With inflation rising and economic uncertainty, having extra cash is crucial. As a freelancer and side hustle expert, I’ve found many ways to earn online. This guide will show you easy ways to make money on the side.
You can earn by doing freelance work, taking care of pets, setting up tech, blogging, and more. We’ll look at 13 strategies to increase your income. These methods help you reach your financial goals while keeping your work-life balance.
Key Takeaways
- Discover a diverse range of easy-to-implement side hustle ideas to supplement your income
- Explore flexible freelance opportunities and ways to monetize your skills online
- Learn about pet care services, tech setup gigs, and blogging as potential passive income sources
- Uncover opportunities in senior sitting, child care, personal assistant, and handyman services
- Dive into the gig economy and learn how to leverage online platforms for on-demand earning
Freelancing: The Flexible Side Hustle
Freelancing is now a top choice for those wanting flexible side jobs. You can use sites like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.com to make money with your skills in areas like graphic design, writing, editing, web development, and more. This way, you set your own hours and fit work around your main job.
Monetize Your Skills on Freelance Platforms
Freelance platforms have made it simple to find and land side jobs. A FlexJobs survey found that about one-third of workers have a side job, with over 11% having two or more. These sites offer many chances, with pay rates from $15 for a Lead Generation Specialist to $37 for a Project Manager. If you’re good at writing, graphic design, or web development, you can show off your skills and earn a steady income.
Build Your Personal Brand and Client Base
To succeed as a freelancer, you need a strong personal brand and a varied client base. Network with potential clients, show off your work, and always deliver great service. This builds a good reputation and helps you grow your freelancing business. The more you stand out as an expert, the more chances you’ll get in the freelance world.
“11 percent of side hustlers bring in more than $1,000 in a given month, according to a 2019 survey by Bankrate.com.”
Pet Care Services: Earning While Cuddling
For animal lovers, pet care services are a great way to make extra money. You can offer in-home pet sitting, run a doggie daycare, or walk dogs for a living. These jobs let you earn money and spend time with furry friends.
Pet Sitting and Doggie Daycare Opportunities
In-home pet sitting is a favorite choice. You take care of pets in their own homes when their owners are away. Prices for home visits range from $20 to $30. For overnight stays, you can charge more.
There are websites like Rover and Care.com that connect pet owners with sitters. They take a cut of what you earn, though.
Running a doggie daycare from home is another option. It lets you give pets a safe and fun place to be while their owners work. Getting the right licenses and insurance costs about $100 to $500. But, you can make a good income.
Becoming a Professional Dog Walker
If you like being outside and getting active, consider being a professional dog walker. Apps like Wag! and Rover help you find clients nearby. You keep all your earnings and tips. Dog walkers usually make $10 to $15 an hour.
“Pet sitting is a great way to earn extra income while doing something I love – spending time with animals. The flexibility and ability to work around my schedule is a major perk.”
Pet care services are perfect for those who love animals. Use platforms like Rover, Wag!, and Care.com to find pet owners. This way, you can make money and cuddle with furry friends.
Tech Setup Services: The Gig for Techies
If you’re into tech, offering tech setup and support services can be a great side job. You can help people set up their home networks and smart home installations. You can also fix computers and help with mobile phones. Getting tech certifications and using sites like HelloTech and TaskRabbit can boost your reputation.
The gig economy has created many chances for tech experts to make extra money. In 2017, “gig” freelancers made up about 34 percent of the workforce. This number is expected to jump to 43 percent by 2022. This shows the growing need for specialized tech services.
One big plus of tech setup services is how flexible it is. You can work whenever you want, pick the projects you like, and even add handyman apps and in-home tech services. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says web developers made almost $70,000 a year in 2017. They also expect a 15 percent job growth until 2026, showing the strong job prospects in this field.
| Service | Average Hourly Rate (Upwork) |
|---|---|
| Web Development | $15 – $30 |
| Mobile App Development | $18 – $39 |
| Graphic Design | $15 – $35 |
| Social Media Management | $14 – $35 |
| SEO Consulting | $15 – $35 |
| Blogging and Content Creation | $15 – $40 |
| Online Tutoring and Coaching | $16 – $30 |
| Quality Assurance Testing | $12 – $20 |
| Digital Marketing and Advertising | $15 – $45 |
| Tech Support | $10 – $19 |
By using your tech certifications and skills, you can enter a growing market and make good money with tech setup services. You can specialize in smart home setups, computer fixes, or full in-home tech services. The chances are many, and you can earn a lot.
Blogging: Share Your Passion and Earn
Blogging is a great way to make money from your hobbies. Pick a topic you love and know a lot about. This way, you can make content that draws people in and pays off.
Choosing a Niche and Building an Audience
Start by finding a niche you’re really into, like travel, food, or fashion. Then, keep making great content that teaches, entertains, and helps your readers. Use social media and other ways to get your blog out there and grow your followers.
Monetizing Through Ads and Affiliate Marketing
With a big audience, you can make money in different ways. Use ad networks like Tap Influence and Clever Girls Collective for ads. Affiliate marketing lets you earn by promoting products you believe in. Check out Share-A-Sale and Amazon for affiliate programs.
You can also make money with sidebar ads and Passionfruit Ads for sponsorships. Many bloggers sell e-books, courses, and digital products. They also host workshops and speak at events.
Being consistent is crucial in blogging. Try to post new stuff often, whether it’s daily, weekly, or just a few times a month. This keeps your readers coming back and helps your blog get noticed. Tools like the Editorial Calendar plugin can help you stay on track.
“Blogging is an excellent way to turn your passion into a profitable side hustle.” – [Your Name]
Senior Sitting and Companion Services
The number of older adults is growing fast, making in-home senior care more needed than ever. This is a great chance for people to earn more by helping older adults with companionship and support. By offering these services, you can change lives and make more money.
Providing Companionship and Care
Senior sitting and companion services cover many tasks. They include helping with daily tasks, giving emotional support, and giving a break to main caregivers. Some main jobs in this role are:
- Talking with seniors, playing games, and doing hobbies together
- Going with seniors on errands, to appointments, or outings
- Helping with simple housework, cooking, and remembering to take medicine
- Providing transport and making sure seniors are safe and well
- Giving a break to family caregivers, so they can rest
Getting CPR and ADL training can make you look more credible in this field. It shows you’re serious about giving good care. It also helps you deal with emergencies and help seniors with everyday tasks better.
Using apps like Care.com and Papa.com to market your services can connect you with seniors and their families. They are looking for trustworthy, reliable help and support at home.
| Service | Average Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Senior Sitting | $15 – $25 |
| Companion Services | $18 – $30 |
| CPR and ADL Training | Varies |
By offering senior sitting and companion services, you can earn more and positively impact older adults in your area. With the right skills, training, and marketing, this can be a rewarding side job.
Babysitting and Child Care: A Classic Side Gig
Babysitting and in-home child care are great side hustles for those who love being around kids. You don’t need a special certificate, but a course from the American Red Cross can make you stand out. It shows you’re serious about giving top-notch care.
You can find babysitting jobs on apps like Care.com, Sittercity, and UrbanSitter. Or, you can make your own way to find families needing babysitting, in-home child care, or childcare services.
The usual babysitting rate is between $8 and $12 an hour. In places like New York City, you might earn $15 or more. You can make more money by offering extra services like tutoring or staying overnight.
- Gain experience by babysitting for family and friends, volunteering, or working at a daycare.
- Set your rates based on your experience, the number of kids, and extra tasks you do.
- Be ready for emergencies and have fun activities to keep the kids happy.
- Build a good reputation with reliable care to get more work and referrals.
Babysitting and in-home child care are flexible and can pay well. They’re perfect for those who want to earn extra and spend time with kids.
Personal Assistant: The Jack of All Trades
In today’s fast-paced world, many professionals are swamped with daily tasks and errands. They need help with everything from grocery shopping to dog walking. That’s where personal assistants come in, offering support and letting these professionals focus on their main work.
Remote work has made virtual assistants more in demand. Businesses want to save money and work smarter. By being a personal assistant, you can make extra money on your own terms. Websites like Thumbtack.com and TaskRabbit.com help you find clients and show off your skills in managing tasks and errands.
Handling Errands and Tasks for Busy Professionals
As a personal assistant, you’ll be a “jack of all trades.” You’ll handle many different tasks. This could include:
- Scheduling appointments and managing calendars
- Coordinating travel and transportation
- Doing research and making reports
- Organizing files and databases
- Running errands like grocery shopping or picking up dry cleaning
- Helping with executive-level tasks
Employers look for personal assistants with certain skills. They want people who are organized, can solve problems, and know technology. They also want those with good communication skills, discretion, and creativity. By improving these skills, you can be a valuable personal assistant.
If you want to make extra money or start a new career, being a personal assistant is a great choice. It’s flexible and offers many opportunities. With gig and payments apps, you can easily find busy professionals who need your help.
Mobile Car Washing and Detailing
The mobile car washing and detailing industry is a great side hustle for those eager to use their skills and entrepreneurial drive. It offers a chance to provide on-site car care services. This meets the growing need for professional vehicle maintenance and cleaning. You can work with individuals or local businesses to keep their fleet vehicles in top shape, making it a rewarding way to earn extra money.
Offering Convenient On-Site Services
To start in the mobile car washing and detailing business, you’ll need some key tools and equipment. You’ll need a portable water tank, a pressure washer with a lower psi (about 1000) to protect the vehicle’s paint, and a generator with 2000W to 3000W power to run your gear. Also, you’ll need waxing supplies like spray, liquid, or paste waxes, along with waxing equipment like orbital polishers for full detailing services.
This side hustle is attractive because it has low startup costs and minimal overhead. Focusing on mobile car washing and car detailing, you can offer premium services like paint correction film and ceramic coating. This lets you charge more and increase your earnings.
To find customers and grow your business, use your personal network and affordable marketing tactics. This includes business cards, vehicle graphics, logos, websites, and custom clothing. Mobile car wash apps can also connect you with customers and help manage your fleet vehicle washing and employee perk services.
| Equipment | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Portable Water Tank (60-300 gallons) | $200 – $800 |
| Pressure Washer (1000 psi) | $300 – $600 |
| Generator (2000W – 3000W) | $500 – $800 |
| Waxing Supplies (Spray, Liquid, Paste) | $50 – $200 |
| Orbital Polisher | $100 – $300 |
With the right side hustle tools and equipment, you can stand out as a professional detailer. You’ll deliver top-notch services to your clients, building a successful mobile car washing and detailing business.
Handyman Services: Fix It and Profit
If you’re good at fixing things and like to help your neighbors, think about starting a handyman side hustle. You can make extra money by doing tasks like installing light fixtures, hanging ceiling fans, and fixing minor plumbing. To protect you and your clients, think about getting insured and bonded. But, this isn’t always needed.
Platforms like Thumbtack.com, TaskRabbit, and Angi can help you find and manage handyman gigs in your area.
Handyman services can be very profitable, with some services earning over $100 per hour. But, remember, you’ll have to pay self-employment taxes at 15.3%. The most popular home improvement tasks lately have been simple repairs, yard work, and mounting jobs. Not as many people need plumbing or electrical work done.
To do well as a handyman, mix specialized skills with easy tasks. Some states require things like liability insurance, certifications, and a contractor’s license for certain services. So, make sure to check and follow your local laws.
| Key Considerations for Handyman Services | Recommended Approaches |
|---|---|
| Pricing Strategies | Use the “Cost Based Pricing” method to set your hourly rates. Think about your costs and non-billable hours. |
| Marketing and Promotion | Use online listings, word-of-mouth, flyers, and a website to find clients. |
| Customer Service | Give great service to get repeat customers, referrals, and good reviews. |
By using your handyman skills and the right tools and strategies, you can make your home repair skills into a profitable side job. You’ll help your local community and increase your income.
Virtual Assistant: Remote Earning Potential
As a virtual assistant, you can offer many digital support services to busy people from home. You might schedule appointments, manage emails, enter data, book travel, and do other tasks. You just need a good computer, fast internet, and strong skills in organizing and talking to people. This job lets you work from anywhere and customize your services for your clients.
Providing Digital Support and Services
FlexJobs says there are 50 careers that let you make money from home, full-time, part-time, or freelance. Virtual assistants are in high demand, with lots of tasks and good pay. Let’s dive into what virtual assistants do:
- Virtual assistants can start at $10-$50 an hour, with most starting at $18.
- Skills like admin, design, or marketing can earn $25–$40 an hour. Skills like graphics or WordPress can make $30–$50 an hour.
- Skills like web design or SEO should be at least $50 an hour.
- Working 40 hours a week at $30 an hour can make $4,800 a month before taxes. Using subcontractors can increase this to $5,400 a month.
- With more subcontractors, higher rates, or premium packages, you can earn $5,000-$10,000 a month.
Starting a virtual assistant business is affordable, with chances to work for free at first. Later, you can invest in tools and courses to improve your skills and services. With the right strategy, you can unlock the remote earning potential of this flexible side job.
“85% of potential clients were positive when a virtual assistant lacked experience with a particular software but expressed the willingness to learn.”
easy ways to make money on the side
There are many ways to make extra money on the side. You can sell items you don’t use or make crafts online. Or, you can take paid surveys online. There are many options for different interests and skills.
If you know about tech, you can offer setup services or be a virtual assistant. Creative people can sell their skills on Fiverr. Pet lovers can make money by taking care of pets, like walking dogs or sitting for them.
- Sell unused items and handmade crafts online
- Participate in paid online surveys
- Offer tech setup services
- Work as a virtual assistant
- Monetize creative hobbies on Fiverr
- Provide pet care services (dog walking, pet sitting)
It’s important to look at different options that match your interests and lifestyle. This way, you can find the best side hustle for you. Whether you want to make extra cash, create passive income, or try new hobbies, there are many ways to do it.
| Side Hustle Opportunity | Potential Earnings |
|---|---|
| UserTesting or TryMyUI | $10-$120 per test |
| Foap | Up to $10 per photo |
| Shipt | Up to $22 per hour |
| Wrapify | $264-$452 per month for a full car wrap |
| Rover and Wag | Set your own fees, with a percentage taken |
| Babysitting | $15-$25 per hour |
“The key is to explore a variety of opportunities that align with your interests, skills, and lifestyle to find the best fit for your side hustle goals.”
Selling Unused Items and Crafts Online
In today’s digital world, selling items you don’t use and making crafts has become a great way to earn extra money. By using popular e-commerce sites and online marketplaces, you can turn your items or crafts into a steady income.
Platforms for Selling Goods and Handmade Products
There are many sites like eBay and Etsy, and even Facebook Marketplace for selling your goods online. These sites make it easy to list, manage, and fulfill orders. This makes selling your items online simpler than ever.
If you like making things, Etsy is a top choice for selling your handmade items. You can sell things like jewelry, home decor, personalized gifts, and clothes. eBay and Facebook Marketplace let you sell a wide range of items, from electronics and clothes to furniture and sports gear.
These platforms connect you with customers all over the world. This means you could grow your side hustle into a big online business. With low costs to start and the ease of selling from home, these sites are a great way to earn passive income from reselling and selling crafts online.
| Platform | Ideal for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Etsy | Handmade crafts, vintage items, and unique creations |
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| eBay | New, used, and vintage items across a wide range of categories |
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| Facebook Marketplace | Local and community-based sales of new, used, and handmade items |
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By checking out these e-commerce platforms and online marketplaces, you can find many ways to sell unused items and crafts online. This can turn your hobbies and items into a profitable side job.
Gig Economy Apps: On-Demand Earning
The rise of the gig economy has brought many side hustle options. Apps like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and TaskRabbit let you earn by providing rides, delivering food, and doing tasks. These side hustles are flexible and can help increase your income. They tap into the growing need for on-demand services in your area.
Uber Eats drivers can earn $15 – $20+ per hour. Instacart shoppers make about $13 – $25 per hour. Top Rover walkers and sitters can earn over $1,000 a month. TaskRabbit workers can make $20 – $40 per hour for different tasks.
These gig economy apps offer great flexibility. You can work when you want, as much as you want, and earn extra money. Whether you like ridesharing, delivering food, or doing tasks, there’s a platform for you.
| Gig Economy App | Average Earnings | Services Offered |
|---|---|---|
| Uber Eats | $15 – $20+ per hour | Food Delivery |
| Instacart | $13 – $25 per hour | Grocery Delivery |
| Rover | $15 – $25 per hour (top earners over $1,000/month) | Pet Sitting and Walking |
| TaskRabbit | $20 – $40 per hour | Task-Based Services |
These gig economy apps offer convenience and good earnings. It’s easy to see why they’re so popular for those looking for flexible side hustles and on-demand earning chances.
“The rise of the gig economy has opened up a world of opportunities for individuals to earn extra income on their own terms.”
Conclusion
This guide has shown many ways to make extra money on the side. You can try freelancing, pet care, blogging, handyman work, or virtual assistance. These options can help you earn more and gain financial freedom. By using your skills and interests, you can find the perfect side job for you.
Looking to earn more, save money, or become financially independent? This article has many side hustle ideas for you. You can use your talents and passions to start a business. This way, you can reach your financial goals and balance your work and life.
Trying out these side hustle strategies can increase your income and make you feel fulfilled. It can also help you grow professionally. So, go ahead and see what you can do. Start your journey to financial freedom and a better work-life balance today.