Side hustles let you make extra dough with zero or very little financial investment. They are a financial cushion that lets people rest while they are crunched by a myriad of obligations. Your monthly income is falling short? Start side hustles! You’ve got an innovative idea? Go for side jobs! You want the financial freedom? Side hustles are the solution.
The rise of online platforms and side gigs pushed people to indulge in this market. Looking deeper, the online service market is more rewarding and liberating. People get to choose their working hours and incomes per project. So, depending on the ease of starting, scalability, flexibility, and profit potential, we’ve explored five physical and virtual side hustles that are beginner-friendly and insanely profitable.
5. Freelance writing: turn your words into income
One of the most rewarding and creative side hustles can be freelance writing. This flexible side hustle needs only 12 to 13 hours of work weekly and has the potential to convert into a full-time job. Here are a few steps on how to start freelance writing as side hustle:
Identify skills
There are so many areas to write about. You can write blog posts, articles, social media captions, product descriptions or tech reviews, etc. Whatever thrills you, choose that field and then hone your skills. There is only one way to polish your writing; just keep writing!
Select your niche
Select your niche based on your interests. You might be a pro in digital marketing, a health guru, an enthusiastic traveler, or tech-savvy. Whatever excites you; bring it under your keyboard.
Pitch yourself
If you have written enough about your niche or built a strong portfolio, pitch clients on different platforms. You can submit articles or blog posts to online magazines in your respective niche, communicate with networking groups, or send cold emails. Another lucrative option is to explore online platforms like Fiver, Upwork or Freelancer.com, etc.
To pitch yourself in these types of side hustles, you’ll need a resume, testimonials, details of previous projects, and contact information. On Upwork, freelancers charge an average of $30 per hour. If you put the right efforts in, you’ll not mind this much money, that too in side jobs.
4. Virtual tutoring: share your knowledge
If you lack any other digital skills and are qualified; congratulations, the world needs you!
Virtual tutoring is one of the best side hustles to vouch for. If you are qualified in sciences, literature, or history, you can share your knowledge and get paid. You can sell your services even if you are a musician or sportsperson. Here are some steps you can follow to enter the market of virtual tutoring:
Business structure
You must decide whether to teach alone or build a tutoring service. Optimize your services accordingly. Prepare teaching materials and determine the number of students you can teach. Don’t overdo the numbers; focus on the quality of your deliverables.
Build resume
The resume for online tutoring is a bit different. It includes qualifications, credentials, or certifications. It should also mention the freebies that you’ll be offering. For example, if you are teaching through the Zoom app, offer extra reading materials or videos to your students. This unique selling point will make you stand out among other competitors.
Get the right tools
For transparent communication, you can use Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams apps. Invest in a good microphone and camera to make your clients’ tutoring experience as smooth as possible.
Search the market
Dive into the market to look for in-demand subjects or fields. You can sell services at freelancing platforms as well as some tutoring-specific websites like Varsity Tutors, Udemy, Thinkific or Wyzant, etc.
You can charge between $10 and $100 per hour, depending on your expertise, experience, and clients’ trust. Not a bad deal, right?
3. Dropshipping: start an online store without inventory
Dropshipping will be a $476.1 billion industry by 2026, according to the reports. It allows you to start your store without the concern of manufacturing and inventory management. Here is a five-step approach on how to do dropshipping;
Product hunting
Hunting for the right product is the most vital milestone in these kinds of side hustles. Select a micro niche and opt for a product with low competition. For example, if you are selecting the beauty industry, don’t sell everything in this niche. You can narrow it down to specific products, such as vitamin C serums or sunscreens. Analyze Google trends and also choose the product with a good profit margin.
Go for a reputable supplier
A supplier is the backbone of dropshipping. Go for a reputable and local supplier. Negotiate with him the product quality, product collection, quality, shipping, delivery rates, pricing, customer support, and eliminate copyright infringement. Shopify suggests a list of trustworthy suppliers that you can consult.
Marketing is the key
Marketing can make or break your business. If you lack this skill, learn it through paid courses or simply from YouTube. Design your brand logo, select fonts and theme colors.
Launch your marketing strategy
Launch a robust marketing plan. You can use social media marketing, email marketing, influencer marketing, and run paid ads using Google ads. Use SEO strategies to rank your store higher in search engines.
Exceptional customer service
Your customer service will decide how your store will be labeled; a good one or a bad one. Physically check the product quality and never compromise on that. Many people are willing to pay more if the product is good and delivery time is less. Respond to customer queries, also request feedback and reviews.
2. Pet sitting or Dog walking: Make Furry Friends
Another lucrative option in this list of best side hustles is pet sitting or dog walking. According to Thumbtack reports, dog walkers earn an average of $20-40 per hour in the US. If you are an animal lover or tired from your desk job and want to start a side job, make furry friends and earn handsome money. All you have to do is;
Gain experience
Volunteer at an animal shelter house or pet sit your friend’s or family’s pets.
Create space
If you are house-sitting, then that’s fine. But, if you are bringing pets home, create a happy space for them. You may create little pet homes, organize activities or play areas, and buy some snacks for them. This little investment would make your experience wholesome and easier.
If you are pet-sitting purebred expensive animals, then get a license to avoid any trouble.
Advertise services
Make a social media presence, join Facebook groups or join pet-sitting communities. You can also hang flyers or posters in nearby areas, outside veterinary offices, pet supply shops or grocery stores, etc.
Satisfy clients
Make good connections with clients and if you can; make small reports of activities done by pets and give them to your clients.
Kindness is the key
Pets recognize affection. Handle them with compassion and care. Pet’s safety must be your top priority.
1. Graphic design: create visual magic
The Bureau of Labour Statistics revealed that graphic designers charge for whopping 28.33$ per hour on average. This is one of the highest-paying side hustles and undeniably the most wanted one! Here is the list of multiple areas a graphic designer can indulge in;
Template design for digital products
You can make presentations, resumes, flyers, social media posts or websites and sell on respective platforms.
Print-on-demand merchandise
Graphic designing lets you set up your own business with zero setup cost and inventory management. You can design t-shirts, mugs, pillow covers, mobile phone covers, caps, and many other items. You just have to set up your account on platforms like Redbubble, Printify, and Zazzle. Upload trending designs and enjoy the commission from sales.
Offer freelance services
Render freelance graphic designing services on digital platforms like freelancer.com, Upwork or fiver, etc. It might be hard at the start, but once you get clients; try to exceed their expectations. Your stellar performance can lead to good ratings, bringing in more customers.
Create new fonts and assets
Businesses are always looking for experts who can create new fonts and assets. You can create them and sell them to businesses personally or on Etsy and typography etc.
Data visualization and infographics
Infographics let people understand complex concepts in a visually appealing way. Graphic designers can make visual charts for students, companies or businesses and sell them.
Teaching graphic design online
You can teach people in live classes or pre-record lectures and sell them to interested people. Another way to sell your expertise is via YouTube tutorials.
Graphic design blog with affiliate marketing
If you are a graphic designer and have an interest in writing too; you may start your blog and make it a passive source of income through affiliate marketing. Share your insights and attach affiliate links of both physical objects and services from Amazon Associates, AvantLink, CJ.com or ClickBank, etc. Each click will drop some pennies into your account.
All these mentioned side hustles have great potential to become your full-time jobs. Freedom of time also makes these side jobs preferred options. Lucrative revenue from these side hustles should also intrigue people to do more out of their comfort zone. “Have questions about starting your side hustle? Drop a comment, and we’ll help you get started!”
