Are you considering starting a side hustle? Perhaps you imagine quitting your job one day to take your business full-time, or maybe you just need to make a little extra money in your spare time. When launching a successful side hustle, there are several foundational things you should have in place.
Before we proceed with the process of initiating a side hustle, let’s first discuss the definition of a side hustle and the advantages it offers.
What exactly is a side hustle and how can it benefit you?
A side hustle is an extra job or source of income that is created in addition to a main job. Side hustles offer advantages by enabling individuals to increase their earnings while using and developing other money-making abilities, all while having the freedom to work on their own terms.
By having a successful side hustle, there are endless possibilities for how much you can earn. Having additional income allows you to save, strategically manage your debt, or fulfill your desire to go on a desired vacation.
In order to fully benefit from starting a side hustle, it is crucial to have a well-structured plan. Furthermore, it is important to begin with the most suitable hustle idea for oneself.
Side hustle ideas we recommend
Monetize a YouTube channel
With over two billion users, YouTube witnesses the streaming of 250 million hours of videos daily. It requires significant time and effort to cultivate a substantial audience for YouTube ads to generate profits, hence it is advisable to explore alternative revenue streams rather than solely relying on ads. Fortunately, there exist numerous methods to make money on YouTube that extend beyond paid advertisements.
Sell digital products
Digital products encompass any intangible assets that exist within the realm of the digital sphere. These specific products are commonly accessible through downloading or streaming and encompass various file formats such as MP3s, PDFs, videos, and templates. In the case of individuals in the music industry, their compositions are consistently sought after for implementation in movies and advertising campaigns.
Websites are consistently searching for fresh fonts and graphics to enhance their visual appeal, which is an opportunity for graphic designers. These digital products may involve various items such as educational materials, audio files (such as stock sound effects or music), digital templates, and others.
Become an IRL or online tutor
Teaching presents one of the most fulfilling chances to individuals, and can be easily done online through platforms such as Cambly, TutorOcean, Preply, and Learn to Be. It has become so trendy among student freelancers in universities that services like tutoring and exam preparation are in high demand, leading to a projected annual growth rate of 6% in the test-prep market until 2027.
Deliver packages
Anyone who has spare time and a vehicle can enroll with Amazon Flex to deliver packages. Amazon Flex offers a convenient opportunity to earn additional income. The scheduling of work is flexible, where drivers can choose the time blocks they want and receive as many or as few delivery assignments as they can accommodate.
Start a podcast
Since their inception, podcasts have grown increasingly popular every year, just like social media and blogging, making them an integral part of the wider online content landscape.
Podcasting is also inexpensive. A USB microphone designed for podcasting can be bought for less than $100, and recording platforms such as Audacity are both free and user-friendly.
Design and sell your own t-shirts
If you have a passion for design and want to try your hand at entrepreneurship, print-on-demand businesses can be enjoyable and low-risk. With Shopify apps like Printful, Printify, and Gelato, you can effortlessly upload your unique designs onto t-shirts. These designs are then printed and shipped when someone makes a purchase, eliminating the need for upfront investment in large inventory.
Offer pet sitting and dog walking services
Nowadays, individuals consider their pets as part of their family which has resulted in an increasing need for trustworthy individuals to look after their beloved furry companions. In previous times, the most challenging aspect of becoming a dog walker or pet sitter was locating clients. However, thanks to the availability of apps such as Rover, Wag!, PetSitter.com, and PetBacker, it has become simpler than ever to discover deserving clients seeking assistance.
Become a rideshare driver
Nowadays, individuals have multiple choices if they wish to become a driver for a rideshare firm. They have the option to work for well-established companies such as Uber or Lyft. Additionally, there are alternative options available that cater to specific requirements or cities, such as ZIRO primarily operating in San Francisco or Wingz specializing in providing transportation to and from airports.
Deliver groceries and other items
If you like driving but don’t always like having strangers in your car, you have the option to register as a driver for grocery delivery apps such as Instacart or Spark Driver (Walmart’s delivery app) to find side-jobs in grocery delivery.
Food delivery has experienced a rise in popularity in recent years, much like grocery delivery. It is a simple side job to begin, as there are various apps such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, Postmates, SkipTheDishes (available only in Canada), and Menulog (available only in Australia and New Zealand), where you can register to work as a driver.
Tips for starting a side hustle
Finding the ideal side hustle to earn some additional money is only one aspect of the challenge; it is equally important to determine which business aligns with your lifestyle.
Included in the details for starting your side gig are how to start a side hustle and the rules and laws to follow.
Determine how much time you have
When starting a side hustle, it is essential to consider the amount of spare time you have. Are your evenings mostly available, or are you already overwhelmed with commitments and find it challenging to allocate a few hours per week for personal activities?
If you have a few hours each day to dedicate to your side hustle, you can choose an option that demands a higher time commitment consistently. However, if your spare time is limited, you may opt for something that generates mostly passive income once it is established.
Pick something that interests you
Consider your interests. As your full-time job likely consumes most of your energy, it’s crucial to find a side gig that excites you in the long run. Opt for something that you find enjoyable or comes easily to you.
If you have a passion for freelance marketing, a possible career path you could pursue is becoming a social media marketer. Seek out opportunities that align with your strengths and interests.
Let your hobbies guide you
If you’re unsure of where to start, consider looking at your hobbies for inspiration. For instance, if you have a passion for writing, baking, gardening, or organizing and cleaning, explore the possibility of turning any of these activities into a niche business opportunity that can generate income for you.
Start by brainstorming and listing various hobbies or interests. Afterwards, identify and mark the hobbies that generate income or have the potential for earning money. Proceed with the selected hobbies to further explore their income-generating possibilities.
Decide the amount of money you want to earn
It may be simple to express a desire for additional monthly income, but what exact amount qualifies as “a little extra”? Take into account various financial goals and the specific amount of money required to attain them.
If you want to pay off debt, consider how much additional income you will need. Alternatively, if you are interested in buying a new car, determine the associated cost. Having an idea of your desired income can assist in deciding which side hustle to pursue.
Participating in online surveys or providing dog walking services can generate a monthly income of a few hundred dollars.
Suppose you aim to either replace your current salary or exceed it, then you should begin by establishing a side hustle that can gradually become your full-time occupation.
