How to make more money: ways to earn money online and offline

The digital economy is booming, and the demand for online specialists continues to grow. According to statistics, the demand for online services is estimated to exceed 4.3 trillion dollars worldwide in 2025.

As this trend continues, new opportunities are emerging for people to boost their income and explore more options for remote work. One of the biggest advantages of earning online is its flexibility—it can be combined with studying, a part-time job, or even a full-time position. It is also a great way to develop new skills and convert your extra income into a profitable business.

Here are some creative ideas to help you earn extra money.

Pick up freelance work online

Freelancing is beneficial for both remote workers and employers. For companies, it reduces costs by eliminating the need to officially go through the hiring process, manage employee benefits, or provide office space. For freelancers, it offers maximum flexibility, independence, and control over their workflow.

Freelancers have many choices and the freedom to choose which projects to accept, from online surveys to translations or SMM, and so on. You are the one who decides how to manage your time and how much you want to earn—you can take on multiple smaller projects or focus on one larger, higher-paying assignment. What matters is a clear understanding of the task and meeting the deadlines.

Another significant advantage is that flexible scheduling makes it easier to plan work hours around personal productivity peaks—early in the morning or late at night.

If you are self-disciplined, responsible, and capable of organising your work independently, freelancing can be a rewarding and efficient way to build a successful career.

Here are a couple of top freelance platforms that can be useful if you decide to start your freelancer path:

Upwork is great for many freelance jobs, from writing and design to marketing and software development. You can choose between short-term and long-term projects or one-off tasks. The platform allows you to set up your rates to target the projects that fit your income criteria. Besides, the platform offers a secure payment system, so you don't need to worry about getting paid on time.

Fiverr is another user-friendly platform that offers a secure payment system and supports a wide range of services, from writing and design to programming and consulting. Its review and rating systems help freelancers build credibility and grow their businesses.

Test websites and apps

Being a tester means being responsible for navigating websites or apps and providing feedback on usability, functionality, and design for future improvement. By sharing your user experience and improving digital sources for other users, you are earning extra money and making a significant impact on app and website development.

The process usually involves following specific tasks, recording your screen and voice while completing them, and reporting any issues or suggestions.

No special technical skills are required, but clear communication and the ability to describe your experience in detail can improve the quality of your feedback and the speed at which you complete the task and receive your reward.

UserTesting is one of the biggest platforms that helps connect testers with companies. Additionally, the platform partners with world-famous brands, such as Burberry or Costa Coffee.

The platform has a huge partner network, so you will have various tasks. No special IT or tech skills are required to start testing websites or apps; you must follow the instructions and provide honest feedback. Some tests are language or location-specific, providing extra opportunities for those who speak different languages or travel frequently.

Learn to use AI tools

Thanks to artificial intelligence, many professionals can now work more efficiently and increase their income. Its development also leads to new roles appearing in the job market, such as prompt engineers and AI trainers, which are directly connected to the development of artificial intelligence.

Mastering modern AI technologies can open up new opportunities—from content creation and design to automation, marketing, and freelancing. With the right skills, you can turn AI tools into a valuable source of additional earnings.

Even if you are new to AI tools, here are some ideas on what skills you may combine with artificial intelligence.

• Content creation. Use AI to write articles, blogs, product descriptions, or marketing content faster and more efficiently. Platforms like ChatGPT can help you optimise your time and complete writing tasks.
• Graphic design and art. AI tools like Midjourney, DALL·E, or Canva's AI features allow you to create a variety of visuals. You can start with simple tasks like creating logos or working on design for social media.
• Video and audio editing. Tools like Descript or Pictory help you edit videos, podcasts, and presentations quickly, even without experience.

Mastering AI tools will help you stay up to date, boost your productivity, and have more options for extra income.

Make money from your blog with affiliate links

Affiliate marketing is when you include a link in your content to a product or service for sale on another site. If you already have a blog, website, or YouTube channel with an engaged audience that trusts your product recommendations, this can be a viable revenue option.

The model is straightforward: when someone clicks the link on your site, goes to the affiliate's web page, and proceeds to buy the product you've endorsed, you earn a commission on the sale. This can be an open advertisement or a sincere recommendation.

Let's say you are a fitness trainer with your own website where you offer online classes. You can even offer them for free and include affiliate links for sportswear you love or yoga mats you use. When your follower clicks on the link to the sportswear you've recommended and then buys it, you get the commission.

The great advantage is that you are responsible only for your blog and your message to your followers; all arrangements related to products from the affiliated links lie with your affiliate.

One key to success when partnering with affiliates is maintaining the trust of your audience and being transparent about your affiliate relationships. Remember that your blog's reputation is related to the product or service you're promoting, so focus on quality when choosing your affiliate partners.

Become an Instagram influencer

We all remember that Instagram used to be a place to share food photos and vacation sunsets. Today, it's a powerful platform where businesses and individuals turn likes and followers into real revenue. In 2025, Instagram remains a social media giant with over 2.35 billion users worldwide.

Here are the types of content you can share as an Instagram influencer.

• Short videos or reels. Reels are Instagram's answer to TikTok. The algorithm works so that you will also have a bigger outreach to non-follower feeds. Short videos also get more likes, shares, and comments than regular posts.
• Instagram Stories remain a vibrant space for real-time interaction, keeping your followers engaged. They are ideal for balancing your feed aesthetic with daily updates, momentary thoughts, product reviews, and so on.
• Live streaming. It is a powerful tool that allows you to connect with your audience in real time. It is ideal for product launches and interactive discussions. Direct interaction with your followers increases engagement and builds more trust with your crowd.

Sell your photography

One of the most popular ways to make money from photography is to sell your work on stocks. You can submit your best shots to stock sites, which then list the images for sale in their digital catalogues. Customers buy and upload photos online, and the stock photography website pays the photographer a share of the revenue.

Alamy is one of the best stocks to start selling your photos. The company positions itself not as a stock image platform but as a playground for creative people. So, if photography is your passion, you have all the chances to succeed in getting a good income from your creations.

It has one of the most diverse collections of stock photos, with over 313 million stock images, vectors, videos, and 360-degree panoramas. You can sell anything from everyday images to niche-specific images. The company also offers an app called Stockimo, which allows you to sell your iPhone photos and make extra money from your selfies.

Become an online tutor

We all know that parents are ready to spend even more money on their children than on themselves, so tutors are always in high demand. It is desirable to have a pedagogical education, but sometimes, being very well-versed in the subject is enough to start. Teaching foreign languages or math, giving guitar classes, or helping with schoolwork—there is a vast variety of options that you can choose based on your skills.

The pay is usually per hour, depending on your qualifications and how much time you can dedicate. You can find students in several ways. Some tutors start blogs on social networks and demonstrate their skills there.

Preply is an international platform for tutors that has a huge student base. It also covers multiple subjects, such as foreign languages, math, business, and test preparation. You are free to set your per-hour rate.

The significant advantage is that it has a high-ranking search engine position and a wide net of social media advertising that will help you attract students. The platform offers 24/7 customer support to students and teachers, which facilitates many of your operations as a tutor. You can access interactive boards, note sections, and AI-powered teaching assistants. As a result, you can focus more on your teaching skills and techniques than on resolving operational needs.

Trade foreign currencies (Forex)

Trading is one of the most flexible and interesting ways to make money. Trading works with assets, such as currency pairs and stocks, whose value constantly fluctuates. You can earn money on these fluctuations. Trading online is available to anyone ready to learn and act consciously. This can open a path to financial freedom.

To create a stable source of income, it is essential to understand several key concepts.

• Currency pairs. Currency pairs are among the best starting options for those who want to earn money with minimal investments. Earning from currency price movement is available even to beginners and allows you to master the basics of trading quickly.
• Trading platforms. Intuitive online platforms allow traders to monitor exchange rates and other assets in real time. They are suitable for both beginners and experienced users, offering easy use and essential analytical tools.

Octa. Acknowledged as the Best Trading Platform and Best Customer Service Broker, Octa suits both experienced traders and beginners. It offers various currency pairs: major, minor, and even exotic ones like the South African rand.

With low spreads and zero commissions, it offers amazing features like following successful traders and copying their trading strategy. It also offers Islamic accounts and accepts crypto deposits.

With fast deposits in less than one minute and withdrawal options in less than 19 minutes, Octa also offers some unique features on its platform, like educational articles and expert insight that can help you improve your trading skills. The Trade and Win option allows you to win valuable gifts and Octa's merchandise.

Make and sell homemade crafts

In today's world, it's easier than ever to turn your creative passion into a source of extra income. Handmade products have an exceptional value since every handmade piece is unique—even the creator won't be able to create an exact copy. That uniqueness and the time, care, and love put into each item make hand-crafted things memorable.

Buyers notice and appreciate these qualities. That's why many people are happy to support handmade goods and give them preference over mass-produced ones. So, if you've ever thought about sharing your creativity with the world, this could be your sign to try it.

Etsy is among the most popular handmade, vintage, and craft platforms. The platform positions itself as a space that supports unique creators and offers extraordinary pieces.

It already has a huge audience, so you don't need to worry about getting noticed. The platform is user-friendly, helping you easily manage, promote, and grow your business. With easy set-up options and small transaction fees, it may be the perfect choice for opening your own handmade shop.

Sell your gently used clothes

Reselling goods could be an excellent option for diving into business at a low risk.

You don't need a significant investment—just a good eye for products and a basic market understanding.

However, success in reselling depends on a few key things: choosing the right products, knowing what people want, and having negotiation and communication skills.

Another good news is that many global companies are looking for more sustainable ways to do business and are ready to accept your used clothes to recycle and give them a second life. So, besides selling online, you can look for a local spot to turn in your clothes for cash in your hometown.

With the right approach, it can become a steady source of income or even a full-time business.

EBay is a globally known platform that is great for everything. Its vast and diverse audience allows you to access varied and flexible pricing.

You can also set up an auction and see what the best option is for you. A significant advantage is that, unlike many platforms, it also allows reselling branded items. It also has great analytical tools in case you want to convert your hobby into a full-time business and grow your income.

Final thoughts

• The digital economy offers vast and growing opportunities for earning money online, making remote work and freelance jobs increasingly viable income sources.
• Freelancing provides significant flexibility and independence, allowing workers to choose projects, set their rates, and work according to their productivity peaks.
• Mastering AI tools is becoming essential for boosting productivity and income as AI technologies open new roles and opportunities in content creation, design, marketing, and automation.
• Affiliate marketing and social media influencing are effective ways to monetise existing audiences, such as blog readers or Instagram followers.
• Selling creative work or skills online, such as photography, tutoring, or handmade crafts, can turn passions into profitable ventures.
• Trading and reselling offer flexible income options, with platforms like Octa for Forex trading and eBay for reselling used clothes. These provide tools and markets to grow income, sometimes even into full-time businesses.