People are always looking for new ways to make money, and for some, “making money selling” things can be a great option. This could be anything from selling unwanted items online to starting your own ecommerce store. There are many different paths you can take, but with so many people trying to make money selling things online, how do you stand out?
You’ll learn in this post that finding a niche and building a brand is important. This will help you attract customers who want what you offer. You might be surprised how quickly your business can grow.
Table of Contents:
- Is Making Money Selling Right For You?
- Selling Online
- Where to Sell
- Getting Paid
- Marketing: Getting the Word Out
- Unique Ways to Make Money Selling
- Final Thoughts on Making Money Selling
- Conclusion
Is Making Money Selling Right For You?
Selling online is not for the faint of heart. It requires dedication and planning, especially if you want to earn full-time income from it. You will need to put in the work.
But don’t worry; this post will equip you with various options to make money selling. Whether you want to work part-time, delve into Pay-Per-Click (PPC), manage a YouTube channel, engage within Facebook groups, or explore other money-making avenues online, we’ve got you covered.
Selling Online
What To Sell
So, what are you going to sell? There are countless options available, from physical products to digital downloads. You can even sell courses online if that’s your thing.
Physical Products: Unleash Your Inner Entrepreneur
Think about it – do you enjoy crafting? Do you have a knack for restoring furniture? If so, why not create and sell something you love?
Alternatively, you could try buying and reselling products for profit. This is a great way to potentially earn money by finding unique or in-demand items at lower prices and reselling them for more. You’ll need to research product ideas, demographics, and sales platforms.
Take into account your starting funds, where you’ll store any inventory you might need, and, of course, how you’re going to ship things. Like most businesses, it takes experience and practice, so being open to the process is key. Selling physical products provides a hands-on experience since you’ll be managing and controlling your inventory.
Embrace the Digital Age: Sell Digital Products and Services
If handling inventory doesn’t appeal to you, selling digital downloads is a good alternative. These could include ebooks, online courses, stock photos, or even design templates. Because there are no physical goods, you don’t need to worry about shipping.
Here, success often depends on your knowledge of online marketing to get the word out about what you are selling. Building a customer list is a great way to market to people repeatedly.
Selling services online is also becoming increasingly popular. With over half a billion podcast listeners projected by the end of 2024, there’s a huge potential for growth. This could involve freelance work like writing, graphic design, social media management, or virtual assistance.
These can often be run from home with flexible hours – appealing if you seek more control over your schedule. PayScale estimates freelance graphic design work nets, on average, just shy of $30 per hour. Pretty good for working from your couch.
Where to Sell
Okay, so you have an idea of what you want to sell. But where are you going to sell it? Let’s delve into some popular online marketplaces.
Online Marketplaces: Your Gateway to a Wider Audience
Online marketplaces are an easy way to get your products or services in front of millions of potential customers. Sites like eBay, Amazon, and Etsy each have unique audiences. It’s really just about researching which is right for you.
Check each platform’s selling fees, though, as those can cut into your profits. To make selling on eBay even easier, you can download a program like GarageSale, which lists and tracks everything right on your computer. Very cool.
Create Your Own Online Store: Building a Brand and Online Presence
If you’re serious about building a long-term business, consider starting your own online store. With platforms like Shopify, you don’t need any tech knowledge, making this possible for just about anyone.
Having your own platform affords more flexibility in how you market and sell your products. Take blogger Jordan Ferney. She started a blog and then was able to use her followers to create a business selling party supplies directly from her website. Pretty cool, right?
Getting Paid
Of course, when thinking about making money selling, figuring out how you will actually *get paid* is important.
Consider establishing an efficient payment system. Common online payment methods include PayPal, Stripe, and Apple Pay. Choose what’s most suitable for your needs and target audience.
Marketing: Getting the Word Out
Let’s face it: no matter how great your products or services are, none of this matters unless people know about them. With literally thousands of people trying to sell things online every single day, marketing yourself effectively in this crowded landscape is essential.
Social Media: Engaging Content and Strategic Promotion
With billions of users on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok – social media presents a dynamic opportunity for making money by selling, whether through organic posts, strategic social media marketing campaigns, or targeted social media lead generation strategies. Just beware of scams.
For instance, Coupon Chief’s Pays-2-Share allows you to share coupons and earn 2-3% commissions on sales.
Content Marketing and SEO: Crafting Compelling Narratives and Optimizing Visibility
This can include blogging, making YouTube videos, or creating informative content related to what you sell. It can seem daunting, but by incorporating relevant search engine optimization (SEO) techniques, your website or listings are more likely to be found organically.
Paid Advertising: Investing for Reach and Targeting
Paid advertising, through methods like Google Ads or social media ads, can offer more reach. These let you directly target specific audiences with their algorithms, though determining a budget for such expenditures and continually analyzing campaign results is vital.
Consider researching various ad networks, such as AdThrive, SHE Media, and Monumetric, to determine which aligns with your products, goals, and budgetary needs. These networks usually have certain criteria for acceptance, so do your homework and be ready to present yourself in a compelling light. This way, making money selling online can hopefully become your reality.
Unique Ways to Make Money Selling
You already know about selling things online, but did you know that making money selling is possible offline as well? Let’s look at a few ways to earn cash selling offline.
Cash for Cans
Rather than throwing your aluminum cans away, why not make some money? Check out the Think Cans website for recycling centers near you. Who knew a little recycling could turn into extra cash, right?
Used Ink and Toner Cartridges
It can get expensive buying new ink cartridges for your printer. And it always seems like they run out at the worst times. So it would be a shame to simply throw the old one out.
Luckily, companies like The Recycling Factory purchase empty cartridges for recycling – putting cash in your pocket. It’s an easy way to be kind to the environment and earn money simultaneously.
Sell Your Wedding Dress
Getting married can be pricey. Between the flowers, the food, and the dress, your wallet probably takes a pretty big hit. Did you spend a small fortune on your wedding dress?
If so, why not try selling it after the big day? Brides.com provides many resources on the topic and might be able to help. Consider it – turning something “old” into something “new,” like a fabulous vacation.
Become a Drone Pilot.
Drones are growing in popularity. You’ve seen all those aerial photos of beaches and forests. Well, did you know people make them and sell them?
Drones with excellent cameras are pretty inexpensive (under $500). So you can take amazing shots with even the cheapest ones. Think you might not have what it takes? There are online resources to help.
Think about it – taking stunning aerial shots one day and getting paid for it? You’ll need to pass a test, become a licensed pilot, and then learn the intricacies of drone mapping, and you’ll be good to go.
Become a User Tester
How many websites have you been on that you wished were easier to navigate? User experience is essential for online business success, so if you love a good user interface – think about testing products for a living.
On average, UserTesting.com pays about $10 for each review. Not bad if you’re just sitting around anyway, right?
Try Transcription: Listening Skills to Your Advantage.
Do you have a talent for typing quickly and listening attentively? Transcription, converting audio and video recordings into text, may be right up your alley.
Check out freelance platforms like Rev or TranscribeMe. You could even find work transcribing podcasts since so many of those are popping up.
Work as a Fulfillment Associate
Amazon Fulfillment Centers have popped up around the country and the world. As a fulfillment associate, you’ll pick, pack, and ship orders. While it’s a physical job requiring stamina, Indeed reports that Fulfillment Associates make money earning $17.06 per hour – a great starting salary if you need full-time work.
And they often receive healthcare benefits, paid time off, and career growth opportunities as well.
Final Thoughts on Making Money Selling
There are many opportunities out there, no matter your experience level or interests. Finding a way of making money selling that resonates with you, aligns with your interests, and plays to your strengths can pave the way for a successful and rewarding experience.
Whether you embrace the virtual marketplace with its diverse digital offerings or tap into your inner craftsperson – remember to have fun with it.
Conclusion
There’s no one way to find success making money selling. Every entrepreneur’s path is different, and there are no get-rich-quick schemes or magic formulas. Researching the ins and outs of any business, understanding target audiences, navigating market trends, and putting in the hard work, will significantly enhance your likelihood of building a lasting brand.
So, before diving in headfirst, take the time to evaluate if making money selling resonates with your goals and then formulate a plan. By staying informed, dedicated, and passionate, success in the world of selling just might be in your future.