Quick ways to make money exists, but knowing where to start and what to choose can feel like a challenge. Focus on areas that provide quick wins, tap into your zone of genius, and could potentially scale into something bigger as desired. Get started with these proven, quick ways to make money including pro tips to get started.
Hit up bloggers
There are over 600 million blogs out there all vying for attention. Whether they make a few hundred dollars or thousands, bloggers desperately need help with tasks like:
- Managing content
- Managing social media
- Creating Pinterest pins
- Moderating their comments and Facebook pages
- Reaching out to brands
- WordPress support
The best way to hit up a blogger for work is to position yourself as a virtual assistant. And it really doesn’t take long to get started. You can come up with a viable service, price it, and reach out to bloggers you admire. I’ve done this many times and landed work the same day. Want more info on how to turn this into one of your favorite quick ways to make money? Watch the video tutorial here:
Rent your house out to a movie or commercial set
Film and TV crews run rampant around Atlanta, and one of my friends funded an entire month-long trip to Mexico by renting out her front porch. Her home appeared in a commercial and tied up parts of her house for a few days. They were able to continue living there and posed a minor headache that proved well worth their trouble. Sites like Giggster connect home owners to productions looking for a location. The site says the average Giggster homeowner earns $2,207 per booking.
Triple up on an Uber hustle
Everyone talks about driving for Uber or Lyft, but there are more ways to earn. Sign-up as an Uber Eats and Uber driver, as well as for services like DoorDash. You can even sign-up for every service you can think of and then divide and conquer rides, food deliveries, and more. Most of the Uber and Lyft drivers I know who made a nice side income ride sharing all said the same thing. They go out early in the pre-dawn hours and snag airport rides. They’re more lucrative, tend to tip better, and there’s often less competition.
Piggy-back on a service
Instead of reinventing the wheel, piggy-back onto an existing service and offer them something valuable. A landscaping service is likely to recommend pooper scoopers to deal with the lawn before the arrive. A consignment sale business is also likely to hire someone to hang clothes, tag items, and help haul away leftovers and donate them. The best way to piggy-back on a service is to go through your personal network. People are more likely to hire someone that comes with a recommendation for last minute gigs.
Offer exclusive, high-end tutoring
Everyone has heard of the college admission cheating scandal that ensnarled celebrities like Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman. But it’s also proof of how far parents will go to ensure their kids get into the best schools. You can approach this ethically with exclusive, high-end tutoring. Whether you’re prepping ivy league hopefuls for their SATs or helping with college admission essays, you can charge a premium for high-end tutoring. Here are other ideas for high-end tutoring:
- LEGO robotics
- Orton-Gillingham reading help
- AP Biology
Depending on what you’re offering, you can tutor a small group. This gives individual families more flexibility in pricing, but you still end up earning more in the process. You can read a step-by-step approach to how Trevor set-up an $8,000/month tutoring service here.
Sell free coupons
When I had my kids, I received an endless stream of formula coupons and manufacturer checks. I turned around and sold them on ebay, sometimes making $75 on up in a single month. I’ve also sold coupons for a few dollars from the free mailers I get, as well as promotional offers I receive. ebay does limit the amount of coupons you can sell, but easily integrates into your quick ways to make money strategy. You can also sell free coupons on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Nextdoor and other outlets. Don’t be shy about selling almost expired coupons, as long as you’re clear about all of the dates. Many retailers extend the coupon expiration date for military personnel.
Sell your junk
I’ve written about this before, but selling off my junk for $425 in a single weekend is one of my favorite ways to make money. I’ve sold broken electronics, broken lawn mowers, old mattresses, furniture, and more. The trick is being absolutely clear about the condition and pricing it right. Many people are eager to buy your broken iPhones and lawn mowers and flip it for a profit.
I always sell things I want to get rid of like old mattresses for $10. When you offer something free, people often don’t see the value in it and are a no-show for their appointment. When it’s a steal, they’re happy to show up and revel in their good fortune.
Offer emergency dog walking services
Dog walkers are a dime a dozen, but offering a niche service commands higher rates. Offer emergency dog walking to people who are stuck at the office, whose dog walker called in sick, or who are called out of town on an emergency and need someone to fill-in until someone comes to collect their pup. You can also increase your rates for emergency overnights at your home or taking your dog to the vet or groomers. The point isn’t to price gouge, but to offer a valuable service. Google “last minute dog walkers” in your area to see what the going rate is. Post your offer on Facebook groups, Nextdoor, or look for dog walking and dog sitting gigs on Rover.
Sign-up for Upwork
Freelancers frequently frown upon using Upwork, but I find my best clients there. Big corporations, start-ups, and reputable websites and bloggers are all looking for help on Upwork. You’ll also find duds, which aggravates so many freelancers and people looking for quick ways to make money. Look for jobs that fit your skills like:
- Copywriting
- graphic design
- Inbox management
- Bookkeeping
- Social media maintenance
It can take some finessing to turn Upwork into a success. Create a sparkling profile, bid on jobs that pay at least $25 an hour and write a thorough proposal that illustrates exactly what you can offer your client. If you’re looking to get more insights on how to turn Upwork into a success and scale it into quick ways to make money, check out How to Dominate Freelancing on Upwork.
Clean up after a party
There are dozens of cleaning crews that offer monthly service or one-off deep cleaning. But it’s rare to hear about a service that will take a last-minute booking and clean-up after your party. Offer to clean up kitchens, dining rooms, and backyards and specify your services, including:
- Clean-up and recycle bottles and cans
- Toss party-related garbage
- Wipe down countertops
- Mop floors
Make sure to outline exactly what you offer, otherwise you could end up cleaning someone’s entire house. Charge a higher premium when your business is in demand like the holidays, graduation, 4th of July, and weekend birthday parties.
Store students’ stuff for the summer
I live in Atlanta, which among other things, is a college town. Locals know to hit up dorm parking lots on the last day of school where students are quick to throw out electronics, clothing, and other perfectly good things. You can flip them for a profit, or do something a little more ingenious. If you have space in your garage or basement, you can offer to store student’s stuff for the summer. A student storage business is so niche, it stands out in a competitive marketplace. Here’s a fantastic video with Nick Huber who founded Storage Squad and is dominating the student storage niche.
Negotiate all of your bills
Add negotiation as part of your quick ways to make money list. Sign-up with Trim and they’ll automatically get to work lowering your cable bill and other services. Next, look for promotions for all of your other providers that Trim may not cover, like your gas or electric bills. Switching providers often yields big discounts and perks like free airline miles. This is also a good time to get out your credit card bill and bank statement and scour the details. Do you have subscriptions and money sucks you’re no longer using? Slash your bills and free up more room in your budget.
Finding quick ways to make money isn’t difficult, but takes some persistence to work. It’s also savvy to combine strategies and weave together several quick money strategies to infuse real money back into your budget.