When you finally gain clarity and search for ways to make money online, the simple answer is that you need two very important things: time and skill. Luckily for me, I had both. I had just been accepted to study engineering at a university in 2010. One thing I was already set on was transitioning from relying on my parents for pocket money to taking care of myself. This meant I had to make money. With a PC, the internet, and lots of time (five years, to be exact, to complete my engineering degree), I kickstarted my journey into making money online
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Having used all that time to gain knowledge about how the internet works and how to make money, I am going to break down all the possible legitimate ways to make money online that even a wise but lazy person at the end of this article should know the perfect next step to take
The internet is a global village, which means money is naturally flowing every millisecond from one end to another. Every sub-community usually has its hierarchy of professions and effectiveness. Most sub-communities always push their limits to improve trends and grow, which is why we have more big assets, creators, and brands on the internet today than we did 15 years ago.
The reason I explain this is that you need to see yourself as an entity in this global village and understand how you can best utilize it to make money. The moment your mind is set on earning money online legitimately, you become a freelancer.
A freelancer is a self-employed individual who offers services to clients on a contract or project basis. Freelancers typically work for multiple clients rather than a single employer, and they often have the flexibility to choose their projects and work schedules. As a freelancer, you can operate in sub-communities such as writing, graphic design, web development, consulting, marketing, and more.
With this decision made, the next step for you is to determine where you wish to operate. As I mentioned earlier, as a freelancer, you make money by offering services to clients. This decision was not made easily by me. I always stumbled between web design/development and digital marketing. I have to remind you that you also have to love doing this skill; if not, it’s better to get a regular 9-5 job.
There are many freelancing roles one can take, such as animation, video editing, trading, etc. However, I am mostly going to cover the part where I have over 15 years of experience: the web design and digital marketing industries. If your interest lies here, I hope you find this blog post helpful.
Truth be told, at first, you will have to spend lots of hours learning these skills and maybe dealing with low-paying clients. This is important, however, to build your skills and experience. When I started my journey into freelancing, I faced similar challenges. For both these skills I would most likely recommend purchasing a course from someone successful already in the industry to be honest acting as an intern to such a person would also be an invaluable experience, however, start with a course from them first. Make sure it’s well-detailed and of quality.
Getting Started with Building the Web
The engineers of the internet are the web designers and developers. These are the people who build the amazing software you interact with and use daily. Hence, this is one of the most requested skills on the internet—building websites, apps, SaaS, etc., for clients.
How to Make Money as a Web Designer
If you are an aspiring web designer, the best way to make money is by charging local businesses for your designs. A freelancer in this category will probably have to get started using either a course (free or paid). There are lots of videos on YouTube on this. However, I would advise you to first have very good graphic design skills before getting started as a web designer.
You will mostly be dealing with local businesses and setting up their online presence on easy-to-use web platforms like Shopify, WordPress, Webflow, etc., depending on their business type.
These clients are usually dentists, lawyers, and small companies most interested in the look of their business online rather than its operations. In the corporate world, this role is almost classified as a Product Designer or Front End Engineer. However, as a freelancer, clients prefer to pay you because you are cheaper than hiring a web design agency. So, I would suggest the following path for you:
- Learn Graphic Design: Know how to use online graphic design tools to make appealing content. Graphic design can even stand alone as a skill to make money by offering gigs like logo design, thumbnail design, social media content design, and more using simple tools like Canva. However, for a web designer, I would suggest you look at designs on template sites such as Themeforest, as this is likely a marketplace you’ll be invested in.
- Research the Industry: Find out the best platforms for businesses. For example, WordPress can offer both e-commerce and static sites, while Shopify and Webflow are better alternatives for online shopping and static sites. WordPress is cheaper to set up but can easily break if handled by the client. Your choice will depend on the client, your time, and your budget.
- Complete Courses: Learning how to use platforms like WordPress and Webflow will require you to take courses or use free training videos on YouTube. The difference between paid and free courses can include quality, community support, and one-on-one assistance.
- Build a Portfolio: Improve your skills and create as many live designs as possible for your portfolio before offering your services directly to clients or listing them on gig marketplaces such as Fiverr and Upwork.
How to Make Money as a Web Developer
Most web developers have comprehensive knowledge of building an entire web app. However, this can still be broken down into preferred platforms and areas of focus. The major difference between a web designer and a web developer is like building a house: a developer focuses on the structure, while the designer focuses on the appearance.
Web developers can make money similarly to web designers but might have different paths to get started:
- Choose a Platform: Choose the platform you want to learn and work with, e.g., PHP, WordPress, React, etc. Research the average salary offered for developers building on these platforms.
- Improve Your Skill: Get a course to teach you how to build on your chosen platform and constantly improve your projects. Build a portfolio that stands out in the marketplace.
- Monetize Your Skill: You can make money as a freelancer by listing your gigs on sites like Upwork or creating a profile on LinkedIn and applying for jobs.
How to Make Money Online As a Freelancer (e.g. Upwork)
Another easy way to start making money online as a Nigerian student is to leverage freelancer platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. On these sites, you can get paid for simple gigs that fit your skills, such as graphic design, web design, web development, and more.
However, it’s important to note that you need to improve your skills to be successful. You are most likely selling a service that a business owner must find valuable. Check your competition on these platforms to know if you can deliver similar services and offer something better.
When selling your skills, put real effort into creating an optimized freelancer profile that highlights your work through an impressive portfolio. It may take some time to accumulate positive reviews, but stick with it and continue to contact potential clients. You can quickly earn a decent income while still having plenty of free time for classes, studying, friends, etc.
I started on Fiverr by offering basic proofreading and editing services. After about five months, I got my first sale, which continued to grow using just my laptop and internet connection.
How to Make Money Online Selling Software (SaaS)
This is one of my favorites but may also be the hardest to set up. Here, you need to be both an engineer and a businessman, building a service that customers may pay to use once or every month.
Many digital entrepreneurs have built successful subscription software services and single-use services that generate thousands of dollars every month. The beauty of SaaS is that once it’s set up, it can be scaled to millions of users. Examples of successful SaaS products are Mailchimp, Canva, and Netflix.
Don’t imagine them as too big; they also started small before becoming giants. My advice for starting a SaaS business is:
- Find a Problem: This is the most important step. You are building software that people need. Popular SaaS built by Nigerians includes inventory apps. Some charge up to 2 million for a single setup, while others charge a subscription. With a product like this, only six customers a year can generate a salary of 1 million a month.
- Build, Hire, or Partner: You don’t have to be a web developer, but you need to solve a problem. You can hire a web developer or partner with one. Make sure you understand the basics of your software or go into a full partnership. Getting an agency to build your software is also possible, but this is not cheap.
- Market and Scale: Get influencers to review your product, set up an affiliate bounty, and run ads to get customers.
- Feedback: Use customer feedback to improve your product. Many great entrepreneurs started by solving their own problems and then offered the solution to others.
Getting Started with Digital Marketing
Digital marketing simply means conducting marketing activities online, such as managing social media, CPA (Cost Per Action) marketing, affiliate marketing, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), PPC (Pay-Per-Click) advertising, and more.
How to Make Money Completing Micro-Jobs (e.g. OwoDaily)
This is by far the easiest way to make money online as a beginner. The OwoDaily Micro-job marketplace allows its members to earn daily by completing available micro-jobs listed on its platform. The jobs are usually part of a bigger marketing campaign where you are tasked with specific work and detailed instructions provided by the job owner. All you have to do is follow instructions to complete the jobs and earn a payout. Micro-jobs pay less, but you can stack them up to become a good side income. The jobs listed on the platform are posted by digital businesses such as creators, marketing agencies, research firms, etc.
OwoDaily has been the most popular and well-trusted brand since 2020 for rewarding its members with micro-jobs and settling workers. It’s a good way to build yourself and begin to understand client expectations. To get started using OwoDaily, you simply need to sign up and subscribe for the annual membership access to view available jobs and start completing them. >> Ready to sign up on owodaily? Click Here
How to Make Money as a Social Media Manager
A social media manager’s job is to manage the online presence of their client on platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, or X (formerly Twitter). As simple as it sounds, you may have to offer customer support, create engaging content, run ads, plan social calendars, and have graphic design skills.
To make money as a social media manager, consider the following steps:
- Improve Your Copywriting: Research never ends. You need to present the brand online well. Your copy and interaction with customers can always improve the chances of landing a client.
- Enhance Your Graphic Design Skills: Every social media manager’s favorite online tool must be Canva. It makes work easy, so becoming a pro graphic designer before taking on clients is advisable.
- Learn to Run Ads: You may also have to learn how to effectively run ads on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to attract potential clients for the business.
With new skills in copywriting, designing, ads management, and engaging with a company’s potential clients, you will be able to best represent a business online.
Setting up your profile on LinkedIn and Instagram can allow your portfolio to be showcased and attract clients. You can also list on Upwork, Fiverr, etc., to find clients actively searching to fill the role. Your profile must be well-presented to compete in a public marketplace.
By establishing an appealing personal brand and strategy, you can easily make monthly revenue that far exceeds typical side hustle earnings.
How to Make Money with Content Marketing (Copywriting)
Content marketing is the process of creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience, and to drive profitable customer action. As a copywriter, you can offer your services to businesses that need content creation, such as blog posts, articles, website copy, email marketing campaigns, and more.
To succeed as a copywriter, you need to have excellent writing skills, the ability to research and understand your client’s industry and target audience, and the creativity to produce engaging and persuasive content. You can find clients by building a portfolio, networking, and pitching your services to businesses directly or through freelancing platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
- Improve Your Writing Skills: Take writing courses and read extensively to enhance your vocabulary and grammar.
- Build a Portfolio: Create a portfolio showcasing your best work. You can start by writing for free for blogs or small businesses.
- Find Clients: Use platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and LinkedIn to find clients looking for copywriting services.
- Market Yourself: Promote your services on social media and through networking.
How to Make Money Blogging
Blogging is another popular way to make money online that involves creating and publishing content on a specific topic or niche. With the likes of LindaIkeji and TundeEdnut as the most popular blogs in Nigeria, you can easily monetize your blog through:
- Advertising: Placing ads on your blog and earning revenue from clicks or impressions for websites or comments and engagement for social media blogs. Platforms like AdSense are great for this.
- Affiliate Marketing: Promoting products or services and earning a commission on any sales generated through your affiliate links. You can do this creatively by writing about the affiliate offer and ranking on the keyword search query.
- Sponsored Content: Collaborating with brands or companies to create sponsored posts or reviews for a fee.
- Selling Digital Products: Creating and selling digital products like e-books, courses, or templates on your blog that your readers will be interested in.
- Offering Services: Using your blog as a platform to promote and sell your services, such as consulting, coaching, or freelancing.
However, you need to consistently produce high-quality content and build an engaged audience to effectively monetize your blog. Depending on the platform you choose, your setup steps will vary. However, consistency and research are key to excelling here.
How to Make Money as an SEO Consultant
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the practice of optimizing websites and online content to rank higher in search engine results pages, thereby increasing visibility and organic traffic. As an SEO consultant, you can offer your services to businesses that want to improve their online visibility and drive more targeted traffic to their websites.
To become a successful SEO consultant, you need to have a deep understanding of search engine algorithms, on-page and off-page optimization techniques, keyword research, link-building strategies, and analytics. You can find clients by building a portfolio, networking with businesses in your area, and marketing your services through social media and freelancing platforms.
- Learn SEO: Take courses and read up on the latest SEO techniques and algorithms.
- Gain Experience: Work on your own website or volunteer to help others improve their SEO.
- Build a Portfolio: Showcase your successful SEO projects to attract clients.
- Find Clients: Use social media, freelance platforms, networking, and run ads on your own website to find clients.
By staying updated with SEO trends and continually improving your skills, you can establish yourself as a sought-after SEO consultant.
How to Make Money as an Affiliate Marketer
Affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services offered by other companies and earning a commission on any sales generated through your unique affiliate links. As an affiliate marketer, you can create content (such as blog posts, sales pages, or review videos) that promotes the products or services you’re affiliated with and includes your affiliate links.
To succeed as an affiliate marketer, you need to choose a profitable niche, build an audience (through a blog, social media, or email list), and effectively promote relevant products or services to that audience. Platforms like OwoDaily, Selar, and Expertnaire reward affiliate marketers for promoting offers.
- Choose a Niche or Offer: Select the niche/offer you are interested in and that has profitable affiliate programs.
- Join Affiliate Programs: Sign up for affiliate networks related to your niche.
- Create Content: Write reviews, guides, newsletters, and blog posts promoting the products or services.
- Promote Your Links: Share your affiliate links through your blog, social media, email marketing, ads, and more.
How to Make Money Managing PPC Ads
Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising is a form of online advertising where you pay a fee each time one of your ads is clicked. As a PPC manager, you can offer your services to businesses that want to run effective and profitable PPC campaigns on platforms like Google Ads, Bing Ads, or social media advertising platforms.
To become a successful PPC manager, you need to have a deep understanding of keyword research, ad copywriting, campaign structure, bidding strategies, and analytics. You can find clients by building a portfolio, networking with businesses in your area, and marketing your services through social media, your website, or freelancing platforms.
- Learn PPC Advertising: Take courses on platforms like Google Ads and Meta Ads.
- Gain Experience: Practice by creating your own PPC campaigns or offering your services for free to small businesses.
- Build a Portfolio: Showcase successful PPC campaigns you have managed. (Remember, the most important part is that it makes money for the business.)
- Find Clients: Use social media, freelance platforms, and networking to find clients in need of PPC management services.
Effective PPC management can lead to high returns for your clients, and in turn, a profitable career for you.
How to Make Money with CPA Marketing
CPA Marketing is one of the more interesting ways to make money online. Here, similar to the micro-jobs marketplace, you are given offers to promote which usually request leads information such as name, email, phone number, subscription, address, etc.
Platforms like MaxBounty, CPA Lead, etc., reign supreme for high-quality offers. You, however, need experience in SEO, affiliate marketing, and PPC Ads to succeed here. However, I do not like this method; the only issue being that settlement can be a hassle, and Nigerian traffic is not valued as much as traffic from Tier 1 countries. So your spending power to compete when scaling may not be fruitful, and the time you need to wait for your money to clear can be too long (30 – 45 days). Also, you may require a PayPal account. The only time Nigerian traffic is valued is with Cost Per Sale (CPS); however, I prefer to discuss this under affiliate marketing.
Other Ways to Make Money Online
Of course, my list does not contain all the methods of making money online. As I mentioned earlier, my specialty is digital marketing and web development. Here are some other interesting ways of making money online:
How to Make Money Online with Dropshipping
Being a Nigerian student gives you access to many kinds of people. From mothers to working-class professionals to entrepreneurs, you’ll have diverse coursemates. One way to take advantage of your environment is to make money through it, and dropshipping is a perfect way.
Dropshipping is an online business model that allows you to sell products without ever having to purchase or store the goods yourself. The process is simple – you create an online storefront on Instagram, list products on your page, and run ads to it.
When a customer places an order, you collect the payment and then have the seller ship the items directly to the buyer. Your profit comes from marking up the supplier’s prices.
Thanks to automated platforms like Jiji, Alibaba, and AliExpress, this online business model has extremely low startup costs and overhead while allowing you to generate impressive recurring income without the hassles of storing inventory.
- You can get a seller’s contact from the Lagos Island market for example
- Create an online storefront to advertise the seller’s goods with beautiful designs
- Run your ads to make sales and have the seller deliver to the buyer
How to Make Money Online as an Animator
Animation is a creative and lucrative field that offers various opportunities for making money online. As an animator, you can offer your services to businesses, studios, or individuals who need animated videos, motion graphics, or other animated content for their projects.
To succeed as an online animator, you need to have a strong portfolio showcasing your animation skills and styles. To get started, build a portfolio showcasing your best work. You can create animations for clients on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer. Additionally, you can create your own animated content, such as short films or web series, and monetize it through YouTube or other video-sharing platforms that offer ad revenue sharing. A popular creator doing this in Nigeria is @Jude_OC
Networking with other professionals in the animation industry can also lead to job opportunities and collaborations. By continuously improving your skills and staying updated with the latest animation software and techniques, you can establish yourself as a top-tier animator and attract high-paying clients.
How to Make Money Online by Selling Digital Products
Selling digital products is another excellent way to generate income online. Digital products are items that can be sold and delivered electronically, such as e-books, music, software, graphics, photography, and more.
To start, identify a niche market and create a product that meets a specific need or solves a problem for that audience. For example, if you have expertise in graphic design, you can create and sell design templates, If you are knowledgeable about a particular subject, consider writing an e-book or creating a video course.
Platforms like Selar, Expertnaire, Etsy, Gumroad, and Shopify allow you to set up an online store to sell your digital products. Marketing your products through social media, blogging, email newsletters, and affiliates on owodaily can help attract customers and drive sales.
How to Make Money Online by Selling Online Courses
Online education is a booming business, and creating and selling online courses is a great way to capitalize on this trend. If you have expertise in a particular area, you can create a comprehensive course and sell it to a global audience.
To get started, choose a topic you are passionate about and knowledgeable in. Plan your course content, including videos, slides, quizzes, and assignments.
Promote your course through your website, social media channels, email lists, and listing an affiliate bounty on owodaily. Offering free webinars or preview content can attract potential students and convert them into paying customers. By continuously updating your course material and engaging with your students, you can build a loyal following and generate a steady stream of income.
My Conclusion
Starting a freelancing career, especially in web design and digital marketing, requires dedication and patience. The initial phase may be challenging, but with consistent effort, you can build a rewarding and sustainable career. Embrace the learning process, and don’t be discouraged by setbacks. If your passion lies in these fields, the effort will be well worth it. By using your skills and available resources, you can establish a successful online business and attain financial independence.
