March 25th 2009

Back again and full of ideas.
I am still working in London and managing to send money home to my family, I am really missing them and hope to get back to see them sometime next month.

Secondly 'A Novice's Guide To Making Money Online'!.
That's me, the novice, and maybe you too. If you are making money online already then you are probably too advanced for this blog. I am going to list all the methods I have found to make money online, without any real outlay of cash, and tell you what I have done and what I intend to do.

(If anything here catches your interest just 'google it' in the search box at the top of the page, the results will open up in a new window.)

Sell a product
Ebay
Amazon Marketplace
Ad Trader
if you are creative there are now several websites where you can design something (T-Shirts etc...), they will do the rest of the work, and you will pick up the commission.
Zazzle
CafePress
Printfection

Online surveys
You can get paid to take part in online surveys, although all the searches I have made result in me paying to be on the list. You might have better luck.

Affiliate Marketing
You become affiliated with a certain product or products and get paid commission on any custom you direct toward this (through websites, blogs, e-mails etc...). I have looked into this and there is usually a fee involved, again just 'google' it and you may have more luck than me.

Sponsored Links
These can also be argued to be a form of Affiliate Marketing.
Google AdSense - you get paid per click on any of these ads on your blog/website
Amazon Associates - put an Amazon Link on your blog/website and earn commission on products bought via that link.
WidgetBucks - Again a 'pay per click'

Its also worth mentioning 'Squidoo' where you can earn commission based on your lenses (pages) which is worth a 'google'.

There a probably many more ways of earning money online, this is all my research has covered so far. Feel free to e-mail me any other ideas.

What have I done so far:
I started this blog which didn't cost any money.
I added 'AdSense', 'Amazon Associates', 'WidgetBucks' a Google search box.

I haven't spent any money and have made $23 so far. Remember I am not a guru or whizkid, but an ordinary bloke who wants to generate a second income, a plan B. I didn't even know how to begin blogging when I started out and am just learning as I go along.

Throughout this year I will be trying many of these methods. I am not looking to get rich quick, but looking to create several small revenue streams.

The thing which started me on this road (read my earlier posts) was being unemployed at the start of this recession and the realisation I need a plan B. So if you are unemployed and looking for work I wish all the best of luck.
John