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Saturday, 10 April 2021

How to Make Money on Snapchat

The post How to Make Money on Snapchat appeared first on Millennial Money.

There are two types of social media users: Those who use social networks for entertainment and those who see each platform with dollar signs in their eyes.

One of the best social media platforms for making money is Snapchat — and this post explains how to do it.

A quick primer on Snapchat

What is Snapchat?

Snapchat is a leading messaging app for Android and iOS that enables users to send videos, pictures, and messages — or Snaps — to one another over a mobile device.

You can also discover content from other users that appears as suggestions based on Snapchat’s algorithm’s analysis of your interests and connections.

How Snapchat works

What makes Snapchat unique is that the pictures disappear a short time after they are viewed. Users can also integrate fun filters and emojis to augment their appearance, convey their mood, or alter their environment.

Just like any other social network, Snapchat users can build large audiences and engage with them directly. Altogether, there are over 118 million users on Snapchat, which means that opportunities abound for monetization.

Generally speaking, the user demographic tends to skew younger.

How to make money with a Snapchat account

1. Open an account

Start by going to the App Store or Google Play Store and downloading the Snapchat app.

Install the app and go through the registration process. Enter your name and email, create a secure password, and put in a valid email address and birthday.

You’ll also need a solid username that reflects your brand image, which we’ll get to shortly.

2. Build a public profile

To reach a wider audience, you need to create a public profile, meaning that anyone in the world can view and share your Snaps.

Even though Snaps have the reputation of being temporary, this is not the case if you have a public profile. Anything you post is viewable and recordable by a global audience.

That being said, use your best judgment. Don’t post anything that you wouldn’t want your mom or your kids to see 10 or 20 years down the line!

3. Form a brand

Next, think about the message that you want to convey to your Snapchat audience. Ultimately, your Snapchat handle should be a direct extension of your personal “brand” or self-image.

Decide if you want to be funny and goofy, if you are going to showcase products, or if you want to be more serious or instructive.

Many journalists are now using Snapchat to connect with global followers to get the news out. Companies like Amazon and Buzzfeed are doing the same.

People are also creating fun “how-to” and explainer videos about topics like cars, food, and a million other things. Like any social platform, Snapchat has niche audiences and content for just about every category you can imagine.

4. Develop a content strategy

Snapchat content often looks like it’s easy to create. However, many of the videos and Snapchat Stories you see on the platform require careful planning and coordination — even the videos that look like they are done on the fly and with little care usually still tie into a larger strategy.

Above all else, making money on Snapchat requires consistency. You have to treat it like a side hustle and pump out exclusive content and memes on a regular basis if you want to make strides on this platform.

As such, it’s critical to develop a content strategy.

Here’s what you need to do: Form a production calendar and outline various ideas that you want to turn into snaps for your audience.

Use individual snaps to build off previous ones, which can help you attract and retain a healthy number of followers. Take a look at the engagement metrics on Snapchat to see what’s resonating with fellow Snapchatters and create new snaps that mirror your top-performing content.

If you don’t consistently produce content, people will quickly lose interest and possibly unfollow you.

You should also focus on doing something different. Snapchat is loaded with people taking selfies with animal ears. If you do that 20 times per week, you’re probably not going to stand out and build a high follower count.

5. Grow your audience

Followers are like a digital currency on social media. If you want to make money on a platform like Snapchat, you need a healthy user base.

Keep in mind that you don’t need millions of users at first. Start small, and try to reach 100 followers, then 1,000, then 5,000, and keep growing from there.

It helps if you already have solid followings on other social media platforms — like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Announce that you’re posting on Snapchat and invite people to follow your new account.

You can also use small hacks to attract more followers. For example, promote other users and give shoutouts from your public profile, and they are likely to follow you back or recommend your content.

Learn more:

Check out our post on How to Make Money on the Side

Remember, though, that the key to growing your audience is posting on a regular basis and sharing content that aligns with your brand. If you’re all over the place on Snapchat, people may get confused about your account and what you’re trying to promote.

6. Become a Creator

There are two types of Snapchat accounts. You can have a regular profile and attract friends, or you can be a Snapchat Creator and attract followers who can subscribe to your handle.

If you opt to be a Creator, you’ll receive a subscribe button next to your name, making it easy for people to follow you.

There are two ways to become a Snapchat Creator and attract subscribers.

Create Lenses

Snapchat gives users the ability to create Lenses through the Lens Studio. If you’re feeling creative, you can design fun Lenses and share them with other community members. Brands can also make sponsored lenses for loyal fans.

Create steady content

You can also earn Creator status on Snapchat by creating regular content and sharing it with your audience. Snapchat automatically rewards high volume content creators after a length of time, so you don’t even have to apply for Creator status if you’re good enough.

Cash in on Spotlight

Spotlight is a newer feature from Snapchat that pays out up to $1 million each day to top content creators. How much you earn and how much exposure your Snaps get is determined by Snapchat’s proprietary algorithms. The more engaging your Snaps are, the better chance you have of getting picked up.

To qualify, you must live in one of the following countries:

Australia
Canada
Denmark
France
Germany
Ireland
New Zealand
Norway
Sweden
United Kingdom
United States

In some countries, you need to be over the age of 16. Also, Spotlight does not feature Snaps that are solicitations or ads. Snaps must be creative, high quality, and completely original. Check out the full Spotlight terms.

7. Create geofilters

Another way to make money on Snapchat is to create custom geofilters.

A geofilter is like a regular Snapchat filter, meaning you can use it to modify your appearance. But it only works in a certain location — like a neighborhood or a park.

For example, you can use a geofilter to celebrate the launch of a new business. Or, you can create a geofilter for a housewarming party or wedding.

You can monetize geofilters by creating custom filters for events. People who aren’t tech-savvy are often willing to pay for expert Snapchat users to create filters for them in order to make their event cool and fun.

8. Advertise on Snapchat

When used effectively, Snapchat can be an excellent brand builder for other products and services and an excellent tool for marketers.

Advertising on Snapchat is a great way to connect with niche audiences and start engaging conversations. The company makes it easy to create Snap Ads on their platform, and you can use them to connect with different users and drive traffic to your website.

For example, suppose you have a T-shirt company. Use Snapchat to extend your brand image and turn your clothing company into a lifestyle brand.

You can feature people skateboarding, doing funny things, eating in restaurants, or hanging out around bonfires. The possibilities are endless.

9. Try affiliate marketing

Yet another way to make money on Snapchat is to engage in affiliate marketing. This strategy involves promoting other products and getting a commission any time someone makes a purchase through your channel.

You can also get paid for the number of views your profiles have. This is a nice feature because it prevents you from having to drive actual sales.

Tips for monetizing Snapchat

As you can see, there are many ways to make money on Snapchat. However, success is not guaranteed. There are some important things to keep in mind if you’re considering a career as a social media influencer.

Use good judgment

Social media is full of people doing funny, goofy, and just plain weird things. Yet, for every successful video you see in your news feed, there is a trove of content that never makes it there.

Be careful when creating oddball content — especially if you’re a professional or someone with a brand image that you want to protect. Otherwise, you could go viral for the wrong reason — and this could cost you a lot more money than you’ll make.

As a best practice, make sure that your Snapchat content is on point by running your ideas by a trusted friend or partner.

Think of Snapchat as a stage

Spend some time watching great comedians on Netflix and watch how they tell jokes. Most of the time, they present jokes in a cohesive series, building off previous ones to set others up.

You can use this same strategy when creating digital content on Snapchat. Think of Snapchat as a stage, and you’re a presenter. If you want to attract followers, use one post to set up another one, and another one, and so on.

If you use this strategy, you can create 10 or 20 videos in a row. This is necessary to keep people laughing and engaged with your content. People are more apt to subscribe to your feed when they see several pieces of quality content in a row.

Build trust

The real key to developing Snapchat followers is building trust with your audience. Focus on creating content that’s authentic and real, and you’ll have an easier time connecting with users.

For example, suppose you want to try an affiliate marketing strategy. Before you endorse a product or show a sale, people need to see why you personally endorse a brand.

Maybe sustainability is your thing. Or, you might be on the leading-edge of fashion.

Give people a “why” when endorsing products, and they’ll be more apt to take action and see you as a thought leader in a particular area of focus.

Don’t rush into Snapchat

Take your time when developing a Snapchat account and avoid rushing into creating a profile — especially if you’re an established brand or someone who already has a robust social following on other channels.

Learn the platform, get to know how it works, and ask others who have used the platform to show you some tips and pointers.

Rushing into Snapchat and creating content will look haphazard and sloppy and could wind up doing more harm than good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Snapchat a good platform for making money?

Snapchat can be a solid way to make money. However, the vast majority of users that make money are people who already have influence — like movie stars and athletes.

If you want to make money on Snapchat, spend time developing a creative strategy. Focus on a niche area and run with it. You can rise to fame on Snapchat by creating content that resonates with people and earns their trust.

Once you get a significant amount of followers, brands may approach you to advertise their products — leading to cash rewards and fun freebies, like clothes, electronic devices, and personal accessories.

Should I join TikTok?

It largely depends on what your goal is. You can make money on Tik Tok just like you can on Snapchat — as an influencer or advertiser. Or, you may just want to dance — and that’s okay, too!

Before you join any social channel, have a good reason. Make sure that the platform aligns with your personal brand and that you feel comfortable using it.

Remember that in order to be effective on any social media channel, you have to put time and effort into it. Success won’t come overnight. You’ll have to work for it — and probably very hard, too.

Is Snapchat a good side hustle?

Snapchat can be a good side hustle, but only if you are making money.

Think about how much time you have to spend on it during the course of a week.

For example, suppose you want to use Snapchat to showcase your love of the outdoors. That means you’re going to have to actually head out into the wilderness and create content hiking around, hanging out on beaches, or trudging through the snow.

You may find that what starts as a fun and engaging money-making opportunity quickly turns into at least a 10- to 15-hour per week job.

If you want to use Snapchat as a side hustle, you need to develop a plan first and know what you’re getting into. You may find that there are easier and more reliable ways to make money in addition to your full-time job — like doing social media and SEO consulting or building websites for small businesses.

Learn more:

How to build a consulting business

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking to make money on social media, Snapchat is definitely something to explore. You can use this platform to connect with global Gen-Z, millennial, and even Baby Boomer audiences from all over the world.

If this sounds like something you’re interested in, form a content and monetization strategy, learn how the platform works, and develop solid content.

With patience and the right approach, you could be getting millions of views before you know it.

The post How to Make Money on Snapchat appeared first on Millennial Money.

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April 09, 2021 at 11:57PM

Friday, 9 April 2021

How to Get Paid to Leave Your Computer Running

The post How to Get Paid to Leave Your Computer Running appeared first on Millennial Money.

As you get older, it can become increasingly difficult to stay in the grind. You may decide you want to spend more time with your family or find you have less energy than you did in your younger years.

Unfortunately, there’s little you can do to prevent this from happening. But what you can do is find ways to bring in money on a passive basis. Believe it or not, one way to do that is by simply deciding to leave your computer running.

Best Ways to Get Paid to Leave Your Computer Running

There are a number of ways you can make money by using your computing power to complete computing tasks while you’re doing something else. All you need is a hard drive and an internet connection. With that in mind, here are some options to explore to make money online with your computer processor.

Kryptex
LoadTeam
MQL5

1. Kryptex

Cryptocurrency gets created using distributed computer networks. Cryptocurrency miners use computers to “mine” for coins.

Your computer can take part in cryptocurrency mining using a platform like Kryptex. All you have to do is download a Microsoft Windows app and let miners access your computer’s processing power at various times.

The amount you bring in depends largely on your setup. If you have a powerful gaming PC, you can bring in roughly $95 each month according to Kryptex. A mining rig with an Intel Celeron G3930 processor and 8X AMD RX 5700 GPU mining rig will generate about $615 per month. And a mining farm consisting of 36 rigs with 8X AMD RX 480s will bring in about $13,570 per month. Not too shabby!

Kryptex pays in Bitcoin or U.S. dollars and comes with a minimum withdrawal amount of $0.50.

You can start earning money the same day you begin mining.

2. LoadTeam

LoadTeam is a similar type of mining operation that lets you use your computer to mine coins via a Windows app that lets you make money by harvesting processing power.

LoadTeam lets you transfer money from their app to a PayPal account when your balance reaches $1. You can run it on as many computers as you like, and how much you earn depends on how often you run the software.

At the time of writing, LoadTeam claims to have a network of almost 52,000 users across 163 countries.

3. MQL5

Another way to sell your computer’s CPU is through the MQL5 Cloud Network, which lets other users access your computer’s resources in exchange for payments.

To access this network and make money, simply download and install the MetaTrader 5 Strategy Tester Agent to get started.

According to MQL5, its programs are safe, as they work in their own sandbox.

These are just a few of the many examples on the market. You should also look into using Golem, Slicify, and MyCashware. These are all similar services that pay you to rent your processing power. If this idea sounds like something that interests you, explore the various options and pick one that you’ll feel comfortable using.

Tips for Making Money with Your Computer Running

Watch out for electricity costs

If you’re just running one or two computers throughout the day, you shouldn’t worry too much about the cost of electricity. However, if you’re selling processing power at scale or running computers around the clock, you could notice a spike in your electricity bill.

Keep an eye on your electricity consumption so that you don’t wind up spending more than you are bringing in on a monthly basis, negating the reason for doing this in the first place.

Consider using a dedicated computer

You should also keep in mind that running these types of programs can degrade your computer over time.

Most of the time, you use a small amount of processing power throughout the day if you’re just using programs like Microsoft Office or browsing the internet. The above-mentioned programs use a lot more processing power at once, which can take its toll on your machine over time. Consumer-grade motherboards are not meant to handle continuous workloads and could fail. So you may want to spring for a higher-end machine that can handle the increased capacity.

Consider buying a computer and using it solely for processing power, so that you don’t destroy your main system. You should also avoid installing this on a work computer unless you have explicit permission to do so.

Be careful about what you download

The internet is full of scams and viruses — many of which look like legitimate programs.

Be sure to thoroughly research software and get a variety of opinions before you move forward with any options. The last thing you want to do is give a third-party program access to your operating system without understanding who is running it and their reputation.

Making matters more complicated, anti-malware programs can sometimes identify mining software as malware. So, it’s not always cut and dried.

Poke around, ask tech-savvy friends about their opinions, and read peer reviews so that you don’t make a mistake and download a program that damages your computer.

Additional Ways to Make Money with Your Computer

Develop apps

If you’re computer savvy, you should consider building apps and selling them to businesses.

Right now, there is a massive need for workplace productivity apps that can help companies streamline operations. For example, a construction company may be able to use an app to track equipment or daily workflows.

Recent advancements in no-code app design make it easy to design solutions without any coding experience. All you need to do is make one app, and then you could potentially use that as a template to share with other companies. This could be a great way to launch a side hustle.

Provide technical support

Another way to make money using your home computer and phone is to launch a tech support service — using tools like remote monitoring to log in and help people solve basic troubleshooting issues from your own system. This is another great money-making opportunity for tech-savvy individuals who are looking to increase their cash flow.

Just remember that half of a tech support technician’s job is providing customer service and working with other people. Even if you know a lot about computers, you still need strong people skills in this line of work.

Take surveys

Taking surveys is a perfectly legit way to bring in extra money on the side. Companies like Swagbucks can pay you to sit on your sofa and answer questions. You could also take part in focus groups and get paid to do basic online activities like watch movies or play games.

Small businesses are often looking for individuals to help them with their social media initiatives. If you know how to craft great social posts or attract followers, you should consider doing this.

To get started, simply poke around and try to find local businesses with a limited social media presence. Put together a social media audit and share a plan with the business to help improve their channel. Taking the time to put together this type of report should be enough to get a sit-down meeting with management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to sell your computer’s processing power?

Selling your computer’s processing power is generally unobtrusive and happens in the background. If you think about it, you give your processing power away all the time using programs like Chrome that drain a significant amount of capacity. In this light, using a program to get paid for processing power isn’t all that different.

Just make sure you research the programs that you’re using and steer clear of software that does not have a strong reputation for being trustworthy and secure.

Should I start a side hustle?

Starting a side hustle is a great way to bring in extra money. You can use a side hustle to put money aside for retirement, pay down debt, or fund short- to medium-term investments.

Just remember that a side hustle can be tiring — especially if you’re working a full-time job. Part of what makes selling processing power so appealing is because it allows you to make money without doing anything. This is passive income, which is something everyone should strive to achieve.

Do you have to leave your computer on to make money?

These programs can only work if your computer is on. The longer you keep your device running, the more money you make.

Some people like to do this throughout the day when they’re working while others like to do it day and night. It largely depends on the type of computer you’re using and how much you want to earn.

Is LoadTeam malware?

The company acknowledges that their software sometimes gets flagged as malware by antivirus software. However, the company asserts that they are not a virus, malware, or spyware.

Do you need a desktop to sell processing power?

Not necessarily. Most of these programs work with desktops and laptops. Just make sure the laptop stays plugged in. You’ll also want to check your laptop from time to time to prevent it from overheating, which could damage the machine.

What is passive income?

As the name suggests, passive income involves making money by doing little to no ongoing work. For example, a rental property may produce passive income. Or you may take a picture and post it on a photosharing site where you receive payouts every time someone downloads the content.

In short, passive income enables you to make money on assets that you already own, saving you time and effort in your quest to bring in more money.

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking to make extra cash, you can sell your computer power to others using third-party software. It’s a relatively safe way to make money and it takes virtually no time at all.

The only thing you’ll have to do is find the right program, go through a brief setup process, and make sure the computer stays on. Some programs pay in BTC while others pay in dollars.

If you decide to go this route, you should strongly consider buying a dedicated computer that you just use for processing power so that you don’t slow down your regular machine or damage it in any way. You’ll need to think of this as an investment, though, and make sure that you’re making more than you spend. Also, keep your eye on your electricity bill so you don’t spend too much money on utilities and cancel out any gains that you make by selling your processing power.

Ultimately, if you’re thinking of selling your processing power, you already have the right mindset in place. Start thinking of other things you can rent to make money as well — like putting your car on Turo or your house on Airbnb.

The journey to financial freedom is a long one filled with many twists and turns. The more ways you can figure out how to generate income, the better off you’ll be.

Here’s to unlocking new revenue streams!

The post How to Get Paid to Leave Your Computer Running appeared first on Millennial Money.

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April 09, 2021 at 07:01PM

Mystery Shopper Jobs: A Beginner’s Guide

The post Mystery Shopper Jobs: A Beginner’s Guide appeared first on Millennial Money.

Since you’re reading these words, you’re likely the type of person that nobody has to ask twice to go shopping. You’re down to visit any store at any time, from Walmart and Target to T.J. Maxx and Best Buy, because you love scoping out good deals and seeing the latest seasonal trends.

If that sounds like you, you’ll be happy to learn that you really can get paid to go shopping and spend money. This is called mystery shopping — and many people regularly do it to bring in extra money on the side. Some even do it full-time.

This article explains what mystery shopping is and some of the best mystery shopping companies to work with. You will also learn how to take advantage of this opportunity and get paid to do what you love.

Here’s a disclaimer before moving forward: Mystery shopping won’t make you a ton of money. But every drop in the bucket counts, so it’s worth knowing about.

Top 4 Mystery Shopper Jobs to Consider

Most companies arrange mystery shoppers through third-party organizations. Here are some of the top mystery shopper organizations that you should look into.

Secret Shopper
Field Agent
BestMark
Intellishop

1. Secret Shopper

Secret Shopper is one of the oldest mystery shopping companies, having been around since 1990.

The company’s mission is to provide actionable intelligence based on demographic and other specific information to clients across multiple industries — including banking and finance, healthcare and medical, and fitness and salons, among many others.

Workers typically receive payments between $15 to $25 for shopping or they receive reimbursement for a meal. You have to be 18 to sign up and agree to their terms and conditions.

2. Field Agent

Field Agent is another leading company claiming to have a network of over 1 million shoppers across the world. Sign up for a free account, and then fill out a list of questions to help the company get to know your shopping profile.

Once you sign up, Field Agent gives you jobs to do in your local area. They’ll let you know what you have to accomplish and when they need it done. You’ll have a few hours to do most of the tasks, so you’ll need to work quickly.

You can use Field Agent for mystery shopping, buying items, and auditing stores.

3. BestMark

BestMark operates a bit differently than some of the other providers in this space, as they are a bit more selective. The company requires you to fill out an application for work as a Field Representative.

BestMark Field Representatives may include mystery shoppers, intercept interviewers who gather information from people when they exit a store, compliance auditors, and panelists who participate in moderator-led panel groups or focus groups.

4. Intellishop

Intellishop is another premier company that works to maintain customer experience and reputation management. The firm works across multiple industries — like real estate, home goods, and shopping malls, to name just a few.

Intellishop pays via PayPal and they pay by the job. You can work as a mystery shopper on location, over the phone, or online.

What is Mystery Shopping?

Mystery shopping is a job where a company pays you to shop for market research purposes.

You basically go undercover, enter a store, and walk around collecting intelligence for the company. Many companies offer mystery shopping opportunities, including home goods stores, fast food locations, grocery stores, and retailers.

Mystery shopping may include making phone calls, filling out questionnaires, or attending events. When working secret shopper jobs, there are a variety of different tasks you might be asked to complete.

Why do companies pay for mystery shoppers?

In recent years, the customer experience has emerged as one of the most critical business drivers. In fact, according to a study from PwC, 86% of buyers are willing to pay more for a great customer experience.

As such, companies are willing to go above and beyond to protect and improve the customer experience, And sometimes, the best way to get a true measure of the customer experience is to use actual consumers, who will give honest and unbiased feedback.

This is where the mystery shopper role comes into the equation. With that in mind, here are some of the things a mystery shopper looks for in any store they step foot in.

Customer service

Mystery shoppers are usually asked to investigate a store’s overall level of customer service. For example, the company will want to know whether an attendant greeted the customer upon entering the store, how easy it was to find a staff member to ask a question, and how knowledgeable that individual was about their products and location, among other things.

Cleanliness and organization

Retailers and grocery stores are famous for conducting last-minute clean-ups and spot checks before an auditor comes in to avoid negative reviews. Therefore, part of your job as a mystery shopper may be to compare the cleanliness and organization of a store to the previous inspection.

For example, the store may ask you to notice if clothes were neatly folded and put away on the shelves or whether products were in their right location. You’ll also look at the quality of the floors, restrooms, and dressing rooms, along with whatever else your employer asks you to keep tabs on.

Product offerings

Stores need to make sure that branch locations are stocking their shelves properly. As such, you may need to search for specific products and then purchase the items. If you have to make any purchases, the store typically reimburses you.

Tips for Mystery Shopping

Mystery shopping sounds like a walk in the park. But it’s not the easiest way to make money. Here are some tips to consider as you begin determining whether mystery shopping makes sense for you.

Work with multiple companies

Most mystery shopping companies don’t restrict you from working with other companies. Of course, you’ll want to check the rules to be sure you don’t violate your agreement. However, the trick is to try and work for as many mystery shopping companies as possible if you want to maximize this opportunity.

Watch your mileage

If you do a lot of mystery shopping, your gas mileage could quickly add up. You’ll pay gas and tolls and you’ll put wear and tear on your vehicle.

Consider consulting with a tax advisor, and look for ways to write these expenses off as business costs since you’ll be working as an independent contractor. You may be able to reduce your taxable income this way, putting money back in your pocket at the end of the year.

You should also keep a running tab of any additional items that you purchase for this line of work — like professional attire, office supplies, or any other reasonable expenses. Again, talk to a tax advisor to see what you should consider writing off.

Avoid buying too many items

Mystery shopping can be dangerous from a financial standpoint — especially if you’re shopping for expensive items and bringing in extra cash. A watch here and a nice pair of pants there can add up.

If you’re not careful, you could wind up spending more money than you bring in while mystery shopping — going over budget and racking up high credit card bills.

Remember that you’re not going to stores or malls to shop personally — you’re going to work. Treat it as a profession — and not as a hobby — so that it remains a profitable endeavor.

Be on the lookout for out for scammers

The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has advised consumers about mystery shopper scams. According to the FTC, legitimate mystery shopping opportunities exist but there are a lot of scams in this space.

According to the FTC, you shouldn’t have to pay an application fee, deposit a check, or wire money to someone else to participate in a mystery shopping opportunity.

The FTC recommends you research mystery shopping opportunities and research reviews and comments to get a sense of whether an opportunity is legit. You should also avoid doing business with mystery promoters who advertise in local newspapers, require you to pay for certification, guarantee a job as a mystery shopper, or sell directories for companies that hire mystery shoppers.

For more information on these scams, check out the FTC’s advisory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make a lot of money from mystery shopping?

Unfortunately, mystery shopping is not an easy pathway to profit — or a very lucrative side hustle for that matter. Jobs typically pay by the hour and they don’t all pay very much — and some will only reimburse you for your expenses.

Look into mystery shopping jobs if you want to bring in a bit of extra money on the side, or you want to receive perks like free products, free food, or gift cards for services. If you mystery shop with the goal of getting rich, you’ll probably wind up disappointed.

Is mystery shopping a scam?

There are many scams to watch out for in this space. However, many mystery shopping companies are perfectly safe. Do your research, and never give away money, make personal payments, or link a bank account when engaging with a mystery shopping opportunity.

Why do companies pay for mystery shoppers?

Companies hire consulting firms with mystery shoppers so they can get a direct look at what happens in their stores. Businesses are typically concerned about the conditions of their branch locations, and the quality of customer service.

Is mystery shopping fair for participants?

As a mystery shopper, you need to be cautious about taking on too much responsibility and not getting paid adequately for it.

It’s one thing to receive perks like free meals, products, or entertainment. However, if you start participating in part-time focus groups or writing reviews, make sure that you receive adequate compensation for your time.

Always be on the lookout for companies that try to exploit mystery shoppers by asking you to take on more work than you’re getting compensated for. Never hesitate to walk away from an opportunity if it doesn’t feel right.

What is the MSPA?

The Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) is an advocacy body that protects mystery shoppers and provides thorough certification.

As you assess mystery shopping companies, look for MSPA credentials to determine if you are dealing with a reputable company. The MSPA is a great way to find legitimate mystery shopping companies and secret shopping opportunities from reputable businesses.

For further assistance, you can also look into the Better Business Bureau if you have questions about mystery shopper companies or mystery shopping apps.

The Bottom Line

When it boils down to it, your time is precious. And while mystery shopping is fun, it’s not going to lead you to a lifetime of riches or financial independence.

Your best bet is to try it in your downtime, as a way to have fun shopping and make money in the process. If your goal is long-term financial independence, look for more lucrative side hustles like delivery services, helping businesses with social media, or babysitting.

While mystery shopping might help you bring in a little extra cash, it’s not really a career for most people. Don’t be afraid to try it out to make some money, but don’t think of it as something that is going to transform your financial situation.

Here’s to making the best decisions for yourself on the road to financial freedom!

The post Mystery Shopper Jobs: A Beginner’s Guide appeared first on Millennial Money.

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April 09, 2021 at 12:31AM

Wednesday, 7 April 2021

How to Get Paid to Read Emails

The post How to Get Paid to Read Emails appeared first on Millennial Money.

There are real money-making opportunities all around you. It’s just a matter of opening your eyes and discovering them.

One such way is by reading emails, which can bring in a steady cash flow if you take the right approach.

You’re already in your inbox all day for various purposes, firing off work messages, sharing items with friends, communicating with your network. Why not earn some extra cash while you’re at it?

As it turns out, there are various ways that you can bring in money just for opening and reading emails, and in some cases, learning about new products from retailers.

Most of these opportunities are non-invasive and don’t require much effort on your part. It just requires a smartphone, computer, and internet connection.

Top 10 Sites That Pay You to Read Emails

1. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is mostly known for paid online surveys and rewards-earning activities. For example, you can watch videos, play games, and earn cash back through online shopping.

But a top way to make money through Swagbucks is by reading emails. As a subscriber, you can receive points for every email you read. Once you reach a certain threshold you can cash out with either a PayPal distribution or gift cards. To reach $1, you need to accumulate 100 Swagbucks points.

Swagbucks - Easy Online Reward & Surveys FREE Swagbucks is a legit money-making app where you can make money taking surveys, watching videos, and more.

2. InboxDollars (formerly SendEarnings)

InboxDollars is another long-lasting survey site. There’s a somewhat high cash-out rate of $30, but once you reach that amount, the company automatically sends you a check.

One nice perk is that after you collect your first check with InboxDollars, the company automatically upgrades you to a Gold membership with better rewards at more frequent intervals.

For example, regular members get free offers, paid surveys, games, and cash back shopping opportunities. Gold members receive all those plus weekly payments and more referral rewards, as well as double sweepstakes entries, exclusive monthly offers, and double search loyalty rewards.

This is a great way to reward loyal customers who consistently participate and read emails. It can take a while to reach $30, as the site only sends one or two emails per day, but if you stick it out, the rewards can be well worth it.

InboxDollars FREE With InboxDollars, you take surveys, earn cash, it's that simple, you can even earn to watch tv!

3. Vindale Research

Vindale Research is one of the original rewards sites on the internet, making them a perfectly legit source for making money reading emails.

With Vindale Research, all you have to do is sign up and you can receive rewards just for opening and viewing emails.

The site also offers other fun ways of making money, like taking surveys and watching videos.

Vindale Research offers the following signup bonuses: $1 for signing up, $2 for subscribing to its email service, and $5 for every new member that you refer.

Vindale Research - Get Paid to Take Surveys FREE Vindale Research is a legit company with multiple opportunities to earn money including taking surveys.

4. MyPoints

MyPoints is one of the original cash back shopping and rewards websites.

You can earn points every time you engage with an offer in a MyPoints email. Once you hit $5 in rewards, you can cash out with a gift card. If you prefer PayPal payments, this is possible once you hit $25 in rewards.

At the time of this writing, there is a $10 sign up bonus, which comes in the form of an Amazon or Visa gift card.

MyPoints - Get Paid To Shop Online FREE MyPoints pays you when you shop online at your favorite retailers and delivers the rewards through free gift cards.

5. Cash Crate

Cash Crate is similar to Swagbucks and issues payouts in exchange for reading emails.

When you sign up for Cash Crate, you can earn a $1 reward at signup, and it’s completely free to join.

Just like with Swagbucks, Cash Crate sends you emails from advertisers and market research companies. These emails usually contain affiliate links, with opportunities to earn rewards for clicking them.

6. Cash4Offers

Cash4Offers allows members to make money online by reading paid emails. You can also choose to earn cash in other ways, like by taking short surveys in your spare time.

Cash4Offers is free to join, and the company pays new members $5 for signing up.

Cash4Offers is non-invasive, as the company typically sends one or two emails per day. So there’s no need to worry about your personal email getting spammed or flooded with hundreds of emails.

However, if you do wind up engaging with featured advertisers, there is a chance that you will receive more emails from them. That being said, make sure to only sign up for promotions that you are interested in.

7. Unique Rewards

Unique Rewards is available in the US, UK, and Canada, and offers a reward in exchange for signing up for its email service. You can receive a $5 bonus just for registering with the platform, and a $5 referral fee for each friend that you refer.

Unique Rewards works just like the above-mentioned survey sites. The company sends you emails, you read them, and then you get paid. When you reach $20, you can cash out via PayPal. Or, you can choose to receive a check in the mail.

Not all companies come with a check delivery service, so if you prefer to get paid with a physical piece of paper, this might be the best option for you.

8. FusionCash

Yet another service that can pay you to read emails is FusionCash, offering $5 bonuses just for signing up.

With FusionCash, you’ll have to rack up $25 in rewards to get your minimum payout. However, the money can add up quickly — especially if you take part in their other paid activities. For example, you can also get paid to play games or take surveys.

9. Points2Shop

Points2Shop issues rewards for reading emails, taking surveys, and completing a variety of other tasks. All you have to do is sign up for free and you can start earning.

The site is currently offering a 250 point sign up bonus for new customers, which is worth about $2.50. One thing to be aware of is that Points2Shop pays in Amazon credit.

10. UniqPaid

UniqPaid is a survey site that is available to residents of any country (so long as you have an internet connection).

The site pays members for reading emails, interacting with free offers, visiting other websites, and completing paid tasks and surveys.

When the time comes to collect your money, UniqPaid offers a nice list of payment options. The company can send your funds through Visa or Mastercard, PayPal, and even Bitcoin, which is pretty cool.

Tips to Make More Money Reading Emails

Use Multiple Sites

As you can see, there are countless survey sites and get-paid-to sites offering services that pay you to read emails.

The only catch is that most sites won’t send you that many in a day, so it can take a long time to cash out and earn rewards. You can expedite the process by signing up for many different services, increasing the number of paid emails in your inbox from two per day to 10 or more.

Over time, these types of services can add up and you can start making more money.

Be patient, use more services, and you’ll increase your chances of success. If you just use one or two services, it could take a while to start collecting rewards.

Watch Out for Scams

The internet has many scams promising to send you money in exchange for signing up for their services. Be vigilant about who you do business with, and especially who you give your email address to.

It’s also important to watch out for sites that ask you to pay them for services, or sites that request excessive information.

For further safety, make sure to use secure third-party payment services whenever possible like PayPal. Be extra cautious so that you don’t wind up giving your sensitive data to a nefarious website by mistake. It’s also a good idea to read up on the customer service reviews to make sure they are legit sites.

Consider Approaching Companies Directly

If you like getting paid to read emails, you should consider approaching marketing departments and doing email consulting work.

There are thousands of real companies out there that pay you to proofread emails, or even write them. For sure, this strategy requires more work to set up and complete, but the payouts are much higher and the work tends to be more rewarding.

You can also get paid to send emails out for other companies.

Save and Invest Your Earnings

When working with get-paid-to sites (GPT sites), it’s important to put your money away for growth.

If you have debt, put all of your extra earnings towards paying it down. Once you don’t have any more debt, put your money into high-interest savings accounts or into the stock market.

In doing so, you can collect interest over time or buy stocks that can increase in value through capital appreciation or dividend distributions. This is the best way to maximize your daily rewards or monthly rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is reading emails a good way to work from home?

Getting paid to read emails can be an easy way to earn some extra money from home. However, it’s probably not going to pay the bills. Consider this supplementary income, because it can take a while to actually get paid.

In other words, don’t quit your day job to get paid reading emails. Even if you spend all your time doing it, you most likely won’t be able to make ends meet.

That said, if you’re already aimlessly spending time on the internet, why not see if you can collect some rewards on the side. Any extra amount you earn can go toward your saving money, paying down debt, or investment goals.

Do you have to pay taxes on cash back rewards?

The general rule of thumb is that if you earn $600 or more from taking online surveys, reading emails, watching videos, or a similar type of work, you have to report the proceeds as taxable income.

In truth, the IRS expects you to report every dollar that you make. Failing to report income because it’s under a certain threshold, or under the table, could raise a red flag and result in an IRS audit.

Of course, all tax questions should go through a qualified tax advisor. If you have any questions about reporting income, run it by a professional to be safe.

Is InboxPays a scam?

Not all survey and cash rewards sites are scams, but there are plenty lurking online that you have to watch out for.

I haven’t interacted with InboxPays myself, but it’s ‘Bad’ TrustPilot rating does not make me excited to sign up.

As always, use your best judgment and avoid doing business with companies that appear to be shady or illegitimate. And whatever you do, don’t give personal payment information like an address or credit card. Use third-party payment apps and gift cards to collect rewards.

If you use your head and are careful about the sites you work with, there’s no reason to fear survey sites.

Is getting paid to read emails a good side hustle?

Getting paid to read emails can be a considered side hustle. However, it’s definitely not the most lucrative option and you’ll have to read a lot of emails (and most likely spend a lot of time) to collect money.

If you really want to make money with a side gig, consider working with businesses doing social media marketing or blogging. Or, get a side job walking dogs or babysitting.

The more you hustle, the more income you’ll bring in. It’s not uncommon for people to work three, four, or even five side hustles at once. But the more you can use your specific talents and strengths, the greater the rewards will be.

The Bottom Line

If you want to bring in some extra income without trying very hard, reading emails might be one way for you to do that.

As you can see, there are a ton of sites that pay money just for scrolling through their emails. You can also get paid for clicking on links, playing games, watching videos, filling out surveys, and participating in online focus groups.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which side hustles you want to pursue in your quest for financial freedom. And when your side hustle cash comes in, make sure to either save it, invest it, or use it to pay down debt. Otherwise, you’d just be wasting your precious spare time.

Keep putting money away and educating yourself about finance, and you’re bound to achieve financial independence sooner or later.

The post How to Get Paid to Read Emails appeared first on Millennial Money.

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April 07, 2021 at 09:46PM

Thursday, 1 April 2021

11 Ways to Get Paid to Drive

The post 11 Ways to Get Paid to Drive appeared first on Millennial Money.

At this very moment, as you look for ways to make money online, your car is sitting idle and collecting dust.

But the fact of the matter is that — if you own your own car and live in the United States — you have a money-making machine at your disposal. There are countless ways to get paid to drive, including working for services like Instacart and Amazon Flex among many others, which we’ll explore in this post. It’s just a matter of finding the opportunity that’s right for you.

This article explains how to make it happen. Fasten your seatbelt: It’s time to start making money driving.

How to Make Money Driving

I’ve compiled a list of the top 11 ways to make money driving. Check out each of them below to see which one might be right for you.

Drive for a ridesharing service
Work as an independent driver
Work a delivery service
Rent your car
Carvertise
Help people move
Drive a bus
Drive for the elderly or disabled
Plow snow
Drive a big rig
Audit

1. Drive for a ridesharing service

One of the most flexible ways to make money driving is to work for a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft.

Driving for a rideshare lets you create your own schedule and work at your own pace. You can work early mornings, late afternoons, or even late at night. You can also choose to work only on holidays and around big events to take advantage of surge pricing. It all depends on your availability and desire to make money.

Work with Uber or Lyft and you’ll never have to worry about a boss chastising you to work more or threatening to reduce your hours. You’ll be in control of your income and your schedule.

The best part is that rideshare services make the process pretty easy by automatically connecting you with drivers, processing payments, and making direct deposits in your account. Just keep in mind that rates can change depending on where you drive, when you pick up passengers, and how often you drive.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to pick one service or the other. Drivers often download both apps and move back and forth between them. Why not give it a whirl?

2. Work as an independent driver

One of the downsides to working for a rideshare service is that they charge commissions and fees in exchange for connecting you with drivers. And that’s before taxes and wear and tear on your vehicle. Rideshare companies typically classify drivers as independent contractors. As such, you’ll most likely owe money to the government when tax season rolls around.

If you don’t want to fork over money to providers like Uber every time you drive someone, consider launching your own official business and becoming an independent driver. You can either hook on with someone as their full-time on-call driver or work for multiple clients throughout the day and build a fleet of partnering drivers to help with the workload.

This is a great option for people who own nice cars, have the time to commit to growing a business, and live in densely populated areas like New York or Chicago.

Keep a clean car, charge reasonable and competitive rates, and show up on time and you’re bound to make money as an independent driver.

When it comes to collecting payment, your customers can pay you via payment app (like PayPal), cash, check, or right on your website if you set one up (highly recommend).

3. Work a delivery service

Carting passengers around isn’t for everyone. If you’re not a people person or uncomfortable letting strangers into your vehicle, consider delivering items to customers on demand.

Here are some options to consider.

Deliver food or household supplies

One of the most popular options today is to drive for a delivery app like Postmates, DoorDash, Instacart, GrubHub, or Shipt. This is similar to working for Uber or Lyft, as the apps connect you with multiple restaurants in your area, giving you more ways to make money.

Many of these companies are giving out gift cards to new customers to try and generate more business, so it could be a great time to get involved.

Local restaurant

Another option is to go to restaurants directly and offer to deliver food. This can result in steady pay and no commissions. However, you will most likely have to commit to a schedule.

Start a food truck

If you are an ambitious entrepreneur, consider starting a food truck. You can sell hot dogs, tacos, sandwiches, ice cream, or even coffee.

This option can be costly and you’ll have to work with your local government to obtain permission. But it can be very lucrative — especially if you create a niche food that earns rave reviews among local foodies.

4. Rent your car

What if you could get paid without driving at all? As it turns out, you can collect passive income by making your car available to renters through a service like Turo or GetAround.

Turo and GetAround are online services where you can list your car for short-term rentals.

Here’s how it works: You list your car and arrange for someone to come by and pick up the keys. Then the person uses the car for a specific period of time and returns it to you.

For example, someone may need a car for a job interview. Or they may need a pickup truck for a few hours to transport a large item.

Turo and GetAround are both quick and convenient ways to make a few bucks. The services also provide car insurance that protects your vehicle.

5. Carvertise

Another way to make money from your car is to carvertise.

As the name suggests, carvertising involves partnering with advertising companies and local businesses and allowing them to put their logo on your vehicle. With carvertising, you essentially turn your car into a moving billboard.

Use a service like Wrapify

You can use a third-party service like Wrapify to connect with local campaigns in your area and place advertisements on your car. Just make sure to research and see if Wrapify if it’s right for you.

Work with local businesses

An easier and more direct approach to carvertising is to go to local businesses — like car dealers, restaurants, and retailers — and ask to put their logo on your car. This gives you total control over the process without having to go through any third-party services.

As a result, you can control pricing and determine whether you want your car to be exclusive or if you want to host multiple companies on your car.

Just know if you go to a business offering to advertise, you’ll probably need to show some kind of ROI. Walk in with an estimate of how many miles you drive on a daily basis and where you go. Some businesses may also request proof that you are driving around frequently.

This makes sense: Companies will want to make sure that you’re not just tacking their logo onto your car and sitting home all day.

6. Help people move

There’s nothing worse than needing to move a large object like a dresser or a lawnmower and rifling through your phone book to find a friend with a truck.

If you have a pickup truck or a van, consider making your vehicle available by offering to help people move. You can advertise on Craigslist if you’re willing to take the risk or simply put up signs around town on local message boards.

People are constantly moving around, and you can make decent money helping people move. This is especially true at the end of the month or semester when apartment leases are expiring.

7. Drive a bus

If you’re comfortable with the idea of moving a large number of people around at a time, you should consider driving a bus.

There are several ways to make money driving buses. You can work for a school system, where reliable drivers are often in demand, or for a city. Or you could work for a private organization — like a hotel or a transportation company.

Driving a bus can result in steady work, and you can make decent money part-time or full-time. It’s also a fun way to meet interesting people. If you work for a company that offers long-distance touring, you can get paid to travel. Suffice it to say that there are a variety of benefits that comes with driving a bus.

Just make sure that you are comfortable sitting for long stretches at a time and that you have the patience to deal with rowdy passengers — especially if you decide to work for a school system.

8. Drive for the elderly or disabled

Yet another way to make money driving is to offer your services for the elderly in your community or those who have difficulty driving due to disabilities.

This is a great way to help others and make money at the same time. Consider partnering with local community centers, Veterans associations, or nursing homes and offering to shuttle members to and from doctor’s offices, grocery stores, work, or school.

9. Plow snow

Living in an area with a significant amount of snowfall has its benefits. You can bring in a lot of money if you have a truck and a plow — or if you learn how to operate the equipment, you can plow for another business.

Plowing often requires working in the early morning or in the middle of the night. However, it’s a great way to make extra money. Homeowners are always looking for people to plow who are reliable and do a good job.

10. Drive a Big Rig

If you have a love of the open road and a sense of adventure, you may want to look into driving a semi-truck. Long-haul trucking can be highly lucrative — especially if you buy your own rig and work as an independent contractor.

Buying a tractor-trailer can be a tremendous investment if you have the means to purchase one. You can also drive other companies’ big rigs and not have to worry about owning and maintaining one yourself.

You can live out of your truck, saving money on rent and going wherever business takes you. Plus, you can travel all over the country, delivering items and making extra money as you go.

11. Audit

Media and communications companies sometimes pay drivers to go around to various points and audit infrastructure — like newspaper boxes and telephone poles. You can make easy money driving to various destinations, taking pictures, and reporting the condition of predetermined objects through a spreadsheet or mobile app. It’s easy work and perfectly legit.

As an added bonus, you rarely have to interact with anyone when doing this type of work. If you can move around and complete work efficiently, this is a job to consider.

TIP: If you’re still not convinced about driving for money, check out this list of 120 ways to make money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is driving a good side hustle?

The short answer is yes. Driving can be an excellent side hustle — if you find something that pays well and you enjoy doing. Explore the above-mentioned opportunities and look for creative ways to make money on the open road. There are countless opportunities worth exploring.

Do you need a background check to drive for Uber?

Uber performs background checks on drivers on an annual basis. If you want to drive for Uber, you need to have a clean driving record. If you drive for Uber without a clean driving record, you’ll risk having your account deactivated.

Do you need a nice car to drive for Uber?

You don’t need to drive a luxury automobile to drive for a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. As long as your car is clean, safe, and not more than 15 years old, you should be able to use it to make money. Most people care more about getting to and from their destinations on time than the type of vehicle that’s picking them up. Plus, Uber offers luxury car services for people who want to pay for a high-end experience.

The Bottom Line

When you boil it all down, driving can be an awesome side hustle. For many driving jobs, you don’t even need driving experience or a degree to get started. All you need is the right type of driver’s license and a clean driving record.

Driving can be a great way to bring in extra cash and it’s something that you can do on your own time in many cases. You can use the money to pay for car payments and save or invest whatever’s left over at the end of the month.

Just remember to always be professional and practice safe driving habits. The last thing you want is to waste your time or get into an uncomfortable situation.

Now that you know your options, it’s time to get behind the wheel, buckle up, and start securing your financial future.

The post 11 Ways to Get Paid to Drive appeared first on Millennial Money.

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April 01, 2021 at 11:06PM

Monday, 29 March 2021

How to Make Money with Google

The post How to Make Money with Google appeared first on Millennial Money.

If you’re like most people, you use Google’s search platform for just about everything — like finding local food, checking the weather, keeping up on the news, and checking on the stock market.

As it turns out, Google can also make you a lot of money. Let’s take a closer look at why you should use Google to produce income and how it can be done.

So, how do you start making money with Google? Let’s take a look.

How to Make Money with Google

Google Ads
Marketing SEO Services
SEO Consultant
Content Specialist
Monetize YouTube Videos
Sell Apps on Google Play
Sell Books on Google Play

Google Ads

Google offers advertising services with Google Ads (formerly AdWords) and AdSense, which are powerful ad networks that use algorithms to match advertisers with consumers interested in their products.

Google Ads enables businesses to bid for advertising space on Google search properties. For example, an insurance business may use Google Ads to get in front of people that are searching for “best car insurance.” To do that, the insurance business “bids” a certain amount per click on the search term(s) of their choice.

So, if you already have a side gig, you can use Google Ads to launch a pay-per-click (PPC) campaign to promote your business and generate more traffic and page views — and hopefully more revenue.

AdSense, on the other hand, enables publishers to sell advertising space. If you have a website or blog, you can become an AdSense publisher and promote other organizations on your page without having to handle any of the design work. AdSense gives you a cut of the ad revenue when users click on an ad in your search results. And, best of all, it’s free to open a Google AdSense account.

Marketing SEO Services

Google is the world’s top search engine, commanding a market share of almost 90%. As a result, ranking on Google remains one of the top marketing initiatives for companies across all verticals.

Opportunities abound for marketing specialists who can help companies improve their Google search engine optimization (SEO) using Google Analytics to continuously optimize their efforts. Digital marketing is one of the best ways to make money online.

SEO Consultant

One option is to learn the ins and outs of search engine optimization and use this skill to provide marketing consultancy services for other companies. For example, this may involve helping businesses understand emerging trends like user and search intent, generating ROI from SEO, and improving page experience optimization, to name just a few services you can provide.

Learn More:

Check out my 67 Best SEO Tips post

Content Specialist

Another approach is to work as a blogger or content specialist, helping brands by creating content that is valuable and aligned with what users are searching for.

Blogs play a major part in helping businesses improve their web page rankings on Google. You can make money on Google by blogging if you can produce high-quality content at an efficient pace.

As a tip, look beyond SEO when producing content for businesses. In addition to ranking on Google, companies also want to create content that is enjoyable, and highly sharable on sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

Monetize YouTube Videos

If you’re good on camera and have a niche area of expertise — like producing tech reviews or offering home improvement tips — consider starting a YouTube channel. (Google owns YouTube, too, in case you weren’t aware!)

The great part about YouTube is you don’t need millions of subscribers for monetization. Your earning potential is determined partly by the level of engagement you produce and your niche offering.

Focus on creating engaging content at a consistent level and you can naturally build a large audience of subscribers. You can also earn passive income as long as your previous videos keep getting watched.

Learn More:

How Much Do YouTubers Make?

Sell Apps on Google Play

If you can make an Android app and bring it to market, you can use Google Play to host the app and monetize it.

The process is relatively straightforward. You simply upload your app to Google, set the price and region where you want to offer it, and publish the app. Or, you can offer the app for free to encourage more downloads and offer in-app purchases and in-app ads to earn money based on clickthroughs.

Sell Books on Google Play

Another way to make money on Google Play is to write and self-publish books using the Books Partner Center. This is a similar service to the Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing service that allows users to publish their own works.

This option is an excellent way for both new and experienced authors to reach new readers and avoid the hassle of dealing with publishing houses. It’s a revolutionary approach that all writers should consider using.

Why Use Google to Make Money?

Access World-Class Tools

Google offers a range of world-class services to the public for free. All you have to do is sign up for a Google account and you can utilize business-grade cloud services without having to pay for them.

What’s more, since these services are available in the cloud, you don’t have to maintain any infrastructure or worry about updating software. Google handles all of that for you.

Launch a Side Hustle

You can use Google to start a side hustle. Then, use the money you earn to pay down debt, invest in the stock market, start your own business, or build your emergency fund.

Starting a side hustle with Google is also a great way to learn new skills and grow your career. In fact, you may find that your side hustle takes you on a different career path altogether.

Take it from me. By learning Google SEO, I was able to bring in a ton of extra cash on the side, which I then invested into the market and other businesses.

Work from Anywhere

Being able to make money from anywhere is one of the keys to financial freedom.

Since Google services can be accessed just about anywhere using a basic internet connection, you can take your business with you wherever you travel.

Tips for Making Money on Google

You Have to Hustle

Here’s the catch to making money on Google: There’s competition — and lots of it. Whether you’re blogging or helping companies rank better on searches, there’s always someone out there who can do it faster and more effectively. So, if you slack, you’ll get displaced by a competitor very quickly.

That being the case, it is critical that you stay up to speed with the latest developments in the Google ecosystem. New tools, technologies, and strategies are constantly emerging. If you want to stay competitive, you need to keep pace. It’s that simple.

Use Google’s Services to Your Advantage

One of the best parts about using Google to make money is the company offers a full suite of free, business-class apps that you can use to make your job easier. For example, Google’s easy-to-use Gmail service can power your work emails, free of charge. You can also use Google Docs to write blogs, and Google Sheets to manage your finances as you bring in cash.

Simply put, Google makes it very easy to run your own personal online business.

Set Money Aside for Taxes

As you start to bring in money on Google, the revenue is going to start piling up — especially if you run a lucrative blogging or advertising operation.

Making money is a great thing, but make sure to set aside enough money to pay taxes. Pro Tip: Work with a tax advisor to determine what you should be paying and when. Each state in the U.S. has unique laws regarding how much taxes online businesses should pay. When in doubt, don’t guess. Ask an expert.

Think Before Leaving Your Day Job

Making money online as a side hustle can be life-changing. If you get good at it, you could double or triple your salary in just a few years. However, there’s a difference between running a lucrative side hustle and conducting a full-time operation.

If you’re considering leaving your full-time job to grow your side hustle, make sure you’re in a secure position. Don’t quit your job until your Google income shows consistent signs of surpassing your day job wages. Also, make sure you have an emergency fund available in case the revenue doesn’t pile up as fast as you had hoped.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make money with Google Opinion Rewards?

The Google Opinion Rewards program is a service that sends participants surveys about their experiences with partnering companies. For example, Google may ask whether you visited a certain store recently and how your experience went.

Unfortunately, Google does not pay you directly for participating. Rather, you can receive credits that you can use in the Play Store for items like games and movies. You can earn around $0.25 per each survey and some are unpaid.

If you’re looking for a way to make money with surveys online, consider a survey website like Swagbucks or Survey Junkie. The payouts aren’t great either. But they’re better.

Can you start a side hustle with Google?

Google is a great way to launch a lucrative side hustle. Whether you’re blogging, doing technical work, or advising companies about SEO, Google offers a variety of services that you can use to bring in extra income.

Just be careful before launching a side hustle if you are working full-time. Take a close look at your contract to make sure you aren’t bound by a non-compete clause that restricts what you are allowed to do on your own. The last thing you want is to end up in legal jeopardy due to a contract violation.

Can you make money with Amazon?

Amazon is another company that offers a variety of ways to make money online. For example, Amazon offers Amazon Web Services (AWS) for developers, a competitive affiliate marketing service, and Amazon Handmade for people who are crafty, among many other services.

You don’t have to be exclusive about using one company or the other. Most people who make money online use Google and Amazon together, picking and choosing the services that meet their individual needs. For example, you may use AWS to build a cloud service and Google AdSense to make money promoting it.

There are plenty of different ways to make money with Amazon.

What is passive income?

Passive income is money that you generate by doing little to no ongoing work. First, you create something like a book, app, or blog. Then, when done successfully, you receive ongoing payments every time consumers engage with your material. You can also earn passive income from your investments.

Passive income is an excellent way to build long-term wealth, and it’s a key to financial independence. Over time, you might be surprised by how much money you can make on the side — just by making smart investments.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, there are a variety of ways to make money online with Google. Not all of them are easy, but if you’re willing to put in the work you can potentially generate a lot of money.

Consider this: Google has laid the foundation for just about anyone to make money using their free and powerful services. So, if you’re an entrepreneur, you already have a major leg up. You can build a business without having to invest in any underlying infrastructure.

A little patience and determination can go a long way toward helping you build a business to be proud of. Good luck!

The post How to Make Money with Google appeared first on Millennial Money.

from Make – Millennial Money https://ift.tt/3m2Zh0P
March 29, 2021 at 08:24PM

Tuesday, 16 March 2021

How to Make Money on the Side

The post How to Make Money on the Side appeared first on Millennial Money.

Ever look at your bank account and wonder, can I do better?

Regardless of your situation — whether you’re working full-time, part-time, or if even if you’re unemployed — the answer is a resounding yes. You absolutely can start earning money on the side and bring in extra capital to further your financial goals.

For some people, that may include stashing more money away for retirement. For others, it may involve paying down credit card debt or saving for a house.

Whatever your goals might be — thanks to the internet — an unlimited amount of side-hustle opportunities exist. It’s just a matter of discovering the right one for you and making it happen.

In this post, you’re going to learn about the top 31 ways to make money on the side.

Let’s go!

31 Best Ways to Make Money on the Side

1. Make Deliveries

A great way to make money behind the wheel is to deliver food (or stuff) to customers. One nice aspect of being a delivery driver is that you don’t have to deal with people getting into your car, which is a big plus in the era of social distancing.

Most delivery gigs pay an hourly wage plus tips. If you work for a nice restaurant, they may even hook you up with free food. If you don’t want to work for a single restaurant, then you can work for one or several of the below delivery services:

Postmates

Postmates is a service that delivers a much wider selection of items including groceries, office supplies, and even alcohol. It’s easy to sign up and you an start completing deliveries immediatley after your application has been accepted.

DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats

DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats are delivery services that enable customers to order food from a secure and convenient online platform. Drivers can make themselves active for deliveries whenever they want, similar to how standard ride-share apps work.

Instacart

Instacart is the leading online grocery delivery service. You can sign up to be an in-store shopper, a delivery driver, or both. As for compensation, you can earn both hourly wages and extra cash from customer tips.

Next Steps:

Read our full guide on the 11 Best Delivery App Jobs

Postmates With Postmates there are no fees or time commitments, so you keep 100% of what you earn for completed deliveries. Get Started today!

2. Drive for a Rideshare Service

Driving for a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft is another way to generate income on your own schedule. Here’s what you need to do to make it happen.

You should genuinely enjoy driving
You must have a relatively new and clean car
Having a clean driving record is required
Being a people-person also helps

Millions of people have made extra money working part-time for Uber and Lyft, so clearly, it’s a proven way to earn cash. The only downside is that you have to sacrifice your time, and if you really want the savings to add up, you most likely have to drive long hours.

3. Be a Personal Driver

Being a personal driver is another way to make money by driving people around. However, unlike working for Uber or Lyft, you often have more control over who your customers are (since you aren’t dealing with the general public).

Suppose you know a few friends or acquaintances who need regular rides to the airport. There’s a good chance that some of them prefer not to use rideshare services or taxis and would prefer to pay you for the trip. Once you build up a few clients, you can easily earn a few hundred per month on airport rides alone.

4. Offer Social Media Services

About 73% of small businesses use social media, yet many are struggling to produce and maintain campaigns that generate a strong return on investment.

If you’re savvy with social, consider starting a side gig offering social media support for local businesses in your area. Focus on helping them create compelling content on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and TikTok. If you create campaigns that resonate with customers, this can drive sales, which makes your services an invaluable asset to the business.

Social media assistance is also a service that you can provide from the comfort and safety of your own home, and you can often find flexible positions that let you pick your own hours.

One of the most popular platforms for businesses to promote is Facebook, due to its expansive reach and detailed audience targeting.

Facebook Side Hustle Course Learn how to create an online business running Facebook ads for small businesses from the comfort of your home.

5. Be a Social Media Influencer

Social media influencers get paid to promote products and services on their personal social media pages. (Most often on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok.)

If you already have a solid social media following, there’s no reason why you can’t get paid to be an influencer, too.

Unbox Social, Heepsy, Upfluence Tapinfluence are some of the top influencer platforms to look into.

6. Get Paid to Lose Weight

Believe it or not, people who are looking to shed a few pounds can get paid to lose weight.

HealthyWage is a company that lets you set a target weight loss goal, and then make a bet against yourself. For example, you can bet $500 that you are going to lose 18 pounds over the next year. If you lose your targeted weight amount you can collect your winnings when the year is up.

The challenge is that you don’t get your money back if you lose — making it all the more motivating.

You can use HealthyWage by yourself, with a group of friends, or with colleagues.

7. Work as a Part-Time Caregiver

Being a caregiver is one of the oldest ways to earn extra money. Not only can you make a decent hourly wage, but you are also forming personal bonds and truly helping others.

There are many opportunities to work as a caregiver. Babysitting children, working with the elderly, and helping people with special needs are just a few of the options.

Sitters can easily earn $20 per hour, which adds up quickly. Check out Care.com to find people who are looking for assistance in your area. Millions of babysitters got their first gigs through this site.

TIP: Caregiving is a great way to earn some under-the-table cash.

8. Sell Your Unwanted Items

Take a look around your place. Notice all of the old stuff collecting dust — like your childhood toys in the basement, your DVD collection that you never watch anymore, or your old laptop that you haven’t touched in years?

You can probably earn money for many of these items using a site like Decluttr.

Decluttr pays customers for unwanted phones, computers, tablets, video games, and more. The company even sends you boxes and covers shipping costs. Some electronic items are recycled, while others are resold online.

In case you are really interested in this route, some popular alternatives to Decluttr include Gazelle, Swappa, and OfferUp. There’s also eBay — the original online re-selling marketplace.

Next Steps:

Read our full Decluttr Review

Decluttr FREE Sell your unused stuff that's lying around collecting dust today!

9. Pet Sitting

Many pets are social creatures and need people around to keep them company and walk them. As a dog owner, for example, there’s nothing worse than leaving your furry companion at home while you’re at work, or at a kennel when you’re on vacation.

It takes some flexibility and a true love of animals to excel at pet sitting and dog walking. If this describes you, consider signing up for Rover to connect with people in your area who are looking for help with their pets.

In most cases, you’ll have some leeway in terms of when you stop by to take a dog out on a walk or for some fresh air. Seasoned dog walkers typically take out several dogs at a time, which multiplies their earning potential.

10. Groom Dogs

Another way to earn cash serving pet owners is to work as a groomer. This may involve trimming or washing a dog, or taking care of its nails or teeth.

If you decide to be a dog groomer, it helps have plenty of outdoor space. You may even want to consider building an outdoor kennel in case your business takes off and people need to leave their pets for an extended period of time before picking them up.

You shouldn’t have to jump through many legal hoops to be a dog groomer, but be sure to double-check with your state or town to make sure there are no licensing requirements.

11. Work as a Virtual Assistant

Busy professionals often lack the time or desire to manage their own schedules, manage data entry, or handle administrative work. As a result, these tasks are outsourced to virtual assistants.

Working as a virtual assistant can bring in extra money on the side, while potentially expanding your network and opening doors for yourself. It’s not always the most glamorous job. But, you can potentially meet successful business owners, making the role a stepping stone to a higher-paying opportunity.

Fancy Hands, Magic, Upwork, Fiverr, and WoodBows are some of the most popular platforms to offer virtual assistant services. It’s also entirely possible, and more profitable, to start a virtual assistant business of your own.

Next Steps:

Read our full article on How to Become a Virtual Assistant

30 Days or Less to Virtual Assistant Success - The #1 Virtual Assistant Course Learn how to build a virtual assistant business, get clients, and make $2,000+ a month on your own time.

12. Sell Graphic Design

As more businesses transition online, there’s an abundance of demand for graphic design work.

The most common graphic design gigs include creating logos, flyers, banner ads, websites, posters, and more. Some of the most popular places to find graphic design work are Fiverr, Upwork, GoLance, and Freelancer.com.

Another cool way to make money from graphic design is with Merch by Amazon, which lets you upload your designs as Amazon products (e.g., teeshirts, coffee mugs, and hats). The best part is that Amazon pays for the actual products and shipping. All you have to do is create the design, sit back, and collect royalties on the sales.

13. Be a Freelancer

There has never been a better time to be a freelance writer or video editor because just about every company needs content to rank on Google and reach customers.

Talented content producers can bring in extra cash freelancing for other businesses. You can find new freelance gigs by contacting companies directly, through LinkedIn, or by showcasing your services on freelance platforms like Fiverr and Upwork.

There is a downside to working with Fiverr and Upwork is that many people on those platforms are looking to pay bottom dollar. Fiverr and Upwork also take a commission on your earnings.

That said, you have to start somewhere, and those platforms can be a great place to build up your skills and form lasting client relationships.

Next Steps:

Check out our article on How to Become a Freelance Writer

14. Participate in Focus Groups

Big brands and retailers often look for consumer opinions when bringing products to market so they can better connect with their target audiences.

This means companies are willing to pay money to hear your thoughts. For example, a company that wants to launch a streaming video service in your area might offer to pay you to learn what types of content you like and when you like to watch TV.

Focus groups can sometimes pay hundreds of dollars, and all you have to do is spend a few hours talking to a group of researchers or filling out surveys.

The rule of thumb when doing this type of work is to make sure the pay is commensurate with how much time you have to spend. For example, if a survey takes an hour and pays you less than $10, it’s probably not worth your time. However, if the survey takes one hour and pays $100, then you might want to consider it.

Next Steps:

Learn how to start a Side Hustle with Focus Groups
Check out the Best Survey Sites

15. Offer IT Support

Homes are becoming increasingly connected to the internet, yet many people struggle to manage their own networks and devices — presenting an opportunity for tech-savvy individuals.

By offering technical phone support or on-site visits, you can help people in your community access the internet, combat cybercrime, and more. Many elderly people, for example, struggle with basic IT issues like updating their smartphones and transferring photos from a camera to a computer.

But, before you offer IT support, make sure that you are extremely patient. If you have ever attempted to help your parents or grandparents with IT issues, you know what I mean! But you also know that there’s a huge demand for these services.

16. Clean Houses

Some people have a knack for doing laundry and scrubbing the floors. Being a house cleaner for private homes or businesses can be a great way to bring in extra income on the side.

Much like being a driver, if you are trustworthy and do a good job, you can build a steady base of cleaning customers that require your services every week.

17. Start a Podcast

When I started Millennial Money, podcasts were a key element to my growth. There’s no reason why they can’t be for you, too.

These days, there are podcasts for just about every topic and you don’t have to be licensed in any way to start one. All you need is a good idea or working knowledge about an interesting topic and some basic audio equipment.

The trick with podcasts is to focus on a niche topic that sets you apart and attracts attention. Add your own creative spin, and make it different from what other people are offering.

There are three crucial steps to making money with podcasts:

Produce impactful content
Build up a following
Get related companies in your space to advertise

So, what’s your podcast going to be about?

18. Start a Blog

If you’re better at writing than speaking into a microphone, look into launching a blog, or buying a struggling website with a dedicated reader base and turning it around.

Blogging gives you the ability to write about what you want when you want. It’s similar to launching a podcast in terms of the creative process and advertising opportunity.

One way to profit from blogging is to use Google AdSense, which embeds relevant advertisements in your content. You then get paid for the clicks or impressions on those ads.

Blogging is harder than working as a freelancer because it takes more backend effort. However, you can make great income blogging if you build up your site and produce engaging content.

Another way that bloggers make money (myself included) is through affiliate marketing. This involves embedding affiliate links within blogs to relevant products or services. When a visitor clicks a link or makes a purchase, the blogger gets a share of the profits.

Next Steps:

Check out my Free 7-Day Blogging Course

BlueHost Start your blog with Bluehost and get your domain name FREE + receive a 63% discount on monthly hosting fees when using our link.

19. Be an SEO Consultant

Companies across all market verticals are shelling out money for people who know search engine optimization (SEO). This comes from first-hand experience because SEO-consulting was one of my first lucrative side-hustles.

Remember that you don’t need to be an expert from day one. All you need to do is brush up on the history of SEO and learn the latest trends.

I’ve written a pretty extensive guide on SEO tips for bloggers. Once you’ve read this guide, you’ll be more knowledgeable about SEO than the vast majority of people.

As for current trends, user experience (UX), semantic search, and search intent are up there (to name just a few).

If you’re analytical and also enjoy writing, consider combining SEO services with high-quality content creation to maximize your earning potential.

20. Be a Local Tour Guide

We’ve all been there: You arrive at a destination and don’t know the area, but you want to gain a local’s perspective.

People who live in an area with interesting surroundings can make money creating custom guided tours for travelers who are passing through. This may include nature walks, bar crawls, museum or park tours, or even just walking tours.

Being a tour guide is a fun way to get outside and meet new people while showcasing your home turf in the process. And if you’re savvy, you can make extra money by partnering with local establishments. Think restaurants for nourishment and spas for helping your customers unwind after a long day of walking.

To get started, reflect on your favorite local attractions in your area and put together a tour. Then, sign up to offer excursions on TripAdvisor or Airbnb. You can also look at bringing in clients the old-fashioned way by putting up flyers or posting ads online.

21. Be a Freelance Salesperson

Here’s something you may not expect about working in sales: It can be a lot of fun, especially if you do it on a freelance basis for commission only.

Part of why sales jobs have a reputation for being stressful is the fact that most full-time salespeople are required to meet quotas. Think about selling cars, for example. Not hitting your quota could lead to getting fired.

However, working as a freelance sales rep gives you the opportunity to earn income according to your schedule. The key is to find companies with high growth potential that you’re already passionate about.

For example, if you are tech-savvy, consider working with a software startup whose services you might already be using (or could use) in your day-to-day job. If you find just one or two clients for this software company, you could earn a few hundred bucks each month in commissions, depending on the deal you sign.

22. Do Random Tasks

Being handy around the house is a great skill to have, especially when those skills can generate cash. By using one of the below online marketplaces, you can find all sorts of random paying jobs, from basic handiwork to yard work and everything in between.

TaskRabbit

TaskRabbit is a same-day service platform that connects local workers with people looking for a variety of services. As a Tasker, you can earn from $15 to $60 an hour doing jobs like moving furniture, waiting in line, measuring apartment spaces, packing, and more. The best part is that you get to keep 100% of your earnings plus tips.

Craigslist

Craigslist is the original online classifieds website where anyone can post ads for random jobs. It’s a great way to connect with people directly, but keep in mind there are a lot of scams, so always use caution.

If you do a solid job from a gig you find on Craigslist it could very likely lead to future work and referrals. A leading benefit to Craigslist is that it’s completely free to use for both workers and job posters.

23. Teach English Online

Teaching English online is one of the most flexible ways to bring in extra money from home.

Sites like VIPKid, Qkids, and DadaABC connect you with students who are eager to learn English. Just keep in mind that sites can vary in terms of their requirements.

For example, VIPKid recommends you have at least two years of teaching experience, a Bachelor’s degree, a computer, and work authorization in the United States or Canada.

VIPKid allows you to work from home teaching English to Chinese children wanting to improve their English skills.

24. Offer Online Drawing Lessons

There are many people out there who want to improve their drawing skills for either personal or professional reasons. So, if you know how to put pencil to paper and make amazing artwork, why not earn side money by giving online drawing lessons?

There are no formal requirements for doing this. All you have to do is film yourself drawing, create some polished instructional videos, and create a YouTube channel that you can monetize. Or, you can create a website with gated content and lessons for paid users.

You could also offer paid courses on the Teachable platform and live lessons over Zoom.

25. Work as a Private Chef

Do people rave about your chicken soup or dumplings? Can you flambé Bananas Foster like a television chef? Then it’s time to put your talents to work.

You likely know a handful of people in your network who hate making food, are tired of ordering out all the time, and are willing to pay you to entertain and cook for them.

Consider that the post-pandemic world is likely to be full of people who want more human interaction. And remember that the most successful chefs are just as good at communicating with people as they are at cooking.

TIP: You can make even more money if you combine cooking services with grocery shopping.

26. Invest in the Stock Market

With the right approach to stock market investing it’s possible to earn passive income without lifting a finger. Long-time readers of my blog know that this is one of the best ways to truly increase your net worth over time.

To get started, sign up for a brokerage platform like Robinhood, Vanguard, Schwab, where you can then purchase a wide range of income-generating financial products like stocks, index funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

To be clear, stock market investing is not the type of side gig that pays cash every day. However, by investing your money now, it has the chance to multiply many times over by the time you retire, thanks to the magic of compounding returns.

Think of it as the ultimate side hustle that you’re doing behind the scenes, on top of your other cash-generating gigs.

Robinhood - Free Investing App FREE With Robinhood, you can start investing without any transaction fees.

27. Rent Your Property on Airbnb

Put your home, apartment, condo, or spare bedroom to work by renting it out on Airbnb. You can even rent out your R.V. or boat if it has suitable sleeping quarters.

Airbnb is the leading dwelling-rental platform where you can offer your space to short-term renters. You can set your own rates and establish your own ground rules.

Next Steps:

Read our case study on How to Make Money with Airbnb

28. Rent Out Your Car on Turo

Turo is like Airbnb for cars.

Using Turo, you can rent out your ride for a few hours or days at a time when you’re not using it. And let’s be honest — how often does your car just sit there?

Turo is an excellent choice for people who don’t need access to their vehicles for specific periods of time (e.g., when you are at work, or on vacation).

Turo’s platform includes a peer-driven review process to ensure safety for both hosts and guests. In addition, Turo offers a protection plan for drivers and third-party liability insurance for hosts.

29. Advertise On Your Car

Yet another way to make money with your car is to put an advertisement on the side of it. Companies like Carvertise pay car owners to turn their vehicles into moving billboards.

Your friends may chide you for advertising your car, but who cares? You’ll be laughing all the way to the bank as you bring in extra income.

30. Offer Music Lessons

The pandemic produced a major surge in creativity, as people were stuck home with a lot of extra time on their hands. Many people want to take up creative pursuits like music, but they need help getting started.

If you are a musician, you can make money on the side doing what you love — playing and teaching music. Whether you play the bass guitar, violin, saxophone, or any other type of instrument, there are students of all ages who will be eager to have you teach them.

Search for message boards in your community, or go into music stores and post advertisements on bulletin boards.

31. Sell Handmade Items

If you’re an artist, consider making extra cash producing the items you already like producing such as drawings, paintings, ceramics, or clothing. Right now there is a massive demand for unique, handmade items.

You can sell your items online using sites like eBay, Amazon Handmade, Etsy, and Facebook Marketplace. Better yet, buy a domain name and start your own online e-commerce store using a low-cost, easy-to-use website platform like GoDaddy, Squarespace, or Wix. Keep at it, and people will eventually find you online and buy your stuff.

You could also consider reserving a table at a local market or fair. This is a great way to connect with new customers. If these customers are thrilled with your products, they’re sure to tell their friends about your works, which drives future sales.

Next Steps:

Check out our list of Best Selling Apps

Frequently Asked Questions

What should you do with the money you make in your spare time?

It all depends on your personal situation. Some people choose to pay down debt, while others choose to plan for a house or retirement. Only you can determine where to put your money.

One thing to consider is that when you work a side job, you’re sacrificing your valuable time. Be sure you respect your own time by allocating your money to the right places so it can grow. Avoid spending your side hustle money on material things and focus on investments that appreciate in value over time. You’ll thank me later!

Is it safe to make money online?

Unfortunately, one of the challenges with making money online is that it’s not always possible to tell who you’re dealing with. There are a lot of scams and sketchy people to watch out for.

Trust your gut and never put yourself in a risky situation. For example, if you’re selling stuff via a Craigslist ad, make sure you’re transacting in a public place with other people around. You should also thoroughly research any business opportunities or people that are offering you deals before you take them.

What is passive income?

Passive income is money that you generate without actively putting in your time.

For example, suppose you sell a picture to a stock photo service. You can receive passive income in the form of royalties every time someone downloads the file. Profitable stock market investing is also passive income, and so is running a blog that earns ad revenue while you sleep.

Manual labor jobs are not passive income. However, if employees are doing the jobs for you, then that’s a different story.

Are side hustles legal?

Yes. Side hustles are completely legal, assuming you’re paying taxes on your income and not breaking the law in any way.

To be safe, make sure that your side hustle does not interfere with your main job’s operations. Otherwise, you could get into legal trouble if you previously signed a non-compete.

If you’re worried about that, don’t hesitate to hire an attorney who can advise you about your specific situation. It will likely only cost a few hundred bucks and can save you many hours of worry and hassles down the line.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is there are countless ways to earn money on the side, whether you’re a young millennial or part of any other age group.

By making money in your free time, you can diversify your income beyond your full-time job’s earnings. You can also achieve greater financial security, pay off student loans, and make smart investments that only grow your wealth even further.

The examples provided here are just a few side business ideas that can pad your bank account. Spend some time finding a gig that matches your unique personality and skill set. Once you do, you might be surprised at how many doors open up.

The post How to Make Money on the Side appeared first on Millennial Money.

from Make – Millennial Money https://ift.tt/3vs97gW
March 16, 2021 at 02:55AM

Saturday, 10 April 2021

How to Make Money on Snapchat

9 ways to monetize Snapchat

A quick primer on Snapchat

What is Snapchat?

How Snapchat works

How to make money with a Snapchat account

1. Open an account

2. Build a public profile

3. Form a brand

4. Develop a content strategy

5. Grow your audience

6. Become a Creator

Create Lenses

Create steady content

Cash in on Spotlight

7. Create geofilters

8. Advertise on Snapchat

9. Try affiliate marketing

Tips for monetizing Snapchat

Use good judgment

Think of Snapchat as a stage

Build trust

Don’t rush into Snapchat

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Snapchat a good platform for making money?

Should I join TikTok?

Is Snapchat a good side hustle?

The Bottom Line

Friday, 9 April 2021

How to Get Paid to Leave Your Computer Running

Best Ways to Get Paid to Leave Your Computer Running

1. Kryptex

2. LoadTeam

3. MQL5

Tips for Making Money with Your Computer Running

Watch out for electricity costs

Consider using a dedicated computer

Be careful about what you download

Additional Ways to Make Money with Your Computer

Develop apps

Provide technical support

Take surveys

Offer social media support

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to sell your computer’s processing power?

Should I start a side hustle?

Do you have to leave your computer on to make money?

Is LoadTeam malware?

Do you need a desktop to sell processing power?

What is passive income?

The Bottom Line

Mystery Shopper Jobs: A Beginner’s Guide

Top 4 Mystery Shopper Jobs to Consider

1. Secret Shopper

2. Field Agent

3. BestMark

4. Intellishop

What is Mystery Shopping?

Why do companies pay for mystery shoppers?

Customer service

Cleanliness and organization

Product offerings

Tips for Mystery Shopping

Work with multiple companies

Watch your mileage

Avoid buying too many items

Be on the lookout for out for scammers

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make a lot of money from mystery shopping?

Is mystery shopping a scam?

Why do companies pay for mystery shoppers?

Is mystery shopping fair for participants?

What is the MSPA?

The Bottom Line

Wednesday, 7 April 2021

How to Get Paid to Read Emails

Top 10 Sites That Pay You to Read Emails

1. Swagbucks

2. InboxDollars (formerly SendEarnings)