Technology advances every day to make our lives easier and better. That also goes for making money and tools needed for the trade. That’s where the Raspberry Pi comes in. It’s a cheap pocket-sized computer that people can use to learn how to program. The mini-computer can even be a replacement desktop as it performs all the basic computer functions. But what makes it shine is its flexibility and portability. With a Raspberry Pi in your hands, your money-making potential is high.
Here are some ways how to make money using Raspberry Pi:
Portable device
You can make any portable gadget you want, with the Raspberry Pi as the main processing unit and sell it. There’s no need to worry about licensing issues when using it. The Raspberry Pi developers encourage people to create and earn with it. They only need you to acknowledge that you’re using it by stating that your product is “powered by Raspberry Pi.” What you decide to create is up to you. A couple of examples that you can make are tablets, portable printers, and 3D printers. As long as you don’t infringe on copyrighted designs or ideas, there’s a multitude of devices that you can make and sell.
Advantage: You can produce several devices and sell them for a profit. Also, several people want their items to be unique or have them named. You can cater to this demand by charging extra for customization options.
Disadvantage: You’ll need to do everything by yourself, from assembly to programming. You’ll need to buy the parts, and your price has to be lower than the ones available in the market.
Web host
A web server is a computer that stores and delivers web site files throughout the internet. The Raspberry Pi has enough strength that you can create your web server. With your server, you can earn money by offering to host websites for other people. It’s the same concept as being a leaser. You rent out your webspace to clients. They use your server to put their websites online, so it’s available for internet access. How many websites you can host depends on the size of your hard drive and bandwidth. Once you’ve set everything up, it’s up to you to choose whether you want to charge a monthly or annual fee. For this type of direct web hosting, you can charge $20 or up to $30 per month.
Advantage: A good source of passive income. Once you’ve gotten clients, you’re more or less set for the long-term.
Disadvantage: As the owner of the server and the web host, you’ll need to watch its stability. Maintenance and hosting issues are your problems. You’ll need to fix them as delays or errors will affect the websites.
Smart hub or media centre for homes
Convenience is the key factor in most homes nowadays. Efficient and seamless, smart hubs or media centres are in huge demand. You can offer to set up a smart hub or media centre to others for a price. Being a computer, the Raspberry Pi is a good choice as the command centre. It’s easy to connect to home theatres, consoles, appliances, lights, and more. You can use one unit for several areas, or install one unit per area. The interface can be a small screen or a monitor. You can charge per area, or you can discuss the pricing between you and your client.
Advantage: Since having a media centre is very popular, it’s easy to get clients. You can start with your friends to build your portfolio and reputation. The required materials are also inexpensive, and accessible.
Disadvantage: You’ll need to know how several devices work, including troubleshooting. You’ll also build and program the command centre or media hub yourself.
Teach programming lessons with the Raspberry Pi
The I.T. field is at the forefront of everything right now, and for the foreseeable future. Because of this, the demand is high and constant for people with programming skills. A lot of people want to learn and are willing to pay. If you’ve got a knack for programming, then teaching it using the Raspberry Pi can be profitable for you. There are 2 ways to go about it. You can conduct personal or online lessons, with a fee per session. You will need an outline for the lessons, a Raspberry Pi and laptop/desktop if you choose to do online lessons. The Raspberry Pi is a good device for teaching beginners. Using it is a great way to show your students how everything works from scratch. How much you can charge will depend on what you’re going to teach.
Advantage: You don’t have to spend much of your own money to begin teaching. Advertisement for lessons can be online, on different social media sites.
Disadvantage: If you want to conduct lessons in person, and your home isn’t available, you will have to rent space. Sessions usually last for hours so teaching can be draining.
Machine programming
If programming is your focus, you can create automated programs with the Raspberry Pi. It’s a good way to earn money. A lot of establishments have automatic or programmed devices that use the Pi as their core. For example, there are stores with displays that have moving devices, or robot models. These units are most often controlled by a program on a Raspberry Pi. You can create your program on it, and offer it to stores, parks, and other establishments. How much you charge will depend on the quality and complexity of the program.
Pro: You can replicate your program on several Raspberry Pi units. As its function is for movement, you only need minor adjustments for every client.
Con: You’ll need to be responsible for any maintenance and upgrades needed for the program. This is a long-term commitment so it’s vital to always keep up with new tools and techniques.
It’s important to keep in mind that great innovations usually start from small ideas. Whichever approach you decide, it’s an opportunity for growth and development. Whatever happens, one thing is sure. Your wallet won’t be empty if you put an effort in any of the methods mentioned above. What starts as something trivial now, can turn out as your gold mine in the future.
