Owen Burek is the editor-in-chief and founder of Save the Student, a website providing free, impartial advice to students on how to make their money go further. He is also a frequent writer and commentator for major publications and has appeared live on BBC News.
Students: are you fed up of being cash poor, or just need extra income to help pay off those tuition fees? These student-friendly Fiverr Gigs are quick to start, easy to maintain and will support your career goals.
Finding part-time employment can be tough at the best of times, or otherwise involves graveyard shifts that whittle away your motivation and take a toll on your studies.
Moonlighting as a Fiverr seller allows you more control over what you do, when and where you work, and how much you charge for it.
The key to a successful Gig is zeroing in on the skills, opportunities, and experiences you already have, or that you want to get onto your resume. Here are some Gigs that should inspire you to take action.
1. Freelance web research
Many businesses do something very simple: they save people time. Web researching is one of those time-savers that can help you get paid for your patience!
It helps to have: a nose for investigating, attention to detail, and persistence.
What you can sell: web research typically involves tracking down email addresses, images or brand mentions online, or even just sussing out how the competition is doing. It’s pretty adaptable, though – you could branch out into bespoke Gigs such as compiling Number 1 hits, summarizing book and movie plots, or gathering background material for writers and journalists.
2. Design eBook covers
Being able to spot and capitalize on trends is a useful skill when it comes to making money. For instance, self-publishing has exploded in the last decade, with thousands of authors opting for eBook formats – so there’s a ton of demand for digital book covers right now.
It helps to have: design skills, time management, and an interest in or understanding of what makes compelling cover art.
What you can sell: Custom-made covers or templates, technical troubleshooting or cover critiques. Commissioned illustrations, graphics and photos can be another great source of work (and can sell for a lot more as premium services).
3. Sell your social media skills
If you’re a power social media user you may as well make the most of what comes naturally. Flexing your digital skills can be good for you, too, as proven experience of managing marketing campaigns, SEO or customer engagement is highly relevant to plenty of career paths.
It helps to have: an affinity for online life, insight into what gets social platforms lit up, and (ideally) a decent following yourself. To scale up productivity, invest in management platforms such as Hootsuite.
What you can sell: follower or engagement boosting packages, ready-made statuses and inspirational quotes, picture sourcing/editing, or answering and moderation services. It’s fine to stay basic, though – even setting up profiles can be a money spinner.
4. Proofread student essays
The writer’s mantra, start with what you know, is crucial when it comes to freelancing for the first time. For students, that could be what you spend the bulk of your time doing anyway – nailing the grades!
It helps to have: subject knowledge, top grades, and attention to detail.
What you can sell: proofing and editing services, bibliography and citation checking, or presentation and layout packages. If you can teach the basics you could also tailor Gigs to hone language skills for non-native speakers, offer an introduction to academic writing, or coach writers of all kinds.
5. User testing
If getting insider access to future trends appeals to you, user testing is worth a look. It may not instinctively sound career-minded, but there’s an argument for picking Gigs that are fun, interesting or unusual alongside the big payers to stay motivated.
It helps to have: curiosity and opinions. Depending on the Gig you may also need access to a camera phone, transport, or be willing to have your screen/audio recorded while testing.
What you can sell: feedback on everything from websites, games, and apps, to customer service and complaints – but specializing in your interests can mean early access to products ahead of launch, plus the chance to help shape their development.
6. Teach your hobbies
Still not sure what your ideal earner is? Do what you love – it’s as simple as that! Whether you’ve taught yourself fluent Spanish or your parents made you practice piano every Saturday for five years, there’s someone out there who’ll pay to know what you do.
It helps to have: people or teaching skills are certainly useful, but bear in mind that you don’t have to offer real-time interaction. Lots of learners like to go at their own pace, meaning you can sell PDF and video courses as well as one-on-one tuition via Skype.
What you can sell: whatever you do well. Know how to fix a bike, draw like Da Vinci, or teach ethical hacking? Start from there and see where it takes you.
The ideas above are solid ways to get started in freelancing, but the trick is to make them your own and stand out in a competitive marketplace. To stay ahead of the curve, keep tabs on Google Trends which is a brilliant free resource. Use what you know, like what you do, and you’ll be onto a winner! And looking for the opportunity of a lifetime? Fiverr’s currently hiring for a Digital Nomad position, with the opportunity to travel remotely for four months, and get paid for it! Check it out, here.
Have questions about other ways to freelance as a student? Ask us in the comments below!
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