How to Make Money in a Tough Economy

If you are looking for other methods for creating an income, then this article is for you. Let me share some insight on how to make money online.We are living in hard times with our current economy. Many people have lost their jobs, businesses are closing, which means less jobs are available. Also there are many high school students, but cannot find a job because the jobs are not available. When you hear the statistics about the unemployment ratings these students are not even calculated in the equation. So how many people are really without jobs.If there are jobs to be found, what can someone do to make money? The internet offers opportunities which many people are not even aware of, with money making opportunities or work from home business opportunities.Many people are making money selling items they don't need anymore through online auctions. eBay of course is the leader in online auctions, but there are others also. It is said "One man's trash is another man's treasure." But what do you do if you have nothing to sell, or run out of products to sell? Doesn't it take a lot of money, which I don't have to come up with more products? Actually, you would be surprised how easy it is to come up with products for free, or for a little investment. You can find products to sell or market through Drop shipping, affiliate programs, and Multi level Marketing companies. The key is knowing the difference of each of these programs, finding your niche, and going out and marketing. When you are employed with a company, you have to work, and the same is true with these opportunities.So, what is Drop Shipping? Drop Shipping gives you the ability to create your own online store, or sell products online, without having to carry your own stock. There are many drop shippers out there, and many of them allow you to market their products at no additional charge. Some require a low fee, but give you a lower wholesale charge. They ship the product for you, but include an invoice with your store listed as the seller. You can sell YOUR products in your own online store, or through online auctions such as Ebay. With drop shipping, you are paid each time someone buys your product.What is Affiliate Marketing? There are many companies out there which will allow you to market their product or service, by providing you your own AFFILIATE link to their website. The company you are affiliated with pays you a commission for sales made from you marketing efforts, and someone making a purchase from your link. A few companies which carry many affiliate programs which you can join for free are Commission Junction and Click Bank. Just as with drop shipping, you are paid each time someone buys your product.Now for Multi Level Marketing (MLM), and the advantages. There are some free and low cost MLMs available, and the prices of vary on the programs. But the advantage of MLMs over affiliate or drop ship programs is that you build a monthly residual income. Instead of selling one product at time, the product is being bought on a monthly basis. Your customers are also part of you team. MLMs are built on relationships. Relationships of likeminded people. Where as relationships are not built on affiliate or drop shipping programs. Affiliate and Drop Shipping also do not build residual income.And many MLMs have a product which you can also sell on eBay.So I would have to say that my preference is with Multi Level Marketing (MLM). I enjoy building the relationships, creating a team environment, and having a team to work together towards a mutual goal, "Making Money".What people don't realize is that during a tough economy, people have to be creative to find manners to earn an income. This is when MLMs and Home Based Businesses thrive. Many people make a substantial income through Home Based Businesses.