If you’re a teenager, then you’re probably wondering how you’re going to make money to buy that cool skateboard, eat those delicious burgers, or save up for that dream house. Hopefully, this post will help you figure out how to make money as a teenager so you can live your life how you want to.
The Basics Of Making Money Online
If you’re a savvy web surfer, then you’ve probably noticed that a lot of the money-making blogs and websites are focused on adults. That’s because most millennials prefer to make their living online rather than in a traditional job environment. According to a report from the World Economic Forum, 64% of millennials want to work for themselves or in a smaller company.
This shift has forced many advertisers to become comfortable with online marketplaces and to learn to trust consumers to consume their products and services in a responsible manner. In order to make money online, you’ll need a few things.
A Niche
The first step to making money as a teenager is to find your niche. What exactly does that mean? Well, when you’re designing a product or pitching an idea, it helps to narrow down the number of people you’re going to impact. For example, if you want to create a clothing line for teenagers, then you may want to limit your target audience to only that demographic. Similarly, if you’re creating a Youtube channel about fashion, then you may want to focus on featuring stylish male or female teens. Most importantly, you need to find something that you believe will be valuable to your target audience.
Videos
The prevalence of video content on the internet makes it extremely easy for consumers to find online content that suits their needs and interests. If you’re a teen who loves to cook, then you could create a Youtube channel where you cook various food items or show family-friendly movies. In general, videos can be more effective than text-based articles when it comes to inspiring consumers to action. If you want to create a business that relies heavily on videos, then you should look into using a voice-over artist to record your product videos. They can help you develop a voice that is suitable for video content.
A Website
Even if you’ve got a killer niche, you’ll still need a website to make money online. When it comes to monetizing a website, there are a few different ways to go about it. You could sell and display banner ads, contain affiliate links, or use a third party vendor to sell and deliver products.
Affiliate Marketing
The most popular way to make money online is via affiliate marketing. Essentially, you’ll be rewarded for bringing customers to a particular company or website. When an affiliate user clicks a monetized link or buys a product that’s promoted on your behalf, you earn a commission.
The great thing about affiliate marketing is that you’re not bound to one income source. You could potentially earn money online from multiple sources, including retail, subscriptions, and more. So, if you’ve got a multi-platform economy in mind, then this might be the route for you.
Retail
Another way to make money online is via eCommerce or retail. The former simply refers to selling goods or services online while the latter refers to selling products through physical retailers.
With eCommerce, you won’t need a physical storefront. Instead, you’ll have an online store where customers can purchase your goods and services. You can also set up shop spaces on social media where customers can find and connect with you. The important thing to keep in mind about eCommerce is that you’ve got to have a purpose for existing. You can’t exist solely to make money off products that you promote. Otherwise, you’ll be replaced by a small business that does.
Monetizing Your YouTube Channel
YouTube creators can make a substantial amount of money by creating and maintaining content that audiences find valuable. Most YouTube channels are based on a vlog format, where the content creator films themselves as they go about their day-to-day lives. This content can be tailored to include product reviews, vlogs about their personal lives, and interviews with other notable people. If you’re a fashion-oriented teen with a large audience, then you could start a YouTube channel where you feature makeup tutorials, hairstyle inspiration, or fashion tips. Just remember that it can take time to build a following on YouTube. You’ll need to create engaging content that people want to come back for more of.
Social Media
Social media is becoming extremely valuable for businesses. It’s a chance to connect with an audience that may not have connected with you in the physical world. You can use social media to set up shop spaces on various platforms where you can engage with potential and existing customers. Just remember that many social platforms can be quite taxing on your wallet. You may want to look into sponsored posts or other ways to make money online via social media. For example, if you run a fashion blog, then you could connect with influencers and famous people to have them feature your products in their Instagram posts.
Get Paid To Test Products
Whether you choose to participate in affiliate marketing or set up a shop on social media, you can get paid to test products and provide your feedback. Beta testing is a great way to make money online because you’ll be provided with new products to test out and give your opinion on. You’ll be asked to participate in a closed beta test or open beta test and to provide your feedback on the product. You may be provided with a small sample size of the product to ensure no unfair advantage and to minimize the risk of receiving a defective item. Remember to register with different email addresses for each trial product that you test.
Paid Surveys
Some companies prefer to keep their online audience on their site rather than send them off to external websites. If you’re someone who values your time, then you could start creating surveys for businesses that you believe are valuable brands. You’ll be provided with a unique referral code when you sign up to take part in a paid survey. Your first survey reward might be as little as $1 but can range up to several hundred dollars. The great thing about paid surveys is that you can get paid even if you don’t have much time to spare. Most of the surveys that you’ll encounter will be quick and easy to complete.
The Different Ways To Earn Money
There are a variety of ways to make money as a teenager. If you’re passionate about a certain subject matter, then you may want to consider starting a blog or vlog to share your thoughts with the world. You could also look into selling your photos on stock photography websites or getting an Etsy store setup to sell your handmade goods. If you’ve got a keen interest in fashion, then you could start a blog where you showcase fashion-related articles or tips. You could even go the extra mile and start a full-blown eCommerce store or blog to make money online. Even if you don’t want to get into eCommerce or retail, you can still sell and promote products on your Twitter, Instagram, or other social media platforms to earn a little bit of money online. If you’ve got a unique skill or talent – whether it’s in art, design, or even cooking – then you could consider using those skills to create unique illustrations, logos, or packaging for businesses.
Of course, there are many ways to make money online that don’t require a ton of effort. You can become a social media influencer and gain some digital fame, build up a following, and hopefully, make money online from product placement, banner ads, or affiliate marketing. Just remember that you’ve got to be committed to building an income stream online.