The first in @simonecas Take 5 Series, this quick guides explores 5 honest and realistic ways to make money online

1. Take 5 series
by @simonecas
5 ways to make money online

2. Only 5?
There are many ways to make money on the internet and lots of ebooks
on the subject, several with absurd claims. I have picked 5 honest, tried-
and-tested ideas.

3. 1. Get paid to write
From websites to blogs, the internet is hungry for content. Cut your teeth
with freelance sites and blogs, then target businesses, digital agencies and
advertising firms. If you are fluent in another language, consider
localisation work – offering translation and rewriting services for multi-
language websites.

4. 2. Sell! Sell! Sell!
People do make a living selling online. Source a product at a price that gives
you good margins (consider delivery costs + insurance for expensive items)
then open an eBay shop. If you are a crafter, it has to be something you can
make in big batches and quickly. You will also have to do some marketing to
stand out from the crafting crowd.

5. 3. Start a blog
This is a spin-off of Way No.1 but it involves an entrepreneurial effort. You are creating
your own brand - you are writing all the content, you are monetising it. Start with
affiliate marketing. You will get direct advertising when you have a strong brand. You
can review products, aim for a book deal, generate writing gigs, even launch a career in
journalism/copywriting... Harness the power of social media and off you go!

6. 4. Join the VAs
VA is the new PA. Small businesses often cannot afford to hire a
secretary, so if you can type reasonably fast, are organised and have
a fast internet connection you can join the growing army of VAs. This
is the perfect job if you want to work from home.

7. 5. Become a web wizard
Get a slice of the internet pie by acquiring new skills: whether it’s design, analytics,
SEO, PPC or blog outreach, this is the time to find your niche before it gets too
crowded. You can do a course or teach yourself almost anything - free courses,
how-to guides and webinairs are proliferating online.

8. Thanks for reading!
Photos: SellTextbooks, Pixabay, 500CPM, SEOPlanter, Mr Fring, IvanWalsh, Los Amigos Del Fuego. Courtesy of
Creative Commons. Copyright @simonecas. Feel free to embed this on your blog or website but
you can’t change it!
Five web wonders
1. Make money online
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/make-money-online
2. Top tips for business startups
http://creativeboom.co.uk/tips/the-ultimate-collection-of-freelance-
tips-for-creative-businesses/
3. Internet marketing for small
businesses
http://howtoseouk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/new-digital-marketing-
series-from-yours.html
4. Working from home
http://fromrattopositiveparent.blogspot.co.uk/
5. Blogging for money
http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/onlinebusiness/a/makemoneyblo
g.htm