These days, it seems like everybody has a “side hustle” that they use to make a little extra cash – and you can do it, too.
Developing a side hustle clearly has economic benefits, which can be a huge help if you are trying to pay down your debt to improve your credit score or you’re saving up for the downpayment on your future home. However, side hustles also do a whole lot more!
When you have a side hustle, you can develop new skills or hone old ones, both of which can translate into bigger career opportunities in the future. You also are better prepared and in a more stable position if something should suddenly happen to your main source of income.
Finally, a side hustle allows you to explore something that you love doing. Since your side gig is not your primary income, you can afford to take chances with whatever you’re doing and experiment with different things that captivate you. That can make a side hustle surprisingly emotionally satisfying.
Not sure where to get started? Unsure what kinds of side hustles are easy to pursue from home? Some common side hustles include the following:
1. Freelance Writing and Editing
Do you have good writing skills? Somebody will pay you to use them! From content writing, blogging, and copywriting to technical writing and ghostwriting, the demand for skilled writers is high. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr and Freelancer connect writers with clients looking for various types of content. If you have a keen eye for detail and top-notch English skills, editing and proofreading can also be lucrative options.
2. Virtual Assistance
Are you great at helping other people get organized and sort out their problems? Your skills have value. Consider opening up shop as a virtual assistant! Virtual assistants (VAs) provide remote administrative support to businesses and entrepreneurs. You can offer your services with email management, scheduling, data entry, social media management and event planning. Websites like Belay and Fiverr, among others, offer lucrative VA job listings.
3. Online Tutoring and Teaching
Have a special interest? Whether you’ve been studying numerology for years for fun or you’re a calculus wizard, online teaching or tutoring can be both financially and emotionally rewarding.
You can teach academic subjects and languages or offer music and art lessons. If you’re a fitness enthusiast or a certified trainer, offering online fitness coaching and personalized workout plans is another form of education. Platforms like VIPKid, Chegg Tutors, and Tutor.com connect teachers with students from around the world, while creating and selling courses on your favorite subject on platforms like Udemy or Teachable can generate steady passive income.
4. E-commerce and Dropshipping
Starting an e-commerce store or a dropshipping business allows you to sell products without holding inventory. You can set up a store on platforms like Shopify or Etsy and use dropshipping suppliers to fulfill orders. This side hustle requires initial research, a little bit of vision and some marketing efforts, but there’s very little initial investment required. Once you get a following of loyal shoppers going, you can start turning a profit very quickly.
5. Social Media Management
Do you have a knack for creating a buzz online and know how to get followers and keep them engaged? There’s a business out there that’s desperate for your services because social media managers are in high demand. This role involves creating content, managing posts, engaging with followers and analyzing performance metrics. If you are social media savvy and understand the intricacies of different platforms, this could be an ideal side hustle for you to explore.
6. Blogging or Vlogging
This side gig combines both social media savvy with good writing skills – but starting a blog or a YouTube channel can be a great way to share your passions and expertise while earning money in the process. Consistency and quality content are key to building a loyal audience and generating income, but you can start to make money through ad revenue, sponsored posts and affiliate marketing. Joining affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, ShareASale and CJ Affiliate can help you get started.
7. Transcription Services
Do your fingers virtually fly over the keyboard when you type? If you’re a great typist with good grammar, spelling and punctuation, you may find work as a transcriptionist. Transcription involves converting audio or video recordings into written text, and there is a big need for high quality transcriptionists in both the medical and legal fields. Websites like Rev, TranscribeMe, and GoTranscript offer transcription job opportunities.
8. Stock Photography and Videography
Do you have a good eye and a quick finger on your camera? If you enjoy photography or videography, selling your work on stock platforms can be a great way to earn passive income – because visual content is needed everywhere. Websites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock and iStock allow you to upload and sell your original work and that can result in a steady stream of income over time.
9. Art and Other Original Creations
Do you sew? Do you paint, knit, macrame or carve wood? If you have a creative hobby and know how to make something unique, there’s somebody out there who would love to own a piece of your work! Platforms like Etsy and Handmade at Amazon provide a marketplace for individual artisans to sell their creations. Whether it’s jewelry, home decor or custom pieces of artwork, there’s a huge market for unique handmade products.
10. Online Surveys and Market Research
This one won’t pay the bills, but it’s an easy way to earn a little extra spending money each month – and that can feed your Kindle habit or cover your morning coffee addiction. Participating in online surveys and market research studies is not a high-paying side hustle, but it’s simple and flexible. Websites like Swagbucks, YouGov, Survey Junkie and OpinionOutpost offer opportunities to share your opinions and get paid for them, too!
If you’re in the market for a good side hustle, spend some time coolly assessing your skill sets – and see what sort of ideas stand out. You may not have realized that something you consider ordinary and “basic,” (like the ability to knit or type) is considered an extraordinary talent by somebody else – and that makes you marketable. You may one day find yourself turning your side hustle into a dream career!
