If you’re still living with your parents, then you’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed with responsibilities and maybe a little bored with the lack of freedom. You’re a teenager, and this is probably the first time in your life that you’ve really felt like you can make a difference and be successful on your own terms. You might even feel a rush of responsibility, wondering what on earth you’ll do now that you’re a big teenager and must start making your own financial decisions.
While it’s fantastic to want to be independent as soon as possible, there are actually a number of benefits to being a digital native. If you’re passionate about journalism and keen to contribute to quality content, then you can do so through the power of the internet with little to no experience needed. Even better, you can do this while still living with your family. Let’s explore how you can make money online as a teenager, shall we?
1. Start a blog
Blogs are a fantastic way to make money online as a teenager. You can start a food blog where you cook and photograph stunning dishes from around the world. Or maybe you want to start a travel blog where you document your trips to exciting destinations. The opportunities are endless. You can even create a blog around a hobby or interest of yours – like knitting, for example. If you’re tech-savvy and love to write, then you can create a blog that teaches others how to use technology to make their lives easier. In short, if you have an interest in a subject or hobby, then you can create a blog around that to make money online.
When deciding whether or not to start a blog, it’s important to consider the kind of content you’ll be posting. If you want to attract potential customers, then you’ll need to offer high-quality content that provides value. Value is essentially what the customer is paying for. So, if you run a clothing blog, but the pieces of clothing you show off are all bought in cheap China, then your blog won’t be providing much value to your audience. They’ll assume you’ve been cheating, and they might even decide that your clothing isn’t worth buying after all.
Another important factor to consider when deciding to start a blog is the audience. Who are you writing this content for? What are they interested in? A travel blogger targeting UK consumers would not have the same appeal as a USA-based blog with a similar content mix.
2. Sign up for a gig-working platform
There are several platforms designed for online gig work. For example, Amazon Mechanical Turk is a place you can take on small tasks for businesses across the globe. You won’t get rich, but you’ll be able to make a decent living if you’re efficient and dedicated. Note: Most of these platforms have age restrictions, so be sure to respect that. Essentially, these are online marketplaces for small tasks such as taking a survey, moderating comments, transcribing audio, and taking a selfie for a meme.
3. Start an online store
If you’re looking for an easy way to make money online as a teenager, then you could try setting up an online store. You’ll need a website, and you can use Shopify to get started. Once you’ve got your Shopify store up and running, you can add products from brands like Jane Austen, Teeko, and Dressbarn. You can also sell your own designs if you’re a skilled designer or have access to a design program like Adobe Illustrator.
You’ll need to consider what you want to sell and how you want to sell it. Do you want to sell your own designs? Are you interested in vintage clothing or accessories? Think about the types of products that you love and that would be perfect for your audience. If you can find a combination of these, then you’re likely to succeed in the marketplace.
4. Start an online tutoring business
If you’re looking to make a bit of extra cash, then you could start a tutoring business. There are several tutoring platforms such as Tutor.com and Udemy, where you can teach others anything from English to Maths. Your tutoring business can be a side gig while you work your way up towards a full-time job, or it can be your sole source of income. You can even make money online through affiliate marketing or via sponsorships. Money doesn’t necessarily need to be a goal when you’re starting out. You simply need to want to make a difference.
You’ll need to consider how you want to structure your tutoring sessions. Do you want to teach individuals or do you want to set up a workshop for a handful of students? Think about the types of people you’d like to help, and what you’ll need to do to ensure they’re confident enough in your skills to pay you back for your time.
5. Start an online store for selling and discovering indie music
If you’re passionate about music, then you can take advantage of the global audience and the internet’s great potential to create a site that connects independent artists with millions of potential buyers. This can be done through a number of different revenue streams. You can sell and ship high-quality digital copies of the music you discover, you can promote and grow your audience through social media, and you can even charge for live performances and DJ sets.
To make money from a music store, you’ll need to consider a variety of factors. First off, do you want to sell your own music or go the independent route and sell unsigned artists’ music? Second, you’ll need to decide how you want to sell the music – digital downloads, physical CD’s, or vinyl? Third, you’ll need to decide whether or not to allow users to leave reviews and comments under your songs. This is actually a bit of a touchy subject, as you don’t want to discourage potential buyers from leaving feedback, but the general consensus is that a music store benefits from a good, healthy dose of criticism.
6. Start a YouTube channel
YouTube creators can make a lot of money, and it’s not as difficult as you’d think. You can create how-to or explainer videos on virtually any subject, from food styling to computer basics, and potentially make millions from ad revenue or brand sponsorships. It’s all about producing high-quality content that attracts and retains an audience.
There are several things you’ll need to consider before getting started with a YouTube channel, including what device you’ll use to film and edit your videos, and whether or not you’ll need an external microphone to record audio. The former will be essential, as you won’t be able to film and edit your videos effectively on your laptop. You’ll need a high-quality device such as the Canon EOS 700D or the Nikon D750 to get the best possible result. Audio recording is also rather difficult on your laptop, unless you’re prepared to invest in either an external microphone or a headset with a built-in mic.
7. Start an online survey site
Surveys are a great way to make money online as a teenager. You can take on small surveys for businesses across the globe, including those in the UK. If you want to make a dollar, then you can take on a survey that pays up to $500. In the meantime, you can use Survey Junkie to take on some of the more fun and quick-pace surveys, which you’ll likely earn much more money from.
8. Start an online focus group site
If you’re a bit of a social media genius, then you can create a site that allows individuals to come together to discuss and share lifestyle topics. Sites like Groupon For Adults are built on the concept of connecting people with shared interests – in this case, the subjects of fashion and lifestyle. You’ll have to consider how you’ll make money from this type of site. You can choose to sell advertising space on your site, or you can become a partner of a particular brand and offer a unique glimpse into the minds of your target audience. You can also partner with a local business in your area and offer your audience a unique perspective on what they sell.
9. Start a drop-shipping store
If you’ve ever shopped at Nordstrom and thought to yourself, “I wish there were more options like this,” then you can create your own online store with similar offerings. You’ll need to consider a number of factors before getting started with a drop-shipping store. For example, do you want to specialize in a certain type of product? What are the minimum order quantities you’ll need to fulfill? How do you want to manage your inventory? Do you want to sell your own designs, or will you be using a pre-designed theme? These are all important questions, and you should have a clear idea of how you’ll respond to each one before continuing.