Many of us have at least heard about how America is shifting from an employer’s economy to the “gig economy.” With the rise of many different applications and digital channels to help everyone make a little extra money on the side, more of us are turning to “gigs” in order to augment our income streams, or replace our full-time income. Is it really viable to use a side gig to make money in 2017?
The answer is “Yes!” With more and more work being done through digital devices, companies are relying more on remote workers with a few extra hours available to complete numerous tasks. As a result, anyone who has extra time can find new and creative ways to make more money in 2017, and sustain it for years to come. If you are not sure where to start, here are 30 easy ways to make money in 2017 – and beyond!
1: Drive for a ridesharing service
For those who have part-time jobs, driving for a ridesharing service (like Uber or Lyft) can be an easy and productive way to make extra money between shifts. Most ridesharing services require drivers to have a four-door vehicle that meets inspection standards, and complete a background check.
2: Sign up to be an Amazon Flex Delivery Driver
If you are not excited about picking people up at all hours of the day or night, why not deliver their packages instead? Amazon Flex is running in 30 major American cities, and will launch in two more in 2017. Drivers simply need to apply, set their hours, and wait for a pickup at an Amazon facility.
3: Sign up for Amazon Mechanical Turk
If delivering isn’t necessarily appealing, Amazon still has task-oriented jobs available. Through Mechanical Turk, humans can work through human intelligence tasks that run between ordering items from best to worst, to transcribing audio and video files.
4: Work analyzing social media channels
Transcribing and managing data is not the only work available for those with a computer and some social media savvy. Appen, a company focusing on digital media technology, is openly searching for evaluators to rate and grade social media channels.
5: Create an online storefront
Anyone with a sense of what people want can make extra money using the internet and a number of online storefronts. Many individuals can sell some of their collectible or personal items on eBay for gain, while those who have a little more to invest can sell items and toys that are in demand on Amazon.
6: Write content for websites
Another option involving a computer and knowledge of the English language is writing content for websites. Many credible websites, including CopyPress and Writer Access, offer writing jobs ranging from creating press releases to writing blog posts and landing pages.
7: Create a blog or vlog
Those who would rather create their own content based on an expertise can invest time in creating their own blog online, or videotaping a vlog on YouTube. The most popular blogs can see thousands of views daily, resulting in advertising revenue for the content creator.
8: Utilize affiliate links in blogs
Many bloggers earn extra money through affiliate links. Verified links through LinkShare and CJ Affiliate allow those with smaller or mid-size blogs to take advantage of affiliate links, where individuals can earn money for everyone they refer to a product or service.
9: Take surveys online for cash
Taking surveys online can help create extra money for something you do every day: browse the internet. Both Mypoints and Ipsos i-Say have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, with both sites allowing users to take surveys daily for extra money.
10: Submit your internet habits to Digital Reflection
Much like the Nielsen quarterly survey, some digital companies will pay you annually to track and record your data habits. The Digital Reflection Panel is one of those services – simply plug in a device to your wireless router, and earn over $200 every year in exchange for tracking your internet browsing data.
11: Test websites for bugs and errors
Before a website goes live, hundreds of eyes scan through it to make sure they are free of programming errors. Some companies will pay you to be one of those evaluators – and help you make money through it. UserTesting is an easy way to make money using a computer, while getting paid up to $30 per hour.
12: Sell used electronics online
How many of us have a drawer full of used electronics that will never again see the light of day? Many of those can be sold to refurbishing companies for guaranteed cash. Companies including Gazelle, Best Buy, Apple, and more will buy back old electronics to be refurbished for future use.
13: Become a mystery shopper
Mystery shopping can be a lucrative way to shop around and make extra money on the side. Reputable companies like Best Mark, Market Force, and SQM, all offer individuals a number of mystery shopping opportunities, in exchange for discounts or even free items.
14: Rent out an extra room of your home
Have an extra room that is only collecting dust? If you live in a tourist area, it may be possible to make money on renting it through a roomsharing service! Programs like Airbnb and HomeAway allow homeowners to rent out a room or whole home, while keeping the majority of their costs.
15: Sell an odd skill on Fiverr
Have a unique talent or skill that is highly in demand? You can earn $5 at a time by selling your unique skill on Fiverr, the world’s largest person-to-person marketplace for skill sharing. While programs start at $5, the price can increase quickly based on complexity and how fast the items are needed.
16: Rent your car through Turo
If you work from home, you may not be driving your car very much. It can be used to make money on Turo, the world’s biggest peer-to-peer carsharing marketplace. After a quick inspection, Turo cars can be rented out by the day or week, depending on your availability.
17: Become a local tour guide
Have an uncanny knowledge of your local area and its history? You could become a tour guide and help others discover your hometown. Vayable allows travelers to book person-to-person tours to their next destination. If you have the gift of gab and civic pride, this could be an easy way to make extra cash.
18: Sell your photos online
Those who are good with cameras can make extra money by selling their photos online to stock photography services. Foap allows cell phone camera users to sell licenses to their photos online, while those with more sophisticated equipment can sell to Shutterstock and others.
19: Answer phone calls for U-Haul
If you have extra time during the off hours, U-Haul wants to put you to work. Those who have a computer and Windows can apply to work with the self-moving company to be a customer service representative from home. Experience or college degree not required – just a positive attitude.
20: Join a mock jury online
Before a case goes to trial, lawyers like to know how their case is shaping up, so they turn to services like Ejury. After signing up, individuals can hear potential court cases and get paid to review their opinions of evidence, testimony, or how a court case would fare.
21: Become an online tutor
Anyone who has a good understanding of English or another skill that can be taught is qualified to become an online tutor. Websites like Tutor.com will pay you to help someone else master what they always wanted to know, from learning a new language to playing the perfect guitar riff.
22: Watch videos online
Who knew becoming a professional video viewer was a legitimate skill in the world? Services like Swagbucks will pay users to watch sponsored content online, in exchange for opinions and ideas about their videos. For those who like engaging with videos, this is an easy way to make money doing so.
23: Sell gently worn clothing
How many times have your kids grown out of their clothes? Those with expanding families can either keep their clothes in hopes of passing them down, or selling them on to someone else who can use them. Fashion consignment shops accept clothes to resell, resulting in quick cash for recycled clothing.
24: Work part time as a babysitter
If you don’t mind kids or the elderly and want a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day, consider working part time as a babysitter or caretaker. Websites like Care.com help individuals connect with caretakers, all verified with background checks and personal references.
25: Work as a dog walker
Perhaps you prefer a four-legged friend to a two-legged partner. If that’s the case, websites like Care.com or Petsitter.com can help individuals earn money through taking care of their animals. Sign up, pass the background check, and you are well on your way to making a new revenue stream.
26: Perform odd jobs for people in your community
If you are a skilled worker and like helping people take to tasks, TaskRabbit has a job for you. After signing up on their website, individuals can offer to assist with a number of everyday tasks, including running errands or lifting heavy items.
27: Shop for other people’s groceries
Another common errand nobody likes to do is shop for groceries. If you don’t mind the daily trip to the grocery store, you too can become a grocery shopper with Shipt. Sign up on their website, and start knocking out shopping lists quickly and easily.
28: Do virtual assistant work
For those small businesses that are big enough to need help on everyday tasks but too small to hire a full-time assistant, virtual assistants can take the pressure off and help businesses grow. Becoming a virtual assistant is as easy as setting up shop online, and knocking out the bosses to-do lists.
29: Use the Bing Search Engine
Yes, it is possible to make money by searching online. Bing will allow registered users to earn money towards gift cards by using their search engine and using Bing Rewards. While the rewards may be small and limited for running searches, the money can add up to big gifts over time.
30: Help others write the perfect resume
Finally, those who love helping people connect with jobs can put their talents to good use by becoming a resume writer. ResumeEdge connects talented writers to job seekers, allowing those gifted in communications to help job hunters get the perfect career.
In today’s gig economy, the only thing between you and making extra money are time and imagination. By following these steps, everyone can become a little richer, starting right now.
What do you do to stay afloat?
