Most of us are aware of the many perks that come with being a digital nomad. Nowadays, with the world shifting to a ‘digital” way of life, more and more people are becoming internet entrepreneurs and are turning to online sources for inspiration.
If you’re looking to make extra money per month, here are 7 ways to make money online without a degree.
Start A Blog
Blogs are valuable for a number of reasons, not least because they can provide steady income and help establish your brand as an authority in your industry. To start a blog, you’ll need to purchase web hosting, install WordPress, and then build out your blog with a few engaging posts.
The beauty of the blog platform is that you can very easily monetize it. There are several options here including affiliate marketing, which earns you a commission when someone clicks a monetized link or buys a product that’s promoted through a blog post, or you could use a tool like Google Adsense alongside your blog to attract and display ads on your site. You can also sell and display banners, join affiliate networks, and run ads on your social media platforms.
Sign Up For A Product Alert Service
Signing up for a product alert service such as E Bay’s Buyer Zone or Shopbop’s Trend Alert will keep you updated on the latest trending products and offers, plus give you the opportunity to buy them at competitive prices. You’ll need to register with your email address and verify it once a day, but other than that it’s a simple and free process.
As a sign up for one of these services, you’ll receive periodic emails alerting you of products that you might be interested in buying. Most services will even keep you updated on the latest discounts and offers so you can purchase the items at a discounted price.
Start An Online Store
If you’re the creative type, you could start up an Etsy shop, Handmade by me, or a Scrivener blog
Creating and selling your own products can be a lucrative venture, and these days, with platforms like Shopify, so much of the hard work has been taken out of the process for you. All you need to do is create the design, pick a fabric, and add some finishing touches (like a unique product name and short descriptions) and you’re ready to go.
The great thing about these platforms is they provide you with all the necessary tools to run an online store, and due to their size and reach, your products will likely reach a large audience, potentially turning you into a profitable enterprise. Even if you don’t plan on making a profit from your store, you’ll still benefit from the exposure to potential customers.
Take Advantage Of Social Media
Although most of us hate to admit it, the power of social media cannot be denied. If you can harness the right tools, you can easily reach a far greater audience than you could ever reach individually. The same goes for online platforms like YouTube which is growing at an incredible rate. These days, it’s not uncommon for brands to have a dedicated account manager solely for handling social media.
The great thing about social media is you don’t necessarily have to have a brand to take advantage of it. It’s a great place to build credibility and create community, which in turn, can lead to more revenue down the road. When you build a following on social media, you can begin to monetize your content through affiliate marketing, which earns you a commission when someone clicks a monetized link or buys a product that’s promoted through your content.
Join A Group Buying Site
If you’re the adventurous type who craves new experiences, you might consider signing up for a group buying site like Groupon or Wishp. Most people would consider these types of websites to be a bit of a luxury, reserved only for special occasions, but that couldn’t be more wrong. These types of websites allow you to join buying clubs that can help you enjoy the best discounts possible on all your favorite brands and products. You’ll simply need to be in a group of at least 5 people to qualify for the special offers.
The great thing about these sites is they allow you to enjoy huge discounts while providing you with the opportunity to try new things you might otherwise not get the chance to. When you join a group buying website, you’ll typically receive an email each week or so offering you great discounts on all kinds of products, from electronics to clothing to dining experiences. If you can, you should definitely consider trying out Groupon.
Create And Sell Your Own Product
If none of the above seem like a fit, you can also create and sell your own product. The internet has made it easy for entrepreneurs of all kinds to get their products out there to the public, with little to no cost, aside from the cost of web hosting and a premium domain name. With so much competition, the key is to stand out from the crowd and ensure that your customers know exactly what you offer and why they need it. This way, you’ll be able to build a profitable business that you can grow and scale long term.
The great thing about this option is you get to test out a range of products and themes with no risk or obligation. The downside is that unless you’re naturally talented with words and have a large following, you’ll probably want to get a bit of help with marketing and sales. Once you’ve established a decent online store, you can apply for affiliate marketing with platforms like Amazon or Shopify, which earn you a commission when someone clicks a monetized link or buys a product that’s promoted through your website.
Start An Online Store In Another Country
If you’re the daring type who’s up for the occasional risk, you might consider setting up an online store in another country where corporate regulations are less stringent and there are fewer restrictions on what you can and cannot do. One example of this would be Hong Kong where you can operate a business essentially as you see fit as long as you’re not doing anything that would harm the local economy. The downside here is making sure your online store is legal in the country you choose. To give you some help with this, we’ve put together a list of the most essential items you’ll need to start an online store in Hong Kong.
- Dedicated Server
- Content Delivery Network (CDN)
- SSL Certificate
- Dedicated IP
- Domain Name
With the above items in hand, you’ll be able to open up an online store in Hong Kong and start making money quickly. While it’s not uncommon to see stores in Hong Kong that offer everything from food to clothing, you can easily find dedicated servers, content delivery networks, and SSL certificates that you could use to start a digital nomad lifestyle.
If you’re looking for an easy way to earn passive income, consider looking into this option. As long as you’re not doing anything illegal, you’ll have no trouble operating a business in Hong Kong. You could also use the above list to see if there are any other countries where you could set up shop without having to worry about regulations or the local economy.