How to Make Money Online in 2021

One thing that almost everyone has in common is that they want to make more money. But typically, to make money requires money. Here are five businesses that you can start up with $100 or less. It does seem impossible, right? Only $100?! Here are some ways to get started:

1. Youtube channel
2. Digital products
3. Freelance & consulting work
4. Social media marketing
5. Write a blog

Create a Youtube Channel

A Youtube channel is a platform with endless opportunities. You can create content that’s informational, entertaining, completely irrelevant- it doesn’t matter. If people are watching, you can make money.

You may hear that “it’s too late to make a Youtube channel” or “the time window to create a profitable channel is over.” However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

You can jump on Youtube whenever works for you. There are different audiences, different generations, and everyone has a place on Youtube. The most important thing is to create content that’s engaging, and that you’re passionate about.

Why Youtube is profitable is due to the fact that there is a cheap start-up cost. You most likely have a camera lying around, or there’s one built into your phone that you can shoot on. In terms of editing, you can use free software like Blender or Lightworks, or more premium ones like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut. When you’re starting out, use what you have, and spend your time growing your audience and perfecting your content. You don’t need super expensive technology or software to get started on Youtube.

Launching Digital Products

We all have a special set of skills, that when marketed and presented correctly, can earn us a bit of money. You can create a seminar, an e-book, article, course, etc- something that you can create once and then sell multiple times.

The cost is typically minimal. There may be transaction fees (3-5% range) and the cost of your time, but outside of that, it’s a low-cost way to make money.

There are optional fees like advertising to promote your product, but again, it’s your choice to scale up.

The biggest appeal of this idea is that you only have to create the product once, but you can sell it thousands of times, and then reap the profits for months to years later.

Freelancing and Consulting

Again, if you have lots of experience or years of knowledge about a topic, something you do for a living, something you went to school for, you have the ability to freelance and do consulting work.

Freelance work has increased dramatically, especially during the pandemic. People have been learning that it’s a good way for you to make money outside of your daytime job.

It’s a profitable business model because you’re taking something you already know, and applying that knowledge skillset (through sites like Upwork or Fiverr) to customers willing to pay for your expertise.

One of the biggest downfalls is the scale, and that the labor you choose is different than the labor you’d see in a different country. You’ll have to build a website, get testimonials from past clients, network, go to some events and do free talks to show you’re an expert. You have to prove that you’re legitimate.

But even with all the things you need to do, the costs are low. Building a website isn’t extremely expensive, getting testimonials are free, so at the end of the day, you’re spending little money and upfront costs are most likely less than $100.

Social Media Marketing

This is another way to create money for almost no money. You can create an Instagram, Twitter, Facebook page, TikTok account for free. All you have to do is amass a following. You’ll need creativity and hard work to create a following and engage your existing audience.

You can monetize having followers by doing affiliate links, selling your own digital products, sponsor posts, advertisements on your account, etc. The most important thing is to know the strategy to create a following.

Make your posts engaging, work to get those followers, keep those followers happy. Be patient and persistent with your posts. You may gain 500 followers with one post, and you may gain 3 followers in a week.

Try to set S.M.A.R.T. goals. Make sure they’re specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. For example: “I want to use Instagram to advertise my digital product, and increase follower engagement by 20% by the end of July 2021.”

Starting a Blog

Blogs are a super cheap way to get your point across to an audience; you have to create a website and post. If you love to write and get your ideas across without video editing, this could be an option for you.

Write about things you’re interested in, write a blog about reviewing products, write a blog teaching people something. Find your target demographic and create a niche for yourself. Zone in on that niche.

There are five main steps to start a blog:

1. Choose a great blog platform (WordPress, Blogger, etc)
2. Find a web host for your blog
3. Set up a blog on your own domain
4. Design your new blog- find themes and appearances you like.
5. Refine your blog by getting feedback from readers.

All of these are options to create your own brand, and your own business. You can do these all in the comforts of your own home, and the great thing about these different options is that they can tie into each other. You can promote your Youtube channel on your blog, connect your social media to your blog, sell your digital media and expertise on social media and Youtube and your blog, etc. There are many ways to leverage your skills and make money off of them.

It’s important to know that although the financial commitments of these options are minimal, the time and effort you’ll have to invest will be high. Making money isn’t easy, and you have to commit to your vision and brand.

If you’re a beginner investor and want to get into real estate, we have a few posts about how to invest in real estate with no money down, including:

• How To Use Credit Cards to Buy Real Estate
• How to Get Into Real Estate With No Money Down-Seller Financing
• How to Get Into Real Estate With No Money Down- Hard Money and Gift Money

If you want a useful resource to start building your portfolio with tangible private market assets, check out Diversyfund, where it’s easy to build a portfolio of fully vetted, multifamily real estate.

Investing in real estate will allow you the opportunity to have the financial freedom you deserve, but there are many barriers and challenges to real estate investment. The Orlando Academy created a “Real Estate for Beginners” course, based and designed around Orlando Miner’s 10+ years of real estate investing experience. With over $500,000,000 in transactions closed, the program has been proven to work over the last 15 years.