Hey, let me start with this: did you know that over 60% of people are now looking for ways to make money online with no experience ? Yeah, it’s wild! I remember when I was first getting started, the idea of making money online without experience seemed like a pipe dream, but I quickly realized that it’s totally doable—and so many people are doing it. I know the idea of making money online might feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t have any fancy skills or experience. But here’s the truth: you don’t need a degree, a huge budget, or even a lot of time to start earning online.
In this article, I’m going to walk you through 10 legit ways you can start making money online, even if you’ve never done it before. I’ll also share some personal stories of what worked for me (and what didn’t, because, well, we all make mistakes). So, let’s get into it, shall we?
1. Freelance Writing: Making Money by Putting Words Together
- What is freelance writing?
- Platforms for beginners (Upwork, Fiverr)
- Tips for landing your first gig
- Building a portfolio without experience
One of the first ways to make money online with no experience that I tried was freelance writing. It was a bit intimidating at first—I mean, who’s going to hire someone with zero professional writing background, right? But here’s the thing: platforms like Upwork and Fiverr are perfect for beginners. You can start with small gigs, like blog posts or product descriptions, and build your way up.
My friend Sarah also gave freelance writing a shot. She had no writing experience either, but she found that just being passionate about certain topics (she loves health and fitness) helped her land gigs. She started by creating a few samples of work—basically just writing blog posts about things she already knew. It worked like a charm, and within a month, she had regular clients.
2. Virtual Assistant: Helping Others Stay Organized
- What does a virtual assistant do?
- Popular platforms for VA jobs
- Skills needed (organization, communication)
- Tips for standing out as a VA
Another friend of mine, Jake, found one of the best ways to make money online with no experience by becoming a virtual assistant (VA). A virtual assistant helps businesses with tasks like managing emails, scheduling appointments, or handling customer service inquiries. Jake didn’t have any fancy qualifications, but he was organized, detail-oriented, and reliable—all things a VA needs to be successful.
He found his first client on Facebook (yes, seriously!) in a local business group. From there, he started working with more clients and eventually turned it into a full-time gig. The best part is, Jake got to work from home and set his own hours, which gave him the flexibility he needed. If you’re great at multitasking and staying organized, this could be the perfect fit for you too.
3. Online Surveys: Sharing Opinions for Cash
- What are online surveys?
- Legit survey platforms (Swagbucks, Survey Junkie)
- How much can you realistically earn?
- Tips to maximize your earnings
Okay, so online surveys might not make you rich, but if you’re looking for easy ways to make money online with no experience, they’re worth checking out. I’ve personally tried Swagbucks, and while the payouts weren’t huge, it was simple money for something I could do in my downtime.
My cousin Mike did this while watching Netflix—he’d knock out a couple of surveys during a TV episode and then cash out for gift cards or PayPal deposits. The key here is finding legit survey sites. Swagbucks and Survey Junkie are both good starting points, but always be cautious of scams. If they’re asking for money upfront, run in the opposite direction!
4. Selling Crafts or Products: Monetizing Your Hobbies
- Platforms for selling (Etsy, eBay, Facebook Marketplace)
- How to price your products
- Tips for creating listings that sell
- How to scale your business
One of the most fun ways to make money online with no experience that I know of is selling crafts. I’ve always been crafty, and when I realized I could turn my hobby into a small side hustle, I jumped right in. Etsy is a great platform for selling handmade goods, but you can also try eBay or even Facebook Marketplace if you’re just starting out.
A friend of mine, Emma, started selling her homemade jewelry on Etsy a few years ago. She didn’t have any business experience—just a passion for making things. Her pieces were unique, so they caught people’s attention, and now she’s making a decent side income. Emma’s tip? Good photos make all the difference. Invest in a decent camera or smartphone and make your listings stand out!
5. Affiliate Marketing: Earning Money by Promoting Products
- Understanding the basics of affiliate marketing
- Choosing the right niche and products to promote
- How to join affiliate programs
- Tips for effectively promoting affiliate links
Affiliate marketing is hands down one of the most lucrative ways to make money online with no experience. I learned about it a few years ago and was shocked by how simple it can be. All you need to do is promote other people’s products or services, and when someone makes a purchase through your affiliate link, you get a commission.
It might sound too good to be true, but it works. For example, a buddy of mine, Rob, started promoting tech gadgets through Amazon’s affiliate program. He’d write short reviews on his blog and link to the products. Over time, those commissions started adding up, and now it’s his main side hustle. The key here is to choose a niche you’re passionate about and promote products you actually believe in. Trust is everything in affiliate marketing!
6. Teaching Online: Sharing Your Knowledge for Cash
- Platforms for teaching online (Udemy, Skillshare, Teachable)
- What subjects can you teach?
- How to create engaging online courses
- Tips for pricing and promoting your courses
Teaching online is one of the ways to make money online with no experience that I’ve seen really take off recently. A lot of people think they need to be experts to teach something, but that’s just not true. Think about it—do you have a hobby or skill you’re pretty good at? Maybe you know how to cook amazing meals, or you’re good with video editing. Someone out there wants to learn that from you!
A friend of mine, Rachel, started teaching basic graphic design courses on Udemy. She didn’t have a formal teaching background but had spent years learning design on her own. She created her first course by just walking through things she’d learned through trial and error. Within months, she had hundreds of students, and the passive income from those courses helped her pay off some serious bills. If you’ve got the knowledge and a willingness to share, teaching online could be your thing.
7. Dropshipping: Running an Online Store Without Inventory
- What is dropshipping?
- Steps to starting a dropshipping business
- Best platforms for beginners (Shopify, WooCommerce)
- Tips for choosing the right products to sell
Dropshipping is one of those ways to make money online with no experience that a lot of people are buzzing about. If you’re unfamiliar, it’s a business model where you sell products online, but you don’t need to keep any inventory yourself. When someone orders from your store, you place the order with a supplier who ships it directly to the customer. Easy, right?
I had a buddy who got into dropshipping and made some good money selling phone accessories. He didn’t need to worry about storage or shipping; all he had to do was market the products. The trick, he told me, is finding the right niche and products that people are searching for. It can be competitive, but if you research properly, it’s a great way to build an online business with very little upfront investment.
8. Blogging: Turning Your Passion into Profit
- Why blogging is a great way to earn online
- Choosing a niche for your blog
- Tips for monetizing your blog (ads, affiliate marketing)
- How to grow your blog’s audience
Blogging is one of the first ways to make money online with no experience that I ever tried. It was slow at first, but once I figured out how to attract readers, it started picking up. The beauty of blogging is that you can write about almost anything you’re passionate about. Whether it’s personal finance, travel, or even a hobby like gardening, there’s an audience out there for everything.
A close friend of mine, Tony, started a personal finance blog about paying off student loans. He wasn’t a finance expert, but he shared his personal experience and struggles, which resonated with a lot of people. He monetized his blog through ads and affiliate marketing (like recommending budgeting tools), and now it’s a nice source of passive income for him. Blogging takes time, but if you’re patient, it can really pay off.
9. Social Media Management: Getting Paid to Post
- What does a social media manager do?
- How to find clients as a beginner
- Tips for creating engaging social content
- Tools that can help you manage social media accounts
Social media management is another one of those ways to make money online with no experience that’s perfect for people who love spending time on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Businesses know they need to be active on social media, but a lot of them don’t have the time or know-how. That’s where you can come in.
A friend, Lisa, started managing social media accounts for small businesses in her town. At first, she was just scheduling posts and responding to comments, but eventually, she started helping with content creation too. What started as a side gig now brings her enough income that she only works part-time at her day job. She swears by using tools like Hootsuite and Buffer to make managing multiple accounts a breeze. If you’re already scrolling through social media daily, why not get paid for it?
10. Pet Sitting: Turning Your Love for Animals into Income
- How to get started with pet sitting online
- Platforms to find clients (Rover, Care.com)
- Tips for setting your rates and services
- How to stand out as a pet sitter
I know it might sound odd, but pet sitting is actually one of the easiest ways to make money online with no experience. If you love animals, platforms like Rover and Care.com make it super simple to connect with people who need someone to look after their pets.
My neighbor, Mark, started doing this after losing his job and needing some extra income. He set up a profile on Rover, got a few great reviews from happy pet owners, and suddenly, he had a steady stream of clients. It’s not just dog walking either—some people need overnight pet sitting, which can pay pretty well. Mark now has enough clients that he can pick and choose the gigs he wants. If you’re an animal lover, this is a fun and rewarding way to make some extra cash.
Conclusion:
Finding legit ways to make money online with no experience isn’t as hard as it might seem. Whether you choose to dive into freelance writing, social media management, or even pet sitting, the opportunities are there for you. The key is to take action and keep going, even if it feels slow at first. Each of these methods has worked for people I know, and they can work for you too if you’re consistent. Have any of these ideas sparked your interest? Let me know in the comments and feel free to share your own success stories. Let’s all help each other make the most of the online world!
