Ever wondered how you can gain new learnings and income together? Joining these two forces can be an extremely effective strategy to produce young entrepreneurs. Today, the world has disproved conventional notions of focusing on academics only. The new generation is leaning towards a proactive approach that has practical implications and exposure by beginning their business at a young age.
According to a global survey, 17.8% of students want to start their own business as soon as they graduate. Several entrepreneurial concepts have been spawned by students across the world, thereby boosting the global economy.
This article outlines twelve different ideas for students to encourage them to take measures early on in their lives.
12 Startup Ideas For Students in 2024
Several business ideas exist for beginners and students to build on during the early stages of their lives. Here are twelve different start-up ideas that require low investments and are perfectly suited for Indian students:
Content curator:
With the increase in the use of digital media and other social media platforms, content curation has become an extremely profitable career option. It enables students to earn a high income while also pursuing their studies. Content writing and creation will focus on specific target audiences. Podcasts, blogs, videos, graphics, web applications, ebooks, etc., can be created. These can be done anytime and from anywhere while also focusing on studies. Good communication skills and creativity are all that is required. Here are a bunch of tips to get started:
- Figure out your niche: You can choose a specific area, that is your passion, and focus on making content in that niche. It will help you stand out and enable you to build a loyal viewership.
- Creation of quality content: Your content must be well-created to give your viewers some substance. It enables you to build credibility and expand your viewership.
- Leverage the power of social media: Social media is a brilliant outlet to promote your work and build a community. You can also engage with your viewers via these platforms.
- Monetise your content: After you have established yourself, you can choose to monetise your content by selling it or even offering consulting services. You can also work as a freelancer to make additional income.
Dropshipping:
In case you are seeking an idea that requires low investment, you can choose to be a dropshipper. You can create a website to sell the products you have chosen, without having to stock the goods physically. Upon placement of orders, you can sell the item to the customer and then pass the sales order to a third-party supplier, who will ship the products directly to the buyer. You must set the prices slightly higher to make profits. The brilliance of dropshipping is that you do not have to worry about storing and buying inventory. All you need is a good internet connection to make this possible. Here are a bunch of tips to get started as a drop shipper:
- Pick a niche and a product category to focus your marketing.
- Register your business idea and ensure that your operations are legal.
- Seek out reliable suppliers and quality products to sell at cost-effective prices.
- Create a website to sell your chosen products and ensure that it is user-friendly.
- Develop a plan to acquire customers and reach out to your target.
- Adopt effective marketing strategies.
Freelancing:
Flexibility of work hours is crucial for students. Freelancing is the perfect business idea as it guarantees a steady source of income and lax working hours. With the rising popularity of social media and digital technologies, freelancing has become extremely popular and enables students to work on their own terms. Graphic designers, web designers, social media management, content writing, content creation, data entry, SEO, etc., are the most in-demand freelance services. You can get started by:
- Identifying your skills and offering your skills as a freelance service.
- Make sure you use the right platform to showcase your skill set.
- Ensure you have built a quality portfolio with your work samples.
- Ensure you deliver quality work that meets the requirements of your customers.
Affiliate marketing:
Affiliate marketing is an effective method to earn money virtually. All you need to do is promote the products and services of other companies. It works by collaborating with different companies and promoting their products to potential buyers. You will earn a commission every time someone clicks on an affiliate link and makes a purchase. You will need to be good at problem-solving, communication, innovativeness, and technical know-how to succeed in affiliate marketing. If you possess this skill, you can earn large amounts with zero investment. The potential for earning has no bounds and you can work with multiple brands simultaneously. You can start by:
- Choosing your niche and products that you want to promote.
- Build an audience and create appropriate content.
- Create an engaging marketing strategy.
- Make sure you choose recognized and popular products to gain market access.
Amazon FBA:
Fulfillment by Amazon is termed Amazon FBA. It is a service that Amazon provides to allow online sellers to outsource their delivery processes and order fulfillment functions. For this, you will need to be good at managing time and you must possess brilliant marketing skills. Based on the niche, the income will vary. Starting an Amazon FBA business will reward you with several advantages. You will be able to choose your business model based on your convenience and manage your business from anywhere via the Internet. Hence, this is a perfect job for any student.
Creation of courses and learning material:
With the rise in digitalisation, people are looking to gain new skills online. It has created an increased demand for online courses and this generated a unique opportunity for students to make money out of their experience and skills. Online course creation includes the production of knowledgeable material and selling it to people who intend to acquire those skills. From fashion to cooking and programming languages and finance, course creation can be a fine money maker. Follow these tips to get started:
- Find the area you are most passionate about and have relevant knowledge and skills.
- Create quality content that is informative and engaging.
- Create a well-planned course structure and objectives enabling easy understanding to the viewer.
- Market the courses and price them accordingly.
Digital marketing:
Digital marketing has gained tremendous popularity in recent times. eCommerce businesses are largely leveraging the popularity of digital marketing to make greater sales. Digital marketing entails the process of promoting and publicising products, services, and content on digital media. Web design, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), content curation., email marketing, management of social media, etc., are different areas that students can take up to make money. Data analysis, SEM and SEO, communication skills, etc., are some skills you must possess to excel in this area.
Blogging:
Expressing your thoughts, ideas, opinions, and creativity can also help you make some money. Blogging can not only be your outlet but also your new money-making endeavour. You can share your inner self by writing blogs and sharing them on the internet. You must possess good communication skills, copywriting skills, research skills, and creativity. The brilliance of blogging is that the entire operation lies in your control. You can easily build personal brands and establish yourselves as experts.
Virtual tutoring:
If you are good at imparting your skills and knowledge to others, you may consider tutoring as an option. You can do this virtually to ensure you have flexibility over how your business functions. You can even schedule your tutoring sessions based on your convenience making it the perfect option for students. You can take classes in a wide range of subjects like Maths, Science, and English or even for other artistic skills like painting, drawing, resin art, etc. All you need to get started as an online tutor is a strong internet connection and good video conferencing tools. You can also use YouTube to market your tutoring lessons.
Social media influencer:
Today, social media is unbelievably popular and is now a powerful tool for marketing. If you have good online content creation skills to inspire and engage with the viewers, then you can become a social media influencer and earn money. You can build your personal brand online and gain immense recognition for your talent, creativity, and experiences. Here are a bunch of tips to get started as a social media influencer:
- Identify a domain to influence people.
- Create a social media presence on different social media platforms.
- Make good quality content that is appealing and engaging to your viewers.
- Be active on your social media platforms by commenting and responding to your viewers.
- Work with other influencers to branch out and reach more audiences.
Online seller:
Doing eCommerce business has become extremely popular and lucrative nowadays. This option requires low investment and maintenance, making it perfect for students. Online selling business models mainly include sourcing products from wholesalers and selling them on different online platforms at prices that are more appealing to the target consumers. Analytical, technical, and communication skills are needed to run an online retail business.
Event management:
Organising and planning different events like parties, weddings, conferences, exhibitions, etc., is known as event management. This kind of business requires a bit of effort and physical presence to ensure success. You will have to coordinate with clients, suppliers, team members, and more. Problem-solving skills, creativity, communication skills, and organisational skills are a must for running an event management business.
Conclusion
Starting a business while you are studying can provide you with extra income along with valuable real-world experiences. Students will gain entrepreneurial skills that can serve them well in the future. They also will have the added advantage of building strong networks, gaining confidence, and achieving financial independence. The number of benefits while beginning a business early on is limitless. With creativity and innovation seen in the students in India, the aforementioned ideas can help you find your direction to start.
