The Secret to Making Money at Home

@Beaufly (991)
United States
July 29, 2011 10:56am CST
The secret to making money at home is that there is no secret. You have to work. When people make statements about earning or money. They have usually done something that is seen as valuable in the marketplace to earn. These activities may include blogging, writing, editing, building sites, businesses, etc..... There is no magic bullet, you need to bring something of value (that people will pay for) to the marketplace. What value are you bringing to the marketplace? How do you make money at home? Do you only dabble, have fun and bring in a few bucks a month?
3 people like this
18 responses
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
29 Jul 11
I only dabble because I haven't found my niche. I'll soon have a job though and so maybe will start my own website, I've been thinking of what that could be and how I'd market it, but I may not waste my money with it... I know online earnings isn't a waste but in the long run I'd much rather just spend a few minutes a day and earn $10.00's a month.
2 people like this
@asyria51 (2861)
• United States
29 Jul 11
I agree. It seems to be part of my morning routine, to hop on here and do a quick check. Fire off some responses. I like the small amounts that randomly show up in my account, or in a check from some of the sites.
2 people like this
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
29 Jul 11
It's fun to dabble and that's how I started but I found that I could make more and so I am. I have many sites that I dabble with. They are definitely not big moneymakers for me and yet I still enjoy and frequent them. I would add this one to that list. It will never make me rich but it's fun to come here, comment, hang out, discuss and have a good time
1 person likes this
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
29 Jul 11
Dabbling is fun! Sorry your sites didn't earn more for you. Were you trying to make money or just offering informative content?
1 person likes this
@petersum (4522)
• United States
29 Jul 11
My favorite saying that is a good metaphor for online earning: I can give you canvas, paints and brushes, but I cannot make you a Picasso!
2 people like this
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
30 Jul 11
I think it's because of the "get rich quick," work in your pajamas claims. You may be working in your pajamas but you are working, not eating bon bons, drinking mimosas and watching soap operas while your computer is spewing out $100 bills. Have you seen those images.....money just shooting from the screen.....lol
1 person likes this
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
29 Jul 11
Ahhhh, how true. I love that saying! It's great. I can give you all the tools of the master, but that my friend, does not make you a master. I will definitely have to use that one. There is that "je ne sais quoi" factor there, isn't it??? Just can't quite put my finger on it.......lol
1 person likes this
@tiffnkeat (1673)
• Singapore
30 Jul 11
@Peter, give me a canvas (no need for paints and brushes), and check out Generative Art. Haha... But the truth is, an online job is still a job. No job pays for no effort put in. @beaufly, Zero input gives zero output. The magic is how you leverage the input to maximize output. It is as difficult in online earnings as it is in offline earnings. If someone views offline earning (on a job) as tedious, I cannot imagine how they could construe online earning to be any easier.
2 people like this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
29 Jul 11
I absolutely agree - there is no secret to making money anywhere except hard work and a creative mind. I work online, mostly writing and it's my main source of income, so I don't dabble. Sometimes I do goof around a little, though.
2 people like this
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
29 Jul 11
I think that many of us who make money online also have sites that we frequent for just fun. It breaks up the monotony and makes life more fun. Writing and providing valuable content will always be a great online moneymaker in my opinion. Do you have clients or sites or blogs? Are you a freelancer?
1 person likes this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
29 Jul 11
It's nice to have the freedom to do things just for fun. I am a freelancer and write for several sites and a couple of clients.
2 people like this
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
29 Jul 11
I write and freelance also. I have a few regular clients and have a few other profitable ventures. It is work but there is a definite freedom and flexibility to working online also.
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Aug 11
I am really glad to see a down to earth discussion about online earnings. Most of the posts for making money online are from people that still think it is a get rich quick kind of thing. For those of us with a little experience in earning online we have come to realize that it takes work and dedication just like any other job and you will only get results if you put in the time and effort. I started looking for ways to earn money online a little over two years ago and I am always looking for ways to improve my earnings. I started by taking online surveys and writing articles both of which I still do. I also sell on e-bay and have found that it really boosts my online income I just have to look for inexpensive ways to obtain items to resell. Yard sales, flea markets, and buying surplus have helped a lot. I noticed that several of your responses included people struggling to start their own website that their earnings would support. I believe that having a good website or even more than one is essential to online earnings and having a product to sell even if it is just an e-book is good. I can recommend one site that offers free web hosting and has all the tools you need to create your website and it is easy to use. You can have as many pages as you want for your site and they have templates to use if you need help starting from scratch. It is an easy way to get your feet wet before paying for a service. I am only listing this to help others, I gain nothing if you use this site or not. If you are interested you can look at the site at:http://www.hpage.com/ As you have said there is no big secret to earning online, you just have to treat it like any other job and do the research and put in the work. I have found that if you have several ways of earning online then when combined it can become substantial. I think you can make good earnings online you just have to apply yourself and find your own niche then do the work. Happy earnings to everyone.
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
14 Aug 11
Cableman, I appreciate your candid and detailed response. Most of the posts in this category seems to be from newbies who are still yearning (for information) and learning how to make money online. They are also usually also trying to learn about myLot and how it works. Many people originally come here to make money and are usually astonished by the generosity and wealth of information that is available here. You have provided a helpful resource for newbies looking to start their first website. I hope others find it useful. My hope with this discussion was to help others realize that there is no magic bullet, no laptop is going to spit out one hundred dollar bills. The bottom line is that online or offline, you have to create or work at something of value that will be welcomed, purchased and/or use in the marketplace.
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
30 Jul 11
I don't know if there's a secret in making money online. What I know is that no secret about it...the things we need to make money online must inclined with patient and more efforts to learn many things...
2 people like this
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
31 Jul 11
I absolutely agree with you, friend.
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
31 Jul 11
Whatever we endeavor, we need to learn a great many things both on and offline. There is no secret. We have earlier mentioned in this discussion the notion of creativity. You may need to have more of an entrepreneurial and creative spirit but these days I think that kind of spirit will also serve you well in offline pursuits as well.
@puccagirl (7294)
• Israel
29 Jul 11
You are completely right of course. A lot of people get into making money online because they think it will be easy, but of course that is as far from the truth as can be. Personally, I mostly work on my own websites and blogs (that make me money), do translations and content writing for clients as well as some freelancing in SEO. So yeah, it's hard work, but it gets easier with time, as you learn how to be more organized and to be more efficient.
2 people like this
@agrim94 (3805)
• India
30 Jul 11
Hi beauty, What you said is 100 percent right that there is no magic and you have to work a lot and very hard to make money. Also for a person like us who is not running his own big site , earning online is not an option as you earn so little amount of money that you can not even go for a day what you would earn in month. I dont look forward to making any money at home anymore.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Jul 11
I have to agree with you.. I work at home.. but I work from home and by that I do mean WORK!!! It's not easier just because I work at home! lol!! And it's taken me almost 3 years to get anything established at all... hoping to build from here!
• United States
29 Jul 11
True - the bright side is that it leaves the market wide open for those of us who are willing to work online! lol!!
1 person likes this
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
29 Jul 11
Mac, This is so true! It is a wide open web for us to sink our little fingers into....I hope you earning, learning and making the most of your day today, my friend....
1 person likes this
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
29 Jul 11
Yes, there is no magic bullet, no instant anything. It is work and there is also a learning curve. What I have learned is that most people do not realize this and that is why they become frustrated and quit. Most people shun what they don't understand. A lot of people do not believe that they can make money from home and they never will. Mindset is first.
1 person likes this
@CTHanum (8234)
• Malaysia
30 Jul 11
Hi beaufly! There is no secret in making money at home because it does requires the same thing as say job as well. We want the money so we work for it. Even if they say that we can earn without do any work but the first move still need and effort. Do there is no easy way or secret to earn money. Work hard and work smart we will get it at the end.(^^)
1 person likes this
@CTHanum (8234)
• Malaysia
30 Jul 11
Working online is just one of the use of having an internet. Day job requires the same too. Most of the offline job are using the internet as well. So offline or online job both do the same like you mentioned above-contribute to the society, get busy and will be rewarded).By hook r by crook you need to hit it too~
1 person likes this
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
31 Jul 11
Yes, I think part of the biggest difference will be in doing a job prescribed versus doing job that you create. Offline, you may be doing work that you have to do and online, hopefully, you are doing work more closely aligned with what you "want" to do or your passions. That's the hope, anyway.
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
30 Jul 11
yes, put in the time, add value, contribute to society and you will be rewarded...somethings (as everything in life0 are rewarded more than others. Find your niche, your calling and get busy sharing it with the world. No laptop or desktop will automatically start printing 20 dollar bills for you so you just have to hit it (job, online or off, business, online or off) and get busy so you can reap the reward.
@aeiou78 (3445)
• Malaysia
1 Aug 11
There is no free lunch here. We have to put in the effort to get paid. Making money at home will not be sufficient for me to cover my daily expenses. I just treat it as an extra income for me when I have free time or during the interval of my program. After being online to earn my extra money in the past 18 months, I am still trying to search for the right direction to earn for my big bucks. ha! ha! So far, I have not given up yet. I hope someday I can really make it reality.
1 person likes this
@aeiou78 (3445)
• Malaysia
6 Aug 11
Your reply has motivated me very much. I hope this reply will be read by someone who is same as me too.
1 person likes this
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
5 Aug 11
Well this is a great site to learn from and hear about different views on new program and you know what the Good Book says, "Seek and ye shall find." If you keep looking, surely, you will find something. You will then need the time to devote to it but I have faith that you will find something. There are a lot of good opportunities out here, it's just finding the "right" something for you.
@asyria51 (2861)
• United States
29 Jul 11
I am a dabbler, but do have a fixed goal for the summer when I am not working. This year my summer money is going to be going to paying my sitter for the first few weeks of school, since I will not get paid until september for the first time. Last year, all the money I earned online doing different things went to making a nice Christmas for my family, and for my sitter's family.
2 people like this
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
29 Jul 11
Having a goal is great and it's even more awesome when you reach or surpass your goals. Online earnings can definitely give you the little extra you need to make holidays, heck any days special. I love that you also included you sitter and her family in your plans. It's always great when we can share the wealth beyond ourselves and our immediate family. Kudos to you!
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
30 Jul 11
I teach online. I educate those who wants to learn how to speak the English language and get compensated in return. Other than that, I stay in mylot to express my emotions and seek for advice. I may not considered this a job but it's one hobby that I get paid for.
1 person likes this
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
30 Jul 11
Well, you are certainly providing a much needed service that is recognized by the marketplace and you are able to come here and earn a bit also. That's great. Once again, you are teaching, this is your work and possibly even your passion. If it is, you have a found a way to marry what you love to do, whether it's helping people or teaching, and making money. That is always a fantastic thing to do. How long have you been teaching online? Do you use Skype?
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
31 Jul 11
Wow T, that's awesome! I have a friend who also used Skype for teaching English. It seems like using Skype is pretty popular for teaching languages. Do you also teach or tutor students offline...seems like this addition would be a natural fit?
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
31 Jul 11
Yes i used skype and i have been teaching online for four years already.
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Jul 11
Beaufly I agree there is no secret or magical formula to making money at home. One has to be not only be creative but have some type of idea of what they want to do. I hear alot about people saying they want to make money online well you have to decide what it is you want to do then see if there is a need online for it. Hard work, an idea, and focus is what pays off.
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
30 Jul 11
Right, there is no magical bullet....no laptop spewing out 100 dollar bills. There is none of that. You need to have some idea of your strengths, your talents and how that can be utilized in the marketplace....what the market will bear. Online or offline, the principle is the same. I think you can always marry your talent into making money or earning income but it's like you said....you have to get creative. Are you making money from home or online?
@Rosa26 (2618)
• United States
10 Aug 11
Interesting topic I know is hard to earn money by the internet but I am in the disposition of I can't work until the next year and I have a speedy internet and I would like to make some money in the internet,, well thanks for your discussion.
1 person likes this
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
14 Aug 11
Not sure why you cannot earn until next year but I sent you a message just in case you did not want to discuss it openly. MyLot is great because for one, it is a wonderful place to learn and earn. There are many very helpful people on here who are earning online and sharing their ideas. It is a small incubator, so to speak. Just keep learning and you will be sure to find ways that suit you to earn online.
• Virar, India
29 Jul 11
I bring few bucks at home monthly by doing paid surveys.
• Virar, India
30 Jul 11
How much do you earn from writing and editing .. And how must do you earn from mylot monthly.
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
29 Jul 11
My first foray into online earnings was through a paid, free survey sites so I am a fan. However, I do them rarely now. I have found other lucrative ways to make money online like writing, editing, etc....Overall, just more bang for my time...
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
31 Jul 11
I think earnings questions are a big no no and asking about myLot earnings. Writing is a popular topic here so you could use the search function to learn more about how people rate different writing sites. there are many to choose from. For myLot, it is best to read the TOS and guidelines to get the most appropriate answer.
@lexx87 (1707)
• Mexico
29 Jul 11
the magic word is never give up , do it every day
1 person likes this
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
29 Jul 11
I absolutely agree Lexx! Keep working at whatever you do on a daily basis. Never stop learning and growing! Keep moving forward (I often say this to people) and if you fall down and can look up, then you can get up. I learned the last part from Les Brown. Keep on Moving is a song I love and a mantra I live by.
1 person likes this
@DoctorDidi (7018)
• India
8 Aug 11
Yes, you are absolutely right in your observation that you need to do something impressive for which people will pay. But most of us don't know what will be appreciated by people.
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
14 Aug 11
I think my best answer to this has to do with "following your bliss." I think we all have to do our due diligence in learning about how people make money online but the things we stick with are usually things we enjoy or can derive some kind of modicum of pleasure from. Even with blogging, it's best to pick a niche of interest (one to the public and one that is to you) because then you will be motivated to continue to update it with content that will be valuable to the masses.
• Bulgaria
29 Jul 11
Ofcourse,every job is like that. But you shouldn't worry bout that :)
1 person likes this
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
29 Jul 11
I guess you mean that every job is about bring something of value to the marketplace. Would you care to expound on the questions at hand? How are you doing this or are you doing this?
1 person likes this