Summary:
Here are the unique ways to make money as a beginner from my research:
- Start a blogging business
- Start a YouTube channel
- Sell courses online
- Create digital art using AI
- Managing social media accounts
- Sell physical products online
- Start a niche website
- Sell handmade products and vintage items on Etsy
- Start an AI optimization service
- Buy and sell domain names
- Become an affiliate marketer
- Offer one-on-one coaching on any topic
- Answer questions using online survey websites
If you thought making money online was too difficult or only for tech geniuses, I'm proof it was possible even as a total beginner.
It took me 90 days to make my first dollar online and go from completely clueless to learning about online businesses, blog posts, or how to earn extra income.
However, following simple strategies, I built a profitable blog and YouTube channel that now brings in over $3,000+ monthly. And I was just an ordinary person with no prior experience.
I'll reveal the step-by-step system I used and teach you how to make money online for beginners.
So, if you are tired of spinning your wheels or tried every business model on this planet, keep reading.
Don't fall for it! Making money online as a beginner takes time, effort, and, most importantly, patience. But if you're willing to do the work, it is possible to make revenue online.
How Can You Make Money Online As A Beginner?
If you're wondering how to make money online for beginners, three great starting points are creating online courses, publishing content for ad revenue, and starting an online community.
Online courses have exploded in popularity, allowing anyone to package their skills and knowledge into a digital product.
You can sell courses or host communities with online platforms like Skool or Kajabi.
Writing online also offers promising income potential for beginners, especially with the help of AI writing software.
Once you build an audience, you can start a blog and monetize it with ads or sell products.
Affiliate marketing, which promotes other companies' products or services, is another lucrative option for bloggers.
From my personal experience, anyone can make money online by starting a content-based business focused on YouTube or SEO for Google.
Launching a YouTube channel first and creating videos with transactional intent, like product reviews or lists, can pay off quickly if you want to see faster results.
First, it's important to take the time to conduct market research. Check out Tubebuddy or VidIQ to research your competitors and trending videos.
For those more patient, starting a blog takes longer but offers multiple revenue streams such as affiliate marketing, ad revenue, and, eventually, selling your products or services.
The process is straightforward
- Choose a niche.
- Find emerging topics or trending products that competitors haven't covered yet.
- Then, you can partner with companies as an affiliate or promote your products on YouTube and your blog.
The Best Ways To Make Money Online For Beginners
Within just a few hours, you should know exactly what business idea you want to start to earn an income online. Here are all the ideas I gathered after doing some research.
Start A YouTube Channel
YouTube presents an incredible opportunity to build a lucrative online business, even if you are a beginner.
I've personally started two channels that generate income from affiliate marketing, advertising revenue, and course sales.
Making money on YouTube is one of the best ways to establish an online presence and profits.
The keys to success lie in consistently creating engaging videos that provide value to your target audience. You'll want to:
- Set up a minimum viable YouTube studio setup to start
- Research topics people are actively searching for or identify viral trends
- Hit record, connect with viewers, and offer solutions to their problems
As you grow an audience, you can strategically promote your affiliate links for products/services and build a YouTube sales funnel.
This allows you to monetize through multiple income streams, such as ad revenue, sponsorships, and product offerings.
It takes commitment, but the potential for passive income is insane.
With patience and by studying what resonates with your subscribers, an audience-centric YouTube channel can rapidly evolve into a thriving online business.
So get started today by hitting record and sharing your knowledge. The path to YouTube profits awaits those willing to put in the work.
Start a Blog as a Beginner and Make Money Blogging
I was once a beginner, but starting a blog paired with a YouTube channel allowed me to quit my job.
By consistently writing SEO-driven content while delivering a great user experience, I grew my online income steadily.
The keys were taking blogging courses, strategically adding affiliate links throughout my site, and providing value that resonated with my audience.
It took patience, but I eventually started ranking on Google and earning my first sales from affiliate promotions and advertising.
You can replicate this success with minimal upfront investment - a domain name, hosting, and a solid website theme.
From there, frequently publish quality content that helps people while making affiliate recommendations.
Multiple revenue streams, such as affiliate marketing, ads, product sales, or services, allow bloggers to gradually scale their earnings over time.
While most start with something like Google AdSense, you make more by eventually offering your own products and services.
Consistency in blogging tips for beginners is huge.
Stick with it by setting a publishing schedule, studying SEO best practices, and adjusting your strategy based on what content performs best.
Before long, you can build a profitable blogging business from the ground up as I did.
Create An Online Course
Creating and selling online courses lets beginners make money online by sharing knowledge. The key is focusing your course on solving a specific problem or need in your niche.
Start with market research to find common pain points or in-demand skills. Then, create a course, whether mini or comprehensive, delivering real value.
Before launching, build trust by consistently providing free value, such as blog posts or videos.
This helps grow an email list. You can then run a soft launch promoting your paid course to this warm audience.
An effective sales process is important, guiding potential students through marketing and purchasing. User-friendly platforms like Teachable or Thinkific can host and sell your programs.
Or, you could explore creating a membership community using an AI tool like Jasper to save time generating ongoing course materials.
While it takes upfront work, online courses offer lucrative residual income potential. Start small, focus on one solution at a time, and scale sustainably as you get the process down.
Start Taking Online Surveys
Need some extra money fast with just a solid internet connection?
Online paid surveys make earning cash in less than an hour easy.
While not a huge moneymaker, you can complete online surveys through sites like Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, InboxDollars, MyPoints, and PrizeRebel to pad your wallet.
Sign up, answer questions, and get paid via cash, gift cards, or prizes. To maximize earnings, use multiple survey sites and refer others with a simple referral link. With some hustle, online surveys offer flexible extra money in your spare time.
Taking surveys is a completely boring and weird way to make money, but it works for many people.
Put Your Money Into An Online Savings Account
Start saving your money in a high-yield savings account.
Many banks now offer high-interest savings accounts, which offer a much better return on your money than a traditional savings account.
For example, Marcus Bank offers a Savings Builder Account that gives you 4.50% APY (annual percentage yield) on your money.
That's much more than any traditional bank can offer and even easier to sign up for.
Plus, it's very safe, and you can set up a direct deposit monthly, which allows your money to work for you.
Repurpose Your Videos To Online Course Marketplaces
You can easily repurpose old online education you've created to platforms like Udemy and Skillshare and earn recurring revenue for anyone who takes the course.
You can receive passive income online from your videos without extra effort by repurposing or creating digital content.
This is also a great sales channel, as it gives people a sneak peek of your knowledge of a particular subject and funnels them into your world.
Rent Out Your Car
Renting out your car may not sound like a traditional way to make money online, but it is a great way to earn extra cash.
You can download money-making apps that allow you to rent out your car and get paid through the app.
This is a great way to earn revenue, as you can set your own rates and schedule. You can also choose to rent out your car for short periods of time or longer periods.
A few rental apps are:
- Turo
- Getaround
- Zipcar
This is a great way to make money if you have a spare car that you need to use. You can also use this to start your own online business.
Invest Into Stocks
While investing in stocks can be a great way to earn money online fast through platforms like Vanguard or Robinhood, it's important to approach it carefully and follow a safe investment approach.
Before starting, educate yourself fully on how the stock market works to avoid costly mistakes or falling for scams promising unrealistic returns.
Instead of actively chasing hot tips or day trading, consider a long-term strategy focused on diversified, low-cost index funds or ETFs that track the overall market.
This allows you to capture growth over the years while reducing risk. Thoroughly research any individual stocks, understanding the company's financials and growth potential before investing.
The stock market can be unstable in the short term, so manage your expectations and only invest in what you can afford to lose.
With patience, caution, and continuous learning, investing in stocks can be a smart way to steadily build wealth over time.
Sell on Facebook and Other Marketplaces
Looking to make money by selling stuff online or flipping items for a profit?
Consider platforms like Facebook Marketplace and eBay, or even create your own online store. These marketplaces provide opportunities to sell old items lying around the house or source products to resell.
Facebook Marketplace, for instance, allows you to list items for local buyers with just a Facebook account.
You can also explore dropshipping by finding suppliers on sites like Alibaba and listing their products on your marketplace storefront.
Also, eBay continues to be a popular platform for selling virtually anything, from clothes and electronics to furniture. Take quality product photos and write compelling descriptions, and you'll be on your way to earning.
Build an online store through Shopify, Etsy, or social media channels like TikTok Shop for more control.
This lets you curate your offerings, create a brand presence, and reach global customers.
Don't overlook the power of user-generated content (UGC) and leveraging SEO for visibility on Facebook Marketplace and other platforms. You can turn your online selling side gig into a lucrative income stream over time with some hustle.
Become A Freelancer
Freelancing offers a flexible way to earn money online by leveraging your skills and expertise. You can offer any service, such as ghostwriting for websites, brands, and content creators.
The beauty of choosing freelance jobs is the ability to work on your own terms, setting your own rates and schedule.
Countless online job platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, PeoplePerHour, Freelancer.com, and ContraHQ allow you to find freelance gigs across industries.
Beyond writing, you can freelance as an online tutor, virtual assistant, accountant, web developer, marketer, and more.
Then, persistently bid on projects that align with your strengths. Over time, delivering quality work helps you earn repeat clients and boost your income potential.
While competition exists, freelancing provides a good path to tap into the expansive remote job market using skills you likely already possess.
Start Affiliate Marketing With No Money
Need more money to start? You can try affiliate marketing with no money.
Affiliate marketing is a great way to make money online and doesn't require much investment.
All you need to do is find a product or service that you can promote and start promoting it on a social media platform.
You can promote products through your blog, social media, or email marketing.
You can join many different affiliate programs and promote many products.
Do research, find a product or service you believe in, promote it, and generate income.
This is a great business model, and I've done it. You can make a few hundred dollars for free.
Work As A Voiceover Artist
Want to work for companies such as Disney, Universal Studios, or Cartoon shows? Why not become a voiceover artist?
Voiceover artists are in high demand and can easily make money online.
All you need is a decent microphone, and you can start recording your voice for different companies.
There are many different websites that you can use to find work as a voiceover artist, and you can easily get started with no money.
So you can turn this into a full-time income and earn cash online from home.
Offer SEO Consulting
Search engine optimization remains important for businesses to increase online visibility and sales.
As a knowledgeable SEO professional, you can make money online by offering productized services to clients on a contract basis.
Some potential SEO services to productize include:
- Website/content audits and strategy
- On-page optimization
- Link building
- Local SEO for local businesses
- Ecommerce SEO
- SEO training and consulting
- Freelance writing
The beauty is you can get started by simply finding clients on freelancing sites like Upwork or Markethire.
Conduct an initial SEO audit of their website, identify opportunities, and propose a service package to improve their search rankings and organic traffic.
Even as a beginner, having your optimized blog or website showcase results can significantly boost your credibility and rates.
Over time, you can scale up by training others and offering more robust SEO services.
Don't buy into the myth that SEO is dead - businesses will always need to invest in strategic SEO to stay competitive online.
You can build a lucrative SEO consultancy with consistent effort, delivering measurable outcomes.
Start Online Tutoring
Are you already helping your little sister or brother with her math homework? Why not get paid for it?
You can start online tutoring and earn a nice income from home.
You only need a webcam, microphone, and a good internet connection.
You can use many platforms to find students, such as Tutor.com or Preply.
You can set your own hours and prices, and you do not need previous teaching experience.
So, if you're looking for a flexible way to make money online, online tutoring is worth considering.
Become A Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant is someone who provides administrative support to businesses and entrepreneurs. These can include almost any type of data entry jobs.
This can be anything from managing emails to social media or data entry.
There is a growing demand for virtual assistants, an excellent way to make money online if you want something flexible and rewarding.
You can find plenty of businesses looking for help by going online and searching for "Online Jobs As A VA."
These are just a few of the many ways to make money online. With so many options, there's no excuse not to get started as a VA.
Offer Online Coaching Services
Offering online coaching services lets you monetize your expertise from anywhere by conducting sessions virtually.
easily book paid coaching callsSet up a simple website to market your services, then use a scheduling app to book paid coaching calls easily.
Record these calls using an AI notetaking app to capture valuable insights. Then, you can repurpose this content into written resources, video courses, or podcasts to further scale your income without additional work.
For example, offer hourly coaching sessions on your area of expertise, whether business strategy, health/fitness, creative skills, or any other in-demand topic.
As you build a client base, the recorded sessions become an asset to create tangible products like ebooks, masterclasses, or membership sites.
Many clients prefer this personal 1-on-1 coaching approach over larger firms or courses. It allows you to tailor the experience and develop a closer relationship.
Sell Digital Products Online
Selling digital products like ebooks, courses, and software is a great way for beginners to generate passive online income through their own website.
Digital product platforms like Sellfy allow you to list offerings and handle payments securely.
Start small, then expand into higher-ticket items or even affiliate marketing as you grow.
The low overhead and scalability are key benefits - create once and sell repeatedly with no inventory or shipping costs.
This model provides an accessible entry point into earning online before potentially evolving into more advanced business opportunities.
Leverage digital products to build passive revenue streams from your skills and interests. So if you've got a digital product idea that people will love, why not try?
Start A Sales Funnel Agency
Starting a sales funnel business is a solid way to make money online by helping businesses develop better systems.
You can sell sales funnel designs or help them rewrite their landing page copy.
Many beginners enjoy doing this because sales funnel tools like Clickfunnels or Gohighlevel make this process easier than before.
The best part is you need zero web development skills and can use drag-and-drop templates.
Sell Apps On Appsumo
Do you know how to develop software or apps? If so, you can make a lot of money by selling your apps on Appsumo.
You can also use no-code app builders to develop and sell software on Appsumo.
This is a great platform for developers because it's an easy way to get your products in front of a large audience.
Plus, if your app is successful, you can make much money from sales and royalties.
So, if you've got a great app you think people would love, list it on Appsumo. You could make a lot of money from it.
Start A Facebook Ad Agency
Have you generated results using Facebook ads? Start running Facebook ads for other businesses and make a great income.
Using this platform, you can tap into different industries and help them generate leads and sales.
The best part is that you can start small and scale your business by adding more clients on a monthly retainer.
A business owner needs more time to understand FB ads so you can easily step in and help local businesses or online stores.
So start learning how to manage Facebook ads and get your first client.
Offer Credit Repair Services
If you're looking for a way to make money online, offering credit repair services is a great option.
Credit repair is a service that helps people improve their credit scores to get better interest rates on loans and other financial products.
Personal note: I first started a credit repair company, which allowed me to learn about marketing and blogging.
It's a growing industry, and this service is in demand. Credit repair software can help you automate the process and scale your business.
Plus, it's a relatively easy business to start, and if you're good at it, you can quickly make a lot of money.
So if you're looking for a way to make money online, consider starting a credit repair business. It's a great way to earn cash monthly.
Start Personal Finance Consulting
Are you good with money and can offer professional financial advice to save and invest? Start a personal finance consulting business and help people save money.
You can make a difference in people's lives by teaching them how to manage their finances better.
Plus, it's a great way to make money online because you can charge a high hourly rate for your services.
So if you're good with money, why not start a personal finance consulting business? You could make a lot of money and help people simultaneously.
Set your own prices based on your client's budget and teach them how to leverage their investments.
Play Videogames
The online world of gaming is huge because of the major league gaming community. You can now earn money by playing video games and getting sponsored by brands.
You could not do that before, but this opens many doors for gamers, and you can even sell your own gaming consulting by helping newbies get better.
Even better, you can set up your own ecommerce store and sell merchandise to your biggest fans.
Start A Membership Site
Creating a paid membership site allows you to earn recurring revenue by providing exclusive value and community to your audience.
Use a platform like Skool to host your online community, offer premium content bundles or courses, and facilitate member discussions.
The key is providing as much value as possible through weekly live sessions, Q&As, resource libraries, and facilitating member connections.
Over time, you can hire 1-2 community managers to run operations while you collect passive income.
With a consistent effort to engage members, an online community can become a profitable income stream, monetizing your expertise.
Start small, build trust, and continue delivering immense value to retain loyal paying members long-term.
Test Websites For A Living
Become a professional tester and get paid to test websites.
You can sign up for companies like UserTesting and get paid up to $20 for every website you test.
This is a great way to make money online because all you need is a computer and an internet connection.
Plus, it's a great way to give feedback to website owners and help them improve their websites.
If you have a knack for finding errors on websites, you can make money by testing websites for a living.
Grow Social Media Accounts
Become a social media influencer or consultant by helping businesses and individuals grow their online following.
Use AI tools for automation, direct messaging, and content creation to scale social media growth efficiently.
For example, AI tweet generators like TweetHunter or HypeFury can be used to consistently publish engaging content across platforms.
Set up automated systems with tools like Make.com to handle repetitive tasks like following, unfollowing, and analyzing metrics.
By leveraging AI capabilities, you can offer comprehensive social media management services, from account optimization to community building.
This allows you to take on multiple clients while delivering quality results through efficient workflows.
It's a lucrative opportunity to monetize your social media expertise and make money online as the demand for influencer marketing and social presence continues to rise yearly.
Become A Content Creator
Being a content creator offers one of the most accessible paths for beginners to earn online income.
By consistently creating valuable content, you can build an audience, monetize through brand deals, and ultimately sell your own digital products or courses.
Start by choosing a content format you enjoy videos, blogs, podcasts, or social media posts.
Establish your personal brand voice and focus on providing entertainment or education that resonates with your niche. As you gain traction, brands will seek partnerships for promotion.
The beauty is that as a content creator, you can pivot across traffic sources like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and explore multiple income streams.
This could include ad revenue, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, creator funds, subscriptions/memberships and more.
With dedication and strategic monetization efforts, content creation allows you to quite literally get paid for sharing your passions online while retaining full creative control.
Work With Instacart
Help grab items and groceries when people start shopping online with Instacart.
You can work as much or as little as you want and get paid weekly.
This is a great way to make money if you need flexible hours or want to earn a decent paycheck.
Instacart has become very popular, and I added this to the list because it's a great way to supplement the other.
Work As A Call Center Agent
Working as a Call Center Agent is a great way to get started in the working world.
Whether you're interested in inbound leads or sales calls, you can find the right position.
Best of all, many Call Center agent positions are now remote so that you can work from the comfort of your own home.
Become An Affiliate Marketing Manager
As an affiliate marketing manager, you'll help businesses with their affiliate programs. This involves managing affiliate campaigns and tracking affiliate performance.
Many beginners think affiliate marketing is a pyramid scheme, but it's just the concept of selling other people's products or services.
Your expertise is essential for ensuring that affiliate programs deliver results, whether you create or tweak affiliate links or offer advice on conversion optimization.
With an extensive knowledge of different affiliate platforms and tools and proven success in affiliate marketing, you can help businesses achieve their goals and maximize their ROI from affiliate marketing campaigns.
Through my own experience as an affiliate marketer, I've developed an awesome understanding of what it takes to succeed in this fast-paced industry. So you can do it too!
Start A Dropshipping Business
Dropshipping businesses are all the rage these days, and it's easy to see why.
They're relatively easy to set up and run, and you don't need to invest much money upfront.
Plus, you can run your business from anywhere in the world. Dropshipping can be a great way to start your own business, but there are a few things you need to know before getting started.
This type of online store requires a bit of work, but the rewards can be great. If you're willing to put in the effort, you can start your own successful business by drop shipping.
Buy And Sell Domains
Domain flipping is a great way to start a side hustle or earn online income. Through platforms like Flippa, you can find and purchase affordable domains with huge growth and success potential.
Whether you're buying or selling a domain, staying smart and strategic throughout the process is important.
To ensure you get the most out of your investment, conduct thorough research on potential buyers or sellers, tried-and-true strategies for successful flipping, and any other aspects that may affect your bottom line.
You will also want to increase sales by further growing and monetizing the WordPress blog.
With these tips, you can earn big profits from domain flipping today.
Start A Video Editing Agency
You can start a video editing agency with just a few video editors and a computer. You don't need an office or anything fancy, just a quiet workplace and an internet connection.
You can start small by editing videos for friends and family, or you can go big and start working for businesses and organizations.
There are many options for starting a video editing agency or becoming a video editor, so find what works best for you and your team.
You can even freelance and work from home. Remember that quality is key, so ensure your video editors are up to the task. With a little hard work and determination, you can soon have a successful video editing agency up and running.
Start An AI Business
A Business that can earn you money through the internet is starting an AI business.
With AI marketing tools like ChatGPT and Jasper, you can write articles as a freelance writer or code entire websites as a software developer.
You can even develop and market apps and services to help other businesses grow their customer base.
With AI tools, your business idea can be profitable with minimal investment and effort.
Build A Chatbot For Other Businesses
If you know about AI chatbots, you've probably heard they are revolutionizing services such as customer support, coding, and other parts of a business.
But do you know how chatbots work? Chatbots use AI to understand natural language, process information, and provide appropriate responses.
You can easily create an AI chatbot with software such as Bubble, which offers an intuitive interface and powerful features to help you build a conversational AI bot.
You can then sell that to other businesses and help them automate their marketing or customer support.
Sell Stock Photos
Selling stock photos is one of the easiest ways for beginners to make money online.
It requires no special skills and can generate more than a few extra bucks if done correctly. Plus, you sell directly on stock photo websites instead of having your own store.
You can sell photos online like Unsplash or Etsy, but you should probably tell yourself that you are not a professional photographer or designer.
Then, you can use an AI art generator to help you create the perfect image to sell online.
Start A Graphic Design Agency
Many creative people start graphic design services for different brands to make money online for beginners.
This can be anything from logo design, app or web designs, marketing materials, and more. You don't have to be an expert in graphic design software.
Many people learn the basics independently, and you must understand design principles to create quality work that stands out.
Sell Printables
If you want to make money as a newbie online and have some graphic design knowledge, offering printables can be a great way to earn some extra income.
You can quickly join different online marketplaces or sell on Etsy to get started. Etsy is an online platform that can help you sell digital or physical stuff.
Start A Copywriting Business
Businesses, regardless of their size, require copywriting services for their marketing or social campaigns.
You can quickly sell this as a service and earn a premium if you have decent copywriting skills. You can help companies write website content, email campaigns, ads, and more.
You must have extensive research skills, be creative with words, understand search engine optimization principles, and market yourself to potential clients.
So, as you create high-quality content for other businesses, you start generating income and reinvest those profits into honing your skills and creating more content. It's a great way to start your own business online.
Offer Transcription Services
Earning money online can be simple by offering to transcribe meetings and live conference calls for other businesses and creators.
You can sell transcription services and upsell them on content creation using recorded text from their calls.
This is known as repurposing content, and it's one of the top marketing strategies for brands because they need to be on all social media platforms.
Start A One-Person Business
Starting a solopreneurship business is all about keeping things simple and cost-effective. You don't need a big team to kick off.
With a few smart automation tools, you can run your business smoothly and keep your focus on raking in that online income.
Think about it: low startup costs, and you're in control. A virtual assistant (VA) is your go-to for the stuff you can't automate.
They can handle the routine tasks, freeing you up to grow your business. Solopreneurship business ideas are about making the most of what you have and scaling at your own pace.
Make Money Online For Beginners FAQs.
How can I make money online for free as a beginner?
Yes, one of the best ways for beginners to start making money online for free is by signing up on freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer.com. These sites allow you to create a profile and bid on small gigs or projects matched to your skills at no upfront cost.
While the platforms typically take a percentage cut of your earnings, you can start building a portfolio and income stream without any startup investment.
How much can I realistically earn online as a beginner?
Most beginners shouldn't expect to replace a full-time income immediately. However, with consistent effort, many can earn $500-$2,000 per month from multiple income streams within the first year.
What skills are most valuable for making money online?
Yes, writing, coding, design, video editing, digital marketing, and sales skills are highly valuable. However, transferable soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and self-discipline are equally important.
How much time does it take to start earning online?
There's no get-rich-quick solution. Building sustainable online income streams takes consistent effort over weeks/months. However, some options, like paid surveys, can earn extra cash more quickly.
Can You Make Money Fast Online As A Beginner?
Yes, it is possible to make money fast online as a beginner, but it will not be easy. One way to start quickly is by taking on simple gig work through platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
These sites allow you to find entry-level jobs like recording user-generated content (UGC) or narrating scripts provided by companies. The tasks are usually straightforward, making them great options for total beginners.