Have you ever heard of people making serious cash online and thought, "That could never be me." That’s far from the truth. The internet is a goldmine of opportunities, but which online platforms are proven to build extra income with little to no experience?  

Whether you're looking to make some extra money on the side or completely replace your day job, this blog will explain how to make money online for beginners. These methods don't require a massive investment or specialized skills, just a little hustle and the willingness to learn.

12 Popular Methods to Make Money Online

Before diving in, it’s important to know that if you’re serious about making money online, you must be strategic. These methods aren’t get-rich-quick schemes. They require effort, consistency, and the right mindset. The good news? They're all accessible, even if you’re just getting started. Let’s start with the powerhouse of online income—self-publishing on Amazon.

1. Self-Publishing on Amazon

Self-publishing on Amazon is like opening a door to endless possibilities. You can write a book, upload it to Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), and instantly share it with readers worldwide. You have control over your content, design cover, and book price, and Amazon handles the rest, from formatting to printing. With every sale, you earn royalties, making it a flexible way to create a steady income stream.

Why Amazon?

Amazon is the world's largest online retailer, making it the perfect platform to sell your self-published books. Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing program allows you to reach millions of readers with minimal upfront costs. Plus, you retain control over your work and can set your own prices.

Potential Earnings

Unlike traditional publishing and other side hustles, Amazon allows you to earn up to 70% royalties on your books. Imagine writing something once and getting paid for it over and over. Self-publishers typically earn a few hundred dollars, while others make six figures or more. It all depends on the quality of your work and your ability to market it. In other words, the profitability on Amazon KDP is very high!

Steps To Get Started

1. Write Your Book: Start by choosing a topic you’re passionate about or have expertise in.
2. Edit It: Place your draft into sites like Grammarly and receive instant feedback.
3. Format It: Use eBook formatting services or other tools like Reedsy to format your manuscript.
4. Design a Cover: Either design it yourself using Canva or hire a freelancer.
5. Publish on KDP: Create an account on Kindle Direct Publishing, upload your manuscript, and set your price.
6. Market Your Book: Promote your book using social media platforms, email marketing, and Amazon ads, and watch the sales roll in.

Success Is Real

Knowing where to start and finding a community willing to support you on your self-publishing journey can be challenging. It can also be incredibly rewarding to publish a book with your name on it and know you’re helping people solve real problems. One of the students of our Kindle publishing course, Katrina J., talks about the rewarding cyclical nature of self-publishing:

"If you're looking to make passive income and help people at the same time, then publishing is the place to be. It's a win-win situation. You're going to help tons of people solve their problems, and you're going to make money so that you can continue making more books and helping more people. So it is a wonderful thing to do. I can't recommend it more. I wouldn't go back. It has given me purpose, it's changed my life completely. I'd highly recommend that you give it a try.”

This is just one of our students (out of thousands) who are experiencing the same success by following our self-publishing process.

No Cost Training

Are you ready to learn more? Join our free webinar, and we’ll share our best-kept secrets on all things happening in self-publishing. Our Co-Founder and Self-Publisher, Christian Mikkelsen, will give you a high-level overview of how to start making money by publishing your own books on Amazon.

2. Start Freelancing

Freelancing is another great way to make money online, especially if you have skills in writing, graphic design, or web development. 

Platforms like Fiverr connect freelancers with clients looking for specific services across various skills like marketing, design, accounting, sales, and project management. The key to success in freelancing is to build a strong portfolio and start small. As you gain experience, you can increase your rates and land higher-paying gigs.

3. Be a Virtual Assistance

Virtual assistance could be your ticket to online income if you're organized and communicate well.  A virtual assistant (VA) handles tasks like email management, scheduling, and basic tech support for businesses. 

You can find VA gigs on platforms like Upwork or LinkedIn. The earnings potential is solid, with many VAs making between $15 to $30 per hour, depending on their skill set and experience. The downside is it can be a bit time-consuming.

4. Try Dropshipping

Dropshipping is an e-commerce model where you sell products without holding any inventory. Here’s how it works: 

1. You create an online store (Shopify is a popular platform)
2. List products from suppliers (Oberlo is a good start)
3. Someone makes a purchase
4. The supplier ships the product directly to the customer. 

Your job is to market the store and manage customer service. It’s a low-risk way to start an online business, and while a beginner can do it, having some marketing skills wouldn't hurt.

5. Explore Affiliate Marketing

With affiliate marketing, you’ll promote other people’s products and earn a sales commission. Start by choosing a niche you’re interested in, then sign up for affiliate programs like Amazon Associates or ClickBank. Promote the products through a blog, YouTube channel, or social media. The more traffic you drive, the higher your earning potential.

6. Take Online Surveys

Online surveys won’t make you rich, but you can earn some extra cash in your spare time. Be cautious of scam sites, and make sure you sign up with reputable sites like Swagbucks or Survey Junkie, where you can offer your opinions while earning some cash. 

To maximize your earnings, sign up for multiple survey sites and stay consistent. It won’t replace your day job, but it’s a nice way to make a little extra money.

9. Create and Sell Digital Products

Digital products like eBooks, templates, and printables are fantastic for creating scalable income. Once you’ve created the product, you can sell it repeatedly without additional work. 

Sites like Gumroad make it easy to list and sell your digital products. The key is to find a niche with demand and create high-quality products that people want to buy. 

10. Start Blogging

Blogging is one of the most sustainable ways to make money online. It takes time to build an audience, but once you do, the income opportunities expand. You can continue to grow your business by sticking to a consistent posting schedule and following these key steps:

• Choose a niche you’re passionate about. 
• Monetize your blog through ads.
• Start stacking earning opportunities (affiliate marketing, selling your own products, etc). 

Earning potential is hard to gauge since it heavily depends on consistent effort, but it is a great starting point for beginners.

11. Post Videos YouTube

With YouTube, you can monetize your content in multiple ways, from ad revenue to sponsorships. Getting started is simple: create a YouTube channel, pick a niche, and start uploading videos. 

There are some initial startup costs because you’ll need basic equipment to record content—like a decent camera and microphone. Consistency is key when creating and posting videos on YouTube, but as your channel grows, so will your earnings. 

Successful YouTubers can earn between a few hundred and thousands of dollars monthly. Scaling your channel is the hardest part, and YouTube’s algorithm tends to fluctuate.

12. Create an Online Course

If you’re an expert in a particular field, creating and selling online courses allows you to share your knowledge with anyone interested in your area of expertise. Platforms like Udemy and Teachable make creating and selling courses on virtually any topic simple. Plus, once you’ve created the course, it can generate income for years.

Getting Started with Your Online Business

Your first step toward your online success is taking the time to research (which you can check off your list now that you’ve read our blog). All that’s left to do is pick one of the 12 ways to make money online and educate yourself on the ins and outs by watching our webinar, reading topic-specific blogs, or speaking with someone in that industry.

Remember, the most successful online entrepreneurs didn’t wait for the perfect moment—they created it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Quickly Can I Start Making Money Online?

It depends on the method you choose. With self-publishing, for example, you can start generating income immediately. Other business opportunities, like blogging or YouTube, may take time to build up before you see significant earnings.

How Can I Earn Money Online For Free?

Many of the methods listed here, like freelancing, online surveys, or affiliate marketing, require minimal to no upfront investment. Your time and effort are the main investments you’ll need to make when exploring ways to make money online.

Do I Need Technical Skills To Start?

Technical skills are not always necessary to start making money online. For instance, dropshipping or creating online courses may require more tech know-how, but being a virtual assistant may only require basic skills. Start with what you’re comfortable with and learn as you go.