How to make money online

For this venture, you need to be passionate about two things: research and the internet. Forget blogging and earning some cash through the likes of ad-sense (which is lucrative if you get to know how), this business is relatively simple and could make you more than just money- a reputation.

The Idea

This idea is hinged around doing surveys online and getting rewarded for that. The difference from what you are used to is that this time round you are the one paying people to take surveys. Research has been proven to be a great source of information (read “power”), and many organizations are today depending on it for information on ways to improve their products. Large organizations are known to pay billions to have research done, and you just could be the one being paid.

The Capital

While there is regional imbalance in how much it costs to design and host a website, the fee is usually not that much for a decent website. You also need to have a considerable sum to pay the first respondents to your site, before you start making cash. Legal, advertising, and a deal with a payment agency will cost you money too. This looks like a large figure but it’s nothing you and a couple of like-minded colleagues cannot come up with.

The How- Process

This is a not so cheap idea, but very affordable. First, have someone design a website for you, one that allows visitors to create accounts giving very important demographic characteristics of themselves, like age, gender, marital status, residence, preferences, religious and political opinions. Secondly, market this website to build a large number of respondents- the larger the sample size, the more accurate the findings usually are. In this case, incentives would be something like “earn $10 for signing up, and $0.5 when you invite someone to sign up”. Set a minimum redemption matrix, like $100, to ensure you retain only the very dedicated lot. The third step is the challenge; you have to make a name for yourself. This will involve doing free research on products or local issues, and pay to have your findings published. Build credibility to your method and soon interested parties will begin to show on your doorstep.

The Challenges

This is going to be tougher than your average business idea, but not impossible. Expect to ruffle some feathers as a result of your findings. My advice would be that you find out all the legislation there is regarding research before you venture here. It will also be tough for you starting a business that involves paying employees first then making profit later. There will also be some uncouth fellows out to make a quick buck, so choose your respondents well. This is not forgetting the fact that a majority of the research and computer terms I have used here may be jargon or French to most of you!

The Profit

I have had an opportunity to work as a research assistant for a couple of organizations, and the pay was great in most instances. This only proves that they are willing to pay to know. If you can prove that you will provide such knowledge, am sure they will pay to get it. A nationwide research will pay a handsome figure that in my opinion shadows the few cents you will be paying to acquire the data. Try it!

The How- Value Addition

Incorporate experts to guide you on how to choose the best group to sample, have a site that is easily accessible to people, don’t accept bribes to tamper with the results, and learn to seize opportunities when they come- like political opinions before elections etc. Conduct surveys often to have a wide database, and spread out your respondents so the data you receive is representative.

The Quote

“Plenty be found within (and also outside) our borders” (Kenyan National Anthem)

Fresh Yoghurt Business

This am sure you've heard of, and possibly tried, even if it was only for home use. The process is very simple, the returns neat, but the challenges are not few either. Let's analyze this:
The Idea
Preparing and selling yoghurt is not rocket science per se, it is much more easy! All you have to do here is make milk go bad (which it could do on its own- that was a joke for the slow) in a controlled environment, add a flavor and be ready in 24 hrs.
The Capital
This is by far the cheapest idea that has crossed my path, all you need is cash to buy fresh milk- not the packed stuff, fresh from a cow- and a small amount of already prepared yoghurt. You will also need a little more capital to purchase flavors, which don't cost that much, and packaging material- plastic disposable cups should suffice.
Th How-Process
Boil the milk- to make it safe for consumption, let it cool a while (to around 50 degrees) and add the already prepared yoghurt in the ratio 1:100. You must insist the yoghurt you buy has live cultures (you can read the label to confirm). This speeds up the process of fermentation. Mix well and cover the mixture for about 6-8hrs. By this time your yoghurt is ready. Add sugar and the flavors to improve on taste. Pack and sell within 3 days.
The Challenges
Milk yoghurt is a commodity in plentiful in the market. You will be going up against industry giants in this one, and if experience is anything to go by, people prefer already established brands. However, those brands did not just appear magically overnight, they were build. So, build your own brand by always having quality products, and price them well to capture a wider market.
The Profit
To make a 500ml of yoghurt broken down looks like this: (prices may differ depending on your region, currency, inflation, etc.- am not an economist!- therefore fill in the prices yourself)

• Plastic disposable mug- $
• Fresh milk- $
• Sugar -1 table spoonful- $
• 5ml yoghurt- $
• Permitted flavors- $

Check your local supermarket shelves for the cost of 500ml yoghurt, will not cost less than $1. My mathematics puts the profit at about 1/4 of the cost.
The How- Value Addition
I did mention earlier that this is one field filled with competition, so you must "up your game" if you have to compete with the big fish. Consider price reduction, door-to-door delivery, wide variety of flavors to choose from, beautiful (professional) labeling and packaging, and continued research to improve the product. A little market research on the needs and opinions on your product won't hurt. Make good use of the unlimited information online, forget re-inventing the wheel. This is a good place to start from, complete with pictures of the procedure. http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Yogurt
The Quote
Invest when you are young, if it fails, it will be much easier to recover!

Potato Crisps Business

Yeah, I know (and thought) this must be too complex, and expensive, but I was wrong.
The Idea
This basically involves cooking potato crisps, adding seasonings, and packaging, and selling the product. Doing it large scale would need hi-tech equipment that would cost too much, but doing it from home is a different scenario all together.
The Capital
A manual potato chipper costs about 10 dollars, and a small bag of potatoes even less. You will need some  cooking oil, seasonings, cooking utensils, and polythene packaging material. This in whole should cost you less than $50.
The How- Process
Peel the potatoes, chopping them into very thin "sheets" , then dip the sheets into boiling oil, fry until crispy. Remove the potato crisps when ready, dry the oil using paper towels, then add salt, pepper, or other seasonings depending on your taste. This means you can make them with different seasonings and sell as varied flavored brands of the same thing. Pack the crisps in desired quantities, sealing the paper with candle flame- just hold out the open end to the flame and the fire will do the rest for you. Done!
The Challenges
Slicing the potatoes into the requisite thinness is easier said than done, especially the first time, but you get the hang of it in time. Frying the crisps also takes some bit of skill, you have to know when they are ready. Knowing how to correctly put the seasonings may sort of be a challenge. Despite the seemingly numerous challenges, I'll say this about all of them: "It's nothing a little practice can't solve"! Practice making some for you and your friends, have them tell you where and how to improve then kick start your business!
The Profit

One large potato is enough to make a medium sized bag of crisps (check your supermarket shelves, sold at between $0.25-0.5). Enough said, right?
The How- Value Addition
Ways to improve your product would be to have a wide variety of flavors to choose from (customers always like variety), and adding a little tag with you brand name (find a designer to create an awesome tag for you, customers have the habit of associating the package with quality). Check your pricing, find that delicate balance between too cheap (it must be low quality) and too expensive (the price is ridiculous).
The Quote
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try JUST one more time- Thomas Edison.

Fruit Juice

Capital is and always has been an impediment to starting any business. However, not all viable business ideas are capital intensive. Some really lucrative ones need only a little investment money-wise, and a little more time-wise to get it rolling. Today I'll take a look at one such simple idea.
The Idea
Fruit juice making is something that can be done by anyone. This simply involves making the juice, packaging, and selling the product.
The internet is full of different recipes that you may wish to try (for the very creative ones), but sticking to plain juice is also a way to go.
The capital
The capital required for this business includes money to purchase a juice blender or juice extractor (50-70 US dollars- Ksh. 4000), fruits, plastic disposable cups, a container to hold the juice. Simple, right?
The How- Process
Prepare the juice, package it, and sell. It would be advisable for start-ups to first survey the local market, determine the readily available fruits and the local preferences- if any- before you prepare. Also map out a distribution plan, and a continuity strategy.
The Challenges
Fruits in most places are seasonal products, what fruits are available now may not necessarily be available next season. As such, you will need an elaborate plan if you are going to be consistent in your supply. Remember- People are only interested in something if they can get it, and to quote the old adage "out of sight-out of mind"!
Fruit juice is also highly perishable, thus to avoid loss through expiry, make juice in quantities you will manage to dispose before it goes bad.
The Profit
Look at this example:
One dollar (Ksh. 80) can buy 4 large avocados. This can be used to make five medium sized glasses of juice when you add a little water. A pack of disposable plastic cups costs less than a dollar. Selling this drinks at 2.5 dollars leaves you with 1 dollar profit- for only FIVE pieces. Do the math for a couple more.
The How-Value Addition
To make it look professional, you may consider having branded cups. This will be a little costly, but when produced in bulk, the cost tends to reduce. Consider mixing fruits and re-usable packaging. The simple things count!
The Quote
Just do it, perfection is stifling!