The internet has created countless exciting new opportunities to generate income beyond just a regular 9-5 job. From online businesses to selling digital products, freelancing skills or leveraging your talents, anyone can make money online.
This comprehensive guide covers 100+ proven ways to earn real money on the internet. I’ll provide a high level overview of each money making idea, typical earning potential, skills needed and tools to get started.
Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
- Selling Products and Services Online
- Blogging and Affiliate Marketing
- YouTube and Social Media
- Writing and Content Creation
- Graphic Design and Video Production
- Music, Audio and Voice Over
- Programming and Tech
- Data and Analytics
- Tutoring and Teaching Online
- Consulting and Freelancing
- Buying and Selling Domains
- Importing and Dropshipping
- Rentals, Flipping and Real Estate
- Cryptocurrency and NFTs
- Stocks, Forex and Investment Platforms
- Gaming, Esports and Gambling
- Participating In Surveys and Research
- Transcription and Virtual Assistant Work
- Translation and Internationalization
- Animating and 3D Modeling
- Selling Used Items Online
- Ride Sharing and Delivery Driving
- Renting Your Home or Car
- Testing Websites and Apps
- Entering Competitions and Sweepstakes
- Getting Paid to Search the Web
- Reading Books for Pay
- Participating in Focus Groups
- Donating Blood or Sperm
- Being an Extra in Movies and TV Shows
- House, Pet and Child Sitting
- Renting Your Parking Space or Garage
- Putting Ads on Your Car
- Collecting and Reselling Scrap Metal
- Flipping and Reselling Thrift Store Items
- Doing Microtasks Online
- Recycling Old Electronics
- Leasing Mining Rigs
- Drop Servicing Businesses
- Print on Demand Products
- Start An Online Course or Membership Site
- Run Affiliate Marketing Campaigns
- Launching a Podcast
- Monetizing a Blog
- Create and Sell Digital Products
- Publish and Sell Ebooks
- Release and Sell Music Online
- Develop and Sell Mobile Apps
- Design and Sell Stock Photos, Video and Audio
- Selling Handmade Crafts and Jewelry
- Start a YouTube Channel
- Become an Instagram Influencer
- Monetize TikTok and Snapchat Accounts
- Provide Virtual Assistant Services
- Do Freelance Graphic or Web Design
- Offer Photoshop and Photo Editing Services
- Provide Mixing and Mastering for Music
- Do Freelance Writing and Editing
- Teach English Online
- Provide Translation and Localization Services
- Sell crafted voiceovers and audio
- Tutor Students Online
- Offer Personal Training and Coaching
- Provide Business and Life Coaching
- Teach Music, Dance or Singing Online
- Provide Career and Job Search Coaching
- Offer Resume and Cover Letter Services
- Do Contract Data Entry and Research
- Provide Virtual Bookkeeping and Accounting
- Do Licensed Tax Preparation
- Paralegal and Legal Document Preparation
- Provide Therapy and Counseling
- Code and Develop Software
- Build Mobile Apps
- Provide Tech Support and IT Consulting
- Do Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking
- Design WordPress Sites and Themes
- Create Chatbots and Integrations
- Analyze Data and Provide Insights
- Do CAD and 3D Model Design
- Offer Interior and Home Design Services
- Provide Legal and Financial Consulting
- Help With Business Plans and Pitches
- Offer Business Brokering and M&A
- Provide Marketing Plans and Management
- Do Market Research and Surveys
- Help With SEO and SEM Services
- Manage Social Media for Clients
- Do Email and Mail Marketing Campaigns
- Run Paid Ad Campaigns
- Provide Sales Consulting and Training
- Do Branding and Logo Design
- Sell Handmade Products on Etsy
- Print and Sell Custom Merch
- Print and Sell Art, Posters and Wall Decor
- 3D Print and Sell Unique Products
- Manufacture and Sell Candles
- Make and Sell Soap and Beauty Products
- Sell Used Books Online
- Resell Unique Vintage Items
- Flip and Sell Used Electronics
- Buy and Resell Sneakers and Streetwear
- Sell Used Video Games and Consoles
- Refurbish and Resell Furniture
That covers 100+ top ways people are making money on the internet across a diverse range of categories.
Below we’ll explore each idea in further detail including typical earnings potential, required skills and how to get started. Let’s begin!
Selling Products and Services Online
Selling products or services through your own ecommerce website provides tremendous income potential with enough hard work. Here are some top online business models.
1. Start an Ecommerce Store
By sourcing trendy products wholesale then selling online through your own branded store built on platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, 6 and 7 figure revenues are attainable. Leverage dropshipping to simplify operations. Effective digital marketing and influencer partnerships drive conversions. Expect to invest at least $500 initially and dedicate 15+ hours a week.
2. Print on Demand Products
Print on demand platforms like Printful, Teespring and Redbubble allow you to design and sell custom printed products like apparel, home decor, phone cases and more without holding inventory. You receive a commission on each order. Minimal upfront investment, but marketing skills and great designs are key. Expect to make $20-$30 per sale.
3. Handmade Crafts and Jewelry
If you have creative talents, produce homemade crafts, jewelry, gifts, soaps, candles and other handmade items to sell on Etsy, Shopify and at craft fairs. Budget at least $100-$500 to source materials and supplies. Most vendors earn $20-$50 per hour of active production.
4. Create and Sell Digital Products
Selling online courses, ebooks, printables, graphics templates, photography, video and more digital downloads allows you to generate substantial passive income from knowledge you already have. Popular course creators easily clear over $100k/year. Expect to invest $100-$500 building your site.
5. Develop and Sell Mobile Apps
With some programming knowledge, you can develop and sell your own iOS or Android apps. Game apps tend to be most profitable. Average earnings range widely based on number of downloads and pace of ongoing development. Plan a minimum $1000 budget for creating and launching your first app.
6. Design and Sell Stock Media
Create libraries of stock photos, videos, illustration, audio and other media assets to sell through marketplaces like Shutterstock, Pond5 and AudioJungle. Top creators can make over $100k annually. Minimal investment needed beyond a camera, microphone or drawing tablet.
7. Start a YouTube Channel
Building a subscriber base on YouTube around entertaining, informative or educational videos enables you to monetize your channel through ads, sponsorships, affiliate marketing and more. Top creators make well into 6 figures annually. Basic video production equipment starts around $300.
8. Become an Instagram Influencer
By building a large, engaged following on Instagram around lifestyle topics like fashion, food, travel, fitness or more, you can make money through affiliate sponsorships, advertising and your own products. Most influencers charge around $50-$250 per sponsored post.
9. Monetize TikTok and Snapchat Accounts
Similar to Instagram influencers, creators with large followings on TikTok and Snapchat can generate incomes through advertising sponsorships, tipping revenue streams or selling related merchandise once unlocked. Big accounts can make thousands per well received post.
Blogging and Affiliate Marketing
Blogging and affiliate marketing represent two accessible online money making options. Let’s explore them in more detail:
10. Start an Online Course or Membership Site
Sell access to online courses, communities and subscription content focused on valued skills or knowledge. Host and sell your educational content and memberships on platforms like Podia, Teachable, Thinkific or MemberSpace. Top course creators make over $1 million in revenue annually. Expect to invest $100-$500 initially.
11. Run Affiliate Marketing Campaigns
Promote affiliate products relevant to your website, email list or social following. Earn commissions when readers purchase through your links. Top affiliate marketers generate over $100k per year. No inventory or fulfilling orders required. Costs are minimal other than web hosting.
12. Launching a Podcast
Hosting a popular podcast allows you to generate income through sponsorships, affiliate promotions and ads. Top podcasters make over $1 million annually. Audio equipment investments start around $500. Consistency is key to building audience.
13. Monetize a Blog
Publishing articles and tutorials focused on valuable skills or entertainment can generate decent ad income and sponsorships once you build an audience. Expect to earn $3-$10 per 1000 ad impressions. Good writing skills and consistency are vital.
YouTube and Social Media
We touched on social media monetization above, but YouTube and top platforms warrant a deeper look:
14. Start a YouTube Channel
By consistently publishing entertaining or educational YouTube videos in a specific niche, you can monetize your channel through YouTube ad revenue sharing. Top creators can make well over $1 million annually. Video production equipment investment starts around $300.
15. Become an Instagram Influencer
Building a large, loyal following on Instagram focused on lifestyle topics allows you to charge brands for sponsorships, promotions and product placement. Leading influencers charge between $5000-$100,000 per sponsored post depending on followers and engagement.
16. Monetize TikTok and Snapchat Accounts
Top creators on TikTok and Snapchat with millions of engaged followers can generate significant income through advertising sponsorships, tipping and selling merchandise. Big accounts can make thousands per viral post or video.
17. Teach on Skillshare and Udemy
Online learning platforms like Skillshare and Udemy enable anyone to publish courses and tutorials then earn royalties on enrollments. Top instructors exceeding 100k+ students can make 6 figures teaching online. Minimal costs beyond your time.
18. Provide Paid Consulting Through Sidetrain
Monetize your expertise by offering paid calls through platforms like Sidetrain. Consultants charge $1-$20+ per minute to offer advice and insights by phone or video chat. Some coaches on Sidetrain make 6 figures annually.
Writing and Content Creation
Writing and creating various forms of online content can be lucrative if done strategically:
19. Do Freelance Writing and Editing
Offer your writing, editing or proofreading services to clients needing blog posts, articles, newsletters, social posts, website content, ebooks and more. Top freelance writers make over $100 per hour with extensive experience.
20. Publish and Sell Ebooks
Self-publish ebooks on niche topics and sell through Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Google Play and other ebook stores. Promote to interested readers. Many independent ebook authors make over $100k annually through royalties. Minimal costs to create and upload ebooks.
21. Provide Translation and Localization Services
If fluent in more than one language, provide translation services to businesses, authors and websites needing content converted and localized to reach global audiences. Skilled translators can charge $0.10-$0.20 per word.
22. Sell crafted voiceovers and audio
Record custom voice overs, audiobooks and other audio services that clients order on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. Demand is strong for freelance voice talent. Expect to earn $100-$500 per hour based on experience.
23. Do Transcription Work
Convert audio and video files to text documents for clients. Transcription companies like Rev, GoTranscript and Tigerfish pay $0.50-$1.50 per audio minute transcribed, with potential to earn $150-$200 daily with speed.
24. Provide Resume and Cover Letter Services
With expertise crafting resumes and cover letters, offer your services to job seekers wanting to improve their professional profiles and stand out. Resume writers charge $100-$500 per document based on level of customization and turnaround time.
Graphic Design and Video Production
Leveraging visual and video production skills online can be very lucrative:
25. Do Freelance Graphic or Web Design
Freelance graphic designers with strong skills in programs like Adobe Creative Suite and Figma or with web/WordPress development chops can offer services to a variety of clients in need of visual assets or website work. Top freelance designers make $50-$150 per hour.
26. Offer Photoshop and Photo Editing Services
Provide image editing and post processing services for photographers, web designers, online retailers and more using programs like Adobe Photoshop. Photo editing freelancers charge $20-$75 per image based on requirements.
27. Create Chatbots and Integrations
Code and develop chatbot solutions for clients’ websites, apps, messaging platforms and workflows. Also offer API integration and automation services. Experienced freelance developers charge $50-$150 per hour. Programming experience required.
28. Design and Sell Stock Photos, Video and Audio
Capture quality stock photography, video footage clips, illustrations or audio files, then sell through stock media sites like Shutterstock, Pond5, Adobe Stock. Top creators can make $50,000-$200,000 annually. Minimal investment in equipment needed.
29. Provide Video Editing and Animation
Offer video editing, animation and motion graphics services for businesses, YouTubers, social media influencers and more. Skilled video editors and animators charge $50-$250 per final minute of edited/animated footage.
30. Do SEO and SEM Services
Help businesses improve organic rankings and traffic through expertise in areas like on-page optimization, technical SEO, backlinks and content. Also offer paid search advertising management through platforms like Google Ads. SEM experts can charge clients $100-$500 per month.
Music, Audio and Voice Over
Monetizing musical abilities, production skills and vocal talents can be done in multiple ways:
31. Teach Music, Singing or Dancing Online
Provide private or small group music lessons online for instruments like guitar, piano, drumming, violin or vocals using video chat. Also teach dance styles remotely. Expect to earn $20-$100 per hour based on expertise.
32. Sell Handmade Crafts and Jewelry on Etsy
Offer handmade musical crafts on Etsy like custom guitars, engraved drum sticks, printable lyric sheets or jewelry. Tap into the large music fanbase on Etsy. Top sellers make $1000+ per month.
33. Provide Mixing and Mastering for Music
Provide mixing, mastering and audio production services for musicians and podcasters. Expect to charge around $50-$150 per finished audio minute. Music production experience is required.
34. Release and Sell Music Online
Upload your music to streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music to collect royalties as listeners stream your songs. Also sell MP3s on platforms like Bandcamp. Top independent artists make ~$0.004 per stream.
35. Sell crafted voiceovers and audio
Record custom voice overs, audiobooks and other audio services ordered by clients on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. Top voice over artists can charge $100-$500 per hour.
36. Offer Photoshop and Photo Editing Services
Edit photos and create visual assets for clients using Photoshop. Many freelancers charge $25-$100 per image based on requirements and turnaround time.
Programming and Tech
Programming and technology skills translate extremely well into online income:
37. Develop Mobile Apps
Build and sell your own iOS or Android apps. Game apps tend to be most profitable. Expect revenues between $5,000-$1,000,000+ depending on popularity and ongoing enhancements.
38. Code and Develop Software
Freelance programmers and coders can provide development services for apps, websites, scripts, bots, plugins, algorithms and more. Expert developers charge $75-$200 per hour.
39. Build WordPress Sites and Themes
Design and develop custom WordPress themes and sites for clients seeking blogs, ecommerce stores or lead generation sites. Experienced freelancers charge between $75-$150 per hour.
40. Provide Tech Support and IT Consulting
Offer remote tech support services for both consumers and businesses related to PC/Mac troubleshooting, networking, backups, security and more. Many support consultants earn $50-$100 per hour solving problems.
41. Do Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking
Provide services securing systems and infrastructure through penetration testing, risk assessments, social engineering prevention and other ethical hacking techniques. Cybersecurity consultants can charge $150+ per hour.
42. Create Chatbots and Integrations
Develop AI chatbots, messaging apps and system integrations for businesses seeking automation. Also provide API development and implementation services. Experienced consultants charge $100-$250 per hour.
43. Design WordPress Sites and Themes
Build customized WordPress sites, plugins, themes and functionality for clients. Experienced freelancers charge between $50-$150 per hour for development services.
44. Lease Mining Rigs
Invest in specialty hardware like ASICs and GPUs for mining cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Then provide rig colocation services to cloud mining customers to offset equipment costs. Returns depend heavily on mining profitability.
45. Provide CAD and 3D Model Design
Offer 3D design, CAD drafting and modeling services for architects, engineers, animators and others needing digital models and technical drawings. CAD designers generally charge $50-$150 per hour.
Data and Analytics
Leveraging data analytics and spreadsheet skills can be very lucrative:
46. Analyze Data and Provide Insights
Extract business insights from data through techniques like optimization, modeling, dashboards, and data mining. Analysts with advanced math and programming abilities can charge over $125 per hour.
47. Do Market Research and Surveys
Conduct market research for businesses through surveys, focus groups, competitor analysis and interviews. Market researchers typically charge $50-$150 per hour or fixed project fees averaging $1000-$5000.
48. Provide Virtual Bookkeeping and Accounting
Offer remote accounting and bookkeeping services for businesses including reconciling transactions, preparing statements and financial reports, identifying errors, and providing insights. Virtual accountants can make $30-$50 per hour.
49. Do Licensed Tax Preparation
Become an Enrolled Agent or CPA and prepare taxes remotely for clients. Virtual tax pros average $70-$200 per return depending on complexity. Volume discounts increase overall revenue during tax season.
50. Paralegal and Legal Document Preparation
Assist attorneys with legal research, document drafting, litigation support, contract reviews and case preparations. Paralegals bill $50-$150 per hour on average for their services.
51. Provide Therapy and Counseling
Offer online counseling and therapy for clients using secure video chat. Get licensed and credentialed in your state and specify modality like family counseling, substance abuse therapy, psychotherapy. Teletherapy pays $60-$130 per hour session.
52. Teach English Online
Tutor students or small classes in English as a Second Language online. Get certified through International TEFL Academy, The TEFL Org and similar programs to earn $15-$22 per hour teaching English.
53. Provide Career and Job Search Coaching
Help job seekers optimize their resumes, practice interview skills, negotiate offers, and develop customized job search strategies. Career consultants typically charge $100-$250 per month of coaching.
54. Offer Resume and Cover Letter Services
Professionally craft customized resumes, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles to help clients land more job interviews. Expect to charge $100-$300 per document based on level of personalization.
Consulting and Freelancing
Leveraging specialized expertise through freelancing and consulting services earns top dollar:
55. Provide Legal and Financial Consulting
Offer telephonic or video call consulting for legal and financial matters based on your professional expertise. Call duration pricing from $100-$500+ per hour is typical for niche consultants.
56. Help With Business Plans and Pitches
Provide consulting on crafting optimized business plans, financial models, funding pitches and proposal documents. Consultants generally charge between $2000-$10,000 to create detailed business plans, depending on research required.
57. Offer Business Brokering and M&A
Aid clients in buying, selling or merging businesses through services like valuation, target prospecting, due diligence, negotiations, legal/tax considerations and transaction management. Brokers charge ~10% of sale price.
58. Provide Marketing Plans and Management
Craft strategic marketing plans tailored to clients’ businesses encompassing positioning, advertising, funnels, promotions, budgets, analytics and more. Also provide outsourced management and execution. Marketing consultants charge $100-$500 per hour.
59. Do Email and Mail Marketing Campaigns
Plan and deploy email marketing and direct mail campaigns for clients wanting to improve lead gen, retention, engagement and sales through newsletters, promotions and outreach. Consultants charge several hundred to several thousand dollars per campaign.
60. Run Paid Ad Campaigns
Manage pay-per-click search, display, social media and native advertising campaigns through platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads and more. Ad consultants generally charge $2000-$5000 per month retainer fee.
61. Provide Sales Consulting and Training
Evaluate sales processes then train personnel and optimize funnels to help companies improve lead conversion rates, customer lifetime value and enterprise sales strategy. Sales consultants average $150-$400 per hour.
62. Do Branding and Logo Design
Provide brand development and strategy services encompassing brand guidelines, stylescapes, naming, messaging, graphic design, logo creation and branding documentation. Brand consultants charge between $5000-$15,000 per project.
63. Manage Social Media for Clients
Handle social media management for brands and individuals seeking to grow their following and engagement. Services include content creation, community growth, monitoring analytics. Monthly fees range $500-$5000 based on workload.
Buying and Selling Domains
Domain names are digital assets generating consistent income:
64. Buy and Sell Aged Domain Names
Search for quality aged domain names expiring and buy them through auctions or sales for resale. Valuable domains with good backlink profiles and metrics can be flipped for profits averaging $500-$5000 per transaction.
65. Buy Keyword Rich Domains
Acquire domains matching high value keywords that businesses would want to own. Then resell them for thousands of dollars to interested buyers. Extensive domain knowledge is required.
66. Park Domains With Advertisements
Monetize expiring domains you acquire by parking them with ads through companies like Sedo and BuyDomains. When visitors view pages, ad revenue is shared. Popular domains earn $500+ annually per domain.
Importing and Dropshipping
Leveraging dropshipping and private label products can be very lucrative:
67. Start a Dropshipping Business
Sell products sourced from suppliers worldwide without holding inventory. Leverage tools like Oberlo, Spocket and Dropified for supplier automation. Focus on marketing. Most profitable stores generate over $10,000 per month. Initial investment can be as low as $100-$500 for website and branding.
68. Private Label and Sell on Amazon
Source generic goods overseas to sell under your own brand on Amazon. Use tools like JungleScout to evaluate demand. Focus on adding value through branding, custom packaging, content development and advertising. Many private label brands make over $1 million revenue annually.
69. Import Products to Resell Domestically
Travel abroad and source unique handmade products then import to resell within your country. Or establish relationships with producers overseas to have custom designs manufactured at wholesale costs for resale. Expected profit margins are 30-50%.
Rentals, Flipping and Real Estate
Leveraging property and physical assets can create diverse income streams:
70. Rent Your Home or Car
List extra living space, vacant rooms or your car for rental on sites like Airbnb, VRBO and Turo for passive income. Expect to earn $30-$200 nightly for home rentals or $30-$100 day for car rentals. Extra insurance recommended.
71. Rent Your Parking Space or Garage
Rent out an unused parking spot, garage space or driveway through platforms like SpotHero, Parklee, YourParkingSpace and JustPark for $50-$200+ per month. Provides hands-off income from vacant space.
72. House, Pet and Child Sitting
Generate income watching other people’s homes and pets while they are away or babysitting children through sites like Rover, Care.com and SitterCity. Average pay is $15-$25 per hour.
73. Flip and Resell Thrift Store Items
Source discounted products from thrift stores, garage sales or estate sales, refurbish/improve them if needed, then resell items through eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace for a profit. Top sellers can make $5000+ per month.
74. Refurbish and Resell Furniture
Find used furniture like dressers, tables and chairs for free or cheap. Repair and refinish pieces, then relist for sale marked up. $30-$50 per hour profits are reasonable for apprentice refurbishers.
75. Resell Used Books Online
Buy and sell used textbooks through sites like BookScouter, Textbooks.com and SellBackYourBook. Resell fiction on Amazon. Expect to earn ~80% of book value, generating $5000+ monthly with scale. Startup costs around $1000.
76. Buy and Resell Sneakers and Streetwear
Learn to authenticate then acquire limited release shoes and apparel for retail or below. Resell through apps like GOAT and StockX where demand is high. High end sneakers resell for 2-10X retail price. Significant streetwear knowledge required.
Cryptocurrency and NFTs
Cryptocurrency and blockchain-related opportunities abound:
77. Mine Cryptocurrency
Validate crypto transactions and mint new coins through mining. Requires specialized hardware like ASICs, GPUs or crypto mining rigs. Profitability depends heavily on equipment and energy costs. Potential to earn $50k+ annually per rig. High initial hardware investment required.
78. Stake Crypto to Earn Interest
Earn up to 10% APY interest rates on crypto holdings through Centralized Finance platforms like Celsius Network, BlockFi, Gemini Earn by locking up funds for a period of time. No technical skills needed beyond basic crypto exchanges.
79. Lend and Borrow Crypto Assets
Earn interest by lending crypto through decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols like Aave, Compound Finance and MakerDAO. Allows crypto holders to generate returns while supplying liquidity. Requires extensive blockchain knowledge. Expected returns vary widely.
80. Launch a Coin or Token
Launch a new crypto coin or token on blockchain networks like Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain and Solana through a presale and listing. Promote the utility and value of your coin to drive demand, trade volume and price appreciation. Requires deep technical blockchain skills and significant presale marketing. Potential for huge returns if successful. Extremely high risk.
81. Create and Sell NFT Art
Design, mint and sell unique non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as digital artwork, music, videos, photography and more. Sell through marketplaces like OpenSea, Rarible, SuperRare. Top NFT artists earn $100k+ per month. Requires artistic and technical blockchain skills.
Stocks, Forex and Investment Platforms
Trading financial markets generates sizable income for skilled traders:
82. Provide Stock and Options Trading Signals
Share live trading alerts and signals with subscribers looking to mirror positions and strategies. Tradingview allows streaming entries and exits in real time. Expect to charge $50-$200 monthly for access to quality trading signals.
83. Teach Trading and Investing Online
Educate students on trading basics, technical analysis, winning mindsets and proven strategies through online courses or in-person workshops. Top trading instructors make over $1 million per year from subscriptions.
84. Start a Hedge Fund or Prop Firm
Launch your own hedge fund or prop trading firm to maximize trading scale and profit potential. Obtain funding and experienced traders to expand assets under management. Potential to make 20-50% annual returns through performance fees. Requires in-depth investment, trading, compliance and investor relationship skills. Significant startup capital needed.
85. Trade on Behalf of Others
Accept capital from investors to trade stocks, options, crypto or forex on their behalf and share profits. Platforms like TopstepTrader, MyForexFunds and Collective2 streamline entering trade agreements, pooling funds and reporting returns. Potential to earn 20-50% of trading profits. Extensive trading track record and compliance procedures required.
86. Trade Your Own Account
If experienced trading highly liquid markets like stocks, options, crypto and forex, trade your own capital to generate consistent profits. Disciplined risk management and proprietary strategies required. Potential to make 20-80%+ annual returns on invested capital based on strategy.
Gaming, Esports and Gambling
Gaming skills and knowledge open diverse earning potential:
87. Provide Esports Coaching
Offer personalized esports coaching for gamers seeking to improve their skills, strategy and rank in popular games like Fortnite, CS:GO, League of Legends, Valorant and more. Coaches typically charge $10-$100 per hour based on game, skill level and experience.
88. Stream Games on Twitch
Broadcast your gaming livestreams on Twitch and monetize through ad revenue, channel subscriptions and viewer tips. Top streamers make over $100k annually. Requires high level gaming skills, commentary abilities and consistency.
89. Enter Esports Tournaments
Train to compete in high prize money esports tournaments like EVO, Capcom Cup, The International, LCS or Fortnite World Cup. Top esports athletes can win millions in prize money. Requires world class gaming abilities.
90. Teach Poker Strategy
Teach students poker fundamentals, advanced strategies, game theory optimal play and winning psychology through coaching videos and courses. Top instructors charge over $500 per hour and make 7 figures from teaching poker. Extensive expertise required.
91. Stake Gamblers
Provide investment capital to skilled gamblers in return for a percentage of overall profits. Common in poker, sports betting and casino games like blackjack. Potential for high returns but requires deep analytical skills and resources to evaluate players’ ROI potential.
92. Advise on Daily Fantasy Sports
Provide lineup and strategy advice to daily fantasy sports players competing in contests at sites like DraftKings and FanDuel. Expect to earn 10-20% of any contest winnings you are attributed to based on your advice. Requires extensive DFS knowledge.
Participating In Surveys and Research
Completing online surveys and research studies generates decent side income:
93. Get Paid to Search the Web
Install browser extensions like Swagbucks, InboxDollars, Qmee and Rakuten to earn cashback and rewards for normal web searches and shopping activity. Top users can reliably earn $50-$100 monthly in the background.
94. Take Paid Online Surveys
Sign up on survey sites like Survey Junkie, Vindale Research and Pinecone Research to complete market research surveys in your spare time. Expect to earn ~$1-$5 per 15-30 minute survey. Ideal as supplemental income.
95. Participate in Focus Groups
Get paid ~$50-$200 per focus group session sharing your thoughts on new products, political topics or unreleased media. Sessions may be remote or in person. Check FocusGroup.com and Focus Pointe Global for open studies.
96. Get Paid for Product Testing
Test new apps, software and consumer products from major brands before they release. Provide your feedback and reviews. Paying ~$20-$200 per test depending on duration. Check sites like UserTesting, TryMyUI and Userlytics.
97. Participate in Research Studies
Universities and research companies like Prolific.co pay participants in studies around psychology, neuroscience, linguistics and more. Studies pay $5-$100+ depending on experiment length and activities involved.
98. Donate Blood or Sperm
Healthy individuals can earn up to $400-$1000+ monthly donating blood plasma or sperm banks. May require consistent repeat visits. Must pass extensive screening. Plasma donations take 1-2 hours.
Transcription and Virtual Assistant Work
Transcribing audio and providing remote assistant services pays decently:
99. Provide Transcription Services
Convert audio and video files to text for clients in fields like law, media, academics and business. Average pay is $0.50-$1.50 per audio minute. Fast, accurate typing skills required. Check GoTranscript, Rev, Scribie and Tigerfish.
100. Do Contract Data Entry and Research
Get paid to input, format, clean and process data for companies and databases. Also research web data points. Pay averages $15-$25 per hour. Speed and accuracy are key.
101. Provide Virtual Assistant Services
Perform repetitive administrative tasks online like data entry, research, email management, calendar scheduling and travel coordination for clients. Virtual assistants typically earn $15-$25 per hour. Require strong organization and communication skills.
Translation and Internationalization
Leveraging language skills provides online earning potential:
102. Teach a Foreign Language Online
Tutor students or small classes in languages like Spanish, French, German, Italian and more through platforms like Verbling, AmazingTalker and Preply. Instructors charge ~$15-$60 per hour based on experience.
103. Translate Documents and Audio
Freelance translators fluent in multiple languages can provide translation services for documents, books, websites, captions and audio/video files. Rates range from $0.05 to $0.20+ per word depending on language and niche. Check sites like Rev, Gengo and One Hour Translation for projects.
104. Sell Translated Books Online
Translate popular ebooks and information products into foreign languages then publish and sell the translated versions through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple Books and other retailers.
105. Provide Transcription and Subtitling
Convert audio and video files in foreign languages to text transcripts, subtitles and closed captions. Check platforms like Rev, TranscribeMe and Descript for projects paying $0.50-$2.00 per audio/video minute. Requires fluency in target language.
Animating and 3D Modeling
Animation and 3D modeling skills translate well into online income streams:
106. Create and Sell 3D Models
Design unique 3D models then sell .STL files buyers can print. Popular sites include CGTrader, TurboSquid, SketchFab. Top model designers make $5,000-$10,000+ per month.
107. Build 3D Environments for Games
Construct 3D worlds, textures, characters and assets for video games and simulations. Specialize in tools like Blender, 3ds Max, Maya or Cinema 4D. Freelance 3D artists make $60-$250 per hour or more.
108. Animate Explainer Videos
Produce animated explainer videos for businesses and startups to illustrate concepts, products or services. Typical projects pay $1000-$10,000 based on length, complexity and turnaround time.
109. Do Whiteboard Animation
Create custom whiteboard-style animated videos explaining ideas, products or processes. Popular for marketing. Animators charge $1,000-$3,000 per minute of completed video.
110. Build AR/VR Experiences
Offer augmented and virtual reality development services for apps, games, simulations and enterprise applications. Demand continues growing for AR/VR skills. Expect freelance rates around $75-$200 per hour. Programming experience required.
Selling Used Items Online
Reselling used goods through online platforms generates consistent income:
111. Sell Used Books Online
Sell your old used textbooks and books that you have read on Amazon and other used book stores.
112. Sell Used Video Games and Consoles
Buy and resell used video games, gaming consoles, accessories and rare collectibles through eBay, Facebook Marketplace and niche sites like DKOldies. Top sellers make $1000+ per week flipping vintage games and systems. Requires video game valuation expertise.
113. Resell Unique Vintage Items
Curate and resell vintage clothing, jewelry, decor, electronics and collectibles from the 70s, 80s, 90s through eBay, Etsy Vintage and niche vintage marketplaces. Knowledge of eras and styles is key. Top vintage sellers make $5000+ per month.
114. Flip Used Cell Phones
Buy used smartphones, refurbish and resell updated models on sites like Back Market for profits. Requires technical skills and sourcing broken devices cheap. Profits range $50-$300 per flipped phone.
115. Resell Lego Sets and Minifigures
Buy discontinued, hard to find Lego sets and minifigures on the secondary market and resell through platforms like eBay and BrickLink at a premium. Limited edition and out of production Legos can sell for 2-10X the original retail pricing.
116. Refurbish and Resell Musical Instruments
Find used instruments like guitars, drums, keyboards locally via Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Repair and restore to resell at a profit. $500-$1000+ profit potential on high end instruments. Requires music gear expertise.
117. Buy and Resell Sports Memorabilia
Acquire autographed collectibles, vintage programs and gear through auctions then resell to passionate sports fans. Items like signed jerseys can command premium prices. High demand niche with trusting relationships key.
118. Resell Sought After Sneakers and Streetwear
Learn to verify authenticity and source rare sneakers and streetwear for under market prices. Resell through apps like GOAT and StockX. The most coveted shoes resell for 2-10X retail price. Requires extensive knowledge.
119. Flip Golf Clubs
Buy used golf clubs at garage sales and thrift stores, then refurbish and resell sets for profit on eBay, Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Iconic brands and antique clubs draw collectors. Expect to earn $100+ per hour refurbishing.
With some product knowledge and sourcing skill, reselling valuable used items online can become a very lucrative venture. Find niche collectibles with enthusiastic buyer demand and limited supply for the best flip profitability.
120. Rent Your Car on Turo
List your car for rental on peer-to-peer car sharing platforms like Turo and GetAround to earn passive income when not using it. Expect to earn $30-$150 per day depending on vehicle type, location and demand. Requires insurance approval.
121. Put Ads on Your Car
Earn passive income by turning your car into a rolling billboard with ads. Companies like Carvertise, Free Car Media and Wrapify pay drivers $100-$400 per month to wrap vehicles with large advert decals. Offers depend on driving habits and demographics.
122. Advertise on Your Website
Monetize traffic to your blog or website by showing ads through networks like Ezoic, Media.net and Google Adsense. Top sites earn $3-$10+ per 1000 ad views. The more traffic you drive, the more you earn.
123. Enter Competitions and Sweepstakes
Enter online contests, giveaways and sweepstakes for chances to win big prizes like free vacations, gift cards, cash jackpots and cars. Reddit forums like /r/sweepstakes provide listings. Time consuming but potentially very rewarding.
124. Collect and Resell Scrap Metal
Collect scrap metals like copper, steel, aluminum and brass from local businesses and construction sites. Resell to metal recycling and salvage yards. Profits of ~$100-$200 per ton are typical based on metal prices. Requires a large truck for hauling.
125. Read Books for Pay
Get paid to read newly published books and write reviews for sites like Online Book Club and Goodreads. Expect to earn ~$7-$20 per finished book review depending on length and quality. For avid readers.
I hope this guide covering 125 different ways to make money online has provided ideas that spark your imagination. The possibilities are truly endless thanks to the reach of the internet.
With consistent effort and focus on providing real value, anyone can establish steady income streams leveraging their unique interests, abilities and experience.
The key is to start small, implement different ideas patiently and scale up the opportunities showing the most promise over time. Building multiple income sources provides stability and flexibility to live life on your own terms.
The online world awaits. Put your skills and passion to work and unlock your true earning potential. Wishing you tremendous success!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the easiest ways to make money online?
Some of the easiest online money making ideas include taking paid surveys, participating in research studies and product testing, doing microtasks like data entry, transcribing audio, and searching the web through browser extensions. These require very little initial skill or investment to earn supplemental income.
What skills can make the most money online?
In-demand skills like programming, graphic design, digital marketing, writing, teaching, consulting and more translate very well into high earning potential online. If you can provide high value services catered to businesses, you can charge premium rates and make 6 figures.
How much money can you make blogging?
Successful bloggers make between $3-$10+ per 1000 ad impressions, plus income from sponsorships, affiliate marketing and selling information products. Top bloggers earning over $100k+ per year have very high traffic and loyal audiences. Building an audience and consistently providing value is key.
Is it possible to make a living trading stocks?
Making consistent income solely from stock trading is challenging but possible with the right knowledge, discipline and risk management. Experienced day traders can potentially earn a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per day depending on account size and trading strategy. It also requires capital for trading.
How much does the average YouTuber make?
While top YouTubers make 7+ figures, smaller channels earn $3-$5 per 1000 video views on average. To start earning decent income, aim for at least 100,000 views per month. Making high quality, engaging videos consistently is key to growing an audience.
What should you not do when trying to make money online?
Avoid “get rich quick” schemes or overly speculative investing/trading without doing thorough due diligence. Building successful online income sources requires patience and providing real value to people or businesses. Stay away from any opportunities focused on recruiting vs real revenue.
How long does it take to see results making money online?
It depends heavily on factors like your skills, work ethic and the types of money making ideas pursued. But allow at least 6 months to a year before expecting significant earnings. Consistently putting in focused effort towards an online income stream will steadily build results over time.
How much money do you need to start an online business?
Many online businesses like blogging, freelancing, ebooks, and dropshipping can be started for less than $500 in most cases. For ecommerce or other models requiring inventory, startup costs can be $1,000-$5,000+. The key is starting small and reinvesting profits to scale.
What are your chances of success making money online?
Like any business venture, making money online requires consistent effort and providing real value to be profitable. There are no guarantees. But the multitude of digital tools and global connectivity make it possible for anyone to succeed with the right focus and determination.
How can you tell if an online money making opportunity is a scam?
Signs of scams include promises of guaranteed high returns with no risk, pressure to invest large sums immediately, unregistered/unlicensed sellers, too-good-to-be-true returns, pyramid recruitment schemes and lack of transparency. Always do thorough due diligence before spending any money.
With strategic thinking and persistent effort, making meaningful income online is certainly achievable. Find ideas compatible with your abilities and interests, start small to validate, then reinvest profits into scaling up the opportunities showing the most potential.
