How to Make a Living Online

how to making a living online

There a few ways to make a living online: offering quality services, selling products, or becoming a content creator.

Making a living online is not easy, but is possible. The following ideas are addressed to our readers from Africa, based in Nigeria, Ghana and Niger, but they can be applied anywhere else.

We are going to stick to clean, professional methods, leaving aside those that could get you in trouble.

No wahala.

What you are about to learn...
  1. Make a Living Online by Offering Services
    1. Services That Require Basic Education
    2. Services That Require Intermediate Education
    3. Services That Require High Education
    4. Considerations about Services
  2. Making a Living by Selling Products
    1. E-commerce Ideas: Low Difficulty
    2. E-commerce Ideas: Medium Difficulty
    3. E-commerce Ideas: High Difficulty
    4. Considerations About E-Commerce
  3. Make a Living Online By Creating Content
  4. If you liked this article...

Make a Living Online by Offering Services

The quickest, and safest way of making a living online is by offering in-person or digital services.

For that, you need to learn some basics about the service you are going to offer. And of course, the more you learn, the more you earn. Let's start with the basics.

first way of making a living on the internet is by offering services

Services That Require Basic Education

ServicesKnowledge RequiredAverage Earning
Online Data EntryBasic computer skills$8 - $15 per hour
Virtual AssistantBasic administrative tasks$10 - $20 per hour
Social Media ManagerFamiliarity with social platforms$15 - $25 per hour
Content ModerationBasic internet/language skills$10 - $18 per hour
Online Survey TakerBasic internet navigationVaries
Remote Customer SupportGood communication skills$12 - $20 per hour
TranscriptionistGood listening/typing skills$15 - $25 per hour
Online Tutor (Basic Subjects)Proficiency in a subject$10 - $25 per hour
Freelance WriterBasic writing skills$20 - $50 per article

Services That Require Intermediate Education

ServicesKnowledge RequiredAverage Earning
Web DevelopmentBasic programming languages, web technologies, AI user$25 - $60 per hour
Graphic DesignDesign software, visual composition$20 - $50 per hour
Online Marketing SpecialistDigital marketing strategies, SEO, SEM$25 - $60 per hour
Language TranslationBilingual proficiency, cultural understanding$15 - $40 per hour
Video EditingVideo editing software, storytelling$20 - $45 per hour
Online Course InstructorExpertise in a subject, teaching skills$30 - $70 per hour
Virtual ConsultingProfessional expertise in a specific field$40 - $100+ per hour
Freelance Content CreatorSpecialized knowledge in a niche$30 - $70 per article
Online Business CoachBusiness acumen, coaching skills$50 - $150+ per hour

Services That Require High Education

ServicesKnowledge RequiredAverage Earning
Online Consulting (Specialized)Advanced degree and expertise in a field$100 - $300+ per hour
Professional Online TrainingAdvanced subject knowledge, teaching skills$60 - $150+ per hour
Medical TeleconsultationMedical degree and licensure$150 - $500+ per consultation
Legal Advisory ServicesLaw degree and relevant expertise$100 - $300+ per hour
Financial Planning ConsultationFinancial expertise and certifications$80 - $250+ per hour
Academic Online Tutoring (Advanced)Advanced knowledge in a subject area$50 - $120+ per hour
Software Development ConsultationAdvanced programming knowledge$80 - $200+ per hour
Online Research ServicesResearch skills and academic expertise$40 - $100+ per hour
Scientific Writing and EditingAdvanced knowledge in scientific field$50 - $150+ per hour

Considerations about Services

Note that if you don't have a degree, title or certificate, you may not be able to exercise these activities on the internet, as you may be doing something illegal. Also, check the Law's countries, even if you have a title, as it may not be a valid title overseas.

Most of the basic tasks are now performed by automatized tools and apps. If you are going to make use of AI as a tool to offer services, consider reviewing manually the job as it may not be as good as if it's human-made.

Also, in order to get your first customers you may need to talk to people you already know. You want to offer them services, and don't loose the chance to gain some reviews too.

Making a Living by Selling Products

Creating an e-commerce, or online shop, involves huge amount of work, energy and resources, but it may pay off well within time.

What you can sell on your online shop depends on your country and the laws.

Remember that when it comes to selling on the internet, there are some associated costs: the goods, or the cost of creating them, as well as storage, and logistics.

second way to make a living on the internet is by selling products

E-commerce Ideas: Low Difficulty

E-commerce IdeasPotential Profit Range
Handmade Crafts$20 - $100 per item
Local Foods and Snacks$50 - $300 per month
Beauty and Skincare Products$30 - $150 per product
Agricultural Products$50 - $200 per product
Online Courses$100 - $500 per course
Local Art and Craft Market$20 - $150 per item
Secondhand Items$10 - $50 per item
Subscription Boxes$30 - $100 per box
Health and Wellness Products$20 - $80 per product
Pet Accessories$10 - $50 per item

E-commerce Ideas: Medium Difficulty

E-commerce IdeasPotential Profit Range
Customized Clothing$30 - $100 per item
Handmade Jewelry$20 - $150 per item
Home and Living Products$20 - $200 per product
Niche Electronics Accessories$20 - $80 per item
Personalized Gifts$15 - $70 per item
Small Appliances$50 - $300 per product
Fashion Accessories$15 - $80 per item
Niche Books and Publications$10 - $50 per item
Unique Home Decor$30 - $150 per item
Specialty Foods and Beverages$20 - $100 per product

E-commerce Ideas: High Difficulty

E-commerce IdeasPotential Profit Range
Custom Luxury Fashion$300 - $1000+ per item
High-End Handcrafted Jewelry$200 - $800+ per item
Art and Collectibles$500 - $5000+ per piece
Customized Electronics$300 - $1000+ per item
Exquisite Home Decor$200 - $1000+ per item
Exclusive Subscription Services$100 - $500+ per month
Personalized Luxury Gifts$100 - $500+ per item
Premium Health and Wellness Products$50 - $300+ per product
Handmade Furniture$500 - $5000+ per piece
High-End Food and Beverages$50 - $200+ per product

The ideas presented in the table are considered highly difficult because you need specialization: knowledge, skills and resources.

Considerations About E-Commerce

The goal of this article is not to expand on every topic we talk about, but just think of the following terms, as you may need then sooner or later in managing your online shop: market research, product demand, niche selection, quality and authenticity, sourcing, unique selling proposition (USP), pricing strategy, profit margins, branding and packaging, regulations and compliance, platform selection, multichannel selling, marketing and promotion, customer service, feedback and adaptation, inventory management, scaling considerations, and long-term viability.

If you honestly have no idea of what you just read, please, get informed, study, and receive specific education for opening an e-commerce.

"Nobody said it was easy" - The Scientist by Coldplay

Make a Living Online By Creating Content

ContentPlatformProfit RangeDifficulty
Blog PostsPersonal Blog, Guest Blogging$20 - $200 per postLow
YouTube VideosYouTube$100 - $1000+ per video (Ad revenue, sponsorships)Medium
PodcastsPodcast Hosting Platforms$50 - $500+ per episode (Sponsorships, Patreon)Medium
Online CoursesUdemy, Coursera, Teachable$20 - $200 per courseHigh
EbooksAmazon Kindle, Self-Publishing Platforms$5 - $50 per saleMedium
PhotographyStock Photo Websites, Instagram$0.25 - $10+ per photo (Royalties, licensing)Low
Graphic DesignFiverr, Upwork, Etsy$10 - $100+ per designMedium
WebcomicsWebcomic Platforms$5 - $50+ per comic (Patreon, merchandise)Medium
Writing (Freelance)Freelance Platforms, Content Mills$0.01 - $0.20+ per wordLow
Social Media ContentInstagram, TikTok, Twitter$10 - $100+ per post (Sponsorships, brand collaborations)Low

As you can see, there's a wide range of different ways to make money online, and we hope you find your way of living among these options.

If you liked this article...

If you want to learn more about topics like How to Make a Living Online, please feel free to visit Entrepreneurship.

Michael Omoruyi

I'm Michael Omoruyi, Nigerian with roots tracing back to the vibrant city of Benin in Edo State. My main goal with Naira Finance is to promote interest in finance, business, and entrepreneurship. I've spent many years learning from different entrepreneurs, and it's time to share it.

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