As college girls, we’re all familiar with the money struggle. There are so many things we want to do (like shopping!), but the costs of being in college leave us with very little spending money to do anything fun.
However, the rise of technology in the fashion world is giving girls the opportunity to combine a love for fashion with the need to make some spending money. Below are a few suggestions to use those fashion skills to earn a little extra income on the side:
1. Become a Fashion Blogger
Fashion bloggers have been around for a long time, but in recent years their internet presence has boomed. The most successful personal style bloggers can make hundreds of thousands of dollars per year along with other awesome opportunities like collaborations with major designers and retailers.
However, the work of a fashion blogger is no easy task. It can take years of dedication to gain a loyal online following, and to reach this level of success requires a full-time commitment to your blog. But, don’t let that deter you! If you can devote a little time every day (or even every other day), then fashion blogging can be a fantastic way to earn a little extra cash while doing something that you love.
Fashion blogs make money through a variety of sources, and it’s a good idea to do some research before you start your blogging journey. Check out the CF post on how to start a personal style blog for some helpful tips on this very topic.
When it comes to fashion blogging, all you need is a camera, access to the internet, and a passion for fashion. But remember, it also takes a lot of dedication, so you should only do it if its something you really love!
2. Become a YouTube Vlogger
Along the same lines as fashion blogging is YouTube video blogging or “vlogging”. The popularity of vloggers is growing at an insanely rapid pace, and there are tons of possibilities for the kinds of videos you can make. You could focus on make-up tutorials, fashion reviews, DIY projects,or anything else you’re passionate about. All you need to get started is internet access, a video camera, and a YouTube account!
Once you get a solid amount of YouTube subscriptions, you can apply to be a YouTube partner and start earning money off your videos through advertisements. Similar to fashion blogging, the only way to be successful as a vlogger is to stay consistent and update regularly. If you have a couple of hours to make a video every week, vlogging could be a great option to do something fun and creative while making some money on the side.
3. Become an Entrepreneur
If you’re a girl that loves crafting unique pieces of jewelry or sewing your own dresses, then you should consider selling your work. The perks of being an entrepreneur is that you can work as much or as little as your schedule allows. You could even grab a couple of friends and start a summer business as a way to hang out while earning money.
You could sell your products locally to family and friends, or you could venture to an online platform. E-Commerce sites like Etsy and Ebay are a great place to start selling your original work, because they cut down the costs required to start a business and increase the likelihood of people seeing your products.
Did you know that Sophia Amoruso, the founder of Nasty Gal, first started out selling her vintage finds on Ebay!? Take note from this successful entrepreneur and turn a fun hobby into a thriving business.
4. Become a Representative or Online Stylist
If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, but don’t have anything of your own to sell, you should consider becoming a representative for an established company. Companies like Stella and Dot and Mary Kay allow you to sell their products and earn commission on your sales. This means that you can set your own hours and have complete control over your business schedule.
However, companies like this will have a start-up fee – since you’re essentially buying products from them that you’re then going to sell – and these fees can be expensive. Therefore, it’s important that you can really commit to this type of work since it does require an investment.
If you’re not willing to pay anything upfront, then you could consider becoming an online stylist at a website like Keaton Row. The business scheme is similar: you make money based on how much you sell, but it’s free to join and requires less of a commitment. It also gives you a real-world opportunity to put your awesome styling skills to good use!
Thoughts?
What do you think of these ideas? Have you had success as a blogger, vlogger, or entrepreneur? How do you use your fashion skills? What do you do to earn cash on the side? Share your tips in the comment section!
Different kind of post but I like it. I am an Arbonne consultant (#3) and I only work about 15 hours a week and make more than my waitressing job before with less time. It’s a good idea for the right kind of person.
Very helpful ideas! I recently started blogging, and it does take dedication and patience, especially building an audience
Style n love, jamaica
Dania
I’ve been blogging for a year and a half. I dedicate a lot of time to it, but still have a relatively small following and have spent more on my blog than I’ve earned. That said, it’s been incredibly rewarding in other ways and requires you to develop so many useful skills — writing, editing, photography, graphic design, coding, SEO, social media management and networking, etc. I love it because it’s an on-going project that is never truly finished so I can constantly work on improving myself and my work.
My point is that It’s extremely difficult to make any sort of meaningful income as a fashion blogger, but I wouldn’t trade the time I’ve spent blogging for all the money in the world. So, for anyone out there considering starting a blog, don’t be discouraged by all the information saying how difficult it is to make it as a blogger. It is, but the skills you’ll teach yourself in the process will only help you in virtually any career path you take.
I completely agree with becoming an independent distributor for a company. I just started selling those “Crazy Wrap Things” and I am wishing I would have started sooner! As a college student it is hard to find time for a set schedule job, now I set my own hours and make more money than my friends do at their part-time jobs. Not only do I make commissions but also weekly bonuses and retail profits. This has been a blast to work and definitely suggest it to any college student looking to make money on the side!
Wonderful ideas! There are so many great ways to make extra money- especially when you are creative. Other options include creating fashion webinars or selling courses about fashion on Udemy- teach others and make money at the same time!
I actually became an Avon representative over the summer~!
@Lexi I think you made a really good point there.
I used to have a fashion blog for about 2 years and only made a few hundred pounds from it in that ENTIRE time.
So if you want to start a fashion blog for the money then you’ll probably be disappointed, at least for the first few years.
Only major bloggers get some sort of income from it. Definitely not newbies, at least most of the time.
The best advice that I’ve heard about this issue is to avoid all monetization and money-making-stuff until you have a large following, otherwise you’ll get wrapped up in it.
Another great article though CollegeFashion 🙂
1 thing that I would add to it though is perhaps a few easier alternatives (like setting up an ebay store?), as many of these require a ton of commitment and time!
Sanam 🙂
@lexi and @sanam
I completely agree with both of you. It takes a LOT of money to power a fashion blog just because you don’t want to repeat the same pieces twice and you get practically nothing from it money-wise. BUT the experience is what really makes it worthwhile.
For the longest time, I didn’t know what to do with myself. But after I started blogging it was so great to have something to work and strive for. I have learned so much about photography, editing, writing, and social media in just a few months. All of which are very useful skills to have whether you blog or not.
That’s not to say it is impossible to make money off a blog, because it is VERY possible. 🙂 just not after a couple blog posts. It really does take time.
If you’re looking for immediate monetary compensation for your work, ebay and etsy are certainly the way to go! 🙂
For Keaton Row, you need styling experience. However, I heard that Stella and Dot is a great business opportunity. Good post.
Great article, thank you!
I tried all kinds of ways to make money online.
What works best for me is Koocam.
I teach my hobbies, and sells my knowledge in every field.
It’s great
The key is to add a pop of color in your footwear selection. There are some
good rules of thumb for how to wear clothes according to your body type.
It can be so hard to guess just how cold or warm it is outdoors by peeking through your window in the morning.
Thanks for these tips. I can definitely see myself using blogs to network with ppl.