If the world is your oyster, the internet is the entire sea. The possibilities in this medium are endless. From landing a job in this realm and reaching out to friends to sharing photos and reading the news, the things you can do on the interwebs are mind-bogglingly extensive. One thing you might not be taking advantage of, however, is the fact that you can make cold, hard cash in the ether as well. Need some inspiration? Read on for five ways to make money online. Go forth and head down your pathway to prosperity, internet-loving friends.
1. Participate in Research and/or Focus Groups
A lot of companies will pay you for sharing your opinions. And while many of these meetings are in person, some of them can be done online. Marketing departments need to know whether you will buy a certain product and they will pay top dollar to these focus groups to make sure they know who their target demographic is.
2. There’s an App for That
These days, there’s an app for everything And because we are busier than ever, apps like Task Rabbit and Postmates are thriving. You will essentially become a virtual personal assistant for various customers who are likely so busy working full time, they don’t have time for daily errands like dropping off dry cleaning, picking up said dry cleaning, and even grabbing groceries. As this Entrepreneur.com article notes “Postmates is by far the most popular, and you don’t even need a car in some locations to make money with this app. In some urban developments and major metropolises like Manhattan, a bike would suffice.” iBotta is another innovative and popular option, and this is great for those who love to shop anyway. You simply snap a pic of your receipt to earn your cash back on rebates. If you’re one of those people who likes to be out and about anyway, these “side hustles” could be perfect for you.
3. Drive for Uber or Lyft
Remember when we thought these online ride-sharing services would never take the place of taxis? Give yourself a moment to laugh at that. If anything, these services are only picking up speed (pardon the pun), and they could be the perfect way to add to your current income. You have quite a bit of leeway on how much you work, so there’s almost no reason for anyone with a flexible schedule not to take advantage of this opportunity.
4. Buy, Sell, or Trade Cryptocurrency
If you were of the mindset that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin were a passing fad, you need to get with the program. These are digital currencies that use encryption techniques to verify and regulate funds transfers. It’s a great option for those looking for an alternative to traditional banking. You’ll need a wallet app to store it securely and then you’re ready to go. One of the ways to buy, sell, or trade cryptocurrency is on sites like coinlookup.co Think you can’t make mint trading Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies? These people would beg to differ.
5. Create Your Own Website and/or Blog
If your creative juices flow everyday but you’ve never given them an outlet, this would be an excellent option. Not only will this be fulfilling in giving you a way to share your thoughts, opinions, and other creations, but you can also make money from websites and blogs. From pay per click advertising (PPC) and affiliate marketing to selling products on said website or blog and selling ad space, there are quite a few ways to make money through these online mediums. This is particularly true if you become adept at using social media to promote them. And while this might be the exception rather than the norm, successful bloggers can parlay this into speaking engagements, book deals, selling branded gear, and more. When creativity and cash meet, it can be a truly magical thing.
If making money in your pajamas and slippers always seemed like something that other people do, it’s time to rethink this notion. Research these and other ways to make money online, and you could add a serious boost to your retirement pursuit.