The opportunities for making money online are endless in this digital age. I’m not talking about creating the next Google or Facebook, and I’m definitely not suggesting that there are any get rich quick schemes that will land you thousands for just a few hours of work. But there are plenty of full-time businesses, as well as lucrative side hustles, that can be set up relatively quickly with little to no upfront investment.
It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get a business off the ground. There are lots of things to consider before even launching, such as what the business will provide, who the customers will be, what your pricing structure is, and what you’re going to call it.
Stuck for ideas? These business ideas will enable you to get set up and ready to go in 24 hours or so. Here are three online businesses you can jump-start in no time.
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Virtual assistant
The role of the virtual assistant is completely open-ended, and the tasks can vary wildly depending on whom you’re assisting. Assignments could be anything from replying to emails and updating social media, to editing spreadsheets and coordinating your client’s schedule. If you’re organized and are happy taking on smaller tasks for other people, then you can make money from anywhere in the world by being a virtual assistant.
You can apply for a job with a virtual assistant agency and once you’re hired, you’ll already have a client or list of clients waiting to be connected with an assistant. This is how many VAs start, but you may also find jobs through word of mouth or from former employers. Social media is a free and easy way to advertise your services, too, and just a few posts to your professional profiles, particularly LinkedIn, can get the ball rolling.
Social media manager
Social media management has become so crucial to the success of businesses that for most companies, it pays to have someone in charge of their accounts who really understands the ins and outs of all the social media platforms. Though most people have personal accounts on at least a couple of the big platforms, social media for businesses is an entirely different animal. That said, in order to prove you have what it takes to help a business with their accounts, you’ll undoubtedly need to have built a significant presence of your own online.
Social media management involves building thriving communities for your clients, which ultimately generates extra revenue for them. It can involve writing and scheduling engaging content, running advertising campaigns, and replying to queries or complaints. You’re probably also going to be in charge of a budget dedicated to social media growth, and therefore should know how best to spend it for the highest returns.
Similarly to virtual assistant positions, there are online agencies where you can find social media management jobs. However, once you have some experience under your belt, it may be worth pitching clients directly. Though it can be scary at first, it’s an invaluable skill to learn and gives you much greater control over your rates and schedule. It’s easy to assess whether you think you can help a client by simply looking at their social media content and engagement. Then you can put a plan together for how you will quickly improve it.
Online tutor
If you enjoy teaching and have in-depth knowledge of a particular subject, then online tutoring could be a reliable moneymaker for you. Where previously, tutoring was all done face-to-face and relied on finding students in your local area, the internet has made it global. Thanks to video calls and online teaching programs, you can tutor anyone anywhere in the world, from anywhere in the world, with just a laptop and a decent internet connection.
Languages are a fantastic starting place, as you don’t necessarily need qualifications. Often, you don’t even need to speak the student’s native tongue, as you’re encouraged to teach only in the language being learned.
But tutoring is not limited to language instruction. The most open sector in tutoring is for school-aged children, and math and science tend to be subjects that children require help with. Around exam times when many parents want to give their kids a boost, tutors can be extremely busy, and you can adjust your rates accordingly to meet that demand.
More often than not, tutoring positions are relatively short-term, so you’ll likely have to continually be looking for new gigs. There are many online platforms that connect tutors to students, such as Tutor.com and Chegg.com. Apply online and set up a profile to begin finding jobs. You can also market yourself online using social media platforms, free classified ads on sites like Craigslist, online teaching directories, and even your own website or blog. Once you’ve successfully tutored some students, the best way to get new business is to ask for referrals, as it’s likely that they know other people looking for similar help.
Source: wisebread
