The internet has changed so much about the world since it was first launched on the 1st of January 1983. Not only has it revolutionized the way we access and receive information and stay in touch with our loved ones, but it’s also transformed the global employment marketplace in a remarkable number of ways.
Some of these changes were spurred on by the COVID-19 pandemic, which created a greater need than ever before for flexible, online-based working arrangements. With that being said, this trend goes even deeper than you might originally have thought. So, in this article, we’ll be exploring some of the new ways the internet is allowing us to work and earn money.
Background: Work and Money in the Digital Age
Even just a few decades ago, the notion that you would be able to make your entire living online would have seemed like borderline insanity. But for many of us, this is, in fact, reality; just ask, for instance, professional online gamblers or gamers. Plenty of people out there make a living playing blackjack with crypto opportunity or their favorite video games, and this is unlikely to change anytime soon.
In fact, as digitalization continues to advance, it seems likely that more and more of us will work either partially or completely remotely. Jobs based entirely on manual labor seem almost guaranteed to be made obsolete by AI and robotic technology sooner rather than later; as far as we’re concerned, this is a question of when, rather than if.
As part of this trend, national governments around the world are working on developing their own Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC for short). These will allow transactions to be made entirely online in a way that resembles current online banking practices but is functionally different.
This could be advantageous for a number of reasons; not only would it allow more people to access vital financial services, but it would likely also reduce the costs associated with running said country’s financial services in the first place.
In any case, digitalization is, clearly, on the rise, and its relationship with money and finances appears almost to be inextricable. We can only observe the changes that continue to arise as this process becomes more and more entrenched in our economies and societies at large.
The New Ways We Can Work Online
As mentioned previously, one of the real advantages of the internet is that it has made it possible for many of us not only to work remotely, but also to earn money in a variety of new ways. This list covers some of the primary innovations regarding employment opportunities that the internet has had a part to play in.
Freelancing Platforms
One of the major ways the internet is changing the way we work is through platforms that match freelancers with clients. Upwork is one of the largest of these, and its chief executive claims that is has the capability to make the world a better place by giving freelancers access to better contracts than they might otherwise find through, say, cold pitching leads or asking for referrals.
In any case, platforms like Upwork and Fiverr make it far easier for new freelancers to get a foot in the door than it’s ever been. By being able to liaise directly with clients who are actively looking for new freelancers, it becomes much simpler to find new projects and work.
Social Media
The rise of the influencer has been, perhaps, one of the most surprising outcomes of the growth of social media in recent years. Regardless of how you feel about influencers, it’s impossible to deny their cultural impact; and, for a select group of influencers, it’s actually a very viable way to make a living.
It’s undeniable that having some success as an influencer relies upon the individual having some understanding of good marketing practice, social media trends, and so on. As a result of the internet, people with these abilities now have the unique opportunity of making a living using them, with themselves as their very own brand.
Remote Work and the Digital Office
It goes without saying that the internet has made it possible for an astonishing number of people to work from home - something that likely would have seemed unthinkable a decade ago. But why spend all that time and money on commuting to and from the office if you sit behind a computer screen all day?
Esports
Esports is probably one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. And, what’s more, it’s also entirely possible to turn Esports into a career, provided that you know what you’re doing. With the popularity of Esports looking highly unlikely to decline anytime soon, if you’re a strong gamer, then you may just want to consider whether or not it’s something you could do professionally.
Investing
The internet has radically transformed the way we invest and trade. Platforms like Robinhood have made investing both more accessible and appealing to younger generations in particular than it’s ever been; and the level of information we have access to online enables us to make far better decisions when trading than we likely would have otherwise.
Online Marketplaces
A growing number of people are using online marketplaces like Depop and Etsy to earn a full-time living. Almost like a digital version of the ancient bazaar, sellers are able to ship to buyers across the globe thanks to the scope and reach of the internet.
