Is it too late to start making money online?
Love the idea of running a business from home, but worried you may have missed the boat? Find out why it’s not too late to get started making money online.
If you’re wondering whether you’ve left it too late to earn money online, the short answer too your question is no. The longer answer is it’s rarely too late to make money doing anything.
However, you do need to ask yourself some questions:
- How do I want to make money?
- What’s the market like?
- How much do I need to make?
- Why do I want to make money this way?
Some of these questions may be difficult to answer. But we’ve got a pretty good idea of why someone would want to make money online.
You want to work from home. There is laundry to do. Kids to feed. Events to attend. And a long list of stuff many people who work a traditional job simply don’t have time to squeeze into 24 hours.
Five ways you can make money online
Here are a few ways you can make money online. You may need to pick up some new skills, but most of these ideas require skills you can learn easily through your own research or possibly a course or some sort of independent training.
All of these options can be a side-hustle. They can also turn into a full-time income for women who are willing to grind.
1) Blogging
Blogging is, first and foremost, a wonderful creative outlet. People who start out with income as a goal and creating a blogging business can struggle.
Being a successful blogger takes time and a lot of patience. You can build a website on just a couple hundred dollars a year. Then you write about whatever you want. As your readership grows, you can hone in on particular niches you think may be able to bring in some income to your blog.
Michelle from Making Sense of Cents, Lindsay from Pinch of Yum, and Micheala at Micheala Diane Designs are all great examples of women who are successful bloggers. They’ve also proven that niche isn’t as relevant as some people think. If you have a passion there are likely others with the same interest.
So what’s the best way to make money blogging? There are several ways you can do this. Some are beginner-friendly. Some are for more advanced bloggers.
How to make money blogging
Beginner bloggers usually start off with ad networks, such as Ezoic, as well as affiliate marketing.
Affiliate programs are incentives from brands to get everyday people to act as a kind of independent contractor for their sales team. The brand gives the blogger a link and the link is strategically placed into the blogger’s content.
When someone clicks on the link and makes a purchase, the blogger is paid a commission on the sale at no extra cost to their reader. It’s a beautiful thing.
Are you interested in fashion? There are many clothing affiliate programs for it. The same goes for yoga, model trains, tech and gadgets, and anything else you can think of.
Amazon has the biggest and most well-known program, but it also has some of the lowest commissions. Partner with brands you like, trust, and use yourself.
More advanced bloggers will design their own digital products and create their own courses. The reason for this is ad and affiliate money is a portion of the value your blog brings to the table. Creating your own products means you are keeping the majority, if not all, of the revenue.
Combining all of these methods with other forms of monetization such as brand deals and sponsored posts can end-game your blogging business and create income levels you never thought possible.
2) Freelancing
Freelancing is the sale of a service to a client. You do not work for a company. You’re self-employed. Also known as an independent contractor.
The term ‘freelancer‘ is broad. And there are a ton of skills that can fall under the umbrella. Some of these skills are:
- Writing – This can be anything from an ebook to a blog post
- Proofreading – Content mills are always looking for proofreaders. They’re a great place to dip your toes into the proofreading pool
- Virtual assistants – If you don’t know what you want to do, then being a VA might be right for you. You could be doing something different every day. But specialized VAs tend to make the most money.
- Graphic design – Graphic designers can be generalists, or specialise in one specific area, such as branding, print or websites.
- Coding – As a freelancer coder you can choose to work via agencies or direct for clients.
Most new freelancers get their start on websites like Fiverr and Upwork. This also depends on what you’re doing. As an example, many freelance writers find work on job boards like Problogger.
How to make money online as a freelancer
The easiest way to make money online as a freelancer is to use a skill you already have and to tap into your personal and professional networks to get jobs.
If you have a non-competition clause in your contract, this might be a little difficult. Find other freelancers with your skillset and follow them on social media. You may find out how they get their work and you can absorb some of their practices.
If you don’t have the skill you want, try taking a course. If this isn’t in your budget, then there is a plethora of knowledge on the web and video resources such as YouTube.
There is nothing wrong with working for cheap in the beginning. But after you start making some cash, you’ll probably want a website or online portfolio to showcase your skills and post testimonials from clients. You can then start to increase your rates as demand for your work increases.
3) YouTube
YouTube is a great way for women to make some extra cash online. If you enjoy being in front of a camera and editing video, it’s a solid choice. Not everyone enjoys writing.
To get started with a YouTube channel, all you need is a camera, which can be your smartphone. There is a ton of free editing software out there. YouTube even has its own. When you first start a new business, it’s a good idea to save money where you can.
How to make money online as a YouTuber
YouTubers have a large selection of monetization strategies. These include affiliate marketing, AdSense, membership fees, as well as brand deals and sponsorships.
There are several niches that do well on YouTube. Travel is a great one. But almost any kind of lifestyle topic will get you some views once you build up an audience.
You can record grocery hauls, shopping hauls, book and movie reviews, parenting is always a great choice, and money topics are another winner.
4) Coaching/consulting
There are many women out there who need help with their entrepreneurial journey. If you’ve had plenty of success with your own business, you can give back and get paid.
Coaches and consultants are similar. A consultant advises businesses, usually about a specific part of the business, such as logistics or accounting. A coach, meanwhile, helps individuals, much the same as a consultant does. You can be a spirituality coach, a business coach, or even a health and wellness coach.
How to make money online as a coach
Coaching can be a tough business to get into, and you’ll need a solid marketing plan. One of the biggest draws is going to be a social media presence along with a blog or YouTube channel that gives free yet actionable advice.
If people out there want or need more from you, then you can offer a coaching service or even an online course to help them succeed. Your rate will depend on the market you’re in, and the commercial value of the benefits your clients will expect. For example, a business coach can usually charge more than someone who needs help with meditation and yoga.
5) Teaching
Working from home is a goal. Another should be to work on your own schedule. Blogging and YouTube have a way of eating up more time than you originally intend to spend on them.
When you’re a coach or consultant, you’re at the mercy of clients. The same goes for any kind of freelance work. This is why many people really enjoy tutoring online. You can tutor any topic, any student, or you can get really crazy and teach English as a second language.
How to make money online as a tutor
There are several websites that will pay you to tutor or teach English. Of the dozens or so out there, websites like Tutor, MagicEars, and Chegg may all be worth a try. You’ll have to do your own due diligence to find out what platforms work best for you.
These kinds of gigs usually start off at around $15/hour. However, if you have credentials such as a TEFL certification, a degree in a teachable topic, or teaching experience, you can demand more for your time.
It’s not too late to start making money online
It’s not too late to make money online and it never will be. Granted, as markets and economies change, the money-making landscape can change with it. You may have to pivot and that’s okay.
And remember, according to that well-known Chinese proverb: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” To plant your ‘online money tree’ you just need to think about your passion, your life, your interests, and find a way to make money doing what you love.
Photo by Joshua Rawson-Harris
