How many times have you come across an article claiming that the author made a fortune by doing something online? Too many? If you are fed up with these, you are not the only one. Sometimes it feels like the vast majority of articles on the topic are just sales pitches for “help yourself” books or even worse, an MLM company. Then again, even Forbes is now publishing articles on the topic, so we decided to pitch in as well.
Tutoring
Tutoring was always a popular way for students to earn some cash on the side and the Internet has helped them increase their potential customers base. Now you can spend your afternoons teaching Chinese kids math or Japanese English from the comfort of your home, whether it is downtown Sidney or the Outback. You can even make a decent living from it if you are good at it. There will always be a demand for good teachers and tutors and if you can transfer your knowledge in a way kids can understand, perhaps you can even make a career out of it.
Online Surveys
Online surveys are always a popular topic whenever making money online is mentioned. The reason is simple, they do bring a steady influx of cash. The trouble is that, for many people, that amount of money is just too small to be worth their time. Making $5 or $10 a day just doesn’t seem appealing. If you are one of those people, just read on. If you think that money can help you plug some holes in your budget, give it a try.
Gaming
Gaming has been a constant source of income for many people, either by Twitch or YouTube. There are also people making money by playing competitively, but since they represent the gaming elite, we will leave that out for now. If video games aren’t your forte, perhaps other forms of gaming will appeal to you. There are plenty of online PayPal casinos that are willing to give you a chance to earn some cash on their sites. Play and earn has always been a popular way of making a living. Once you have enough experience, you can even start writing guides and reviews that will help other players get started, which can bring a handsome sum of money.
Blogging
Having a blog has evolved from a free soapbox that has the potential to transmit your opinions worldwide to a powerful commercial platform, with serious earning potential. The most popular blogs (which are also the most lucrative ones) have one thing in common: their authors are experts in their fields, or at least they have convinced their audience that they are, which amounts to the same thing. Don’t blog about things you aren’t familiar with or building a rapport with your readers will be tough. Art and Crafts
Selling your art online has been a huge business ever since sites like Etsy appeared. There are plenty of people who make a comfortable living out of it. Unfortunately, not many of them live in Australia. The trouble is that Australia can’t compare to the United States or Europe in terms of population and market size and shipping things from Down Under can get really expensive, making your creations utterly uncompetitive on the global market. That being said, there is no reason you can’t make a few dollars selling to fellow Australians and perhaps an occasional tourist.
Blogging can be a fulfilling hobby – a great way to express your passion for a particular subject. But make no mistake: it can also be a great way to make money, either as a side hustle or as a full-time career. There are many platforms and marketplaces to make money such as Etsy, Amazon, Instagram or TikTok.
Moreover, Every online marketplace, from Etsy to Amazon, offers a shared set of advantages and disadvantages. The upside is that you get access to their network of shoppers—people regularly browse these sites when they need to buy something, so setting up shop lets you meet them there. That’s why you need to know the best working tips for making money on etsy and for promoting your products on Amazon.
Freelancing
Freelancing is a great way for college students to both make some money and practice their skills. Whether you are a programmer or a graphic designer, sites like Upwork will have plenty of opportunities for you to cash in on your knowledge. You do have to compete with a host of other offers from countries like India and Pakistan, underbidding you on projects, but this can be an important income stream. Finding that first gig can be a little intimidating, but there are plenty of guides to help you with it.
Many of these gigs won’t make enough money to buy a house, but they will come in handy when patching up your budget. It is important to understand this and be prepared, or you will get disappointed with the whole concept very quickly. Managing your expectations is key to building a serious online income stream. Sometimes it is enough to pay some bills or help out with the rent, at least in the beginning.