Sometimes, the internet feels like one big money buffet… but instead of plates, you’ve got your laptop, Wi-Fi, and way too many coffee cups. These are the newer, cooler, and maybe even slightly weirder ways people are making serious cash online.
Here are few more ways you could use to earn online:
1. Crowdsourced Projects
Think of this like a giant online brainstorm where you actually get paid. Crowdsourced Projects are like the internet’s group project — but without that one lazy classmate who never does anything. Companies put out challenges, and you (yes, you!) can jump in with your ideas, designs, or problem-solving skills. Win, and you get paid. Lose, and you still get bragging rights for thinking up “solar-powered pizza ovens.”
What can you do:
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Naming a new product
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Helping design a logo
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Writing catchy taglines
Platforms:
Tip: The weirder your idea, the more it stands out. Think “llama-shaped pool float”, not “blue pool float.”
2. Online Tutoring
Turns out, that random thing you know a lot about? Someone else desperately wants to learn it — and they’ll pay you for it. From algebra to baking to playing the ukulele, tutoring has gone way beyond boring textbooks.
Online Tutoring is basically getting paid to be the cool, knowledgeable friend who explains stuff without making people feel dumb. Whether it’s math, guitar, or conversational Spanish, you can teach from your couch, pajama pants and all, to students around the world who actually want to learn from you.
Examples:
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Helping students prep for exams
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Teaching a conversational foreign language
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Coaching someone on Photoshop tricks
Platforms:
Tip: Personality counts. A funny, friendly tutor is unforgettable (and gets referrals).
3. App/Software Testing
Basically, you get paid to click buttons and tell people what’s broken. If you can spot typos, laggy buttons, or a menu that makes no sense, you can test apps like a pro.
Think of this as being a professional “button pusher”, but with purpose. Companies will actually pay you to poke around their apps or software, find bugs, and tell them what’s broken (before their real customers do). It’s kind of like being a detective, but instead of chasing criminals, you’re chasing glitches and bugs that pop up when you click that weird menu three times in a row. Bonus: You get to try out cool new tools before anyone else.
Examples:
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Testing a new e-commerce app before launch
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Reviewing a game’s user experience
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Finding bugs in beta software
Platforms:
Tip: Be detail-oriented, platforms pay more for thorough, constructive feedback.
4. Custom Illustrations
If you can draw, paint, or doodle something other than stick figures, you’ve got a skill people love. From portraits to merch designs, custom art sells like crazy.
Think of this as turning your doodling habit into a money-making superpower. Whether it’s quirky character art, sleek branding graphics, or whimsical book covers, businesses and individuals are constantly hunting for unique visuals that stand out. And no, Canva templates can’t compete with your one-of-a-kind style. The best part? You can work from your couch, coffee shop, or a hammock in Bali, as long as your Wi-Fi doesn’t bail on you mid-project.
Examples:
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Pet portraits
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Custom wedding invites
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Illustrated social media avatars
Platforms:
Tip: Personal stories sell — tell people why you created the piece.
5. Licensing Your Skills
Instead of trading your time for money, you can license your skills — meaning people pay you to use your work over and over again without you lifting a finger each time.
Imagine creating something once… and getting paid for it over and over again. That’s the magic of licensing your skills. Whether it’s a catchy jingle, a slick graphic, a clever training manual, or even a photography set, you can let other people use your work for a fee, without giving up ownership. It’s like renting out your brain’s greatest hits while you sip margaritas and watch the payments roll in.
Examples:
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Stock photos
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Music loops for videos
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Pre-written blog templates
Platforms:
Tip: Focus on evergreen content — something that’ll be useful years from now.
6. SaaS Products
Software-as-a-Service sounds intimidating, but think of it as: “I made a tool online, and people pay monthly to use it.” If you can code (or hire someone who can), this is gold.
SaaS products are like little digital superheroes, you build them once, and they keep working (and earning).
Whether it’s a tool that helps people manage tasks, design graphics, or track their cats’ moods (hey, there’s a market for everything), the magic is in solving a problem so well that customers happily pay every month. Think of it as owning a vending machine… but instead of chips, it’s spitting out pure convenience.
Examples:
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Social media scheduling tool
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Habit tracker app
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Online invoice creator
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Platforms:
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Bubble (no-code builder)
Tip: Solve your own problem first. If it bugs you, it’ll bug others too.
7. Substack Newsletters
Email newsletters have made a comeback but this time, you can monetize them from day one. Share tips, stories, or niche insights people can’t get anywhere else.
You know that thing you can’t stop talking about? Be it 90’s sitcoms, investing tips, or sourdough baking disasters ou can go ahead and turn it into a paid newsletter. Platforms like Substack make it ridiculously easy to share your genius (or weird obsessions) and actually get paid for it. You write, they subscribe, you both win.
Examples:
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“Freelance Friday” tips
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Vegan cooking inspiration
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Deep dives into sci-fi books
Platforms:
Tip: Consistency wins — even if your first email goes to just three people (hi, Mom).
8. NFT Creation & Sales
Yes, NFTs are still a thing — but they’re evolving. If you’ve got digital art, music, or even collectible ideas, you can create and sell them on blockchain marketplaces.
Yes, NFTs are more than pixelated apes. They can be digital art, exclusive memberships, music, or even collectible memes. If you’ve got creativity and the patience to figure out blockchain basics, this could be your playground. Bonus points: you get to say “I’m in crypto” at parties.
Examples:
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Digital art pieces
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Animated GIF collectibles
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Music album NFTs
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Platforms:
Tip: Community matters NFTs with active fanbases do better.
9. Curated Subscription Boxes
Who doesn’t love getting a surprise package in the mail? Curate themed boxes and send them monthly, people will pay for the convenience and the fun.
If you’ve ever been excited to get mail that isn’t a bill, you get why subscription boxes are booming. You pick a theme (tea blends, quirky stationery, artisanal snacks), curate cool stuff, and send it to subscribers every month. It’s like being the gift-giving friend everyone wishes they had.
Examples:
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Self-care boxes
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Indie snack boxes
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Stationery and journaling kits
Platforms:
Tip: Pick a theme you’re obsessed with, it’s easier to market something you love.
Final Thoughts
The internet isn’t just about cat memes (though, let’s be real, those are important). It’s a playground of weirdly specific and surprisingly profitable opportunities. Whether you’re designing a pet portrait, testing the next viral app, or sending monthly boxes of Japanese candy, there’s a spot for you.
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Start with one idea, give it a solid 30-day push, and see where it takes you. Who knows, your “fun little side gig” could turn into your main hustle, either way there is money making potential out there and you can have some fun while profiting. Check out part 1, and 2.
