Funding My 2025 Travels: How I’m Learning to Make Money Online
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1. Freelancing
Freelancing is a great way to leverage your existing skills to earn money. Whether you're a writer, graphic designer, programmer, or marketer, platforms like Upwork and Fiverr are great ways you can connect with clients looking for your expertise.
I remember starting with Fiverr when it was quite new and being able to sell services as simple as holding up a sign in front of a landmark as quirky gifts for people. It has since developed into a professional marketplace - however I must warn you that quite a bit of spam has started to come through Fiverr so you must be careful to report those that try to take your business away from the platform. This is against Fiverr's TOS, can get you banned and puts your privacy at risk.
Aside from that I have made a good chunk of income directly through Fiverr, selling VA services and creating UGC videos for brands.
As for Upwork I've done quite a bit of hiring through the platform however recently found out that to offer out my own services you need to bid on Job posts with Credits which you top up with real money. This is unappealing to me however Upwork is a trusted platform and full transparency is outlined on Freelancers profiles on how much their services have made them, reviews from real clients and experience outlined. Because of this transparency, you can offer your services at a higher rate I feel than Fiverr.
2. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing involves promoting other people's products and earning a commission for every sale made through your referral link. Websites like Amazon, ShareASale, and CJ Affiliate offer a range of products you can promote on your blog, social media, or YouTube channel.
A tip I have is to find products you like and already use - type the Brand name into google followed with 'Affiliate Program' and see what pops up. You might already be recommending something you could simply link to, and make a commission.
3. Selling Digital Products
Creating and selling digital products is a fantastic way to generate passive income. And I've found this the most rewarding in terms of my own enjoyment. These products can include e-books, online courses, printables, and more. Platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, and Stan Store make it easy to sell your digital products online.
To give you a head start, here's a tip on how to use Canva and ChatGPT to create and sell digital products:
- Design with Canva: Canva is a user-friendly design tool that allows you to create stunning visuals, including social media templates, e-books, and printables. Start with their extensive library of templates, customize them with your own content, and download your final product.
- Generate Content with ChatGPT: ChatGPT can help you create high-quality written content for your digital products. Whether you need engaging captions, detailed guides, or informative e-books, ChatGPT can generate text that complements your designs.
Combining these two tools can streamline your product creation process, making it easier and faster to bring your digital products to market. For a deeper dive into this process, check out my Canva + ChatGPT Guide for Passive Income, where I share detailed tips and step-by-step instructions.
This guide is a PLR (Private Label Rights) product, which means you have the freedom to customise and sell it as your own. So you'll already have a digital product ready to sell.
4. Blogging
Starting a blog is a great way to share your passions and make money through ads, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing. Choose a niche you love, create valuable content, and promote it on social media to grow your audience.
Even though the blog you are currently reading is new, I have worked on blogs for years. Most of my blogs were hosted through Wordpress.com however as I am looking at cutting costs to fund my travels, I've decided to go with a free platform like Blogger so I can enjoy writing articles without the pressure of making enough income to cover blog hosting expenses.
When you first start your blog you may not be able to run ads through ad sense however that does not stop you from selling ad space and the other tips provided above.
If you're not a writer do not worry, you can employ ChatGPT to help you proofread your content or you could have an image based blog where you write a few sentences and post mainly pictures (some written content is important though for SEO, along with how you name your images prior to uploading). To put it simply, the words on your blog help google know what your blog is about so they know who to recommend it to when people search for a particular topic.
With free platforms like Blogger and Wordpress.org its easy to get started and you can take things at your own pace. These two platforms have been around for yonks, so there are plenty of videos on YouTube teaching you how to improve your knowledge on them, so I truly believe anyone can start a blog.
5. Online Tutoring
If you have expertise in a particular subject, consider online tutoring. Websites like VIPKid, Chegg Tutors, and Tutor.com connect you with students seeking help in various subjects, allowing you to teach from the comfort of your home.
Another way to promote your skills is to create a course and teach people via videos they can rewatch. The reason I find this more suitable for travellers is because once you make your course you won't need to spend much more time on it (aside from marketing). This gives you way more time flexibility than people booking an appointment to speak with you.
You can host your course on platforms such as Udemy, Teachable and Kajabi.
6. YouTube
Creating a YouTube channel and monetising it through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate links can be a lucrative way to make money online. Share content that you're passionate about, whether it's travel vlogs, tutorials, or entertainment, and build an audience over time.
YouTube is the video version of blogging. Its as easy to start as pressing record on your phone and uploading a video. Once you're committed though, learning the ins and outs of YouTube can take time, along with learning scripting, editing, filming, SEO etc. But don't let any of that stop you because these are things you can slowly improve on and learn as your channel grows.
These are just a few of the many ways you can start making money online to fund your travels. The key is to find what works best for you and stay consistent. Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, so take that first step today and start turning your online earnings into travel adventures!
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