These days, students can find a variety of ongoing or one-off jobs on the internet to boost their cash flow. Considering the current situation with COVID-19, many students are gravitating towards making money online via flexible, freelance-style jobs (otherwise known as ‘gigs’). Here are 10 ways to find work online for students.
Put yourself out there
There are many people who use online forums to seek services. These can be anything from high-skilled tasks such as website development and graphic design, to odd jobs such as dog walking, car washing and help with moving house. If you would like to offer your skills and get paid for it, you can create a profile and search for opportunities on websites such as Airtasker, Fiverr, and Upwork. Trust and reliability are important considerations for those seeking services online, so make sure you seek reviews and ratings after you’ve completed each job!
Editing, transcription and translation
If you happen to be a skilled writer, and particularly if you specialise in certain topics, you might consider exchanging your editing and proofreading services for money. Another good option to explore is transcription services, which are in high demand online. And, if you speak and write in another language, you can monetise your abilities by providing translation services. Get started by advertising your skillset on sites such as Fiverr and Freelancer.
Freelance writing
Content writers are always in high demand, so freelance writing can be an excellent way for you to earn some extra spending money. Not to mention, writing about a topic is a great way to expand your understanding of it. Here at Insider Guides, we’re often looking to hire new freelancers, so get in touch if this is something you’re interested in! Also check out Freelancer or The Loop for a wide range of freelancing opportunities.
Social media strategy and marketing
The prominence of social media and digital marketing has resulted in many small businesses looking to employ people to manage their social channels. This type of work usually involves posting content to Facebook and Instagram, engaging with followers by replying to comments and messages, running giveaways, and other social tasks. If you do a good job, these businesses might even offer you an ongoing paid role!
Become a personal trainer
If fitness is your strength, then you might consider becoming a personal trainer, to get paid for helping people achieve their fitness goals. These days, many people are seeking online trainers, so you can add value to people’s lives while getting paid and working from home. Gauge interest for these services at your local gym, or advertise your professional fitness services on apps such as Possible.
Online tutoring
In this era of online learning, parents are willing to invest in their children’s education. As a result, online tutoring is quickly gaining momentum. If you’re an expert in a particular subject, you can monetise your knowledge by tutoring primary and secondary school children. Popular topics include English, mathematics and science. Tutoring agencies such as Cluey Learning or LearnMate welcome knowledgeable tutors for Australian school students.
Sell things online
Platforms such as eBay, Amazon, and Shopify are fantastic websites to showcase and sell your products. You could resell items you purchased in bulk, or second-hand valuable pieces that you have found in op-shops. Alternatively, if you are a crafty creative, you might consider selling hand-made goods such as jewellery, candles, artworks, and personalised gifts.
Sell your photos online
If you are a keen photographer, you might consider submitting your pictures to stock photo sites, which often pay a small fee every time someone purchases your photo. If your photos become popular, you could make some serious cash! A good place to start is to upload your photos to sites such as iStock, Dreamstime and CanStockPhoto. You can also earn good money as a photographer at one-off events, such as weddings and product launches.
Market research participant
You can make a fair amount of money through paid surveys and market research, which often only ask you to share your opinion on various products and services. Data is highly prized in today’s world, and many brands and companies are willing to pay for customer feedback. Check out Toluna, MyOpinions or Swagbucks to convert your opinions into cash. You can also review websites and apps on platforms such as UserTesting and Enroll. Pay for this type of work is usually made into your PayPal account or in the form of gift cards and vouchers.
Blogging or vlogging
Although building a successful blog takes time, if you regularly create content, you can soon start to make money from your writing on platforms such as WordPress, Blogger, or Squarespace. It is worth brushing up on your knowledge of search engine optimisation and AdSense. Similarly, if you are enthusiastic about video content creation, and can manage to attract more than 1,000 subscribers and more than 4,000 watch hours, you can start to make money from it. YouTube will pay you for every ad that runs on your channel if it is linked to an AdSense account. If you create content consistently, this can turn into a regular stream of income.
