10 ways to make money online as beginners | Best side hustles to start in 2025

In Today’s article, we’re diving into something huge—10 ways you can make $20,000 per month online, even as a beginner! I know it sounds ambitious, but the online world is full of opportunities that can help you build serious income streams. Whether you’re looking to make a career shift, start a side hustle, or just curious about what’s possible, stick around because these ideas could be life-changing!

Now, we’ll cover strategies for different skills and interests, so don’t worry if you’re a complete newbie or have zero experience. I’ve designed this list to have something for everyone. These aren’t get-rich-quick schemes; they’re legit methods to start making real money online. So, grab a pen, take notes, and let’s get into the top 10 ways you can start making $20,000 per month online as a beginner!

Number #10 Start a YouTube Channel.

Starting us off is something that might seem obvious but is often overlooked due to the commitment it requires—starting a YouTube channel. YouTube has created tons of self-made millionaires, and the earning potential here is incredible. The beauty of YouTube is that you can build a channel around almost any interest. From tech reviews and cooking to gaming and personal finance, there’s an audience out there for just about every niche.

Now, you’re probably wondering how you actually make money on YouTube. You can start earning from ads once you meet the threshold of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours. But the real money often comes from brand deals, affiliate marketing, and selling your own products or courses. The key is consistency. Focus on creating content that people are searching for, post regularly, and engage with your audience. Once you build a following, $20,000 per month is within reach.

Number #9 Freelance Writing or Copywriting.

Freelance writing is one of the fastest ways to start making money online, especially if you have a way with words. As a freelance writer, you can work with clients across the globe, helping them with blog posts, web content, emails, or social media posts. Copywriting is a bit different; it’s the art of writing persuasive content that drives action, like sales pages and ads.

If you’re new to writing, start on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, where you can build a portfolio. As you gain experience and develop a niche, you can raise your rates significantly. Copywriters with strong portfolios and proven results can charge thousands of dollars per project, which can add up to $20,000 or more per month. If you’re looking to start making money fast, this is a fantastic option.

Number #8 Affiliate Marketing.

Affiliate marketing is perfect for beginners because it doesn’t require you to create your own product or deal with customer service. Essentially, you’re promoting someone else’s product or service, and you earn a commission for every sale made through your link. It’s a simple concept, but the execution can be challenging. To succeed, you’ll need to choose products that resonate with your audience and promote them on platforms like social media, a blog, or even a YouTube channel.

Some affiliates promote high-ticket items, earning commissions of $500 or more per sale. Imagine making just a few sales like that each day! There are affiliate networks like ClickBank, Amazon Associates, and ShareASale where you can find products to promote. The more you grow your audience and refine your strategy, the closer you get to hitting that $20,000-per-month goal.

Number #7 Dropshipping.

Dropshipping has become incredibly popular in the last few years, and it’s easy to see why. It’s an eCommerce business model where you sell products directly to customers without having to hold any inventory. Here’s how it works: you create an online store, choose products to sell, and when someone places an order, you buy the item from a supplier who ships it directly to the customer.

Platforms like Shopify make it easy to set up a dropshipping store, and suppliers on sites like AliExpress have a wide variety of products to choose from. You’ll need to invest in marketing, especially paid ads on platforms like Facebook or Google, to drive traffic to your store. Dropshipping requires time and effort, but once you get the hang of it, you can scale up to $20,000 per month or more.

Number #6 Print on Demand.

Print on Demand (POD) is a fantastic way to sell custom-designed products without keeping any inventory. With POD, you can create designs for products like t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and more. When someone places an order, the item is printed and shipped by a third-party company, so you don’t have to handle any logistics.

The best part? You can start a POD business with very little upfront cost. Platforms like Printful, Teespring, and Redbubble let you upload your designs and take care of the rest. To reach $20,000 per month, you’ll need designs that stand out and a solid marketing strategy. Consider promoting your products on social media, running ads, or even collaborating with influencers to boost sales.

Number #5 Social Media Management.

If you’re active on social media and have a knack for creating engaging content, social media management could be a great option for you. Businesses of all sizes need help managing their social media presence, and they’re willing to pay for it. As a social media manager, you’ll create content, schedule posts, engage with followers, and help build brand awareness.

Freelance platforms like Upwork are a great place to start, but as you gain experience, you can move into higher-paying clients. You could offer packages to manage multiple platforms or specialize in just one, like Instagram or LinkedIn. Many social media managers charge monthly retainers, which makes it easier to reach that $20,000 per month target with multiple clients.

Number #4 Create an Online Course.

Do you have skills or knowledge in a particular area? If so, creating an online course could be a perfect way to share your expertise and make money online. Platforms like Udemy, Teachable, and Kajabi make it easy to build and sell online courses. Whether it’s cooking, coding, photography, or fitness, there’s an audience out there willing to pay for valuable knowledge.

Creating a course does require upfront work to record and organize the content, but once it’s live, it becomes a source of passive income. Many successful course creators earn tens of thousands of dollars per month. The key is to choose a topic that solves a specific problem for your audience. Once your course starts gaining traction, reaching $20,000 per month is completely achievable.

Number #3 Coaching or Consulting.

If you have expertise in a particular field, coaching or consulting is another way to make a significant income online. Coaches and consultants help individuals and businesses achieve their goals, whether it’s in career development, marketing, fitness, or personal finance. You can offer one-on-one coaching or group sessions, depending on your schedule and preference.

Setting up a coaching business doesn’t require a lot of initial investment; all you need is a website and a way to reach potential clients. You can start by offering free consultations or creating valuable content to attract clients. Experienced coaches and consultants can charge hundreds or even thousands of dollars per session, which makes it easier to reach that $20,000 goal once you have a steady client base.

Number #2 Virtual Assistant Services.

Virtual assistant services are in high demand, especially as more people start working remotely and businesses move online. As a virtual assistant, you could be helping clients with tasks like managing emails, scheduling appointments, data entry, social media management, and more. The best part? You can work from anywhere with an internet connection.

To get started, consider listing your services on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, or even reaching out directly to small business owners. Once you build a reputation and get consistent clients, it’s possible to offer higher-end services or create packages that can bring in substantial income. With a few high-paying clients, hitting $20,000 per month is achievable, especially if you offer specialized services like project management or digital marketing.

Number #1 Digital Product Sales.

And finally, we’ve reached the top of our list with digital product sales. Digital products are things like eBooks, templates, printables, and software that people can download instantly. Since digital products don’t require shipping or inventory, they’re incredibly scalable and have high-profit margins.

Platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, and Shopify are perfect for selling digital products. For example, if you’re a graphic designer, you could create social media templates; if you’re into budgeting, you could create budget trackers or planners. Once you create the product, it can sell over and over, generating passive income. And as you add more products to your portfolio, your earnings can grow significantly.

So there you have it—10 ways to make $20,000 per month online as a beginner! The great thing about these options is that you don’t need tons of experience or a fancy degree to get started. It’s all about taking that first step, learning as you go, and being consistent. If any of these options sound interesting, do some research, take action, and see where it leads.

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