How To Build An Extra Income Online

Close your eyes and image the life you want to live. Does this image include working from sun up to sun down at a job where you are away from your family all day? Does it include working at all… This is certainly not what I pictured for my self so like many of you I started researching ways that I could achieve my dream while building my families overall wealth. I started by looking at my current occupation and trying to find ways to get more money for the work I already do. In this economy it’s difficult to push for a raise and besides it doesn’t solve the problem of not being at home. I looked around the local papers and classified pondering ways to make or sell items, but I really didn’t want to become that house – you know the one that always seems to be having a yard sell. No thanks, next. Eventually I turned my focus to the internet as the actual place to make money and not just the place to look for how or where to make money. In the beginning I was looking for a way to simply earn extra money but have since found that I can actually replace my income with my new found knowledge.

Let me say it here and now – this is not a get rich quick scheme. As much as we’d like to believe in the get rich fairy we need to focus on proven methods, moldable plans and achievable results. I recognized that this process would take some time and I’d have to learn a new business. So in this article I will share with you just a few of the things I have learned from my countless hours and adventures on the internet.

There are several ways to make money online and twice as many ways to get scammed. I can say I have experienced both.

Adventure #1- “Some Assembly Required”. Home Assembly jobs are advertised on some sites as take home projects, you build it, ship it back and they pay per correctly assembled item.  To get started you have to “correctly” assemble your sample craft, you then can build up to 100 to 300 items a week. There is your standard up front material fees, your shipping cost and a “correctly” assembled sample. Should set you back $20 - $30. Once you get approved there is usually a material fee for your first shipment. Another $50 to $100. While this sounded up my alley being a crafty mom, I have yet to find one of these programs that actually pays out. Most people seem to get stuck on getting their craft approved. Mean while your out the upfront and your material cost. So this Christmas everyone is getting angel decorations.

Adventure #2- “Say What”. Another way you can make money is through a blog. Well it’s not actually the blog but specifically the traffic you can create for others with your blog. If you talk a lot about coupon shopping and pull a lot of info from specific sites or direct users to a specific site. That site could pay you for the traffic you create. This is a great tool especially if you have already been blogging. It does take some effort to get into the routine of writing your blogs and keeping them up to date. Remember you have to be specific and try to be a subject matter expert. Learn all the newest buzz on your topic and stay on top of the latest and greatest advancements in the field. Become a go to resource for all matters concerning your blog. I personally enjoy this because I already enjoy blogging so it’s an easy way to make that extra income. But again, advertisers are paying to be put in front of the biggest specific audience.

Adventure #3- “Survey Says…” There are hosts of online survey's you can find, however, I still have not found one of these to pay. I have either invested the time and effort to complete them only to be “rewarded” with an online gift card or catalog credits. These are of value and can be good but they don't pay my bills. Besides the low pay these surveys take a significant amount of time. They’ll claim 10 – 15 minutes, but I’ve walked away from some after 30+ minutes knowing I didn’t need any more Coke Reward Points. That said you will get something for your time – be it small and very trinket-like. You should never pay to take a survey. Marketing companies can sell your valuable data or use it directly to promote goods and services. You should not be paying to participate in these. If they want money upfront, walk away.

Adventure #4- “Package Deal" There are networks you can join that combine website design, online marketing and education. These groups use standard procedures that are easy to understand, even for me, to educate and assist you in promoting yourself, service or product. Once you’ve tried all the smaller opportunities and are ready to actually turn the internet in to the market place these are where you’ll want to shop. Keys here: 1. Find a group you can understand. If there is too much technical jargon you likely won’t excel and should move on. 2. You’ll need someone to work as your coach, answer standard questions and assist in your continued growth. 3. Find program package deals. These are usually more complete in helping you set up shop. Look for website templates, marketing plans, eBooks, private forums, continuing education.  Now these types of opportunities are truly like buying into small businesses. You should expect to pay small fees to join and based on the size of the package you may incur cost to perform personalized functions. You shouldn’t commit to any of these if you can’t see the opportunity within their organization or how they will help launch you.

I have figured out that education isn’t free, you’ll pay large amounts upfront for some level of it or you you’ll do as I’ve done and invest smaller amounts of cash and large amounts of time. Either way you pay, so invest your time and money wisely. Good Luck in navigate through this crazy and profitable thing they call the internet.