Side hustles are great for making extra money and testing out business ideas without investing a lot of time or money. There are tons of side hustle options, both online and in-person, so there’s probably one that fits you.
You can find side hustle ideas in the Side Hustle Ideas Database, where you’ll find more than 100 options.
In this article, we have listed 22 side gigs to help you get started.
1. Freelancing
Freelancing is a great way to earn extra cash and ranks high on any list of side hustle ideas. Freelancers work on projects for clients during their spare time. There’s a lot of demand for graphic designers, writers, editors, and website developers.
You can find flexible work as a mechanic, bookkeeper, videographer, interior designer, or even a real estate agent. Just market yourself on Fiverr or Upwork.
2. Pet Sitting
Perfect for animal lovers, pet sitting is simple to set up and promote. Offer in-home care while owners are away or daycare services. Check local regulations as permits may be needed.
You can also earn extra by offering pet insurance.Costs for in-home care are low, but setting up in your home may require investments in equipment.
Use pet-sitting apps like Rover or Care.com for finding clients or set up your own booking and payment system using tools like Square.
3. Blogging
Love sharing your thoughts? Start a blog focusing on your interests like travel, food, beauty, or fashion. Once you build traffic, monetize it with ads or affiliate sales. Ads pay per view or click, while affiliates pay when someone buys through your link.Expect to spend $50 to $100 yearly to run a basic blog.
You’ll need to buy a domain and build your site with WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace. These platforms offer easy design tools and templates, saving you from hiring a designer.
4. Dropshipping
Dropshipping allows you to run an e-commerce store without handling inventory or shipping. You pay for items only when a customer buys them, and the dropship vendors handle storage and shipping.
You’ll need an e-commerce platform like Shopify or WordPress with WooCommerce. Suppliers like Doba and AliExpress are good places to start.
5. Tutoring
If you excel in academics, music, arts, or sports, tutoring and instruction are great side hustles. You can offer both in-person and virtual sessions, catering to parents and adults alike.
Startup costs are minimal. Use platforms like Wyzant or TakeLessons.com to market your services and manage payments, or handle everything through Square.
6. Self-publishing Ebooks
Self-publishing ebooks is an excellent side hustle for writers. You can craft your own story or guide, or hire ghostwriters and editors to help. Publish through platforms like Kindle Direct Publishing and Smashwords.Costs vary.
You can keep it low by writing and designing your book, but hiring professionals for editing and design may cost upwards of $100 per title. Publishing to most platforms is free, but they take a percentage of sale
7. Tech Setup Services
If you’re a tech wizard with home networks, smart devices, computers, and phones, cash in on your skills. Advertise through social media and handyman apps, and consider getting tech certifications for credibility.
Minimal startup costs are involved, but you may need some tools. Use apps like HelloTech or TaskRabbit to find gigs, or manage bookings and payments through Square.
8. Mobile Car Washing and Detailing
If you love the outdoors, consider mobile car washing. You can offer this service at homes or partner with local businesses for their fleet vehicles or employee perks.
Startup costs include cleaning tools, a hose, and a vehicle. To find jobs, use apps like MobileWash or Spiffy, or manage bookings and payments through Square.
9. Local Handyman
Handy with tools? Offer your skills as a local handyman. Help neighbors with tasks like fixing switches or hanging fans in your spare time.
Startup costs are low, especially if you already have tools. To find jobs, use apps like Thumbtack.com or TaskRabbit, or manage bookings and payments through Square.
10. Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants handle various tasks like scheduling appointments, managing emails, and data entry. If you’re organized and tech-savvy, this gig is perfect for making money from home in your spare time.You’ll need a reliable computer and internet connection.
Use apps like TaskRabbit or Upwork to market your services and manage payments, or manage everything through Square.
11. Sell at Local Markets and Festivals
Side hustles like selling unique goods at local markets and festivals are popular. Even though it’s time-consuming, it’s great for people who like to mingle.
Also, it helps build brand awareness for online sales. Startup costs vary, but can be as low as a few hundred dollars. If you want to lower the initial investment, find a supplier that lets you return unsold goods.
For in-person card payments and sales tracking, use platforms like Faire and Square.
12. Babysitting
Babysitting and in-home child care are always in demand, providing a flexible way to earn extra money. While certification isn’t always required, the American Red Cross offers CPR, first aid, and behavior tactics courses to boost your credibility. Babysitting is cheap. Use apps like Care.com to market your services or Square to process payments.
13. Personal Assistant
Busy professionals often need an extra hand with day-to-day tasks. If you’re organized and love crossing off to-dos, this gig is perfect.
From grocery shopping to dog walking, there’s plenty to do.Launching as a personal assistant has few costs, but a vehicle might be necessary outside of urban areas. Use gig apps like Thumbtack.com or TaskRabbit.com, or manage bookings and payments through Square.
14. Online Courses
Share your expertise and earn money by creating online courses and coaching programs. With user-friendly platforms like Udemy and Thinkific, launching is easy. Combined with social media, ebooks, and blogging, this side hustle can become a lucrative business.
Online course platforms usually have monthly fees or take a portion of sales. You can also add courses to website platforms like WordPress or Squarespace.
15. YouTube Channel
Make money by sharing your knowledge or providing entertainment on YouTube. Once you reach 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours annually, you can monetize your videos. It might take time, but some turn it into a full-time gig.
YouTube is free to join and upload videos. Use free video editing apps like iMovie or Canva to create content. Grow your channel with low-cost ads and sharing on social media and blogs.
16. Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketers create engaging content across various platforms like blogs, podcasts, and social media. They earn through affiliate links, ads, and sponsored content. Platforms like YouTube and Facebook have specific requirements for monetization.
It’s free to start on social media and YouTube. You can also create a website using platforms like WordPress or SquareSpace for free or at low cost.
17. Create a Podcast
A podcast is a low-cost side hustle you can do from home. With apps on your smartphone or computer, you can record and edit, then upload to platforms like iTunes or Buzzsprout.
You can monetize with ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links in descriptions. Many platforms have free plans with upgrades to get more features.
18. Become an E-commerce Reseller
E-commerce reselling involves buying and selling items from multiple vendors yourself. While it requires upfront investment and time, many turn it into full-time businesses. You can combine it with other income streams like dropshipping and affiliate blogging.
Startup costs vary but can range from $500 to $5000 or more. Platforms like Shopify or WordPress with WooCommerce offer affordable starter plans.
19. Take Online Surveys
Online surveys let you earn extra money by sharing your opinions. While it doesn’t build a business, you can make money doing it in your spare time. There are no upfront costs with most survey sites. They pay through PayPal or similar.
There are free platforms like Survey Junkie and User Interviews, but you have to spend time finding the right surveys. To maximize your earnings, look for surveys that match your demographic
20. Test Apps and Platforms
You can get paid to review apps and platforms for market research firms. While it doesn’t build a business, it’s a lucrative side hustle with payouts from $10 to $150. You don’t have to pay to apply for testing. Popular platforms include Swagbucks and UserTesting.
21. Sell Artisan Products
Turn your passion for crafting into profit by selling handmade goods online and at local markets. While there are upfront costs for supplies, you can market and sell online with platforms like Etsy or Shopify.
Consider platforms like Square or Shopify for integrated online stores and retail POS systems if you plan to sell both online and in-person.
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22. Sell Print-on-Demand (POD) Products
You can turn your creativity into cash by designing T-shirts and mugs. Print-on-demand vendors handle shipping and printing, so all you have to do is upload your artwork.
Shopify or WordPress with WooCommerce are both good e-commerce platforms. POD services are available from companies like Printful and Printify.
Don’t worry if these 22 side hustle ideas aren’t for you! More options can be found in the Side Hustle Database. If you want to find out which side hustle suits your personality or goals, you can take a side hustle quiz.