by Jeanette R. Harrison, MPH
When my sister told me that making money online wasn’t possible, it wasn't a challenge to me. Because I was already making money online. This gaslighting behavior did not stop me, and it didn't motivate me, either. In fact, some of the most successful businesses are online-based, such as Google, Amazon, and Facebook. I earn commissions through all of these companies. Now, I'm definitely not Jeff Bezos, and I'm not getting rich off my online work. All the same, I did find several legitimate ways to make money online, in my home, and mostly on my own schedule.
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Photo by Jeanette R. Harrison |
Here are a few legitimate ways that I made, and continue to make, money online:
1. Writing.
I have authored seven books, and I have written a lot on the internet. My books are showcased on my Amazon author page. I am not making a lot of money writing, but I am generating at least a passive income from writing. Writing is very flexible because I write when I feel like it. The most profitable form of writing for me has been writing books. Also, I can share my passion and skills with a broader audience. I earn royalties off of every book I sell. If I sell the books myself, I have to first purchase the books, and then sell them.
Pro tip: Create a blog or write for websites to build your skills. Writing is like anything else. The more you write, the better you become.
2. Social Media Influencer.
Social media influencers and affiliate marketing are fairly similar. Although, influencers also fall into the next category, which is content creation. I first started as an Amazon influencer. To become an Amazon influencer, you have to have a significant following on a social media platform. I started with X/Twitter, and now I am an influencer on most of my social media platforms. I don't spend a lot of time on this particular income stream, and my payments reflect that for some months. As an Amazon influencer, I earn commission by promoting products sold on Amazon. Amazon has a minimum amount influencers have to earn to be paid out.
I also do affiliate marketing through Google. These ads are placed strategically on my website, and I get paid based on the ads viewed. Many companies offer affiliate programs where you can earn a commission for each sale made through your referral link. Again, this is not a method that is getting me rich but does give me a passive income stream. I also do not spend a lot of time on this method.
Pro tip: Like anything else, the more you put into being an influencer, the more successful you will be at it. Create videos or images showing you use the product, as well as a shoppable link, and you will have more traffic.
3. Content Creation
I started upping my game on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to grow my business and to educate and inform people about healthcare issues. As time went on, my following grew, and I started earning money from the content I shared. I make money from ad revenue, sponsorships, or brand partnerships on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Again, it's not a get-rich-quick scheme. However, it is enough to pay for a good lunch, gas money, or to buy groceries.
Pro tip: Follow trends and pay attention to what people like and don't like. Trying to guess the algorithm isn't helpful. It's better to be you and post consistently.
4. Sell Handmade Goods or Print-on-Demand Products
Even though I don't feel like I do, I have a creative side. I make blankets and beaded stretch bracelets and have expanded into necklaces. The beaded bracelets are my most popular item. I sell most of my handmade products on Facebook marketplace and on TikTok shop. I also have a shop on Society6. I uploaded the photographs I took and created sellable items on their platform. It is shipped on demand, so I don't have to keep any inventory on hand.
Pro tip: Use social media to showcase your creations and drive traffic to your online shop.
5. Online Courses and Digital Products
I previously taught courses online, and I answered homework questions on a homework-help website, called eNotes. I first began offering online courses on Teachable. The platform is really good at helping you set up your online course. However, you have to pay an upfront subscription fee to increase your course offerings or to increase the number of students. I decided to switch to a platform called, Payhip since I already knew how to set up an online course because of my experience teaching online. Payhip also allows you to sell digital products, like e-books, guides, and templates, which require upfront work but can bring in passive income once launched. Payhip does charge the creator/seller a fee per item.
Pro tip: Before designing a course and putting it online, take an online course yourself. Teachable offers a great course on how to set up an online course.
6. Microtasking
If you prefer to get paid right away, you can try micro-tasking. Two of the websites I have used that do pay with regular frequency are Amazon Mechanical Turk and Clickworker. Clickworker has a minimum earnings amount before you receive a payout. A note of caution is that these microtasks can seem like "slave labor." I haven't made huge buckets of money from micro-tasking, but I have earned money to pay for school lunches, utility bills, gas for my car, and groceries. In fact, the groceries I bought today were from an Amazon Mechanical Turk payout. The great thing about micro-tasking is that you work as much or as little as you want. Be forewarned, however, that your tasks may get rejected. Further, if you don't work, you don't get paid. One hundred percent of the time you are on a task you are working.
Pro tip: Look to see how much a job is paying and how long it takes. Jobs that pay $1.50 for an hour are not the same as jobs that pay $1.50 for five minutes. In this case, you would choose the $1.50 for five minutes task, because that is the equivalent of $18 per hour.
Final Thoughts
Yes, you can make money online! These are just a few of the ways I have made and continue to make money online. While it may take time and persistence, the Internet offers endless opportunities to earn, learn, and grow. Whatever your interests, skills, or available time, there’s likely an option that fits you.
So next time someone tells you it’s impossible to make money online, you’ll have the tools—and the success stories—to prove them wrong.
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