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Remote work has been an ongoing trend these recent years – probably the only positive thing that the pandemic has brought into our lives.
To give you an idea of how much money you can make by working from home remote work, remote workers receive an average of $74,000 salary, while in-office workers earn an average income of $55,000.
The significant gap in salary is probably brought by the flexibility and balance that working online brings. It makes people become more productive and motivated to take on more responsibilities, like having another side hustle.
Come to think of these: how much money can you put into your savings account with that extra pay? Plus, the flexibility of being your own boss and working as much or as little as you want, what’s better than that?
Whether it’s freelancing or setting up a shop online, there are many ways to make money sitting in front of your laptop. Want to know each one of them? Let’s get started.
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Freelancing Opportunities
Becoming a freelancer is the most profitable way to earn more money for someone who wants to work off their laptop at their own pace. Statistics suggest over 76.4 million freelancers in the US, a huge increase from their 2017 population.
This data only shows that freelancing is here to stay, so now is the time to find a gig that suits your skill.
1. Freelance Writing
The world may continue evolving, but writing will always be a classic, profitable craft. We have writers who craft our history and academic textbooks. And now, in the digital world, their irreplaceable human touch is more in demand than ever.
Since most brands focus on online marketing, companies are open to hiring freelancers to complete specific tasks. Writers are hired to write emails, sales pages, articles, blog posts, and more.
You won’t need an academic degree to be a freelance writer. But you must write well in a specific language (i.e., English) and are equipped with a writing tool, your laptop.
How do you make money as a freelance writer? It’s a no-brainer. You must land a client; having a solid portfolio will help you achieve that.
A portfolio compiles past works showcasing your experience and expertise in a particular niche. It could be academic writing, a social media post, or you could start a blog to practice your writing skills.
As far as landing your first freelancing gig goes, there are many job boards that you can utilize to find a job. You can find clients on popular freelance sites like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.
2. Graphic Design and Multimedia
If you are creative and have a talent for design making, you are well-fit to pursue a job in the graphic design and multimedia industry.
According to Indeed, a graphic designer earns an average pay of $21.55 per hour, while a logo design may cost $100 to $5,000.
On the other hand, other design and multimedia roles, such as creating infographics, eBook design, or web design, warrant higher compensation, ranging from around $100 to $15,000.
From these prices, you can clearly see that the prices are all over the map. For beginners, I suggest you charge a lower rate initially, but not too low that you might think your skills are undervalued. Feel free to set the rate you think you deserve and steer clear of low-baller clients. As you build up your portfolio and gain more experience under your belt, you can easily double your initial rates.
Got no talent in design? Don’t feel intimidated. I’m not tech-savvy, nor have the skill and prowess in design. But guess what? I create Pinterest templates in Canva and sell them online.
In case you don’t know, Canva is a superhero for people with no skillset to make graphic designs from scratch. You can use it to make social media posts, presentations, videos, and business logos even without expert-level skills. The platform is free, but a paid subscription allows you to use more elements and designs.
All in all, this side gig is one of the most lucrative out there, making it the best second job you could try on your laptop.
3. Programming and Web Development
Programming and web development is another in-demand service that is high-paying. In a world that relies heavily on technology, I strongly believe that IT roles will stay relevant many years from now. It’s also one of the most flexible careers nowadays, as many tech workers have the freedom to log in from home, work for local and international clients, and choose different specializations.
However, unlike the other freelancing jobs mentioned above, this one will require you to dive into the technical pool instead of focusing on the creative side. If you’re skilled in CSS, JavaScript, and HTML, it’s not impossible for you to fill your pockets with cash. You can help clients improve their existing websites or build one from scratch.
You can also design apps for your own benefit, either by selling them or turning them into a passive income stream. Developing a good app will take time, but the effort will be worthwhile. Many people transform their tech-savvy side projects that started in their parents’ garage into lucrative money-making ventures. Need an example? Look no further than Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of Facebook, for a perfect real-life scenario.
Conversely, you can find web development projects on platforms like GitHub Jobs and Stack Overflow. The average pay per hour for web developers is $46.30. This job easily guarantees a $100,000 salary a year, but if you want more high-paying clients, build your portfolio and widen your network by having more clients in your niche.
Online Teaching and Tutoring
Do you want to be of help to the lives of others while making money on the side? Then, teaching online is the perfect job for you. Whether you’re a retired teacher, a recent graduate, or a student looking for money, tutoring and becoming an online teacher is a great way to earn money on your laptop.
4. Language Tutoring
Are you a multilingual college student? Turn this asset into a source of extra income by teaching languages to others. This approach is especially ideal on days you’re not attending classes. Many people are eager to learn a new language for work, personal enrichment, or travel purposes.
The best part of this job is that language learners aren’t only located within your country. You can make friends in other parts of the world and might find yourself in different time zones, working early mornings or late nights to accommodate students. This flexibility allows you to focus on other additional money-making opportunities in your free time.
But the main attraction of online teaching gigs is that they often pay around $25 to $43. This is a very decent income as compared to other part-time jobs. And all you need is a webcam, a reliable WiFi connection, and a laptop.
The popular platforms to look for online language tutoring jobs are italki and VIPKid.Whatever site you decide to apply for jobs, you can decide whether to conduct one-on-one or group sessions.
5. Subject Matter Expertise
With online courses and classes being a trend nowadays, it’s the prime time to capitalize on your expertise in a particular field.
If you are in the teaching field, it’s easier for you to make a profit with this work-from-home job. Many students all over the world are looking for online teachers for subjects like Science, Math, Geography, and even Art. Find your hen among the golden eggs and share them with enthusiastic students so they can succeed in their studies.
Online teaching is a fulfilling career because you earn money from home while sharing knowledge about a subject you love the most. If you’re a stay-at-home mom, it is even more worth it for you to take this path because you can generate household income without leaving your kids at home.
The best platforms for online tutoring jobs are Chegg, TutorMe, and Varsity Tutors. The average pay per hour of a tutor is between $18 to $24, making it easier for you to earn $100 a day.
Digital Marketplaces
Selling items or digital products on marketplaces is a low-cost and less-hassle way of making a new revenue stream. Your success will depend on the quality of your products and how well you promote them.
6. Selling Products on Etsy or eBay
Selling on Etsy or eBay is one of those legit and easy ways to make money using your laptop. To take advantage of the wide market that e-commerce sites offer, set up an online store and start listing your items for sale.
If you’re a crafty type of person, the best platform for you is Etsy. Here, you can sell custom-made items, jewelry, artwork, craft supplies, etc.
On the flip side, almost anything is possible to sell on eBay. From clothes and collectibles to home goods, there is a wide range of items to sell on this site to make money.
To be successful in this venture, you must:
- Find Products to Sell: Focus on categories and products you think would sell. Some items are already saturated and may not be profitable if you join the bandwagon. You can also sell popular items but don’t hesitate to change your products when they lose their popularity. Introduce new items to adapt to the trend.
- Create High-quality Listings: A picture is worth a thousand words. With high-quality photos and descriptions of things you want to sell, it would be possible to start earning $200 a day.
- Track Your Inventory: At the end of the day, check your inventory to know which items make the most money for you.
7. Flipping Items Online
Want to make money today? Buying and selling things online is an excellent way to achieve your goal of generating extra cash without stepping out the door. A flipping business could help you earn more cash than you can imagine and even replace your regular job if you do it correctly.
I started flipping furniture and selling it online locally as a profitable side hustle many years ago when I was stuck at a job I hated. In my spare time, I’d get lost in YouTube tutorials, learning the basics of cleaning, painting, and refinishing old furniture. Aside from blogging, this was my favorite profitable pastime because it gave me the opportunity to be creative and use my imagination. This was a dream job compared to my daytime job of sitting at my desk and staring at spreadsheets all day.
With just my laptop or phone, I easily list my creations on OfferUp and Craigslist to find eager buyers. My customers wanted custom furniture that was different from the cookie-cutter, store-bought products. Of course, it feels awesome to pocket an extra $400 in a week, but it’s the smiles on my customers’ faces that make all the effort worthwhile.
You can do the same, too. Anyone can start selling used furniture. You don’t need a business plan or massive capital to do so – it only requires some elbow grease and TLC.
Content Creation and Monetization
Creative souls, listen up! With digital tools and social media platforms, you can transform your bank account in ways you might think are impossible. Don’t hide your talent; instead, turn it into a good source of income.
8. Starting a Blog or Website
For me, blogging is the most tried and proven way of making money online. To start a successful blog, pick a niche to target a specific audience.
Do you love traveling? Maybe you can write some travel guides and tips. Are you a foodie? You might want to write restaurant reviews and share recipes.
The best thing about blogging is you have plenty of ways to make money. Some of these can make a solid passive income. You can monetize your blog through the following:
- Display ads through popular companies like Google Adsense and Mediavine
- Selling digital products like eBooks, printables, and detailed guides
- Sponsorships with big brands
- Affiliate marketing to promote products you support
However, if your goal is to make money fast, I’m afraid to burst your bubble, but you must know that earning a profit may take a long time.
I started this blog in 2017 and it took me almost 2 years to harvest the fruit of my labor. Even so, the result was worth it that I ended up quitting the job I hated to become a full-time blogger.
It took me 18 months to earn my first $10,000+ monthly earnings and I can still remember how I got here. It all started with a functional old MacBook, basic WordPress hosting, a free blogging theme, and a lot of confusion about whether I’d make it or not. But boy, I did!
There were many trials and errors along the way, but I am amazed at how the income ceiling in blogging seems to be practically endless.
9. Creating YouTube or Twitch Channels
Starting YouTube or Twitch Channels are fun side hustles to try these days. Like other forms of content creation, making videos for these platforms can be very lucrative. Need proof? Mr. Beasts, YouTube’s famous philanthropist, earns around $3 million from YouTube ads alone.
Now I know what you have in mind: Making money through content creation is impossible and needs a fancy recording studio.
That’s not always the case, my friend. This part-time gig will only require basic video editing skills and equipment like a camera, lighting, and editing software (some software is pre-installed on your laptop!). These are rookie essentials that you can easily score budget-friendly versions on Amazon.
If you’re a gamer at heart, you can make money playing games by live streaming your matches on Twitch. Here, channel owners can earn through paid subscriptions, donations, Bits, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and ad revenue.
However, lasting content deserves to be on YouTube. Like a blog, creators can choose the niche they want to focus on. Creators can start earning money on YouTube through Google AdSense once they reach 1,000 subscribers. As the channel grows, creators can earn more through sponsorship, brand collaborations, affiliate marketing, and more.
On both platforms, it’s worth noting that building a dedicated audience will help you earn a significant income.
Remote Work and Virtual Assistance
Want to land a remote job yet unsure of what’s the best out there? Try becoming a virtual assistant. It’s the best job for those who don’t have any job experience or if you simply want something to add to your resume.
10. Becoming a Virtual Assistant
Did you know that secretarial services jobs already existed in the 1950s? Given the limited prevalence of technology around that time, you might not believe this. Source?
A virtual assistant (VA) is a modernized term for secretarial positions back in the day. They have become more in demand in this era as more people become digital entrepreneurs and companies increasingly transact business deals online.
Some may underestimate the secretarial tasks of a VA, but the truth is they are the backbone of any business. They often perform critical functions that either make or break the company.
A VA’s job description includes but is not limited to administrative support, customer service, clerical services, bookkeeping, and social media management. If you are interested in helping people and dealing with various tasks, being a virtual assistant would suit you well.
Finding VA jobs is easy, thanks to popular sites like Upwork, Freelancer, and LinkedIn. Alternatively, you can directly submit job applications to businesses. However, before doing so, make sure you have a strong portfolio and that your experience is well-matched with the nature of the companies you’re targeting.
Curious about the pay? The amount of money you make as a VA is better than most other side hustles. As per Indeed, VA earns around $24.79 per hour. Not a bad income, right? It’s a great side hustle for someone who wants to earn money in their spare time, on their laptop.
FAQs
How can I use my laptop to make money?
Making money with your laptop is super easy and convenient. Between freelancing, online teaching, and even online flipping, there are various ways to make money online without leaving your comfort zone, aka your home.
With a reliable laptop, you can start hunting online opportunities that resonate with your skill. Got used items you want to sell? You can be an e-commerce mogul at eBay or Etsy.
Do you find it fun entertaining people online? It’s time to be a content creator. There are many ways to make money from your laptop; the sky’s the limit to attaining financial freedom in this century.
What are the best side hustles to do with a laptop?
With or without a laptop, the best side hustles are the ones that you enjoy doing whether it’s high paying or not. You might be interested in web development because it guarantees higher pay but later realize you’re not tech-savvy enough for the job. Your interests and skills should go hand in hand.
If you’re fascinated by the prospect of coding on your laptop, you can get a career in programming and web development. Further, if you love writing and don’t mind spending many hours on your keyboard making content, you might be well-suited for a career in writing.
What I’m trying to say is that it’s you who can identify which side hustles you can do with your laptop.
To help you find the best side gig, ask yourself: “What skills do I possess?” and “Does [insert job title] pique my interest?” Your answers to these questions hold the key to identifying the best side gig for you.
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