One day I came across an article about digital nomads. After reading the story, I suddenly envisioned myself sipping an espresso, typing away at my computer while sitting at a cafe overlooking the French Riviera.
And it made me wonder, could I actually make money online? Where would I even start? Well, let’s talk about what earning money online is, and more importantly, what it’s not.
Earning money online is:
Earning money online is NOT:
So, what options made this list and what did not? This list is for complete beginners. As long as you’re equipped with your laptop, a desk, and a drive to learn, you can be an online entrepreneur in no time. The majority of options on this list are things that YOU CAN LEARN. Because, let’s be honest, if you don’t have the motivation or drive to hustle, then online work may not be for you. You won’t have a boss pushing you to make deadlines or a schedule to force you to wake up in the morning.
But, if you’re ready to take a leap and make money online, then keep reading to learn about REAL money making options online for beginners in 2022.
22 Ways on How to Make Money Online for Beginners
Now that you know a little bit more about earning money online, let’s take a look at some specific ways you can make money as a beginner in 2022.
Table of Contents
1. Create an Online Community
This is where the real money is at for 2025. I’m updating this article, but right now people are making a killing in creating a community in just about ANYTHING.
So go check out Skool to see how much people are making (like tens of thousands a month). I’ve also done a Skool review and Skool Vs. Kajabi. I’ll come back to this article to update it later.
2. Become a Copywriter

First, what is copywriting? Copywriting is when a person writes for marketing or advertising companies. Essentially, it is the art of persuasion. You’re job is to convince someone to take a specific action, whether that’s buying a product, signing up for a service, or anything else.
As a copywriter, you can typically make around $25-$35 per hour, but it can go up from there. And the great thing is, once you build up your portfolio and get some clients under your belt, you can make a full-time living from home as a copywriter.
How to get started:
If you have great writing skills, you may just need a guide to walk you through how to write using an engaging voice. CopyHackers or Copy Course have great courses that will teach you everything you need to know to make an optimized, persuasive piece of content.
Typically, you will be getting paid by the number of words you write. Unfortunately, the brain and fingers can only type so fast. That’s where AI writing softwares come in. Become proficient in software like Jasper.ai to boost your productivity. Tools like SurferSEO.com offer free courses to understand the ideas behind search intent and SEO optimization.
There are a number of sites that allow you to write articles and get paid. Some well-known options include UpWork, Freelancer, and Guru. Sign up, and get your profile going.
As a beginner, it can be tough to find work. But don’t worry, starting out with small projects is totally okay! If you need to, work for free so that you have some pieces to produce for future clients.
Once you have a few pieces under your belt, start marketing yourself to potential clients. Send out emails, make some calls, and post on social media that you’re a copywriter who’s looking for work.
3. Become an Affiliate Marketer

Affiliate marketing is another way to make money by sharing your thoughts and experiences with others. You can market products, services, software, pretty much anything a consumer needs to buy.
For example, if you have a travel blog, you could become an affiliate for a travel company. When someone clicks on your affiliate link and makes a purchase, you will earn a commission.
Now, of course this is the method I highly recommend as this is my online method for making money. But its not all sunshine and roses. It takes a lot of work, effort, and time before you start making a dime.
But it has real potential to make money. And not just any type of money, but passive income. Some bloggers may only make a few hundred dollars a month, while others make literally tens of thousands PER MONTH. It’s highly dependent on you.
Here are the steps to becoming an affiliate marketer:
To be honest, if you don’t do this, it is highly unlikely you will succeed. You’re competing against a market with fortune 500 companies, so you need to know what you’re doing.
For this, I highly recommend Adam Enfroy’s Blog Growth Engine. It’s an affiliate marketing course that will teach you everything from start to finish. You get free one on one coaching sessions, frequent Q&A’s, and an awesome social support group.
Pick which niche works best for you and find the best blogging platform to make money. I personally use WPX with WordPress for this because they have amazing customer support. Bluehost is another great option.
Now that you have a website, start producing content
Now I’m not going to get into all the nitty and gritty of how you become successful in this, that’s what Adam’s class is for. But ultimately, affiliate marketing is a fantastic way to grow a passive income business.
4. Online Tutoring

Do you have expertise in a particular subject? Or are you bilingual?
Offer your services as an online tutor! You can find students from all over the world who are looking for help in everything from math to French.
Online tutors can typically expect to make anywhere from $10-20 per hour for basic subjects, but this gets much higher when you start teaching more difficult subjects.
How to Get Started
If you have multiple subjects you feel you can teach, then start researching the most profitable niches. Also decide who your audience is, would you like to teach adults or children?
There are a number of different online tutoring platforms depending on who your audience is and what your teaching. Brainfuse, TutorMe, and iTalki are just a few platforms to check out.
To get started, create a profile with information about your qualifications, experience, and rates. Then search for students who need help in the subject you know best. Once you’ve found a student, start providing lessons via video chat or email.
Online tutoring can be a great way to make money while helping others learn!
5. Start an Online Consulting Business

Okay, so I know this one isn’t exactly as ‘beginner’ as the first ones we talked about since you have to have a skill already, but so many people have gained a wealth of knowledge over their careers and it’s important to mention.
So what is exactly is a ‘consulting business’? It’s really a fancy pantsy word for selling advice online to other people or businesses. So really just about anything is for grabs: career advice, financial advice, marketing advice, any advice.
And what’s great, is it doesn’t need to be done in the office anymore. With every meeting platform out there, you can do it from the comfort of your own home.
How to Start Your Own Consulting Business
If your giving any type of advice, make sure you’re qualified to do so. The last thing anyone wants to happen is some legal action for some bad advice.
What services can you offer that other businesses or individuals need help with? Your job is to help fill a need that can’t be met.
This is a must, you need to have a professional online presence if you want people to take you seriously. Get active on social media, pick a domain name and branding for your business and create a website (or have someone create one for you). Start blogging about the industry/niche you’re in to show that your an expert.
This is critical for business. Word of mouth is best free marketing, so make sure your clients are wowed by your consultation. Network with other businesses and individuals in your niche.
Making money online as a consultant can be a great way to make money using the knowledge you already have!
6. Podcasting

Podcasting is a great way to share your thoughts and ideas with the world. You can make money by affiliate marketing (discussing products), advertising, or by providing premium content that listeners can subscribe to. The competition can be pretty stiff, so it’s important your prepared for a long road ahead. Now, how much you make really depends on how big your audience is. You can make just a few hundred dollars a month to millions.
How To Start Your Own Podcast
Take the time to research your topic. Figure out if there’s a large audience potential for your topic, and what type of competition you may be facing.
You’ll need a few things to get started. Microphones, podcast platforms, and a website. If you’re new and in over your head, I would recommend a podcast course to set you up for success. The Podcast Academy and Pat Flynn’s Power-Up Podcasting 2.0 are good choices to start off with.
Whether you’re going to do this solo or with a co-host, plan out your episode scripts and get recording! You’ll need to then edit and add music for your podcast.
Like I said before, you need to get an audience following so you can make more money. This part of the process is just as, if not, more important than the previous steps. So make sure to spread the word!
7. Sell Your Photos Online

If you’re a budding photographer, you can make money by selling your photos online. When you go to a website, photos are a necessity to provide engagement, and make it easier on our eyes to read an article. That’s where stock photos come in. All you need to do is sign up for a site like Unsplash, iStockPhoto and Shutterstock and start uploading your images.
Now, this one may be easy (which is why it’s for beginners), but to actually make money can be very difficult. You’ll need to research the market to see what commercial businesses are looking for.
8. Create NFTs

Photo Credit: TokenFrame
NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are a new way to make money online. You can create digital art, photos, or videos and sell them as NFTs. This is a great way to make money if you’re creative and have an artistic flair.
So, how much can you make with NFTs? Well this one depends. I would think of this like how an artist makes money. You need a following, people need to like what you can make. People make zero dollars to millions. It’s on the list for beginners because you can quickly set this up, but making money is not easy.
How to Get Started
If you’re going to be selling your artwork as an NFT, make sure it’s high quality and something you’re proud of. If you’re a photographer, I’ve created a how to guide to turn your photos into an NFT.
There are a number of different NFT marketplaces to choose from, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. Find one that best suits your needs.
In order to sell your NFTs, you’ll need to set up an NFT wallet. This is where you’ll store your NFTs and receive payments for them.
Once you’ve created your artwork and set up your wallet, you’re ready to mint your NFT. This is the process of creating a digital token that represents your artwork. How you do this depends on which platform you’ve chosen, but typically it’s just a few clicks (uploading your image, choosing options, and pricing).
Now that your NFT is minted, it’s time to start marketing it. Use social media, forums, and other online platforms to get noticed. Twitter and discord are going to be your best friends.
9. Start a YouTube Channel

Youtube channels are a great way to make money online. If Ryan can do it at just eight years old, why can’t you? (If you don’t know who he is, I recommend you looking up how much he makes). You can make money through advertising, or by providing premium content that viewers can subscribe to, and like some of the others I have mentioned, this is a hit or miss.
How To Make Money on YouTube
Figure out what type of content you would like to produce, how fierce the competition is, and if theres a high market for it.
Now prepare and record your videos using the right tools. If you’re planning on using your iPhone and posting it to a channel, that is an option. But to be honest, you really need to look into more professional options if you want to gain more subscribers.
Like all digital platforms, there’s an algorithm on which videos get seen and when for certain keywords. Websites like VidIQ can help you decide on if a keyword is too difficult or not.
10. Social Media Management

Do you have a knack for social media? Why not offer your services to businesses and individuals who need help managing their accounts.
Social media managers are in huge demand. They’re responsible for increasing followers, content management, social media campaigns, and commenting back to users. Typically, a social media specialist or manager can make somewhere in the $40,000-$70,000 range.
If you don’t know how to use social media yourself, you’re probably not going to be able to manage it very well. So make sure you know how to use Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and every other platform.
Now, many of you probably already have this, but you want to create your own presence. There’s no better proof that you know what you’re doing then being able to brand yourself. Think of your accounts like your professional portfolio.
Start applying. Even if it’s for a lower paid position, you can quickly work your way up. This job is great for someone who wants to have a lot of fun with their job everyday, and make money online at the same time!
11. Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants provide administrative support to clients from all over the world. If you’re good at organizing and scheduling, this could be a great way to make money online.
We’ve seen a HUGE boom in this field every since the WFH movement began taking off. Just because people don’t have a physical office anymore, doesn’t mean they don’t need their assistants! Typically, per Zip Recruiter, VA’s make around $30,00-$50,000 dollars a year. But keep in mind, this is mostly part time work!
Here’s how to become a virtual assistant:
What skills do you have that can contribute to a small business? Virtual assistants can be asked to do nearly everything, from checking emails, managing social media, to organizing a conference. Some even help with finances and quickbooks. So sit down, and write a list of things you would be comfortable helping with. There are also courses such as The Virtual Savvy’s Course.
Once you’ve nailed down your skills, it’s time to start applying! Check out Flex Jobs or Belay Solutions for job openings.
Now it’s time to start making money! If you landed a great job, then you’ve found a place online to make some money. If it’s a small job, use it to hone in on your VA skills, which will help you get a better gig next time.
12. Website Theme Designer

Now, I know most of you are thinking “but I’m not a web designer” or “how could this be for beginners?”. Actually, you can easily learn how to design web pages in no time! When I was creating this website, I actually became quite knowledgeable in certain themes in two weeks.
And if you don’t believe me, check out Lauren’s story at Restored 316. She was just like you, with zero knowledge to begin with but is now making a full time living on beautiful designs (like this one I am using). Learning how to make a digital theme is a great way to make money online because you put all the hard work up front in learning & designing for your clients, but then enjoy the reward once they start selling.
It’s definitely one of the greatest benefits of having an online business.
How to become a web designer:
No, you don’t need a computer science degree to do this. Watch a million YouTube videos. Start messing around with WordPress and all of the themes. Make your own website and play with the design to get really efficient at it.
Now that you’re proficient in building website themes, it’s time to start creating several designs. Learn all about your audience, what type of sites they want like blogging, selling products, recipes, etc. Then get 3 to 5 ready to go.
This is probably the hardest part. Now that you have a website made with a few designs for sale, it’s time to market. You can do this on social media, or even start a blog and do some keyword research to start in your niche to get your name out there. Once you start gaining an audience, you can make videos to teach people how to install your themes.
Selling online web designs is a fantastic way to make money online and create a long term business.
13. Create an Online Course
If you’re knowledgeable in a certain subject, you could create an online course and make money by selling it. I’m sure you’re thinking you don’t have a “skill” you could teach, but I promise you most likely you do. Teaching courses is no longer for the experts, because people need to learn how to do practically everything. If you’re a mom you can teach baby tips, if you’re a great home cook then you can teach kitchen basics, or if you have a hobby then you can start monetizing it.
Here’s how to sell an online course:
First, you’re going to want to do some background research about your niche area. Are there already classes on your topic? What are they doing well, what can they improve on? Figure out how you’re going to create a unique perspective for your audience.
Now it’s time to figure out how you want to reach your audience. This is probably the most important aspect. If you already have a great social platform following, then you can use a video making platform and market it to your audience. If you don’t yet have an audience, then a platform like Udemy where people go for courses on all topics may be a better fit for you.
Now it’s time for the real fun. Start by writing your script and then gather all the recorders and video equipment you’ll need to create your course. Then it’s time to make your film and post your class!
Of course, you online course isn’t going to sell itself. Grow your audience with social media groups, rank for target keywords in your niche to spread awareness and create your brand.
Making an online course is a great form of passive income that can actually make you a six figure income. But keep in mind there is a lot of upfront work and like any other business model, it takes time to start seeing some money come in.
14. Online Surveys
Okay, this one isn’t high on my list for making money online because it doesn’t make that much, but if you’re looking for some quick cash than this will work in a pinch. There are a number of companies that will pay you for your opinions, and all you need is an internet connection.
15. Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing is a great way to connect with customers and build relationships with your target audience. If you’re skilled in this area, you could offer your services as a social media marketer.
16. Email Marketing
Email marketing is still one of the most effective ways to communicate with customers and promote products and services. If you’re good at writing emails, you could offer your services as an email marketer.
17. Graphic Design
Graphic design is in high demand, and if you’re skilled in this area, you could make a lot of money online. You could create graphics for clients, or sell digital products like fonts, templates, and stock photos.
17. Product Researcher
Market research is a great way to gather data about customers and understand their needs. If you’re skilled in this area, you could offer your services as a market researcher.
18. Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant is a great way for entrepreneurs and small businesses to outsource tasks that they don’t have time for. If you’re skilled in this area, you could offer your services as a virtual assistant.
19. Become a Travel Agent
Yes, people do still use travel agents. And now everything is coordinated online. If you have a knack for channel, this may be the option for you.
20. Write an eBook
Writing is a great way to make money online. If you’re skilled in this area, you could offer your services as a writer. You could help businesses with everything from website content to blog posts to eBooks.
21. Editing
Editing is a great way to make sure that documents are free of errors and easy to read. If you’re skilled in this area, you could offer your services as an editor. You could help businesses with everything from proofreading to copy editing.
22. Video Editor
Videography is a great way to make money online by creating videos for businesses. You could help businesses with everything from marketing videos to wedding films.
So there you have it! These are just a few of the ways that you can make money online as a beginner in 2022. Earning an income from the comfort of your own home is definitely appealing, but it’s important to remember that it takes time and effort to make a real income from these endeavors. So get out there and start working hard! And who knows? In a few years, you might be able to quit your day job and work from anywhere in the world. 🙂