Digital marketing is packed with ways to make money. Whether you’re starting a side hustle or a small business, it’s a flexible option with endless potential.
You don’t need a degree or a big investment to get started. With just a laptop and internet access, you can dive into 17 simple ways to make money with digital marketing.
This post includes affiliate links to products I love and recommend, meaning I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
1. Offer Freelance Digital Marketing Services
Freelancing is a fast and flexible way to make money with digital marketing. Focus on services you’re good at, like SEO, social media management, Pinterest marketing, or running paid ads.
Start with platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer to connect with clients. Build your portfolio with smaller projects, and as positive reviews roll in, you can increase your rates and attract bigger clients.
Action Step: Pick one digital marketing skill you excel at and create a profile on a freelancing platform today.
2. Dive Into Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing lets you earn commissions by promoting products or services through affiliate links. When someone buys using your link, you get paid.
It works best if you have a blog, YouTube channel, or active social media account. Programs like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, and ClickBank are great for beginners.
Action Step: Choose a niche you love, sign up for an affiliate program, and start sharing links with your audience.
3. Create and Sell Digital Products
If you enjoy teaching or sharing ideas, digital products like ebooks, templates, and courses can be a great way to make money. You create them once and sell them over and over for passive income.
For example, an SEO checklist or an Instagram growth template can be sold on platforms like PayHip or Etsy.
Action Step: Pick a topic you know well and outline your first digital product today.
4. Become a Social Media Influencer
Being a social media influencer is a real way to make money. Focus on a niche you’re passionate about, like travel, fitness, or cooking, and grow a loyal audience.
Brands are eager to work with influencers who have an engaged following. Even with 10,000 to 100,000 followers, micro-influencers often earn $100 to $1,000 per sponsored post.
Action Step: Pick your niche, create valuable content, and start connecting with your audience.
5. Launch a Blog or Niche Website
Blogging can be a powerful way to make money with digital marketing. Pick a niche you’re passionate about, like parenting tips, home decor, or pet care. Focus on creating helpful content that solves problems for your audience.
You can monetize your blog with ads, affiliate links, and sponsored posts. While it takes time and consistency, a successful blog can bring in steady income.
Action Step: Choose a niche, set up a blog, and write your first post. And start using Pinterest to get more traffic.
6. Monetize Video Content with YouTube
If you love creating videos, start a YouTube channel. Once you reach 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, you can monetize through the YouTube Partner Program.
Expand your income by adding sponsorships or selling your own merchandise. Popular ideas include tutorials, reviews, or entertaining content that keeps your audience coming back.
Action Step: Pick a topic you’re passionate about and plan your first three video ideas. Use the VidIQ tool to help you find the best keywords, so you can rank your videos and get in front of more people.
7. Sell Online Courses
Online education is growing fast, and it’s a great way to share your knowledge while making money. Package your expertise into a course on platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, or PayHip.
Your course could cover anything from “Photography for Beginners” to “Starting a Podcast.” Include video lessons and downloadable materials to make it engaging and valuable for learners.
Action Step: Choose a skill you can teach and outline your course content.
8. Try Dropshipping or E-Commerce
You don’t need to be a big brand to succeed in e-commerce. With dropshipping, you can sell products without handling inventory. Set up an online store using platforms like Shopify and source products from suppliers like AliExpress.
To drive sales, use Facebook Ads or partner with influencers to reach your target audience.
Action Step: Choose a product niche and start building your online store.
9. Build and Sell SEO Services
SEO is a valuable skill that businesses need to rank higher on Google. Services like keyword research, content optimization, and link building are in high demand.
You could also create a Pinterest SEO service, and help small business owners get in front of their target audience.
As you build experience, consider offering website audits or creating comprehensive SEO strategy packages. Businesses are willing to pay well for experts who can boost their online visibility.
Action Step: Start by offering one SEO service you’re confident in and build from there.
10. Manage Paid Ads (PPC Campaigns)
Managing Pay-Per-Click (PPC) campaigns for Google or social media is a valuable skill. Many businesses struggle to make the most of their ad budgets, which is where you can help.
Position yourself as a PPC expert and offer to manage campaigns. You can charge a flat fee or a percentage of the client’s ad budget, typically 10% to 20%.
Action Step: Learn the basics of PPC advertising and start offering your services to small businesses.
11. Create and Sell Niche Templates
Templates save time, which makes them highly popular in digital marketing. If you’re skilled with tools like Google Sheets, WordPress, or Canva, you can create templates to simplify tasks for others.
Ideas include budget trackers, blog content planners, or TikTok video scripts. Once created, you can sell them repeatedly on platforms like Etsy or PayHip.
Action Step: Choose a tool you’re familiar with and design a template to solve a common problem.
If you want to start selling right away, without creating the templates, then grab my 250+ Canva Graphic Templates with Master Resell Rights.
12. Teach Digital Marketing as a Consultant
Businesses are eager for expert advice to improve their marketing strategies. As a consultant, you can help them with campaign planning, analytics reviews, and overall strategy.
Experienced consultants often charge $100 to $300 per hour, making it a profitable way to share your expertise.
Action Step: Identify a specific area of digital marketing where you excel and start offering consulting services.
13. Start an Email Marketing Service
Email marketing has one of the highest ROIs, earning up to $44 for every $1 spent. Businesses need help with tasks like growing their email lists, creating campaigns, and setting up automation.
You can write newsletters, welcome sequences, and cart abandonment emails to boost conversions. Deliver results, and you’ll quickly build a reputation for success.
Action Step: Learn the basics of email marketing tools like MailerLite (that’s the one I’m using), Mailchimp, or ConvertKit, and offer your services to small businesses.
14. Provide Remarketing Services
Remarketing is a powerful way to re-engage potential customers. By targeting people who visited a site or abandoned their carts, you can help businesses turn missed opportunities into sales.
Use tools like Google Ads or Facebook Ads to create remarketing campaigns that keep businesses top of mind.
Action Step: Learn how to set up remarketing campaigns and pitch this service to businesses looking to boost conversions.
15. Monetize Your Expertise Through Workshops
If creating a full course feels overwhelming, start with workshops. A live or virtual two-hour session on topics like How to Make Money on Pinterest or Instagram Marketing can be a great way to monetize your expertise.
Charge $50 to $200 per attendee, depending on the value you offer and the demand for your topic.
Action Step: Choose a topic you’re confident teaching and outline your workshop agenda.
16. Build Local Lead Generation Sites
Build simple websites for local businesses like plumbers, landscapers, or dentists. Optimize these sites to rank on Google and collect valuable leads, then sell those leads to business owners.
Many businesses are willing to pay $500 to $2,500 per month for a steady stream of potential customers.
Action Step: Pick a local niche, set up a basic website, and start driving traffic with Pinterest and SEO.
17. Create Social Media Content for Businesses
Many small businesses struggle to keep up with social media. You can step in by creating posts, videos, or reels that align with their brand and engage their audience.
With tools like Canva, even beginners can design professional-looking graphics. You can also help businesses plan their content calendars, ensuring consistency across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Threads.
Content creation services are in high demand, and businesses are willing to pay for high-quality, engaging posts.
Action Step: Offer a few free sample posts to potential clients and use them to pitch your services.
Final Thoughts
Making money with digital marketing isn’t complicated. It takes effort, but the flexibility and potential are worth it.
Choose a method that fits your skills and interests, start small, and keep improving. Stay consistent, and remember, the internet is full of opportunities. You have the time to create something incredible.
RELATED: 30 Passive Income Ideas To Make Money While You Sleep
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Petra Šranc (CEO of Big Income Paradise) is passionate about teaching female entrepreneurs how to do Social Media Marketing to grow their business online. She also focuses on teaching Social Media content tactics to skyrocket traffic, leads, and sales. 
