A lot of people lost their income-jobs in South Africa during the Covid19 pandemic lockdown.
And the country reached the highest unemployment rate in 2020, meaning more people, especially young people aren’t getting income every month.
The situation encourages people to start their own small businesses in order to overcome poverty and making money.
Today, I want to share with you the best ways to make money from home (while locked down) in South Africa.
Let’s get started.
What It Means “Working from Home”
A lot of the working people are working from home, conducting online meetings, and so forth.
However, that’s not what we’re discussing today, we look at the creative ways of making money working from home.
And working hard, you could make between R6500 to R11,000.00 per month with these profitable ways of making money fast.
Just a quick note, you must avoid the get-rich-quick schemes because they’ll take your money and you won’t get any profit.
These different ideas of working from home will first become your side businesses. And you’ll decide to expand the businesses later on depending on your passion and commission made.
Profitable Ideas To Make Money From Home
1. Paid Surveys
- What it is: Share your opinions on products and services through online surveys and earn cash or rewards.
- How to get started: Sign up for legitimate South African survey platforms like Enlighten Panel or SwitchedOn Africa. Check testimonials and focus on platforms working with companies like MultiChoice.
2. Start a Blog
- What it is: Create a blog on a topic you’re passionate about and build an audience with valuable content. Monetize your blog with advertising (like Google AdSense), affiliate marketing, or selling your products/services.
- How to get started: You don’t need technical expertise to start. Focus on quality content and promoting your blog. Be patient as it takes time to build traffic and generate income.
3. Become a Writer
- What it is: Utilize your writing skills to offer freelance writing services to businesses or individuals. This can include blog posts, social media content, website copy, and more.
- How to get started: Build a portfolio on your blog or through freelance platforms like Fiverr. Start by seeking smaller projects and build your reputation before approaching larger clients.
4. Bolt Driver
- What it is: Become a driver for Bolt (or Uber) and use your car to earn money by providing rides to customers.
- How to get started: Ensure your vehicle meets the requirements and sign up as a driver with Bolt. Potential earnings can reach up to R9,500.00 per month.
5. Social Media Promoter
- What it is: Leverage your social media following to promote brands and products for a fee. Essentially, become a social media influencer.
- How to get started: Build a strong following in a specific niche. Seek out brands aligned with your audience and offer promotional services.
6. Freelancing
- What it is: Offer your skills and services on a project-by-project basis to clients worldwide. Popular freelance skills include writing, editing, graphic design, web development, translation, and virtual assistance.
- How to get started: Join freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer.com. Create a strong profile showcasing your expertise, build a portfolio, and start bidding on projects.
7. Online Surveys
- What it is: Participate in market research surveys for companies and organizations and get paid for your opinions. Rewards can be cash, gift cards, or points redeemable for rewards.
- How to get started: Sign up for reputable online survey platforms like Swagbucks, Toluna, or PrizeRebel. Look for sites specifically catering to South Africans to find more relevant surveys.
8. Affiliate Marketing
- What it is: Promote other people’s products or services and earn a commission on each sale made through your unique referral link. You can do this through a blog, social media, or online ads.
- How to get started: Choose a niche you’re interested in and find relevant affiliate programs. Popular platforms include Takealot’s affiliate program, Amazon Associates, and ClickBank.
9. E-commerce (Dropshipping or Selling Your Own Products)
- What it is: Set up an online store and sell products.
- Dropshipping: You don’t hold inventory; instead, you partner with suppliers who ship directly to customers when you receive an order.
- Selling Your Own Products: Create handmade crafts, digital products, or even buy and resell items.
- How to get started: Use platforms like Shopify to build your store. Marketplaces like Takealot and Etsy are also options. If dropshipping, research reliable suppliers and compare product prices.
10. Online Tutoring or Teaching
- What it is: Share your knowledge and expertise through online tutoring or teaching platforms. Subjects can range from school topics to languages, music, or specialized skills.
- How to get started: Platforms like Superprof, TutorMe, and iTalki connect tutors with students. Ensure you have the necessary qualifications and create engaging lesson plans.
Important Considerations:
- Success takes time: These methods might not become primary income sources immediately. Stay consistent and persevere.
- Skills and Expertise: Focus on areas where you excel. Improve your skills through online courses or resources.
- Reliability and professionalism: Deliver quality work and meet deadlines to gain a good reputation and increase earning potential.
These ideas are meant to get you in the right direction to make money from home, and hopefully, they aid in creating a profitable business.
Read: How to Save Money on Groceries in South African Supermarkets