"Side Hustles That Actually Work: Find Your Next Income Stream Today"

What Is a Side Hustle?

A side hustle is a business or job that an individual pursues on top of their primary occupation, often with the main goal of earning some extra income. It's a concept that has gained significant traction in recent years due, in large part, to the seemingly infinite possibilities available in today’s digital era–and a growing desire (and need) to make extra money.

Today, side hustles come in many shapes and sizes — from starting a small business and selling products online to freelancing, consulting, or providing niche services. But no matter what type of side gig you pursue, they usually all have a few major things in common:

• Give you the flexibility to pursue opportunities outside of your regular 9-to-5 job

• Help you diversify your income streams, make good money and earn passive income

• Add an enhanced sense of financial security during uncertain economic times

So, with side hustle culture becoming more and more popular, how do you know where to start? What makes a good side gig? And what are some top jobs you should consider? If you’re ready to expand your entrepreneurial horizons, this article breaks down some of the key things you need to land a side hustle you love.

What Makes a Great Side Hustle

Ask anyone what they like most about having a side hustle, and they’ll most likely give you two reasons: More freedom to work on what you want, when you want, and having an outlet to earn some extra income. But, when it comes to choosing a great side hustle, there’s a little more to it than that.

Before you dive in, here are the top three categories you should always keep in mind as you search for the perfect business idea and side gig:

1. Time: How long does it take to start up this side gig? Is this something that you can get up and running quickly, or will it take some significant time investment?

2. Profitability: What kind of return on investment can someone expect from this side hustle? Because you’re already working a full-time job, you want to ensure the extra time spent on your side gig pays off and that the additional money earned justifies the means.

3. Talent: Does this side hustle require specialized skills or talent? You’ll want to examine your skill sets first and ensure the side gig aligns. It’s best to look at jobs that don’t have a ton of barriers getting in your way, like special training or certifications, so it's easy to hit the ground running.

10 Side Hustle Ideas to Make Extra Money

The great thing about side gigs is how truly endless the possibilities are. From freelance writing, self-publishing, and affiliate marketing to launching an eCommerce, virtual assistant, or pet-sitting business, there are many ways to bring in extra income and spend your time doing something you truly enjoy.

We break down some of the top side hustle ideas below to help you jumpstart your entry into entrepreneurship.

1. eCommerce

E-commerce is increasingly becoming a viable side hustle, owing to its flexibility, scalability, and the ability to reach a global customer base. Thanks to platforms like eBay, Etsy, and Facebook Marketplace, you can sell virtually anything online, from vintage clothing to handmade crafts and digital products.

It’s important to note the two different avenues of eCommerce: reselling and selling original works. Reselling involves buying products at a low cost and selling them for a profit while selling original works involves creating and selling your own products.

Both options have their own set of pros and cons. Reselling can be less time-intensive, as you're not making the products yourself, but it requires a keen eye for profitable items. On the other hand, selling original works can be more rewarding and profitable but requires a significant upfront time investment.

2. Freelance Writing

If you have a knack for words, freelance writing is an excellent side hustle. Unlike selling physical products, your investment is mostly time and the price of a good laptop and internet connection. And, with businesses consistently in need of fresh content for their websites, blogs, and marketing materials, the demand for skilled writers remains high.

The beauty of freelance writing also comes from its true flexibility; you can tailor your workload to your own schedule, choosing to take on as many or as few assignments as you desire. You can also choose the type of work you’re interested in depending on what subject matter you feel most comfortable writing about.

It’s important to note that freelance writing differs from editing and proofreading. Writing entails creating original content, while editing involves refining existing content for clarity, grammatical accuracy, and style. Proofreading, on the other hand, is the final check for minor errors before the content is published.
Freelance platforms like Fiverr or Upwork let you quickly create a profile and start marketing your writing services to potential buyers within minutes. All you need is an interested client, and your new freelance business is up and running.

3. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a performance-based marketing strategy where you earn a commission for promoting other people's or another company’s products and services.

For instance, a YouTuber may include an affiliate link in their video description after reviewing a certain product. If a viewer clicks on that link and makes a purchase, the YouTuber earns a percentage of that sale.

Affiliate marketing can be appealing due to its passive income potential. Once you've established your promotional content and affiliated links, they can continue generating income with minimal maintenance. However, this side hustle is particularly effective for individuals with an established online following, such as YouTube channel owners, podcast hosts, or Instagram influencers.

4. Virtual Assistant

Another popular side hustle is becoming a virtual assistant, which includes working remotely, usually from home, while providing services virtually. A virtual assistant may handle similar administrative tasks as a personal assistant but often takes on scheduling and event planning roles, front-end web development, graphic design, bookkeeping, data entry, customer service, and other online tasks.
You can look for available gigs on websites like Fiverr or job-hunting sites like Robert Half, ZipRecruiter, and Monster.

5. Online Surveys or Focus Groups

In the realm of side hustles, participating in online surveys or focus groups presents an opportunity to earn extra income with relatively minimal effort. Companies like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, or Vindale Research offer compensation for sharing your thoughts on various topics, products, or services. Alternatively, you could join focus groups through platforms like Respondent or User Interviews.

It's crucial to note that while these options can provide extra cash, they typically don't offer the same scalability or long-term profitability. Unlike other hustles, your income largely depends on the number of surveys or focus groups available and your eligibility for those opportunities.

As such, while online surveys or focus groups can be comfortable and flexible ways to earn additional income, they're less likely to evolve into a full-fledged business venture.

6. Social Media Management

As a social media manager, you manage a brand's digital presence across various social media platforms, develop and implement marketing strategies, and create engaging content that aligns with the brand's identity.

One of the benefits of this role is the plethora of social management tools available to streamline your tasks, such as Hootsuite or Sprout Social. These tools allow you to schedule posts, monitor analytics, and manage multiple accounts from a single dashboard, making your workflow more efficient.

As you delve deeper into social media management, you may also find yourself in the realm of content creation. This could involve creating viral content, which are posts that capture the audience's attention and inspire them to share it with their followers. Viral content could range from informative infographics to timely memes, depending on the brand's voice and target audience.

This could also involve building up your own social media presence and following to become an influencer, opening the door to brand partnerships, sponsored content, product promotions, and more.

7. Sitter

Becoming a sitter is probably one of the most popular side hustles. It offers tons of flexibility and freedom to choose the type of service that makes the most sense for you, your skills, and your interests. Here are some of the popular and in-demand services to consider.

• Babysitting: This involves looking after children on a part-time basis. This work can include everything from keeping the kids fed and entertained to helping them with everyday tasks like homework. Babysitting requires patience, creativity, excellent communication skills, and basic first-aid knowledge. Websites like Care.com or Sittercity can help match you with families in need of babysitting services.

• Senior Sitting: This role often involves providing companionship, assisting with household tasks, or providing basic healthcare assistance to senior citizens. While the work is rewarding, it can come with some challenges, including emotional resilience and patience. Resources for finding work in this area include Care and HomeInstead.

• Pet Sitting: Pet sitting can include everything from dog walking and feeding cats to maintaining living spaces. It could also mean watching over pets in your own space while their owners are away. A love for animals and understanding their behavior are key in this field, but it also involves dealing with the less glamorous side of pet care, like cleaning up after them. Websites like Rover or Wag! can connect pet sitters with pet owners needing assistance.

8. Part-Time Bookkeeping

If you have a knack for crunching numbers and are detail-oriented, bookkeeping could be a great option for a side gig. Bookkeeping is another rewarding side hustle that could turn into a full-fledged business.

As a bookkeeper, you'll manage and record a company's financial transactions, ensuring their books are accurate and up-to-date.

This is a great side gig if you’re also interested in working with a diverse range of clients. But it’s important to keep in mind that for this gig, small to medium-sized businesses are usually the best targets for freelance bookkeepers. These companies generally can't afford full-time bookkeeping staff but need reliable, professional bookkeeping services.

Pursuing bookkeeping can be a great stepping-stone to establishing your LLC or filing a DBA (“Doing Business As”), which lends a professional touch to your business and offers certain legal protections.

9. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a retail fulfillment method where a store doesn't keep the products it sells in stock. Instead, the store purchases the item from a third party and has it shipped directly to the customer. This allows you to start an online business without the need to handle shipping logistics or manage inventory.

However, it’s important to note that dropshipping is not a "get rich quick" job. It requires significant time and effort. You'll need to create a professional and user-friendly website, research and source products, manage customer service, and develop a marketing strategy to drive traffic to your online store.

Finding reputable suppliers is a crucial step in building a successful dropshipping business. Platforms like AliExpress, Printful, and BigCommerce connect you with wholesale suppliers and provide services tailored for dropshipping companies.

10. Self-Publishing or ePublishing

Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Smashwords, and Lulu have made self-publishing or ePublishing a reality for wordsmiths looking to start a side hustle.

Unlike freelance writing, where you mostly write on clients' topics, self-publishing allows you to choose your genre, style, and subject matter. You are in complete control of the entire process, from concept development to writing, editing, designing the book cover, and deciding on the pricing.

Self-publishing or ePublishing is also a great option for anyone who has ever had an idea for a book but doesn’t necessarily have a natural knack for words. Some publishers hire ghostwriters to transcribe their ideas into a structured, engaging narrative. This approach allows you to focus on the ideation and marketing aspects, leaving the actual writing to professionals.

How to Start a Side Hustle

Now that you have a better understanding of side hustles and the types of gigs you can choose from, the next question is this: How do you get started? Here’s a breakdown of some of the key steps you need to follow to move forward, no matter what type of job you’re hoping to chase after next.

1. Follow Your Passion

With so many different side hustles to choose from, knowing which path to choose can feel overwhelming. To point yourself in the right direction, look at your interests.

What are you passionate about? What do you enjoy doing outside of your 9-to-5 job? What skills do you have that you wish you could utilize more?

The answers to all of these questions should serve as your guide when choosing your next side gig.

2. Make a Plan

If you're diving into the world of side hustles without a business plan, it's time to whip one up. Every startup or new business should have one. Think of it as your roadmap, guiding your side hustle toward your small business goals.

Your business plan doesn’t have to be lengthy or complex. Instead, focus on summarizing the basics, like a description of your business idea, how you plan to market your business, research on competitors, and a profile of your target customers.

3. Set Earning Goals

It’s easy to say that you want to make extra money each month. To start, look at some of your financial goals and how much money you need to earn to reach them.

Are you looking to pay off your student loan debt? Are you saving up to buy a new home? Knowing how much money you want to bring in can help you determine your pricing.

If you don’t have any financial goals, you can also start by researching the average amount your particular side hustle could bring in. This will help you establish a baseline to work around.

5. Know the Law

No matter what type of side hustle you choose, you will encounter certain business laws that may require you to take action. For example, as your business grows and becomes more successful, you may consider officially incorporating your business by establishing an LLC.

Taking Your Side Hustle to the Next Level

Exploring the world of side hustles is a great way to earn some extra income and spend time making money doing something you love.

Oftentimes, the hardest part of getting your new side gig up and running is figuring out where to start, but by following the tips and suggestions in this article, you can confidently take your first step to being a business owner by pursuing a side hustle that’s perfect for you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s a good side hustle right now?

The best side hustle for you depends on your skills, interests, and the amount of time you can dedicate. Once you establish these key pillars, see if any of the ten side hustles listed above align with your goals.

How do I start a side hustle?

Once you put in the time and research to find the perfect side hustle, your next step is putting your idea into motion. While the steps vary depending on the gig you’re pursuing, there are proven formulas you can easily follow, from creating your business plan and picking a business name to establishing your funding options.

How much time should I dedicate to my side hustle?

The amount of time you should dedicate to your side hustle is different for every person. You’ll want to look at your personal goals, the nature of the side hustle, and your existing commitments. Spend some time thinking about these things before deciding how much time you’re willing to commit.