It is widely acknowledged that the internet has revolutionized society to unimaginable proportions.Many people now use the internet not just to communicate at blazing speeds, but also to make money. And lots of it. Electronic commerce today is a multi-billion dollar industry.
The good news is that almost anyone can take a piece of the pie. These days, it does not take a genius in order to make a good living off the web. Even the most technophobic people have a shot at success if they can properly leverage their passions, skills, and interests.
Profitable Hobbies and Skills on the Web
1. Writing
If there is one group of professionals that can directly claim the most benefit from the world wide web, it is probably going to be the writers. Almost any company or organization now recognize the value of good web content as a powerful online marketing tool. Needless to say, this has led to a surge in demand for the services of many writers, regardless of their level of experience.
In addition, there are also many websites today that allow writers to publish their content online and earn some money from them. Some examples would be sites like Suite101, Hubpages, eHow, and Associated Content. These content mill sites are very convenient to use and are good places to build a portfolio. Best of all, these websites sell their services at the best price imaginable- FREE.
2. Photography
Like writers, photographers have benefited greatly from the Internet. Good web content is usually complemented by good photography, and organizations will pay good money to put some stellar images on their websites.
In addition to freelance shooting projects, pro and amateur photographers now have a chance to earn money from their talent through stock photography. Stock photographs are images that do not have royalties attached to them, which means that they can be used and reused over and over again. Stock photographers earn money each time their work is purchased by a customer. Today's most popular stock photography sites sell photos for cheap, but the income from these sites can add up to a decent amount over time.
Listed below are some sites that pay photographers for stock photos:
www.istockphoto.com
www.fotolia.com
www.shutterstock.com
www.shutterpoint.com
www.photostockplus.com
3. Visual Arts
Selling art to a wide marketplace has never been easier. There are websites available today created solely for the purpose of connecting artists with all kinds of connoisseurs. Websites like Imagekind.com even allow artists to create their own customizable online art gallery from which they can sell their work online. Artists get to keep all the profits from their work and even earn up to "15% commission on frames, mats and glazing (Imagekind.com)."
For those who wish to experiment with their art beyond the canvas, visual artists can actually put their creativity to use by signing up for websites that allow users to create and sell all kinds of memorabilia, from t-shirts to bumper stickers. All the artist has to do is create the design, upload it, and promote it. The websites take care of production, manufacturing, and shipping.
Sites where artists can sell framed art:
www.imagekind.com
www.originalartonline.com
Sites where artists can sell their work on various memorabilia:
www.cafepress.com
www.zazzle.com
www.pikistore.com
www.ooshirts.com
4. Crafts
Those with a knack for creating jewelry and designing items such as belts and handbags, then the web can be the perfect storefront. Posting goods on these websites do come with a fee, but all things considered, selling crafts online is still generally cheaper than having a brick and mortar store. For the specific pricing structure of each craft merchandising website, it is best to check each one of them and select the one most suited.
Listed below are some websites craft artists can use to sell their goods:
www.etsy.com
www.lillysplace.net
www.yabblebabble.com
www.ebay.com
5. Other hobbies that occupy a decent share of the market
There are people who like beekeeping, bass fishing, barbeque competitions, and other obscure hobbies that about 90% of the world has probably never heard of. Does this mean that these people cannot take part in the action? Sure they can! As a matter of fact, people in these unsaturated markets actually have a great chance of making money online.
A common thread in online marketing discussions is the importance of niche marketing. People with unique hobbies can make money by creating informational products that cater to fellow enthusiasts. They have a good chance to earn profits because unlike other markets, they have a significant consumer base but with little competition.
Writing an e-Book or creating a product to meet the needs of these markets is highly possible even for those with limited knowledge in writing or product development. For one, it is very easy to hire ghostwriters on the web that deliver high quality services at a low rate. Sites like Elance.com and freelancer.com allow people to choose among a worldwide database to fulfill their product creation needs.
In addition, those who wish to create tangible products can look into contract manufacturers that will create products and allow its buyers to claim it as their own invention. This practice, also called private labeling, is perfectly legal and accepted in marketing circles. A website like www.thomasnet.com is one example of a great source for finding private label manufacturers.
A Disclaimer
The possibilities in online commerce is endless. However, it should not come as a surprise to anyone that not every person will make outrageous profits online. After all, an online business is still a business, which means that it is not impervious to the laws of supply and demand. Making money online will still require hard work, an uncanny business sense, and perhaps a heaven sent care package of luck.
Raymond Aguirre - Hi. My name is Raymond and I am a freelance writer based in Los Angeles. I have experience writing as a news reporter and an editor for ...
Join the Conversation