Have you ever considered taking on a side hustle? Maybe you want to make a little extra money to cover a bill or fund a special occasion.
Or perhaps you’re interested in the freedom of the work from home/work from anywhere digital nomad lifestyle.
You can utilize the online gig economy to accomplish these goals.
But how do you get started?
How do you know that a company is safe and will actually pay you for your work? Keep reading to learn how to do the right research and discover a few of our favorite gigs.
If you’re looking for a more traditional career, try out this effective resume builder.
Do Your Research
Perhaps you are timid about working online because you have heard of scams.
This is a legitimate concern. How can you make sure the company you are considering working with is safe?
Consult online reviews. Blogs like this one try out websites offering gigs and money-making opportunities and report on the results.
If a company asks you for money, consider this a red flag. Legitimate remote work will pay you, not the other way around.
Consider the following trusted companies offering on-demand remote work.
Write from Anywhere: Textbroker
Textbroker serves as an effective middleman between writers who create content and business owners who need written material for their websites, newsletters, books, or magazines.
When you sign up to become a Textbroker author, you will be asked to complete a short writing prompt.
This will be graded and you will receive an author rating of one to four. Your work will periodically be considered and your score adjusted.
How much can you make? If you select from the pool of “Open Orders,” you will generally make between one and 2.5 cents per word.
If you are selected for a team or receive direct orders from a client, you will be paid more. Your earnings can be cashed out weekly, and special incentives are given to the most prolific writers.
Sell Your Photos: Shutterstock
Like many people, you may have hundreds or thousands of photos on your phone. If your device is equipped with a decent camera, you may be able to make some extra cash selling photos on a stock photo site like Shutterstock.
Selling photos online is just one of the dozens amazing under the table jobs.
Most photos are licensed for $0.10 to $0.75 U.S., depending on the customer’s needs. Some licenses, however, will earn you $50.00 U.S. per photo!
This income stream is very passive, for your duties consist only of uploading and keywording the photo.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with the platform’s requirements before uploading. Some photos can be sold commercially.
Others can only be used in editorial or educational contexts.
Design Products: Zazzle
Zazzle is an online marketplace that allows customers to purchase and customize items like coffee mugs, t-shirts, and office supplies.
As a Zazzle designer, you can put your creative graphic design skills to use to make thoughtful, funny, or meaningful items.
When a Zazzle customer purchases one of your designs, you receive a small commission.
For example, your commission on the sale of a mug might range from $0.50 to $1.50 U.S.
There are no minimum output requirements for designers, so you can work on your own time, as little or as much as you prefer.
Stagnant accounts – those without design activity in recent months – may be subject to a monthly fee against any balance in the account.
Make Deliveries: Various Services
The COVID-19 pandemic saw a sharp increase in the variety of and use of delivery services. Some help people get around, much like a taxi service.
These include familiar brands such as Uber and Lyft. Others bring prepared food or groceries right to your door – think Instacart, UberEats, Grubhub, or Postmates.
Each of these services allows you to sign up via their app or online. You’ll need to provide your driver’s license and vehicle information, and personal info such as your birthdate and Social Security number.
Once approved, you’ll be able to pick up tasks on your own terms. You can work part-time or all the time – the choice is yours.
In Conclusion
There are lots of online resources that will allow you to make money in your spare time, from anywhere.
But it is important to do your research first and avoid scams.
Popular side hustles for remote workers include Writers Work, Textbroker, Shutterstock, Zazzle, and delivery services like Uber, Grubhub, and Instacart.