12 Real Ways To Make Extra Money From Home In Canada

If you’ve been thinking of making some extra money, working from home jobs, and online income In Canada, this article is for you. What would you do with some extra money? That’s an interesting question to ask anyone and you will definitely get a plethora of different answers. But one thing is certain — no one frowns at the thought of having more money in their bank account.

For some people, extra money means being able to offset their bills on time. For others, it means catering to their increasing number of dependents. And then there’s the group of people that want to travel the world, a venture that will definitely take a chunk out of anyone’s income.

It doesn’t really matter how much extra money you need or what you need it for, it just matters that you do. So we’ve created a list of 12 of the top ways we know you can generate some extra income working from home and online in Canada. While some of these methods require no prerequisite skills, some others do.

Also, the earning potential of these work-from-home methods is varying: some of them you’ll find are just good enough to make you a few extra bucks every month, while some others if done right, can grow big enough to more than replace your primary source of income.

Whichever you go with is your choice to make. We’ll just lay them all out for you here and let you decide.

1. Start Your Own Blog

In a world buzzing with digital expression, starting your own blog is a powerful way to share your thoughts, passions, and expertise with a global audience. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a budding enthusiast, the process of launching your blog is an exciting adventure waiting to unfold. Let’s navigate the initial steps to transform your ideas into a thriving online presence.

1. Define Your Niche:

• Passion Meets Purpose: Identify the topics that ignite your passion and align with your expertise. A well-defined niche not only establishes your blog’s identity but also attracts a dedicated audience.

2. Choose a Platform:

• WordPress, Blogger, or Medium: Select a blogging platform that suits your needs. WordPress offers flexibility and customization, Blogger is user-friendly for beginners, and Medium provides a built-in audience.

3. Secure a Domain Name:

• Reflect Your Brand: Choose a memorable domain name that reflects your blog’s identity. Keep it concise, relevant, and easy to spell to ensure it leaves a lasting impression.

4. Design Your Blog:

• Visual Appeal: Create an inviting and visually appealing layout. Choose a clean design that complements your content and enhances the overall user experience.

5. Develop Compelling Content:

• Quality Over Quantity: Craft content that resonates with your audience. Focus on quality, relevance, and authenticity to build a loyal readership.

6. Implement SEO Strategies:

• Boost Discoverability: Incorporate basic SEO practices to enhance your blog’s visibility on search engines. Use relevant keywords, optimize images, and create meta descriptions for each post.

7. Engage with Your Audience:

• Foster Connections: Respond to comments, engage on social media, and build a community around your blog. Authentic interaction enhances reader loyalty and encourages a sense of belonging.

8. Monetize Your Blog:

• Diversify Revenue Streams: Explore monetization avenues such as affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and selling digital products. Diversifying income sources adds stability to your blogging venture.

9. Leverage Social Media:

• Amplify Your Reach: Share your content across social media platforms to broaden your audience. Tailor your approach based on the platform and leverage each one’s unique features.

10. Stay Consistent:

• Routine Is Key: Establish a consistent posting schedule to keep your audience engaged. Whether it’s weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, reliability builds trust with your readers.

11. Evolve and Adapt:

• Embrace Change: Stay attuned to industry trends, feedback, and evolving interests. Adapt your content strategy to meet the dynamic needs of your audience.

12. Learn from Analytics:

• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilize analytics tools to understand your audience’s behavior. Insights into page views, demographics, and popular content empower you to refine your approach.

In Summary: Launching your blog is a journey filled with creativity, connection, and continuous learning. Define your niche, showcase your unique voice, and embrace the evolving landscape of the digital realm. Your blog is not just a platform; it’s an expression of your passions and a gateway to building a community that resonates with your vision. So, take that first step, and let your digital journey begin!

2. Start Your Own Drop Shipping Business

Dropshipping is the easiest e-commerce model to employ in terms of the processes involved from start to making your first sale. While it will require some cash infusion on your part, there are solutions like Shopify that serve as a one-stop solution to your dropshipping business needs.

With this business model, you don’t have to own, manufacture, or store any of the products you sell in your store.

Just create an account with Shopify and use their drag-and-drop features to create your store. You then upload your virtual products to your store.

Whenever you get a sale, you simply send the order details to the product’s manufacturer and they will deliver the product to the customer on your behalf. It’s that simple.

In most cases, the manufacturers also handle customer service, complaints, returns, and everything in between while you just get paid.

If you have your own products, you can sell those too on platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and Woo-commerce.

3. Find Work As A Virtual Assistant

Virtual Assistants are undoubtedly top of the food chain when it comes to the gig economy and making money online in Canada—or anywhere else for that matter.

VAs are the guys behind the scenes that take care of all the tasks in a business or company that the business owner would rather not want to do. The good thing is that most of these tasks can be done online, which means as a virtual assistant you can work for anyone in any part of the world, hence, the “virtual” in the title.

Depending on who you’re working for, your job as a VA can include stuff like taking and making calls, sending and replying to emails, setting up meetings, managing social media accounts, customer service, bookkeeping, and much more.

Working as a VA can afford you a surprisingly flexible schedule plus the earnings potential is massive. 

4. Participate In Online Surveys

If you’ve ever wished there was actual money involved whenever someone asks “penny for your thoughts?”, then you need to be participating in online surveys.

There are so many opportunities online to make money by sharing your opinions on varying products, services, and brands.

Of course, there are a lot of scams online too.

You just need to sieve through the maze of crappy offers to find the right ones. A few of the best-paying and most reliable survey sites include Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, Pinecone Research, Daily Rewards, Maru Voice, and Ipsos i-Say among others.

Some of these websites pay a minimum of $2 per survey and more often $5. Most survey opportunities on these platforms are really easy to complete in a short time, plus you get more opportunities the more you participate. Some of them also offer sign-on bonuses.

A few of these websites do not pay cash directly: they use a point rewards system where you accrue points over time and can then redeem them as cash, gift cards or in a number of other ways.

5. Become An English Tutor

English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and yet, the demand for it is still soaring. This demand has created a market for people who have a good grip on their English language skills and would love to monetize it.

Companies such as VIPKid pay English tutors as high as $22 per hour to teach the language to kids in foreign countries like China. Once you are sure of your skill level, you can register with any of these companies and you are usually allowed to decide your own schedule.

Of course, if teaching English is not your thing, there are a ton of other platforms that hire tutors to teach a myriad of other subjects too.

6. Become A Freelancer

Freelance websites like Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer, and 99designs are known for connecting people with skills to clients who need those skills.

Every day, thousands of people are on each of these sites, wallet in hand, ready to pay for all sorts of services. These include anything from professional services (like writing, proofreading, graphics design, transcription, voice-overs etc) to the most obscene services (like pranking someone or eating a banana in a sexual manner).

There is really no limit to the kind of jobs offered on these freelancing sites and the kind of people who need them.

Register with the ones that best suit you, set up your gig, set your hourly rate or fixed price and be ready to work. You can make from as little as $5 to as high as $5000 per project on these platforms.

7. Sell Your Stock Photos

For those who prefer to view life through the lens of a camera, there is an opportunity for you to sell some of your best pictures on platforms like Shuttershock, Getty Images, iStock Photos and so on.

A picture is worth a thousand words and if your camera skills are truly great, you can turn this opportunity into a serious money-spinner.

If you have an eye for captivating moments and a camera to capture them, why not transform your photography hobby into a lucrative venture? Selling your stock photos not only provides an avenue for creative expression but also opens doors to potential income. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the exciting world of selling your photography in the stock photo market.

1. Build a Diverse Portfolio:

• Versatility Is Key: Create a portfolio that showcases a diverse range of subjects, styles, and themes. This not only attracts a broader audience but also increases the marketability of your work.

2. Research Stock Photo Platforms:

• Explore Your Options: Investigate reputable stock photo platforms such as Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Getty Images. Each platform has its own submission process, licensing terms, and audience.

3. Understand Licensing and Usage Rights:

• Know Your Terms: Familiarize yourself with the different licensing models, including royalty-free and rights-managed. Understand how your photos can be used by buyers to make informed decisions about pricing.

4. Optimize Image Quality:

• Pixel Perfect: Ensure your photos meet the platform’s quality standards. High-resolution, well-composed images are more likely to be accepted and attract buyers.

5. Keyword Your Images Effectively:

• Be Descriptive: Accurately and comprehensively keyword your images. This enhances their discoverability on stock photo platforms and improves your chances of making sales.

6. Stay Informed About Trends:

• Adapt to Demand: Stay updated on current trends in the stock photo market. Understand what buyers are looking for and tailor your submissions to meet popular demands.

7. Price Your Photos Competitively:

• Balancing Act: Set prices that reflect the quality of your work while remaining competitive in the market. Consider factors like exclusivity, image complexity, and licensing terms when determining prices.

8. Promote Your Portfolio:

• Market Yourself: Leverage social media and personal websites to showcase your portfolio. Direct potential buyers to your stock photo profiles, creating additional avenues for exposure.

9. Engage with the Community:

• Network and Learn: Participate in forums and communities related to stock photography. Engaging with fellow photographers provides insights, tips, and opportunities for collaboration.

10. Regularly Update Your Portfolio:

• Stay Fresh: Keep your portfolio current by regularly adding new and relevant content. Fresh contributions maintain audience interest and demonstrate your commitment to your craft.

11. Provide Model and Property Releases:

• Legalities Matter: If your photos feature identifiable individuals or private property, obtain the necessary model and property releases. This ensures your images can be used without legal complications.

12. Monitor Sales and Adjust Strategies:

• Adapt to Results: Regularly review your sales performance and adjust your strategies accordingly. Identify what works, explore new styles, and adapt to the evolving demands of the market.

In Summary: Selling your stock photos is not just about making a profit; it’s an opportunity to share your unique perspective with the world. Build a robust portfolio, understand the market dynamics, and embrace the journey of turning your passion into a rewarding venture. With dedication, creativity, and a business-savvy approach, your stock photos can find a home in the digital marketplace while putting money in your pocket.

8. Create Your Own Courses and Sell Them Online

When you start your own blog, you can sell your own course on your website.

However, you’ve still got to worry about other stuff like creating content for your blog, hosting, marketing etc. But if you’re only strictly interested in teaching a skill or particular know-how, you’re much better off leveraging an e-learning platform.

Some of the more popular ones include Udemy, Teachable, and Skillshare. Set up your account with any (or all) of these platforms and set your own fees (it could be a one-time or subscription-based fee structure).

9. Start Your Own Affiliate Marketing Business

Another way to make money online in Canada is through affiliate marketing.

We may have mentioned affiliate marketing as one of the easiest ways to monetize your blog. However, there are so many other ways to make money with the affiliate marketing model that does not require owning a blog. Non-bloggers use other means like email and any of the major social media platforms.

We have to point out Michelle Schroeder again at this point. Besides owning her own ultra-successful blog, she is also an affiliate marketing guru and rakes in about $100,000 every month for her affiliate marketing efforts alone.

You can check out her course ‘Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing’ where she delves into detail about how she mastered the art of affiliate marketing.

10. Rent Out Your Car When Not In Use – Turo 

You might have heard of the app, Turo. 

If you haven’t, it’s ok. 

Using Turo App, you can rent out your car, when you wish to and for a couple of days every month. It depends on you as to how many days you want to rent your car out, for whom, and at what price. 

Creating your profile is very easy, it hardly takes a few minutes to rent out your car. You can choose the date, time, meet the person you will be renting it out to, and also have special instructions if any. 

Turn is great, I’ve tried it and it works seamlessly. 

You can look out for these options, which will help you in earning more monthly income and at the cost of renting out your car for a few days in a month. 

11. Rent Out A Room In Your Apartment or The Entire Apartment If Going On A Vacation 

A lot of people rent out their apartments while going on vacations or if re-located for a brief while. 

Another interesting thing I have noticed people doing is, rent out a room in your apartment and making some extra real money, instead of leaving it idle and waste the space. 

Also, if you have a basement that is hardly used, rent it out and make some extra cash. 

Here’s another option, if you are living alone in an apartment, why don’t you share the space with like-minded people/colleagues to split bills and make some real cash savings here? All these translate to extra money. 

In a city like Toronto, where rent prices are expensive, we have to be smart and make ways in little ways to keep money in our bank accounts as well as earn extra cash from other resources. Visit Airbnb for ideas on how to place the ad, Also Facebook Marketplace is very popular for your room ads. 

12. Start Offering Proofreading Services

Some people have a keen eye for spotting spelling and grammar errors in any text. If you have that gift, then you should consider offering your services as a proofreader.

Thousands of writers are constantly on the lookout for people with proofreading skills to make sure their content is of the highest quality before they can publish. Position yourself to meet that need.

A prime example of a proofreading success story would be Caitlin Pyle.

She started proofreading transcripts as her primary source of income back in 2012 and now banks in the mid-five figures range from her efforts every year. She has a free 76-minute workshop on her website, Proofread Anywhere.

This workshop could help you get started as well as help you decide if this is for you.

All these opportunities do not work in isolation. You can combine a few of them if you have the skillset for them and can manage your schedule. It’s unthinkable in this day and age to have just one source of income. The opportunities on this list will help you diversify your income.

Conclusion 

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, finding legitimate ways to make extra money from the comfort of your own home can be a game-changer. We’ve explored 12 real and practical methods that can help you achieve your financial goals without the need for a traditional 9-to-5 job.

Whether you’re looking to supplement your income, save for a dream vacation, or build a financial cushion, these opportunities can empower you to take control of your finances. From freelance work and online surveys to starting a small home-based business, there’s a path that suits your skills and ambitions.

Remember, making extra money from home is not about getting rich overnight; it’s about making steady progress toward your financial objectives. It requires dedication, persistence, and a willingness to explore new avenues. As you embark on your journey to boost your income, stay informed, be cautious of scams, and embrace the learning curve.

These 12 methods open up a world of possibilities, proving that with the right mindset and a bit of effort, you can turn your home into a source of income. So, start exploring, testing, and refining these options. Your journey towards financial empowerment and achieving your goals is just a few clicks away. The opportunities are real, and your success is in your hands. Happy money-making!