A side hustle is a job or activity done outside one’s regular employment and often done remotely, in one’s free time and potentially in addition to one’s 9-5 job. We may hear people talking about how they make money with these “side gigs”, and they indeed offer a great way to make extra money. But there’s more to it than just finding something to make extra cash. Some people use their side hustle to build skills, gain experience, and even build relationships that can lead to more opportunities for both them and their primary job.
Whatever your end goal may be, here are some great side hustle ideas you should consider for boosting your income.
Teach English Online
Teaching English online is one of the most popular side hustles out there, and it’s easy to get started. All you need is a good internet connection, a computer, and the ability to easily access websites like Upwork and Craigslist.
On these websites, you’ll be able to find a wide range of job postings, from tutoring to online courses. Teaching English online is also a great way to use the language skills you already have. It’s an incredibly flexible side hustle: you can work whenever you have time, with no specific days or hours. You can also set your own rates and structure your classes according to your needs.
Sell Your Stuff
If you have gently-used items lying around the house that you no longer use, consider selling them as a side hustle. You can start by checking out local buy/sell/trade groups on social media, like Facebook and Instagram, or you can try online marketplaces like eBay, Etsy, and Depop. You can also try consignment stores and consignment websites, where buyers can either buy your items outright or you can split the profits with the store.
This is an easy side hustle to do on weekends, and you can even pick up free packaging materials near you!
Start a Blog
A blog is a great way to make money online and share your skills and experiences. You can write about virtually anything: crafts, cooking, lifestyle topics, travel, etc. It’s also a great way to learn web development and content marketing.
You can start your blog for free using platforms like WordPress or Blogger. All you’ll need is a great domain name and hosting. Once your blog is up and running, you can start monetizing it with ads, affiliate links, selling products and services through it, and even sponsored content.
Become an Uber/Lyft Driver
Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft are becoming increasingly popular and are great side hustles for those looking for extra income. All you need is a car (and sometimes just a bike), a valid driver’s license, and reliable insurance. You can easily sign up to become a driver on Uber and Lyft’s websites and start working immediately.
The great thing about ridesharing is that you can work whenever you want, as often as you want. You make money by giving people rides, although you must also use your car and pay your own gas expenses.
Virtual Assistant
Being a virtual assistant is a great way to make money remotely. You can provide a variety of services such as bookkeeping, data entry, managing calendars, customer service, and more. You’ll usually need an internet connection and the ability to use programs like Microsoft Office and QuickBooks.
Finding clients can be tricky, but there are websites like Fiverr, FlexJobs, and Upwork where you can easily find jobs. The great thing about being a virtual assistant is that you can customize your hours and take on as many or as few clients as you want.
Freelance Writing
Freelance writing is a great way to make money without ever leaving your home. All you need is a laptop and an internet connection and you can start taking on freelance writing jobs.
You can easily find freelance writing jobs on job boards like Problogger and Freelancer, or you can even start a blog and write for other sites. It’s up to you how much you want to earn and how many hours you want to work. You can set your own rates, structure your projects and accept or reject projects as you like.
Social Media Management
Social media management is a great side hustle to consider if you enjoy spending time online and you already have an established presence on social media. Companies and individuals hire social media managers to help create and share content, monitor and respond to comments, and help boost the presence of their business.
Again, you can find jobs on job boards or start pitching to companies you’d like to work with. As with most side hustles, you can choose the hours and projects that you accept, and you’ll need to have an understanding of the platforms as well as content creation skills.
Pet Sitting
If you love pets and don’t mind being around them, pet sitting could be an ideal side hustle for you. You can easily find pet sitting jobs on websites like Rover and Pet Sitter, where you can list your services and set your own rates.
Many pet owners like to hire people to take care of their pets while they are away, and they’re often willing to pay a premium for this kind of service. You’ll need to have a good understanding of animals, set boundaries and rules in advance, and agree on payment structures that work for both of you.
Graphic Design
Graphic design is a great way to make money and use your creativity to create visuals for businesses and individuals. All you need is a computer and a few graphic design software packages like Photoshop and Illustrator. Once you have these, you can begin searching for freelance design jobs on websites like Freelancer or even create designs for t-shirts or coffee mugs to be sold online.
Graphic design jobs are highly sought after, and the pay you can expect to receive is often very good. Depending on the project, you may need to be able to work quickly, but the great thing is that you can work whenever you want and set your own rates.
Whatever your reasons for wanting to make extra money, side hustles offer a great way to do just that. Whether you want to teach English online, become a freelancer, or pet sit, there are a number of great side hustle ideas that you can choose from.
Whichever you choose, you can customize your work schedule, choose your own clients and projects, and set your own pay rate. So if you’re looking for a flexible way to make extra money, think about the side hustles listed above and find the one that works best for you.
