How to Make Money Online for Beginners 17 Simple Ways

The internet is a big place where anyone can start to make money online. You don’t need to know many things to start. You can do fun stuff like writing, drawing, or helping people. So, it doesn’t matter if you are new or have been doing this for a while, the internet has many methods on how to make money online for beginners.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to make money online and the different options you have available today. From selling products to doing market research, starting a YouTube channel, or just offering your services as a virtual assistant. Let’s dive in!

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Making Money Online: A Guide for Everyone

The internet is a vast place full of opportunities for everyone. You don’t need to be an expert or have special skills to start making money online. Here are four simple ways you can start earning some extra cash.

Sell Products to Make Money Online

One of the easiest ways to make money online is to sell products. This can be anything from toys and books to digital products like digital art, or selling online courses. There are many online marketplaces that make it easy for you to get started.

1) Selling Unneeded Items Online – How to Make Money Online For Beginners

Selling stuff online, like old furniture or toys, is a great way to start to make money online and declutter. Use platforms like eBay for general items, Etsy for vintage or craft items, and Facebook Marketplace for local sales.

Pros:

1. Generates extra income.
2. Helps declutter your space.
3. Easiest way to start learning about how to make money online.

Cons:

1. Takes time to photograph and list items.
2. Potential scams on some online marketplaces.

2) Sell Stock Photos – How to Make Money Online For Beginners

Turn your photography hobby into extra cash by selling stock photos on online platforms like Shutterstock. And before you start telling yourself that it sounds too complicated, know that it is actually one of the easiest ways to start making money online. Shutterstock’s steps to getting paid are simple, and it takes just a few minutes to become a contributor. Here’s how:

1. Create. Produce high-quality images and videos for customers to download.
2. Submit. Upload your content with their easy-to-use platform, and get tips for success.
3. Get paid. Make money every time your content is downloaded by one of their worldwide customers.

See? No big social media accounts, market research, or online surveys required! This is truly one of the most simple ways to make money online. And if you’re serious about making more money fast, grab your camera or smartphone and start snapping!

Pros:

1. Little to no startup cost for an online business.
2. Allows you to turn a hobby into a make money online opportunity.

Cons:

1. High competition in the market.
2. Income can be unpredictable when you sell stock photos.

3) Sell Courses Online – How to Make Money Online For Beginners

Create and sell an online course on a topic you’re skilled in to share your knowledge and earn extra money. Do you have experience being a freelance writer? Create a simple guide on that! Have you ever planned a huge trip, or organized events, or grown a social media account? People will pay to take a “course” on something if it means it could turn into an opportunity for them to make more money.

Pros:

1. Passive income source once created.
2. Share expertise and help others learn on social media channels like a youtube channel.

Cons:

1. Requires time and effort to create high-quality content.
2. Marketing the course to sell online can be challenging for some.

4) Selling Digital Products – How to Make Money Online For Beginners

Create and sell digital products such as e-books, online courses, or graphics. Do market research and leverage online marketplace like Etsy, or your own website to reach potential customers.

Pros:

1. Potential for passive income over time.
2. No inventory required for storage in an online world.

Cons:

1. Requires upfront effort in order to create a high-quality product.
2. Marketing can be necessary to reach potential customers.

5) Selling Products Online with Amazon FBA – How to Make Money Online For Beginners

Sell physical or digital products through an online store (AKA e-commerce platform) such as Shopify or Amazon FBA. How does this work? Well, in a nutshell…

Amazon FBA stands for “Fulfillment by Amazon.” It’s a way for people to sell things online without worrying about storing and shipping the products themselves.

Imagine you have some toys or books that you want to sell. Instead of keeping them in your house and sending them out when someone buys them, you can send them to Amazon. Amazon will store your items in their big warehouses until someone buys them.

When a customer buys your toy or book, Amazon takes care of everything. They pack it up, put it in a box, and ship it to the customer’s doorstep. They even handle any returns or refunds if something goes wrong.

This helps sellers because they don’t have to worry about finding space to store their products or dealing with the hassle of shipping. Amazon takes care of all of that for them.

So, Amazon FBA is like having your own little store inside Amazon’s big online marketplace, and Amazon takes care of all the storage and shipping stuff for you.

Pros:

1. Easy to start with minimal investment.
2. Products can be sold globally.
3. Unlimited earning potential to make passive income online.

Cons:

1. Requires knowledge of the e-commerce industry and marketing strategies.
2. Can take time to see significant returns on your investment of time or money.
3. Competition in popular markets can be fierce.

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Make Money Online by Completing Tasks

Companies are always looking for people to help them understand their customers better. They’re willing to pay for your opinion! From survey sites, to market research companies, or data entry jobs.

You can earn money by completing surveys or doing small tasks on money-making apps for extra money online fast.

Selling Your Time to Make Money Online

6) Online Surveys – How to Make Money Online For Beginners

Earn money online fast by taking online surveys on a platform like Swagbucks or Survey Junkie, which can be redeemed for purchases or cash.

Pros:

1. Easy to do and requires no special skills or your own website.
2. Can be done in your spare time for extra money.
3. No special softwares needed, just use an online platform like the ones mentioned above.

Cons:

1. Income can be low and inconsistent.
2. Some sites may have minimum payout thresholds.

7) Virtual Assistant – How to Make Money Online For Beginners

With good communication skills, you can become a virtual assistant, doing tasks like customer service, data entry, or transcription services. Virtual assistants come in all skillsets and locations, so you can put yourself out there, specify your skillset, and find postings that are right for you!

Check out freelancer websites like Upwork and Fiverr.

Pros:

1. Flexible work hours and location.
2. Wide variety of tasks available.
3. Choose jobs that allow you to focus on your skills.

Cons:

1. Requires strong organizational and communication skills.
2. Competition can be high on freelance online platforms, especially when competing with virtual assistants who are willing to work for cheaper rates. Many companies will opt to hire virtual assistants from countries like the Philippines, because the starting wage there is much lower.

8) Website and App Testing – How to Make Money Online For Beginners

Sell your time by testing websites and apps for functionality. Use tools like Google Analytics or App Insights to provide valuable insights for companies. Large companies are always looking for people who want to give their time to test websites.

This is both a great way to make money online while improving your knowledge of different websites. Here’s a YouTube video with step-by-step guidance!

Pros:

1. Helps improve user experience on digital platforms.
2. Work can vary — keeping things interesting for you.

Cons:

1. Requires some technical knowledge to earn cash online.
2. Work availability can be inconsistent.

9) Download Money Making Apps – How to Make Money Online for Beginners

Take advantage of apps that pay you for activities like completing surveys, playing games, and watching videos. Leverage rewards programs from online retailers or cash-back websites and apps as well. Apps like Survey Compare pay up to $10 per survey and offer 100% free signup!

Pros:

1. Quick and easy cash rewards.
2. No special skills required.
3. Free to begin.

Cons:

1. Income is typically low.
2. Time-consuming for low rewards.

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Offer Your Services Online

If you have a skill that can help others, why not sell it online? From managing social media accounts, assisting with digital marketing to writing content, there are countless services you could offer. This can be a great way to make money online while doing something you enjoy.

Selling Your Services Online

10) Online Tutoring – How to Make Money Online For Beginners

If you’re proficient in any subject, offer online tutoring services. Provide learning materials and respond to student queries.

Many platforms can help market your services, so you can share your opportunity with more people!

Pros:

1. Flexible schedule and location.
2. A rewarding and fulfilling make money online experience.

Cons:

1. May require certification or a degree in the subject.
2. Can be time-consuming with preparation and grading.

11) Data Entry Specialist – How to Make Money Online For Beginners

Data entry is a beginner-friendly online job, requiring minimal experience. Job platforms like FlexJobs and Upwork often have tons of opportunities, with average earnings around $15/hour.

Data entry might sound like a trained skill, but it can be as simple as translating hand-written notes into an Excel spreadsheet.

In short: it can be one of the simplest ways to earn extra income, and you don’t need to be a freelance writer to do it.

Pros:

1. No specific skills or qualifications needed.
2. Wide availability of jobs.

Cons:

1. Work can be monotonous and repetitive.
2. Pay can be low compared to other online jobs.

12) Teaching English Online – How to Make Money Online For Beginners

Teach English online to non-native speakers from your home. So many people travel abroad and teach English for a semester, not realizing that they could then come back home and turn that experience into a make money online opportunity.

This can be done through e-learning online course platforms or partnering with educational companies. We’ve seen online tutor platforms where you literally just hop on a video call with a student and speak English with them for half an hour!

Pros:

1. High demand globally.
2. Opportunity to learn about different cultures.

Cons:

1. May require TEFL certification or similar, which are actually super easy to get!
2. Time zone differences can affect scheduling.

13) Freelancing – How To Make Money Online For Beginners

Start freelancing in a field you are knowledgeable or experienced in, such as web design, copywriting, transcription services, and more to earn money online. Use platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to find clients and manage projects.

Seriously: if you consider yourself particularly skilled at any kind of online work, you should be putting yourself out there as a freelancer on the subject!

You never know who’s out there right now, looking for your exact skillset!

Pros:

1. Flexible working hours and options for remote work.
2. Potential to earn high pay rates.

Cons:

1. Competition can make it difficult to break into the market.
2. May require networking or marketing in order to reach potential clients.

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Making Money Online Through Content Creation

If you love creating high quality content like videos or writing, why not share it online? The more people like and share your content, the more money you can potentially make. This can come from ad revenue, selling digital products, or promoting other people’s products in your content.

14) Passive Income through Content Creation – How to Make Money Online For Beginners

Build a long-term passive income stream by creating engaging content on mobile apps, which can be monetized through various ways over time.

Have you ever seen the Ocean Spray skateboard video that went viral and earned the maker a fully-paid vehicle — courtesy of Ocean Spray?

If you’re good at thinking of fun video ideas, find a way to sneak the brands you love into them!

Pros:

1. Potential for substantial long-term income especially with merchandise sales.
2. Social media channels can be creative and fulfilling.

Cons:

1. Slow to start and requires upfront effort.
2. Requires some knowledge of video creating and editing.

15) Creating and Monetizing Content on Social Media – How to Make Money Online For Beginners

Showcase your content creation talent on social media platforms like YouTube, Twitch, or Instagram. Make money through ad revenue, online courses, sponsorships, sponsored posts, or merchandise sales from your own online store.

Pros:

1. Large potential audience.
2. Multiple streams of income possible.

Cons:

1. Requires consistent content creation.
2. High competition and platform algorithm changes can affect visibility.

16) Writing and Monetizing Blog Posts – How to Make Money Online For Beginners

Start a profitable blog in a niche you’re passionate about. Make money by selling ad space on your blog, reach out to brands for affiliate marketing partnerships, sponsorships, or selling products yourself.

If you’re really passionate about any subject (cooking, writing, traveling, cleaning, plant-growing, digital art, social media platforms, or — hey — making money online) start a blog about it and help educate other people on all that you know!

Pros:

1. Opportunity to share expertise or experiences.
2. Can generate passive income over time.

Cons:

1. Requires regular content updates and SEO knowledge.
2. Building audience and traffic can take time.

17) Affiliate Marketing – How To Make Money Online For Beginners

Promote other people’s products or services and earn a commission for successful sales. This is an easy way to start making money online quickly. Whether you have a blog or a social media following, you can reach out to brands that you personally standby and find out how to become an affiliate for that brand.

By helping that brand sell products, you can earn money!

Pros:

1. Can be started with minimal investment, if any.
2. Earn commissions from product sales without having to create any of your own products.

Cons:

1. Competition can be high.
2. Requires a reliable and consistent online presence.
3. Affiliate links may not always convert into sales.
4. Can take some time to build up an audience before seeing results.

Remember, the key to earn money online is to find something you enjoy and are good at. You can make money online in many ways — whether it’s taking online surveys, launching online courses, setting up an online store, offering valuable services doing digital marketing, becoming a virtual assistant or hitting it big with your own Youtube channel.

Make sure to do your market research for at just a few hours to learn if you can make extra income in the way you want to.

With dedication and effort, you can turn these online opportunities into a profitable way to generate income.

So go ahead, explore these options, and start your journey towards making money online today!

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Our favorite business model for beginners: Becoming an Online Middleman

Start your own business as an online middleman, connecting local businesses with customers. Many small businesses need help improving their online presence while reaching out to new customers and reselling existing ones.

Pros:

1. No upfront investment required.
2. Flexible schedule and location.
3. Can grow through various marketing strategies.
4. Provides a meaningful service to other businesses.
5. As you gain experience, you set your own prices.

Cons:

1. Initial setup can be overwhelming.
2. Building a reputation may take time.
3. Not a fully passive income source as it requires active management.

With over 33 million small businesses in the U.S, many are too busy with their services to focus on business growth strategies. For instance, a local HVAC contractor we met, despite his 30 years in business, has never reached out to previous clients for repeat service.

He was making money, but he was also leaving a lot on the table!

Why You Should Start a Local Biz Social Media Marketing Agency

With so many money online business venture opportunities out there, why this one? Well, starting a local business marketing agency is a smart choice for several reasons:

1. Affordable startup: Minimal investment is required, as you don’t need a physical location or expensive equipment.
2. Home-based: You can work from home, saving time and extra cash on commuting or renting office space.
3. Less competition: Focusing on your local market allows you to stand out from larger agencies and provide personalized services.
4. Easy to scale: As your business grows, overhead costs remain low and you can hire remote employees or freelancers to manage increasing workloads.
5. High profit margins: The cost of providing social media marketing services is low compared to the fees you can charge — resulting in high profits!

In short, starting a local social media marketing agency is an affordable, flexible, and profitable make money online business opportunity with tons of room for growth and success.

Why Local Marketing Vault? Start with Proven Strategies

After seven years in their online business, the two epic Local Marketing Vault owners have welcomed the inspired idiots to learn how the business model works and to build out this guide: the ultimate local business marketing side hustle guide.

Kelsey and I have been fortunate enough to be in the LMV community and course since 2022! We’ve watched their trainings, applied their teachings to our own practices, and have been able to add an extra $500 – $3,000 per client monthly by using their pre-built campaigns.

Thank you to the Local Marketing Vault community (the “Smart Marketers”), and thank you to James and Jason.

If you want our honest review of our experience in this program, we’ve explained that in detail here.

This guide is for the person who dreams of a side hustle but doesn’t know where to begin. This business model allows you to:

• Be your own boss.
• Control your own time.
• Keep your full time job while you do this on the side (if you want).
• Turn any conversation into a sales opportunity.
• Become extremely valuable to people who operate local businesses.

Our mission is to provide you with the tools and knowledge needed to launch a successful local business marketing agency side hustle. And who knows – if you find success with these strategies, you may even be interested in joining the thriving community of over 6,500 Smart Marketers.

There, you’ll find daily livestream Q&As with 6-figure marketers, shared strategies on their most profitable campaigns, and endless networking and partnership opportunities.

For us, this community has been the most beneficial part of the entire program. If we have problems with a client or a campaign, boom, we have somewhere to turn for answers. Plus, we don’t have to physically do any of the services that we sell. We can simply contact one of the many proven experts who come with years of experience — and dozens of results in their respective niches — and split the profits 50/50.

For example, we connected with a Google Ads wiz named Mike who audited a client’s campaign for us and applied a $500 voucher to it so we’d get more results for that client. Like…what!

If it sounds like the community you’d love to be a part of, book a call with us here and we’ll show you how it all works.

For those not quite ready to take that step, we hope the following information serves you well.

In this guide we’ll cover

1. Why this business model could be right for you
2. What marketing services local businesses will pay for
3. How you can offer those services without actually learning them all yourself
4. How to find businesses that will want to work with you
5. How to build business partnerships
6. How to get local businesses to pay you for your services
7. How to gain your clients’ trust: offer a low-risk free trial
8. How to get started with your new client” onboarding and contracts
9. How to create service packages that make local businesses money
10. How to find MORE clients for your local business marketing agency
11. How to get clients to pay more for your services
12. How to offer additional services to get clients to pay more often
13. Tools you’ll need
14. FAQs

Learn from the Expert: James Bonadies’ Success Story

James Bonadies may not have started as a marketing expert, but he certainly is now. In 2015, he reached an impressive $40,000 per month in revenue with his marketing agency and decided to share his knowledge with others.

Since then, James has trained over 7,000 people on his methods through an online course, helping thousands build successful marketing businesses of their own. Click here to see his full student hall of fame. What began as a side hustle while working as a teacher has transformed into a thriving business model that has changed the lives of thousands of entrepreneurs.

Among James’ students, there are:

• 44+ students who generate $10k per month
• 10+ students who generate $30k per month
• 4+ students who generate $50k per month
• 7+ students who generate a staggering $100k per month

These impressive figures showcase the potential of James Bonadies’ online business model and the impact it can have on those who apply his teachings. By learning from someone who actively runs successful campaigns like James, aspiring marketers can unlock the secrets to a prosperous career in the marketing industry.

Here’s an interview James had with a student doing $100,000+ per month with his agency! Insane!

What Marketing Services Local Businesses Will Pay For

In today’s digital age, social media has become an essential platform for businesses to engage with their customers and generate revenue. If you’re looking to help local businesses make money using social media, here are five key strategies to do that:

1. Message Marketing: $297 – $497 per campaign

One effective way to generate income for businesses is by reaching out to their existing customer and lead lists through message marketing. It’s incredibly simple, but many businesses owners don’t know how to do this themselves.

All you do is a craft personalized message with an attractive offer — making sure it feels like a favor to the client. This approach not only increases sales, it also strengthens customer relationships.

For example: in testing this method, we ran a campaign for a local HVAC company. We messaged 2,170 of their previous customers.

129 total responded.

70 booked appointments.

We generated $12,250 total revenue and $7350 profit for that biz owner within one month!

This client actually had to ask us to pause the campaign because he got booked solid for the entire season! Damn!

Here’s the exact message we sent:

“Hey [First Name]! To thank you for being a previous customer, we’re offering you 75% off our spring duct cleaning service! (Regular $269!) Just $68 for the first 8 vents, and $6.50 per additional vent after that. (Don’t worry — we’ll be able to tell you beforehand how many vents your home has!) Just text us back YES or give us a call at [Insert Number] to confirm eligibility. Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Thanks, Razok Heating and Cooling”

Using the pre-built campaign and automations found in the Local Marketing Vault, this only took us 15 minutes to set up.

2. Reputation Management: $97 – $497 monthly

Having solid reviews on Google could potentially double a local business’s monthly profits — many biz owners don’t realize this!

You can implement an automatic system that messages customers immediately after they’ve received a service, making it easy for them to leave a review. Positive reviews not only improve the brand’s image but also boost trust among potential customers, leading to increased sales.

BONUS: here’s a pre-built reputation management automation you can use for free to get started and earn a few extra bucks!

3. Lead Generation: $500 – $5,000 monthly

Expand a business’s reach and generate more revenue by running targeted ads on platforms like Facebook, Google, Instagram, and TikTok. These platforms help increase brand visibility and attract new leads that are interested in the products or services that business offers.

Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok Ads

These platforms are ideal for running ads for “want” services — when people want something but don’t necessarily need it immediately. Think hair salons, spas, yoga studios, restaurant promos, etc.

What you do is…

• Create visually appealing ads that showcase the product or service.
• Use engaging ad copy that highlights the benefits and value of the offer.
• Utilize targeting options to reach audiences who may be interested in the promotion.
• Monitor ad performance and adjust targeting, creatives, and budgets as necessary.

Google Ads

Google Ads are perfect for targeting users who need a specific service right away. For example, if it’s a hot sunny day and someone’s AC breaks, they’ll likely search Google for an AC technician immediately.

What you do is…

• Identify relevant keywords that potential customers might use when searching for the service.
• Create well-structured ad campaigns using these keywords.
• Write compelling ad copy that highlights the unique selling points of the service.
• Use location targeting to reach users in the service area.
• Monitor and optimize the campaign performance based on metrics such as click-through rate, cost per click, and conversions.

4. Search Engine Optimization (SEO): $700 – $3,000 monthly

It’s fair to say that any business that isn’t showing up on the first 1-2 pages of Google is probably not getting any clicks or making money online through website traffic.

Helping businesses rank higher in search engine results is crucial for driving organic traffic to their website.

What you do is…

Optimize their own website and content with relevant keywords and follow best practices for SEO. Improved search rankings will lead to more visitors and potential customers, ultimately boosting revenue.

SEO is something we understand but have zero desire to do for our clients. We outsource any SEO work to dashclicks.com. It’s an agency that will handle this work and appear to your client as your brand. You can buy their services for as little as $300 per month and charge your clients as you see fit.

5. Content Creation: $500 – $5,000 monthly

Quality content attracts and engages potential customers. Help your local business clients create informative and interesting blog posts, social media updates, and other content that showcases their expertise and offerings.

A well-executed content strategy can drive traffic, establish brand authority, and convert visitors into paying customers.

6. Website Building: $500 – $3,000+

An attractive and user-friendly website is essential for any business looking to succeed online. Offer your expertise in website building to create a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate site that effectively showcases the business’s products or services. A great website can significantly improve customer experience and increase conversions.

By implementing these strategies, you can help strangers make money through social media and grow their businesses. As their success increases, so will your reputation as an expert in digital marketing.

Check out our full beginner’s guide to keep reading here!

If you’re interested in making money online, but have no idea how — you are an inspired idiot!

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