I’ve been earning money from home for over five years now. In that time, I’ve tried everything from survey sites (waste of time) to actual freelance work (game changer).
Here’s what I learned: there are real ways to make money from home, but most of the “easy money” stuff online is complete garbage.
So let me save you the headache and share what actually works.
The Real Deal: Ways to Earn Money From Home
1. Virtual Assistant
This is probably my top recommendation for beginners. Companies and entrepreneurs constantly need help with:
- Email management
- Calendar scheduling
- Customer service
- Social media management
- Data entry
You don’t need special skills—just reliability and decent communication. I started at $25/hour and within a year was charging $45/hour for specialized work.
Where to start: Upwork, Fiverr, or directly applying to solopreneurs on LinkedIn.
2. Freelance Writing
If you can string a sentence together, you can be a freelance writer. Businesses need blog posts, website copy, emails, and whitepapers constantly.
My first paid writing gig paid $50 for a 500-word blog post. I thought I’d hit the jackpot. Now I know that rate is low—you can easily charge $100-300+ for similar work as you build your portfolio.
Where to start: Contently, ProBlogger job board, or cold email businesses in your niche.
3. Online Tutoring
Know something others don’t? You can teach it. Popular subjects include:
- English (TEFL certification helps but isn’t always required)
- Math and science
- Test prep (SAT, ACT, GRE)
- Programming
- Music lessons
I tutored college students in statistics while working on my degree. Made $40/hour sitting in my dorm room. Not bad for watching someone else struggle with t-tests.
Where to start: VIPKid, Wyzant, Chegg, or Superprof.
4. Remote Customer Service
Every company needs people to answer phones, respond to emails, and chat with customers. Many of these positions are fully remote now.
The pay isn’t exciting (typically $15-20/hour), but it’s stable work with consistent hours. And you can often do it in your pajamas.
Where to start: Indeed, Remote.co, or company career pages directly.
5. Bookkeeping
I know, I know—accounting sounds boring. But hear me out. Small businesses desperately need bookkeepers, and you can learn the basics in a few weeks through free courses.
The average freelance bookkeeper makes $30-60/hour. Not too shabby for data entry that helps small businesses survive.
Where to start: Bookkeepers.com offers training, or check Gusto for job listings.
6. Transcription
Transcribing audio files into text. That’s it. Medical, legal, and general transcription all pay differently, but you can start with general work and specialize later.
Expect to make $15-25/hour once you’re fast. The key is accuracy and speed—both improve with practice.
Where to start: Rev, TranscribeMe, or GoTranscript.
7. Website Testing
Companies pay real people to visit websites and give feedback about user experience. No special skills needed—you just need a computer and honest opinions.
Each test takes about 15-20 minutes and pays $10-15. It’s not going to replace your full-time income, but it’s easy extra cash.
Where to start: UserTesting, Userlytics, or TryMyUI.
8. Sell Digital Products
This is where things get interesting. Create something once, sell it infinitely. Options include:
- Printables (planners, trackers, wall art)
- E-books
- Templates (Notion, Canva, Excel)
- Stock photos
- Lightroom presets
I made $340 last month from a Notion budget template I created in 2023. It took maybe 5 hours to make, and now it makes money while I sleep.
Where to start: Etsy, Gumroad, or your own website.
9. Affiliate Marketing
Recommend products you actually use and earn a commission when someone buys through your link. Blog posts, YouTube videos, and social media all work.
The catch? You need an audience. But if you already have a following—even a small one—affiliate income can add up fast.
Where to start: Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or individual company affiliate programs.
10. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
Yes, this counts as “from home” if you’re watching pets in your home or walking dogs in your neighborhood. Apps like Rover make it easy to find clients.
Average earnings: $25-50 per night for pet sitting, $20-30 per walk.
Where to start: Rover, Wag, or local Facebook groups.
11. Teaching Skills on Skillshare
If you have expertise in anything—photo editing, coding, cooking, gardening—people will pay to learn. Skillshare pays based on watch time, so popular classes can generate consistent passive income.
I know someone who makes $2,000/month teaching Excel on Skillshare. They spent maybe 20 hours creating the courses.
Where to start: Skillshare Teacher Handbook.
12. Managing Social Media for Small Businesses
Local businesses need social media presence but don’t have time to do it themselves. If you understand Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, you have a marketable skill.
Most freelancers charge $500-2,000/month per client for content creation and posting.
Where to start: Direct message local businesses or join Facebook groups for small business owners.
13. Remote Sales
Everything is moving online, and companies need people to sell. If you’re persuasive and don’t mind rejection, sales can be incredibly lucrative.
Many remote sales positions offer base pay plus commission. Hit your targets and you can easily make $70,000+.
Where to start: Indeed, LinkedIn, or SaaS company career pages.
14. Voice Over Work
Got a pleasant voice? Companies need voice actors for:
- Commercials
- Audiobooks
- IVR systems
- Video narration
You don’t need fancy equipment to start—just a decent microphone and quiet space.
Where to start: Voices.com, Fiverr, or Bodalgo.
15. Consulting
The highest-paying option on this list requires the most experience. If you’ve worked in a specific industry for years, companies will pay for your expertise.
Consulting rates typically range from $100-500+/hour depending on your niche and track record.
Where to start: Clarity.fm, or build through LinkedIn and content marketing.
How to Choose What’s Right for You
Here’s my honest advice: don’t try everything at once. Pick one path and commit to it for at least 3-6 months before deciding if it’s not working.
Ask yourself:
- What skills do I already have?
- How much time can I realistically commit?
- Do I want active income (trading time for money) or passive income (money while I sleep)?
- What’s my financial goal?
Red Flags to Watch Out For
If someone promises you can make $5,000/week from your couch with no experience, they’re lying. Here’s what to avoid:
- MLM companies (multilevel marketing is not legitimate self-employment)
- “Pay to start” opportunities (you shouldn’t pay to work)
- Guaranteed income claims (nothing is guaranteed)
- No online presence (legitimate companies have websites)
My Recommendation
Start with virtual assisting or freelance writing. Both have low barriers to entry, can pay your bills within a few months, and build skills that lead to higher-paying work.
I started as a virtual assistant making $25/hour. Three years later, I’m making nearly triple that as a specialized project manager. The path works—if you’re willing to put in the work.
Which of these options interests you most? I’m happy to go deeper on any of these in the comments. And if you’ve tried any of these yourself, I’d love to hear about your experience!