25 Ways to Make Money Online and Offline - NerdWallet

The sting of inflation may have you pondering how to make some extra income. If you have the time and energy, you can put your skills and passions to work with a side hustle.

NerdWallet rounded up 25 real ways to make money at home, online or out and about. For each potential side job, we list details like what it takes to get started, age requirements and how fast you can get paid. While most people want to make money fast, don't discount the "slow" gigs, as they may pay more in the long run.

How to make money online

1. Pick up freelance work online

Make money online through websites such as Upwork, Fiverr and Freelancer.com. These sites offer opportunities to do a variety of freelance jobs, such as writing, programming, design, marketing, data entry and being a virtual assistant. Fluent in a second language? Check sites such as Gengo or Blend Express, or drum up business through a site of your own. No matter what freelancing you do, keep track of the going rate for the kind of work you provide so you know what to charge. Learn how to get started on Upwork.

A recent report from Freelancer.com found that creative writing jobs had the fastest growth in listings on its site in the second quarter of 2023, up 58%. And although generative artificial intelligence (AI) is being used more for content creation, it can't fully do the work of human writers. Companies are looking for writers who know how to edit AI content and who have at least a basic understanding of search engine optimization — learning or beefing up SEO skills could be a lucrative side hustle. Some freelancers are charging $100 an hour or more for their freelance writing services.

Total time: It can take a while to get your first gig. Setup: 24-48 hours. How easy to start: Easy, if you have the expertise. How fast you'll get paid: Varies by site.

Need to know

• It takes Upwork up to 48 hours to approve your profile. But keep in mind it can take time to land your first freelance gig.

• Payment varies by site. On Upwork the timeline for receiving earnings depends on the type of payment. Hourly contracts have a weekly billing cycle and you can withdraw funds 10 days later. Fixed-price contracts have a five-day waiting period. Project catalog contracts allow payment withdrawal after five days. And bonus payments also become available after five days. In each case, a client has to review your work. On Fiverr, you're paid when the work order is complete, but you can't withdraw funds for 14 days. (The waiting time is shorter for those in the Top Rated Sellers and Fiverr Studio Member ranks.)

Requirements

• Upwork and Fivver require users to be at least 18 to sell work. And Freelancer.com requires users to be at least 16.

• Some sites require you to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

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2. Test websites and apps

Another way to make money from home is on sites like UserTesting.com. You get paid for your thoughts on how well — or not so well — certain websites and apps work. You'll have to complete a short test to be accepted, then you'll be paid depending on the test type.

Total time: Approval time can vary. Setup: Less than an hour. How easy to start: Easy, if you have the tech gear and complete a sample test. Age threshold: 18+. How fast you'll get paid: 14 days.

Need to know

• You need to complete a sample test as part of the application process.

• You will start receiving testing opportunities after your application is approved.

• The timeline for approval can vary.

• Payment amounts vary based on the length of the tests. You get paid 14 days after completing a website or app test via PayPal.

Requirements

• You need to be at least 18.

• You need a computer, internet connection and microphone.

• Mobile app testers also need an Android or iOS mobile phone or tablet.

• The practice test and most user testing requires English, German or French; some test opportunities may be in additional languages.

3. Learn to use AI tools

The use of generative artificial intelligence is on the rise. A recent report from PwC estimates that the North American economy will see a $3.7 trillion impact by 2030, thanks to the AI market.

So there's no better time to learn how to make money by using AI tools. Some AI-related side hustles include:

• Integrating AI tools as a freelancer, to help you create digital products or to edit AI content for a client.

• Improving your advertising, marketing efforts and management of your existing small business.

• Teaching others to use AI tools.

Total time: Depends on demand. Setup: Around 24-48 hours if using a site like Upwork or Freelancer.com. How easy to start:  If you're already familiar with AI tools, it will be easier to get started. Age threshold: 16+ for Freelancer.com and 18 for Upwork. How fast you'll get paid: Varies by client or the number of products you sell and your chosen platform.

Need to know

• Give yourself time to get familiar with using AI tools.

• You'll need to meet the requirements of the freelance gig site you choose.

• Payment will depend on your client and the site's terms and conditions.

Requirements

• You'll need a computer, internet connection and microphone.

4. Take surveys for money

You can make money from home by taking online surveys, but don't expect to earn a lot. Survey sites don't typically offer a big payoff, and many sites are more useful for earning gift cards than cash. Some of the more popular survey sites include Swagbucks and Survey Junkie. Read our analysis of survey sites to find out which one is best suited for you.

Total time: It will take a while. Setup: Just minutes. How easy to start: Very. Just register and begin. Age threshold: 13 to 18+. How fast you'll get paid: Varies by site.

Need to know

• Survey sites could be an option for how to make money online for beginners because you can register with a site and start taking surveys in a matter of minutes.

• The time it takes to get paid depends on the survey site and how much time you dedicate to taking surveys.

• Some sites let you cash out only after you hit a minimum earnings threshold.

• Other survey sites issue points, which can be redeemed for cash (via PayPal) or gift cards.

Requirements

• Most survey sites have a minimum age requirement, which ranges from 13 to 18 (depending on the site) making these sites one idea for teens to make money online.

• Individual surveys may have specific requirements. Don't be surprised if you are disqualified from a survey without much explanation.

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5. Make money from your blog with affiliate links

If you're a blogger who gets decent traffic, you could make money by joining an affiliate network. Affiliates (that's you) get paid when someone clicks through from the website to the partner site and buys something there. Some bloggers make a lot of money this way, particularly those who do affiliate marketing full-time. Read more about affiliate marketing and other ways bloggers can make money.

Total time: It can take quite a while to build an audience. Setup: With blog templates, building a site is easy. How easy to start: While getting started can be easy, creating regular content may be another matter. Age threshold: Any. How fast you'll get paid: A month or two, on average.

Need to know

• First, you need a blog, social media account or other online presence that draws a healthy number of visitors each month.

• Then, you need to apply for and be approved by an affiliate marketing network like CJ Affiliate, ShareASale, FlexOffers, Rakuten Advertising or Amazon Associates.

• Payment schedules and thresholds vary by affiliate network, but expect to wait at least a month or two for your first paycheck.

• Amazon Associates pays out earnings 60 days after the end of the calendar month in which they were earned.

• ShareASale disburses earnings monthly.

Requirements

• A blog, social media account or other online presence that attracts a steady stream of visitors.

6. Sell your wares on Etsy

Have a penchant for woodworking, jewelry-making, embroidery or pottery? Sell your crafts on Etsy, the go-to site for artisans selling home goods, art and knickknacks. According to Etsy, the company has 95 million active buyers, and grossed over $13 billion in merchandise sales in 2022. Learn more about how to make money on Etsy.

Total time: It might take quite a while for customers to find you. Setup: Can be quite involved. How easy to start: Leaning toward "hard" on the difficulty meter. Age threshold: 13+. How fast you'll get paid: From the next day to seven days after a sale.

Need to know

• Opening an Etsy shop is the easy part. It can be done in a few hours.

• The prep work before you open up shop is more time-consuming. You need merchandise to sell, photos and descriptions to post, a name for your shop and a business plan to help you succeed. Once that's done, you'll still need to find customers. Depending on what you're selling, that could take weeks, which is why you should expect the overall time for this gig to be slow.

• Once you sell an item, payment is deposited into your Etsy Payments account first, then to your bank account depending on your desired deposit schedule.

Requirements

• If you're over 13 years old but under 18, you can sell on Etsy but would be considered a minor and must follow extra policies.

• You need to have all necessary rights to the merchandise sold in your shop.

7. Self-publish an e-book

Writing a good book is tough, but the internet makes it easy to bring it to market. If you're a writer who can churn out pages, you can use Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing to sell your books(s) on the Kindle store. It's free to publish a book, and you can earn up to 70% of each sale in royalties. Write your book, enter a clear description and the details to be displayed and upload your manuscript. Set the price and see if it sells.

Total time: How fast can you type? We don't have to tell you writing a book can be a slog. Setup: Quick and easy on KDP once the book is ready. How easy to start: Just start writing. Age threshold: 18+.  How fast you'll get paid: Monthly, after you meet the $100 threshold.

Need to know

• Just because it's simple to self-publish doesn't mean your book will sell. Competition is high with millions of e-book titles on the Kindle Store.

• Choose one of two royalty options: 70% or 35%. You'll have to price your book between $2.99 and $9.99 if you select the 70% option. You have more pricing flexibility when you pick 35%.

Requirements

• You need to create a Kindle Direct Publishing account to get started.

• Proper formatting is important. Amazon says most Microsoft Word documents convert to e-books easily, but other formats are also supported.

8. Get advertising revenue from your blog or YouTube channel

Turn your cat videos into cash videos. If your YouTube videos or blog posts draw a big audience, you may be able to make money from advertising. YouTube sets 1,000 subscribers as the benchmark for applying to the YouTube Partner Program if you want to place ads on your channel. You can apply with 500 subscribers for other monetizing features like channel memberships. You can also use Google's AdSense, the same ad platform on YouTube, to put relevant ads on your blog or website for earning potential. Read more about how to make money on YouTube and Google AdSense.

Total time: It can take several weeks to get up and running. Setup: Fairly easy. How easy to start: Depends on how good you are at producing interesting videos. Age threshold: 18+. How fast you'll get paid: Could take a long while to earn the first payout; then monthly.

Need to know

• Signing up for Google AdSense is pretty easy, but to use AdSense with YouTube, you'll need to be part of the Partner Program.

• You can use AdSense on a website or blog with fewer eligibility requirements.

• Allow at least two months for ad revenue to start trickling in.

• You need to earn at least $100 before you're eligible for a payout.

• Once you hit the $100 threshold, earnings are issued between the 21st and 26th of the following month.

Requirements

• Your own website that has been active for at least six months.

• For YouTube, you need at least 1,000 subscribers.

• You must be at least 18.

Are you in Canada?

Check out NerdWallet's guide to making money online for Canadians.

9. Become an Instagram influencer

Companies are using Instagram influencers — people with large, dedicated followings on the platform — to rep their products. You can get in on the action by applying for opportunities via a marketing platform like Open Influence or Aspire, or by contacting the brands you want to work with. Read more about how to make money on Instagram. (You can also make money on TikTok this way.)

Total time: You'll need to stick with it. Setup: Quick and easy. How easy to start: Not that easy. Read: Must build following to gain influence. Age threshold: 13+. How fast you'll get paid: Varies on partnerships.

Need to know