Top Ten Ways to Earn Money Online as a Student
If you’re a student, the last thing you want to be doing with your time and energy is working at an after-school job when you could be using that time to focus on your studies and prepare yourself for your future career. And yet, as most college students know all too well, there comes a point when that’s what you need to do in order to make ends meet. So, how can you earn money online as a student without sacrificing your own hard work? To find out, keep reading this top ten list of ways you can earn money online as a student today!
Start with Micro-Tasks
You may not be aware of it, but many websites are looking for people like you. Websites will often hire students (and other people with free time) to do simple tasks that don’t require much skill or education—things like checking product prices on Amazon, scanning photos, testing web pages for readability, and more. These sites pay you small amounts per task or they offer rewards or gift cards. The great thing about micro-tasks is that they can be done in your spare time and on any computer. Sign up for an account on one of these websites and see if there are any available tasks that seem interesting to you. You might find some easy money!
Sell Your Extra Stuff on eBay, Craigslist and Letgo
Chances are you’ve got some old tech lying around that could earn you some extra cash. Why not sell your old laptop, iPhone or even old textbooks? Make sure you understand how your school’s policy on selling is laid out, though, so that you’re in compliance with any local or federal laws. Another option for earning extra money is to sell your data—if you live in certain parts of Europe or Asia and have a phone from U.S.-based carriers Verizon or AT&T, companies will pay good money for access to your cell records. Even if it’s only $10–20, who doesn’t need an extra few bucks nowadays?
Build up your personal portfolio
Building your portfolio is an essential part of learning how to become a web developer. During these early stages, you want to do anything and everything that will help you develop an understanding of what web development is like and help you build up your first portfolio pieces. Here are some ideas: (1) Build HTML5 websites from scratch; (2) learn how CSS works by deconstructing other people’s designs; (3) take popular sites and change them for fun. It’s important that whatever you choose, it provides you with plenty of opportunity for creativity, experimentation, and mistakes. These are skills that no tutorial or course can teach; they’re part experience, part reflection.
Write Product Reviews
If you love reading about and sharing your opinions on technology, then becoming an online product reviewer might be for you. Many companies pay professional reviewers for their opinions on their products, so if you enjoy talking about technology and like getting paid for it, try looking into reviewing products. You’ll need to have experience in using computer software and a passion for finding useful new gadgets. However, keep in mind that if you want to continue doing it as your full-time job (and not just one or two side gigs), you’ll likely need formal training at some point. For example, Microsoft offers several certification courses designed especially for product reviewers.
Start an Etsy Shop
Many students have hobbies that might make for great businesses, including art, jewelry-making, scrapbooking and photography. With an online shop like Etsy, you can sell these items—and more—all from your dorm room. If you’re an artist or craftsperson with talent, but not a big time commitment for getting started (after all, who needs supplies and huge overhead when you can operate out of your bedroom?), consider starting an Etsy shop where you’ll make even more by turning craft projects into a small business. The holidays are just around the corner! Here’s how to start selling on Etsy in 30 days or less. You could be earning money through your crafts faster than it takes most people to graduate!
Become an Affiliate Marketer
Making money online isn’t easy, but if you have something people want—and if you’re not afraid of hard work—then affiliate marketing could be worth looking into. But even with its low barrier to entry, becoming an affiliate marketer doesn’t guarantee instant riches. It takes a lot of work and it can take years before your efforts really start paying off. If you want in, here are three great ways to get started
Develop an App
Apps are one of those modern day marvels that everyone has, but most people don’t know how they work. They’re like magic in our pockets and more than ever students have been creating ways to make money off of them. Developing an app isn’t too different from developing any other product, so start by brainstorming on paper (or your laptop) what it might be. Once you have an idea of what you want it to do, set aside time each week to spend at least two hours a day on it. Remember that it doesn’t have to be perfect at first, just finished is something your app users will thank you for.
Offer Professional Services on Fiverr, Upwork and 99Designs
Look for opportunities in which you could offer your services for relatively small amounts of money—or, even better, get paid for something you’re already doing. For example, if you’re great at writing recipes or have a knack for singing an exceptional rendition of I Will Always Love You, consider recording those skills and putting them on sites like Fiverr and Thumbtack that connect service providers with consumers. If you really want to become an entrepreneur, start your own business! Those three resources will help get you started with offering professional services online.
Use the Google Maps API Key for Free WiFi Access Everywhere
This is perfect for students on campus or just anyone who travels. Every place that has free wifi also has free wi-fi now—so long as you’re using Google Maps. On Android, go into your Settings and turn on location services. Then download Google Maps. Once you open up Maps, click Settings and type in your desired address. Hit enter and find yourself a sweet spot with complimentary wi-fi! If there are any notes from other users that say something like, WiFi password is xyz then you’re good to go—the password has been added into Google Maps for everyone else who uses it!
Join a Brand Ambassador Program
If you love talking about products or are great at selling them, why not become an online brand ambassador? Many companies and brands hire social media influencers and brand ambassadors for their social media campaigns. As an influencer or ambassador, you’ll get paid for posting pictures of yourself using or wearing a company’s product. There are tons of websites to sign up with, but my favorite (and it’s free) is Steepster. If you’re interested in becoming a brand ambassador, read more information here.