The internet has changed the world of work forever, whether it’s by allowing office workers to work from home or whether it’s by making freelancing more accessible and creating the gig economy. In fact, making money online is now so accessible that the highest paid YouTuber is currently a seven-year-old toy reviewer whose annual income is over $22 million.
They say that if you find a job that you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. The key is for you to identify which hobbies you have that could also be monetized, and it can help to browse lists of business ideas to see if any of them jump out at you.
With that in mind, today we’re sharing just a few of the best ways to make money from your hobby via the internet. Let’s go.
1. Monetize a blog
Launching a blog takes time and effort, but it can pay good money in the long run if you’re able to monetize it by using affiliate links or posting sponsored content. If you’re not confident in your writing skills, you could also consider using a cheap writing service or starting a YouTube channel instead. Even if your blog doesn’t bring in enough money to pay a full salary, it can be a great extra income stream and it’ll also help you to build your portfolio if you decide to go with our next tip.
2. Use freelancing sites
Freelancing sites like PeoplePerHour and Upwork make it easier than ever before for people to sell their skills online. It doesn’t matter what your skill is, you’ll be able to find buyers if you look hard enough. It can take time to build up a portfolio of clients, but if you stick at it then it can become a reliable income stream.
3. Sign up to Etsy
If you make handmade goods of any kind then Etsy is the site for you. It’s a little bit like a more creative version of eBay, and there’s a whole community of shoppers around the site who love to support independent creators. This is a great choice if you have a more artistic or hands on hobby, whether that’s knitting, painting or model figurines.
4. Write essays
When people are struggling to write a college paper, or even when they just need a fresh pair of eyes to proofread it, they often hire an essay geek to lend a helping hand. If your passion is writing then writing essays can be a great way to further improve your skills while making a little money doing something you love. It’s a win/win situation for everyone!
5. Sell photos
If you’re more of a visual person than a fan of the written word, one option is to sell your photographs on stock photography websites. This is especially true if you have a big archive of photos to tap into, and it’s also a passive earner because once you’ve uploaded your photos to the site, you just need to sit back and wait for the money to roll in.
6. Sell courses and eBooks
One final way to make a passive income is to create online courses and/or eBooks on your specialist subject. This can also lead to other opportunities such as consultancy gigs, but arguably the best part is the fact that they give you an excuse to talk about something that you love while making a little cash on the side.
Conclusion
Making money online is easy, as long as you know where to start. With a bit of luck, this guide has helped you to start thinking about the ways in which you might be able to make money online. Remember, though, that you’re unlikely to suddenly make a fortune overnight and that it takes time to build up your income streams. If you’re currently working in a full-time job then you may have to get started on monetizing your hobby on evenings and weekends before you’re eventually able to hand your notice in or to go part time. The good news is that all of this hard work will pay off when you find yourself working in a job that you love. Good luck.
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