How to make money on the internet

The internet has revolutionized the way we live, work, and make money. Anyone with a good internet connection can take advantage of the multiple opportunities available online – monetizing your passion through membership with Memberful is just one of a huge range of options for driving digital revenue.

Whether you're looking to earn extra income through an online side hustle or build a full-time internet business, let’s take a walk through some of the most effective ways to make money on the internet.

Freelance writing and content creation

Freelance writing is a popular way to make money online. To get started, identify the niche – topics you can add value to and have a passion for such as travel or cooking – then create some example work. You can start pitching to potential clients on websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer which offer platforms where you can find writing gigs.

There are various types of writing jobs available online, including blog posts, articles, copywriting, and technical writing. Choose a type that aligns with your skills and interests. Specializing in a particular niche can ultimately help you command higher payment rates.

Building a portfolio and finding clients

Your portfolio is crucial to landing freelance writing jobs. Start by creating sample pieces that showcase your writing style and expertise. As you gain clients, ask for testimonials and add published work to your website portfolio.

Finding clients can be challenging at first. Network within your industry, and pitch directly to businesses. Consistency in outreach and delivering high-quality work will help you build a steady stream of clients.

Monetizing and growing

Determining your rates can be tricky, especially when starting out. Research what other writers in your niche are charging, and consider your experience and skill level. Be prepared to negotiate with clients and adjust your rates as you gain more experience.

As you gain experience, look for ways to grow your freelance writing business. This could include raising your rates, expanding your services, or building a team of writers. Continuously improving your skills and staying updated with industry trends can also contribute to your growth.

Blogging for income

Blogging is a popular way to make money online, but it requires dedication and time. Start by choosing a niche that you're passionate about and that has an audience. Set up your blog using platforms like WordPress or Blogger and start creating content.

Look for a niche that has a large audience, manageable competition, and potential for monetization. Common niches include personal finance, health and wellness, and technology but we've worked with people who have successful publications about Artificial Intelligence (AI), airline points and automobiles.

Monetizing your blog

There are several ways to make money from your blog, including advertising, affiliate marketing, membership and patronage, and sponsored posts. As your audience grows, you can also explore other monetization strategies, such as selling digital products or offering paid memberships.

Advertising: One of the most common ways to monetize a blog is through advertising. You can join ad networks like Google AdSense, which will display ads on your site and pay you based on clicks or impressions.

Membership: This is where we come in! Memberships mean your audience can pledge a certain amount of money every month or year to help you continue to publish your work. You could use the Memberful WordPress plugin or our Posts function to protect members-only content to encourage people to sign up to become a paying member.

Sponsored posts: As your blog gains popularity, companies may approach you to write sponsored posts, where you promote their products or services in exchange for payment. Ensure that sponsored content is clearly labeled, such as with #ad, and relevant to your audience.

Building traffic and community

Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for driving traffic to your blog. Use relevant keywords in your posts, optimize your images, and ensure your site loads quickly. Building backlinks from reputable sites can also improve your search engine rankings. If you have the budget for it, we at Memberful recommend ahrefs.com to monitor our performance.

Engaging with your readers is key to building a loyal audience. Respond to comments, encourage social sharing, and consider creating a newsletter to keep your audience informed and engaged. Building a community around your blog can lead to long-term success.

Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is a performance-based marketing strategy where you earn a commission for promoting someone else's product or service. It's a popular way to make money online because it doesn't require you to create your own products.

Look for programs that offer products or services that align with your niche and have a good reputation. It's also important to consider the commission rates and cookie duration when selecting programs.

Strategies for promotion and conversion

Effective promotion is key to affiliate marketing success. Create high-quality content that showcases the benefits of the products you're promoting. Use a mix of blog posts, email marketing, and social media to reach your audience.

To convert readers into buyers, your content needs to be persuasive and informative. Focus on solving a problem for your audience and highlight how the affiliate product can help. Include clear calls-to-action and make it easy for readers to make a purchase.

Tracking and trust

Monitoring the performance of your affiliate campaigns is essential for optimizing your strategy. Use analytics tools to track clicks, conversions, and earnings. Test different approaches to see what works best, and adjust your tactics accordingly.

Transparency is crucial in affiliate marketing. Always disclose your affiliate relationships to your audience, and only promote products that you genuinely believe in. This builds trust with your readers and ensures long-term success.

E-commerce and selling online

E-commerce is one of the most popular ways to make money online. Starting an online store allows you to sell products directly to consumers. Whether you're selling physical goods or digital products, an e-commerce business offers great potential.

Selecting the right platform for your e-commerce business is crucial. Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce are popular options, each with its own strengths. Consider factors like ease of use, scalability, and available features when making your choice.

Sourcing products: dropshipping, wholesale, handmade

Sourcing products is a critical step in building an e-commerce business. You can choose to dropship products, buy wholesale, or create handmade items. Each method has its pros and cons, so consider your budget, storage capacity, and business goals.

Storefront and shipping

Your online storefront is the face of your business, so it's important to make a strong impression. Use high-quality images, detailed product descriptions, and a user-friendly layout to attract customers and encourage sales.

Shipping and logistics are critical components of an e-commerce business. Choose a reliable shipping partner, and consider offering multiple shipping options to meet customer needs. Efficient order processing and tracking can improve customer satisfaction and reduce returns.

Security and marketing

Secure payment processing is essential for any e-commerce business. Choose a reliable payment gateway like PayPal, Stripe, or Square to process transactions. Ensure your site is SSL certified to protect customer data and build trust.

Effective marketing is key to driving traffic and sales to your online store. Use a mix of SEO, social media marketing, email campaigns, and paid advertising to reach your target audience. Offering promotions and discounts can also help boost sales.

Online courses and digital products

Creating and selling online courses is a profitable way to share your expertise and earn money online. With the rise of e-learning, there's a growing demand for high-quality courses on a wide range of topics.

Several platforms make it easy to host and sell online courses, including Memberful, Teachable, Udemy, and Thinkific. These platforms handle the technical aspects of course delivery, allowing you to focus on creating content and marketing your course.

The success of your online course depends on the quality of your content. Use a mix of video, text, quizzes, and interactive elements to engage your students. Ensure your lessons are well-structured and easy to follow.

In addition to online courses, you can create and sell other digital products such as e-books, templates, and printables. These products offer a passive income stream and can complement your course offerings.

Pricing and marketing

Pricing your course can be challenging. Consider the value you're offering, the market demand, and what similar courses are charging. Offering tiered pricing or payment plans can make your course more accessible to a wider audience.

Effective marketing is crucial to the success of your online course. Use a combination of content marketing, email campaigns, social media, and paid advertising to reach potential students. Collaborating with influencers or offering free webinars can also help drive enrollment.

Video production (via YouTube)

YouTube is a powerful platform for making money online through video content. Start by choosing a niche, creating a channel, and uploading high-quality videos. Consistency and engagement are key to growing your channel.

There are several ways to monetize your YouTube channel, including ad revenue, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. Joining the YouTube Partner Program allows you to earn money from ads displayed on your videos.

Engagement and growth

Creating engaging content is crucial for building an audience on YouTube. Focus on delivering value to your viewers, whether through entertainment, education, or inspiration. High production quality and consistent uploads can help attract subscribers.

Growing your subscriber base requires a mix of content strategy, audience engagement, and promotion. Encourage viewers to subscribe, share your videos on social media, and collaborate with other creators to reach a wider audience.

To maximize your earnings on YouTube, consider diversifying your income streams. This could include offering paid memberships, selling merchandise, or launching a crowdfunding campaign. Diversification can help stabilize your income and reduce dependence on ad revenue.

A note on SEO for YouTube videos: SEO is important for getting your videos discovered on YouTube. Use relevant keywords in your video titles, descriptions, and tags. Creating eye-catching thumbnails and encouraging viewers to engage with your content can also improve your search rankings.

Social media influencing and brand partnerships

Becoming a social media influencer is a popular way to make money online by partnering with brands to promote their products or services. Start by choosing a niche, building a strong online presence, and engaging with your audience.

Read more on Becoming a successful social media content creator

Different social media platforms cater to different types of influencers. Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are popular choices, each offering unique ways to connect with your audience and monetize your influence.

Expanding your influence across multiple platforms can increase your earning potential. For example, you might use Instagram for photos, TikTok for short videos, and YouTube for longer content. Diversifying your presence can help you reach different audiences and attract more brand partnerships.

Your brand and partnering with brands

Building a strong personal brand is essential for becoming a successful influencer. Consistently share content that reflects your values and interests, and engage with your followers regularly. Your personal brand should be authentic and relatable.

Partnering with brands is the primary way influencers make money. Reach out to brands that align with your niche and audience, or join influencer marketing platforms that connect you with potential partners. Always disclose paid partnerships to maintain transparency with your audience.

Negotiating deals is a key skill for influencers. Be clear about your deliverables, and don't be afraid to ask for fair compensation. Understanding the terms of the contract, including exclusivity and usage rights, is important to protect your brand.

Conclusion

Making money online offers a world of opportunities, whether you're looking for a side hustle or a full-time income.

You might like to try blogging, video production, or selling online courses as a way to start generating revenue online. Build your skills, and stay persistent – Rome wasn't built in a day and neither is a digital business! Good luck from all of us at Memberful!