8 Side Hustle ideas you can start today
Do you ever crave something “extra” besides your 9-to-5 gig? Maybe your full-time job pays the bills, but you wonder what else is out there…what could you be doing to pursue your passions and put a little extra cash in your pocket every month? That’s where side hustles come in. And luckily, they’re easier than ever to start today. You just need some ideas and a plan to begin.
First, let’s define what a side hustle is:
According to Wonolo, a platform where businesses connect with workers in labour-based roles such as retail, manufacturing and shipping, “A side hustle is any type of employment undertaken in addition to one’s full-time job. A side hustle is generally freelance or piecework in nature, providing a supplemental income. Side hustles are often things a person is passionate about, rather than a typical day job worked in order to make ends meet.”
8 side hustle ideas
Here are 8 side hustle ideas to get you thinking about your own:
Teach a course or tutor students online
Online courses are all the rage nowadays for both students, tutors and business owners, and for good reason: you can choose the hours and subjects you teach, and you and your students aren’t confined to a classroom (in fact, they can be almost anywhere in the world as long as they have a reliable Internet connection).
If you meet the requirements, you can also teach English as a Second Language (ESL). There are a few reputable companies who hire teachers from North America to tutor kids online. Learn more about how you can make money as an online tutor.
House sit for free rent
If you dream of traveling the world but aren’t sure how to finance your adventures, house sitting might be a great option. As a house sitter, you’ll live rent-free (by mutual agreement) in return for taking on responsibilities such as pet care, general maintenance duties and making sure everything runs smoothly day-to-day.
As you might imagine, this requires you to be a reliable and trustworthy person, with access to people who can recommend you. You’ll also need a detailed agreement with each of your clients. Read our article on how to get free rent house sitting for more details.
Explore your talent for amateur photography
Enjoy taking photos everywhere you go? You can turn that passion into a solid side gig you’re willing to put some work into your craft (and invest in a decent DSLR camera). Although you likely won’t make a lot starting out, you can begin to hone your photography skills and learn the ins and outs of selling stock photography online. Learn more about how to get set up as an amateur photographer.
Start a freelance business
Every business needs to market to potential customers, and you can help them! If you’re a fantastic writer, have an eye for design, love to write code, or something else, why not take on some side jobs in addition to your full-time position? This way, you can build a base of clients who bring you a steady influx of cash, and grow your business into a sustainable career working for yourself, if that’s your goal.
Ryan Robinson, a writer and part-time blogger, grew his venture to earn $160,000 in a year while working a full-time job. You can do it, too. Read his tips on how to start a freelance business while working full-time and our post on how to make money as a freelancer.
Build your career as an affiliate marketer
As an affiliate marketer, you’ll make money promoting other people’s products and earn a commission if people buy thanks to your telling them about a product. If you love writing product reviews and you have a favourite niche such as tech, beauty, baby products or something else, affiliate marketing may be for you. Neil Patel has a comprehensive step-by-step guide to affiliate marketing.
Become a dog walker
Would you spend all day with furry, four-legged friends if you could? As a dog walker, you get to walk adorable pooches around the neighbourhood, the owner receives peace of mind knowing that their pet is cared for, and the pup gets their regular outing. If you’ve got a flexible schedule, aren’t squeamish about cleaning up after a dog, and know which breeds of dog you can handle, why not? Jen Fromal is a guest blogger and dog walker who wrote a great post for Budgets are Sexy about how to make dog walking your side hustle.
Bonus
These ideas are in a different category, as they depend on having access to specific online platforms to promote yourself (or in the first example, your space). You may want to think about the pros and cons of doing so.
List your Airbnb space
Creative entrepreneurs and resourceful 9-to-5ers are catching on to this trend, no hospitality management or industry experienced required. With minimal upfront investment, you can transform your empty room into a money maker, and meet all types of people in the process. Learn how to make more money with your Airbnb listing.
Earn money driving your car
You can earn extra cash by transporting people, equipment and food around town while making others’ lives easier. By joining a ride-sharing platform like Lyft or Uber, you can make more dough during peak times and set your own hours. And since your car is your office, you’ll also meet all types of people! Learn more about how to earn money driving your car.
Wrapping up
If you’ve been thinking about starting a side hustle for a while, now is a great time! Once you take inventory of your passions, skills and availability, make a list of potential side hustles that fit within those parameters and see which appeals to you the most. Then, get to work while learning everything you can about your chosen field. In no time, you can be using your rewarding new pursuit to save up for that big trip, help pay the bills or contribute to your investments.