One of the questions that have been frequently asked on social media, forums, and blog comments lately is, "How can I make money online using my mobile?"
I am an ordinary person with no exceptional qualifications, and I want ways to work and earn money online using just my mobile phone.
In reality, according to statistics, the number of internet users from mobile devices has exceeded 5 billion people, which means that more than 60% of internet users access the internet using their mobile phones. So, can ambitious young individuals like us also find opportunities to work and earn money online using just a mobile phone?
The good news is yes, and in this article, we will explain a set of ideas that are perfect for someone who only has a mobile phone and wants to rely on it for making money online.
1. Freelancing
Freelancing is when someone hires you to perform a specific task and pays you for it based on your agreement, without any further commitment from either party. You don't need to work with them for an extended period, and there's nothing more you need to do except deliver the work with the required quality and within the specified time.
The great thing about freelancing is that it solves many problems. You are your own boss, and you determine everything from what you do to when you do it.
Freelancing also opens the door for you to get paid in hard currency like dollars and euros, depending on the entity or person you are working for, based on the freelance field you have chosen.
All you need to do is choose tasks that suit you and that you can execute with high quality through your mobile phone, such as:
- Writing (in various forms).
- Proofreading and editing.
- Social media and marketing (if you choose the right tasks that can be done via mobile phone).
- Data entry and copying.
- Translation.
- Customer service.
- Providing specialized consultations.
- Personal training and nutrition.
- And many more tasks that can be done through your mobile phone.
You can engage in freelancing in several ways, such as:
- Getting a freelancing task through specialized Facebook groups in the field you want to work in.
- Using freelancing platforms that you can download their apps, such as Upwork.
- Through LinkedIn.
- By directly talking to individuals or companies.
And this is not everything; there are no limits to the fields or methods of freelancing. Just make sure you have the required skills that you can execute through your mobile phone and learn how to enhance and improve your services and work in general.
2. Selling Online
"Nine-tenths of one's livelihood lies in trade," and this also applies in the case of selling online. From my experience and knowledge, it is the fastest way to earn hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
The advantage here is that you don't need to have experience or specific skills to get started; all you need is a good capital to start and a mobile phone.
You may not need to do many things or even start an online store to do this; you can easily sell on Facebook Marketplace or Facebook groups.
Or you can start a page where you sell products on any social media platform, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Telegram, or any other platform where customers are present.
You can also sell on platforms like Amazon and Noon, or even platforms like OLX and eBay, among countless others.
What you need to do here is know your target customers well, know what they like about the product and what they don't, and how you can attract them to buy from you.
And it doesn't matter what products you sell, even if they are new or used, as the Arab markets are extremely rich and vast, and they generate good profits.
In trade and selling online, there are no limits to what you can do and sell, and there are also no limits to the profits you can achieve.
The wonderful thing about e-commerce is that it has become very flexible, and there are many easy and straightforward paths to enter it, making it very easy to start using just your mobile phone.
3. Content Creation
Digital content creation is one of the best ways to make money online using your mobile. In this day and age, the importance of content is constantly growing.
If you have expertise in a certain field or even if you're passionate about a particular niche like fashion, cars, or gaming, you can create content about it and earn a lot of dollars.
It won't be easy at first, but if you persevere, you will eventually make excellent profits.
There are no limits to the type of content you can create or present. For example, it can be:
- Articles
- Podcasts
- Social media accounts on various platforms
- Videos on YouTube or any similar platform
- Short videos on TikTok, Reels, or Shorts
- Virtually, the sky's the limit.
Of course, you will need to have the necessary skills at the beginning, and you may need some time to become proficient in writing or video creation to produce high-quality content that brings in money.
You can learn through professional articles or take courses available on platforms like Udemy, Coursera, SkillShare, and others.
During this process, you'll also need suitable tools and applications, such as text editors like Google Docs, which you can download on your mobile phone.
Depending on the type of content you create, you may need other applications. For example, if you choose video production, you don't have to be a video editing expert. You can start by downloading one of the mobile apps like Adobe Premiere Rush or any other and learn step by step.
With these mentioned apps and others, you can easily create digital content from your mobile phone and profit from it, making it possible to earn money online using your mobile phone only. Isn't that wonderful?
You can use content creation for your own benefit or get work as a content creator by searching on various platforms like freelancing platforms or LinkedIn.
You can even directly communicate with companies or clients whom you believe may need your video services.
I know a smart friend who was able to earn a substantial amount of money this way. She communicated with libraries and publishers and agreed to create visual content for their books.
By doing so, she got so many jobs that she had to turn down many of them later because she couldn't fulfill all their requests.
4. Photography
With your mobile phone camera, you can profit from the internet. It's straightforward; you need to learn how to take high-quality photos that others would want to use.
Whether these photos are of natural landscapes, historical sites in our Arab region, or even pictures of people, whether ordinary or wearing traditional clothing (of course, you must obtain permission from these individuals before taking their photos and another permission to sell the image).
Then, you showcase these photos on stock photo platforms, enhancing and processing them if necessary, to earn money from the platform.
There are several models for profit depending on the rules of each platform, the most famous and widely used being:
- Receiving a specified amount of money for selling the photo, for example, $15.
- Receiving a small amount (a few cents) every time a subscriber on the platform downloads your photo.
However, as expected, it's not that easy, but if you love photography, you will enjoy it tremendously, and you will earn dollars for your passion.
It might require you to have or purchase a high-spec phone, especially if the camera attached to it is of high quality, capable of capturing high-resolution photos, like 4K or even 8K nowadays, especially if you plan to sell videos in addition to photos.
You'll also need to download and learn some photo editing apps like Adobe Photoshop Camera.
If you're taking pictures of people, you might need to learn retouching and use suitable apps like:
- AirBrush
- TouchRetouch
- Snapseed
This method is highly profitable and one of the best ways to make money online using your mobile. However, you need to have a passion for photography and an eye for capturing beautiful scenes and angles.
Before moving on to the other method, don't forget to read the terms and conditions of the website where you'll be selling your photos thoroughly before joining.
5. Voice Over
One of the distinctive ways to make money online using your mobile phone is through voice-over work. If you have a unique voice and can pronounce words correctly in Arabic or English with clear articulation, this method could be ideal for you.
Using your voice, you can narrate videos, films, perform dubbing, read audiobooks, or engage in any activity where your voice can be utilized. In fact, you can professionally perform voice-over work from your phone, but it's essential to use the right tools.
For instance, you may need to invest in a professional microphone for your mobile phone, such as the Rode Smartlav+ or The Blue Yeti, with an accessory to connect it to your phone.
If you aim to make your work even more professional, you can purchase other tools like noise-canceling headphones, a mixer, soundproofing materials, and other equipment to enhance your audio quality.
You'll also need to learn more about recording techniques, such as selecting a suitable recording location, reducing sound echoes, and minimizing noise in the environment to the best of your ability. Additionally, you can improve your voice quality by following dietary and beverage guidelines to maintain the quality of your voice.
The key here is delivering absolute quality, and you can charge significant rates for your voice-over work, potentially earning tens of dollars per minute. If you are fluent in English or another foreign language, you can command much higher rates. If you also master Gulf dialects, you can work with Arabic clients who pay in Saudi Riyals or Kuwaiti Dinars, among others.
Afterward, you'll need to process your audio using applications such as AudioLab or GarageBand, among others.
6. Social Media Management
One of the easiest ways to make money online using your mobile phone is by managing social media platforms for others. Through your phone, you can earn a few hundred dollars per month.
The tasks of a social media manager vary depending on the job but typically include:
- Overseeing the posting process on social media platforms.
- Implementing marketing strategies.
- Responding to customers and interacting with them.
- Designing and supervising content.
The advantage of this method is that it's easy and doesn't require more than learning the basics of social media. The better your skills and experience, the higher your income potential.
If you have experience in the niche you're managing, knowledge of the English language, design and content writing abilities, and the capability to handle advertising campaigns, your income can increase significantly beyond that of a regular social media manager.
You can easily use applications to help you with this, such as Meta Business Suite, Hootsuite, or Buffer.
Moreover, you can manage multiple clients' pages simultaneously. Some individuals manage up to four or five clients' pages simultaneously.
You can find clients through your network, on social media platforms, or on various Arabic and foreign freelance platforms. However, make sure to keep learning about the latest trends in social media, as it is constantly evolving, and your competence will be your selling point for potential clients. You can achieve this by reading articles from industry experts that provide insights into digital marketing and social media.
7. Online Teaching
If you possess a skill, whether it's programming, design, or even extensive experience in a particular field, such as cooking or crafting handmade products, you might consider this method as one of the best ways to make money online using your mobile phone.
One of the most profitable areas in online teaching is instructing others. Many individuals I know earn substantial amounts of money through this approach.
Some of the most profitable niches include teaching Arabic to non-native speakers, Quran memorization, and similar subjects. In the realm of Arabic content creation, some individuals earn tens of thousands of dollars by teaching others how to take care of themselves or choose their clothing wisely.
In the beginning, you might find it challenging to find individuals willing to pay for your expertise and knowledge. However, once you convince one person, you'll be able to persuade many others.
This method is incredibly straightforward, with numerous online applications like Zoom or Google Meet available. You can acquire clients through your personal network, on social media platforms, or through various freelance platforms, as mentioned earlier.
8. Investment and Trading
You might be surprised to find investment and trading on this list, but it's one of the most effective and profitable methods if done correctly.
Certainly, you will need some capital to start, even if it's small. However, the returns, especially in the long term, can be astounding.
You don't need to possess a specific skill, just a willingness to learn, patience, and emotional stability to teach yourself the right investment and trading strategies.
You can choose what you want to invest in or trade, such as stocks, gold, digital currencies, and more. It's advisable, especially in the beginning, not to use your real money while learning. Instead, you can use virtual accounts provided by trading apps to practice without risking your capital.
You should also be aware that the income you generate from this method should not be relied upon as a stable source of income, at least in the short term. It should be considered a side income alongside your primary job to enable you to expand and reinvest more funds in the future.
You can choose the app that suits your needs and aligns with your investment goals. There are literally dozens of good choices.
In conclusion, having an additional source of income is no longer a luxury in today's world. Even if you already have a job that provides income, you should still look for ways to boost that income.
There is no easier way to make money online than through your mobile phone. You can't imagine how much money you can earn from it during your spare time, instead of just scrolling through social media.
In the end, we hope this article has been helpful and guides you to start making money online from your mobile phone. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments.
