The cost of living keeps going up, pushing more Americans to find side jobs for extra cash. A recent survey by MarketWatch showed 54% of Americans now have a side job, up from 25% ten years ago. The gig economy has grown big, offering many flexible jobs that can give you quick cash and more freedom.
This guide will cover the top side hustles for 2023. You’ll learn about everything from social media management to freelance writing, and even e-commerce and virtual assistance. These side hustles can help you make extra money, pay off debt, or just have fun. They let you take charge of your finances.
Key Takeaways
- Side hustles are a great way to earn extra money and grow your wealth in the gig economy.
- Remote work and online jobs have made side hustles more accessible, offering flexible ways to make money fast.
- There are many side hustles to choose from, like social media management, e-commerce, virtual assistance, and freelance writing.
- Side hustles can create extra income streams, help pay off debt, and be a fun creative outlet.
- Think about your skills, interests, and financial goals to find the best side hustle for you.
What are Side Hustles?
A side hustle is a way to earn extra money outside of a regular job. It’s become super popular since the pandemic, letting people make more money from home. You don’t need to go anywhere or leave your house, so you control your time.
Definition and Evolution of Side Hustles
Side hustles have changed a lot over time. They’re not just part-time jobs or freelance work anymore. Now, they can be many things, like making money from a YouTube channel, selling digital products, or even renting out property.
The Rise of Remote Work and Online Side Hustles
The COVID-19 pandemic made remote work more common, opening up new side hustle chances. Now, people can work from home and earn extra by being virtual assistants, proofreaders, or course creators.
Remote work has also made remote work opportunities more popular. People want to earn more or switch to being entrepreneurs.
| Side Hustle | Income Potential |
|---|---|
| Online Surveys | $50 per month |
| Delivering for DoorDash | $500 per month |
| Blogging | $15,000+ per month |
| Selling on Amazon | $300 per month |
| Online Coaching or Consulting | $50 per hour |
“The pandemic has accelerated the growth of remote work, creating new opportunities for individuals to explore online side hustles.”
Why Start an Online Side Hustle?
Starting an online side hustle opens up new doors. It gives you many ways to earn money. It helps you pay off debt and build wealth. Plus, it lets you follow your passions and earn at the same time.
Multiple Income Streams
Today’s economy is unpredictable. Having more than one way to make money can make you feel more secure. An online side hustle can add to your main income. This helps you deal with unexpected costs or tough times.
Paying Off Debt
Money from an online side hustle can change how fast you pay off debt. Using some of your side hustle money for debt can speed up the process. This frees up money for other goals you have.
Building Wealth
After you pay off debts, you can use your side hustle money to build wealth. You can save, invest, or start your own business. This leads to financial security and helps you reach your goals.
Creative Outlet
Many people find that their online side hustles are a creative outlet. Whether it’s running an e-commerce store, making digital products, or offering services, it’s fulfilling to be creative and earn from it.
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Multiple Income Streams | An online side hustle can provide a supplementary source of income, improving financial security and stability. |
| Paying Off Debt | The extra earnings from a side hustle can be applied towards accelerating debt repayment. |
| Building Wealth | Once debts are cleared, side hustle income can be channeled towards savings, investments, or starting a new business. |
| Creative Outlet | Pursuing an online side hustle can offer a meaningful creative outlet and the opportunity to turn your passions into profit. |
Social Media Manager
In today’s digital world, a social media manager is key for businesses wanting to grow online and get noticed. As social media keeps changing, the need for skilled managers stays strong.
A social media manager’s main job is to link a company with its audience. They do this by making content and reaching out to people. Companies hire them to manage social media, increase sales, and find new customers.
This job can be full-time or a side gig, based on what a business needs. Managers create content plans, manage online groups, and check how well campaigns do.
Key Responsibilities of a Social Media Manager
- Creating a detailed social media plan to boost the brand online
- Making content that grabs attention and shares well on social media
- Keeping online groups safe and answering questions quickly
- Watching and checking how well campaigns are doing, using key numbers
- Working with marketing and creative teams for a unified brand look online
- Keeping up with new social media trends and rules
| Social Media Manager Tools | Key Features | User Adoption |
|---|---|---|
| Hootsuite | Scheduling, analytics, and reporting | 85% of social media managers prefer Hootsuite |
| Crowdbooster | Social media engagement analysis | 40% increase in social media engagement when using Crowdbooster |
| AgoraPulse | Scheduling posts across multiple platforms | 60% of social media managers find AgoraPulse useful |
| SocialOomph | Automated scheduling for Facebook and Twitter | 30% increase in user subscriptions for SocialOomph |
| EveryPost | Content creation and cross-platform sharing | 45% of social media managers use EveryPost on mobile devices |
By using social media, companies can grow their online reach, get noticed, and boost sales. The role of a social media manager is key in any digital marketing plan. It’s a great job or side gig for those who know how to use social media well.
“Social media managers are the unsung heroes of the digital age, connecting brands with their audiences and driving business growth through strategic content creation and community engagement.”
Blogging and Content Creation
Blogging and content creation can be a great way to make money and be creative. By building an attractive website and making valuable content, you can draw in readers. This lets you use different ways to make money.
Monetization Strategies for Blogs
Successful bloggers use many ways to make money. These include:
- Affiliate marketing, where bloggers earn commissions by promoting and selling other companies’ products or services
- Advertisements, displayed on the blog’s website and generating income based on user engagement or impressions
- Selling merchandise, such as branded apparel or digital products like e-books or online courses
With regular content and smart money-making plans, bloggers can make thousands of dollars a month. This turns their side job into a steady source of income.
Platforms for Blogging
There are many platforms for bloggers to pick from, each with its own features. Some top choices are:
- Wix: A simple website builder that makes starting and managing a blog easy
- Squarespace: A full-featured platform that offers a stylish and customizable blogging experience
- WordPress: A flexible and highly customizable system, great for both new and experienced bloggers
Using these platforms, bloggers can create a professional online space. They can also make their blogging easier and focus on making content that connects with their readers.
“Starting a blog can be a creative outlet that can also generate significant income. With the right strategies and dedication, bloggers have the potential to make a substantial passive income.”
Start an Ecommerce Store
The ecommerce industry is booming, with sales expected to jump from $5.2 trillion in 2021 to $8.1 trillion by 2026. Starting an online store is more appealing than ever. It offers convenience with drop shipping, easy interfaces, digital payments, and products available 24/7.
Platforms like Shopify and Amazon offer great solutions for your ecommerce brand. Shopify costs about $31 a month in the U.S. and is just $1 for the first three months. These platforms take care of the tech stuff, so you can focus on picking products, managing sales, and building your brand.
For niche markets, think about Etsy and eBay. Or start with site hosting like WordPress and payment platforms. Some Etsy sellers make over $10,000 a month selling digital items like stickers and printables.
Drop shipping is a big plus when starting an ecommerce store. It lets you sell products directly from manufacturers without keeping inventory. This cuts costs and makes your business run smoother. Printify offers over 100 products for print-on-demand, like backpacks, hats, mugs, and t-shirts.
To do well in ecommerce, research your competitors, set fair prices, and focus on branding. Use logo maker apps and think about color psychology to stand out. Also, make your product photos look great and use SEO to get more customers.
Use social media, product curation sites, Google ads, and SEO to draw in customers. With the right approach, starting an ecommerce store can be a great side hustle or even a big online business.
Proofreading and Editing Services
Proofreading is a great side job for those who are good with grammar, spelling, and languages. With more businesses going online, there’s a big need for freelance proofreaders and editors. Journalists and writers on platforms like Substack also need help, making it a good time to get into this field.
Proofreading can pay you $45 an hour or more, with little cost. Sites like Upwork and Fiverr offer chances to work as a freelancer. Upwork takes 5-20% of your earnings, and Fiverr charges 20%. Freelancer.com has a smaller fee, taking 10% of your bid or $5 USD.
If you want a steady job, FlexJobs is a good choice. It costs about $24.95 a month or $59.95 a year. Craigslist also has a section for writing and editing jobs that’s worth checking out.
To get ahead in proofreading, think about getting special certifications. For instance, Scribendi wants proofreaders to be native English speakers with a degree and over three years of experience. Scribbr pays around $20 to $30 an hour for editing.
“Proofreading is the perfect side hustle for those who love freelance writing and have a keen eye for detail. With the growing demand for quality online content, there’s never been a better time to put your language skills to work.”
Looking to make extra money or switch to proofreading full-time? There are many chances in this field. Use sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer to earn good money, grow your client list, and improve your skills.
Virtual Assistant
The role of the virtual assistant has grown in the world of remote work. It’s a flexible and profitable side job. You can use your skills in administration and detail to offer many services. These include scheduling, managing emails, bookkeeping, and data entry.
Virtual assistants work from home, unlike traditional office jobs. This setup gives you more flexibility, better work-life balance, and the chance to grow your business as you wish.
Being a virtual assistant is versatile. You can do tasks like:
- Scheduling and calendar management
- Responding to emails and customer inquiries
- Bookkeeping and financial record-keeping
- Travel arrangement coordination
- Data entry and analysis
As you improve your skills, you can add more services. These can include social media management, content creation, and project coordination. The goal is to use your strengths to offer the most value to your clients.
Virtual assistants have a lot of growth potential. Many have turned their roles into successful, six-figure businesses. By building a strong client base and making your processes efficient, you can make this side job into a full-time income.
If you want to make the most of the remote work trend and administrative support, becoming a virtual assistant is a great choice. With the right skills, hard work, and entrepreneurial spirit, you can find your place in this exciting and changing field.
Create and Sell Online Courses
Have you ever thought about making money from what you know? Selling online courses can be a great way to earn extra, letting you teach people all over the world. Sites like Udemy, Coursera, and Teachable are perfect for sharing your knowledge and giving your customers peace of mind.
Or, you can sell your courses directly to your followers on social media. This way, you can earn passive income. But, you’ll need to work hard upfront to make and promote your course.
Key Considerations for Successful Online Courses
- Pick a topic you know well and that your audience needs.
- Make a catchy course title that shows what students will gain.
- Break your course into easy-to-follow modules and lessons.
- Use videos, quizzes, and interactive parts to make learning fun.
- Advertise your course on social media, through emails, and with partners.
- Listen to what students say and update your course to get better.
- Try different ways to make money, like discounts or subscriptions.
Creating a hit online course takes hard work, time, and knowing your audience well. By putting effort into this, you can earn passive income and share your skills with others.
“The online courses market is expected to hit $58.4 billion, but only a few finish their courses. With the right strategy, you can make a course that teaches and engages your audience, bringing in steady passive income.”
Online Tutoring and Teaching English
The pandemic has made online tutoring and teaching English more popular. This has opened up a great chance for those who want to teach. With students learning from home, there’s a big need for one-on-one help and language lessons. This lets online tutors take advantage of this trend.
Online tutoring and teaching English are flexible jobs. Tutors can work with students from all over the world at any time. They can help students improve their English or assist with specific subjects like math or history. This flexibility lets tutors make good money.
Earning Potential and Qualifications
Online tutoring and teaching English can pay well, with rates between $12 and $40 per hour. Sites like Tutor.com and Wyzant offer good pay and help tutors find students. They let tutors show off their skills and build a strong student base.
To stand out, tutors often get advanced certifications like TEFL or TESOL. These show they’re serious about their work and can charge more.
Online tutoring also lets tutors set their own hours and teach what they love. Whether it’s business, medicine, or tech, tutors can share their knowledge with students worldwide.
“The pandemic has accelerated the growth of online tutoring, making it an increasingly attractive side hustle for those looking to supplement their income and share their knowledge with a global audience.”
Remote learning has opened up a big chance for people to make money tutoring online. By using their skills, tutors can start a side hustle and help students a lot.
fast side hustles
The rise of generative AI models like ChatGPT has led to a big need for part-time work. Companies like Outlier connect AI developers with users. These users check if the AI’s answers are right and true.
This job needs extra research skills to make sure the answers match real facts. It’s also very flexible. You can work (or not work) whenever you like. This makes it a great side hustle for those who want to earn extra money on their own terms.
The Benefits of Evaluating Generative AI Models
- Flexible scheduling: You can decide when and how much you want to work, making it an ideal side hustle for those with busy schedules or other commitments.
- Ongoing demand: As the field of generative AI continues to evolve, the need for AI testing and feedback will only increase, providing a steady stream of earning potential.
- Skill development: Engaging with these advanced AI systems can help you develop valuable research, analytical, and critical thinking skills that may be transferable to other professional endeavors.
If you’re looking for a fast and flexible side hustle that uses the growth of generative AI and ChatGPT, checking AI models for companies like Outlier is a good choice.
“The rise of generative AI has opened up a wealth of opportunities for those seeking flexible, on-demand work. Evaluating these models is a unique and valuable side hustle that allows you to capitalize on the latest advancements in technology.”
Career Coaching and Consulting
Want to boost your career? Think about becoming a career coach. These experts guide people through career changes, set goals, and use their skills well. You can work from home, talking to clients over the phone or video.
Top career coaches often have experience leading teams and hiring staff. They might help clients with cover letters, job searches, business plans, or finding their place in a crowded market.
To be great at career coaching, you need a wide range of skills. Studying psychology, business, counseling, or sociology can help. If you’ve worked in HR or recruiting, you’ll know how hiring works.
Career coaching jobs are found in schools, companies, nonprofits, and more. Many coaches work on their own, which lets them set their own hours and choose their clients.
Career coaching can be a great way to earn extra money or switch to a new career. With the right skills, passion, and drive, you can help people reach their goals in career coaching, resume writing, business planning, and remote work.
“The pandemic ignited a major boom in the coaching industry, making career coaches highly sought after for their expertise.”
Online Surveys and Micro-tasks
One of the most popular side hustles is taking online surveys and doing micro-tasks. Sites like Swagbucks, Mechanical Turk, and Clickworker let you make money by sharing your thoughts, joining research studies, or doing simple online tasks. Even though the pay is usually low, these jobs are easy and flexible, making them great for extra income.
Some people on Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) have made over $50,000, showing you can earn a lot. Microworkers has over 1.4 million workers who’ve done more than 42 million tasks. This shows how many people are involved in micro-tasks.
Platforms like Kashkick, CrowdTap, Appen, and Survey Junkie offer good pay and easy ways to get your money. For instance, CrowdTap lets you cash out a $5 gift card after 1,000 points. Appen pays up to $14 an hour for some jobs.
| Platform | Typical Pay Range | Payout Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Swagbucks | $0.25 – $5 per survey | 160 Swagbucks ($5) |
| Respondent | $100 – $500 per study | $10 minimum |
| Slicethepie | $0.05 – $0.20 per review | $10 minimum |
| Fiverr | $5 – $10,000 per gig | Varies |
Looking to make extra money, pay off debt, or grow your wealth? Online surveys and micro-tasks are a flexible way to do so. By using these platforms, you can tap into the gig economy and find new chances to improve your finances.
Freelancing Platforms
Freelancing is a great way to make extra money on the side. You can use popular sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com. These sites let you show off your skills and find clients who need things like graphic design, content creation, web development, and virtual help.
Popular Freelancing Websites
Let’s take a closer look at some top freelancing sites for your side job:
- Upwork – Upwork is a big freelance marketplace with over 12 million freelancers and 5 million clients. It offers a wide range of skills, from coding and design to writing and customer service.
- Fiverr – Fiverr is famous for its affordable gigs. Freelancers offer services like logo design and video editing starting at just $5 per task.
- Freelancer.com – Freelancer.com connects over 50 million registered users worldwide. It covers many skills and services, including web development, data entry, and virtual help.
| Freelance Service | Average Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Project Manager | $37 |
| Editor | $27 |
| Social Media Manager | $26 |
| Graphic Designer | $45 |
| Video Editor | $50 |
| Web Developer | $18 – $60 |
| Freelance Writer | $0.05 – $50+ per word |
| Virtual Assistant | $15 – $50 |
| Online English Tutor | $20+ |
| Music Tutor | Varies |
Freelancing lets you work on your own terms, whether it’s a few hours a week or full-time. By using these popular platforms, you can find many ways to increase your income and reach your financial goals.
“Freelancing is a flexible and lucrative way to earn extra income on the side.”
Conclusion
The rise of remote work and the gig economy has brought many side hustle opportunities. You can now make extra cash or start a new business from home. Options include social media management, online tutoring, ecommerce, and freelancing. By using your skills and interests, you can earn more, pay off debt, and build wealth.
Most side hustlers are millennials. In 2023, 44% of entrepreneurs started a new business while working another job, up from 27% in 2022. An extra side hustle could add $100 or more to your monthly income. It can also offer more flexibility than traditional jobs and let you follow your passions.
With over 75 side hustle ideas on WebMonkey, there are many ways to earn passive income and grow as an entrepreneur. You can try freelancing, online tutoring, ecommerce, or selling items on eBay. Starting a side hustle can boost your finances, skills, confidence, and community connections. So, why not dive into the side hustle world and find your path to more financial freedom and happiness?