The internet has changed the way we work, play, and communicate. While social media has allowed us to connect with old friends, make new connections, and keep in touch with the people who matter the most to us, much of the convenience and access we have comes at a price. According to a 2018 Pew Research Center survey, 66% of American adults use social media, and 44% of those respondents use platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, or TikTok to keep in touch with friends and family. While the benefits of social media use are many, research also shows that it can be detrimental to our mental health. The stress of keeping up with the latest trends and staying connected with our social network can leave us feeling burned out and exhausted.
Apps To Make Money
This is where things can get tricky. If you’re looking for a way to make some extra cash online, you have a number of options. You can start by taking surveys for cash, or you can develop and sell your own apps. But which one is best for you? That depends on a few things, including how skilled you are at programming and design, and how much money you want to make. We’ve laid out the pros and cons of each option so that you can figure out which is right for you.
Surveys
If you’ve ever taken a survey on Survey Junkie, Google Surveys, or OneOpinion, you’ll know how easy they can be to complete. Typically, you’ll be asked to answer questions about products or services, and you’ll get rewarded for your time with some spare change or a special badge to display on your profile. While rewarding, surveys aren’t an easy way to make a lot of money, and they can be quite demeaning. If you’re looking for a way to make a few hundred extra bucks, surveys aren’t a bad option, but if your goal is to make a living from it, you’ll need to try something else.
Programming
If you’re skilled at programming, you can create all sorts of apps that can be sold on the app store. There are tons of possibilities, from complex task-managing apps to simple games. Because software is so flexible, there are endless opportunities for programmers to make money. If you know what you’re doing and are able to follow instructions, you can make a decent living without having to worry about too many ups and downs in your earnings. This is probably the best option for those who want to make money quickly and easily.
Design
If you’re a creative person who also happens to be good at designing, you can create all sorts of apps that can be sold for profit. You’ll get paid per project, so the more you do, the more you’ll make. It’s a win-win situation for you and the people who want your services. If you’re looking for a way to make quick cash, freelancing isn’t a bad option because you can pick up some extra projects while you work on building up your portfolio. Designing isn’t easy work, and there are tons of freelancing platforms like Fiverr, Freelancer.com, Upwork, and Designernj to name a few that allow you to connect with potential clients. Whether you’re a graphic designer, interface designer, or a motion designer, there are plenty of opportunities for you to make money online.
TikTok
If you’ve ever shopped on TikTok, you’ll know how easy it is to navigate. All you have to do is sit back and watch as the platform promotes products and services that you might be interested in buying. You can get more creative with your shopping on TikTok, using funny captions and unexpected combinations to make your audience laugh and keep them coming back for more. You’ll need to learn how to use TikTok effectively to start making money, especially if you’re new to the platform. Once you’re able to do that, you can make a living from the content you create while enjoying the benefits of engaging with a larger audience.
Just like TikTok, WhatsApp allows you to earn money by simply using the app and connecting with potential clients. Through WhatsApp, you’ll get paid to engage with users by sharing marketing offers, discounts, or relevant news stories. While engaging with users on WhatsApp can be profitable, if you’re just getting started, consider trying out another platform because WhatsApp pays only once or twice a month.
If you’ve ever visited Instagram, you’ll know that the platform is all about sharing images. While you may think that creating and sharing content is easy, it actually takes a lot of work to get noticed on the platform. Once you can build a following, you can make money off memberships, adverts, and product reviews. If you’re looking for an easy way to make cash, Instagram is a great option because you can simply use the platform to build your audience and then monetize that engagement through advertising and affiliate marketing. If you can grow your Instagram following to include at least 500,000 people, you can make $24,000 per month, which is more than enough to make a living.
YouTube
YouTubers are some of the most popular creators in the world, and they’ve been able to turn that into a lucrative business. Similar to Instagram, YouTube also pays creators for each watch, like, and share of a video. While there are no hard numbers to back this up, it’s safe to assume that YouTube’s biggest revenue sources come from advertising and member subscriptions. If you’re looking to make money from YouTube, you can become a creator, manager, or advertiser. It’s a lucrative market, and hundreds of thousands of people are making a living from creating and uploading content to YouTube.
If you’ve ever visited LinkedIn, you’ll know that it’s a business-oriented platform. While you can use the site to connect with potential clients and employers, most people are using it to connect with other professionals in their chosen field. If you’re looking for a way to make money, LinkedIn isn’t a bad choice. Similar to other social media platforms, you can use the site to connect with people who could benefit from your services, grow your network, and then earn money through sponsored posts, online courses, or apps.
Daily Deal
Just like with other online marketplaces, such as Groupon and Buzzfeed, daily deal websites allow entrepreneurs to offer incredible discounts to local businesses in exchange for your business. When a new daily deal site launches, you’ll usually find a TON of similar deals, which means you can easily find something that suits your needs. While there are a few benefits to buying a deal rather than going somewhere yourself, the main advantage is that you avoid having to go through the effort of marketing and selling your own product. If you’re looking to make quick cash, this might be the easiest option for you.
Amazon Mechanical Turk
If you’ve ever visited Amazon, you’ll know that the online retail giant is home to a wealth of products and services. Similar to other online marketplaces, such as eBay and Rakuten, Amazon Mechanical Turk is a place where you can take on small tasks for companies in need of quality content, products, or services. Companies like Uber, DoorDash, and TaskRabbit rely on crowdsourcing via AMT to provide their services. While this might not be a way to make a living, you can use these platforms to gain valuable experience and then, perhaps, find work that suits your skills. Mechanical Turk is one of the oldest platforms around, and it’s still going strong, which means there is a lot of opportunity for those who want to make a living online.
Ebay
If you’ve ever shopped on Amazon, you’ll know that the retail giant owns a lot of other websites and marketplaces as well. One of those websites is eBay, which focuses on selling goods and services online. Similar to other online marketplaces, if you buy something there, you’ll need to wait a while for it to be delivered, and then you’ll need to spend a small fortune on shipping. But if you want to make money on eBay, your best bet is to join a ‘closed’ group of like-minded individuals who are also looking to sell the same products or services. You can then use the group’s collective buying power to get the best prices and faster delivery for items that you list for sale. If you’re looking for a way to make some extra cash, it doesn’t get much easier than this.