20 Real Ways to Make Money Online in 2025

After four years of working remotely, I’ve tested many ways to make money from my laptop. Some worked well, others flopped, and a few became real income streams. In this post, I’m sharing 20 ways to make money online that are beginner-friendly and creative, but also have long-term potential.

If you’re just starting out, I recommend reading about why I left teaching to freelance full-time or how to become a freelance writer as a beginner — that was the foundation of everything I do now!

And if you want more tips, resources, and posts on making money online, join my free email list!✨

How to make money online

1. Freelance writing

2. Virtual assistant jobs

3. Social media management

4. Proofreading & editing

5. Graphic design

6. Sell Canva templates

7. Digital downloads (planners, guides)

8. Print-on-demand merch

9. Self-publish journals on KDP

10. Sell handmade or custom products

11. Paid research studies

12. App & website testing

13. Transcription

14. Voice-over work

15. Online tutoring

16. Scoring standardized tests

17. Start a blog and use affiliate links

18. Launch an online course

19. Build a newsletter

20. Grow a YouTube channel

Pro tip: If you’re ready to start applying for online jobs, make sure your resume stands out. You can grab one of my Canva resume templates — they’re fully editable, come with extra freebies, and are designed specifically for freelancers and remote workers.

Freelance work that pays

1. Freelance Writing

Freelance writing is how I got started, and it’s one of my favourite ways to make money online. You don’t need a degree or fancy background — just clear writing, reliability, and a good portfolio. Writing gigs could include blog posts, scripts, emails, resumes, or social media content. If you want a step-by-step guide, check out how to become a freelance writer, where I explain how to find clients, pitch editors, and build your portfolio.

2. Virtual Assistant (VA) Jobs

If you're organized, communicative, and tech-savvy, becoming a virtual assistant could be a great fit. VAs support business owners with tasks like scheduling, email management, research, customer service, and more. Many freelancers offer this as a standalone service or bundle it with writing or social media management.

3. Social Media Management

Social media managers create content, write captions, plan calendars, and engage with audiences online. If you’re creative, love content, and know your way around platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, or Pinterest, this can be a fun way to work online, especially for small businesses and personal brands. Just make sure you have a solid portfolio to showcase your skills!

4. Proofreading & Editing

If you have a strong eye for detail and experience with writing, proofreading or editing might be your thing. You can work with students, bloggers, businesses, or authors to review grammar, tone, formatting, and structure. It’s a great option if you want lower-pressure freelance work that isn’t always deadline-heavy.

5. Graphic Design

You don’t need to be a pro designer to try this out. Many freelancers use tools like Canva or Adobe Express to create graphics for blogs, emails, products, or social media. If you’re creative and good at layout and visuals, you can offer design services or sell templates. More on that below!

Sellable products and passive income ideas

6. Sell Canva Templates

Selling Canva templates (like résumé designs, social media posts, or worksheets) is one of the most beginner-friendly ways to earn passively. You only need to create the product once, then list it on Etsy, Stan Store, or your own site and start promoting. Here are my resume templates if you want inspo!

7. Digital Downloads

Think budget planners, ebooks, meal prep sheets, digital journals, or niche workbooks. You can create these in Google Docs, Canva, or another platform and sell them as instant downloads. Once you’ve made them, they can generate ongoing income without any extra work.

8. Print-on-Demand Merch

If you have fun design ideas or clever quotes, you can sell them on shirts, mugs, and tote bags through print-on-demand platforms like Printify. The platform handles the printing and shipping, while you upload your designs and promote your store.

9. Self-Publish on Amazon KDP

Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) lets you publish low-content books like journals, planners, and notebooks. And if you're feeling ambitious, you could even put out a novel! You can design the covers and interiors in Canva and upload them for free. Once they’re live, Amazon prints and ships the books on demand, and you earn royalties.

10. Sell Handmade or Custom Products

If you love doing crafts or creating, you can sell handmade or custom products like jewelry, stickers, or home decor. This one isn’t 100% passive, but if you enjoy the work and price things well, it can be a fun way to make a consistent income from home.

Easy remote side hustles

11. Paid Research Studies

Sites like User Interviews pay you to share your opinion for studies and product testing. You can make anywhere from $10 to $100+ per session, depending on the topic. It’s flexible, low-pressure, and doesn’t require a ton of experience.

12. App & Website Testing

Website testing sites like UserTesting pay you to record your screen and voice while you test different sites or apps. Tests can take 10–20 minutes and pay around $10–$30 each. It’s a super beginner-friendly side hustle, and as long as you’re comfortable talking out loud while you work, you can get started quickly.

13. Transcription

If you're a fast typist and have good attention to detail, transcription work (converting audio into written text) can be a solid remote option. Projects could include podcasts, interviews, YouTube videos, and even legal content. Sites like Rev or TranscribeMe let beginners get started easily. It's not passive income, but if you enjoy typing and working independently, it's worth exploring.

14. Voice-over Work

You don’t need a professional studio to start — just a decent mic, a quiet space, and some practice. You can find beginner voice-over jobs for audiobooks, YouTube scripts, and e-learning platforms on sites like Fiverr or Upwork.

15. Online Tutoring & Teaching

If you’ve got a strong academic background or teaching experience, online tutoring can be a great way to make money online. Subjects like English, math, or science are always in demand, but I've even seen tutoring jobs for more niche subjects.

Tutoring is how I started my career in education back when I was a university student, and I definitely recommend it as a way to get your foot into the teaching world. ESL teaching is also a popular option, and sometimes all you need is to be a native English speaker. This makes it one of the most accessible entry points for online work.

16. Scoring Standardized Tests

Some testing companies hire remote scorers to grade SATs, language assessments, or written responses. You’ll usually need a degree and strong language skills, but it’s flexible and can work well as a side hustle.

Ideas for long-term income

17. Start a Blog and Use Affiliate Links

If you have something to say, why not try blogging? Blogs that answer specific questions, help people, or solve problems are thriving. You can make money through affiliate links, digital products, or display ads. Blogging is also a great way to start practicing in public, so you can get real feedback on your writing and develop a body of work.

18. Launch an Online Course

If you’ve mastered any skill, you can turn it into a course. You don't even need to be an expert — if you have an information advantage (aka you know more than the average person), you can teach it. If you already have an audience or you’re ready to start building one and promoting your work, you can host your course on sites like Teachable or Stan Store. It takes work upfront to create the content and market it, but it can totally pay off in the long run.

19. Build a Newsletter

Email newsletters are an underrated way to build a personal brand or business. If you’re passionate about a topic and love to write, you can grow an audience and eventually monetize through paid subscriptions, affiliate links, or product launches. I've seen tons of writers on LinkedIn growing newsletters through platforms like Substack, so clearly, there's real demand and community around this format.

20. Grow a YouTube Channel

YouTube has long-term potential if you’re consistent and strategic. Pick a topic you love (fashion, travel, personal development, etc.), plan out content, and post regularly. Over time, you can monetize through ads, affiliate links, sponsorships, and digital products. I dabbled in this for a couple of years and can confirm there is money to be made!

Final Thoughts

There’s no one right way to make money online — it all depends on your skills, interests, and lifestyle goals. Some people love freelancing for clients, others enjoy creating digital products or building personal brands.

If you’re not sure where to start, pick one that sounds exciting and low-risk, then just go for it. Everything I do now started with a cold pitch and a free Canva account✨

PS: Love these ideas? Join my email list for more free tips, guides, and resources on remote work, freelancing, and elevating your career. Sign up below!

And if you’re ready to apply for your next online job, grab one of my resume templates — they’re designed to help you stand out and get hired faster.