Remote working is an attractive concept. Beyond working in your pajamas, remote working offers professionals the opportunity to reduce their travel, enjoy more flexibility in their schedules and achieve a better work-life balance.
Fortunately, in today’s digital age, it’s never been easier to make a living online.
If you’re craving a remote work lifestyle but struggling to make the transition, these 21 options are the perfect place to start.
Best of all, many of these beginner-friendly positions are scalable and grow with you as you gain experience.
4 steps to earning a living online
Ready to take the plunge and start making money online? These 4 simple steps will guide your path.
1. Identify your niche
First of all, identify areas where you have existing skills or interests. Refer to the list below to find inspiration for an online job that matches your desires and skills.
2. Develop your skills
You may already have all the tools you need to start making money online. Otherwise, take the time to become more involved in your chosen role.
Consider virtual classesYouTube tutorials or further research to gain confidence.
3. Showcase your abilities
Many of these roles require proof of your abilities. This could look like a graphic design portfolio or customer reviews from a pet sitter client.
Find a way to bring together and show off your abilities through a website, online portfolio, social media accounts, or whatever works for you.
4. Turn skills into earning potential
With a little patience, your work will soon become a new source of income. From there, the possibilities are endless!
Earning a living online: social media
There are many ways to make extra money on social media, and the space is constantly evolving with new monetization opportunities. Get started with established practices or become a platform pioneer with new and innovative ways to make money.
1. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate Marketing helps you earn real money online through clicks. When you link products using your affiliate codes, you will earn a small percentage of each click or sale.
While an existing blog or other online presence can be helpful, you don’t need one to get started. Try using different programs, such as Amazon Affiliates Or TikTok Store. Start recommending items you really like and grow from there!
For more information, check out these affiliate marketing articles:
2.Pinterest
Pinterest is more than just a social media platform: it’s a creative search engine with serious earning potential.
Use Pinterest to increase traffic to your blog or existing business, or make money as a Pinterest virtual assistant.
3. Faceless Content
If you want to create content but don’t want to be on camera, faceless videos are for you!
Create vlog-style videos or fully digital videos. Popular ideas include quizzes, games, compilations and more.
Post these videos to platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram to increase your reach and monetization potential.
4. YouTube Channel
You can make money from YouTube videos by running a YouTube channel.
As your subscriber base grows, you can sign up for YouTube Partner Program and earn with Google AdSense. Sponsorships and members-only content can generate even more revenue.
5. Funds for TikTok Creators
TikTok has taken over the video space, with creators getting paid for videos based on their view count. You can also live stream on TikTok Live, where viewers can submit tips while watching your broadcast.
6. UGC Creator
Chances are your local market is obsessed with UGC, or “user-generated content.” These are real reviews or captured experiences shared by everyday people.
You don’t need an existing platform for this content creation. In fact, a new face is preferred over a known content creator.
Create videos that businesses love and consumers trust. Film yourself talking about your favorite products or a fun new experience in town. Collaborate with brands and get paid for your honest reviews and video content.
Earning a living online: digital products
Selling digital products is a beginner-friendly way to enter the e-commerce space, eliminating the hassle of shipping, handling, and storing products.
Plus, keeping it digital gives you plenty of options for future passive income.
7. Write eBooks
Electronic books have simplified the publishing process, allowing you to self-publish your literary works with just a few mouse clicks.
Publish fiction or non-fiction titles like cookbooks, instruction manuals, niche training, etc. Although writing eBooks requires a significant initial time commitment, it could pay off with years of passive income.
8. Create an online course
Just as the desire to work online is increasing, many people also prefer to learn online.
Use your specific expertise to create online courses. This may take the form of one-off learning materials or a subscription model to regularly updated resources.
To sell these courses, you can either create a business website or use a popular hosting site like Skill sharing Or Udemy to take advantage of their integrated traffic.
Check out this simple course creation tutorial to create your first digital course!
9. Photo Presets
If you’ve never heard of presets, you’ve definitely seen them used on your Instagram feed. These preset filters are used on photos and videos to upgrade a profile, providing consistent style and aesthetic appeal.
These filters are much more advanced than the free options you can find on Instagram; they are tuned to specific vibrations that will enhance any flow.
Create custom presets in Adobe Lightroom and sell themed packs online. Popular bundles are often described by their aesthetic.
10. Creating templates
Online models are in need of organizational help and improved aesthetics. These models can be used to:
- Spreadsheets
- Daily Planners
- Canva deigns
- Google Slides
- Websites
- And much more!
Pro tip: think about the wedding market! Create templates to help busy people plan their dream wedding or decorative templates to enhance their day.
11. Stock Photos
If you own a quality camera and are interested in photography, consider using your skills to stock photography. Sell images on platforms like Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, iStock, etc.
It’s a simple way to sell existing works and earn passive income.
For more visibility, don’t forget to add relevant tags and detailed descriptions to your uploaded photos.
Earn a living online: self-employment + services
Freelance your skills, with jobs available for both part-time and full-time careers.
12. Social Media Management
If you’re passionate about social media, consider joining the social media marketing space! Work for remote agencies or individual creators, helping them plan, create and schedule content.
13. Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants often help small business owners with administrative support, completing micro-tasks to keep them organized, save time, and even scale their operations.
These roles can be technical or creative, depending on the field.
14. Blog Writing
Talented writers looking to enter the field should consider blog writing. Research topics, create full blog posts, and incorporate SEO to help your work get seen!
15. Rover
Pet service providers can make a living online through a platform like Vagabond. It is designed to connect pet parents with qualified dog sitters and walkers.
You can keep this role entirely remote by offering in-home pet sitting, or you can venture into guest check-ins and walks.
16. Data entry
Data entry is a beginner-friendly role that requires basic computer skills and a reliable internet connection. With this, you can efficiently organize records and update databases as needed.
17. Online Tutoring
You can offer online tutoring services via video chat from just about anywhere, making this a great gig for students.
Check job boards for tutoring agencies hiring in your area or choose to freelance your services through personal marketing.
Earning a living online: physical products
Using AI and proven processes, selling physical products online has become completely streamlined. Use trusted hosting sites and free online resources to start selling physical products and make a living online.
18. Etsy Sales
Etsy is a good place to sell handmade products because of its powerful search engine and built-in user base. Sell art, crafts, vintage items and more.
19. Sell lots
Do you like shopping and organizing? Turn this passion into a source of income by selling packages such as:
- Style Bundles at Depop
- Selected gift boxes for special events
- Niche Subscription Boxes Shipped Monthly
20. Print on Demand
It’s easy to start selling online through a print on demand service like Redbubble. Simply upload your artwork and let the host site do the rest.
They will print on tote bags, t-shirts, notebooks and more, and earn you revenue for every sale.
21. Vintage + Recycled Products
You can sell anything online! Sell vintage collections, upcycled clothing destined for the landfill, or items brought back to life with a fresh coat of paint.
Popular hosting sites for vintage products include eBay, Facebook MarketplaceAnd Chic brand.
Final Thoughts: How to Make a Living Online
There are many ways to earn extra income online, but it can seem really intimidating at first. Use these beginner-friendly ideas to fuel your remote dreams and start making money online.
