I received a message from Amelia Brown on Reddit last yesterday. She is a Crane Operator from Houston. She is looking for advice on how to find part-time work and earn extra income in Houston.
Here are 27 ways Crane Operators or you can find work and make extra money in Houston.
You might also like
1. Rideshare Driver:
Driving for a ridesharing app like Uber/Lyft is an easy way to use your own car to make money in your spare time.
Features:
– Drive your personal car and work flexible hours
– Earn to $26/hour on average after expenses
– Get paid for giving rides around your city
– Apps provide insurance and handle payments
– Drive when you want – it’s completely up to you
Pros:
– No boss, set your own schedule
– Meet and converse with new people
– Earn solid income once you learn the best times/places
– Minimal start-up costs – just your car and phone
Cons:
– Dealing with traffic and difficult passengers
– Pay instability with fluctuating ride demand
– Major expenses like gas, maintenance and rideshare insurance
– No benefits like health insurance or retirement
Requirements:
– Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.
– Knowledge of local traffic laws and routes.
– Good communication and customer service skills.
– Ability to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends.
– Reliable vehicle in good working condition.
– Must pass a background check and meet the age requirement (usually 21 or older).
For more details, apply Uber here, apply Lyft here
2. Make money affiliate Marketing:
Affiliate marketing is a sales method in which you earn a commission by promoting the products or services of other companies.
My first niche site: home décor / since Aug 2018. You can search for affiliate programs from Houston market or from Amazon, Etsy, Clickbank… My income last month: $3,306.44 as below (exinclude other affiliate networks).
Features:
– Work from home, flexibility hours.
– Minimal start-up costs – you just need a website or social media account.
– Scalable – you can promote as many affiliate products as you want.
– Recurring income if you build an audience and get repeat customers.
Pros:
– Low risk way to start earning money online.
– Leverages your marketing skills and audience.
– Completely performance based – you only earn money from actual sales.
Cons:
– Can take time to build traffic and generate sales.
– Commissions are often small, around 5-20% per sale.
In my opinion, affiliate marketing is one of the best ways to start earning money online in Houston now. It allows you to be creative with your marketing and provides recurring income once your audience is established. The key is picking high quality affiliate programs in niches you’re knowledgeable and passionate about.
Related post: 6 steps on how I make money from affiliate marketing
3. Make money blogging:
Share your expertise or passion through a blog and monetize it through ads, sponsored content, or affiliate marketing.
My first blog is about career niche/since 2015. You choose topics for your blog such as hobbies, sights or guides about Houston City. My last income from career blog: $4,205.43 / Aug 2023 from Google adsense (exincluded other advertising networks, income).
Steps to do blogging as my experience:
– Choose a profitable nich..
– Set up a self-hosted blog.
– Create high-quality, engaging content.
– Implement effective SEO strategies to increase organic traffic to your blog.
– Monetize your blog through various methods like affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and selling digital products.
– Build an email list to cultivate a loyal audience and promote your offerings.
– Engage with your readers through comments, social media, and newsletters for better connection and feedback.
Related post: 7 steps on how I make money blogging
4. Paid Surveys:
You will be paid $0.5 – $2.5 but if you have the know-how, you can make $10-$15 from Houston market .
Features:
– Take surveys anytime from a computer or smartphone
– Wide variety of survey topics – product tests, opinions, research
– Most surveys take 5-20 minutes to complete
– Get paid cash, gift cards or points
Pros:
– Simple passive income stream
– Just share your opinions and demographics
– Convenient to do while at home
– Reputable survey sites screen out scams
Cons:
– Very inconsistent work and income
– Time spent searching for surveys
– Low pay per hour if you calculate it
– Lots of screening out of surveys
Online surveys are nice for earning a little extra pocket money from home. Just don’t expect to make substantial income from them unless you treat it like a full-time job. Signing up for multiple legitimate survey sites helps increase the number of surveys available to you.
Related post: How to make $7,500 per month from paid surveys
5. Forex/Crypto Trading:
Learn the art of trading currencies or cryptocurrencies to potentially generate significant profits in the financial markets.
Forex/Crypto tips from Stanley Druckenmiller, an experienced crypto expert:
– Stay updated with the latest market trends and news.
– Set clear financial goals and stick to your trading plan.
– Practice risk management by setting stop-loss orders.
– Diversify your portfolio to minimize potential losses.
– Use technical analysis tools to identify entry and exit points.
– Keep emotions in check and avoid impulsive trading decisions.
– Continuously educate yourself about crypto/forex trading strategies.
Related post: 10 steps to successful in crypto/forex trading
6. Freelancing:
Freelance is one of best way to offer your skills as a freelancer in areas such as writing, graphic design, programming, or consulting.
I did a special interview Tasha Whitman for our Houston community, sub #freelance career, she has served 7500+ clients on Upworks, here are some of her freelance experiences:
– Build a strong portfolio showcasing your best work.
– Develop a niche expertise to stand out from the competition.
– Network and connect with potential clients through social media and professional platforms.
– Set clear goals and create a schedule to stay organized and meet deadlines.
– Continuously update your skills and stay up-to-date with industry trends.
Related post: 9 steps to success in freelancing
7. YouTube Channel:
Create engaging video content on YouTube and monetize it through ad revenue, sponsorships, or merchandise sales.
I had a special interview Michelle Griffiths for our Houston community, she is my client, she has a channel about her favorite dogs, with 900,000+ subs and 2.4 million views per month.
Tips from Michelle Griffiths:
– Define your niche and target audience.
– Create high-quality and engaging content.
– Optimize your video titles, descriptions, and tags for SEO.
– Consistently upload new videos to keep your audience engaged.
– Promote your channel through social media and collaborations.
– Engage with your viewers by responding to comments and messages.
– Use eye-catching thumbnails to attract clicks.
– Analyze your analytics.
Related post: 7 steps to build a successful YouTube channel
8. Amazon/Etsy Store:
Start an online store selling products of your choice using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce and tap into the vast world of e-commerce.
I had a special interview Jessica Lee on August 25, 2023 for our Houston community, she is my client, she opened a handmade shop on Etsy with over $700,000 in sales per year.
Some freelance tips from Jessica Lee:
– Choose a user-friendly and responsive website design.
– Optimize your product descriptions with relevant keywords.
– Offer secure payment options to build trust with customers.
– Implement effective SEO strategies to improve search engine visibility.
– Utilize social media platforms for targeted marketing and customer engagement.
– Provide detailed product images and videos to enhance the shopping experience.
– Offer competitive pricing and attractive discounts to attract customers.
– Streamline the checkout process for a seamless buying experience.
– Provide excellent customer support through various channels.
Related post: 7 steps to create a successful Etsy/Amazon Store
9. Dropshipping:
Set up an online store without holding inventory by partnering with suppliers who handle product storage and shipping directly to customers.
In this section, I want to share the experience of Peter Tran, a dropshipper from Vietnam for our Houston community, also my friend, he opened a sales website on Shopify and specializes in selling handicrafts from Vietnam to US, $900,000 in sales in the past 12 months
Dropshipping tips from Peter Tran:
– Find a profitable niche with high demand and low competition.
– Research and select reliable suppliers with quality products.
– Create an attractive and user-friendly e-commerce website.
– Optimize your product descriptions and images for better conversions.
– Implement effective marketing strategies to drive traffic to your store.
– Provide excellent customer service to build trust and loyalty.
– Continuously analyze data, adapt, and optimize your dropshipping business.
Related post: Refer to Peter Tran’s experience on how to run a successful dropship business
Other ways to make money in Houston
10. Dog Walker:
If you love spending time with furry friends, consider becoming a dog wallker in your local area. Many pet owners are willling to pay for someone reliable to take their dogs for daily walks.
Pros:
– Enjoyable if you like animals
– Get paid to be active and outdoors
– Meet pets and pet owners in your community
– Make your own hours
Cons:
– Need reliable transportation
– Irregular income depending on demand
– Liability risks with unfamiliar pets
– Some pet care tasks can be unpleasant
If you love animals and want a flexible lifestyle, pet care is a great side business. Houston has a booming pet industry with high demand. Just make sure to properly screen clients and pets for safety. Having liability insurance can also mitigate risks.
11. Babysitting:
If you enjoy working with children, offering babysitting services can be a lucrative way to make money online. Platforms like Care.com connect parents with qualified caregivers.
12. Delivery Driver:
With the rise of food delivery apps and e-commerce platforms, becoming a delivery driver is an excellent option for flexible earning potential.
13. Create an Ebook:
If you have expertise in a particular subject or passion, consider writing and self-publishing an ebook on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.
14. Create an Online Course:
Share your knowledge and skills by creating an online course on platforms like Udemy or Teachable. This allows you to monetize your expertise while helping others learn something new.
15. Domain Trader:
Buy and sell domain names for profit by identifying valuable domain names that businesses may be interested in purchasing.
16. Website Trader:
Similar to domain trading, website trading involves buying websites that have potential for growth or improvement and selling them at a higher price.
17. Part-time Photographer:
If photography is your passion, offer your services as a part-time photographer for events such as weddings, parties, or portraits.
18. Captcha Solver:
Some websites require users to solve captchas before accessing certain content or features. You can earn money by solving captchas through various online platforms.
19. Online Graphic Design:
If you have design skills, offer freelance graphic design services through platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.
20. Virtual Assistant:
Many businesses and entrepreneurs need assistance with administrative tasks. Offer your services as a virtual assistant to manage calendars, emails, and other administrative duties remotely.
Pros:
– Very flexible work from home job
– Broad range of skills and services to provide
– Steady income stream with retainer clients
– Minimize distractions working from home
Cons:
– Inconsistent income starting out
– Potentially demanding or dissatisfied clients
– Frequently changing scope of work
– Distractions managing a home office
Virtual assisting is perfect for someone very organized and efficient with computer-based tasks. It takes consistent client outreach to build a full business. Focus on reliability
21. Social Media Manager:
With the increasing importance of social media for businesses, becoming a social media manager can be a profitable online career. Help businesses grow their online presence through content creation, engagement, and strategy.
22. Online Tutor:
If you excel in a particular subject or skill, consider offering online tutoring services to students worldwide through platforms like Tutor.com or VIPKid.
Pros:
– Make a difference helping students learn
– Satisfying one-on-one teaching time
– Learn techniques for clearly explaining concepts
– Flexible schedule with no lesson planning needed
Cons:
– Unpredictable income flow from week to week
– Need patience working with struggling learners
– Commute if not tutoring from home
– Potential distractions from home environment
Tutoring leverages your expertise to help students while earning a nice hourly rate. Having a background in education or prior tutoring helps. Be sure to listen carefully to students’ needs and simplify explanations of concepts. Patience is key.
23. Voiceover Artist:
If you have a pleasant voice and good pronunciation skills, offer your services as a voiceover artist for commercials, audiobooks, animations, and more.
24. Local Travel Agent:
Use your knowledge of your local area to create unique travel experiences for tourists visiting your city or region.
25. Gardening service.
26: House sitting.
27. Freelance Writer:
If you have strong writing skills, consider freelancing as a content writer or copywriter for businessses in need of website content, blog posts, or marketing materials.
