The cost of living keeps going up, and many of us are looking for ways to make more money. Luckily, side hustles are easier to find than ever, offering many chances to work from home. If you want to make some extra cash, follow a passion, or start a new business, there are plenty of easy side hustles out there.
A recent survey by FlexJobs found that almost one in three people have a side job. Over 11% even have more than one. Plus, 38% are looking for a side gig, making 69% of workers either having a side hustle or wanting one. This shows how popular and powerful these flexible jobs are.
Key Takeaways
- Side hustles let you make extra money on your own time, with flexible hours and lots of choices.
- Remote and online side hustles are getting more popular, letting you work from home and fit it around your main job.
- Freelance work, virtual assistant roles, and online teaching/tutoring are just a few of the many profitable side hustle ideas out there.
- Side hustles can help you work on projects you love, test business ideas, and maybe even turn into a full-time business.
- The average side hustler spends about 13 hours a week on their side job, making it a good way to increase your income.
Introduction to Side Hustles
What is a Side Hustle?
A side hustle is a small business or activity that people do besides their main job. It’s also called a side job or gig. 45% of Americans, or about 40 million people, have one, working 13 hours a week on it.
Benefits of Having a Side Gig
Side hustles have many benefits. They let you earn extra money, gain new skills, and work on your own time. You can use your talents and interests to make more money, try out new careers, and follow your passions.
Side hustles can boost your finances and life quality. The key is to find the right one and work hard to make it successful.
| Benefits of a Side Hustle | Reasons to Start a Side Gig |
|---|---|
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“Side hustles offer a way to supplement your primary income, learn new skills, test-drive a career change, or pursue a passion. They provide flexibility in scheduling and the ability to work on your own terms, making them an attractive option for many professionals.”
Freelancing Opportunities
Freelancing is a great way to make extra money and is perfect as a side job. You work on projects for different clients, fitting your work around your main job or other duties. Freelancers in graphic design, writing, editing, and web development are often in demand. Many other areas also offer chances to freelance.
Writing and Editing Gigs
If you’re good with words, think about freelancing as a writer or editor. You can write blog posts, articles, web content, and even ebooks for various industries. Sites like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.com help you find clients and show off your work.
Graphic Design and Web Development
If you’re skilled in design or coding, consider freelancing in graphic design or web development. You can make things like logos, social media graphics, and websites for clients. Having a strong online presence and using freelancer sites can lead to a steady flow of work.
“The beauty of freelancing is the flexibility it offers. I can take on projects that align with my interests and schedule them around my full-time job. It’s a great way to earn extra income while exploring my passions.”
– Sarah, Freelance Graphic Designer
easy side hustles from home
Nowadays, there are many easy side hustles you can do from home. These jobs let you make extra money or learn new skills. You can work from anywhere, fitting your interests and skills.
Rideshare driving with Uber or Lyft is a popular choice. Make more money by driving during busy times. Food and grocery delivery jobs are also great for earning extra, even if the pay isn’t high.
If you’re good at reading and writing, proofreading could be for you. It can pay well, especially with big agencies. Renting out parking spaces is another easy way to make money, especially in busy cities.
Turning a spare room into an Airbnb can be profitable, especially in nice areas. Real estate investing, on your own or through crowdfunding, can also bring in steady income over time.
For entrepreneurs, online blogging and wholesale businesses can be great for making more money. Domain name trading is another way to earn well if you know what domains are valuable.
Remote work has opened up many side hustles at home. These jobs fit different skills and interests. They let you earn more or try new things from home.
| Side Hustle | Average Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Bookkeeper | $19 |
| Career Coach | $24 |
| Executive Assistant | $29 |
| Graphic Designer | $24 |
| Project Manager | $37 |
With creativity and the right mindset, these side hustles can help you earn more from home. They offer flexible ways to reach your financial goals.
“The key to unlocking financial freedom is finding the right side hustle that aligns with your skills, interests, and lifestyle.” – John Doe, Renowned Personal Finance Expert
Virtual Assistant Jobs
In today’s digital world, virtual assistant (VA) jobs are a great way to make extra money from home. VAs help clients with tasks like scheduling, managing emails, booking travel, and more. If you’re organized and know your way around technology, this could be a perfect side job for you.
Tasks of a Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants do many different tasks based on what their clients need. Some common jobs include:
- Calendar and appointment management
- Email and customer service support
- Travel planning and booking
- Data entry and administrative support
- Social media management
- Content creation and editing
- Project coordination and task prioritization
Virtual assistant jobs pay well, with hourly rates between $18 and $26. Some VAs with special skills can earn $100 an hour or more. You only need a good computer and internet to start.
To find these jobs, check out job sites like FlexJobs or apply to companies that connect VAs with businesses, like Time Etc or Boldly. These platforms can give you regular work, but you might not have control over your hours.
The demand for virtual assistants has grown a lot lately. More people are starting businesses and need help with admin tasks. The US Association of Virtual Assistants says VAs can make $2,000 to $5,000 a month. This makes it a profitable side job for those with the right skills and effort.
Online Teaching and Tutoring
If you want a flexible side job to share your knowledge, online teaching and tutoring might be right for you. The need for online tutoring side hustles, remote teaching opportunities, and flexible teaching jobs is growing fast.
Online tutoring lets you teach students worldwide, no matter where you are. Sites like VIPKid and Skooli help you connect with students needing your help. You can teach English or other subjects.
To stand out, get certifications from groups like the American Tutoring Association or the National Tutoring Association. These can make you more credible to potential clients.
Creating a website for your tutoring business is key. It lets you show off your skills, what others say about you, and how you teach. This can lead to more clients and more money.
| Platform | Hourly Rates | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Outschool | $50 – $100+ | High earning potential for popular courses |
| Wyzant | $15 – $100+ | Flexibility to set your own rates, large user base |
| Lessonface | $40 for 30 minutes | Low commission fees, focus on specialized subjects like music |
Using online teaching and tutoring as a side job lets you earn extra and share your knowledge. Be professional, use good teaching methods, and have a strong online presence. This will help you succeed in your online tutoring side hustle.
Blogging and Affiliate Marketing
If you love writing and sharing info, starting a blog can be a great side job. Pick a niche you’re into, like travel, food, beauty, or fashion. This way, you can grow an audience and make money through affiliate marketing.
Starting a Blog
First, buy a domain and hosting, which costs about $50 to $100 a year. Use WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace for easy setup with great designs. The goal is to make content that your readers will love.
Monetizing with Affiliate Links
Once your blog gets popular, you can make money with affiliate marketing. This means you earn by promoting products on your blog. When someone buys through your link, you get a cut. 81% of brands use affiliate marketing, showing its success.
Affiliate marketing can give you passive income. Choose products that fit your blog well and blend them into your posts. Big names like Amazon Associates and ClickBank offer different ways to earn.
For affiliate marketing success, focus on making top-notch, search engine optimized content. This draws in readers and boosts your search rankings, leading to more traffic and sales.
“Subrota earned almost $9,000 within 8-9 months from Sellvia affiliate and AliDropship affiliate programs combined.”
By mixing blogging with affiliate marketing, you can make your hobby into a profitable side job. This way, you earn passive income and grow your income beyond your main job.
Selling Handmade Crafts Online
Are you a talented crafter wanting to make money from your hobby? Selling handmade crafts online is a great way to do this. You can sell unique jewelry, hand-painted artwork, or detailed woodworking pieces. Many platforms and marketplaces can help you find customers.
Etsy is a top site for selling crafts online. It has over a million customers looking for handmade and vintage items. Setting up a shop on Etsy is easy, managing inventory and handling sales too. It costs $15 to sign up and takes a 9.5% commission on each sale.
You can also try Amazon Handmade or Facebook Marketplace. Amazon Handmade has a 15% referral fee and a $39.99 monthly subscription. Facebook Marketplace lets you list items for free and takes a 5% fee on shipped orders.
The craft industry is growing fast. More people want unique, handmade items. Starting to sell crafts online is cheap, making it a good side job. It’s perfect for stay-at-home moms or kids to earn money from home.
When setting prices, think about the cost of materials, your time, and other expenses. High-demand items include printables, custom clothes, body care products, and home decor. Using ecommerce lets you reach many people and make your crafting hobby profitable.
Transcription Services
Start a flexible and profitable transcription side hustle from home. Transcription means turning audio into text. It’s a great chance for those who can listen well and type fast.
Sign up at Rev, SpeakWrite, and Fiverr to become a transcriptionist. You’ll get audio files to turn into text. Companies need skilled transcriptionists for tasks like making captions or taking quotes from interviews.
Transcriptionists can earn good money, up to $0.60 per audio/video minute. You work when you want, making it a great remote transcription job or typing-based work from home chance.
“The average transcriptionist in the Rev.com service earns $245 per month, with top earners making almost $1,500.”
To be good at transcription, you need to listen well, pay attention to details, and type fast and accurately. With the right tools and practice, your transcription side hustle can become a steady way to make extra money.
If you want to save money, pay off debt, or just have more cash, a remote transcription job might be right for you. This typing job from home offers flexibility and good pay. Start your transcription side hustle today.
Online Consulting and Coaching
If you have expertise in a specific area, you can make money with online consulting or coaching services. This lets you use your knowledge to help clients in areas like business, career, health, or finance. First, find your area of expertise, build a portfolio, and create a professional online presence to draw in clients.
You can do remote consulting and coaching through platforms like Zoom or Google Meet. This way, you can work with clients from home, on your own time. This expert-based remote work lets you use your skills and experience to help people all over the world.
The online consulting side hustle and remote coaching opportunities have many perks. They let you earn extra money and work on your own schedule from anywhere. As you gain more clients and build your reputation, this side job could turn into a full-time career.
| Side Hustle | Average Hourly Rate | Projected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Online Consulting | $75 – $150 | $3.83 billion from 2022 to 2026 |
| Life Coaching | $100 – $300 | Potential for full-time career transition |
To start, think about what skills and experiences you have that can help others. Make a portfolio to show off your knowledge, and create a professional online space to find clients. Use tools like Zoom or Google Meet for virtual meetings and work on your own schedule.
Success in the online consulting side hustle and remote coaching opportunities comes from solving clients’ problems and offering big solutions. By being seen as an expert in your field, you can open up new ways to make money and enjoy working from anywhere.
Microtasking and Gig Platforms
In today’s world, the gig economy has opened up many ways to make extra money. You can do small tasks or projects online in your free time. This is thanks to the growing need for flexible, remote work.
Amazon Mechanical Turk is a top site for microtasking. Here, people called “Turkers” can make a few cents to a few dollars for various online tasks. Freecash also offers micro-jobs that you can cash out for as little as $5. This makes it easy for people to start earning in the gig economy.
Other great options include Swagbucks, Branded Surveys, and Microworkers. On these sites, you can earn money or rewards by doing simple online tasks, taking surveys, or testing products. These jobs offer a way to make extra money from home.
If you want to explore more, try Appen, Survey Junkie, and Lionbridge. They offer specialized tasks like search engine evaluation, data collection, and content moderation. These jobs can pay more and give you a chance to earn a good hourly rate.
Whether you want to make some extra cash or work more flexibly, the world of microtasking and gig platforms is full of opportunities. It lets people join the gig economy and find new ways to earn money.
Dropshipping and E-commerce
Want to start an online store from home? Dropshipping could be your best bet. It lets you sell products without the need to keep inventory. You pick products, talk to customers, and let others handle the rest. This way, you can start an e-commerce business from home with little money upfront.
Did you know nearly two in five (39%) U.S. adults have a side job to make more money? Also, the e-commerce market in the U.S. is growing fast. It’s expected to reach 80.4% of shoppers online by 2025. This means lots of chances for new entrepreneurs like you.
Dropshipping can be a great way to make money, with earnings of $1,000 to $3,000 a month. If you work 10 to 15 hours a week. Some dropshippers even make up to $100,000 a year with a good business and reliable suppliers.
| Earnings Potential | Time Investment | Profit Margin |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 to $3,000 per month | 10 to 15 hours per week | 20-30% on average |
To start your dropshipping side hustle, find good suppliers, pick products your customers will love, and use social media to sell. With hard work and a good plan, your e-commerce business from home could do great.
Success in dropshipping and e-commerce comes from doing your homework, picking the right products, and having a strong online presence. This flexible business model can open doors to many online retail opportunities. It lets you take charge of your finances from home.
Social Media Management
In today’s world, every business needs a strong social media presence to stand out. But not every company can hire a full-time social media manager. This is where you can make money with a social media management side hustle. You can offer services like content creation, scheduling, community engagement, and paid ads.
If you know a lot about certain platforms or skills, like paid ads, you can charge more. LinkedIn says social media management is a top skill in digital marketing. Social media managers earn over $25 an hour on average. This side job can be very profitable for those good at digital content creation and remote marketing services.
Services Offered by Social Media Managers
- Content creation and curation
- Social media scheduling and automation
- Community management and engagement
- Paid social media advertising
- Social media analytics and reporting
You can find clients for social media management on freelance sites or by reaching out to small businesses in your area or online. Social media is very important today. This side job can help you earn more money from home.
| Service | Average Earnings |
|---|---|
| Social Media Advertising Consultant | $95,000 per annum |
| Social Media Manager | $60,918 per annum |
| YouTube Channel Manager | $109,000 per annum |
| PPC Campaign Manager | $156,000 per annum |
| LinkedIn Profile/Content Writer | $96,000 per annum |
“Social media offers a platform for running ads through Facebook, indicating a market for individuals skilled in Facebook ad management to assist businesses in growing their online presence.”
Renting Out Space or Assets
If you have a spare room, guest house, or an empty yard, you can make money by renting it out to travelers. Websites like Airbnb and Vrbo help you list your space and find guests. This way, you can earn extra cash from what you already own.
For instance, Julz Maleno has earned over $26,700 by renting out spaces for RVs and trailers on the Neighbor app. They charge between $40 and $200 a month for each spot. Managing these rentals takes only 5-10 hours a month.
You can also make money by offering travel accommodations like vacation rentals or short-term stays. Airbnb hosts have made over $18,000 in two years by renting out a spare room. This shows how profitable renting out your space can be.
There are more ways to earn income from property too. Consider renting out storage, office space, equipment, or even solar panels. Just look at what you own that you’re not using and see how you can rent it out.
| Asset | Average Monthly Rental Income |
|---|---|
| Parking Spot | $40 – $200 |
| Spare Room | $900 – $1,200 |
| Shed or Garage | $50 – $100 |
| Vacant Lot | $300 – $3,000 |
Renting out your assets can give you a steady income. You can use a spare room, an empty yard, or special equipment to earn more money. This side hustle lets you use what you already have to make extra cash.
Conclusion
The rise of remote work and the gig economy has opened up many side hustle opportunities for you to try from home. You can use your skills for freelancing, virtual assistance, or online teaching. Or, you can start a new venture like a blog, selling handmade crafts, or a dropshipping business.
When picking a side hustle, think about your skills, how much time you have, and where you work best. With hard work and a good plan, a side hustle can give you extra money, help you grow professionally, or let you be creative. Start small, be patient, and keep changing your plan for long-term success.
Looking to Live Free or Die Broke, Stop Being Broke, or find opportunities after Biden or before Trump’s MAGA? Side hustles offer many ways to make money, grow personally, and be an entrepreneur.
FAQ
What is a side hustle?
A side hustle is a small business or activity you do besides your main job. It helps you make extra money.
What are the benefits of having a side hustle?
Having a side hustle lets you earn more money. It also helps you learn new skills. Plus, you can work when you want.
What are some popular freelance side hustles?
Freelancing in writing, editing, graphic design, and web development is popular. These are great side hustles.
What are some easy side hustles from home?
Easy side hustles from home include being a virtual assistant, teaching online, blogging, selling crafts, and transcription services.
What tasks do virtual assistants typically perform?
Virtual assistants help with tasks like scheduling, answering emails, booking travel, and entering data online.
How can I earn money through online teaching or tutoring?
You can teach English or other subjects online. Use platforms like VIPKid and Skooli to reach students worldwide.
How can I make money through blogging and affiliate marketing?
Make money from your blog with ads and affiliate sales. You earn by promoting products and services.
What are the benefits of selling handmade crafts online?
Selling crafts online lets you turn your creativity into income. Use Etsy or your own shop to sell your work.
What is transcription and how can I earn money doing it?
Transcription means typing out audio files. It’s a flexible side hustle for those with good typing and listening skills. Sign up on platforms like Rev, SpeakWrite, and Fiverr.
How can I offer online consulting or coaching as a side hustle?
Offer consulting or coaching in areas you’re an expert in. This can be in business, career, health, or finance.
What are some microtask and gig platforms for side hustles?
Use platforms like Amazon Mechanical Turk, Fiverr, and Upwork for small tasks and projects. They help you earn extra.
How does dropshipping work as a side hustle?
Dropshipping lets you start an online store with low costs. You handle marketing and sales, while a supplier takes care of the inventory.
What services can a social media manager offer as a side hustle?
As a social media manager, you can create content, schedule posts, engage with followers, and run ads. This helps businesses grow online.
How can I earn extra income by renting out space or assets?
Rent out a room, guest house, or property on Airbnb and Vrbo. Or, rent out other assets you have but don’t use much.