Previously, I suggested 5 ways from which anyone could start making money online without having any initial capital outlay. It received quite a bit of traffic and still does today.

In this post, I will list 5 specific methods to make money online. They could be an expansion of the general ideas in my earlier post, and you would probably have to dish out some change to build a more convincing startup to get conversions. I have also linked to other blogs where possible, which provide much better and clearer step-by-step tutorials to the intricacies of each method. Better you read good instructions than me confusing anyone.

I have not necessarily tried all of the below, due to circumstances such as not having received clearance due to international grounds and time, but I have assessed the response from various sources on those and feel confident that they are viable income sources. Remember, the best thing is to try them out for yourself, put dedicated effort for a period of time and assess if they work for you.

1. Transcription work
This is simply you compiling recorded interviews or dialogues into the written word. It is tedious work as you will need to spend considerable time listening to audio and typing it out, unless you use an audio transcription software to help alleviate the load. However, I prefer the direct manual method as I type fast and have no hearing problems. :) The payoff can start from as little as $0.50/min, but I got my first assignment at $30 for a 30 min transcription. I have read that it is low but it took me less than 2 hours to complete it for a first try so no complaints. The key is to build repeat offers from which you can steadily build your rates. Just to note to always ask for a preferred template (have some of your own as well) and for the client’s benefit, sign a confidentiality agreement. The usual leads can be sourced at DP forums, GetAFreelancer and FreelanceWriting.

2. eBay Affiliate
I first read a great writeup on Earnersblog and since then have done some ‘research’ on the how-tos and scripts required. Unfortunately till date my application to the eBay affiliate program via Commission Junction has yet to be approved and the response from them has not been forthcoming, despite submitting a detailed writeup of my business model. This won’t stop me though. Still, my belief is that it can be done with certain success if you choose the right niches. If I get my way through the approval process and kickstart it, I will try to report on that. Meanwhile, you can find out in greater detail on Earnersblog.

Basically you can set up a niche store on a WP platform, using automated eBay RSS feeds and leveraging on search engine traffic or other advertising methods you can find. Obviously some money has to be spent on the domains (preferably) and hosting, as well as the phpBay Pro script which sets up the feed and provides additional SEO value.

If you cannot get into the program, guess you will have to follow what I occasionally do with eBay - sell bits and pieces. :)

3. Adsense monetized blogs using DynoPages
Many have questioned the legitimacy of MFA sites and stated that they have been banned by Google. Still, I see a lot of them around. Garry Conn has a well-known site called The Best Deals Online which is primarily monetized by Adsense, leveraging on a dynamic page plugin called DynoPages, co-created with David Cooley.

What Garry has done on The Best Deals Online is to provide the latest news on (yes) the best online deals, and the Adsense ads are contextualized based on these. Nothing new here. And the popularity of the deals are sourced via Micro Niche Finder. There are also other monetization methods such as Amazon links. The thing that probably separates it from MFA sites is that it does provide useful content with regards to the best and latest deals available, with some personal touches as well. I have a few sites similar to this but without the aid of DynoPages and MNF, both of which I do intend to utilize in the near future.

4. CPA affiliate programs and ebooks
Again, nothing new here, but I have tried it myself in the past month and have got some conversions. CPA programs are those who typically pay you for leads, such as someone signing up via email. Many of them provide free programs and thus the attraction of free offer + free ebook can be powerful. What I have done is to simply write short ebooks (on niche topics that I already have interest and knowledge on) and distribute these ebooks for free via various outlets. Part of the method also includes encouraging those who downloaded them to give them out for free. In the ebooks, I include affiliate links to CPA offers and get paid when readers convert. You can find many of these affiliate programs via the usual affiliate networks such as CPA Empire.

5. Dating sites
Ok, most of these border on adult sites as they offer popular outlets for swingers, singles and couples looking for companionship or sex. I am sure many of you will question the right and wrongs, but the demand for this in the real world is hard to ignore. Adult Friendfinder is obviously the most popular and the one you see everywhere, but it has incredibly attractive affiliate programs. There are other programs listed in various affiliate networks and I have found this niche to be one of the best converting, despite its saturation. Why? Because there is always a high demand.

The above methods are no different from most others that are floating around. The main thing as always is to put them into action. If you are still looking for the best method, let me tell you this - there is no such thing. Any method can turn out to be the best if you find the right mix - but you will never know that unless you try it yourself. Good luck!

Share This

Enjoyed This Post? Subscribe To Get Updates!
Get some ScratchBack luv! Donate and get a text link