Online business ideas

 


With a laptop and some free time, you can try these online business models and careers.

 

v   Affiliate marketer

v   Digital freelancer

v   Content creator

v   Influencer

v   Social media management consultant

v   Resume writer

v   Virtual assistant

v   Digital designer

v   Online dating consultant

 

1. Affiliate marketer

Affiliate marketing is a performance marketing tactic where a business pays people to promote products. Every time an affiliate brings in a new customer, they receive a commission.

 

Affiliates can promote products on their blogs, social media accounts, or websites, or in their communities. For many, affiliate marketing is a low-cost way to earn passive income.

 

To join an affiliate program:

 

Find an affiliate program on sites like Share Sale, CJ, or LinkShare.

Choose offers you want to promote.

Get an affiliate link.

Promote that link across your assets.

Get a commission for every signup or purchase.

Commission rates vary by company and product. You could earn as little as 5% or as much as 50% for each sale. Some affiliate programs offer a flat rate instead of a percentage.

 

2. Digital freelancer

With a digital freelance business, your time is your inventory and your biggest investment. That makes it easy to get up and running if you have in-demand skills and spare hours.

 

If you have expertise in graphic design, search engine optimization, or web development, you could offer your skills as an ongoing service or start a consulting business that advises on projects. To start, create a website and promote your services on platforms like LinkedIn.

 

If you use Shopify, an appointment scheduling app from the Shopify App Store will let prospective clients book time with you directly from your website. And if you want to make passive income, consider offering a digital download on your site. For example, you might sell predesigned templates if you’re a graphic designer.

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3. Content creator

Content creators share videos, stories, and content on social media to build audiences and make money. If your content is received positively, consider turning your social media presence into a business by partnering with brands or by making and selling merch.

 

4. Influencer

The ability to capture and keep attention is an asset businesses will pay top dollar for. You can become an influencer with a modest number of followers if you have an engaged niche audience.

 

Whether you choose to grow your following on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or a blog (or, ideally, on a combination of channels), you have many avenues for monetizing your influence:

 

Sponsored posts on behalf of brands

Affiliate marketing

Exclusive content for members or subscribers

Taking an audience-first approach to your small business idea means playing the long game—it might be months until you’ve figured it out. But you don’t need millions of followers to get started.

 

5. Social media management consultant

If you’re social media savvy but don’t want to create content full-time, consider freelancing as a social media manager or consultant. A social media manager creates and analyzes content for brands’ social accounts.

 

Depending on the client’s needs, you might help create content, brainstorm content ideas, facilitate partnerships with social media influencers, create a social media content calendar, or formalize a social media strategy.

 

 

7. Resume writer

Résumés are crucial to landing a new job, yet many people struggle to write them. If you excel at writing résumés, you can make a business out of it. Résumé writing and editing are usually performed more quickly than other freelance writing jobs, so it’s a good option for writers looking for a side hustle.

 

In addition to individual sessions, you can sell digital downloads, like a résumé template, job-hunting eBook, or prerecorded résumé writing course on your website. Try promoting your business on LinkedIn to connect with job seekers.

   8. Virtual assistant

Virtual assistants help business owners manage tasks they don’t have time for. Unlike traditional personal assistants, virtual assistants don’t have to be in the same city (or even the same country) as their clients.

 

Virtual assistant services vary widely and can include social media work, graphic design, general admin, and sales. You can use virtual assistance to make extra income to fund your business idea or grow your virtual assistant business to hire others.

 

Get started as a virtual assistant by promoting yourself on freelance marketplaces like Upwork, Guru, and Fiverr, or join an agency like Time etc, Wing, or Fancy Hands.

 

9. Digital designer

You don’t need to sell physical products to make money as an artist online. You can sell digital products like printable bullet journal templates, sewing patterns, or music.

 

For example, Danish brand Deima Knitwear sells knitting patterns on its Shopify store. Deima also offers a limited number of ready-to-ship and made-to-order pieces to appeal to its audience of knitters and non-knitters alike.

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