If you’re wondering how to make money online, I’m happy to announce that it’s never been easier or more accessible than it is today. It doesn’t matter if you’re a student juggling classes, a stay-at-home parent looking to support your household, or a full-time professional seeking extra income; the internet opens up a world of opportunities on how to make money online, right from the comfort of your home, or anywhere with a stable internet connection.
For students especially, the digital economy presents flexible and low-barrier entry points into freelancing, entrepreneurship, and remote work. If you’re looking for how to make money online while maintaining your GPA, you can start by offering content writing services, doing translation work, blogging, or tutoring. If you’re creative or social media-savvy, consider content creation, marketing, or managing social media accounts for small businesses. More technical or task-based options like data entry, transcription, and virtual assistance are also in demand.
20 Ways to Make Money Online
1. Freelancing
Freelancing lets you offer the services you’re a pro at, like writing, design, programming, or voiceovers, to clients globally for a fee. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer connect skilled professionals with individuals and businesses who need their expertise.
How To Start
- Identify the skill you’re good at (e.g., writing, design, etc.)
- Create an account on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr
- Set up your profile with a compelling description and portfolio
- Start applying for gigs and build your reputation with quality work
Estimated Startup Cost: $5 to $50 (to cover internet, profile setup, and basic tools)
Potential Monthly Earnings: $200 to $1,000+ (depending on niche, skill level, and client base)
Expert Hack: Don’t just stick to platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. These are not the only platforms to find clients. Personally, I discovered that some of my best opportunities came when I started sharing my work on X and LinkedIn. Consistently putting myself out there helped me connect with people who might never have found me on freelance platforms — Justin Akindele, Freelance Content & Ghostwriter from Nigeria
Bonus Tip: Many successful freelancers offer their services in multiple currencies depending on the client (dollars for international clients, and local currency for African clients). Accrue makes it easier to accept payments across borders without losing money to high fees or bad exchange rates. Being flexible with pricing can help you win more gigs, especially early on.
2. Customer Support
Companies and organizations are looking for people who can help with support roles. Remote customer support agents help businesses manage customer inquiries via chat, email, or calls. What are the skills required? Mercy, a customer support professional, lists good communication and problem-solving skills as top on the list for this low-barrier to entry role.
How To Start:
- Sign up on job boards like Remote.co, We Work Remotely, or Indeed
- Apply for customer service positions that match your time zone and experience
- Have a quiet workspace or a place, a reliable internet connection, and basic tools (headset, laptop)
Estimated Startup Cost: $10 to $50 (to cover internet, gears, and basic tools)
Potential Monthly Earnings: $200 to $1,000+ (depending on skill level, and client base)
Expert Hack: “To excel in Customer Success, always put yourself in the shoes of your customers, speak in a language that they understand, and try to fix whatever problems they have or even pre-empt those issues.” — Mercy Williams, Customer Support Specialist from Nigeria
3. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing involves promoting products and earning commissions from sales made through your unique links. It’s a great passive income strategy if you have a blog, YouTube channel, or social media following or page. You can start any of these to start.
How To Start:
- Choose a niche (tech, beauty, health, etc.)
- Join affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, ClickBank, or Impact
- Create content (reviews, tutorials) and embed your affiliate links
- Drive traffic to your content and earn commissions on conversions
Estimated Startup Cost: $0 to $100 (domain, hosting, or basic marketing tools)
Potential Monthly Earnings: $100 to $5,000+ (depends on audience size and traffic)
Expert Hack: “Affiliate marketing isn’t just about dropping links. Trust plays a part. Focus on building a community around your niche and recommend only products you truly believe in. The trust will translate into consistent sales.” — *Aisha Bello, Affiliate Marketer from Lagos, Nigeria
4. E-Commerce
There is a wide variety of things you can sell online, depending on your interests, skills, and target market. Some of the most popular and profitable categories include digital products, fashion items, and handmade crafts. Each of these allows you to start a business with low overhead and reach customers around the world from the comfort of your home.
How To Start:
- Decide on a product category (ebooks, courses, handmade goods, thrift fashion)
- Set up an online store with Jumia, Jiji, Selar, Shopify, or Etsy, however, the Accrue store is the best. Creating a store takes less than five minutes.
- Use social media or ads to promote your store and drive traffic
- Fulfill orders and build customer relationships
Estimated Startup Cost: $50 to $500 (domain, store setup, initial ads or stock)
Potential Monthly Earnings: $200 to $10,000+ (varies by niche, marketing, and scale)
Expert Hack: “Start small with one or two products, learn what sells, and then scale. Don’t try to sell everything at once. Data from your first customers will guide your success.” — Chuka Nwosu, E-Commerce Entrepreneur based in Rwanda.
5. Content Creation
Content creation has grown rapidly in Nigeria, fueled by the rise of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and now TikTok. With video content dominating global attention spans, creators like Ghanaian’s Rick Aqua have found new ways to turn their creativity into income. Whether it’s skits, lifestyle vlogs, tutorials, or comedy, you can earn money on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok through brand partnerships, ad revenue, sponsored posts, and even merchandise sales.
How To Start:
- Pick a niche (e.g., tech reviews, comedy, fashion tips)
- Choose a platform (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram)
- Start posting consistently and engaging your audience
- Once you grow your following, monetize through ads, affiliate links, or sponsorships
Estimated Startup Cost: $50 to $300 (smartphone/tripod, editing tools, internet)
Potential Monthly Earnings: $100 to $20,000+ (depending on platform, niche, and audience size)
Expert Hack: “Start small. Don’t chase virality, chase consistency. One viral video can make you popular, but consistency is what makes you profitable.” — Rick Aqua, Content Creator from Ghana
6. Content Writing
Content writing is one of the most in-demand skills for businesses today. From SEO blog posts and newsletters to email campaigns, brands are constantly on the lookout for writers who can communicate clearly and effectively. If you have a way with words, this can become a consistent source of income. You can earn money writing for startups, NGOs, websites, influencers, and marketing agencies.
How To Start:
- Learn basic SEO and writing techniques
- Create samples or write for free initially to build a portfolio
- Pitch to clients on Upwork, Fiverr, LinkedIn, X, or Facebook
- Deliver high-quality content and build repeat clientele
Estimated Startup Cost: $0 to $50 (mainly internet and basic tools like Grammarly)
Potential Monthly Earnings: $200 to $3,000+ (depending on clients and consistency)
Expert Hack: “The real money in writing isn’t in charging per word but in solving business problems. Learn how to write with marketing in mind, and clients will pay you premium rates.” — Tunde Awoniyi, Freelance Writer from Lagos
Bonus Tip: Try to cold email clients. Don’t be afraid. You lose 100% of the shots you don’t take. International clients pay more. Always optimize for them. In receiving payments, Accrue makes it easier to accept payments abroad without losing money to high fees or high exchange rates.
7. Online Tutoring
If you’re knowledgeable in a subject in either math, science, English, coding, music, or even a second language, online tutoring offers a flexible and rewarding way to make money from home. Thanks to platforms like Preply, Wyzant, and TutorMe, you can connect with students around the world who are seeking personalized help in both academic and non-academic subjects.
How To Start:
- Decide on a subject you can teach (math, French, coding, etc.)
- Create an account on tutoring platforms like Preply or TutorMe
- Set your hourly rate and availability
- Promote your services through social media or tutoring forums
Estimated Startup Cost: $0 to $50 (internet, headset, and software tools like Zoom)
Potential Monthly Earnings: $300 to $2,500+ (depends on subject demand and hours taught)
Expert Hack: “I don’t teach my students to pass. I teach them to improve their knowledge base. I add real-life examples and practical applications—students remember you better, recommend you, and book more sessions.” — Ifeoma Chidera, Online Math Tutor from Nigeria
8. Translation Services
If you’re fluent in more than one language, translation is a valuable and in-demand skill that can help you earn online. As the world becomes more connected, businesses, organizations, and individuals need content translated across languages for better accessibility, marketing, and communication.
Translation work spans multiple industries, including marketing, legal, medical, academic, and technical fields.
An example is Nneka Nnanna, a self-taught Korean language teacher. She is racking in money through teaching and translation.
How To Start:
- Identify your language pair (e.g., English to French)
- Sign up on freelance platforms or apply to translation agencies like Gengo or TranslatorsCafe
- Take skill tests if needed and build a translation portfolio
Estimated Startup Cost: $0 to $50 (internet, grammar tools, test fees if any)
Potential Monthly Earnings: $300 to $5,000+ (depending on specialization and client base)
Expert Hack: “Specialize early. A legal translator will always earn more than a general translator. Pick a niche and master it.” — Kofi, German Teacher & Translator from Ghana
9. Blogging
Blogging remains one of the most powerful and sustainable ways to make money online, especially if you’re playing the long game. What starts as a simple personal or niche blog can grow into a profitable digital asset that generates income even while you sleep. The beauty of blogging is that it creates compounding value: one well-written post can bring in traffic and revenue for years if it’s optimized for search engines (SEO).
How To Start:
- Pick a niche (travel, parenting, tech, etc.)
- Buy a domain and set up a blog using WordPress or Blogger
- Start publishing helpful content regularly
- Monetize through Google AdSense, affiliate links, and partnerships
Estimated Startup Cost: $30 to $100 (domain + hosting for a year)
Potential Monthly Earnings: $100 to $10,000+ (depending on traffic and monetization strategy)
Expert Hack: “Treat every blog post like an investment. One evergreen article can keep earning you money for 5+ years if you optimize it for SEO.” — John Adeyemi, Travel Blogger from Nigeria
10. Data Entry
Data entry is one of the simplest and most accessible ways to start making money online, especially if you’re new to remote work or don’t have specialized skills. The job typically involves entering, updating, or organizing data into systems such as spreadsheets, company databases, or Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools.
Tasks may include transcribing handwritten documents, inputting sales records, formatting data for reports, or transferring information from one format to another, and while it’s often categorized as “low-skill” work, successful data entry requires a strong eye for detail, accuracy, good typing speed, and the ability to follow instructions without supervision.
How To Start:
- Search for data entry jobs on Indeed, Clickworker, or Remote OK
- Have a reliable PC, good typing speed, and attention to detail
- Apply to verified employers or companies with reviews
Estimated Startup Cost: $0 to $50 (PC, internet, and typing software if needed)
Potential Monthly Earnings: $100 to $1,000 (entry-level work, depends on volume)
Expert Hack: “The secret to data entry is speed with accuracy. Train your typing and use shortcuts. Clients notice when you save them time, and as a result, will refer you to other clients.” — Grace B., Data Entry Clerk
11. Virtual Assistance
A Virtual Assistant (VA) is a remote professional who supports businesses, entrepreneurs, and busy executives by handling a wide range of administrative, organizational, and communication tasks. As more companies shift to remote operations and lean teams, virtual assistants have become essential to day-to-day productivity, especially for startups, solopreneurs, and content creators.
How To Start:
- Identify services you can offer (scheduling, email management, CRM updates)
- Create a strong LinkedIn profile or VA-specific profile on Belay or Time Etc
- Apply directly to clients or list your services on freelancing platforms
Estimated Startup Cost: $0 to $100 (tools like Calendly, Trello, or Notion)
Potential Monthly Earnings: $300 to $3,500 (depends on services and clients)
Expert Hack: “Don’t just be a task-doer. Be a problem-solver. Clients will pay you more if you make their lives easier without waiting to be told what to do.” — Funmi Adeola, Virtual Assistant
Bonus Tip: Study your client and know their work pattern, and set up everything before they even ask. The essence of your work is to save time. Save their time, and you will earn more.
12. Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing is one of the most in-demand digital skills today, especially among small and medium-sized businesses looking to grow their online presence. With platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn driving consumer behavior, businesses know they need to show up consistently, but many simply don’t have the time, skills, or strategy to do it effectively.
How To Start:
- Learn social media marketing fundamentals through free YouTube videos or courses (like Meta Blueprint)
- Practice by growing your own or a test account
- Pitch to local businesses or apply via platforms like PeoplePerHour
Estimated Startup Cost: $0 to $100 (internet, scheduling tools, maybe ads to test campaigns)
Potential Monthly Earnings: $300 to $5,000+ (depends on clients and campaign results)
Expert Hack: “Start with local businesses, they’re often ignored. Help one grow, and you’ll get referrals without spending on ads yourself.” — Felix Faith, Social Media Consultant
13. Selling Photos Online
If you’re a photographer or even just someone with a smartphone equipped with a high-quality camera, you can turn your everyday snapshots into a source of income by selling them on stock photo platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or iStock. These websites are constantly looking for fresh, diverse content to meet the growing demand from businesses, bloggers, marketers, and designers around the world.
How To Start:
- Take high-quality, well-lit photos of popular themes (travel, business, nature)
- Upload them to Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or Pexels
- Earn royalties each time your photo is downloaded
Estimated Startup Cost: $0 to $200 (camera/smartphone, editing software)
Potential Monthly Earnings: $50 to $2,000+ (depending on photo quality and downloads)
Expert Hack: “Diversity sells. Upload images that represent African culture, people, and daily life. Global demand is high, but supply is low.” — Sola Adebayo, Stock Photographer
14. Dropshipping
Dropshipping is a business model that enables you to run an online store without the need to purchase or store inventory upfront. Instead of buying products in bulk and managing a warehouse, you simply list items for sale on your website or marketplace. When a customer places an order, the product is purchased from a third-party supplier, often a wholesaler or manufacturer, who then handles the packaging and ships it directly to the customer on your behalf.
How To Start:
- Choose a niche (e.g., clothes, sports accessories, gadgets, fitness gear)
- Set up a store using Shopify or WooCommerce
- Find suppliers on AliExpress or Spocket
- Market your store through ads or influencers
Estimated Startup Cost: $100 to $500 (domain, store setup, ads)
Potential Monthly Earnings: $300 to $10,000+ (depends on marketing and niche)
Expert Hack: “Don’t compete on price. Compete on branding and customer experience. Dropshipping isn’t about cheap, it’s about trust.” — Adewale Musa, E-commerce Strategist
15. Online Surveys and Microtasks
You can make a bit of extra cash by completing online surveys and small tasks on platforms like Swagbucks or Amazon Mechanical Turk. These microjobs typically pay modestly, but they can be a convenient way to earn money in your spare time.
How To Start:
- Sign up on Swagbucks, ySense, or MTurk
- Complete surveys, watch videos, or do simple tasks
- Accumulate points or earnings and cash out via PayPal or gift cards
Estimated Startup Cost: $10 (just internet and time)
Potential Monthly Earnings: $10 to $300 (side income only)
Expert Hack: “Stack platforms. Don’t rely on just one. Doing tasks across multiple sites increases your earning potential.” — George, Student in Lagos
16. Start a YouTube Channel
If you yap about random topics, you can start creating engaging videos on trending topics, how-to tutorials, vlogs, or comedy skits, and earn money through ads, brand sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram Reels reward content creators with income opportunities as their audience grows.
How To Start:
- Create & edit your YouTube Channel
- Choose a niche
- Start posting and set YouTube monetization
Estimated Startup Cost: $50 to $300 (smartphone/camera, lighting, editing software)
Potential Monthly Earnings: ₦0 to ₦1,000,000+ (after growth, depending on views and sponsorships)
Expert Hack: “YouTube rewards consistency more than perfection. Focus on uploading regularly, even if your videos aren’t Hollywood quality, your audience will grow.” — Emeka Joseph, Nigerian YouTuber
Bonus Tip: Start with Facebook, but also distribute your videos to other platforms. Cut or shoot for Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
17. Print-on-Demand
Design custom products like T-shirts, mugs, tote bags, phone cases, and more, and sell them online using print-on-demand services. With platforms like Printful, Teespring, or Redbubble, you can upload your own designs or slogans, and they’ll handle everything else, from printing and packaging to shipping. You don’t need to buy inventory upfront; you only pay the supplier after a customer places an order. This makes it a low-risk way to start your own creative brand.
How To Start:
- Create original designs or catchy slogans
- Upload them to platforms like Printify, Teespring, or Redbubble
- Promote your store through social media or niche communities
- Earn a profit margin from every product sold
Estimated Startup Cost: $0 to $100 (design software, sample orders, marketing)
Potential Monthly Earnings: $300 to $1000+ (depends on sales volume and marketing)
Expert Hack: “Focus on niche communities. Designs that resonate with a specific audience sell better than generic ones.” — Blessing Udo, Print-on-Demand Entrepreneur
18. Sell Digital Products
All that is needed is to create, upload to a platform that enables sale of digital products like eBooks, templates, online courses, or checklists that provide value to your audience, and you start earning. These products can cover any topic you’re knowledgeable about like business, personal development, creative skills, health, or productivity. One of the biggest advantages is that you can sell these items repeatedly without needing to create them again, allowing you to generate passive income over time. This means that after the initial effort of creating your product, you can keep earning money while focusing on other projects or enjoying more free time. It’s a smart way to leverage your expertise and build a scalable online business.
How To Start:
- Pick a topic you’re knowledgeable in (business, personal development, creative skills)
- Create your digital product (eBook, template, course, etc.)
- Upload to platforms like Selar, Gumroad, or Payhip
- Market through social media, blogs, or email lists
Estimated Startup Cost: $20 to $200 (design tools, hosting, or platform fees)
Potential Monthly Earnings: ₦20,000 to ₦500,000+ (depending on product quality and marketing reach)
Expert Hack: “Your first digital product doesn’t have to be perfect. Focus on utility, you will fine-tune along the way. Launch fast, gather feedback, and improve while earning.” — Kemi Alade, Digital Product Seller
19. Social Media Management
Social media management focuses on planning, creating, scheduling, and monitoring content for brands or creators. Unlike “marketing” (strategy and paid growth), management is the day-to-day execution: content calendars, captions, community replies, reporting, and coordination with designers/creators.
How To Start:
- Pick a service stack (content calendar, posting/scheduling, community management, analytics).
- Build 2–3 sample case studies: audit a local brand’s page, mock a 30-day calendar, and show before/after ideas.
- Set up simple packages (e.g., Starter: 12 posts + community replies; Growth: 16–20 posts + reports).
- Land first clients via DMs/LinkedIn, local SMEs, or referrals from creators.
- Track results monthly (reach, saves, clicks) and upsell based on wins.
Estimated Startup Cost: $0 to $150 (internet; optional tools like Canva/CapCut, a scheduler, and Notion for workflows)
Potential Monthly Earnings: $300 to $3,500+ (per client mix and scope; 2–4 clients can replace a full-time income)
Expert Hack: “Win with reliability. Deliver the calendar early, reply to comments within agreed SLAs, and send a clean monthly report. Clients renew because they feel looked after.” — Adaobi N., Social Media Manager based in Lagos
20. Develop and Sell Unique Products
When you think of most direct-to-consumer brands, you’re likely imagining original products that improve on familiar items. You can design a prototype that solves a common problem, then partner with a manufacturer to bring it to life and sell globally.
Take Habib Wasulu for instance, the mind behind Smileys, a lifestyle brand that began in a small corner of Lagos with just ₦16,000. What started modestly has grown into one of Nigeria’s most exciting lifestyle brands, redefining how Nigerians see everyday accessories, from vibrant socks to locally made sneakers.
How To Start:
- Identify a problem you can solve with a product
- Design a prototype (use 3D printing, local artisans, or simple mockups)
- Find a reliable manufacturer or partner
- Launch through e-commerce platforms or your own store
Estimated Startup Cost: $500 to $5,000 (prototype, design, manufacturing runs)
Potential Monthly Earnings: $1,000 to $50,000+ (depending on product-market fit and sales)
Expert Hack: “It’s about reading between the lines of customer behavior and creating products that exceed their expectations.” — Habib Wasulu, Product Founder & Entrepreneur
Final Thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all path for how to make money online. The secret is to find what matches your skills, interests, and schedule. With consistency and the right strategy, you can grow a reliable income stream—even from scratch as the internet has transformed from just a place to catch up on trends or connect with people to a proven platform to make money online in Nigeria.
But it doesn’t stop at making money. With the right tools, you can build lasting wealth that spans generations. That’s where Accrue comes in, an app designed to help you receive money from abroad with your USD account and send funds across Africa in under five minutes, securely and conveniently.
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