As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to revalue your financial situation and determine what is and is not working in your favor. One of the best ways to do this is by examining your profit margins and how much you’re actually contributing to the bottom line. It’s never easy being a small business owner, so at the end of the day, you may simply want to consider what is working and what is not.
There are many ways to make money online these days, but if you’re looking to sell something to generate an income, there are numerous items you can sell that are both fashionable and profitable. Here, we’ll run down 20+ ways you can make money online in 2016.
1. Start a blog
Blogs are popular, they’re easy to establish, and they’re relatively inexpensive to maintain. Plus, you can monetize them with a variety of affiliate marketing offers, such as Amazon Associates, ClickBank, and more.
If you’ve got a decent amount of content that’s well-written and regularly updated, you’re set to go. Just remember that content isn’t everything, and you must drive traffic to your blog. You can use a variety of tools to grow your blog, from free, easy-to-use platforms like Blogger to more advanced solutions, like WordPress and Medium.
2. Start an Etsy store
If you’ve got the skillset to create something unique, you can start an Etsy store. Etsy sellers offer a variety of items, from jewelry and clothing to artwork and invitations. The items can be a little pricey, but you can use an Etsy selling checklist to help you get started for less than $500.
The best part about Etsy is that you can directly connect to thousands of customers who are seeking the perfect item. Plus, you don’t need a huge amount of inventory to get started, as you can often find what you’re looking for in-house. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make money, start an Etsy store today.
3. Start a YouTube channel
YouTube creators can make a lot of money, and it doesn’t necessarily require a large budget. More and more people are discovering the power of YouTube, with over 1.9 billion monthly active users. If you can craft funny, informative videos about a variety of topics, you’re set to go. Just make sure that you put a twist on what’s available online, and you’ll be able to build a large audience.
4. Start a podcast
There’s plenty of money to be made in podcasting, both in and out of the Podcaster’s Garage. Podcasts can take many forms, from interviews to round tables, but the most basic function is to conduct interviews with business leaders, celebrities, and more. Once you’ve got your guests and your premium content, you can start to craft episodes that will be both informative and entertaining.
One of the best things about podcasts is that they’re often very cost-effective to produce. You don’t necessarily need expensive microphones, editing equipment, or guest lists to start making money from a podcast. You just need a laptop or desktop computer, a microphone, and somewhere to host your interviews.
5. Start an online store
An online store, also known as an e-commerce store or online shop, is a store that provides customers with a purchasing experience similar to that of a physical retail store. This could include anything from clothing and accessories to electronics and furniture. If you’re looking to make money online, this is a good option as you won’t necessarily need a lot of investment to get started. You can use Shopify, Bigcommerce, or Etsy to launch your online store.
6. Start an online tutoring company
If you’re an expert in a certain field, you can start an online tutoring company. Tutors help students with homework, provide one-on-one assistance, or give online tests. As a tutor, you can set your own hours and work remotely, which is attractive to the busy professional.
The best part about tutoring is that you get to be your own boss. Instead of having to follow a set schedule at a traditional job, you can set your own hours and work remotely as often as you like. What’s more, you get to choose the subjects you teach and the ways you teach them. There’s a lot of demand for online tutors, as over 1.8 million students use Tutor to get help with homework.
7. Start an online scrapbooking company
If you’ve got a creative side and a love for photography, you can start an online scrapbooking company. Online scrapbooking companies like Photobool and Scrapbooking.com allow users to create digital scrapbooks that can be shared with family and friends. Designers will often use platforms like Pinterest or Instagram to share their creative work, and when someone clicks on a link or image in a Pinterest or Instagram post, they’re taken to a website where they can buy the product.
To start, you’ll need to register a domain name for your website (e.g., photobool.com), choose a hosting company, and transfer the website to the hosting company’s servers. From there, you’ll want to design a simple, uncluttered website.
8. Start a YouTube channel focused on fashion
If you’ve got a fashion vlog or a channel on YouTube that reviews fashion products, you can develop a brand for yourself. The key to making this work is consistency. Once you’ve got your blog, website, and YouTube channel established, you can take advantage of YouTube’s built-in revenue sharing program to start generating revenue. Monetization, at its most basic level, is as follows: you get paid per viewer, with the cost to you being merely the cost of creating and hosting the channel. If you’re looking for a way to make money, fashion vlogging is a popular option.
9. Start an affiliate marketing program
If you’ve got a blog or website, you can turn to affiliate marketing, which earns you a commission when someone clicks a monetized link or buys a product that’s promoted on your site. For example, let’s say you’ve got a blog about fashion. If someone clicks a monetized link or buys a product that’s promoted on your site, you’ll earn a small commission.
The best part about affiliate marketing is that it’s extremely flexible. You don’t necessarily need to have a specific product to promote, as you can often promote a variety of products or services, such as:
- Amazon products
- Ebates cash back
- Sale prices
- Free shipping
- And the list goes on
10. Start an online gallery
An online gallery is similar to a physical gallery in that it provides a place for photographers to display and sell their work. However, instead of carrying tangible artwork, photographers use cameras to capture the artwork, which is then displayed online.
The best part about galleries is that a lot of the financial burden is shifted to the photographers. You won’t necessarily need a lot of money to start a simple, free photo gallery, like Picasa Web or Flickr.
11. Start a YouTube channel focused on beauty or fashion
YouTube creators can make a lot of money, and it doesn’t necessarily require a large budget. More and more people are discovering the power of YouTube, with over 1.9 billion monthly active users. If you can craft funny, informative videos about a variety of topics, you’re set to go. Just make sure that you put a twist on what’s available online, and you’ll be able to build a large audience.
The best part about YouTube is that you can directly connect to thousands of customers who are seeking the perfect item. Plus, you don’t need a huge amount of inventory to get started, as you can often find what you’re looking for in-house. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make money, start a YouTube channel today.