate income by monetizing the content on their social media pages, they can take things a step further through sponsorships.
As the title “influencer” suggests, these people tend to have a lot of influence on directing people’s opinions on things. Many brands or organizations may want to sponsor influencers to promote their products or services. If you already have a decent social media following, you may want to look into what it takes to become a social media influencer.
- Research Assistant
Though this job opportunity is rarer than others, it certainly does exist. Some research institutes, depending on the topic, may hire research assistants to work online. Since this job is rare, the sort of responsibilities it entails may vary depending upon the circumstances under which the research is being done.
Research assistants have varying responsibilities. You may simply be required to create charts and collect survey answers or you may need to analyze data or summarize literature reviews. If you have a strong grip on academic writing and enjoy learning new things, you may want to check job sites to see if online research assistant jobs are available.
- Podcaster
Podcasts, just like YouTube and blogging are another hobby turned career opportunity. All you need to start a podcast is a good sound setup and a topic that you are passionate about. Podcasts these days can be about anything ranging from world politics to TV shows. With a good partner to bounce back and forth with, you too can start a successful podcast of your own.
There is a lot of freedom when it comes to being a podcaster. You get to decide what you talk about and when you’d like to post. The main issue arises from the fact that this career has a very slow build-up. It can take quite some time before your podcast gains an audience and you can begin generating an income.
- Online Course Instructor
Another rising career choice that is taking off these days is the role of an online course instructor. Learning new skills through online platforms such as Coursera or udemy has become increasingly popular. The demand for instructors hence has also increased significantly. While you can work as an instructor for these platforms directly, you can also offer online courses by creating videos on your own website.
This option is particularly good for recent graduates or people who have both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in a particular topic. While anyone has the freedom to become an instructor, people are likely only going to be willing to learn from someone who has a college degree or vast career history as a testament to their knowledge.
- Streamer
Online gaming is another way many people earn money these days. Platforms such as Twitch and Discord allow a person to go on live and interact with an audience. Most streamers usually play video games during their lives. However, many people simply talk or make reaction videos where they state their opinions on things.
Like most audience-influenced careers, it may take a while before you can generate a decent income from streaming. The rate of income may also be quite turbulent in the beginning. However, if you are consistent with your content, it won’t take long before you can build a following and make a decent living.
- Artist/ Photographer
Another great way of earning money online while staying true to your creative self is by selling your art or photography online. Many online sites allow their users to put their art on display without the fear of it being stolen. Just like pictures are sold in a gallery, you can sell the rights to a photograph or painting online.
This job may not have a steady income in the beginning. However, if you can make a name for yourself in the industry then it won’t be long till you start making some decent money. Since art is a visual medium, it is easy to steal or copy. Be sure to post on sites that are careful about privacy and have watermarks to indicate ownership.
- Author/ E-book Publishing
Thanks to websites like Amazon Kindle, you can even make an income now by creating e-books. One way of doing this is by writing your own book and publishing it. The concept is the same as publishing a regular book. Write a book in digital form and then contact an e-book website about having it published. You will earn money each time someone buys your ebook from that platform.
Another way for you to earn an income through e-books is by making an e-book of an already published book. There are many published books that exist as physical books but do not have a digitized version. You can make e-books of these books and publish them on e-book sites (with the author’s consent). You will get paid each time someone purchases that ebook. From this portion, a percentage shall be given to the original author as royalties.
Is Earning Money Online Safe?
Just like in the real world, the virtual job market also comes with its share of dangers. For the most part, earning money online is safe. However, there are some risks involved such as people making false promises, getting hacked or information being leaked. The key here is to do proper research before working with or talking to anyone.
If you decide to work for a company, then do proper research before sending your resume or handing out personal information. If you are self-employed, be wary of the type of information you put out about yourself online. Create a separate email address or get a different work phone number if your job requires you to reveal your contact information publicly.
Before doing anything, be sure you understand what the online culture is like. Interacting with people online is very different from interacting with people in real life. Use VPNs and practice safe browsing whenever you are in unknown territories or the World Wide Web. Make sure that no matter the circumstance, you are following the internet safety rules and precautions.
Things to Know Before Earning Money Online
By now you probably have a good idea of what working online must be like. Working online comes with a lot of freedom and flexibility. However, that does not by any means make it a decision that should be taken without proper deliberation. Here are a few things you should take into consideration before you decide to take on an online career.
- It Is Not as Easy as It Seems
Sitting at home and earning money through the internet may seem like a dream come true. The reality, however, is a completely different story. Regardless of the fact that it is online work, it is still work. This means you will have to be just as responsible and alert as you would be in an office job. The only difference is that you get to work from the comfort of your home.
Since you are working from home, you will also have to be responsible for all of your tools and schedule. Making sure your internet and digital devices function properly is fully your responsibility. You must also be aware of the fact that since you are not in an office, you will be responsible for cleaning and preparing meals for yourself within working hours.
- It Will Require Time and Patience
Finding work online is not easy. Whether you are self-employed or looking to work for a company, it will take quite some time before you can find proper work. The online job market is very competitive. There are likely to be many dark days before you land on a system that guarantees you a steady income.
The goal here is to push your way through the difficult stages in the beginning. As long as you have the skills to back you up, you will find work sooner or later. Try not to get upset by rejections or frustrated by the amount of time it takes to land on solid ground. With time and effort, you will be rewarded for all your hard work.
- Self-Discipline Is Very Important
The key to working online is to maintain self-discipline. There are a lot of distractions that come with working outside the office. It can be very tempting to trick yourself into taking a ten-minute break that ends up lasting for hours. Not being able to be harsh on yourself to make sure you do not lose focus can be detrimental to building an online career.
If you are self-employed, this aspect of online earning is absolutely crucial to your success. Since you are your own boss, you have complete control over everything you do. It can be very tempting to give yourself days off from work without considering the consequences. Thus please keep in mind that you should only consider an online career if you believe you alone are enough to keep yourself in check.
- It Can Get Lonely
Working online usually means that you are working from home all by yourself. One of the largest drawbacks of this setup is that you are always alone. Office work can be difficult but having coworkers to talk to while working makes the entire process feel less burdensome. This unfortunately is a source of relief that cannot be found in online work.
If you decide to work online, you will have to work in isolation. For many people, this is a dream come true. For others, it is an absolute nightmare. Consider your own personality and whether you are the type of person who is comfortable with spending long hours by yourself. If you do not think this is something you are comfortable with, you may want to consider other options.
- It Is Very Rewarding
The current job market interjects the idea of being a slave to the system. It is very easy to feel as though you have no control over your own life. Earning money online can allow you to break away from that mental state, even if by a little. Having the freedom to decide where you work and when you work can be extremely rewarding and make you feel like you have control over your life.
As you can likely tell by now, earning a steady income online is not an easy task. However, getting good results after investing months and weeks of hard work makes it all worth it. So if you feel intimidated by the amount of restraint and patience it requires to earn money online, rest easy knowing that all of your efforts will indeed be rewarded with time.
Conclusion
Making a living online is a difficult but attainable goal. If you are well informed, there is no reason for you to fear taking steps towards an online career. If you have read this article all the way through, you are more than capable of distinguishing the pros and cons of earning money online by yourself. I hope this article has fulfilled its duty by telling you how to make money online for beginners.
Since you are now aware of the countless career paths in the online sphere, you can make informed decisions regarding what to do moving forward. If you do decide to take on an online career, be sure to never lose faith or patience in your own abilities. Thank you for reading. I wish you the best of luck for your career ahead!