How to make money online in Kenya while in college

College life! A student as you are. Is life becoming challenging at times? Maybe? You might find it challenging, especially when it comes to balancing academics, social life, and personal expenses. Your ambitions go beyond making money and being independent.

Making money online has become a viable option for many students in Kenya. 

You may ask yourself: How do you manage to pay for your tuition, books, accommodation, food, and other needs? How do you save some money for your future goals? Fortunately, we have some ways you can make money online while still in college.

Highlights

• As a college student, you can earn money online in various ways, such as through freelance work, writing, work-study programs, online tutoring, paid research, and product sales.
• Freelancing and writing require skill mastery and a portfolio, while work-study programs and online tutoring leverage your academic knowledge.
• You should always balance these opportunities with your academic responsibilities and be cautious of online scams.

Here are some of the ways you could make money online:

How can you get started?

To get started with all these, below are the basic steps you can take to roll them out.

• Master your skills: Spend time honing your skills. There are numerous online resources available to help you learn and improve. You can check out this blog post to get suggested career tracks you can choose and learn.
• Build your resume: Highlight your skills, experiences, and projects that showcase your abilities.
• Create a profile and connect: Platforms like Upwork.com, Freelancer.com and Kuhustle.com are great places to start. Fill in your profile and start applying for jobs that match your skills. You can also make connections with people in your area of interest; they might refer you for a gig.

1. Writing

If you have a knack for writing, you can turn this skill into a source of income. Similar to freelancing, you can:

Improve your writing skills

Practice makes perfect. Write regularly to improve your writing skills. You can start by writing about topics you are passionate about or knowledgeable in. This could be anything from technology, fashion, sports, or even your college experiences. The more you write, the better you become.

Build portfolio

Showcase your writing skills through a portfolio. It could be a blog or samples of your work. A well-curated portfolio not only displays your writing ability but also your versatility in handling different topics. This will be your selling point when looking for writing gigs.

Finding gigs

Websites like iWriter and Textbroker are platforms where you can find writing jobs, not to mention many others out there. These platforms connect writers with clients who need content. You can choose from a variety of topics based on your interests and expertise.

You can actually sell content or get paid by your subscribers!

For instance, if you have a blog or newsletter, you can monetize it by selling premium content or getting paid subscriptions from your readers. This can be a great way to earn money while doing what you love.

And if you’re a technical writer

There’s this platform that you may find useful, Who Pays Technical Writers. This site is a resource that shows technical writers how they can earn money for their work. It provides information on various companies that pay for technical content. You can use this site to find opportunities that match your skills and interests.

Remember, whether you’re writing, general content or technical content, the key is to consistently produce high-quality work and to market your skills effectively.

2. Work-study programs

As the name suggests, this is a program that allows you to work part-time while studying at your learning institution. The money you earn can be used to pay school fees, leaving you with extra money for other expenses.

Duties: Teaching or library duties

It would be an instance where, if you’re a master’s student, you might be able to teach diploma/undergrad classes or maybe work at the library carrying out some duties and so on. This not only helps you earn money but also reinforces your knowledge if you’re also teaching.

You should note that this varies with different schools; you can check with your college if they offer work-study programs.

3. Online tutoring

Online tutoring is another excellent way for you to earn money online while in college. If you excel in a particular subject or have a passion for teaching, this could be a perfect fit for you. Here’s how you can get started:

Identify the mode of teaching: Online tutoring

Online tutoring involves teaching or tutoring students in a virtual environment. This could be anything from programming languages, physics, chemistry, or even a language. The more knowledgeable you are, the better you can assist your students, or maybe others who need to be taught a particular niche you’re good at.

If you excel in a particular subject, consider offering tutoring services online. Websites like Chegg Tutors, Solutioninn and Tutor.com are good places to start. You could also tutor at your local school.

Our advice
Remember, patience and good communication skills are key in this field. Always strive to understand your student’s needs and tailor your teaching methods to suit them. Also, always strive to improve your teaching methods based on feedback from your students.

4. Participating in paid surveys

Participating in paid surveys is another excellent way for you to make money online. Many companies are willing to pay for your opinion on their products or services.
Companies use this information for market research and are willing to pay for it.

There are several online platforms where you can find paid surveys.
Websites like Swagbucks and Survey Junkie offer such opportunities. They connect you with companies that need their opinions.

When you participate in paid surveys, it is important to be honest and consistent in your responses. Companies value accurate and reliable information. Also, understand that although paid analytics can generate some income, it is unlikely to generate full-time income.

5. Selling products online

Selling products online can be another way to make money.

What to do: Sell stuff online

To sell stuff online means you put things up for sale on websites. These could be things you made, things you don’t need anymore, or even things like e-books or courses.

If you’re crafty, consider selling handmade products online. Websites like Jiji are perfect for this. Alternatively, you can sell pre-owned items on platforms like eBay.
You can also sell things you don’t need anymore to those sites, such as Pigiame.

When you sell your stuff online, make sure it’s good and you describe it well. Being nice to customers, answering their questions quickly, and sending things quickly can help you get a good name and more customers.

6. Online transcription

Online transcription is a practical way you can earn money online. If you have good listening skills and can type quickly, this could be a perfect fit for you.

Here’s how you can get started:

They involve listening to audio files and typing out what you hear into written text. This could be anything from interviews, podcasts, lectures, or even medical and legal recordings.

There are several online platforms where you can find transcription jobs. Websites like Rev, Scribie, and TranscribeMe are some of the popular platforms. After registering, you can start transcribing audio files into written text.

Our advice: Good skills and a high typing speed are essential. Be familiar with the subject matter, as it will improve your transcription speed and accuracy.

7. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is a great way to earn money online. If you have a platform (like a blog, a website, or vlogging) and an audience, this could be a perfect fit for you.

Don’t know which platforms you can use to start a blog? Well, we’ve got WordPress.org, Medium.com, Hashnode.com, Dev.to, Hackernoon.com and many more.

How does it work?

In affiliate marketing, you promote products through unique affiliate links. When someone makes a purchase using your link, you earn a commission. The key is to promote products that are relevant to your audience.

For instance, if you have a blog about fitness gear, you can include affiliate links to relevant products. When your readers click on these links and make a purchase, you earn a commission.

Our advice: When you talk about partner links, you should be honest with your readers. Tell them that if they use your links to make a purchase, you’ll get paid some money. It is also in line with most partner program rules and helps build trust.

8. Graphic design

Another perfect way to earn money is by doing graphics. If you’re creative, you can offer design services. This involves creating visual content for clients. The content could be anything from logos, social media graphics, website banners, posters, brochures, or even business cards.

For instance, if a client needs a logo for their new business, you can design one that represents their brand. Or if a client needs graphics for their social media posts, you can create engaging visuals that resonate with their audience. You can also design website banners that are visually appealing and align with the client’s brand identity.

Our advice: Build a strong portfolio and network with potential clients.

9. Social media manager

Businesses need help managing their social media presence. As a social media manager, you’ll curate content, engage with potential customers, and drive leads. This involves creating engaging posts, responding to comments, and analyzing engagement data.

You can approach local businesses around you and offer your services. Showcase your expertise on platforms you’re comfortable with.
This could involve creating a social media strategy, scheduling posts, or even running social media campaigns.

Stay updated on social media trends and analytics

It’s important to stay updated on social media trends and analytics. Understanding what content resonates with the audience and knowing the best times to post can help increase engagement. There are many online resources and tools that can help you stay informed about the latest trends and analyze your social media performance.

Advice to students

As a student, it’s important to balance your academic responsibilities with these money-making opportunities. Start with one method that aligns with your skills and interests.

Be patient and persistent, as it may take time to start earning a significant income. Always be cautious and do your research to avoid online scams.

Remember, these opportunities are not just about making money but also about gaining valuable experience and skills that can benefit your future career. Good luck!

Wrap up

Not all have been mentioned in the blog post; there are numerous ways you can make money online.  Whether it’s freelancing, writing, teaching, or selling products online, there’s something for everyone.

It’s all about finding what suits you best and taking the initiative to start. Remember, every little step counts towards achieving financial independence.