It’s common for many people to want other sources of income aside from their main source. But with the current situation limiting the opportunities outdoors, people are turning to the internet to find ways to earn.
If you’re looking for ways to pad your income but do not like the idea of opening your own online store or advertising your products to your network, don’t worry. There are still plenty of realistic ways to use the internet to your advantage and earn income online. Here are a few of these methods:
Invest in an Online Franchise
Investments in general into relevant and legitimate businesses can help you turn a profit. Think of it as investing your assets but letting a bigger, more reliable organization put in the elbow grease to ensure your investment works for you.
There are plenty of online businesses and websites you can invest in, so find one that matches your risk tolerance and existing assets. For example, if you have a residential property you have difficulty renting out because of the current situation, having it managed by a property management company and the profits of investing in a property management franchise cost can greatly increase your income.
Affiliate Marketing
For those with websites with a fair amount of traffic, affiliate marketing can be a lucrative venture for you. You don’t have to sell anything, but you have to promote a product and get your readers to buy the product after visiting your website.
For those who haven’t heard of affiliate marketing, here’s how it works. Websites like Amazon, Sephora, Shopify, and more offer affiliate marketing opportunities for third-party websites. Let’s say that you find a pair of shoes on Amazon that you think your website visitors are more likely to want.
Through affiliate marketing, Amazon will generate a special link you will use to redirect your readers to its product page. For your readers, the link will take them to the product page like normal. But for affiliate marketing websites like you, if your reader clicks the link and ends up making a purchase from that seller, a percentage of that sale will go to you.
If you have a steady stream of website visitors, have an eye for great deals, and market a product, you can earn a steady stream from your sales commission. However, take note that not all websites and all products have the same commission structure, so if you want to maximize your earning potential, you have to really choose which niche of products you want to promote.
Freelancing
Outside of your regular 9-to-5 role, you can opt to earn extra by taking on a freelance job. Think of it as a part-time job (because it technically is), but freelancing is limited to remote online work, so you’re rarely required to leave the safety of your home.
Some of the most freelancing gigs include:
- Content writing
- Graphic design
- SEO
- Teacher/Instructor/Language teacher
- Administrative assistant/personal assistant
- Web design/web developer
The challenging part of freelancing is finding clients online willing to pay for your services. Although there are websites like Fiverr and Upwork where freelancers can apply for jobs, you can also opt to find work using your network and advertising your services. Just remember that, in freelancing, having a portfolio of related work is essential for convincing potential clients that you can get the job done.
These are just three of the many realistic ways to use the internet to your advantage and increase your income sources. Before diving into any one of these examples, it’s important to do further research, see if you have the time to invest in these ventures, and then build your skills and see if this can be a profitable option.
