The number of people earning money from home has grown exponentially over the past few years. While workers are generally satisfied with this shift, not all employers feel the same.
Companies are pushing return-to-office mandates, citing a lack of distractions and improved collaboration. But it’s all in vain. There are more ways to make money with a laptop from your home than ever before.
Options from freelancing to various side-gigs and even passive income sources will help you avoid the forced return to the office or, at least, earn some extra cash from home.
We have collected the ten best methods to earn money online with only a laptop, along with some tips on how to choose and succeed.
Freelancing
Freelancing is the most common activity associated with making money with a laptop. It’s also very broad, encompassing hundreds of services provided on a short-term or per-task basis.
Millions of people are already doing it on freelancing platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. You’ll need to be highly skilled and have a strong portfolio to make money. But it’s worth it.
Making money online by freelancing can easily replace your daytime job. Here are some of the most promising freelancing opportunities that require nothing but a laptop to earn money.
1. Writing & Translation
Although the rise of AI has disrupted this industry a bit, good-quality content is still in high demand. You can make money translating and localizing websites or social media posts into your native language or one you are proficient in.
Some find more success while earning money from original texts or creating their own blog to potentially earn passive income. Related ways to make money with a laptop include proofreading, retyping, data entry, e-book writing, and other online income means.
Whichever you choose, you can make money with a laptop and only your language skills.
2. Design & Multimedia
If writing words isn’t your thing, there are other creative skills you can use to make money. Graphic designers use computer software to create visual concepts that communicate ideas. Many of them are freelancers earning money with nothing else but their laptops.
A similar branch of specialists that earn money online are multimedia designers specializing in interactive elements. Creating web designs, videos, or animations is among the most profitable ways to make money online.
3. Programming
Software development might be the most profitable way of making money with a laptop. There’s an abundance of job postings, and they pay well compared to other freelancing niches. But it’s also extremely demanding, and you’ll need to become an expert to earn money online.
Most freelance developers earn extra money by specializing in one programming language or working with specific services – developing websites, creating apps, or niche software solutions. There’s a steep learning curve to overcome, but once you manage it, you can make money online with ease.
4. Virtual Assistant Services
A virtual assistant is a specialist who makes money with a laptop by offering administrative services to clients. Typical tasks include scheduling, data entry, email marketing, answering clients’s queries, and others.
Many tasks of a virtual assistant are low-skilled and somewhat monotonous, but you can earn money at better rates by undergoing training for specific qualifications. It also helps to have a lot of online presence on freelance platforms and social media like LinkedIn.
Online Content Creation
There are plenty of creative ways to make money while creating online content, and it doesn’t necessarily have to involve clients. A creative approach to social media channels may help you attract enough audience to start making money from your content.
It will take lots of resilience and creativity, but many others are already earning money online from their content. Follow their advice, learn from their mistakes, and you can get some extra cash too. Who knows, maybe earning money online from content will become a career.
5. YouTube Channel
YouTube video content creators were among the first to start making money online. The streaming service has no shortage of viewers watching Vlogs, tutorials, music videos, short films, or other content. All types help you earn passive income.
Monetizing your YouTube channel might be a bit challenging, though, as there are popularity milestones to reach before you earn money. Ad revenue, sponsorships, donations, and affiliate marketing are the most common methods for making money online with videos.
6. Podcasting
Creating a podcast to make money is better for those wanting to avoid expensive filming and video editing processes. Podcast listeners are also more engaged and loyal, which might lead to extra money in the long term.
Making money with podcasts is similar to video platforms, as you will rely on sponsorships, donations, and marketing. Besides, no one’s stopping you from posting audio content on YouTube to make money there as well.
7. Social Media Influencer
While anyone can post on TikTok and Instagram, not everyone can earn money there. A successful social media influencer gathers a following and converts it to passive income through partnerships and other affiliate marketing strategies.
Only the most popular influencers make six figures every month. A more realistic goal is to earn some extra cash for your social media presence as a hobby. Making real money on social media is difficult, but every small win helps.
8. Selling Goods Online
Everyone has some old stuff lying around the house. Selling things online to make money is a great way to earn extra cash. An even better way to earn money with a laptop is to resale goods that others sell. Most of your work will include surfing marketplaces like Amazon or eBay looking for deals.
Similarly, dropshipping, a popular form of retail, doesn’t even require any physical stock. One can make money with a laptop by keeping track of goods that go from manufacturers directly to customers.
Sometimes, you don’t even need any physical goods at all and can make money by selling digital goods. Popular ones include e-books, online courses, printables, stock photos, and music. Now, that’s a legit way to make money with a laptop!
9. Online Tutoring
It’s a shock to most parents when they learn how much kids’ tutoring costs. It’s even a bigger shock when you see that tutoring for adults is even more expensive. Such a market makes online tutoring one of the best ways to earn money with a laptop.
To make money while tutoring online, you’ll need to select your audience – kids or adults, for example. You also need to define your own skill set. The biggest mistake would be to start teaching something you aren’t an expert about yourself.
It’s also important to find a niche that can help you earn money online. Some teach online with the aim of exam preparation. Others simply help students learn new skills or sharpen old ones. There’s also an option to make money online by creating tutoring classes and courses.
All choices can earn money, but most profit in tutoring is from formal preparations, which require the tutor to have certifications. If you have what it takes, platforms like TutorMe, Preply, Udemy, and others can be a great source of extra money with a laptop from your home.
10. Microtasks & Online Surveys
Answering questions, testing software, transcribing texts, moderating content, and even playing games to earn money are possible on microtask platforms.
They help companies outsource such tedious assignments while workers can earn money with a laptop by completing various tasks for extra money.
Pawns.app’s own platform gives an opportunity to earn money from filling out paid surveys. Companies constantly need consumer opinions to improve their products and services. Since they earn money from it, part of the profits can be shared with respondents.
All you need is a laptop and up to 30 minutes of your time answering questionnaires to make money. The payouts come in gift cards, cryptocurrencies, or cash deposits. If you plan your time well, this can become a source of almost passive income while you commute, wait in line, or watch commercials.
What to Consider Before Earning Money Online
Any of the above ways to make money with a laptop can be profitable and fairly straightforward. There are plenty of success stories from influencers promoting each of them. It’s easy to get carried away from what options are best for you specifically.
Before jumping headfirst, evaluate your chances of earning enough to make your time worthwhile. Here are some questions you must consider before picking a way of earning money.
- Skills and experience. Do you already have some background, or will you need to learn new skills from the ground up?
- Time commitment. Are you willing to work extra hours to get a head start before others?
- Income potential. Wishful thinking aside, how much can you actually earn? Are there any passive income possibilities?
- Interest and passion. Lastly, will you follow your passions, or is your only aim to make money?
Tips for Success with Laptop Jobs
First things first, you must have a strong internet connection and a calm, quiet workplace. It’s a mistake to think you can make money with a laptop without complete dedication or partially working on something else.
Many ways to make money with a laptop require investing in software and hardware tools. Graphic design, for example, requires a powerful PC with Photoshop. Other methods to earn money might also require tools, although most are cheaper.
Even the best workplace and tools won’t get you far if you don’t have the dedication and time management skills to deliver the needed performance. Even if you are making money with a laptop, it’s still a job.
The most challenging part might be attracting clients and finding good opportunities to earn money in general. Don’t worry too much if you fail at first. Nobody learned it in a day. One of the most universal tips for making money is to be active on relevant platforms.
It’s worth having a strong portfolio or a website to showcase your skills, but a social media presence might bring ways to make money to you. Consider it a source of advertisement or a way to connect with others in the field.
Wrapping up
Earning money online might seem overwhelming at first, with quick profits nowhere in sight. A concluding piece of advice is to choose a method you fit and be proactive. It’s up to you to make earning money online work. Once you unravel it, there’ll be nothing but the perks of freedom left.
