“You have to spend money to make money” or so the saying goes. If you really want to start a blog, or ditch the 9-5, or whatever, you’ll need to earn some extra money to get started. When I started my very first business, I did a a couple side gigs to earn a few bucks to buy a domain name and a year’s worth of hosting. By the time it came to renew, I had my fledgling business off the ground and it was paying for itself. Want to do the same?
There are a myriad of ways to earn some extra money. I’m highlighting just a few here: ones I’ve actually tried and had some luck with over the years. Here’s my short list, along with links where you can find more information:
- Mystery Shopping: I’ll admit it, this was my biggest money maker. While some of the jobs were super fun (I got to test drive a Mercedes-Benz!!), others were difficult (I’ll never do any merchandising again) and others just made me nervous. I’d always wanted to be a detective, and this was “going undercover” for sure. But sometimes it felt a bit awkward, and since I’m not a huge shopper (gasp!) it was sometimes hard to really play the part. Having said that, however, it’s totally something I would do again if I needed to earn some extra money. It won’t replace an income by any stretch, but it will cover a domain name and year of hosting without much difficulty. To learn more about Mystery Shopping, check out this info at RealWaysToEarnMoneyOnline.com
- Website Testing: I had a lot of fun with this one! It can be hard to get an assignment, since there are a lot of users and not a lot of assignments. But I was able to do a couple, and really enjoyed it. You will need a headset and microphone for sure, and some may require a camera or a smartphone. The ones I did were just the headset/mic combo and I had to download their recording software to record my actions on the screen. If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, here’s a few sites you can sign up for as posted on ThePennyHoarder.com
- Freelancing: If you have a skill that others can use, this is a great option. While I haven’t really used the sites I’ll link here for you, I know lots of people who have and have had great success. As with anything like this, you have to be able to really sell your unique value so that you stand out among the crowd. For me, I knew a couple business owners who could use my skills and I presented directly to them, instead of using a site to find potential clients. Since I had experience with Real Estate marketing, it was easy to find a few agents who needed my help. If you are already tapped into a local market, you may have better luck going that route to earn some extra money. If not, I recommend checking out Fiverr.com and Upwork.com.
- Online Surveys: This can be a pain at times, since most surveys pay less than $1. And frequently you get part way through and then realize you no longer qualify. However, if you are patient and persevere, you may find a great company and earn enough to get you started. For a list of some good online survey companies, check out this post from RealWaysToEarnMoneyOnline.com.
- Sell your stuff: Last but not least, do an inventory of your household goods and round up a box or two of new or gently used items that you no longer need. Posting them for sale on eBay or Craigslist (or your local Buy-Sell-Trade group on Facebook), can net some serious cash to get your blog or website off the ground.
BONUS!
If none of these are up your alley or meet your needs, I’ve got two more links for you to explore. First, RealWaysToEarnMoneyOnline.com has a great post with “100 Ways to Earn Extra Cash Online“. Some of the things we’ve talked about are referenced in the post, but you’ll find lots more to check out as well. Next, ThePennyHoarder.com has this amazing post: “Our 12 Favorite Mobile Apps For Earning Extra Money”. If you have a smart phone, you can make it pay for itself!
Want more? Check out my Pinterest board on how to Make Extra Money!
Have you tried any of these money making opportunities? Share your experience below!
~R
selling stuff is definitely the quickest way to make some extra cash! i never found surveys useful!
I haven’t tried selling stuff on eBay in awhile, but my mom sells on Craigslist all the time. I sold some furniture before we moved via a Facebook Group, but had better luck with my yard sale, lol! I agree on the surveys, but I know some people have a knack and can earn enough for blog hosting. I guess you just have to find the right company and be proactive! Thanks for the comment!