Most places will have some form of lock down restrictions in place this winter. While this is unfortunate, especially for those who have lost income due to the pandemic, there is an upside. The Internet is full of excellent opportunities to earn extra income doing something you enjoy or have some talent for. It might be writing, photography, or creating an online store. Below are some tips on how to make the most of your lock down winter.
Use online marketplaces
Online marketplaces are a great place to trade things you don’t use anymore or to start a small business selling niche items. Platforms such as eBay, Gumtree/Craigslist, Amazon, and Facebook, allow you to create an account and list new or used items for sale. Over the winter/festive period, you might find a spike in interest for marketplace goods. Ethical buyers will be looking for used Xmas gifts, and more people will be online due to lockdown restrictions.
If you want to earn some extra cash this winter, forget about the Spring clean and get started much sooner. Downsize your home and make extra space while also increasing your income. If you’re more enterprising, you might also start a small online business selling local second-hand items or a niche product.
Start an ecommerce business
E-Commerce is a booming industry, especially during the global pandemic, with more people viewing it as a viable option for a primary or secondary income. It involves setting up an online shop selling items through warehousing, dropshipping, or via affiliate marketing. If you think you can promote products online and deliver items and drop shipping while maintaining a good standard of customer care, this business could be right for you.
Starting an ecommerce business might be easier than you think. You no longer have to do everything yourself, like starting a website or giving your niche and setting up your shop. These days the process is simpler and more straightforward. All you need is a platform like Shopify, a supplier to provide you white label, maybe someone who sells wholesale cbd products, and you are all set to start marketing, selling and making money.
Monetize a blog
Not everyone knows you can earn money from blogging; most people assume it’s just for writing about your lifestyle or hobbies and sharing it with the world. Actually, there’s a bit more to it, and there are opportunities to earn money. If you have a subject you’re passionate about, and you’ve thought about blogging in the past, this winter could be a good time to channel that energy and make some cash at the same time.
Bloggers earn money in several ways. Firstly, they use Google Adsense. When you have enough of a following on your blog, you can sign up for Google Adsense. This will allow relevant businesses to advertise on your website, and you will earn a small commission when the ad is clicked; affiliate advertising is also popular. This method uses links to sell Amazon products and is more profitable than Google Adsense.
Start freelancing
In recent years the demand for freelancers has grown significantly. This is partly due to the number of online businesses that have emerged and partly due to the number of people able to sell their skills and talents online. The Internet has been an incredible platform to create new brands, businesses, and individuals to market themselves and earn a living from their talents.
If you have some writing ability, some talent with graphic design, a specialisation in marketing, or anything else, there are several ways you can market your skills to earn extra income this winter. First, it’s a good idea to set up a LinkedIn profile. This will help conceptualise who you are and what you offer. Following this, you can set up profiles on Fiverr, People Per Hour, and Upwork. These are the best places to market your skills and find jobs.
Sell your photographs
In the past, you needed a lot of professional equipment and a good reputation to earn a living from photography, but the Internet has changed all that. Now, if you own a decent camera and have a good eye for a picture, there are several ways you can earn income online. The most popular one is to create stock photos and sell them to websites that pay.
The best way to earn money from your pictures is to enter the world of niche photography. Working in niches means you create batches of images relating to a particular theme. Depending on the quality and popularity of the pictures, you will receive a commission from websites like Bigstockphoto, Crestock, and Dreams time.