Looking for a way to earn extra income without committing to a full-time job? Side hustles may be the solution you’re looking for. With little upfront costs and flexible schedules, side hustles let you explore potential business ideas while earning extra cash.
There are countless side hustle opportunities available, both in-person and online. From freelance writing to pet-sitting, there’s a side hustle out there that could work for you. In this article, we’ll explore 29 side hustle ideas to help you find the perfect fit for your skills and interests.
1. Freelancing
Freelancing is a popular and flexible way to earn extra income by delivering work on a per-project basis for one or more clients. This side hustle is suitable for a wide range of professions, including graphic designers, writers, editors, website developers, mechanics, bookkeepers, video editors, interior decorators, and licensed real estate agents.
To market your freelance skills, you can start by leveraging your personal network for free via email and social media accounts. Additionally, you can find potential clients through freelancer portals such as Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.com. These platforms offer project management and payment processing services, making it easier for you to get started.
Marketing your skills on your own website can add a professional touch and allow you to offer convenient online invoicing and payment options via Square or another online payment provider.
If you are serious about freelancing, it is important to learn more about the top tax deductions available to freelancers. This will help you make the most of your side hustle income and ensure that you are not overpaying on taxes.
Consider freelancing as a way to earn extra income on your own schedule, while utilizing your skills and passions.
2. Pet Sitting and Doggie Day Care
If you love animals, pet sitting and doggie daycare can be a great side hustle for you. You can offer in-home care for pets while their owners are away or keep them in your own home for daytime or long-term care. Before starting, make sure to research your state and municipality’s permit requirements.
The costs for in-home care are minimal, but you may need to invest in kennels or gates for initial setup in your own home. You can find clients and manage gigs using popular pet-sitting apps such as Rover or Care.com. Alternatively, you can set up your own bookings and payment system using Square’s free tools.
To earn additional income, consider marketing pet insurance to your clients. This can be a valuable service that provides peace of mind to pet owners and an additional revenue stream for you. Overall, pet sitting and doggie daycare can be a rewarding and profitable side hustle for animal lovers.
3. Dog Walking
If you love dogs but don’t have the time or space to commit to pet sitting or doggie daycare, dog walking might be the perfect side hustle for you. Not only is it easy to fit into a busy schedule, but it also provides the added benefit of getting exercise while earning extra cash.
When it comes to costs, they are minimal since owners usually provide leashes. However, investing in a few leashes and waste bags might be a good idea. In urban areas, you can find dog walking opportunities using platforms like Wag!, TimetoPet, and Rover. Alternatively, you can manage your own bookings and payments using Square’s free tools.
Overall, dog walking is a flexible and rewarding side hustle that allows you to spend time with furry friends while earning some extra income.
4. Tech Setup Services
If you have a knack for setting up home networks, smart home devices, computers, and cell phones, you can turn your skills into a profitable side hustle. You can market your services on social media and handyman apps like HelloTech and TaskRabbit to find and manage gigs. Alternatively, you can set up your own bookings and payments using Square. The startup and ongoing costs for this venture are minimal, but you may need to invest in some tools to help with installations. If you want to boost your credibility, you can seek tech certifications and provide insurance and bonding for in-home services. College students, in particular, can benefit from this side hustle idea.
5. Blogging
If you have a passion for writing and sharing information, starting a blog might be the perfect hobby for you. By focusing on a niche that interests you, such as travel, food, beauty, or fashion, you can attract a following and even monetize your blog through ads or affiliate sales.
To get started, you’ll need to invest around $50 to $100 per year to run a basic blog. This includes purchasing a domain and building a website using a WordPress hosting service or a web builder platform like Wix or Squarespace. These platforms offer user-friendly design tools and attractive blog templates, so you don’t need to pay a designer or developer.
Once you’ve set up your blog, you can start monetizing it by placing ads that pay per view or per click. You can also earn money through affiliate sales by promoting a product or service. When someone clicks on an affiliate link and completes a purchase, you’ll receive a commission.
To find the best blogging platform for your needs, take some time to review the options available. With the right platform and a little bit of effort, you can turn your passion for writing into a profitable online venture.
6. Senior Sitting and Companion
Looking after aging relatives at home is becoming increasingly popular, which creates opportunities for people looking to make extra money as a companion or sitter while primary caregivers are away. To add credibility to your services, consider taking CPR and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) courses.
This side hustle is low-cost, and you can market your services and manage clients on care-based apps such as Care.com, Sittercity, and Papa.com. Alternatively, you can set up your own bookings and payments using Square.
To excel in this side hustle, it is helpful to understand senior care costs and the Medicare savings program. By doing so, you can better serve your clients and provide them with the support they need.
7. Babysitting and Child Care
Babysitting and in-home child care are popular and lucrative side hustles that allow you to earn extra income in your spare time or on a set schedule. Although certification is not mandatory in most areas, it can enhance your credibility and increase your chances of getting hired. The American Red Cross offers online and in-person babysitting certification courses that cover CPR, first aid, and behavior tactics.
When it comes to costs and platforms, babysitting is a low-cost side hustle. You can market your services and manage gigs and payments using various apps, such as Care.com, Sittercity, and UrbanSitter. Alternatively, you can set up your own bookings and payments using Square. By leveraging these platforms, you can easily connect with potential clients and streamline your business operations.
8. Personal Assistant
As a personal assistant, you can help busy professionals with their day-to-day tasks and errands. This can include grocery shopping, dry cleaning pickup, dog walking, and even getting kids to their destinations. Many professionals prefer to have one person handle all of their tasks rather than juggle various service apps, making this an excellent opportunity for a side hustler who loves to check all the boxes on a to-do list.
Launching a personal assistant side hustle requires few costs, but in nonurban areas, you may need a vehicle. Top gig and payment apps for personal assistant services include Thumbtack.com and TaskRabbit.com. Alternatively, you can set up your own bookings and payments using Square.
Personal assistants often perform executive assistant-type tasks on a contract basis. This can include managing schedules, booking travel arrangements, and handling correspondence. As a personal assistant, you will need to be organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
9. Mobile Car Washing and Detailing
Mobile car washing and detailing is a great low-cost side hustle for those who enjoy working outdoors. You can provide this service to individuals at their homes or partner with local businesses that operate fleet vehicles or want to offer weekly car washes as an employee incentive.
To get started, you will need cleaning tools, a sturdy hose and nozzle, and a vehicle. The primary startup costs for this side hustle are minimal. You can use top mobile car wash gig and payment apps such as MobileWash and Spiffy, or set up your own bookings and payments using Square.
Offering additional services such as detailing, waxing, and interior cleaning can increase your earning potential. Consider creating a pricing structure that includes these services and offer discounts for regular customers. With a little marketing effort, you can quickly build a loyal customer base and grow your mobile car washing and detailing business.
10. Local Handyman
If you have a knack for fixing things around the house, you can turn your skills into a profitable side hustle. As a local handyman, you can offer your services to your neighbors and community members who need help with home improvement tasks. The best part is that the costs for this side hustle are minimal, especially if you already have the necessary tools.
To market and manage your handyman gigs, you can use handyman apps like Thumbtack.com, TaskRabbit, and Angi. These platforms can help you find clients, manage payments, and handle bookings. Alternatively, you can set up your own bookings and payments using Square.
While insurance and bonding are not always required, they can help protect you and your clients and boost your credibility. If you’re interested in learning more about handyman insurance, check out how it can add protection and professional polish to your side hustle.
11. Virtual Assistant
As a virtual assistant, you can offer personal assistant services from the comfort of your home. Tasks may include scheduling appointments, responding to customer emails, booking travel arrangements, and performing data entry. This side hustle is perfect for those who are tech-savvy and organized.
To get started, all you need is a reliable computer and internet connection. There are various virtual assistant platforms available, such as TaskRabbit, ChatterBoss, and Upwork, that can help you market your services and manage gigs and payments. You can also use Square to manage bookings and payments.
If you want to learn more about becoming a virtual assistant, check out other top virtual assistant platforms that can help you find clients and gigs. With dedication and hard work, you can turn this side hustle into a profitable career.
12. Sell at Local Markets and Festivals
Selling your unique products at local markets and festivals can be a lucrative side hustle. Although it can be time-consuming, it provides a great opportunity to interact with potential customers, build brand awareness, and promote your online store and social media platforms.
To get started, you will need to invest in setting up a booth, which can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars depending on the products you want to sell. One way to lower your initial investment is by sourcing products from suppliers that offer returns of unsold goods or by offering custom-order items that don’t require deep stock. Faire is an excellent platform that offers unique resale and private label items and supports returns of unsold stock.
To accept in-person card payments, you can open a free Square account. Square provides a sleek mobile POS system that enables you to track sales and integrate with your online sales on your Square e-commerce website.
Most top-rated POS systems fully integrate in-person mobile, retail, and online sales, allowing you to sell anywhere using one system.
In summary, selling your unique products at local markets and festivals can be a great way to make extra money on the side while building brand awareness and promoting your online store and social media platforms. With the right suppliers and a reliable POS system, you can minimize your initial investment and maximize your profits.
13. Tutoring and Instruction
If you have academic, musical, fine arts, or sports skills, tutoring and personal instruction can be a flexible side hustle opportunity for you. You can offer in-person and virtual instruction services to parents looking for convenient sessions for their kids. Moreover, adult students can also be your potential clients as they love to expand their knowledge horizons and can often attend sessions during school hours.
The startup costs for this side hustle idea are minimal, and you can use apps and online platforms such as Wyzant, Skooli, and TakeLessons.com to market your services and manage your gigs and payments. You can also manage bookings and payments yourself using Square.
Tutoring and instruction is an excellent side hustle idea for college students. It allows you to use your skills and knowledge to help others while earning some extra cash.
14. Self-Publishing Ebooks
If you have a knack for writing, self-publishing ebooks can be a lucrative side hustle. You don’t have to be an expert writer to get started. You can hire ghostwriters and editors to complete and polish your work. Once your ebook is ready, you can publish it on various platforms such as Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble Press, and Lulu.
The cost of self-publishing ebooks can be low if you develop your own cover art and write your book. However, most serious authors hire cover design and editing professionals for the finishing touches, which can cost upwards of $100 per title. Ghostwriters can cost $200 or more based on book length and topic. While publishing to most ebook platforms is free, these outlets take a percentage of the sale price. Additionally, marketing adds to the costs.
To start your ebook side hustle, you need a clear publishing plan and marketing strategy. You can learn more about self-publishing ebooks by researching the best practices and tips for each platform.
Consider the following tips to maximize your earnings and success as a self-published author:
- Choose a popular genre or niche to increase your chances of success.
- Invest in a professional book cover design to make your book stand out.
- Utilize social media and email marketing to promote your ebook.
- Offer promotions or discounts to attract more readers and generate more sales.
With the right approach, self-publishing ebooks can be a profitable side hustle for anyone with a passion for writing.
15. Online Courses and Coaching
If you have expertise in a particular area, you can turn it into a profitable side hustle by creating and selling online courses and coaching programs. With the help of user-friendly and affordable online course platforms like Udemy, Thinkific, and Podia, launching your own course or coaching program is easier than ever. Combining this with social media marketing, ebooks, YouTube promotion, and blogging can help your side hustle grow into a lucrative business.
There are several online course platforms available that can guide you through the course creation process and help you pair courses with personalized coaching. Most of these platforms charge monthly fees or retain a portion of the fee when you sell a course. You can also add online courses and members-only content to website platforms like WordPress, Squarespace, and Wix to create your own branded platform.
To find the best online learning platform for your needs, explore top-rated options and compare their features and pricing. With the right approach and resources, you can turn your knowledge into a successful and profitable side hustle.
16. Digital Product Sales
Creating and selling digital products can be a profitable side hustle idea that requires little to no investment. The digital product market includes a wide range of products such as logos, music, photography, video, artwork, and website design templates. You can create these products using your own graphic, photo, video, or music software, or by using free online platforms like Canva, PhotoPea, and Garageband app.
There are various platforms where you can sell your digital products, including your own website, Etsy store, and creative marketplaces such as Canva, Envato Market, Creative Fabrica, Shutterstock, iTunes, and SoundCloud. Many top e-commerce platforms support all types of digital product sales.
To start selling your digital products, you can monetize them on your website or upload them to the digital product marketplaces. Selling your digital products on social media platforms can also help you reach a broader audience and increase sales. With the right marketing strategy, you can turn your creative skills into a profitable side hustle.
17. YouTube Channel
Creating a YouTube channel is a great way to earn money in your spare time. YouTube is a free platform that allows you to upload unlimited videos for free. To start monetizing your videos, you need to have at least 1,000 subscribers and an average of 4,000 video watch hours per year. It may take some time to achieve this, but with dedication and hard work, it’s possible to earn a substantial income each month.
To create videos for your channel, you can use your smartphone with a good camera and free video editing apps like iMovie, Loom, Canva, and AdobeSpark. You can also tap into low-cost YouTube ads and promote your videos on your blog and social media accounts to grow your channel.
YouTube has recently introduced a new format called YouTube Shorts, which you can also monetize along with full-length videos. With these options available, you can turn your YouTube channel into a highly profitable full-time business.
In conclusion, starting a YouTube channel is a low-cost and potentially high-reward side hustle that you can pursue in your spare time. With the right tools, dedication, and hard work, you can turn your passion into a profitable and fulfilling career.
18. Viral Social Media Creator
Creating viral content on social media platforms can be a lucrative side hustle. Platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram offer creator programs that allow you to monetize your content, including entertaining shorts, how-to videos, and commentary. To earn money, you need to attract a high volume of views, but the potential income is significant.
The best part about this side hustle is that it doesn’t require any upfront costs. You can join social media platforms for free and upload unlimited posts and videos. Most platforms even provide free post and video creation tools, so all you need is a cell phone with a camera to get started.
To increase your chances of success, consider using social media management tools to help you with this side hustle. These tools can help you schedule posts, track analytics, and manage your social media accounts more efficiently. With dedication and a little creativity, you can turn your social media presence into a profitable side hustle.
19. Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing is a popular way of building a brand by posting engaging content across multiple platforms such as social media, YouTube, podcasts, blogs, and affiliate websites. Successful influencers earn money through various types of content such as product reviews, suggestions, how-to tips, social commentary, and entertaining videos.
To launch an influencer brand as a side hustle, you can earn money through affiliate links, ad income, sponsored content, and monetizing videos when views and followers reach certain levels. For instance, YouTube requires 1,000 channel subscribers and 4,000 hours of views per year, while Facebook Reels profiles require 100,000 reel plays within 30 days to pay out.
Influencer marketing is cost-effective since social media and YouTube accounts are free, and you can launch a website and blog using low-cost website platforms such as WordPress, SquareSpace, and Wix. As you grow, you can upgrade your storage space and features.
Using the right SEO tools across all channels helps boost your brand’s reach. Influencer marketing is a great way to build your brand and earn money as a side hustle.
20. Create a Podcast
Creating a podcast is a popular side hustle idea that can be launched and built with little to no cost. Podcasts are pre-recorded audio files that can be monetized through ads, sponsored content, affiliate links, and paid subscriptions. You can record and edit a podcast with audio recording apps built into your smartphone, tablet, or computer, and then upload them to channels you create on platforms such as iTunes, Anchor, Buzzsprout, and more. Some platforms offer free plans, while others offer premium paid plans that support earnings via paid listener subscriptions, downloads, and ad revenue splits.
To launch your podcast, you can follow a step-by-step podcast guide that will help you with the process. By creating and publishing engaging content, promoting your podcast on social media, and building a loyal audience, you can turn your podcast into a successful side hustle.
21. Become an E-commerce Reseller
If you’re looking for a side hustle that can turn into a full-time business, becoming an e-commerce reseller might be the perfect fit for you. This side hustle requires more upfront investment and time than other ideas listed here, but it can lead to a successful and profitable business.
To get started, you’ll need to purchase an initial stock of items from multiple vendors. Startup costs can range from $500 to $5000 or more, depending on the amount of stock you purchase. However, you can save money by using a top-rated e-commerce platform like Shopify, WordPress with WooCommerce, or Weebly by Square. These platforms offer starter plans ranging from free to just $29 per month.
To boost your income, consider combining standard e-commerce sales with POD goods, dropship products, and affiliate blogging income. It’s important to stay on top of the latest e-commerce trends to spot profitable side hustle categories for e-commerce sales.
In summary, becoming an e-commerce reseller can be a profitable side hustle that can turn into a full-time business. With the right platform and a keen eye for profitable trends, you can succeed in this competitive market.
22. Take Online Surveys
Taking online surveys is a great way to earn extra cash in your spare time. Many marketing research companies are willing to pay for your opinion on various products, systems, and topics. Legitimate survey groups such as User Interviews, Survey Junkie, and Dscout have no upfront or monthly fees, making this a no-cost side hustle idea.
To get started, create an online account with a survey outfit and connect a PayPal, Venmo, or CashApp account for payment. Then, search and sign up for surveys that interest you via an app or online dashboard. If selected, complete the questionnaire or project and typically get paid within a few days.
Most surveys pay between $2 to $10 for a few minutes of your time, while others pay upwards of $100 for in-depth product reviews or questionnaires. However, reviewing and applying for various opportunities can be time-consuming, so it’s important to check survey or project descriptions to ensure you fit their target demographic and avoid wasting time.
Consider taking online surveys as a simple way to earn extra income in your spare time without any upfront costs.
23. Test Apps and Platforms
If you have technical skills and enjoy trying out new apps and software, you can earn extra cash by testing them for market research firms, app and game developers, and website designers. The job involves providing user feedback on the platform’s usability, design, and functionality. It is a no-cost side hustle since you don’t need to invest anything to apply for legitimate testing opportunities.
Several platforms offer testing opportunities, including Swagbucks, UserTesting, and Enroll. The payout for testing can range from $10 to $150 or more for a few minutes or hours of your time. Testing apps and platforms is a flexible way to earn extra cash and can be quite lucrative.
24. Sell Artisan Products
If you have a passion for creating handmade goods, you can turn it into a profitable side hustle. You can sell your artisan products both online and in-person. You can market your products on platforms like Etsy, your own e-commerce website, and social media accounts. You can also sell your goods at local fairs and markets.
To start selling online, you can use platforms like Etsy, Square, or Shopify. Etsy is a popular platform for selling handmade goods and has a simple 9-step process to get started. Square and Shopify offer fully integrated online stores, retail POS apps, and mobile card readers.
While there may be upfront costs for supplies and tools, you can start marketing and selling online with little to no upfront costs. By selling your handmade goods, you can turn your passion into a profitable side hustle.
25. Sell Goods Via Dropshipping
If you’re looking for a way to start an e-commerce store without worrying about inventory, shipping, and storage, dropshipping is a great option. With dropshipping, you only pay for the items you sell, and the vendor takes care of all the details of packing and shipping the product to the customer.
To start a dropshipping business, you’ll need a good e-commerce platform that integrates with dropshipping vendors. Some popular options include Shopify, WordPress with WooCommerce, and BigCommerce. You’ll also need to find reliable dropshipping suppliers, such as Doba, AliExpress, and Sprocket, to build your product collection.
While managing your website and customer service can be time-consuming, dropshipping is the cheapest and easiest way to break into e-commerce sales. With just six simple steps, you can launch a successful dropshipping side hustle and start selling your products online.
26. Sell Print-on-Demand (POD) Products
If you have a knack for creating unique designs, illustrations, or photographs, you can turn your creativity into a profitable side hustle by selling print-on-demand (POD) products. POD products include items such as T-shirts, mugs, pillows, and wall decor, among others. Unlike traditional e-commerce businesses, POD vendors take care of all the details, including printing, packing, and shipping, leaving you to focus on creating and uploading your designs.
To get started, you will need an e-commerce platform that integrates with POD vendors such as Shopify, WordPress with WooCommerce, or BigCommerce. Some of the most popular and reliable POD suppliers include Printful, CustomCat, and Printify.
Shopify is an excellent option for those who are new to e-commerce and POD. This user-friendly platform integrates with most top-rated POD vendors, making it easy to upload your designs and create a product collection. When a customer places an order, the POD vendor prints, packs, and ships the item directly to the customer, charging you only the wholesale cost and shipping fee.
Selling POD products is an excellent opportunity to showcase your creativity and earn extra income without the hassle of managing inventory or shipping. With the right platform and supplier, you can turn your passion into a profitable side hustle.
27. Self-Publish Print-on-Demand (POD) Books
If you’re a writer or illustrator looking to enter the self-publishing world, POD books could be a lucrative side hustle for you. With POD books, you can create and sell a variety of printed books, such as novels, non-fiction, cookbooks, planners, coloring books, and more. You can use free or low-cost online tools like Canva, Reedsy, and BookBolt Studio to create your book files, then upload them to POD book sales platforms.
There are several free and low-cost platforms available to create POD book files, including Canva, Reedsy, and BookBolt Studio. Top POD bookseller platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Lulu, and IngramSpark allow you to list your titles for free. You don’t have to worry about upfront print fees for this side hustle idea as printing and shipping costs are charged only when a book is sold.
Overall, POD books can be a great way to earn royalties as a self-published author or illustrator. With low upfront costs and the ability to sell a wide range of book types, POD books can offer a flexible and profitable side hustle opportunity.
28. Sell Products Using Retail Arbitrage
If you have a knack for finding great deals and aren’t afraid to do a little research, retail arbitrage may be the perfect side hustle for you. The idea behind retail arbitrage is to purchase clearance and markdown products from retail stores and resell them online at a higher price. By checking out local sales and comparing prices on online marketplaces such as Amazon and WalMart.com, you can make a profit with this side hustle.
While there are upfront costs involved in purchasing and shipping products, there are free and low-cost price checker apps available to help you make smart purchases. Amazon Seller App, Profit Bandit, and Scoutly are just a few examples of apps that can assist you in your retail arbitrage endeavors.
Most successful retail arbitrage sellers start by finding discounted items to sell on Amazon. By doing so, you can tap into Amazon’s vast customer base and take advantage of their fulfillment services to streamline your shipping process.
Overall, retail arbitrage can be a lucrative side hustle for those willing to put in the time and effort to find great deals and make smart purchases.
29. Sell Proprietary Goods
If you have an idea for a product and are willing to make an upfront investment, selling proprietary goods could be a profitable side hustle for you. You can contract with factories to create unique products that you can wholesale under your own brand to retailers, or sell directly to consumers on your own website, Amazon, Walmart, and social media marketplaces.
To get started, you can find a product that already exists and make a few improvements to it. Once you have a product in mind, you can search for factories and custom suppliers on Alibaba.com. Startup costs for this side hustle can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands, depending on your product design needs and factory order. However, searching for factories and custom suppliers on Alibaba.com is free.
To sell your proprietary goods, you can use e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, WordPress with WooCommerce, and Weebly by Square. These platforms range from free to just $29 per month.
To make this side hustle work, inventory management software with supply chain and sales management features is key. This software will help you manage your inventory, track your sales, and keep your supply chain organized.
Overall, selling proprietary goods can be a profitable side hustle with the right research and effort.
30. Sell Private Label Products
One profitable side hustle idea is to sell private label products. This involves branding pre-existing products with your own logo, labels, and unique packaging specifications. Private label suppliers typically have lower order minimums than factories, making it easier for side hustlers to get started without a huge investment.
With private label products, you can create a complete line of goods, such as a cosmetic collection, kitchen tools, or gourmet food brand. You can sell these products wholesale or directly through your own website, social media profiles, and marketplaces like Amazon and Walmart.
Startup costs for a private label side hustle can vary depending on the products you choose to purchase. Some suppliers offer returns on unsold items and dropshipping, which can lower your investment. You can find private label goods on platforms like Faire, Alibaba.com, and Mana Products. To sell your products, you can use low-cost e-commerce websites like Shopify, Weebly by Square, or WordPress with WooCommerce.
If you’re looking to launch a side hustle with minimal upfront costs, consider private label products that support dropshipping. This can help you get started quickly and easily.
Side Hustles to Avoid
When looking for a side hustle, it’s important to be aware of the potential red flags that could lead to wasted time and money. Here are some side hustles to avoid:
Hustles That Require Licensing or Certification
While salon services, real estate sales, and certified accounting and tax prep services can be profitable side hustles, they require a significant investment of time and money. You’ll need to complete initial education, which can cost anywhere from $500 to $10,000 or more, and pay for initial and annual licensing fees in most states. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in these fields, this investment can be worthwhile. However, if you’re just looking to make some extra cash, this investment may not be worth it.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Potential for high profits | Hefty investment of time and money |
| Requires education and licensing/certification | No guarantees of success |
Multilevel Marketing (MLM) Schemes
MLM companies often promise easy money and big profit potential, but you should be wary of their claims. Before investing in an MLM opportunity, carefully research the required costs and product investment. In most cases, you’ll only profit if you build a large team of downstream salespeople, which takes ongoing time and effort. If you’re comfortable with high-pressure sales, an MLM side hustle might work for you. However, if you’re not, you may end up with a stack of unsold items and no profits to speak of.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Potential for high profits | High-pressure sales tactics |
| Easy to get started | Hefty product investment |
| Large team required for profitability | No guarantees of success |
Side Hustle Coaching Programs
Coaching programs that promise untold profits and quick success should be approached with caution. While some coaching programs offer sound techniques and good advice, none are a ticket to quick riches. Before paying for any coaching program, explore free resources on YouTube, Google, and Kindle Unlimited to find how-to articles, e-books, and videos for the side hustle ideas that interest you. In most cases, you can find plenty of free information to help launch and grow your side hustle.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can offer sound techniques and advice | Expensive investment |
| Potential for success | No guarantees of success |
| Limited value compared to free resources |
Bottom Line
Side hustles offer a great way to earn extra income, pursue a passion, or launch a new business in your spare time. However, it’s important to be aware of the potential pitfalls and scams that exist. No side hustle is a guaranteed success or get-rich-quick scheme, despite what some clever marketers and coaches claim. Like any business, a side hustle requires attention, commitment, and follow-through. But done right, they offer great profit and growth potential and can even turn into a full-time gig.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a Side Hustle?
A side hustle is a part-time job, freelance gig, or business that you can do in addition to your full-time job. It is an excellent way to earn extra income while pursuing your passions, developing new skills, or exploring a new career path. Some popular side hustles include e-commerce stores, handmade crafts sales, tutoring services, and blogging for affiliate and ad income.
How Do You Start a Side Hustle?
Starting a side hustle is easy. First, identify a skill, service, or product that you can offer. Then, develop a plan to reach potential clients or buyers. You can create a website or social media presence to market your side hustle, or sign up with gig apps that help you connect with potential clients. You will also need to find a platform that helps you manage services or orders and accept payments, such as Square, PayPal Zettle, Shopify, or WordPress with WooCommerce.
What Is the Best Side Hustle Job?
The best side hustle job for you depends on your unique skills, resources, and goals. Freelancing, tutoring, dog walking, and handmade crafts sales are flexible, passion-driven hustles while blogging, e-commerce, and social influencer marketing work well for tech-savvy hustlers. Once you have narrowed down the hustles that match your skills and interests, examine the costs and profit potential to settle on the best fit for you.
What Is the Best Business Structure?
The best business structure for your business will depend entirely on what kind of company you form, your industry, and what you want to accomplish. However, any successful business structure will be one that helps your company set realistic goals and follow through on set tasks. Some popular business structures include sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, and corporation. Each structure has its advantages and disadvantages, so it’s essential to do your research and consult with a legal professional to determine the best fit for your business.
