Before we talk about what you need to earn money on the side, I need to share the following disclaimer. Making money online has become a way for many people to make ends meet and earn extra money, extra fast. Consequently, more and more people are becoming self-employed and spending all of their time browsing through the Internet in search of their next money-making gig.
If you see yourself in the above paragraph, you are in the wrong place. This blog is designed to help people who have a full-time job and just want to earn a few bucks on the side.
What do you need to make money on the internet?
When it comes to landing – and keeping – a work-at-home job, there are a few basic tools you should have in your bag, such as:
1. To earn money on the side you will need a quality computer and related hardware.
If you want to work from home, you need to have a computer. When you first start out as a remote worker, you may not have a lot of capital to pour into buying the latest hardware. That’s okay; just make sure that you buy smart.
If you don’t already own one, you will need to purchase a new or refurbished computer. Make sure to get one that will last you for some years and has sufficient specs to keep up with changes in office suite software and Internet-based apps.
Some work-at-home jobs, like customer service, will have a list of equipment requirements that need to be met. This is to ensure you have a stable and secure connection when processing customer requests. Other jobs, like freelance writing, may have no equipment or internet requirements at all. You can literally do your job anywhere, anytime.
Joining a freelance platform like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer is a great way to find gigs.
2. You need a functional self-management system to help you earn money.
Working from home takes a lot of self-discipline. Before you become a remote worker, make sure that you have a good system for keeping yourself organized and on task. Use whatever works for you – make a bullet journal, organize your duties on Trello, keep a detailed Google Calendar with Calendly for setting meetings. Just make sure you have a self-management scheme that keeps you going.
3. Create a comfortable workspace to better earn money on the side.
Although some opportunities can be worked at anywhere, many require you to work-from-home. These jobs may require you to sit at your computer for a period of time each day.
So, it’s super important that you have a comfortable space to work! Even if it is just a comfortable chair pulled up to an old table that is the right height for you, or a spot on your couch (like the woman in the graphic), put some thought for your future self into your home office. Your body will thank you.
4. You will Need Tools Specific to your niche
Examples: If you are a photographer, you will need at least one camera, and perhaps a great many more, plus tripods, etc.
If you are a videographer (vlog, etc) you will need something to record your videos and sound, video and audio editing software.
If you build slide decks, you will need the slide building software for your computer.
Your tools do not need to be elaborate, but they must be adequate for the niche you are entering.
And so on.
CAUTION
Please don’t interpret any of this post as some sort of promise or implication of your future earnings. The average person rarely gets any results at all. Kind of like how the average person who buys home exercise equipment rarely ends up looking like the person in the commercials. I don’t know why that is, but I think it’s safe to say it’s true across the board.
Here’s the bottom line: THIS STUFF IS ALL HARD. And it takes WORK and RISK. On top of that, almost nothing ever works right the first time. At least not for me, anyway. You’ve got to stick with it. Think about it. If business was easy, everybody would be rich. So if you’re looking for a “magic pill” or an “easy button” that’ll make you money, you probably want to skip this post. Better you know now than be disappointed later.
Comment below and tell me what you want to earn money for, and how much time you are willing to spend to get it.