How To Make Money By Selling Stuff Online in 2023

Thanks to the rise of eCommerce platforms such as Amazon, eBay, and Alibaba, you can easily learn how to make money by selling stuff online to make some extra cash.

How much would you pay for a new pair of shoes or a nice watch? If you had the chance to sell them at a profit, wouldn’t you jump at the opportunity? Well, now you can.

In 2017 alone, global retail sales grew by 3%, reaching $3.4 trillion. That means consumers spent over $1 trillion buying things from their favorite brands. And they want to spend even more next year.

So, if you’re looking to get started, here are five ways to start earning money by selling stuff online.

1. Sell Your Old Clothes

If you have an abundance of clothes that no longer fit or look good, then it might be time to put those pieces in storage until you need them again. But before you do, why not try selling them on eBay? You could earn up to 70% of the value of your clothing with this method!

2. Sell Your Electronics

If you have any electronics lying around that you don’t use anymore, there’s probably someone out there who wants them. So why not list them on eBay and see what happens? You could potentially earn hundreds of dollars just by listing one item.

3. Sell Your Books

Books are another great way to make money by selling things online. There are many people who love reading but don’t always have the space to store all of their books. Why not let them borrow yours instead? This is a great option if you have a lot of books that aren’t being read right away.

4. Sell Your Toys

Are you still playing with toys from when you were a kid? Do you have any collectibles that you haven’t touched since childhood? Then why not sell them on eBay? It’s easy to find buyers for these types of items because they’ve been collecting dust for so long.

You can join MLM companies that market toys to families where they do all the shipping. all you need to do is build a team of distributors and you can get a commission when they sell toys to families.

5. Sell Your Furniture

Furniture is another thing that most people will never part with. However, if you have furniture sitting around that isn’t being used, why not list it on eBay and make some money off of it? You may even be able to resell it later for a higher price.

 Start A Side Hustle Business

Selling things online is only one way to make money. Another popular side hustle is starting a business. If you like writing, photography, graphic design, or anything else, why not create a website where you can share your work and start making money?

Become An Affiliate Marketer

There are plenty of companies out there that offer affiliate programs. These programs allow you to promote certain products and make a commission every time someone buys through your link.

 Create A YouTube Channel

YouTube is a great place to make money by selling stuff online, especially if you have a large audience. Many people enjoy watching videos about how-to guides, DIY projects, product reviews, etc. So why not create a channel where you can upload these videos and start making money? Just remember to keep your content entertaining and engaging.

Get Paid For Surveys

If you’re interested in getting paid for surveys, check out Swagbucks.com. They pay you to cash back for shopping at major retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, and more.

Rent Out Items

If you live near a college town or university, you might know someone who has extra textbooks or other items that they need to rent out. Why not ask if they would be willing to rent them out instead of throwing them away?

Be A Virtual Assistant

Are you skilled at a few different tasks? Then why not sign up with VA-VA Virtual Assistants and get hired to help clients out with various needs? Some of the services include researching information, creating a personal profile, email correspondence, blogging, bookkeeping, data entry, proofreading, editing, customer service, social media management, and much more.

How to Sell Stuff Online

The reality is a little different. Selling things online requires some work, and there are plenty of pitfalls along the way. But if you do what you set out to do — build a sustainable business around something you love — the rewards can be great.

1. Find Your Niche

The success of your business largely relies on how it fits into a spectrum of existing businesses. If someone else has already captured the market you’re after — whether it’s a specific type of product, a certain demographic, or even a particular geographic area — it’s going to be much harder to stand out. So focus on a niche market that interests you.

For example, if you want to sell kids’ clothing, you might consider starting a site focused on toddlers or infants. Or if you’re selling jewelry, you could target women over 40. And if you’re selling dog food, you could go after pet owners in urban areas.

If you find that there isn’t enough demand for what you want to offer, don’t worry about it. You’ll still be able to make money, but you won’t be able to grow very quickly.

But if you do find a niche market that people are clamoring for, it will motivate you to dive deeper into the business. “Attempting to start a general online store is the fastest path to failure,” says Lisa Chu, founder of children’s formal wear retailer Black N Bianco.

“You cannot compete against giant eCommerce platforms like Amazon in terms of pricing, brand awareness, shipping costs, and customer service.”

2. Don’t try to be Everything to Everyone

Even though you’ve found a niche market that seems ripe for growth, it doesn’t mean that you should attempt to cater to everyone. Instead, focus on one thing and provide great value.

Chu advises entrepreneurs to think about what makes their products unique, and then build around those features. For instance, she says her company offers free returns and exchanges within 30 days of purchase. She also provides detailed sizing charts and videos showing customers how to put outfits together.

3. Promote Your Business

The next step is reaching out to those people. This could mean writing guest posts on relevant blogs, sharing your expertise on LinkedIn groups, or creating a Facebook group for your target market.

“You want to reach out to influencers in your niche,” says Ahern. “They’re often willing to help others succeed because it helps them too.”

Once you’ve reached out to potential customers, you’ll need to figure out what type of content works best for them.

“If you’re trying to sell something, start with blog posts,” says Ahearn. “But if you’re looking to educate someone, try longer pieces like eBooks or infographics.”

Ahern recommends starting with one tactic per month. If you do well with one approach, add another. But don’t overdo it. Too many different types of content can make it difficult for readers to navigate your site.

Final Thoughts

As I mentioned earlier, this is an incredibly competitive space. It takes time and effort to get started, so don’t expect to see results right away. However, once you have a solid foundation in place, you can begin to scale up as your audience grows.

“I’m not saying it’s easy,” says Ahern. “It’s hard work. But it’s worth it. The more successful you become, the more opportunities you’ll have to earn money from other sources.”

If you need help on how to get started, check out my #1 recommendation on building a successful business online. You can get access to hundreds of training videos, 24/7 support, professional consultations, private access to training guides, tools, personal private assistance, my personal help, and much more.

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