In the last 18 months, advertisers have wasted no time in finding new ways to get in front of consumers. Instead of relying on traditional marketing techniques, which can be fraught with difficulty, marketers have shifted their attention to online marketing, where they can reach a potentially infinite audience with one click of a button.
While advertising on traditional platforms may have declined, making money online isn’t going anywhere. According to Forbes, as of 2021 around 52% of American adults are expected to do at least some work online. That’s more than a third of the population. With the world shifting to a digital sphere and everyone from young children to retirees accessing the web, making money online is more important than ever.
But, with the world of digital marketing changing so quickly, how can marketers guarantee that they’re choosing the right strategies to get the results they’re looking for? What tips can experts offer to make sure that marketers are maximizing their online efforts and making the most of new opportunities?
In light of the constantly evolving digital landscape, some industries have taken the approach of trying to keep up with the times by pivoting to a digital sphere. As a result, some businesses have gone through a complete overhaul to adapt to the new ways in which consumers engage with brands and each other online. Take Groupon, for example. As the world’s largest coupon site, it was originally founded on February 14, 2008 and grew to boast more than 500 million monthly active users at the time it was acquired by Amazon in 2019 for $12+ billion. The company started out focusing on printable coupons and then shifted to online marketing after determining that consumers were spending more time online than in the physical world.
If you’re looking to change the way you make money online then it’s important to keep up with the times, figureheads, and what’s trending. To that end, let’s take a quick look at some of the safest and most profitable ways to do so.
Affiliate Marketing
If you’re looking to get into the world of affiliate marketing, then you’re in luck. This is one of the most effective and trusted ways to earn money online. Affiliate marketing involves earning a commission by promoting a product or service that’s connected to an affiliate program. Typically, you’ll find affiliate marketing partnerships with online retailers, where you’ll earn a commission for bringing in new customers.
But, just because you’ve chosen a digital marketing avenue doesn’t mean that you have to limit your efforts to online channels. There are plenty of established industries that operate solely in the digital sphere, such as gaming and software development, where you can find affiliate marketing opportunities. If you’re looking for a way to make extra cash, then this is one of the best options out there.
Advertisement
Another way to make money online is to simply display advertisements, which is known as independent contracting or affiliate marketing. You’ll typically find this type of work with larger businesses, but it is possible to find freelance advertising opportunities if you’re looking for a side gig. You won’t get rich from this route, but you’ll steadily earn a decent living.
Sale Of Goods
A company called ThredUp acquired Shopify in 2018 for an incredible $13 billion. One of the many industries that were born out of the great recession is the self-storage industry, which grew by 78% from 2011 to 2016 and continues to grow by about 4% annually. It’s a well-established industry, but due to the nature of self-storage it is very labor-intensive and a lot of repetitive work. If you’re looking to make some extra cash, then this is one of the simplest ways to get started.
You may also hear about flipping or wholesaling furniture to make extra cash. While this is certainly possible, it isn’t advised. There are plenty of stories of people who purchased expensive furniture that ended up being destroyed after a few months of use. Instead of risking your hard-earned money on something you might end up hating, it is usually better to find a way to make a little extra cash legally.
Virtual Assistance
If you’re looking to make some quick cash, then you may consider doing some online work for a company called Odesk. This is a virtual assistant service that connects businesses with freelance writers, researchers, and bloggers. As a freelancer, you’ll be able to work remotely from anywhere in the world and get paid per project. This can be a great opportunity to travel or even make a living from your laptop.
Surveillance
Speaking of laptops, you may also want to consider taking up watching over customers’ houses as a side gig. Right now, there are more than 400,000 people in the United States earning a living as online customer service representatives. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these roles will continue to grow by about 20% from 2020 to 2025.
As the world becomes more of a digital sphere, industries are constantly looking for new ways to keep up with the times. If you’re looking to make some extra cash, then these are all viable options, but make sure to keep your eyes open for any suspicious activity.