Whether we need to pay the bills or just want a little extra money, it’s always good to have some additional revenue streams to fall back on. With the coronavirus not yet over, job security is a big issue for many, and times are tight.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to make extra money, many of which are sitting right under our noses. So why not tap into your inner successful entrepreneur and find out how to make extra money on the side with some of these tips.
Become a Creative Freelancer
Put your creative talents to work, making extra money on the side with freelancing. You can find plenty of freelance websites full of people looking for writers, editors, web developers, copywriters, and graphic designers to help them complete their projects.
The work is extremely flexible and can pay very well if you know how to attract and retain high-paying clients. The business might be slow to start with, but once you’ve built up your portfolio, you may start getting more work than you can handle.
Some of the best freelancing websites include:
- Upwork: Get to bid for jobs that you are most qualified for, deliver great experiences to your clients and amass quality reviews.
- Fiverr: This is the best marketplace in the gig economy. List your services here as packages, and buyers can directly buy without you having to bid. Initially, you need to hustle for first orders, but once you have a few raving reviews, you can start getting automatic purchases with little promotions.
- Job boards: while marketplaces are great for getting your first clients, you may have a better chance at landing high-paying clients pitching at job boards such as Pro blogger, Flexjobs, etc.
Take Online Surveys
Completing consumer surveys is a convenient way to make extra money without technical skills or qualifications. All you have to do is to register with one of the many survey agencies out there, and you can start working immediately. Each survey can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, but you’ll be paid relative to the required time. Obviously, some surveys won’t be relevant to you: for example, if you don’t ride a bicycle, most businesses won’t want to pay for your opinion on cycling accessories!
Also, bear in mind that most sites will require you to have completed a certain number of surveys before you can withdraw your earnings. You won’t make a fortune, but it’s an easy way to make extra money that will add up over time.
Some of these survey sites include:
- OpinionInn
- Inboxdollars
- Swagbucks
- Rewardfish etc.
It’s worth noting that the survey field is filled with scammers, so before you sign up for a survey site, make sure they are legit. Find reviews online, evaluate how long they have been in existence, and ensure that their rates are not overly exaggerated. If it sounds too good to be true, it is!
Become an Influencer.
These days there are hundreds of thousands of people who make a handsome living from being online influencers. If you have a large social media following and a niche that you can speak on with some authority, you could be turning those likes into extra money.
Companies are in awe of the power of influencers and will pay you well for promoting or reviewing their products and services. So whether you’re passionate about cooking, haircare, or video games, you could make extra money talking about what you love.
Sell Your Photography
Have you got an eye for taking photos? Then turn this hobby into a revenue stream by putting your images for sale online. There’s a massive demand for quality photography online, especially from websites that need images to complement their copy. There’s no way of knowing for sure how popular your work will be, but you’ve got nothing to lose by having a go.
You can sell your photos on your own website or via marketplaces such as:
- Shutterstock
- Getty Images
- Adobe Stock
- Dreamstime
- 123RF
- iStock Photo amongst others
Become a UX Tester
User experience (UX) is a big concern for companies who want to make sure that their apps and websites are easy to navigate. They need to find out exactly what does and doesn’t work well on the screen, and that’s where UX testers come in. It’s easy to work, allowing you to make extra money just by browsing some websites for a few minutes at a time.
Websites that will pay you to test websites include the following:
- UserTesting
- Enroll app.
- Userlytics
- TestingTime
- UserZoom
- Try My UI
Become a Social Media Manager
If you like connecting with people and indulging your creative streak, this is a great side job to make extra money. Although big companies will almost certainly have their own dedicated marketing departments, smaller firms are always outsourcing these positions. You just need some social media smarts and familiarity with the relevant industry. You may have to be on call to rapidly respond to comments and inquiries, although this won’t take long once you’ve got the hang of it.
Drive for Lyft or Uber
If you need some extra money but want to set your own hours, you should consider driving for Lyft or Uber. It’s one of the best weekend jobs for extra money since you can work around your regular schedule. Your location and the periods you’re willing to work will have an impact on how much you can make, but generally, the work is readily available.
Deliver Takeout Food
Restaurants have been hit hard by the coronavirus, so people looking for a culinary treat have flocked in droves to apps like Deliveroo and UberEats. Again, it’s flexible work that fits in around any schedule. Don’t forget that you’ll often get tipped extra money for your great service as well.
Complete DIY Tasks
If you know your way around a toolbox, you can use your handy skills to help other people while earning some extra cash. Sites like TaskRabbit are full of people looking for help with various tasks and side jobs to make extra money. You might be helping build furniture one day, then doing some gardening the next. The work is as flexible as you want it to be, and you might find some of it surprisingly fulfilling.
Write a Blog
Starting a blog is a great way to monetize your interests and connect with people. You can write about any topic you’re passionate and knowledgeable about: nutrition, exercise, fashion, food, travel… the possibilities are endless!
The real trick to making cash from blogging lies in effectively deploying search engine optimization (SEO) in your copy. By implementing the right keyword strategy, you can improve your search rankings and boost site traffic. Once you have an audience, you can begin looking into page advertisements and affiliate marketing to start making extra stimulus money.
Conclusion
We could all do with some extra money from time to time, and it’s never been easier to find some lucrative hustles on the side. Try one of the ways suggested above, and who knows? You might even end up getting paid to do what you love.
Have other exciting ways that help you supplement your monthly income? Share your favorite side hustles with us in the comments section below.