If you’re reading this, I assume you’re already doing some online marketing or know how to do so. If not, then this article is probably not for you. Keep moving forward and enjoy the read.
There are plenty of ways to earn money online, some easier than others. If you’re new to the scene or thinking about moving beyond ‘just earning a paycheck’, then this article will help point you in the right direction.
The Basics Of Online Marketing
Before you begin your online marketing journey, it’s important to brush up on your general knowledge of marketing and e-commerce. These topics will not only help you better understand the mechanics of online marketing, but you will also be able to apply your knowledge to your own projects, should you choose to do so.
The basics of online marketing can be summed up in three words: SEO, SEM and Digital Marketing.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the practice of manipulating your website’s content to improve your search engine rankings. The better your content, the more likely your target audience is to find you. When people search for products or services like yours, your website will often show up near the top of the results. Depending on the competitiveness of your industry, your marketing manager may decide that you need to put in some additional effort to make sure you’re appearing prominently in the search engine results.
SEM (Search Engine Marketing) is a bit like SEO, but a little bit different. SEM is when you pay people to click on your ads or sponsored posts in exchange for some free products or services. Not every business will choose to do this, but if you’re looking to gain traction in your industry and don’t have the funds to invest in SEO, SEM is a perfect alternative. Once you have established yourself as an authoritative source in your industry, you can choose to spend money on SEO or even shut down the SEM campaign and move to an organic SEO strategy.
Finally, Digital Marketing is the practice of using digital tools to attract, engage and convert audiences into customers – without them ever leaving the comfort of their couches.
To start your own blog, you will need to pick a platform (we’ll get to that in a bit). Once you’ve picked a blog platform, you will need to install the WordPress app on your phone or computer. Once you’ve done that, you can start creating your brand identity and gathering your thoughts on content.
Where Should You Start?
With all of that out of the way, it’s time to decide where you should start. If you are a new entrant to the world of online marketing, then the best place to begin is probably the lucrative world of e-commerce. If you’ve been doing some research, you may have discovered that there are numerous opportunities to make money online as a teen. Here are our top 10 sources of income as a teen.
1. E-commerce
If you’ve been following our blog for a while, you know we’re big advocates of e-commerce. The possibilities for online marketing as a teen are endless when it comes to e-commerce. There are plenty of opportunities to get started with a simple blog or store that focuses on a single topic like skincare, grooming or fitness, all of which can make big bucks. You can even create a store that sells pet products – the demand for pet owners to purchase products online is constantly increasing. Launching a physical store or blog isn’t for everyone, but if you’re looking for a way to become financially independent then consider looking into e-commerce.
2. Affiliate Marketing
We’re also huge proponents of affiliate marketing. Essentially, affiliate marketing is when you earn a commission (typically a percentage of the sale) when someone clicks a monetized link or buys a product that’s promoted on your behalf. You’ll need to have a website or blog that’s focused on digital marketing in order to become eligible to start an affiliate marketing campaign. Once you’ve started, you can take advantage of affiliate programs that’ll pay you to promote a wide variety of products – from diet supplements to pet supplies, housewares to jewelry, and more.
3. Paid Surveys
Paid surveys are another one of our favorite ways to make money online as a teen. Just make sure you do some research before you get started or commit to participating in any paid surveys. There are many scams out there, so it’s important to do your due diligence when choosing a survey company. Some survey companies will ask you to invest in a product or service that you’ll receive as a reward. While this can be a lucrative option, make sure you understand the terms and conditions of the offer before you commit.
4. Start An Online Store
If you’ve been following our blog for a while, you’ll know that we’re big advocates of online stores. The opportunity to open your own online store and sell your own products or provide your own services is something that not everyone gets to experience during their lifetimes. If you’ve got a specific product or service that you believe will be popular with teen audiences, then consider creating an online store that provides a platform for you to showcase and sell your products to the world.
5. Learn How To Blog
Blogs are a fantastic way to both express yourself and make money online. When done right, a blog can be a very lucrative venture. If you’ve got the digital marketing skillset, then you can start a blog that teaches others how to achieve financial independence. You can even brand yourself as an authority in your industry and inspire others to follow your lead.
6. Start A YouTube Channel
YouTube channels are a fantastic way to both make money and establish yourself as an authority in your industry. The best part about YouTube is that you can have multiple views, all of which contribute to the revenue of a single video. If you’ve got a niche that you’re interested in, then creating a YouTube channel is a great way to both expand your knowledge base and establish yourself as an authoritative source in your industry.
7. Start A Podcast
Podcasts are all the rage these days, especially since many top-tier podcasts can generate millions of listens per episode. If you’ve got a niche that you’re interested in, then creating a podcast around it can be a great way to both establish yourself as an authoritative source in your industry and allow you to share your thoughts on a wide variety of topics.
8. Start An Etsy Shop
If you’ve been following our blog for a while, then you know that we’re big advocates of Etsy. Similar to online stores, Etsy offers a unique platform for entrepreneurs and small businesses to both showcase and sell their products. Launching an Etsy shop isn’t for everyone, but if you’re interested in starting a business that provides a unique service or product then Etsy is a great place to do so.
9. Start A Classified Ads Site
If you’ve got a niche that you’re interested in, then creating a classified ads site can be a great way to both establish yourself as an authoritative source in your industry and allow you to both showcase and sell your products. There are many different classified ads sites out there, so find one that suits your needs and gets the most traffic.
10. Start An Airbnb Account
Airbnb is the ultimate side gig for busy students. Instead of spending expensive nights in a hotel, why not make a little money online by renting out a room in your house to travelers looking for a comfortable place to stay? There are plenty of opportunities to make money online as a teen with Airbnb. Just make sure you’re aware of the regulations and rules that apply in your area.
Hopefully, this article has helped you understand the vast amount of opportunities that exist online to make money as a teen. Not convinced that any of these are a good fit for you? That’s okay – whatever helps you achieve your goals is what matters. Just be sure that you’re aware of the legalities involved with some of these ventures before you begin.