Have you ever thought that you could make money by just walking? Whether you are a fitness freak, a nature lover, or just someone who is looking to make some extra money, here are 12 ways to make money from your daily steps. Tie your shoelaces, sync your step trackers, and let's see how your daily steps can generate you extra income.
1. Get Paid to Walk with a Mobile Application: With the affordability of smart phones and smart watches, we all want to buy gadgets that can help us track our activity throughout the day.
With our advanced technology, electronic devices now have GPS and motion sensors that can track all of our activities, regardless if you are walking, running, or taking the stairs instead of an elevator.
You might wonder why applications will pay you for your daily steps. From what I’ve found, many companies will use user data for various purposes, such as health research, marketing, or product development. (although some companies claim they won’t use user data).
Here are some applications/websites that offer compensation for walking:
Sweatcoin is a mobile tracking application. On their website, they claim that they will "pay you to walk". From my research, they will “pay” you by offering you discounts for a smart phone, TV or even clothes. If you want, you can turn your steps into Paypal credits or you can even donate them to a charity.
StepBet is different from other apps in that they offer a game for you to choose. To start each game, you have to put your own money ($10-$100) along with other users (average 500-1000 users) and you have to reach your individual step goal every day for some weeks. If you fail, you lose your money. But if you reach your daily goal, you share the money with the other winners.
Walgreens is an exercise tracker that can help you reach your healthy goals and track the improvement of your health over time. They offer a “Balance Rewards” program. You will earn points whenever you start exercising and use those points to redeem items from their online store.
2. Get Paid from Walking by offering Delivery Services:
These days, there are many application that can deliver anything, whenever you want. For those who don't have vehicles, you can offer delivery services to people who live in condos, cities or areas where you can easily walk to places. Your job would be to pick up orders from nearby restaurants or stores and bring them to customers' homes or offices.
3. Get Paid from Walking by offering Dog Walking Services:
Dogs walking is a satisfying job that offers you the chance to play with cute pets while allowing you to be outside, enjoying the fresh air and getting fit. To become a dog walker you’ll need to be able to deal with dogs in a variety of sizes, strengths, breeds, and temperaments. So, you may have dogs that are cute and well-behaved but you may also have other dogs that aren’t.
Here are some popular websites where you can find dog walking jobs:
Rover: Rover mainly operates in the United State, Canada and some countries in Europe. Rover is a platform that will connect pet owners with a nationwide network of pet sitters. They provide services such as house sitting, drop-in visits, day care, and dog walking.
Wag! Wag! is an American pet care company that has a platform to connect pet owners with pet sitters. The user can schedule dog walking, training and other pet care services through a mobile application. To become a dog walker with Wag, you must pass a background check. For now, Wag! is only available in the US.
Care.com: Care.com pet sitters offers a range of services depending on what the pet owner needs. The services include pet walking for active pets, pet sitting at your home, suitable for pets like cats or guinea pigs, and in-home pet sitting for pets who need more attention or medical care. Pet sitters at Care.com made an average of $14.64 per hour as of April 2024.
Indeed: Indeed is a leading site for finding a job. Jobseekers can discover listings for dog walker jobs from individual owners and companies facilitating pet care and agencies. You can narrow down your search and find jobs only in your location. For example, you can enter your zip-code and keywords such as "dog walker" to find dog walking jobs in your area.
4. Promo-Walking: Promo-Walker or “Walking Billboard” is like a moving advertisement that you can see outdoors. It's a very effective way for advertising in high-traffic areas like train stations, stores, sport stadiums and events. The reason why many businesses use walking billboards is because they are eye-catching and attention-grabbing. Besides, it's a powerful way to approach people. People may want to know more information about the billboard, so they can ask about the business or product from the promo-walker.
Your job as a walking billboard is to wear or carry a sign, or wear branded clothes and walk in high-traffic areas to attract attention.
Image credit : linkedin.com/in/khoabane-david-chapi
Where to Find Promotional Walking Work:
Marketing Agencies: Currently, a lot of marketing agencies concentrate on “experiential marketing” and hire promotional walkers to execute marketing campaigns on behalf of their clients. Visit marketing agencies' websites, search for local promotional agents job descriptions or directly reach out to them.
Event Staffing Companies: It is common for event staffing companies to employ promotional walkers to effectively communicate the brand activation and product launches at trade shows or experiential marketing events. You can send your resume or a portfolio to event staffing agencies and inquire about promotional walking positions as well.
Online Job Platforms: Websites like Indeed, Craigslist, and Gigwalk are good places to find promotional walking posts. Set up your profile, select keywords, and keep checking these resources for nearby job postings.
Direct Outreach to Brands: Some brands may choose to organize their own promotional walking campaigns and hire individuals who will be representing the brand. Find businesses or products that you like and contact their marketing teams or brand ambassadors for a possible collaboration.
5. Tour Guide: Being a tour guide, you will get a chance to bring together your curiosity about new locations, capacity for narratives, and ability in dealing with a large number of people while at the same time earning money. One of the most popular choices is walking tours, which are chosen by travelers who want to visit destinations “close and personal”, while also immersing themselves in the culture, history and secret places of the city or region.
Image credit : genzmemories.com
Where to Find Opportunities to Work as a Walking Tour Guide:
Websites & Apps to Find Local Tour Guides
Withlocals : Withlocals is a free-to-join platform that allow local people to earn money by offering private tour guides.
Viator : Viator is a platform which allows you to create bookable experiences that travelers around the world can buy online, from guided tours to surfing lessons,and everything in between.
GetYourGuide : Getyourguide is a platform that allows you to sell your activities through their website. They only accept responsible, socially just, and environmentally sustainable experiences, including walking tours, culinary experiences, cruises, day trips, and hop-on/hop-off buses (and even SIM cards).
Tour Companies: Many tour companies, whether large or small, employ walking guides to lead walking tours at popular tourist attractions. Search for tour companies in your area and look for job openings. You can also approach them directly and ask them whether they have any vacancies for tour guides.
Freelance Platforms: Using online platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr to advertise your services will connect you with potential clients. You can also offer customized walking tours according to individual preferences through these platforms.
Local Tourism Offices: Another way to find out about a walking tour guide job is by contacting your local tourism office. Ask them if you can be a volunteer guide first, then later, you can ask them how to join their company in offering walking tours as part of their tourist services.
Self-Employment: The last option may be challenging, starting your own tour guide business. You can create your own special walking tours based on your expertise. For example, you can create food walking tours or cultural walking tours. Self-employment allows you to set your own rates lets you create your own marketing plan to promote your services.
6. Walking Fitness Instructor: Have you ever heard about fitness walking classes or workouts by walking? Yes, there are such classes. Some fitness instructors have already created different programs, such as: 'Walking Class', 'Walking Exercise for Weight Loss', or '5000 Steps Walking Workout'. These programs only require 30 minutes of exercise and don't require jumping, making it friendly to your joints and are suitable for older individuals.
The role of a walking fitness instructor differs from traditional classes.it offers an opportunity to improve your health and develop ties with others as well. This form of exercise is called low impact. It can be done by people of all ages and fitness levels, It is a perfect choice for those who want to increase their heart rate, improve their circulation, lowers their blood pressure or relieve their stress.
Image credit : youtube.com/@MIZILEE
Wonder if you can find the Jobs as a Walking Fitness Instructor?
Fitness Centers and Gyms: If you are a gym or fitness member you may notice that they always have group classes and walking is often included in the program. You may ask them for a chance to lead a walking fitness class.
Community Centers: Take it a step further and contact community centers, recreational departments, or senior-citizen centers in your area and ask if they would accept a walking fitness class to be a part of their wellness programs or adult education offerings.
Online Platforms: Use online tools including social media, fitness apps, and virtual fitness communities for your walking fitness service promotion, virtual training or coaching, and for networking with clients who want personalized fitness counseling.
7. Event Staff : Being event staff provides an interactive experience while also earning an income. Event staff will handle a variety of duties, including crowd control, customer assistance, vendor support, and event planning. Event staff members are generally assisting in every part to ensure the event runs smoothly and successfully.
Where to Find Opportunities to Work as Event Staff:
Event Staffing Agencies: There are many staffing agencies that deal with event staff recruitment and have a wide range of events that they manage, including concerts, festivals, trade shows, and corporate gigs. Do an online search for agencies that organize events in your area, submit your application, and ask about working part-time as an event staff member.
Online Job Platforms: Craigslist and Indeed.com occasionally advertise openings for part-time even staff positions.
Networking and Referrals: Connect with industry speakers, network during industry events, or join an online community of event and hospitality management.This will give you an opportunity to connect with event organizers and hear about possible staffing opportunities.
Event Volunteer Programs: Volunteering might give you a chance to create contacts that may help you get a job as a paid event staff. Research volunteer opportunities for events in your area and ask about available opportunities.
8. Field Researcher: Working as a field researcher, you will be required to visit different localities to study subjects and analyze what causes certain behaviors, check for the completeness and accuracy of the data, and create surveys to gather data. They also protect confidential information and manage electronic databases.
Field researchers are accountable for carrying out surveys, making observations, and gathering samples in diverse disciplines such as geography, ecology, anthropology, and urban planning.
Image credit : labmanager.com
Where to Find Opportunities to Work as a Field Researcher:
Research Institutions: Universities, research centers, governments, and nonprofit institutions are regularly hiring field researchers in different fields such as ecology, anthropology, geography, archaeology and more.
Non-Profit Organizations: NGOs focus on conservation, advocacy for ecology, or social research may require researchers to conduct fieldwork, conduct community surveys, or collect data related to their objectives.
Government Agencies: Government agencies deal with natural resource management, land conservation, urban planning or cultural heritage protection. These agencies may hire field researchers to conduct surveys, evaluations, and monitor programs that will help in creating more informed policies or management strategies.
Freelance or Contract Work: Other fieldworkers work as independent contractors or consultants, providing their expertise to clients or organizations that require fieldwork, data collection, or research conclusions on a project-by-project basis.
9. Photography Tour Guide : Photography Tour Guide, have you ever heard of this? How is a photography tour guide different from a normal tour guide? Here is the answer! The photography tour guide will be responsible for planning travel itineraries and showcasing the best spots for taking pictures, just like a normal tour guide. The difference is that they will provide photography tips and teach photography skills to capture the highest quality pictures.
Image credit :eyexplore.com
Here are where you can find the job as a photography tour guide.
Websites that hire Photography Tour Guides:
aperturetours : Aperture Tours is an international photography tour company that is seeking skilled photographers to lead photo tours of various cities, primarily for tourists. The job openings that they are looking for are mainly in famous cities. Check it out from the link.
Tour Companies: Ensure that the tour companies you check out deal specifically with photography trips or eco-tours. Many companies focus on photography workshops while also offering travel packages to tourists. You can contact them directly for questions about job opportunities.
Photography Workshops and Schools: Photography workshops, schools, or educational institutions sometimes seek the help of experienced photographers or photography specialists to conduct photography tours. Follow the job posting or contact photography colleges in your area to let them know about your willingness to be employed as a photographer or lead photography tours.
Referrals: Referrals provide a very strong client base. When you are getting clients by referrals, this is an indication that you are doing a great job. Previous clients are happy with your services and have no problem referring their friends or colleagues to you. Not only can you learn the camera's settings, but you can also gain insight into the guide's unique experience of mastering your camera. Recommendations endorse the credibility of the service, and thus, they are another reliable way to find customers.
10. Street Performer: A street performer is an artist who entertains people in high traffic areas such as sidewalks, parks, and train stations. These performers showcase their talents, from musicians and dancers to jugglers and magicians. The income of street performers is from tips and donations, which means that the better their performance, the better their income will be. Successful street performers must have various skills to attract crowds and audiences. They also need to create shows that make people stop and watch them.
Image credit :circusantics.co.uk
In some cities, street performers are required to obtain permission or a license before performing in public spaces. In England and Wales the license is called a Busking License . For more information, click here
Here are some websites that are hiring photographers for street performers.
Entertainersworldwidejobs.com : Entertainerworldwidejobs is a website where you can find worldwide performer jobs, gigs, auditions & casting calls for local events, and cruise ship contracts. You can sign up there and simply create a professional profile of your services. Their head offices are located in the US and UK.
Circusguideagency.com : Circus Guide Entertainment Agency is an international talent booking agency and circus entertainment company. They seek professional circus artists, dancers, ambient street performers, artistic directors, and specialty acts. On their website, they will ask you to fill in a form, then your application will be reviewed by their casting team. If there is an open position for a street artist, and your application fulfils their criteria, you will be contacted with a job proposal.
Backstage : Backstage is a job search engine platform for performers, founded in New York City in 1960. All posted jobs are checked for accuracy, legitimacy, and safety. The platform features the most comprehensive talent profiles and tools for finding jobs. There are no hidden or extra fees for uploading media or applying for jobs.
Carnival Entertainment: Carnival Entertainment is part of the Carnival Cruise Line. Carnival Cruise Line, based in Miami, is the most successful cruise operator in the world. They are looking for someone who can host a comedy show, bingo, trivia, or a deck party. Ideal candidates are fearless in front of an audience, have strong timekeeping and management skills, and have a lot of energy. Experience as a master of ceremonies or having improvisational skills is a major bonus for this position. If you think you are an ideal candidate, check it out.
Gigsalad : GigSalad is a website where you can find street performers or you can post your profile and set your rate on their website. Their headquarters is located in Springfield, Missouri USA. Here is how they operate. Once you have been chosen by a client, your client will pay in full at the time of booking. The deposit you designate will be sent to you in advance, and the remaining balance is sent after the event is completed. You may choose to receive your payments via direct deposit or PayPal (US only). Clients will always pay through GigSalad, which means your payment is guaranteed every time.
11. Personal Shopper : A personal shopper is a someone who has been hired to buy items for others. The role of a personal shoppers is to take care of your client's shopping needs that will save them time and energy. Clients will be free from the crowds in the store and save time from having to go to the stores themselves. Furthermore, they are looking for professional buyers who can offer styling services and provide wardrobe recommendations.
Interested in becoming a personal shopper? First, you have to know what you are passionate about, what are your interests, and your skills. For example, if you are passionate about fashion, clothing, accessories or house decorating, and you are knowledgeable on the latest fashion trends, you are likely qualified to be a fashion personal shopper.
To find clients, you have to showcase your style by creating an online portfolio. Some people may or may not like your style, it depends on your target group.
Here are a few websites that are hiring personal shoppers.
Luxury Retailers and Department Stores: High-end retailers and department stores usually hire personal shoppers to help their customers with the tailor-made shopping experiences. You can browse the career sections of luxury brands' websites or department stores' websites to find out about job openings, or call their human resource departments directly.
Boutique Shops and Fashion Stores: Higher-end, small stores which focus on fashion, clothing, accessories, or specialty products sometimes hire personal shoppers to provide styling and shopping services to their clients in a customized manner. It's a good idea to check for openings at shops in malls, high-end fashion stores, or specialty retailers in your town.
Online Retail Platforms: E-commerce platforms and online retailers may provide virtual personal shopping services, connecting customers with personal shoppers remotely through video conferencing, chat, or email. Virtual job boards, job sites for freelancers, or remote working platforms can help you find a job in this area.
Freelance or Independent Work: Try doing business for yourself and offering your services as a personal shopper directly to clients or through online marketplaces. Create a profile on platforms like freelancers, social media, or personal shopping sites to advertise yourself and attract customers who seek personalized shopping help.
12. Adventure Guide: An adventure guide is another type of tour guide. Their job is exactly like a normal tour guide, but the activities where they take tourists, are exciting and adrenaline-filled. These activities can include rafting in the Amazon River, hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail in North America, rock climbing in Kalymnos, Greece, canyoning in Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica, and many more. Apart from being an expert in the activities, one of the most important things for an adventure guide, is to ensure that everyone in the group is safe. You also require knowledge of basic first aid, like CPR, as well as survival techniques, especially when your activities are outdoors.
Image credit : commongroundcenter.org
Looking for Adventure Guide jobs? Here are some places to help you find a job.
Online job search engines like indeed.com, Seek.com.au (for Australians) and others.
Here are some other websites for adventure guides:
Introtravel is one of many sites that are looking for adventure guides. They offer many cities where you can work, such as New Zealand, Thailand, Bali, Mexico, South Africa, and Croatia, just to name a few. The candidate is required to upload a short video (30 seconds) that explains why they would make a great group leader. For more details, please check their website.
Coolworks is another website that offers adventure guide jobs. They offer job opportunities in all states of the US, from national parks to ski resorts, dude ranches to summer camps. *For non-US citizens, this means you must obtain a visa that allows you to work in the United States.
Wildlandtrekking founded in 2005, is a premier adventure travel company offering backpacking and hiking tours headquartered in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA. Currently they are looking for hiking and backpacking guide positions across the USA. The outdoor guiding requires an amazing diversity of skills and abilities, such as leadership, informative skills, knowledge of basic first aid, and a service mindset.
OccupationWild founded in 2018, is a job board for the outdoor, adventure, and travel industries. There are many jobs available on the website, including River Guide, Naturalist Tour Guide, Climbing Instructors, and Adventure/Raft Guide, just to name a few. You can check them out, I am sure that you will find a job that suits you.
National Parks and Conservation Organizations: As per the website above, there are some job openings in National Parks. You can apply directly to the nearest National Park. A type of job may be educational nature walks for park visitors.
Conclusion
From the 12 ideas I have shared, it's clear that we have the ability to turn our steps into cash. Even though earning small cash by using walking applications may not be enough to fully support yourself, it can help supplement your present.
Through the jobs above, people can not only earn extra income, but can find pleasure in doing things they love and will give real meaning to their life, which in the digital era shows that every step can lead to earning potential.
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