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- Side gigs have become more than a way of making extra cash, they're now a way of life.
- Online side gigs are much easier to tackle as they don't require an office commute and also require little start-up capital.
- We rounded up six online side hustles to help make extra money, including answering surveys for money, transcribing, selling photos, and more.
- For more stories, visit the Tech and Trends homepage.
South Africans are increasingly focusing their time on side gigs to earn extra money.
One of the benefits of pursuing online-based side hustles is that they don't often require you to endure hours of traffic commuting to work. You don't need to leave your home at all, and you can work for any company worldwide.
According to Africa Bank's Consumer Research Report: "Side hustling is [an] activity that features prominently in the weekly routines of many South Africans. Working on a side hustle is among the top-4 activities for General Youth, and in the top-7 for all other subsegments except Middle Adults (where side hustling is #11).
"Around 7%-10% of Youth and Adults work on a side hustle for at least 20 hours per week. Having more time for side hustling was also prominent in responses to the open-ended question about what respondents would like to change about how they spend their time."
We rounded up six online side hustles likely to make you money, and you don't need start-up capital, mostly.
Watch videos for money
Various online platforms pay users to watch videos for extra cash. This particular side gig doesn't require much. Just a reliable device to work on, with a solid connection and good hearing. You'll need to set up an account with a company that's looking for this service and watch the relevant videos, which will then earn you points that can be turned into money.
Transcribing
If you're fluent in English, pay attention to detail and have a good ear, then this might be a good pick. For the most part, transcribers listen to recorded live audio and type out what is said word for word.
You can find some transcription gigs on LinkedIn.
Selling Photos
Have a camera and an eye for unique photography? Well, you can sell your photos to an online site needing stock images, but your work needs to stand out from what is already out there, since the market is saturated.
This side gig is suitable for people of all ages, and depending on the platform you use, payment may be fast or take some time.
Platforms on which to sell your images include Shopify, Shutterstock, and more.
Freelancing
There are several freelance jobs to pick up. These include writing, photography, marketing, design, proofreading, editing, and more.
To get the most out of this industry, you need to familiarise yourself with the rates so you don't undersell yourself or overcharge, which could likely scare potential opportunities away.
Answer online surveys
Online surveys are slowly becoming a popular go-to for extra cash. They may be quick, but they don't pay that much. Brands want to hear from people who consume their products, and you can answer questions whether you use the product or not.
Check online reviews of surveys first before wasting any time, as scammers may be lurking.
Tutoring - teach English online
If you are an "expert" in a particular subject, then tutoring primary or high school pupils might be the thing for you. The Covid-19 pandemic has proven that teachers and tutors can easily do their job online without the need to be in a classroom all the time.
Teaching English online has become all the more interesting because you can work with students from across the globe and get paid in foreign currency.
You can find various tutoring gigs on LinkedIn.
