How to Make Money if you are Unskilled

ByTristram Ouma

May 26, 2023
How to Make Money if you are Unskilled

Last updated on August 19th, 2023 at 09:58 pm

This article focuses on how to make money if you are Unskilled

So you’re unskilled and in need of some cash. Don’t worry, there are still ways to make money. You just have to get creative. The truth is, you have more opportunities than you realize. You don’t need a fancy degree or specialized training to earn an income. All you need is the motivation to get started.

In this article, you’ll discover simple ways to start making money, even if you have no particular talents or skills.

We’re talking easy, realistic options to put cash in your pocket, from driving for a ridesharing service to completing online surveys in your spare time. You have what it takes to earn money and gain valuable experience.

Now it’s just a matter of taking that first step.

Keep reading to learn how you can make money if you’re unskilled. The opportunities are out there waiting for you.

Without further ado here is How to Make Money if you are Unskilled

1. Drive With Uber or Lyft

If you need to make some money but don’t have any special skills or training, driving for a ridesharing service like Uber or Lyft is an easy way to earn cash.

To get started, you’ll need a reliable 4-door vehicle, a valid driver’s license, and auto insurance.

Once you sign up to drive with Uber or Lyft, you can start accepting ride requests through their mobile app and make money by taking passengers to their destinations.

The more you drive, the more you can make. Some drivers earn over $500 a week.

The best times to drive are typically weekdays during the morning and evening commute, as well as weekends at night.

Head to busy areas of town like downtown, shopping districts, and entertainment venues.

Don’t forget about events too, like concerts, festivals, and sports.

More riders means more opportunities to give rides.

While driving, be friendly and make conversation, but avoid controversial topics.

Keep your vehicle clean and the temperature comfortable.

Offer amenities like phone chargers, mints or water.

Little touches like these will get you better ratings and tips.

Once a ride ends, the fare will automatically be charged to the rider’s payment method on file.

Uber and Lyft take a service fee, then deposit your earnings into your bank account on a weekly basis.

It’s really that simple. If you want an easy way to earn money in your spare time, ridesharing could be the perfect solution.

Why not sign up today and take your first ride? The road to extra cash is calling your name.

2. Do Online Surveys for Cash

One easy way to make money if you’re unskilled is by doing online surveys in your spare time.

Companies are always looking for regular people to give their opinions on products and services.

All you need is an internet connection and some patience.

Sign up for survey sites like Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, and InboxDollars.

These sites are free to join and offer surveys you can complete for points that can be redeemed for gift cards or cash.

To get started, create a profile and fill out some initial questions about your demographics and interests.

Then, check the survey sites regularly for new paid surveys you’re eligible for

Some may pay as little as $1 but can take just 5-10 minutes to do.

Others may pay $5-$25 for longer, more in-depth surveys.

Do as many as you can and watch your points add up.

Pro tip: Be honest in your answers. Survey companies want your genuine input and opinions.

If they catch you providing inaccurate responses just to get points, they may ban you from the site.

Once you’ve earned enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards to popular stores like Amazon, Target, and Walmart or get cash deposited directly into your PayPal account.

While you won’t get rich doing surveys, you can easily earn an extra $50 to $200 per month in your spare time for sharing your thoughts. Not a bad deal.

So if you’re looking for an easy side gig and want to make money from home, online surveys are a great option. Give it a try—you’ve got nothing to lose and extra money to gain.

3. Sell Unwanted Items Online

One of the easiest ways to make some extra money without any particular skills or experience is by selling unwanted items online.

Go through your attic, basement, garage, and closets and pull out anything you no longer need or want.

  • Clothes, shoes, accessories, linens, and other fabrics that are in good, working condition can be sold on sites like Poshmark, ThredUp, and The RealReal. Take photos of each item, provide details like the brand, size, and condition, set competitive prices, and list them for sale.
  • Old electronics, video games, movies, books, toys, and other media can find new homes on eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace. Make sure anything electronic still works properly and has all necessary cords or accessories, then determine fair asking prices based on completed listings for the same or similar items.
  • Furniture, home decor, tools, equipment, and other large items may require local pickup, so focus on neighborhood Facebook groups, NextDoor, Craigslist, and OfferUp. Provide dimensions, photos from multiple angles, and a low price to generate interest. Be open to negotiation and willing to go lower to make a quick sale.

The key is to start small by listing a few items at a time so you don’t get overwhelmed.

Take new photos, provide details, set prices, and post listings.

Then share on social media to spread the word.

As items sell, re-invest your earnings into new inventory and supplies to keep the cycle going.

With regular additions and re-listing of unsold items, you can turn unwanted goods into a steady side income stream.

Stay active in the communities where you’re selling to build your reputation, gain repeat customers, and make more sales.

In no time, you’ll have decluttered your space and made money from items you were ready to throw out or give away for free.

All it takes is a little time and effort to connect your unwanted goods with buyers who will appreciate them.

4. Do Micro Jobs on Amazon Mechanical Turk

If you’re looking to make some money but don’t have any specialized skills, don’t worry—there are still options for you.

One easy way to earn cash is by doing small tasks on Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk).

What is MTurk?

MTurk is Amazon’s crowdsourcing marketplace. Businesses and individuals post small jobs, known as HITs (Human Intelligence Tasks), that humans can complete for a small fee.

These tasks are simple, quick things that are easy to do but hard for computers like image tagging, surveys, and data entry.

Signing Up

Getting started on MTurk is straightforward.

You just need an Amazon account, then you can sign up for Mechanical Turk and create a worker profile.

Be prepared to provide some personal information like your name, address, and Social Security number since you’ll need to be paid.

Once your profile is approved, you can start browsing HITs and completing jobs.

Finding and Completing Jobs

There are thousands of jobs on MTurk across many categories. You can search for HITs that match your interests and skills.

Many are very short, taking just a few minutes, while some longer jobs can take 30 minutes or more. When you find one you want to do, you “accept” the HIT and follow the instructions to complete it. Then you submit your work, and if it’s approved, you’ll get paid the amount offered for that job.

Getting Paid

You’ll accumulate your earnings on MTurk, and you can withdraw your funds to your bank account or as an Amazon gift card balance.

Payments are made on an ongoing basis for approved HITs. While the jobs don’t pay a lot individually, if you do a high volume, the money can add up over time.

MTurk can be a simple way to generate some extra money in your spare time, as long as you go in with realistic expectations about the potential pay.

FAQ: Answers to Common Questions About Making Money With No Skills

Drive for a ridesharing service

If you have a reliable car, consider signing up to drive for Uber, Lyft, or another ridesharing service. All you need is a clean driving record, a relatively new vehicle, and a smartphone. You can make your own schedule and get paid weekly. The more you drive, the more you can make. Many drivers earn $10 to $15 an hour after accounting for gas and other expenses.

Do freelance work online

Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer offer opportunities for people with few skills to do freelance work like virtual assistance, transcription, tutoring, and more. You set your own rates and hours. Pay varies but can be $10 to $30 an hour for entry-level work. Build up reviews and ratings to increase your pay over time.

Do market research studies

Companies often hire people to provide opinions and insights on new products, services, and ideas. Look for postings on Craigslist, Indeed, and Facebook Marketplace. Studies typically pay $30 to $200 and last a few hours. You share your thoughts, reactions, and feedback. No special skills or experience required.

Do online surveys

Websites like Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, and InboxDollars let you earn cash for sharing your opinions on new products, services, and brands through online surveys. You can do surveys on your phone, tablet, or computer. Payouts are usually small, around $0.50 to $5 per survey, but the more you do the more you earn. Most people make $20 to $50 a month in their spare time.

Sell unwanted items

Go through your attic, basement, garage, and closets and pull out items you no longer need—clothes, books, toys, decorations, electronics, tools, etc.

Take photos, write descriptions, and list the items on websites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, and Mercari. Price items to sell, around 1/3 to 1/2 of the original retail price.

Meet buyers in public places or ship sold items. You keep all the profits. This is an easy way to make a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

Final Thoughts on How to Make Money if you are Unskilled

So there you have it, a few options to make money even if you don’t have a particular skill or talent.

The key is to not get discouraged and think outside the box. Opportunities are out there, you just have to look for them and be willing to start small.

Don’t expect to become a millionaire overnight, but with some hustle and persistence, you can generate a decent side income.

And who knows, one of these gigs could turn into something bigger over time.

The most important thing is just to take that first step.

Start researching options, sign up for a website, build your profile, spread the word to friends and family.

Before you know it, the money will start trickling in and your confidence will build.

You’ve got this. With some grit and determination, you absolutely can make money without any special skills. Now get out there and make it happen.