Making Money Online And Coming Away From The Standard Nine To Five

Julie Starr • July 30, 2020



Years ago to earn an income, it meant you went out to work each day. You worked from nine till five and then you went home. That happened five days a week. You took home a paycheck, and that was that. Some people are still happy with this traditional method of working, but with recent changes in the world, and people having to diversify the way they operate such as allowing employees, perhaps like yourself to work from home or to change the way a business operates, it has opened up a whole new world of opportunity. 

As technology has advanced and the digital world has taken over, the opportunities for earning an income have changed a little. Many people can now consider;y work for themselves and from their homes to earn a living. Sure, you can still go out to earn a crust, but more and more people are considering money-making ventures online. It could give you that work and home life balance that you crave, or maybe even enable you to have greater flexibility with the way your day operates. So are there real big bucks to be made? With that question in mind, here are some of the ways you could earn some money online. 

Making more use of social media profiles

Social media is huge. There is no shying away from that. First, there were some of the major platforms like Facebook and Twitter. The introduction of Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, and Youtube to name a few. All of which can provide huge money-making opportunities for engaging profiles. There will be brands and companies that are keen to collaborate with individuals with excellent social media profiles. But sometimes it can be difficult to build up a following, especially on platforms like Instagram or Facebook. Which is why it may be worth it to consider other strategies to increase your following. In the long term, the investment could pay off. 

Social media is a great way to earn some money for the things that you share, the products that you may review, and many people have gone on to become an ‘influencer’ and earn big money.  There are many ways to make money from using affiliate links or even content monetization allowing followers to purchase from your brand and earn money without directing them to other retailers.  There have been huge rises in this line of work, and while it can feel like a saturated market, you have your own unique selling point. You. So work on what you might want to do and share and just start. Who knows where it might take you. 

A blog can be a money maker

It seems like everyone has a blog these days. But, while many monetize their blogs it is only a small percentage that earns huge amounts of money from their blogs . So how do they do that? With hard work and determination. It’s possible for anyone to have a successful blog. Advertising income through brand collaborations. Or being commissioned to write articles is just some of the ways you can. Other options include using affiliate links. While success may not happen overnight, with careful planning your blog could be a moneymaker. 

Blogs are a great way to flex your creative skills as you not only need to think about the visual aspects of the blog but also the content that you share. When it comes to some of that hard work mentioned, it is about thinking of keywords and ensuring that your blog is organically shown in search engine results, so that you get the website traffic generator that so many brands will be looking for. It is important as well to consider other avenues that a blog will enable you to monetize. Coaching courses, memberships, an e-commerce store selling goods. These are just some of the things successful bloggers have gone on to do to enhance and diversify their original blog business. 

Create a video blog

Youtube is a big one. Making videos for your own channel and allowing advertising to take place. As your subscribers increase so does your opportunity to earn. Brands are looking to work with real people these days and video is one of the ways that they want to reach out to new and potential customers. Much like a blog, it does take a lot of work and dedication to build up the reputation of your channel. But some people prefer the video editing options that YouTube can give them. When it comes to making your video blog stand out, you will need to consider how professional it looks. A thumbnail before the video starts, decent captions throughout the video to make it inclusive and considering things like YouTube end screen templates to ensure that you give your viewer a call to action to check out other videos or visit social media or online websites. A video blog, much like a blog, can enable you to not only make money with advertisements, but also things such as affiliate marketing, and even using YouTube ads for revenue.

Consider other online ventures

There are other online ventures to consider and many people who work from home have many different income streams to enable them to create a wage that they can comfortably live on. If you are just working for yourself, you may want to think about diverting income streams so that if one option isn’t making as much money as it had done the previous month, you have other revenue options that can pick up the slack and vice versa. Here are a few of the ones to consider:

  • Mystery shopping – Mystery shopping can take place online these days. You can get the option to mystery shop websites and make purchases, handle online conversations and communications, and then review feedback. Mystery shopping can also take place outside of the home, so you can click on the job online and then perform it within the deadline. This can not only give you a fee for the job but also money towards meals and products if the job requires purchases. 
  • Website testing – More companies want people to test out their websites and report back on how easy it is to use. It can be big business. 
  • Matched betting – this is another tax-free option to earn some income and there is a lot of information out there about it to help you get started with it. 
  • Filling out online surveys – last of all there are website platforms that will ask you to fill out online surveys and the money can vary from a couple of dollars for a few minutes’ work to ongoing surveys that will give you consistent revenue. 

All these little options add up and can help you to steady your income online as you navigate some of your bigger prospects and keep the income topped up as and when you need it. 

Starting up an online business with a website

Last of all, there is the obvious option of earning money online and that is to create an online business and start reading, selling or offering up online services . This means creating a website and marketing your product and service online only. It enables you to not have as many set-up costs as it would if you had a shop or business premises, and the cost of setting up a business online is cheaper than other avenues you could explore. Buying products to sell, or sourcing them to be manufactured can also be done through online communication. After the current pandemic we have just gone through, many people have had no alternative than to shop online. It was becoming more and popular anyway but as people have had no choice, the online world for making purchases and starting up new businesses is a fast market right now. Online shopping can be anything from big purchases of furniture to food and clothes. The options are endless and there is money to be made.

So what’s the verdict?

Having only just covered a small indication on how you can make money online I think the answer is it can be very lucrative. Making money online gives you great flexibility in terms of what you can do and how you can earn your money. You no longer have that one option and instead could try a few different ways to increase your money-making potential. One big focus is always going to be ideal, for example starting a blog or a business, but then having smaller income streams can help you to top up the money that you earn online. So many people have done this and found that they not only feel passion for the work they do, but the work-life balance gives them options for flexibility in their life. If you have the time, the patience and the know-how making money online could be an easy income for you.  As a reminder, keep sustainability in mind when building your business.  Business sustainability is a win-win for growing your business and supporting the environment. 

Let’s hope this has inspired you to look into alternative ways to boost your disposable income or to even replace your income with a job online and to start working for yourself in different ways. Who wants the standard nine to five these days anyway?

 

By Julie Starr December 17, 2024
In today’s world, sustainability is no longer a buzzword—it’s a business imperative. Consumers, investors, and stakeholders are demanding more transparency and accountability from brands. They don’t just want to know what you sell; they want to know who you are, what you stand for, and how your work contributes to a better world. That’s where your sustainability story comes in. Sharing your achievements in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives isn’t just about meeting expectations—it’s about building trust, fostering loyalty, and inspiring action. At Taiga Company, we specialize in helping organizations authentically communicate their sustainability achievements in ways that drive measurable impact and align with their goals. Why Sharing Your Sustainability Achievements Is Good for Business Build Trust with Stakeholders Sustainability storytelling builds credibility and trust. Whether you’re addressing investors, employees, or customers, sharing your sustainability milestones demonstrates your commitment to accountability and long-term value creation. For example: Highlight your efforts in achieving science-based targets, reducing carbon emissions, or adopting circular economy practices. These stories resonate with audiences looking for businesses that align with their values. Differentiate Your Brand In a competitive marketplace, sustainability can set you apart. Brands that communicate their achievements in regenerative agriculture, water stewardship, or biodiversity conservation position themselves as industry leaders and innovators. Think of it this way: A well-told sustainability story is not just a report—it’s a statement of leadership, authenticity, and purpose. Drive Stakeholder Engagement Sustainability stories invite dialogue. By showcasing meaningful milestones, like successful recycling initiatives or community reforestation projects, you foster stronger relationships with stakeholders who want to be part of your mission. Engagement isn’t just about storytelling; it’s about inspiring action. Whether through social media campaigns, press releases, or executive thought leadership, your achievements can encourage others to collaborate and support your goals. Attract Purpose-Driven Talent and Customers Today’s workforce and consumers seek brands with purpose. Communicating your impact helps attract talent and customers who align with your mission. A transparent, well-executed sustainability strategy speaks volumes about your leadership and values. At Taiga Company, we specialize in results-driven communications that empower purpose-led brands to share their sustainability achievements with confidence and clarity. Our services ensure your story resonates with the audiences that matter most. Your sustainability achievements deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Whether it’s reducing carbon emissions, innovating in sustainable packaging, or leading water stewardship initiatives, telling your story is an opportunity to inspire trust, drive action, and shape a better future.
By Julie Starr December 16, 2024
Alright, so here’s the deal, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword anymore. Sure, at this most most industries, yes, even the most unsustainable industries have this general idea, right? Well, you’re always going to find some businesses in some niches (and yes, industries too) who think that it doesn’t apply to them. But no, it applies to all niches and all industries, and yes, it’s a business requirement. Now, across every industry, the companies that are embracing green practices are the ones that are thriving. Why? Well, because customers, investors, and employees are all paying attention. If a business isn’t making an effort to be sustainable, it’s not just falling behind, it’s losing out. Overall, sustainability isn’t just about saving the planet; it’s about saving your business. Yes, this needs to be hammered in, so industry leaders, here’s why you’re just not excused. Green Practices Mean Growth Yep, it’s that plain and simple, So, sustainability isn’t just about doing the right thing, it’s about doing the smart thing. Businesses that prioritize green practices are cutting costs, staying competitive, and building trust with their audiences. So, reducing waste, switching to renewable energy, and sourcing materials ethically aren’t just good for the planet, they’re great for the bottom line. Simple enough, right? Well, take packaging, for example. Cutting down on unnecessary plastics doesn’t just make customers happy; it slashes production and disposal costs. So, switching to energy-efficient operations isn’t just environmentally friendly, rather, it saves a fortune on utilities. There don’t need to be roadblocks seen, rather they should be opportunities! There’s Plenty to Gain Okay, so sustainability isn’t just for industries with obvious environmental impact, it’s critical in healthcare too. Again, no excuses here. Hospitals and clinics use massive amounts of energy, and the waste from single-use supplies piles up fast. The same can be said for labs, and pharmacies too. Actually, go ahead and take specialty drugs as an example. Now, most people know that these life-changing treatments are for serious conditions, but they often come with sky-high costs. But why? Well, the production and distribution processes can be incredibly resource-heavy. But even sustainable practices can help lower prices, such as energy-efficient manufacturing or even cutting down on excess packaging. It might be hard to see, but little changes can make massive impacts on costs (and what’s being spent on both ends). Tech Easily Shows How Sustainability Drives Innovation The tech industry has been leading the charge when it comes to sustainability, and the results speak for themselves. Actually, companies like Google and Apple are proving that being green isn’t just possible, but this can actually be pretty profitable! If tech companies can do this, then yeah, all industries are capable. So above, medicine was mentioned, but data centers are also a great example ( since they use a lot of energy). Well, nowadays, most companies are now powering these centers with renewable energy, cutting costs and emissions at the same time. No Industry Gets a Free Pass It doesn’t matter if it’s healthcare, tech, retail, or manufacturing, basically, every industry has something to gain by going green. There are small examples like retailers ditching plastic bags for reusable ones. Then there are bigger examples like factories rethinking supply chains to cut emissions and save costs. But the reality is that businesses sticking to wasteful, outdated practices are falling behind. Besides, governments are rolling out stricter regulations.
Share by: