Build a Career Online with These Lucrative Specialties

Whether you’re looking for a full-time income or just for ways to raise some extra cash when you have free time, there are many different ways to make money online depending on your skills and interests. Some require you to have a camera and a microphone or specialized equipment, but for many, all you need is a way to connect to the internet. You can build a lucrative career with any of the paths below.

Virtual Assistant

As a virtual assistant, you’ll do tasks as your client needs just as you would if you were a regular assistant in an office. Some of the differences are that you will set your own prices and may work for multiple clients. Virtual assistants may do a variety of administrative tasks, including keeping a client’s calendar, data entry, creating spreadsheets, bookkeeping, event management and managing social media. You can get your start by going through a site that allows clients to bid for your services, but you can also set out on your own, creating a website and telling everyone you know about your new venture. You can raise your prices and become more selective about the clients you take on as you gain experience and visibility.

Video Game Streaming

Despite the stereotype of gamers as teenage boys, video games actually appeal to a wide audience. Video gamer demographics continue to shift as the numbers of women who play keeps growing, and the average gamer today is more like to be in their 30’s than their teens. People who make money streaming their play of video games do tend to be younger, but that’s no reason you can’t set out to do so at nearly any age. You do need to be engaging, and as you build subscribers, you can make money from donations, affiliate links, sponsorships and more.

Teaching English

If you’re a native speaker of English, you can get work teaching online although the better jobs will be reserved for those with a certificate in teaching and some experience. However, all you really need to get started is an internet connection, a webcam, a microphone and a decent grasp of the English language. Many schools hire tutors to teach virtually, and there are also sites where you can register to have students come to you. As is the case with being a virtual assistant, you can also set up your own site. One of the biggest challenges you may encounter is choosing a time that works for you and your students given the time zone differences.

Writing and Editing

There’s a perpetual need for good writers and editors online. The surge in self-publishing means many people are looking for editors and ghostwriters. Blogs and websites are perpetually in search of fresh content. There are many ways to market yourself, including sites that sell content, sites where clients bid for your writing services and your own website. Understanding SEO can boost your chances of getting work. Once you have some experience under your belt, you may want to consider specializing in a few subject areas.