It might come as little surprise that a lot of people still find the concept of making money online a bit strange. Some may say it’s just a part-time gig when, in reality, it could totally replace your day-to-day corporate jobs.
As for that, some of you may think making money online implies remote office jobs where you can clock in from home, working the typical 9 to 5. Well, allow us to point out that, while you’re not totally off base there, most likely one still needs a degree to pursue those opportunities. And just to make it clear, our direction today is more toward something that anyone from any background can get their hands on.
You’ll be surprised at how many successful online money-makers are self-taught. Because, contrary to common perceptions, online success doesn’t require a formal education. And if you think this sounds great enough, wait until you find out what the icing on the cake is. Making money online equals flexibility. It allows you to juggle multiple jobs at the same time – and the more work you have in hand, the more bacon you bring home.
If you are ready, let’s now review these 10 most realistic ideas for making money online in 2023.
Let’s kick this all off with the exciting opportunity to become a streamer, provided that you are an avid gamer, of course.
As a streamer, you get to broadcast live videos of yourself playing games you enjoy. It’s just incredible how many different games are being covered by streamers these days. From the immensely successful battle arena games (which dominate livestreams, by the way) to those casual multiplayer games that you’d never expect to gain such a huge following. We mean, who could have imagined that tens of thousands of fans would tune in to watch worms slither around, gobble each other up and grow larger in games like Wormate.io?
Live Streaming might immediately make you think of a platform like Twitch, one popular hub for gamers and other types of content creators today, undoubtedly. But as some of us know, there are other platforms out there that offer native livestreaming too. YouTube and Instagram, for instance, have also decided to hop on to this real-time streaming train in recent years with some success.
But how does live streaming of video games have anything to do with making money online? Well, here is how it works: you can sell merchandise directly to your fans, accept donations from your supporters, and even score brand sponsorships if you have a certain amount of audiences. If you’re rocking it on Twitch, there’s even more potential (congrats!). You can earn through exclusive content subscriptions and those intrusive yet profitable Twitch ads.
How to Get Started?
- Purchase a camera and a microphone
- Consult each platform’s representative for details like age restrictions and payouts frequency
- Open an account at your desired platform/ software.
Take a Shot at Affiliate Marketing
Believe us when we say that affiliate marketing is the goldmine of the Internet.
One of our friends has recently introduced us to this method of making money online, where we’ve learned that many big-name internet entrepreneurs today have built their now successful empires around this very concept.
The role of an affiliate marketer involves promoting products created by other individuals/companies in return of some sweet commission on each sale. Typically, you’ll be given affiliate links by brands, and your job is to share these links on your website or social media pages in order to market their products. When someone clicks on your link and makes a purchase, you get paid both a referral fee and a commission.
The secret sauce of successful online affiliates is a rock-solid content marketing strategy. By crafting engaging content and strategically placing affiliate links, you’ll drive more visitors to your site, increase clicks, and ultimately boost sales for your partners – a win-win situation for both parties.
Types of Affiliate Marketing
- Unattached Affiliate Marketing
- Related Affiliate Marketing
- Involved Affiliate Marketing
Become a Course Instructor / Online Tutor
This might be the right time to remind you of one small thing in life: we all have something valuable to pass on, whether it’s to the next generation or to whoever wants to learn.
Just think about your passions and hobbies. Maybe you’re a makeup enthusiast who can teach others how to perfect their looks. Or perhaps you’re a master baker, skilled at creating all sorts of bread. Maybe you have a green thumb and can guide people in caring for bonsai trees and other exotic plants. Thanks to the internet, you can now turn your expertise into cold, hard cash through online courses and virtual workshops.
If you’re drawing a blank on inspirational lessons to teach, there’s nothing wrong with that either. Another idea for this method of making money online is to tap into the knowledge you gained during your high school or college years. If you happen to have an aptitude for subjects like biology, math, or languages, you could make some extra cash through online tutoring. All you need to do to get started is brush off those old books and sift through your dusty notes pile.
Platforms You Can Register
- TutorMe
- Fiverr
- Preply
- Tutor.com
- Wyzant
Rent (or Sell) Your Stuff
Do you remember the saying, ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’? It used to be just a catchy line from a song, but the sharing economy has really made us take a second look at what it means.
Now, let us clarify something right off the bat—our belongings aren’t trash. It’s a little unfair to view them that way. Sure, they might be used, but they’re far from being worthless. In fact, those items we own that are still in great condition and working perfectly fine can be easily rented out or sold secondhand through those e-commerce sites that seem to be everywhere now.
Just think about this: why would someone pay a lot of money for things like lawnmowers, cars, power tools, or household appliances when they only need them for a short period? Your house could be brimming with things that you rarely use, but others would be thrilled to rent or purchase from you. And that, my beloved readers, can only mean one thing: making money online is at your fingertips.
How to Get Started
- For selling pre-loved items, go for platforms like Shoppee or Lelong.my
- For renting out items, check out RentSmart Asia
Sell Digital Goods
No, we are not done selling just yet. In fact, we are about to introduce you to the future of business opportunities: selling digital products.
This game-changer requires minimal ongoing effort and costs. You can create and sell guides, ebooks, templates, plans, printables, music samples, and tutorials—all delivered digitally, either in fancy PDF formats or through exclusive log-in access to a dedicated portal. This method of making money online is a dream come true for all you creative souls out there who want to market your music or showcase your stunning artwork online.
If you are looking for an example of public figures making money online by selling digital products, take food blogger ‘Lauren Fit Foodie’, for instance. She’s serving up mouthwatering content of meal plans to her hungry audience through the power of her Instagram account – a delicious way to connect with fans and offer them valuable culinary treats.
Examples of Digital Products
- Tutorials and Guides
- Photography
- Web Elements
- Research and Data
- Presets (for applying on photos)
Write Your Own Blog
If writing floats your boat, you might want to think about making money online by blogging.
Blogs are made for all sorts of reasons – spilling opinions and insights, selling goods or services, or teaching the public about specific subjects.
The most popular topics in the blogosphere are travel, health, food, and lifestyle. If you want some fresh ideas for awesome content, the best way to go is getting out there and soaking up new experiences. Don’t skimp on your budget while you’re out searching for something original to write about. Just think of it as a type of investment.
You’ll also up your chances of success if you pick a specific niche. Let’s say you’re a foodie, for sake of illustration.Instead of having a generic food blog, focus on just one type of cuisine. Look at The Book Satchel as an example. They’re dedicated to book reviews and recommendations, keeping their audience in the loop without throwing other types of media at them.
Making money online through blogging isn’t rocket science. You can cash in on your blog by offering up ad space, joining affiliate programs, teaming up with brands, and even earning from sales.
How to Get Started
- Conduct research on your niche
- Choose a platform for blogging
- Customize your blog
- Draft your idea of first post
Influence The Online Community
Did we just come up with an attention-grabbing topic? Guilty as charged. We’re just proposing the enticing idea of becoming a social media influencer here.
Before you scroll past this section thinking it’s all about chasing clout, there’s a very important message we want to share. Being an online influencer can be a real job, and if you play your cards right, it can be one of the most lucrative methods of making money online.
Influencer marketing is all the rage among brands these days. They’re on the lookout for influencers who can reach audiences that align with their target customers. Just take a look at the buzz around productivity and stationery creator Amanda Rach Lee. Brands are practically lining up to sponsor her content.
Don’t freak out just yet. You don’t need millions of followers like Amanda to start making money online as a social media influencer. Sure, you’ll need an engaged following, but the numbers don’t have to be sky-high. Through platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, making money online has never been simpler (and more accessible to everyone). They essentially open doors to influencers with as few as 1,000 followers to score sweet brand deals without having to wait for their fan base to grow.
Influencer Tiers
- Nano Influencers: 1,000 to 10,000 follower counts
- Micro Influencers: 10,000 to 50,000 follower counts
- Macro Influencers (Mid-Tier): 50,000 to 1 million follower counts
- Mega Influencers (Celebrity): over a million follower counts
Try App/ Game Testing
We are as surprised as you when we find out that companies are actually paying their users to test their webs and apps in exchange for feedback. What makes this method of making money online stand out from others is that it can be done from almost anywhere with internet access.
As of 2023, the global digital media market is dominated by video games. And as a result, there are tons of opportunities in making money online just by testing apps and games. All that these brands want from you is an honest review of their products’ performance.
While this method offers an easy way to earn extra income, it is also used by criminals to steal personal information. In light of this, always do your research and check reviews before committing.
Where to Get Paid
- Mistplay: earn gift cards by playing games.
- Givling: play trivia games to earn cash rewards.
- Global Beta Test Network: play games before their release date and get paid (a nondisclosure agreement must be signed by players under the age of 18).
Invest Your Money in Stocks
Being a part of major enterprises is not just some far-fetched dream. You just have to know where to kick things off.
When it comes to making money online, investing and trading stocks is where it’s at. There will be no stopping you from rolling in passive income. And you don’t need to be a millionaire to be a proud stockholder anymore (if that’s your concern). You can get stocks for as low as MYR 1. Isn’t that something?
But let me give you a heads up—it might be a tad tricky at first. So, start small and gradually build up your portfolio.You’ll learn a ton from your successes and the mistakes you make along the way.
And if you ever need a little help or guidance, just dive into the blogosphere, YouTube tutorials, or stock investment podcasts. There’s a wealth of knowledge out there on the internet. Plus, you can check out awesome resources like ‘Collab Fund’ and ‘A Wealth of Common Senses’ to level up your learning.
Here are some gifts for those who’re just starting out in this field. Best investment apps for beginners include: SoFi Invest, Ally Invest, Acorns Invest and OctaFx. Check them out now and you can thank us later.
New Investors' Common Mistakes
- Overtrade in a short period of time
- Taking on too many positions at once
- Make no preparation for a trade
Start Your Own Podcast
Who would’ve thought that our world would evolve to a point where we, as consumers, aren’t restricted to a handful of mainstream media outlets? It’s truly fascinating how the internet has revolutionized our lives, opening the door to unlimited content choices.
In today’s world, anyone can become a host and carve their own path. And as far as we know, podcasters are among those fortunate individuals with access to a massive fan base spanning the globe. It’s remarkable how this platform, which just took off in less than a decade, can connect people from countless geographical locations, allowing them to share their voices and ideas on a global scale for such a modest cost.
By the time we hit the end of 2024, the number of podcast listeners across the world is expected to skyrocket to over 500 million. This audio format keeps growing in popularity as a medium for stories, news, comedy, and most commonly, opinions.
If you have a compelling voice, a good way with words, and a special interest to share, podcasting might just be your ticket to making money online in 2023. Also, having an interesting (in a good way) personality would be a great asset, especially if you’re planning for your podcast to go hand-in-hand with a video-based platform like Youtube, but that’s just a plus!
Equipment Required
- A professional microphone
- Editing software
- A camera (optional)
Bottom Line
Clearly, the Internet has completely changed the way we live and the way we see things. We can’t even remember the last time we used landlines to make a call or endured months long of waiting to meet our long-distance loved ones. In contemporary society, we can’t imagine life without the internet, which has truly become an important part of our livelihoods, to say the least.
If you go ahead and google ‘ways to make money online’, you’re bound to come across a myriad of methods, no matter how feasible they may be. The suggestions we’re putting forth today, though, are well-thought-out and relatively easy to get started with. You can even push yourself and take on more than one of these online gigs. It’ll definitely require some extra elbow grease, but at the end of the day, you’ll be grinning with more cash in your pocket.
Anyway, kudos to all you hustlers out there!
