These days, more families are seeking ways to earn extra money in light of the recent shutdowns and layoffs. If you’re in need of extra cash, this is one of the best times to consider a variety of opportunities to earn extra money. Safety should always come first, so it is best to choose a job that allows you to maintain the best precautions while still earning a decent income. If you have a certain pre-existing health condition, you will need to be careful about which job you choose. If you have asthma, you might have a hard time with a job where there is a lot of smoke in the air. Here are some opportunities for making money during COVID.
Sell Excess Furniture and Electronics
If there are furniture and electronic gadgets that you don’t need or use, consider selling them. Some good places to sell these items online include:
- Letgo
- Chairish
- AptDeco
- Etsy
- eBay
When you sell used furniture online, post it on different platforms since it gives your items more exposure. You also boost your chances of getting your items sold quicker. Take high-quality pictures of your furniture from all angles. Be descriptive about the furniture’s features and also be honest about any wear and tear that the items have. When selling your electronics, it’s a good idea to keep the original box and the item should be in good condition.
Freelancing
There are many types of freelance work available, and you can earn a decent income with it. Freelance writers are those who contribute content to online or print publications, blogs, or nonprofit organizations. You can also work as a freelance graphic designer, social media manager, or virtual assistant for clients. One benefit of this work is that you set your own hours and get to keep more of your earnings.
Work Part-Time at an Essential Business
Even as many businesses have closed due to the pandemic, there are still places that remain open and are seeking workers. These places include supermarkets, hospitals, and restaurants. Some major outlets that are currently hiring include Dollar General, CVS, 7-Eleven, and Ace Hardware. These businesses offer flexible schedules and can help you stay afloat financially.
Online Tutoring
The increase in remote learning has led to a greater need for online tutors. If you have a background in education, consider work as an online tutor. Some well-known online tutoring companies include:
- VIPKID
- Chegg
- Cambly
- Tutor.com
- WyzAnt
You’ll need at least a high school diploma to be an online tutor, but some tutoring companies want you to have a bachelor’s degree and teaching certification. You can tutor kids in certain grades and subjects depending on your level of expertise and interests. You’re also able to set your own schedule and earn a good income. The equipment you need for online tutoring include Skype, Zoom software, a noise-canceling headset, a good desktop computer with reliable Internet, and an online whiteboard.
Drive for Lyft or Uber
Another idea would be to drive for Uber or Lyft. You can decide on the hours you want to work, and this is a great gig for weekends, at night when the kids are asleep, or on your days off from your regular job. You want to require that your passengers wear face masks, and you should sanitize your vehicles before and after your shifts. Always have tissue and hand sanitizer in your car, and avoid working if you have been exposed to someone with COVID.
Sell Stock Photos
For those who are skilled in taking pictures, you can sell stock photos to different websites. Some good websites to try include:
- iStockPhoto
- ShutterStock
- Adobe Stock
- Stocksy
When taking pictures and deciding on which ones to sell, think about how advertisers would view them. For example, you should include photos with empty space on the side, bottom, or top so that advertisers can include promotional text. Take pictures from different angles to add variety to your collection. It also helps to submit photos that are centered around a specific topic.
Customer Service Representative
If you don’t want to start a home-based business, then you can work from home as a customer service representative. Many well-known companies hire workers to answer phone calls and help customers with diverse problems. You can work as a call center representative, a live chat operator, or a tech support representative. Your duties might include taking orders, reviewing customers’ accounts, and informing customers about a company’s services.
Create an Online Course
Another idea would be to create some online courses if you have expertise in a certain field. Websites such as Skillshare, Udemy, and Teachable are all good websites to get started with this kind of work. The good thing about teaching online courses is that it could be a form of passive income. This is because many online course companies offer paid subscriptions, and teachers often get paid according to the number of sales their courses make.
Website Design
More small businesses will be in need of talented designers for their websites, and if you’re skilled in this, you can work as an online website designer. You’ll need to know the basic principles of web design, have high-quality web design software, and understand how to incorporate responsive web design since a lot of business websites need to be mobile-friendly.
Online Translator
For those who have a background in foreign languages, online translation might be a neat fit for you. Some popular companies that hire online translators are:
- Appen
- Asurion
- Clickworker
- Language Line Solutions
- Lionbridge
- Working Solutions
If you don’t have experience in translation but are interested in online translation, start with getting some training in the foreign language you want to translate. You can obtain this training through courses at your local community college or at a four-year university. Once you do this, you can continue your education by taking additional courses through websites such as Coursera or Udemy. It also helps to seek certification from organizations such as the American Translators Association.
Dog Walking or Sitting
Are you interested in a gig that involves pets? Well, dog walking or sitting could be the job for you. Start by applying through apps such as Rover or Wag. These apps have updated opportunities in your area, and you can earn between $10 and $15 per hour.
YouTube Tutorials
If you want to offer tutorials and earn passive income, create tutorials on YouTube. Watch videos from those who teach new content creators how to get started and research new ideas for their channels. Think about your demographic and find out which types of tutorials they would watch. If you’re creating homeschool lesson planning tutorials, then your target viewers are probably those who are new to homeschooling. With YouTube, you can monetize your channel through ads, selling your own products, or using affiliate marketing.
Affiliate Marketing
If you have a blog, you can monetize it through affiliate marketing. You sign up with an affiliate program such as Amazon Affiliates, and then you include links to products that the company promotes. When people visit your blog, click on the affiliate links, and make purchases, you earn a percentage of the company’s profits from those sales.
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