22 Ways To Make Money Online Without Paying Anything

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Many people can earn money online without any upfront payment. Thanks to online jobs and business growth, you can earn a side income or even start a full-time job from home.

It doesn’t matter if you’re experienced or just starting out, there are ways to make money without paying anything initially. Whether it’s creating content, offering digital services or selling products online, you can use your creativity and skills to earn a steady income.

I know this really exists because I myself have made money online in many different ways without paying anything to get started.

The best way to make money online without paying anything

Here’s a quick rundown of my favorite ways to make money without investing:

Below are the best ways to make money online without paying anything.

1. Blog

Blogging is exactly what I started many years ago and I didn’t pay anything initially to get started.

If you want to make money with your laptop, I recommend this one.

I started Making Sense of Cents in 2011 and have since made over $5 million. I started the blog on a whim to share my financial journey. At the time, I had no idea that anyone could make money from blogging or even how to make it successful.

Now it’s my full time job!

Ultimately, like most businesses listed below, blogging will incur costs if you want to grow and increase your revenue, but the costs are low compared to the money you can make.

So what is a blog? A blog is something you write on a website, just like the content you’re reading right now. You can blog about things you’re passionate about, things you know a lot about, or things you’d like to know more about (people love to follow first-hand journeys!).

You can also write about different niches (topics) such as travel, personal finance, home, lifestyle, family, food, etc.

You can learn how to start a blog with my free course, “How to Start a Blog” (click here to sign up).

2. Printable

Selling printables is a way to make passive income from home with no upfront costs.

Printables are digital files that you can download and print at home. You only need to create one digital file per product and sell it multiple times.

Think grocery shopping lists, invitations, thank you cards, digital art, gift tags, and more.

Myself, and many others, have purchased many printables. Recently I purchased a printable to help teach my daughter the alphabet. It was a useful tool and easy to print at home.

You can learn more about this in How to Make Money Selling Prints on Etsy.

3. Proofreading

If you enjoy finding mistakes in writing and want to start a business without spending a lot of money, proofreading jobs could be a good choice. This can be a part-time job or a full-time job that you can work from home.

Many proofreaders earn around $40,000 a year, or even more.

Proofreaders look for errors in articles, advertisements, books, student papers, emails, transcripts, and more.

To become a proofreader, all you need is a laptop or tablet, an internet connection, and the ability to spot mistakes and errors, so you probably already have everything you need to get started.

We encourage you to sign up for our free 76-minute workshop to learn more about becoming a proofreader. You can sign up for our free “How to Become a Proofreader” workshop here.

Recommended reading: How to become a proofreader and work from anywhere

4. Freelance Writing

Freelance writing is a great way to make money online with no upfront costs because you don’t need any expensive equipment to get started.

A freelance writer is someone who writes articles for a variety of venues, including websites, blogs, magazines, advertisements, and books.

I’ve been working as a freelance writer from my laptop for many years. I really enjoy being a freelance writer and have many friends who do the same. I started doing this because I wanted to make money from home and not have to figure out what to do with it. And it worked!

You can make over $50,000 a year doing this, and some of my friends who are freelance writers make over $200,000 a year.

Recommended reading: 14 Places to Find Freelance Writing Jobs

5. Opening an online store

Starting an online store is a way to make money without any upfront costs, and sites like Etsy and Shopify make it possible.

Etsy allows you to sell handmade and vintage items, craft supplies, and more. This online marketplace is perfect if you want to sell creative, unique, and one-of-a-kind products, while Shopify gives you more flexibility in what products you can sell and lets you build your own personal storefront.

There are many different types of things you can sell. For example, digital products like eBooks and web design templates don’t require inventory and can be sold repeatedly at no extra cost. On the other hand, you can also sell physical products, but keep in mind that you’ll need a shipping plan and it might cost money to keep them in stock for your store.

Another idea is dropshipping, a business model where you don’t have to store inventory or ship products yourself. Instead, you work with a supplier who handles inventory and shipping for you.

Below are some ideas for products you can sell in your online dropshipping store.

1. Travel accessories such as portable luggage scales, neck pillows, and travel cubes
2. Fitness equipment including yoga mats, weights, and resistance bands
3. Sustainable products like reusable tableware, bamboo toothbrushes, tote bags, and eco-friendly cleaning products
4. Camping related items such as hammocks, lanterns, cooking sets, survival kits, etc.
5. Jewelry such as stackable rings, stackable bracelets, anklets, and statement earrings

Note: Which platform should I choose for my online store? Choosing the right domain name can make a big difference in your online store. A .store domain has many benefits: A .store domain immediately tells people that they can buy from you. A study found that websites with a .store domain get 87% more traffic (more traffic means more sales and revenue). The word “store” is the word people use when searching online, so having it in your web address makes it easier for customers to find you. Plus, owning a .store domain gives you access to Elevate.store, a site with $2,500 worth of deals. Get discounts on tools like Shopify, QuickBooks, Mailchimp, Vistaprint, and more. Learn more about Elevate.store here.

6. Print-on-demand

Similar to the above, print on demand (POD) is a business model where you print custom designs onto products like t-shirts, mugs, books, etc., and then sell them, but they are only printed when an order is placed.

It’s a popular way to start an online business with minimal start-up costs because you don’t have to worry about inventory. Your job is to create designs and set up your online store.

When a customer purchases a product, the order goes directly to the POD supplier, who prints and ships the product under your brand name.

I recommend you register 17 Popular Print-on-Demand Products to Help You Fund Your Next Vacation and More! For more information, please click here.

7. Stock Photos

Stock photography is a way to make money online with no upfront cash. If you already have a camera or a cell phone, you can start selling stock photos.

All you have to do is take photos, post them on stock photography websites, and sell them to people and businesses.

People buy stock images from websites like Shutterstock, Getty Images, Adobe Stock, and others for a variety of reasons: to add them to their websites, articles, blog posts, advertisements, and social media.

You can sell many different types of photography, including travel, business, people, food, animals, health, fashion, sports, and more.

For example, if you write a blog post about making money with a laptop, you might buy a stock photo of a laptop. Or, if you want photos related to making money while traveling, look for vacation photos to include in your blog post. Using stock photos makes your blog post more enjoyable to read.

Recommended reading: 18 ways to make money from photography

8. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a way to make money by promoting products and services online, and it doesn’t require anything fancy to get started.

Affiliate marketing pays you a commission when your friends or followers purchase a product through a referral link that you share. It’s that simple.

First, pick a product that you love and think others would find useful. Next, sign up for affiliate programs. Each program will give you an affiliate link that tracks who clicks on your recommendation and makes a purchase.

Your job is to share your affiliate link with as many interested people as possible. You can do this by writing about it on your blog, creating a video, or even sharing it on social media.

To learn more, we recommend you sign up for our Affiliate Marketing Tips for Bloggers – Free E-Book.

9. Playing games or watching videos for money

There are many money making apps out there that allow you to earn cash by playing games and watching videos on your phone.

These apps make money through ads and in-app purchases, so you pay real money. To keep you playing, the app gives you a cut of the revenue. When you watch a video, the site rewards you for watching sponsored videos. These videos can range from ads to short clips.

This won’t make you rich, but it’s a way to make money from your phone with no upfront costs.

Here is a quick list of the top video and gaming apps that actually pay out cash.

1. Kashkick
2. Swagbucks
3. Inbox Dollars

Recommended reading: 15 ways to make money with your cell phone

10. Market research and focus groups

If you enjoy sharing your opinions, market research and focus group work are a great, inexpensive way to make money online. This type of work gives you the opportunity to connect with companies looking for feedback on their products and services. The key is to understand what you, as a consumer, think.

Many companies want to hear from people like you and me, and all you need is a laptop, a phone, some free time, and a good internet connection to share your thoughts with them.

When I was paying off my student loans, I filled out online surveys almost every day. I filled out surveys before work, during my lunch break, and after work. I wasn’t making a ton of money, but it was flexible because I could fill out surveys whenever I had time. Plus, it was super easy and didn’t require much thought.

Here are some survey companies that I recommend:

1. American Consumer Opinion
2. Research Addict
3. Swagbucks
4. Inbox Dollars
5. Brand Research
6. Prize Levels
7. User interviews – these jobs pay around $60 on average per job (much more than other jobs, but are usually video or phone calls, so are a bit more of a hassle for the participants)

Signing up for these survey sites is free, and you will usually be paid around $1-3 for each completed survey.

11. Online tutoring

As an online tutor, you get to teach students from the comfort of your own home. Your job is to share your knowledge and help them with subjects you know well. You don’t have to worry about travel or a tight schedule. You can choose the time to do your online tutoring job.

Depending on the difficulty of the subject and your expertise, you can earn anywhere from $30 to $60 or more per hour. And since you don’t need to pay any money up front, you can earn money online without any extra costs.

As a tutor, you might spend 30 minutes to an hour giving lessons, answering questions online, and working one-on-one with students via video lessons.

12. Virtual assistant jobs

You can earn money from home as a virtual assistant by performing administrative tasks for your clients online. You don’t need anything but a computer or laptop to get started.

A virtual assistant (VA) performs similar tasks as an administrative assistant, but works from home or anywhere there is internet.

A virtual assistant will:

1. Email Management – ​​Respond and organize emails
2. Calendar management – ​​schedule appointments, meetings, and events
3. Administrative support – preparation of reports, presentations and documentation
4. Travel Arrangements – booking flights, hotels and transportation for business trips
5. Internet Research – Research online about the topic you are writing about, your competitors, products, etc.
6. Website maintenance – updating content, monitoring performance, managing website-related tasks
7. Personal tasks – scheduling appointments or making dinner reservations

I used to be a virtual assistant (it was actually one of my first online jobs and I loved that I didn’t have to spend any money to be a VA), and I also have virtual assistants working for me, so I know how helpful they can be. Plus, it doesn’t have to be expensive to get started.

13. Social Media Influencers

Becoming a social media influencer is a real way to make money online with no upfront costs and there are plenty of people who have started their social media accounts without any costs whatsoever, in fact I think most people start off just as a hobby.

You can start by just taking photos with your phone and sharing your thoughts on your social media accounts like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

As a social media influencer, you can earn money through sponsored posts, where brands pay you to promote their products or services in your posts. You can also earn money through affiliate marketing, where you earn a commission on sales made through your referral link. Additionally, you can sell digital products, such as e-books and online courses.

I’ve been a social media influencer for years, making money from my Instagram and Facebook accounts, which has allowed me to collaborate with brands I love and promote products I already use.

14. Transcriber

Becoming a transcriptionist is a good option to make money online with no upfront costs. It’s a job you can learn, and transcriptionists typically earn around $15 per hour.

As a transcriptionist, you can earn money from home by converting audio and video files into documents. Your clients may include marketers, authors, filmmakers, academics, speakers, conference officials, and more.

To find transcription jobs, start here:

1. Rev – On average, transcriptionists at Rev make $245 per month, with top earners making up to $1,495.
2. CrowdSurf – CrowdSurf pays for short transcription tasks, making it a great choice for those looking for quick, manageable projects.
3. TranscribeMe – This platform is suitable for beginners as it provides training and only requires a reliable internet connection and a computer.

Recommended reading: Top 18 Online Transcription Jobs for Beginners

15. Video Game Live Streams

Yes, you can make money online with no upfront costs by live streaming (such as playing your favorite video games). Eventually, you may want to upgrade to higher quality equipment, but you can get started right away with the computer and phone you already have.

Twitch is a website that allows you to earn money by playing video games and interacting with your audience in real time through livestreams.

More viewers means more money. Streamers can earn money in the following ways:

• Subscription – Your fans can support you as subscribers for a monthly fee.
• Donate – If your viewers enjoy your stream, they can send you a tip.
• advertisement – You can earn commission from ads that run on your live stream.
• Sponsorship – Companies may pay you to promote their products.

Recommended reading: How much do Twitch streamers make?

16. YouTube

Starting a YouTube channel is a popular way to make money online with no initial investment. You can record videos with your phone or camera and you don’t need anything else to start.

You can start a YouTube channel on a variety of topics, including finance, housing, travel, toys, pets, etc. These days, there is a YouTube channel on almost every topic, and there is still room to add more.

In your YouTube videos, you can include links to products that you recommend, earn revenue from ads that play during your videos, get compensation from brands for featuring their products, and even sell your own products.

17. Freelance Graphic Design

As a graphic designer, you can make money online without investing any money up front. You can create designs for your clients, such as logos, social media graphics, and branding materials.

First, you’ll want to create a simple but impactful portfolio to showcase your work. This is your opportunity to show potential clients what you’re capable of, so it should include some of your favorite projects and ones that reflect your design style.

You can also sign up with freelancing sites like Fiverr where companies can search for designers like you.

18. Virtual Bookkeeping

Bookkeepers manage financial records, track expenses, and prepare financial reports, which requires attention to detail and strong organizational skills.

This job typically pays more than $40,000 a year, plus many types of businesses need bookkeepers, making it a great career choice with plenty of opportunity for growth.

Even better, this job can be done from home using a computer and the internet.

Yes, you don’t need a degree to become a bookkeeper. Start by learning basic bookkeeping and the software that most businesses use.

If you want to become a bookkeeper, we have a free workshop on finding virtual bookkeeping jobs that you can sign up for free here.

19. Write an eBook

Writing an e-book can be a way to make money without any upfront investment other than your time and effort. You can write an e-book yourself, for example through the self-publishing route on Amazon.

E-books are digital books that can be downloaded and read on devices such as tablets, mobile phones, e-readers, laptops, etc. They are very popular because they are affordable and easily accessible.

I have personally purchased many e-books, both non-fiction and fiction, and so have many others.

Recommended reading: How does this guy passively make $200 a day from book sales?

20. Online Travel Agencies

A travel agent is a professional who helps people plan and book trips, vacations, and other travel arrangements. Travel agents offer their clients the expertise and support to find the best deals for transportation, accommodation, and activities, taking into account their preferences, budget, and needs.

Travel agents offer helpful advice about destinations, suggest itineraries, arrange tours and excursions, and also handle logistics such as flights, hotels, car rentals, and travel insurance.

There are many different niches you can sell holidays and travel in, including luxury travel, cruises, Disney, budget travel, adventure holidays, and more.

21. Write a book review

If you love reading and talking about books, you can make money writing reviews from home. Authors and publishers want to hear your honest opinions because it helps other readers choose what to read next. Readers love these reviews too, so it’s a win-win for everyone involved.

You don’t need anything but a computer (or cell phone) to write a review, and in many cases the book will be provided to you for review, so you don’t have to pay for it.

This is usually a side hustle to earn some extra cash and free books.

Here are some websites where you can earn money online by writing book reviews.

1. Online Book Club – You will receive a free book for your first review (no other payment), and after your first review you will typically earn $5-60 in cash per review.
2. Kirkus Media – They are looking for reviewers of books in both English and Spanish, especially for the Indie section of Kirkus. Reviews include a summary of about 350 words to submit two weeks after receiving the book. They cover all genres and review over 10,000 books a year.
3. Upwork – Create your profile as a book reviewer on this freelancing platform. You can choose the projects that interest you and set your own rates.
4. American Book Review – They hire freelance writers to write 250-300 word reviews that go beyond a summary and provide insight into the book. To participate, submit your resume, a writing sample, and a few letters of recommendation.
5. Lizzy Discovery – Review books before they are published and earn rewards through tips from readers ($1-5). An exciting way to influence which books become popular.

Check out 16 Best Ways to Get Paid to Read Books for more information.

22. Online job opportunities

There are plenty of other ways to make money online that don’t cost anything to get started, including:

• Find a part-time or full-time remote job – If you’re looking for a full-time income or are interested in part-time work, popular job search platforms like Indeed can help you find a job that fits your schedule, whether you’re working as an employee for someone else, such as a software engineer, developer, HR manager, or IT manager.
• Customer Service and Support Jobs – As a stay-at-home customer service representative, you’ll work for a business and answer customer questions and issues.
• Data entry and administrative tasks – If you have great attention to detail and can work independently, data entry jobs are a great fit.

These are all jobs where you work for someone else online from home, and the company will usually provide you with everything you need to get started, including the software and sometimes a laptop.

FAQ

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about how to make money online without paying anything.

How can I make money online completely free?

There are many ways to make money online completely free: you can start a blog, become a freelance writer, do bookkeeping, write book reviews, sell stock photos, become a virtual assistant, and much more.

How can students make money online without investment?

Students can earn money online without any investment by completing online surveys, tutoring online, doing freelance writing, proofreading, blogging, etc. Whether you are looking to earn some extra cash or earn a full-time income, students have many options.

How to make money online without paying anything – Summary

I hope you enjoyed this article on how to make money online without paying anything.

Starting to make money online may seem daunting and impossible, but it’s not impossible if you do it right.

The Internet is full of places where you can showcase your skills as a writer, artist, tutor, or you can sell products online, play games, or give your opinion on surveys.

What other ways are there to make money online for free without any investment?

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