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How do I Make Money Online?

Malcolm Tatum
By
Updated: May 17, 2024

Since the advent of the Internet, many people have found the medium an ideal way to make a little extra money. In some cases, that temporary source of revenue eventually leads to a new career path, allowing the individual to work exclusively in a virtual environment. As the possibilities for online work have continued to expand, new ways to make money online are now available that were once impossible.

One of the easiest ways to get into making money online is to sell those items jammed into the back of the closet or in the attic. There are two ways to go about this dual task of creating more space in the home and earning money at the same time. You can go with sites that allow you to sell your items outright, in an environment that is much like an online yard sale or a newspaper classified ad. The alternative is to create a seller account on an auction site and put your items up for bid. Depending on what you have to sell, it is possible to earn a respectable amount of money each month for as long as you have items to sell.

Another alternative you can use to make money online is to translate your skill set into a virtual environment. Many companies today are hiring clerical, administrative, and technical help that function online rather than coming to a brick and mortar location each day. Such jobs as receptionist, administrative assistant, bookkeeper, and Information Technologies support are just a few examples. In some cases, employers provide desktop or laptop equipment and pay for a high-speed connection that allows the employee to handle voice and data requests with equal ease.

If working for someone else is not what you have in mind, you can always set up your own virtual business. One of the easy ways to make money online is to create your own online store. There are a number of companies who will provide you with a pre-built site that includes images and descriptions of the merchandise. All you have to do is set the retail price for each item, purchase an interesting domain name, and point the name at the web address provided by your supplier. As you market your online store and gain a clientele, the effort will begin to supply a steady source of income, with you earning the difference between the supplier wholesale rate and your retail rate per item. Best of all, they handle processing the orders and shipping the merchandise.

Freelance writing assignments are readily available online today. You can make easy money online by writing about different subjects for different sites. Some sites are open to anyone, requiring nothing more than setting up a user account. Sites of this type normally pay revenue on your submitted work based on revenue generated by the ads that appear on the same web page as your article. Other online companies choose to hire a bank of writers as independent contractors and pay a flat fee for each accepted piece. Some companies prefer to place the writer on the payroll proper as a full time or part time employee.

Learning how to make money online is not difficult. Conducting a simple search using any search engine will turn up a wide range of ways to work as much or as little as you like in an virtual environment. Whether you want to make money online as a second source of income, a short term effort to pay off bills or finance a vacation, or as a means of establishing a full time work effort, there is something for just about anyone. Begin searching today for online work ideas that fit your talents and abilities. You may be surprised at how many opportunities you come across.

WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Malcolm Tatum
By Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing to become a full-time freelance writer. He has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGeek, and his work has also been featured in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and newspapers. When not writing, Malcolm enjoys collecting vinyl records, following minor league baseball, and cycling.
Discussion Comments
By Jester39 — On Jun 23, 2011

Today you can make money online with a minimum of resources.

If you're a photographer, you can sell your photos. If you're a writer, you can at the very minimum sell advertisements on your blog.

You can write for online content sources, write copy for other peoples' blogs, write ebooks yourself or write eletters for companies or universities.

You can sell your artwork if you're an artist, making money by creating covers for ebooks.

Making money online can be as diverse as the layers in the rain forest. You have to open your eyes, learn what's out there and then match your skills to the needs.

By indigowater — On Jun 21, 2011

Making extra money online is very possible but first you need to rule out the scams. It takes a savvy internet user to research the company and its history prior to sharing your social security number and other private history information. Be aware, check every company before you decide to give them your private information.

By anon102126 — On Aug 06, 2010

I would say the best way of making money online is simple, "find something people want and give it to them." regards, billy d

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing...
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