Ever stared at your bank account and thought, ‘How the hell am I going to make it through the month?’ Yeah, me too.
There was a time when I was juggling rent, bills, and still trying to have a life. I’d spend hours Googling ‘how to make money online,’ hoping for a magic fix. Spoiler: There isn’t one—but there ARE ways to make extra money that actually work.
That’s why I’m breaking it all down: Surveys vs. other online jobs—where should you focus your energy? Let’s get into it. If you’re anything like me, you’ve Googled “how to make money online” more times than you’d like to admit. Between rising rent, student loans, and trying to have a life, the struggle is real. But here’s the good news—you can make extra money online without quitting your job. The big question is: should you focus on surveys, or are there better options? Let’s break it all down!
Surveys: The Easy Way to Make Some Quick Cash
If you want something low-effort that you can do while watching Netflix or on your way to work, surveys might be your thing. They’re one of the easiest ways to make money online, but before you go all in, let’s get real about what to expect.
The Good:
- Super flexible: You can do them on your phone while waiting in line or during your lunch break.
- No skills required: If you can read and click buttons, you can get paid.
- Quick payouts: Some sites like Swagbucks and Survey Junkie let you cash out fast.
The Not-So-Good:
- Low pay per survey: Most pay $0.50 to $5 per survey. Not exactly rent money.
- Pre-screening struggle: You might spend 10 minutes answering questions only to get disqualified—frustrating, right?
- Won’t replace your paycheck: Now, I’m not saying you’ll replace your paycheck with surveys—but if you know which sites to use and how to maximize your time, you can turn those quick clicks into actual spending money.
Other Online Jobs: More Effort, More Money
When I first started working online, I wasn’t sure where to focus my energy. I dabbled in different things—writing, editing, even a little virtual assistance—until I found what worked best for me. That’s the beauty of online work: you can start small and experiment until you find your thing.
If you’re not sure where to start, don’t stress—most of us don’t! The good news? You can learn many of these skills online, and some of the best courses (like Proofread Anywhere, Fully Booked VA, and Transcribe Anywhere) help you get started with real clients.
And once you’re ready to earn, here are some of the best-paying online jobs:
- Freelancing (Writing, Graphic Design, etc.) – Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork connect you with clients who need your skills.
- Virtual Assistance (VA Work) – Helping businesses with emails, social media, and admin tasks. Check out Fully Booked VA for training!
- Selling Printables/Digital Products – Creating things like planners, templates, or printables to sell on Etsy.
- Transcription – Typing out audio recordings; companies like Rev and GoTranscript pay decent rates. The good news? You can learn many of these skills online, and some of the best courses (like Proofread Anywhere, Fully Booked VA, and Transcribe Anywhere) help you get started with real clients.
If you’re willing to put in a bit more work, freelancing, virtual assistance, or content writing can actually help you make real money online. I started out doing small freelance gigs, and let me tell you—this is where the money is.
Types of Online Jobs That Pay More:
- Freelancing (Writing, Graphic Design, etc.) – Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork connect you with clients who need your skills.
- Virtual Assistance (VA Work) – Helping businesses with emails, social media, and admin tasks. Check out Fully Booked VA for training!
- Selling Printables/Digital Products – Creating things like planners, templates, or printables to sell on Etsy.
- Transcription – Typing out audio recordings; companies like Rev and GoTranscript pay decent rates.
The Good:
- Higher earning potential – You can easily make $15-$50 per hour depending on your skills.
- More stable income – Unlike surveys, online jobs can become consistent money-makers.
- Room for growth – What starts as a side hustle could turn into a full-time gig.
The Not-So-Good:
- Takes effort upfront – You need to build a profile, apply for jobs, and gain experience.
- Skills matter – Some jobs require specific skills, but the good news? You can learn them for free!
- Finding clients takes time – Unlike surveys, you won’t get paid instantly, but once you get rolling, the money is so much better.
How to Decide: Surveys or Online Jobs?
Here’s the deal—it depends on your goals.
If you just need quick cash for coffee runs and impulse buys? Stick with surveys. It’s easy, mindless, and flexible.
If you’re serious about making real money? Invest time in an online job that actually builds your income. Even starting with just 5-10 hours a week can add up fast.
Can You Make an Extra $1000 This Month?
YES—but not with surveys alone. If you’re serious about hitting that $1000 goal, here’s what I’d do:
Step 1: Sign up for 2-3 survey sites (Swagbucks, InboxDollars) for quick wins. Aim for $50-$100 this month.
Step 2: Pick one online job that pays well (freelancing, VA work, transcription) and put 5-10 hours per week into it.
Step 3: Apply for at least 5 gigs a week—consistency is key!
What’s the Best Move for You?
At the end of the day, the best way to make extra money online is the one that fits your lifestyle. Surveys are great for pocket change, but online jobs are where the real money is. If you’re serious about hitting that extra $1000 this month, start small but start today—trust me, future you will thank you!
If you want quick, easy wins, surveys are a great place to start—sign up for Swagbucks and Survey Junkie today and start earning instantly.
But if you’re ready to make real, long-term money, it’s time to start an online job that actually pays. Whether it’s freelancing, VA work, or transcription, pick one and put just 5-10 hours a week into building your side hustle.
The best way to start? Learn the skills that get you hired! Check out: 👉 Proofread Anywhere – Get paid to proofread online. 👉 Fully Booked VA – Become a virtual assistant & work remotely. 👉 Transcribe Anywhere – Start a transcription business from home.
The choice is yours: Keep clicking surveys, or start building something real. You can combine them all! But I do suggest starting with one. Really dig into it and get consistent, build those skills baby! Now the next move is yours- what are you going to choose??
Remember I believe in YOU!!
ER
