It might sound too good to be true, but people have actually made it work. You know, those folks who started a home-based business and now enjoy a flexible schedule, more family time, and their dream life.
If you’ve looked into it, you’ve probably seen stats about freelancing online or doing surveys. It may seem like a fairy tale, especially if money is tight. And with so many bloggers claiming it’s possible, it’s hard to know what to believe.
But here’s the real deal: it’s not just a myth. Once you understand how it all works and gain the skills you need, you can live your dream life too.
In this post, I’ll guide you on starting your home-based business. I’ll answer common questions and share some of the best online money-making ideas. I’ve focused on digital options, so no real estate or pet sitting—just online businesses. It’s a long post, but I’ll keep it simple for you. Ready? Let’s dive in!
Want to earn money from home?
If you’re tired of your full-time job and want to quit, there are real ways to make extra money without falling for scams. You can sell old photos or gain a big following on social media, like Instagram. I’ll guide you through these legit ways to make extra cash.
How do I make money online as a stay-at-home mom?
In today’s world, anyone, regardless of gender, can earn money from home. What matters is putting in the effort to succeed. Many moms are making hundreds or even thousands of dollars each month by working from home. It may sound surprising, but it’s true. For instance, Elna Cain, a freelance writer, and other moms are making good money through their blogs about mom-related topics.
Looking for jobs to do at home and make money?
Good news! More and more people are working from home. You can save up to $11,000 a year by doing so. Some jobs you can do from home include virtual assistance, translation, graphic designing, proofreading, freelance writing, website testing, social media management, web developing, transcribing, and data entry.
But be careful when looking for companies that hire from home. Some websites might have outdated or scammy information. Here’s a list of reliable companies that hire remote workers:
- – AdviseTech Inc
- – Amazon
- – Apple
- – CenturyLink
- – Dell
- – Shutterstock
- – Support.com
- – TaxJar
- – The AA
- – Asurion
- – Conduent
- – Direct Interactions
- – Liveops
- – UserTesting
- – Craigslist
- – Fiverr
- – Freelancer
Ever heard of making money while you sleep? It’s not as magical as it sounds. You need to invest time, money, or something else first. For example, if you create an online course, you can keep selling it for years. But remember, you have to keep it updated with the latest trends.
Now, here are a couple of things to keep in mind when making money from home:
1. Treat it like a real job, not just a hobby. Even if you’re doing it part-time, take it seriously.
2. Keep learning. There are plenty of online courses available. Platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, and Creativelive offer courses for a few bucks.
3. Being smart is good, but you need more than that. You have to find opportunities and work hard to make them happen. Just like Mark Zuckerberg did with Facebook.
Now, let’s dive into some real ways to make money from home:
-
Start a blog
Despite the rise of video content, blogs are still popular. There are millions of blogs worldwide, and many people read them regularly. You can make money through blogging with ads or even start an online tutoring business. Setting up a blog is easier than you think:
- – Choose a blog topic/niche
- – Choose a blogging platform like WordPress
- – Get a domain name
- – Choose a web hosting plan
- – Install WordPress
- – Design your blog with a theme
- – Install necessary plugins
- – Optimize for search engines
- – Monetize your blog when you start getting traffic
2. Make a YouTube Channel
If we’re discussing earning some extra money with a YouTube channel, you might immediately think of ads. But guess what? Making money on YouTube isn’t just about ad income. In fact, it’s not even the top method.
If you want to earn money on YouTube, try different ways like ads, sponsorships, donations through platforms like Patreon, and selling stuff. We’ve got a post that explains it all step by step (link to the post). Also, check out a video by YouTube Creator Academy for more tips.
3. Write ebooks on Kindle Direct Publishing
Another way to make money is by writing eBooks. Instead of the traditional publishing hassle, you can use Kindle Direct Publishing. It’s quicker, and you can start earning in less than 24 hours. Amazon takes a small fee, but most of the money is yours.
Here’s a simple guide for Kindle Direct Publishing:
1. Before you start writing, make sure your book idea is good.
2. Use tools like Canva or PicMonkey to make your book look awesome.
3. Launch your book.
4. Keep selling by increasing the price every week.
That’s a quick overview. If you’re new to this, you can find more detailed help on the web.
4. Make Money as an Affiliate Marketer
Want to earn some cash even while you’re catching z’s? Affiliate marketing might be the way to go. You’ve probably heard about it on Google, right?
But here’s the deal—it’s not a quick fix. You’ll need to put in some work before you see the results.
First things first, pick a product or service you really like. Then, spread the word about them. You can do it through blog posts, YouTube, or your social media.
After that, sign up as an affiliate. Whether you’re teaming up with a seller or a network, you’ll need to apply and wait for the green light. Keep in mind, some companies are picky, so understand their rules.
Once you’re in, it’s time to promote! But, be smart about it. Don’t overwhelm your followers with stuff that’s not their cup of tea.
And don’t forget the rules. If your affiliate company has any, follow them. Like, let people know if the link they’re clicking is an affiliate link, and that you’ll get a commission if they buy something through it. Easy, right?
5. Make Money as an Affiliate Marketer
Want to earn some cash even while you’re catching z’s? Affiliate marketing might be the way to go. You’ve probably heard about it on Google, right?
But here’s the deal—it’s not a quick fix. You’ll need to put in some work before you see the results.
First things first, pick a product or service you really like. Then, spread the word about them. You can do it through blog posts, YouTube, or your social media.
After that, sign up as an affiliate. Whether you’re teaming up with a seller or a network, you’ll need to apply and wait for the green light. Keep in mind, some companies are picky, so understand their rules.
Once you’re in, it’s time to promote! But, be smart about it. Don’t overwhelm your followers with stuff that’s not their cup of tea.
And don’t forget the rules. If your affiliate company has any, follow them. Like, let people know if the link they’re clicking is an affiliate link, and that you’ll get a commission if they buy something through it. Easy, right?
6. Selling Stuff without a Warehouse
Ever heard of dropshipping? It’s a way to earn some extra money. It’s not too hard, but there’s some work involved. Basically, you sell things without actually having them in stock.
Here’s a simple guide to start your dropshipping business:
- Make a website and connect it to a free credit card processor.
- Take orders from customers.
- Give the customer’s order and address to the dropship supplier.
- Pay the supplier the agreed amount and keep the rest.
7. Helping Others Online
You can be a virtual assistant and make some extra cash, just like Carrie Smith and Billie Gardner. They started by helping people with different tasks online.
Here are some things you could do as a virtual assistant:
- Help with email marketing.
- Write and edit content.
- Manage blogs and social media.
- Do research and fact-checking.
- Help with webinars and marketing.
- If you like Pinterest, you can even be a Pinterest Virtual Assistant.
8. Writing Without Credit
Ever heard of ghostwriting? It’s when you write something, but someone else’s name goes on it. It pays well, and you can start with just a computer and internet.
Here’s a quick guide to start ghostwriting:
- Get better at writing.
- Learn about SEO.
- Make examples of your writing.
- Find your first paying client, maybe on Upwork.
9. Turning Speech into Words
Transcribing is another way to make money online. All you need is a working laptop, good internet, and great listening skills.
Good listening is super important for transcribing because it’s all about writing down what you hear in a certain way. Some companies need you to have special software, while others are cool as long as you can transcribe well, no software required. Check out these companies looking for transcribers:
- 1. Speechpad
- 2. Castingwords
- 3. Gotranscript
- 4. Scribie
- 5. Transcribeme
- 6. Crowdsurf
- 7. Rev Transcription
- 8. TranscriptionHub
- 9. Verbit
- 10. Voxtab
- 11. Fiverr
- 12. Freelancer
- 10. Try Starting a Podcast
Making money online can be done through podcasting. Some think you need a blog for it, but that’s not true. You can start a podcast without a blog.
There’s a new platform where you can even make money with your email newsletter, saving you the cost of setting up a website.
The best way to make money from your podcast is by selling sponsorships or commercial spots. These are messages that people hear before and during an episode.
Take John Lee Dumas, for example. He hosts the popular podcast Entrepreneur on Fire and made $64,000 in December 2018. Interested in starting a podcast business? Check out this post to find the best podcast hosting.
Can you actually earn money from home?
Absolutely! You’ve got all you need to kick off your online business and choose your own working hours. Whether it’s running a blog, doing affiliate marketing, proofreading, entering data, or starting a podcast, the possibilities are there.
By reading this post, you’ve taken the first step—knowing the ideas. But, don’t relax just yet!
Pick a few of these ideas and give them a try. Learning is only finished when you put the idea into action.
Believe in yourself!