5 Best Ways to Supplement Your Income Online

Anyone who’s ever had a 9-5 desk job knows that they can be the epitome of dullness. I remember staring at the clock that hung over my desk at my last job, always in disbelief at just how slow time was moving, feeling like I was losing my free spirit and creativity by the minute.

There have always been alternatives to this kind of work, but today, with the internet, you can actually make a living at home. And while online work may not be much more exciting than what you did at your desk job, you’ll be in your home, and won’t have to dedicate every second to the work, so you can spend more time with your kids, pursuing your hobbies, or whatever else you’ve always wanted to do.

If you’re tired of your day job, and desperately want a change, no matter the reason, below is a list of online alternatives that will let you work from home, and maybe even free your spirit a little which supplements your income.

Way #1 – Blogging

You’ve probably heard of blogs (after all, you’re reading one right now). Blogging is one of the easiest ways to make money online, but is not necessarily the most profitable. In the past few years, blogging technology has improved tremendously, making it extremely easy to start your own blog with sites like WordPress or Blogspot.

The basic method for monetizing a blog is to advertise for other products, sites, blogs, etc. on your blog-some blog sites even have ad placement software preloaded so you don’t have to do any of that groundwork.

As I said before, though, unless you are an extremely aggressive marketer, or have a billion close friends, it is pretty unlikely you’ll ever make millions with a blog. Still, it’s a safe and easy alternative, that doesn’t take a lot of time.

Way #2 – Connecting People

Given that the internet is basically one huge communication device, it isn’t that surprising that you can make money by acting as a connection facilitator for your friends and/or businesses.

Essentially, you can be paid to match employers with prospective employees-so if some of your friends are looking for a job, you can refer them to a business you know is hiring, and you will be paid a referral reward if the potential employee is hired (plus your friend will be really grateful, and might buy you dinner).

Sites like Zyoin and WiseStep are good places to start.

Way #3 – Ghost Writing

Most sites need content faster than they can write it, so they hire internet ghost writers to produce articles, and then pay them based on how many times their article is viewed.

 

Sites like Associated Content and Helium will also sometimes pay more for targeted content.

If you know something about poison dart frogs, for example, and they need an article written on deadly amphibians, you can make a pretty penny for giving your two cents. Granted, what they pay isn’t what most writers make, but it can be an excellent way for you to start having content published, and to start getting your name out there.

Way #4 – Online Advertising

As previously mentioned, you can start making money online right away by advertising for other companies, sites, products. But you don’t have to have a blog to do this. If you already have a website you can partner with other sites and promote their services, making a commission every time your ad makes a sale; you can place text or picture ads on visible parts of your website and make money every time someone clicks the ad; or you can review other products, and make commission in a similar way.

The internet is like one big marketing tool, and it’s always there for you to capitalize on.

Way #5 – Taking Stock Photography

Everybody needs photos for their websites, but licensing can be a tough issue. In response to this, sites like ShutterStock, Fotolia, and even Flickr were developed to offer a library of images to members that they could use without worrying about copyright laws. If you have an interest in photography, you can sell your photos to sites like these, making money every time someone wants a photo you’ve taken.

As you can see, there are ways to make money online that will allow you to stay home and focus on doing the things you want to do, instead of going to work and doing the things they want you to. And this list isn’t even close to complete-a basic search will direct you to dozens of other opportunities online that will rejuvenate and empower you to follow your dreams.