Most of us are excited by the idea that there might be full-time work-from-home opportunities. The majority of information out there, however, quickly turns out to be a sales pitch convincing the reader to sign up for a seminar, training session, etc. So, is it really possible to make money online? The answer is, yes. Consider the following six authentic ways to make money online from home:
- Websites that Pay
Nowadays, there are countless websites that are willing to pay you for various things. These legitimate websites will pay you for shopping, taking surveys, testing products, etc. For example, Swagbucks allows you to earn a little extra cash for taking surveys. Project Payday, on the other hand, has earned people thousands for accepting trial offers. If you have a big social media following, IZEA pays you to blog, tweet and take photos and videos.
- Blogger, Writer, Editor or Proofreader
One of the most popular ways to earn money online is freelance writing. If you have received compliments for your skills as a writer, it might be time to build your portfolio and present you work to some freelance writing companies. (Some freelancers strike out on their own and successfully launch their own website and business.) A few of the websites that pay per word or per post include: Listverse, TopTenz, A List Apart and FundsforWriters. A Listverse, for example, pays writers $100 for each accepted post, with a minimum of 1,500 words. Other lucrative freelance jobs you could consider include: blogging, editing and proofreading.
- Online Selling Market
With the introduction of online auctions, the idea of selling online has quickly grown in popularity. Now, there are countless ways to make money selling on the online market (e.g. Amazon, eBay, Etsy). Start by setting up a PayPal account so you can receive or make payments. If you are required to provide a picture to sell the product, make sure these photos are as professional looking as possible. The rest is simple. Work hard, be honest, earn positive reviews and make a great name for yourself.
- Virtual Assistant
If you have a talent for organization and schedules, a virtual assistant position could be the option for you. Working with a small business owner or a mid- to executive-level professional is a great opportunity to work online. These individuals highly value the administrative skills a remote employee can offer them. These administrative tasks might include: travel arrangements, correspondence, event planning, etc. – all remotely via phone and email.
- ISO Agent
Working online as an ISO agent – consider First American Merchant’s Cash Advance Agent program –involves offering standard and wireless terminals to clients, with the potential to earn upfront bonuses of $1,000 per merchant. The variety of merchant service functions an ISO agent include: soliciting new customers, providing exceptional customer service, obtaining cardholders, arranging terminal purchases or leases, to name a few. Through an ISO agent program, you can build lifelong business connections and generate an enviable income.
The best approach to making money online is to take it seriously; just because you are working from home online does not mean it is not a “real job”. In every business transactions and interaction, always be professional. You might be pleasantly surprised how quickly you can replace the 9-5 – even surpass your current income.