Looking for home-based jobs or online jobs that don’t need you to invest in them? You’ll be happy to know that there are lots of online jobs that don’t require any initial investment, apart from your time.
While some of these jobs do require experience, some are easy to start with little to no experience.
Working online allows you to work either from home or from anywhere else. This means it gives you more flexibility and freedom.
The online jobs we’re listing can be done as a freelancer, part-time or full-time. I’ll make sure to add details on how to get started on each job.
Before we start, let’s discuss ways to find online jobs.
How To Find Online Job Opportunities
You can start looking for online jobs within your own network and on Linkedin. Alternatively, I’d recommend joining Facebook groups that specialized in remote work and online jobs.
For example, if you’re a translator, you could search for Translation Jobs on Facebook.
You can also look at our list of the best remote work websites, as well as our review of Upwork and Fiverr here.
The hardest part is to land the first client, but once you start building your experience, it will be easier to find more clients. I invite you to read our article on how to land your first client as a freelancer if you need more tips.
I’d strongly recommend you take the time to build a portfolio especially if you’re applying for writing, copywriting, social media, or virtual assistance jobs. You can create a portfolio for free by storing work samples in Google Drive or in a Canva presentation.
Without further ado, let’s talk about the best online jobs that don’t require investment.
Freelance Writing
Freelance writing means you get to write content, blog posts, or websites for bloggers, website owners, or business owners.
To find freelance writing job opportunities, you could join Facebook groups that are targeting writers, freelancers, and bloggers. In fact, it’s one of the easiest freelancing jobs out there.
Every time I hire a freelance writer, I make sure to look at their writing samples. So, make sure to create a portfolio.
You’ll be able to build a portfolio easily by writing a few sample pieces, or by writing a few pieces for other people for free or at a discounted rate in order to build your initial portfolio. Alternatively, you could submit a guest post on a website to build your portfolio.
A freelance writer is usually paid per word or per piece. You can set your own rates depending on your level of experience or how fast you can write.
Copywriting
A copywriter focuses on copy that converts. Think of a sales page or email marketing – there’s always a copywriter behind them. Many website owners need a copywriter to help with copy.
To find copywriter online jobs, you could join Facebook groups for copywriters or freelancers. I’d also recommend building a website and a portfolio to get more clients.
When hiring, potential clients will look at your website and will want to see examples of what you can do.
Usually, a copywriter makes a minimum of $50 an hour, but depending on the level of experience, it could easily be more. It makes sense because a copywriter’s main goal is to help you make more money.
Social Media Management
A social media manager takes care of all things social media. You can schedule, engage, write captions, etc.
To find social media management positions, you could join Facebook groups for social media managers or virtual assistants. There are several online jobs for social media managers on websites like Upwork too.
You could create a portfolio using your own social media, or by writing down captions and strategies for brands you love to use as a demo of what you can do.
A good idea when pitching to a new client is to create social media captions for them, which would help you stand out from the competition.
Depending on the amount of work needed each month, a social media manager is usually paid per package or on a monthly basis. In some cases, the manager can also be paid hourly.
Data Entry
A data entry job means you’ll need to be a fast typer and you’ll need to know how to use Excel.
You can find remote data entry jobs on several websites and you can expect to make anything from $10 per $16 per hour.
This type of online job is easy to get and doesn’t require any experience or investment.
Virtual Assistance
A virtual assistant helps business owners with any kind of task. Think of social media, data entry, email marketing, etc. A great virtual assistant can do lots of different tasks which means lots of skills are required.
If you can’t invest in training (there are lots of virtual assistant training courses online), you’ll need to learn how to use certain software or skills on your own. While this may take longer, it could still work.
The advantage of joining a training course is that you get to build a portfolio during your course, and you can get access to a network which makes it easier for you to find a job afterward.
Remember, a portfolio is very handy when applying for virtual assistant jobs.
A virtual assistant can make anything from $10 to $50 per hour, depending on their skills and level of experience. You’ll be happy to know that it’s one of the easiest jobs to get, even if you don’t have experience.
Graphic Design
One of the best online jobs without investment is graphic design. A graphic designer creates all sorts of graphics from logos to social media graphics. If you already have access to design software, you won’t need to invest money to land clients.
Clients will want to see what you can do, so you should build a portfolio to showcase what kind of designs you can create.
Depending on the level of experience, the average rate can change. Usually, a graphic designer is paid per piece and can decide on their own rates.
Transcription
A transcriptionist is basically someone who can listen to a recording and convert the content into a written form.
For example, YouTubers or podcasters may need someone to convert their videos or audio files into blog posts, so they hire someone who can do this for them.
You can land transcription jobs in Facebook groups or on websites like Upwork.
Usually, the rate is per word or hour. You could also specialize in a specific niche (legal, medical, etc.) to obtain a higher salary.
Customer Service
Customer service jobs can be anything from emailing clients, to being in charge of the live chat for a company. This type of job can be done remotely from anywhere.
You can land a customer service job in Facebook groups, on Linkedin, or on a website that specializes in remote positions.
Usually, a customer service representative is paid per hour.
Tutoring
Another good home-based job you can do without investment is tutoring. You can tutor and teach online easily. For example, you could teach English which is one of the easiest jobs you can do online, especially if you’re a native English speaker.
To apply for these jobs, you’ll need to join teaching platforms.
The average wage for an English teacher is usually between $15 and $25 per hour.
Proofreading / Editing
A proofreader or an editor can help writers and bloggers with grammar and content. This online job doesn’t require an investment or a lot of experience as long as you can show that you have editing skills or that you can write without making any mistakes.
A great way to land a job like this is to network in Facebook groups. I see people looking for editors/proofreaders on Facebook all the time. There’s a definite need for it.
You can build a portfolio easily by editing pieces of content from your potential clients or simply from blog posts found online. It will help you practice and showcase what you can do.
Usually, a proofreader or an editor is paid per project or word. That said, you can set your own rates depending on your level of experience.
Community Management
A community manager takes care of forums, Facebook groups, or Slack groups. Their mission is to ensure that communication remains civilized and that every member respects the rules.
You can land a remote community management online job on remote websites or on Facebook.
Usually, a community manager will be paid hourly.
Translation
A translator translates content, or documents from one language to another. While some agencies request that translators use software, it’s also possible to offer translation services depending on your skills and the languages you speak.
Translation requires a bit of experience or strong knowledge of foreign languages. When finding an online translation job, you may need a referral from previous clients or a portfolio to showcase your work.
Usually, new clients will expect you to do a trial translation of one piece of content before hiring you.
A translator is paid per word and you can expect to make anything from $0.05 to $0.15 per word. This depends on your level of experience.
Blogging
Blogging is a great way to make money online, but you should know that it takes a lot of time before you start making money. Although, if you have a lot of free time and want to work on a project part-time, this could be it.
It’s the only online job that made the list that does require a small investment at first. Although, it’s affordable – you can learn more about how much it cost to start a blog here.
Having a blog is great especially if you’re a freelancer because your blog and social media can act as a portfolio.
When I first started freelancing, I used my blog to showcase my work and it was easier to land freelancing jobs. If you’re not sure how to get started with blogging, you can join our FREE mini-course to help launch your blog in 7 days.
Final Thoughts On Online Jobs Without Investment
Finding your first client or online job may be challenging, but as a result, you’ll get more freedom and flexibility. Working from home or remotely is excellent as long as you can hold yourself accountable.
I hope this list of online jobs without investment will inspire you and help you get started.
Want to learn more about working from home or online? Read one of the following blog posts:
