Lauren Hayes

Founder & Editor

Lauren Hayes is an online business writer and researcher who covers practical income strategies for beginners. After spending five years in digital marketing for a mid-size agency, she transitioned to full-time freelancing and now earns her living entirely through online work. She founded ibanJ to cut through the noise in the making-money-online space, where most content is written by people selling courses rather than people who actually do the work. Every guide on this site is built from primary-source research and her own hands-on experience with the platforms she reviews.

Published Guides

Side Hustles

How to Get Paid to Test Websites and Apps

You can get paid $5 to $60 per test to evaluate websites and apps on platforms like UserTesting, TryMyUI, and…

Passive Income

Best Websites to Sell Handmade Crafts Online

The best websites to sell handmade crafts are Etsy, Amazon Handmade, and Shopify. Etsy offers the largest built-in audience for…

Online Business

How to Start a Podcast and Make Money as a Beginner

You can start a podcast with under $100 in equipment and free hosting through Spotify for Podcasters. Most podcasters do…

Freelancing

How to Become a Freelance Graphic Designer with No Degree

You can start freelance graphic design without a degree by learning tools like Canva and Figma for free, building a…

Side Hustles

Best Cashback Apps to Save Money on Everyday Purchases

Cashback apps like Rakuten, Ibotta, and Fetch Rewards can realistically save the average user $50 to $300 per year on…

Passive Income

How to Sell Stock Photos Online for Passive Income

You can earn passive income selling stock photos on platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Alamy. Realistic per-download earnings range…

Online Business

Is Dropshipping Still Worth It for Beginners

Dropshipping can still work for beginners, but most stores fail within the first six months due to thin margins, slow…

Freelancing

How to Make Money as a Transcriptionist from Home

You can earn $0.30 to $1.50 per audio minute as a home-based transcriptionist by signing up with platforms like Rev,…

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Remote Work

Legitimate Work from Home Jobs No Experience Needed

Several companies hire remote workers with no prior experience. Amazon, TTEC, Alorica, and Liveworld all offer entry-level work-from-home positions in…

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Side Hustles

How Much Do Online Surveys Actually Pay Per Hour

Most online survey sites pay between $3 and $14 per hour of active work. Prolific is the highest-paying mainstream option…