If you’re looking for a job, or your life in a cubicle is making you feel like Dilbert, this is for you: It’s easier than ever to make a living on the Internet. Here’s a list of the most lucrative web careers, courtesy of PayScale.com:
- Blogging. According to the Wall Street Journal, almost two million Americans make money writing a blog. For about 25% of them, it’s their main source of income. Ariel Meadow Stallings, who writes the blog Offbeat Bride, says it took her a year to build traffic to the point where sponsors and advertisers showed interest. Her advice? Stop thinking about it and start writing. If you’re not sure how to begin, check out the website ProBlogger. It’s loaded with tips to help build your reader base.
- E-commerce. Maggie Kleinpeter and Michael Pittar started an online store called Supermaggie that sells hand-made scarves and T-shirts. They say you should allow anywhere from one to four years for your site to get rolling. They also recommend that you learn the ins-and-outs of E-commerce by visiting helpful sites like TheSwitchboards.com and Craftster.org.
- You can turn specialized knowledge into an income by becoming an info-preneur. That’s someone who offers specialized training or data. Erin Blaskie creates and sells virtual how-to courses. She says to check out what already exists in your area of expertise, and see where there are gaps. For example, if you’re a chef, maybe you could create a niche for yourself by focusing on a specific type of food that doesn’t get much attention. Maybe classic Australian dishes, like meat pies and sausage rolls. Then, create your content. Since your online textbook is easily edited, you can add to it and revise it as needed.
