There are so many ways to make a quick buck or two online! Plus, what’s great about a lot of online jobs is that they’re actually pretty interesting and fun. Whether you want to make $5 in a day or $100+ in a month, the following options really work. Get started with these 20 legit ways to make money online!
1. Answer Questions
Research/survey companies will pay you to answer questions, usually related to an upcoming product they want to release or even a movie trailer. In other cases, you may be asked about upcoming politics. Honestly, the surveys can be about anything. There are a lot of research companies out there, but this paid online survey list is a great place to start!
2. Watch Videos
This one doesn’t pay a whole lot, but if you’re going to watch videos online, you may as well as see if you can get paid for it. Much like the survey option mentioned previously, companies will pay you to watch newly released shows or even snippets. Again, don’t expect to get rich, but you can make a few dollars in a week if you watch a handful of clips.
3. Mock Juror
If you’re a fan of the law, then becoming a mock juror could be an option to consider. It will be your job to read over a court case and/or maybe watch a deposition, and then offer your insight at the end of the case. Acting as a mock juror can pay up to $50+ per gig! Best of all, most cases can be completed in less than an hour. Check out eJury or OnlineVerdict, as these are some of the bigger companies in this space that are totally legit ways to make money online.
4. Freelance Writer
As a freelance writer, you can use online platforms to write about any topic you desire and get paid for doing so. For instance, if you’re into sports, you could strictly write sports-related content. Plus, the great part about becoming a freelance writer is that you don’t have to be a professional. There are many platforms out there that can help you find work regardless of your skill. If you’re new to the field, consider joining Textbroker or iWriter to get started. They generally pay about $1.00 per 100 words, but as you prove yourself, you can network with private clients and get paid even more.
5. Play Games and Download Apps
Like watching videos, some companies will pay you to play games and even download apps. It will pay more than watching the videos, but still don’t expect to get rich in doing so. Usually, a company will ask you to download an app and then play around with it. Some may ask you to simply download it, while others may ask that you reach a certain level before they pay out. The company will usually outline their expectations in advance, so you won’t waste your time. If you’re a fan of new apps and want to get paid to try them, then this is definitely an option to consider. Some top companies for this job include Appbounty and AppKarma.
6. Invest
Even if you’re not acquainted with the world of finance, there are so many apps out there that make investing simple. Often, you only need to invest as little as $1.00, and there are usually no fees to create an account. Plus, many apps will walk you through the investing process so you can learn how to start seeing returns. This is one of the most legitimate ways to make money online!
7. Website Testing
When companies want to assess how user-friendly their website is, they’ll often recruit website testers to try it out. You will be asked to take a “website test” that lasts approximately 10 to 20 minutes. Your results will provide the feedback the company needs to improve the site, and you’ll be rewarded anywhere from $5 to $50 depending on the company you work with.
8. Become a Notetaker
Are you a college student looking for some extra cash? Then consider becoming a professional notetaker! You can post your notes to online communities like StudySoup, where college students search for notes and study guides for specific courses. You’ll receive 100% of the purchase price for notes that you likely would have already taken for your classes anyway, making this one of the easiest ways to earn money online.
9. Make Money Using Twitter
PaidPerTweet will pay you to tweet messages from their advertisers. The main catch here is that you must have at least 50 followers and 100 tweets, and your account must be at least 60 days old to be eligible for the program. In addition, those with more followers are compensated more, so you might consider upping your Twitter game before going this route! Compensation ranges from $1 per tweet to $10,000 per tweet depending on the popularity of your account.
10. Sell Unwanted Items
Another legitimate way to make money online is by selling items you own that you no longer need. There are so many online avenues where you can post your items for sale, like eBay, Amazon and Craigslist just to name a few. Some will require you to package and ship your wares, while others simply require that the purchaser pick up their items directly from you. You’d honestly be surprised at what people will buy. Don’t be afraid to put anything out there! This is a simple way to line your pockets with cash while decluttering your home.
11. Become a Transcriber
Transcribing information is simple. The way it usually works, a company will ask you to watch a video, listen to a recording or monitor a Zoom meeting, and then transcribe it using the company’s software. For those with swift and accurate typing skills, you can easily make $12 to $30 an hour! Plus, you have complete flexibility as to how much or little you’d like to work, meaning the earning potential is entirely up to you.
12. Work for a Call Center
Are you experienced in customer service? Do you have great interpersonal skills? If so, working remotely for a call center is a legit way to make money online. This job requires you to set up a weekly schedule of calls, so you’ll be acting more as a part-time employee. Although your work schedule won’t be as flexible, many companies in this industry offer commission on top of your hourly salary. On average, call center employees receive $10 per hour for their work.
13. Amazon Mechanical Turk
Amazon Mechanical Turk is popularly known for outsourcing various “micro-projects” to willing employees. These tasks can be anything from editing articles and entering data to identifying objects in a video and duplicating content. These micro-projects are designed to be simplistic enough where those of all skill levels can complete them. So, if you have some spare time on your hands, you might consider spending an hour or two browsing this great money-making resource!
14. Set Up an Airbnb Listing
If you have an extra, unused bedroom in your home, consider listing it on Airbnb! Depending on the quality and size of the room, you could easily rent the space out for at least $50 a night. If you offer upgraded features like a separate entrance, separate bathroom, a pool, or more, you can easily increase the price of your room. Be sure to check surrounding listings to assist you with creating a fair price.
Note that Airbnb charges hosts a 3% fee for all processed payments. It’s also important to remember that you’ll be responsible for cleaning the room every time a guest leaves, which will definitely require some effort on your end. However, your bank account will still reap the rewards.
15. Online Tutoring
Online tutoring is more popular now than ever. In addition to preventing the spread of germs, having the luxury of learning from home is extremely convenient for both the tutor and the student. The best way to start is by creating a profile on a reputable site such as Care.com or Tutor.com. From there, you’ll indicate your area of expertise (e.g. math, science, English, etc.), and list your experience. Generally, the more experience you have, the higher hourly rate you can charge. Even if you’re just starting out, you can likely charge at least $10 per hour.
16. Turn Your Craft Into Cash
Whether you’re a gifted artist, sewing fanatic, or avid woodworker, it’s entirely possible to profit from the hobby you love! One of the best places to post your products is on Etsy, which is a site that specializes in handcrafted work. It’s important to note, though, that there’s a 5% transaction fee, so you want to ensure you accurately price your products to make all of your hard work worth it.
If you’re looking for a way around bothersome fees and are serious about growing a small business, you could create your own website or Instagram account dedicated to your craft. With the right marketing tactics, your business could thrive and bring in some serious cash. What’s better, you’ll get to dedicate more time to the hobby you love!
17. Trade in Electronics
If you have any old electronics lying around, you’re basically sitting on money. Really. Amazon and eBay will reward you with gift cards for devices like iPhones, iPads, and even old gaming consoles. Or, if you’d rather make some real cash, some websites will pay you outright for your electronics. However, depending on their age and condition, it may not be much. Whatever route you decide to take, trading in your devices will prevent you from leaving free money on the table!
18. Mystery Shopper
Similar to a website tester, a mystery shopper’s job is to go through a website using the lens of a serious customer. You’ll likely be asked to search for specific products, add products to the cart, test out customer service features, and complete other purchase-related tasks. The company will use your feedback to smoothen out the shopping experience so real-life customers can more easily navigate the site.
It’s crucial to be wary of scams in this particular industry. Do not be tricked into actually purchasing a product or providing your credit card information to an untrustworthy source.
19. Review & Rate Products
In order for companies to develop their products, they need real, honest feedback to make improvements. That’s why many teams will pay people to test out their services and rate their products online. This presents yet another opportunity to make legitimate money all from the comfort of your couch and in your free time.
20. Join Online Focus Groups
Online focus groups are another way for companies to get feedback on their products and services. However, the format is slightly different. Usually, a virtual discussion is held with a moderator and a handful of volunteers using the company’s online platform. Bouncing ideas off of other people often helps uncover valuable data for researchers, and they’re usually willing to compensate you with a small fee or gift card for your time.
Final Thoughts
These options won’t replace your full-time job, but they could add a few extra bucks to your pocket! Whether you’re looking to start a vacation fund or accumulate some extra spending money, these 20 legit ways to make money online can help you reach your goals.