Making extra money is always a hugely appealing idea. Perhaps you have some debts you want to pay off faster or maybe you’ve got your eye on a fabulous vacation somewhere? Either way, adding to your income by working on the side is a great way to reach your financial goals faster.

Social media is one of the best routes to take. You probably already have social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that could be making you a bit extra. If you don’t, they aren’t difficult to set up anyway.

Unlike some of the 75+ ways you could earn a bit extra, social media is probably something you are already using regularly and it will take almost no effort to add into your working day. You might want to have a crack at being a social media influencer, or maybe you want to put your blog to better use with social sharing?

Here are the two easiest ways to make your social media work a bit harder:

Social influencer

People tend to prefer to buy products recommended by people they trust and this is where social influencer marketing comes in. It could be seen as the sneakiest way of advertising a product because it relies on influencers gaining people’s trust and then persuading them to buy a particular thing. However, most social influencers will only ever promote things that they themselves like and use because if they recommend bad products, they will lose their social credentials. The top 7 tips to being a social media influencer will help you to master this subtle art and start earning with your own recommendations.

Promote Your Blog

If you have already started a blog but no one is reading, social media is the key you need to unlock your real potential. Blogging is a fast growing industry that relies on people just like you to continue pushing out readable, informative content and it can pay really well. Using social media will give you a wider audience and, even better, the chance to attract a regular following.

Organic social is the best way to start. Create a page dedicated to posts from your blog and then invite everyone you know to like it. Post updates and links to your blog regularly as well as other interesting links you might find. You can also use paid advertising to draw in new readers and to encourage more link clicks. Make sure you optimise your ads to get the best bang for your buck.

If you are already spending time on social media, adding either of these two small projects to your lifestyle shouldn’t be too difficult. Redirecting your focus to making a bit of extra cash might feel a bit odd to start with, but there’s no reason that you shouldn’t give it a go. After all, think of the celebrities who make money just posting pictures on Instagram! You might not be famous, but you can certainly learn a thing or two from them when it comes to quick, easy cash.