What are Other Ways To Make Money Besides Dropshipping and Affiliate Marketing?

Introduction.

Making money online has become a goal for many, especially as more people look for flexible ways to earn from home or on the go.

Dropshipping and affiliate marketing often grab attention as top methods to start an online income stream.

They’re popular because they don’t require you to hold inventory or create your own products. But they’re not the only options out there. If you’ve been wondering about alternative ways to earn money, this article is for you.

I’ll walk you through some lesser-known but effective ways to make money online and offline. These options cater to different skills, interests, and levels of experience.

What are Other Ways To Make Money Besides Dropshipping and Affiliate Marketing?

1. Freelancing Your Skills

Freelancing is one of the simplest ways to start earning right away. If you have skills in writing, graphic design, coding, digital marketing, or even voice acting, platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal can connect you with clients worldwide.

Why it works: You can set your rates, pick projects that fit your schedule, and work from anywhere.
Getting started: Create a profile showcasing your experience and portfolio. Offering lower rates initially can help you build a reputation.
Potential income: Freelancers can earn anywhere from $15 to $100 an hour, depending on expertise.

2. Selling Digital Products

Creating digital products is a fantastic way to earn passive income. Think of templates, eBooks, online courses, or printables. Once made, these products can sell repeatedly without you redo the work.

Popular platforms: Gumroad, Etsy, and Teachable are great places to list your creations.
Who this is for: Teachers, designers, writers, or anyone who wants to share their knowledge or creativity.
Example: A Canva template for social media posts could sell for $10. If 100 people buy it, that’s $1,000 for work you did once.

3. Virtual Assistance

Businesses and entrepreneurs always seek help with tasks like email management, social media posting, research, or calendar organization. If you’re organized and good at multitasking, becoming a virtual assistant could be a great fit.

Start small: Platforms like Zirtual and Boldly can help you find clients, or you can contact small businesses directly.
Earnings: Virtual assistants typically earn between $15 and $50 an hour, depending on their tasks and experience.

4. Print-on-Demand

Print-on-demand is similar to dropshipping, but instead of generic products, you sell items like T-shirts, mugs, or notebooks with your custom designs. Sites like Printful and Printify handle production and shipping while you focus on designing and marketing.

Tip: Simple, niche-focused designs often do better than generic ones. For example, a coffee mug for teachers with a witty quote could sell well on Etsy.
Costs: While you don’t need to invest upfront, you may want to spend a bit on ads to promote your designs.

5. Renting Out Your Space or Items

If you own things you don’t use every day—like a spare room, tools, or even a car—you can rent them out.

Home rentals: Airbnb lets you rent out rooms or properties to travelers. Some people even make renting their homes a full-time gig.
Item rentals: Apps like Fat Llama allow you to rent out items like cameras, power tools, or event equipment.
Car sharing: With platforms like Turo, you can list your car for short-term rentals.

6. Teaching or Tutoring

Are you great at math, fluent in a second language, or skilled in playing an instrument? Teaching others could be a rewarding way to earn money.

How to get started: Websites like VIPKid and iTalki let you teach online. You could also create your own online course on platforms like Udemy or Skillshare.
Potential income: English tutors on VIPKid, for example, can earn $14–$22 an hour.

7. Investing in Stocks or Real Estate Crowdfunding

If you’re willing to take some risk, investing can help you grow your money over time. Apps like Robinhood, Acorns, and Public make it easy to start with as little as $5.

Stock trading: While this requires research, buying and holding solid companies can yield long-term gains.
Real estate crowdfunding: Platforms like Fundrise allow you to invest in real estate projects without owning property outright.
Reminder: Investing is not without risk, so never invest more than you’re willing to lose.

8. Becoming a Content Creator

YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram offer creators multiple ways to earn money—from ad revenue to brand partnerships and selling your own products.

What you’ll need: A niche topic, consistency, and creativity.
Monetization options: Once you build an audience, you can earn through ads, sponsored content, and even subscriptions (on platforms like Patreon).
Earnings: Top creators earn six figures, but even smaller accounts can bring in $500–$2,000 monthly.

9. Selling Handmade Goods

If you’re crafty, platforms like Etsy or even local markets are perfect for selling handmade items like jewellery, candles, or knitted goods.

Pro tip: High-quality photos and unique product descriptions make a big difference in attracting customers.
Costs: Materials and listing fees are minimal compared to the potential earnings.

10. Testing Websites and Apps

Companies pay people to test their websites or apps to ensure they’re user-friendly. This side hustle doesn’t require any special skills, and each test takes only 10–20 minutes.

Platforms to join: UserTesting, TryMyUI, and Testbirds.
Earnings: You can earn $10–$30 per test, making it a quick way to add extra cash.

FAQs

Q: Can I combine multiple methods?

Yes! Many people blend options like freelancing and selling digital products to diversify their income streams.

Q: How much time does it take to start earning?

This depends on the method. Freelancing can generate income within weeks, while building a content channel or digital product business might take months.

Q: Do I need technical skills for any of these?

Not all. Some, like freelancing or app testing, require no technical knowledge. Others, like content creation or investing, may need some learning upfront.

Conclusion

Making money online or offline is about finding a method that fits your skills, interests, and goals. While dropshipping and affiliate marketing are solid choices, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

By exploring other opportunities like freelancing, teaching, or creating digital products, you can discover what works best for you.

So, what other ways have you considered to make money besides dropshipping and affiliate marketing? I’d love to hear your ideas!