Side hustles offer a chance to increase your income while also allowing you to experiment with business ideas without significant upfront expenses or time commitments. Whether in-person or online, there are numerous successful side hustle options available, increasing the likelihood of finding one that suits you.
20 Side Hustle Ideas To Make Extra Money In 2023
1. Freelancing
Freelancing is a proven method for earning additional money and should be considered among the top easy side hustle ideas. Freelancers complete projects for one or more clients and can choose when to work. There is a high demand for freelance graphic designers, writers, editors, and website developers, and other fields also offer freelance opportunities. Individuals with skills in mechanics, bookkeeping, video editing, interior decorating, and even real estate can find flexible project-based work.
When it comes to costs and platforms, you have the option to promote your freelance skills to your personal network at no charge through email and social media platforms. Additionally, you can access potential clients through freelancer portals like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.com, where they take care of project management and payments on your behalf. Showcasing your skills on your own website not only adds a professional touch but also allows you to provide convenient online invoicing and payments through Square or another online payment provider.
2. Pet-Sitting And Doggie Daycare
A pet-sitting side gig is perfect for those who adore animals and is simple to establish and advertise. You have the option to offer care for pets in their own homes while their owners are away for work or vacation, or accommodate pets in your own home for temporary or extended periods. It is important to research the regulations and permits required by your local state or municipality. Additionally, you can generate extra revenue by promoting pet insurance to your clients.
When it comes to costs and platforms, in-home care is relatively inexpensive. However, if you choose to provide care in your own home, you may need to spend money on kennels or gates for the initial setup. To find clients and handle jobs, you can utilize well-known pet-sitting apps like Rover or Care.com. Alternatively, you have the option to create your own booking and payment system using Square’s complimentary tools.
3. Dog Walking
If you love dogs but have limited free time for pet sitting or lack the space for a doggie daycare, a dog-walking service could be the perfect side hustle for you. It is a convenient way to earn additional income, allowing you to easily incorporate it into your busy schedule. Moreover, it provides the advantage of getting exercise while making some extra money.
When it comes to costs and platforms, the expenses are usually minimal as owners typically furnish leashes. However, you may consider purchasing a few leashes and waste bags. If you reside in urban areas, you have the option to discover dog walking opportunities through platforms like Wag!, TimetoPet, and Rover. Alternatively, you can handle your own appointment scheduling and payment management using Square’s complimentary tools.
4. Tech Setup Services
Do you possess expertise in setting up home networks, smart home devices, computers, and cell phones? By promoting these skills through social media and handyman apps, you can effortlessly earn additional money. Additionally, you can enhance your credibility for in-home services by acquiring tech certifications and offering insurance and bonding.
When it comes to costs and platforms, there are minimal startup and ongoing expenses. However, you may need to procure some tools to assist with installations. You have the option to utilize handyman apps like HelloTech and TaskRabbit to discover and handle job assignments or establish your own booking and payment system through Square.
5. Blogging
If you have a passion for writing and sharing information, you may want to consider creating a blog that caters to a specific interest, such as travel, food, beauty, or fashion. As your blog gains followers, you can generate income by displaying advertisements or participating in affiliate sales. Advertisements can earn money based on the number of views or clicks they receive, while affiliate sales reward you for promoting and facilitating customer purchases through links. When someone clicks on an affiliate link and completes a purchase, you receive a commission payment.
When considering costs and platforms, it is anticipated that you will need to allocate $50 to $100 annually for operating a simple blog. It will be necessary to acquire a domain and construct a blog website by utilizing either a WordPress hosting service or a web builder platform like Wix or Squarespace. These platforms provide convenient design tools and appealing blog templates, eliminating the need to hire a designer or developer.
6. Senior Sitting and Companion
Due to the progress in in-home senior care, an increasing number of families are choosing to have their elderly loved ones stay at home. This provides potential chances for individuals seeking additional income to take up side jobs as companions or sitters, filling in when the main caregivers are absent. To enhance the trustworthiness of your services, it is advisable to undergo CPR and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) training.
When it comes to costs and platforms, this side hustle is highly affordable. You have the option to promote your services and handle clients through care-based apps like Care.com, Sittercity, and Papa.com. Alternatively, you can establish your own system for scheduling appointments and receiving payments with the help of Square.
7. Babysitting and Child Care
Babysitting and providing child care at home are popular and lucrative options for earning additional income during your free time or according to a fixed schedule. Although certification is not mandatory in many places, the American Red Cross provides online and in-person courses for babysitting certification. These courses cover CPR, first aid, and strategies for managing behavior, enhancing your credibility in this field.
Babysitting, which is another affordable side job, can be promoted and organized using apps like Care.com, Sittercity, and UrbanSitter. Alternatively, you can create your own system for scheduling and receiving payments by utilizing Square.
8. Personal Assistant
Many professionals who have a busy schedule require assistance with their day-to-day tasks. They often prefer having a single person manage all their responsibilities instead of using multiple service apps. For individuals who enjoy completing tasks on a to-do list, such as grocery shopping, picking up dry cleaning, walking dogs, and transporting children, this presents a fantastic opportunity as a side hustle.
Costs and platforms: Launching a personal assistant side hustle can be done with minimal expenses. Nevertheless, if you reside in nonurban areas, it is likely that owning a vehicle will be necessary. Some popular gig and payments applications for offering personal assistant services are Thumbtack.com and TaskRabbit.com. Alternatively, you have the option to create your own booking and payment system using Square.
9. Mobile Car Washing and Detailing
Car washing is a feasible way to earn extra income and is perfect for individuals who enjoy working outside. One can provide this service to individuals at their residences or partner with local businesses that own fleet vehicles or wish to provide weekly car washes as a benefit for their employees.
To start this side hustle idea, the main expenses are the necessary cleaning tools, a durable hose and nozzle, and a vehicle. The leading mobile car wash gig and payment applications such as MobileWash and Spiffy can be used, or you can establish your own system for managing bookings and payments through Square.
10. Local Handyman
Do you often get called first by your friends to fix a light switch or install a ceiling fan? Utilize your handyman skills during your free time and assist your neighbors with their home improvement projects. If you want to ensure your own safety and enhance your credibility, you have the option to get insured and bonded, although it is usually not mandatory in many areas.
When it comes to costs and platforms, the expenses for this side job are low, especially if you already possess the necessary tools. To promote and handle gigs and payments, you can utilize handyman apps like Thumbtack.com, TaskRabbit, and Angi. Alternatively, you can establish your own bookings and payments via Square.
11. Virtual Assistant
If you are organized and tech-savvy, becoming a virtual assistant is an ideal way to make money from home in your spare time. Virtual assistants offer personal assistant services in the digital world, tackling tasks such as appointment scheduling, managing customer emails, handling travel bookings, completing data entry, and much more.
The only costs you will have for this side job are a dependable computer and internet connection. You can utilize virtual assistant apps such as TaskRabbit, ChatterBoss, and Upwork to promote your services and handle tasks and payments. Alternatively, you can use Square to handle bookings and payments.
12. Sell at Local Markets and Festivals
Selling unique items that they either source or create themselves, many side hustlers focused on products make a profit by selling at local markets and fairs. This side hustle can be time-consuming due to the time required for traveling to markets and setting up. However, if you enjoy socializing and interacting with people, it can be a great way to earn extra money. Additionally, you can utilize these in-person sales opportunities to increase brand recognition and promote your online store and social media platforms, thereby attracting sales even when you are not physically present at the market.
Startup costs for in-person product sales can vary from a few hundred dollars to thousands, as you will need to have inventory for your booth. In order to reduce your initial investment, you can choose suppliers that allow returns of unsold items or offer custom-order products that don’t require a large inventory. Faire is a great platform for finding unique resale and private label items that also supports returns of unsold stock. Additionally, you can create a free Square account to accept card payments in-person, keep track of sales using a mobile POS system, and integrate with your own Square e-commerce website.
13. Tutoring and Instruction
Are you skilled in academics, music, fine arts, or sports? There is always a demand for tutors and personal instructors, which allows for various flexible side hustle opportunities. You can offer in-person and virtual instruction services to parents searching for convenient sessions for their children, but don’t overlook adult students. Adults are eager to broaden their horizons and can often attend sessions during school hours to accommodate your side hustle schedule.
When it comes to costs and platforms, in most cases, the initial expenses are low. You can make use of various apps and online platforms like Wyzant, Skooli, and TakeLessons.com to promote your services and handle job opportunities and payments. Alternatively, you have the option to handle bookings and payments personally using Square.
14. Self-Publishing Ebooks
If you can come up with a creative story or provide instructions on a certain task, self-publishing ebooks can be a great way for writers to make extra money. Even if you’re not a skilled writer, you can still take advantage of this opportunity by hiring ghostwriters and editors to finish and enhance your work. Afterwards, you can easily publish your book on platforms like Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble Press, Lulu, and other ebook platforms. Then, all you have to do is wait for the royalties to start coming in.
When self-publishing ebooks, the costs can be kept low if you handle the writing and cover art yourself. However, many writers prefer to hire professionals for cover design and editing, spending more than $100 per title. Ghostwriters may charge $200 or more based on the length and topic of the book. While publishing on most ebook platforms is free, these platforms take a percentage of the sale price and additional expenses are incurred for marketing.
15. Online Courses and Coaching
Do you possess a specific field of expertise? If so, you have the opportunity to capitalize on your knowledge by developing and selling online courses and coaching programs during your free time. With the help of user-friendly and affordable online course platforms, this is a feasible side job that can be easily initiated. Additionally, when coupled with social media marketing, ebooks, YouTube promotions, and blogging, these online courses and coaching side hustles have the potential to become a profitable business.
When it comes to costs and platforms, online course platforms like Udemy, Thinkific, and Podia provide guidance on creating courses and offer personalized coaching. They usually charge monthly fees or take a portion of the course fee when you make a sale. Another option is to incorporate online courses and members-only content into website platforms such as WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, and others to establish your own branded platform.
16. Digital Product Sales
Are you someone who possesses a knack for creativity? An alternative side hustle idea that requires minimal to no financial investment is to engage in the creation and sale of digital products during your leisure hours. The market for items such as digital artwork, logos, music, photography, video, and website design templates is thriving. By producing these items digitally and making them available for purchase through your personal website, social media platforms, and various digital product marketplaces, you can generate a profit.
When it comes to costs and platforms, there are various options available for creating digital products. These include utilizing your own graphic, photo, video, or music software, as well as utilizing free online platforms like Canva, PhotoPea, and the Garageband app. Once you have created your digital products, you can monetize them by selling them on your own website or an Etsy store. Additionally, you can upload your creations to numerous creative marketplaces such as Canva, Envato Market, Creative Fabrica, Shutterstock, iTunes, SoundCloud, and many others.
17. YouTube Channel
YouTube side hustles offer individuals the opportunity to earn money during their free time by sharing their knowledge, discussing current affairs, or providing entertainment. The utilization of YouTube is free of charge, and you can start earning money from your videos once you have attained a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and an average of 4,000 watch hours annually. While achieving this milestone may require some time, it is achievable to generate a substantial monthly income through consistent effort. Numerous devoted side hustlers have successfully transformed their YouTube channels into lucrative full-time careers.
YouTube does not charge any fees for membership and enables users to upload an unlimited number of videos at no cost. Additionally, individuals can make use of a smartphone with a decent camera and various free video editing applications like iMovie, Loom, Canva, and AdobeSpark to create videos without incurring any expenses. To expand your YouTube channel’s reach, you can take advantage of inexpensive YouTube advertisements and promote your videos on your blog and social media profiles.
18. Viral Social Media Creator
If you know how to create it, viral social media content can come in many forms and allow you to make money. Popular platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram offer creator programs that enable you to monetize various content such as edgy entertainment shorts, informative how-to videos, and commentary. Earning money requires a large number of views, but it is an enjoyable and low-cost side hustle idea with significant income potential.
Costs and platforms: You can participate in this side hustle opportunity without spending any money. Joining social media platforms is free and allows you to upload unlimited posts and videos. In addition, many platforms offer their own free tools to create posts and videos, requiring only a cell phone with a camera to begin.
19. Influencer Marketing
In order to establish a brand, successful influencer marketers create engaging content on various platforms like an affiliate website, blog, podcast channel, social media accounts, and a YouTube channel. These influencers generate income by utilizing diverse types of content, including product reviews and recommendations, entertaining videos, helpful tips and techniques, provocative social commentary, and numerous other forms.
One can create an influencer brand as a part-time venture and generate income through affiliate links, advertising revenue, and sponsored content. Additionally, videos can be monetized once they reach specific levels of viewership and followers. For instance, on YouTube, earning money necessitates having 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of views annually. On Facebook Reels, profiles must accumulate 100,000 reel plays within a 30-day period in order to receive payment.
When starting an influencer side hustle on social media and YouTube, there are no costs involved as these accounts are free. Additionally, you have the option to create a website and blog at no or minimal expense using platforms like WordPress, SquareSpace, Wix, and others. As you progress, you can enhance your storage space and add more features by upgrading these platforms.
20. Create a Podcast
Podcasting is a well-liked idea for a side gig that requires minimal to zero expenses and is simple to initiate and develop. Podcasts refer to previously recorded audio files that you create, modify, and upload to podcasting platforms, enabling listeners to conveniently access them. It is possible to generate income from podcasts by incorporating advertisements, sponsored content, affiliate links within the podcast descriptions, and paid subscription models.
When it comes to costs and platforms, you have the option to utilize the built-in audio recording apps on your smartphone, tablet, or computer in order to record and edit a podcast. Afterwards, you can proceed to upload them onto various platforms such as iTunes, Anchor, Buzzsprout, and others by creating your own channels. Some of these platforms provide free plans, while the majority offer premium paid plans which enable you to generate income through paid listener subscriptions, downloads, and sharing revenues from advertisements.
How to Start A Side Hustle
With the increase in inflation, more individuals are considering ways to earn additional money to offset the impact. A potential solution could be engaging in a side hustle, particularly if you possess a valuable skill that can be converted into income by dedicating your spare time. If you’re unsure about how to begin a side hustle, this article provides valuable information, expert advice, and recommendations to help you initiate the process.
5 Tips from the Experts on How to Start a Side Hustle
Beginning a side business can be intimidating, but fortunately, numerous professionals have experienced this journey firsthand and can provide guidance on initiating the process. The subsequent set of five tips will furnish you with a clear understanding of commencing your innovative business concept.
1. Choose a side hustle that matches your skills and interests.
Prior to starting a side hustle, it is necessary to carefully consider the specific undertaking. In order to achieve success, your side hustle should align with your skills and interests. For example, if you excel in writing but have no passion for it, attempting to earn income as a freelance writer is probably not the most suitable choice.
Start by creating a inventory of your likes and strengths. Is there any intersection between your preferences and abilities? For instance, if you excel at utilizing photo editing programs and have an affinity for graphic design, freelance designing could be an ideal side job for you. If you have a fondness for walking and a passion for dogs, trying your hand at becoming a dog walker may be worth considering. On the other hand, if driving gives you joy, exploring opportunities as a rideshare driver for Uber or Lyft, or even as a DoorDash driver or Instacart shopper could be the way to go.
After generating a few side hustle ideas, the next step is to determine the initial steps for getting them off the ground.
2. Determine your time commitment.
If you currently have a full-time job, you should think about the amount of your free time you are willing to dedicate. Devoting excessive time at the beginning can result in burnout, reducing the chances of your side hustle being successful. However, if you do not allocate enough time, you may not earn the desired amount of money.
Take note of your schedule over the course of a few weeks and search for recurring patterns. Do you discover that you consistently spend a few hours every evening scrolling through social media while watching TV? Rather than utilizing that time for such activity, you could dedicate it towards your side hustle.
3. Make a strong business plan.
After determining your preferred method of earning extra money, the next step is to formulate a business plan that addresses the necessary requirements for the success of your side hustle. Keep in mind that these requirements may evolve as you begin generating additional income, and thus, it is important to remain open-minded and adaptable to modifications in your ideas.
By beginning with an executive summary, you can determine two essential elements: a description of your business activities and the issues you aim to address. Are there many individuals in your social circle who encounter difficulties in locating pet care services while being away? Embarking on a pet-sitting venture could alleviate their concerns while providing you with an additional source of income.
Afterward, determine the specific customer demographic you aim to reach and devise strategies to locate and expand your customer base. Recommendations from satisfied customers have a significant impact, but it may be necessary to invest resources and effort in a marketing strategy to attract additional customers. Utilizing social media can be immensely advantageous in this regard: creating a business page is cost-free, and you can initiate by inviting your friends to endorse your business and assist you in garnering attention.
To ensure you are well-prepared, it is essential to familiarize yourself with your competitors. If you are contemplating launching an online marketing business for small enterprises, it is advisable to research similar businesses to identify their target audience and pricing strategies. If you discover a specific niche in the market that requires specialized marketing services, it might be advantageous to pursue that direction in order to differentiate yourself from competitors.
Ultimately, you will need to calculate the amount of money required to establish your business. If your intention is to work independently as a writer, designer, or marketer, it is probable that you already possess all the necessary tools. However, if you are contemplating starting a meal prep business, your initial investment may entail purchasing some professional kitchen equipment.
