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Are you looking to make a little extra money? If so, a side hustle may be just what you need.
Side hustles are a smart way to bring in another income stream and achieve your financial goals. But where do you start?
We’ve pulled together a list of the 25 best side hustle ideas for 2024 to help you. From starting an online business to becoming a virtual event planner, there are options for everyone. Keep reading and hopefully you’ll find yours!
Turn your side hustle into a thriving business with Omnisend’s ecommerce tools to boost sales
If you have a skill (or two), you can monetize it by opening an online store. In fact, opening an online store is one of the most lucrative side hustle ideas from home, given that three-quarters of the American population shops online.
There are a variety of products that you can sell through an online store. Here are some ideas:
Handmade crafts and goods
If you’re crafty and creative, you can sell handmade items, such as jewelry, candles, baked products, woodwork, soap, knitwear, and other personal creations.
Coralie Reiter, for instance, loved making jewelry using cords, natural stones, cotton thread, and beads. She turned her passion into a thriving ecommerce business that sells her unique handmade jewelry.
With the rise of sustainability, selling vintage and secondhand items, such as books, electronic items, and furniture, can be a particularly profitable side hustle.
You can scour thrift stores, estate sales, and flea markets to find quirky and one-of-a-kind pieces to sell online.
College friends Xavier Helgesen, Christopher Fuchs, and Jeff Kurtzman jumped on people’s bargain-hunting for cheaper, secondhand items and set up a popular online business (Better World Books) that sells used books.
It all started when they finished college and had a lot of old textbooks that they no longer needed. They put them up for sale on the internet and have turned this side hustle idea into a profitable business.
You can cater to a specific niche market by selling niche products, such as vegan skincare, eco-friendly products, or pet supplies.
For example, Denise Woodard started her online business, Partake Foods, after her daughter was diagnosed with multiple food allergies, with the aim of offering allergy-friendly foods. That’s a niche online business born out of necessity.
If you’re an artist or photographer, you can sell your artwork and prints online.
While these are some of the easy side hustles, you’ll need a well-crafted marketing strategy and the right tools to drive traffic to your online store and boost sales and revenue.
The good news is that you don’t need to invest in multiple tools to achieve your business goals, such as for email list management and sending compelling abandoned cart emails.
All you need is one easy-to-use platform to help you sell more! Start free with Omnisend
Omnisend is the perfect all-in-one solution for online store owners looking to run profitable side hustles from home.
The ecommerce marketing and email marketing automation platform offers features tailored to help you take your online store business to the next level.
These include customizable signup forms and popups that help with building your email list, email templates, and the ability to set up automated workflows based on customer actions, such as browse abandonment emails.
Dropshipping is a business model where you partner with a supplier who ships the products directly to your customers, eliminating the need for storing inventory. You can sell anything from clothing and accessories to electronics and home goods, making it one of the most flexible side hustle ideas.
Now, let’s see if it is one of the profitable side hustle ideas online.
According to Shopify, drop-shippers can make anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 per month if they put in 10 to 15 hours each week to grow their dropshipping business. Dropshippers can make $100,000 per year when they take the time to establish their business and pick reputed suppliers.
Before you get started with this side hustle job, ensure you register your business and obtain the necessary licenses and permits. Look for a reliable supplier who offers dropshipping services in your niche and the locations where you want to ship your products. Consider factors like product quality, shipping times, and pricing.
Also, implement the latest dropshipping marketing strategies, such as customized product descriptions, to help you stand out from competitors offering similar products.
For instance, Spocket is a dropshipping company that has suppliers in the US and Europe. It also offers a free trial and a free plan for dropshippers.
Launching a print-on-demand (POD) store is another side hustle idea worth considering.
As you don’t need to hold large inventories or make a huge upfront investment, it can be one of the most profitable side hustle jobs.
For example, Instagram influencer and artist Julie Erin earned $3,575 in the first quarter of 2023 by selling her POD artwork, such as the ones shown below. She creates designs that people can choose to get printed on t-shirts and other items.
To set up a POD business, you first need to pick the right print-on-demand apps to work with, such as Podbase, Printful, or Pixels. These platforms allow you to sell your products online while they handle the printing and shipping processes.
The next step is to create an online store using an ecommerce platform and start promoting your site and products through email marketing, social media, and other online channels.
An easy and efficient way to market your POD store is to leverage a tool like Omnisend. The marketing automation platform helps you create custom signup forms to capture leads. A drag-and-drop email builder, as you can see in the image below, lets you quickly create personalized email campaigns that convert leads into paying customers:
Image via Omnisend
4. Start freelancing
Are you a skilled writer, graphic designer, software developer, or artist? For a side hustle idea you can do from home as well as monetize, freelancing is an excellent option.
You can earn extra income, gain valuable experience, and have more flexibility in your work schedule when you freelance.
Here are some platforms to find freelance projects:
Upwork: Upwork is one of the largest freelancing platforms and offers a wide range of job categories. It charges a 10% service fee on your earnings.
Fiverr: Freelancers can sign up for free and keep 80% of their earnings. The price range, as given on its website, is between $5 and $10,000.
Toptal: Toptal is an ideal platform for experienced freelancers. The platform does not charge any commission on your earnings but does have a rigorous screening process.
Guru: Guru is a platform that connects clients with freelancers. It supports a range of industries, including design, programming, writing, and administrative support.
5. Start blogging and affiliate marketing
Marketers are increasingly looking for affiliate partners to promote their products.
By becoming a blogger and expanding your follower count, you can become an affiliate marketer and start earning money.
To do this, you need to include an affiliate link of a brand in your blog or other online content. Whenever your readers click on the link to buy the brand’s product, you earn a commission.
According to Influencer Marketing Hub, 16.21% of affiliates earn between $10k and $50k, while over 15% earn between $50k and $150k+.
Image via Influencer Marketing Hub
To become an affiliate marketer, first decide on a niche for your blog. Your niche should have products or services you can promote as an affiliate. Post valuable content regularly to grow your audience.
Once you’ve got a strong reader base, join affiliate programs that align with your niche. For instance, if your niche is SaaS, you can find specific SaaS affiliate programs. Some of the popular affiliate networks include Amazon Associates, ClickBank, and ShareASale.
Launching an online course is one of the best side hustle ideas that can help you earn a decent income.
You can use online course platforms, such as Udemy, Kajabi, Thinkific, LearnWorlds, Skillshare, and Masteriyo, to launch and monetize your courses. Many of these offer marketing tools and advanced analytics features as well.
So, how much can you earn by selling online courses?
Here’s an online course income calculator that estimates your earnings based on the number of website visitors, course price, and conversion rate:
Image via Influencer Marketing Hub
Similarly, if your course price is $60 and you have 6,500 visitors per month, out of which 5% convert, you can potentially earn $19,740 per month.
There is a growing demand for coaches who can help students, executives, families, and organizations achieve their personal and professional development goals.
If you’re an expert in a specific subject and want to share your knowledge, starting an online coaching business is one of the best side hustle ideas for you.
According to the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the average hourly rate charged by coaches is $244. Depending on the experience level and services offered, coaches can earn an average of $100 to $500 per hour.
8. Become a personal assistant
If you have good administrative and organizational skills in addition to computer literacy, one of the best side hustle ideas to explore is becoming a personal assistant.
Personal assistants on Upwork, for example, charge anywhere from $12 per hour to $75 per hour based on their experience level and the services they offer.
Social media managers and virtual assistants who help social media influencers grow their online presence and monetize their content are in demand. These professionals create social media profiles, post content, engage with their clients’ followers, and analyze performance metrics.
Virtual assistants may help influencers identify and partner with affiliate and influencer marketing programs to monetize their content.
Assistants to mega social media influencers can make as much as $1,000 per week. Of course, you can manage social media profiles for brands and earn just as well.
10. Become a social media influencer and get brand sponsorships
Starting a social media page and monetizing your account is another lucrative side hustle idea you can explore.
The first step to becoming an influencer is to consistently create high-quality content to gain followers. Once you have 1,000 or more followers, you can look at ways to monetize your account.
Here are some ways to make money with this side hustle idea:
Sponsored content
Brands pay social media influencers to create posts or stories featuring their products or services. The amount of money you can make will depend on your follower count, reach, and campaign duration.
Of all the social channels, Instagram has the highest earning potential, according to study by Later. Interestingly, while influencers with 50k followers earn the most, micro and nano influencers also earn anywhere from $100 to $1,000 per Instagram Reel.
Here are the latest rates for Instagram posts and Reels based on follower count:
Image via Later
TikTok is second on the list of social channels with high earning potential. Creators can earn $700 to $1,700 per TikTok video.
Creators on other platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, typically earn between $200 and $500 per post.
Affiliate marketing
You can also promote a brand’s product or service through a special affiliate link that directs your followers to the brand’s website. With affiliate marketing, you can earn a commission on any sales made through their link.
Mom and travel influencer Anna Karsten creates engaging posts like this one to feature affiliate links:
Website and app creators are always on the lookout for testers who can evaluate if a site or an app is user-friendly. After all, no one wants to lose visitors due to poor loading speed, complex site navigation, poor design, or ambiguous content.
The best part is that you don’t need any specialized skills to test apps and websites. You can just sign up on legitimate platforms that pay users to test apps and websites. Some popular options include UTest, UserTesting, Userlytics, TryMyUI, and TestingTime.
According to an estimate, hourly earnings as a website and app tester can range from $4 to $40, while monthly earnings can go up to $150. Some sites, such as TestingTime have higher payouts at $50 per test.
12. Give tours of your neighborhood
If you love your city and are in need of ideas for a side hustle, giving tours of your neighborhood is the perfect way to make money while having fun.
According to a recent study, 90% of travelers want to experience a town or city like locals do and seek authentic or unique experiences. What’s more, 98% of travelers prefer to have a local travel guide.
To succeed with this side hustle, create curated tours and provide a memorable experience for your customers by being friendly, engaging, and knowledgeable.
Alexandra Kenin, a content writer, runs a side hustle as a tour guide in San Francisco and is the founder of Urban Hiker, a company that organizes hiking tours. While rates vary, she typically charges $50 to $55 per person for hiking tours. Private/custom tours are priced at $250+.
Do you love dogs or have experience taking care of one as a dog owner? One of the best side hustle ideas for dog lovers is to take up dog walking.
If you’re not sure where to start, consider volunteering at a local animal shelter or rescue or working as a dog walker or pet sitter for a professional company.
Of course, you’ll need to be prepared to handle any emergencies that may arise, provide basic grooming and feeding, and give lots of love and attention to the dogs in your care.
The rates that dog walkers charge vary widely. But, to give you an idea, here are the rates charged by RuffCity, a company that provides dog walking services:
One of the ideal side hustle ideas for animal lovers is to offer pet sitting, boarding, and doggie daycare services.
Before you start this side hustle job, evaluate your home to determine if you have enough space to accommodate dogs/pets, and make any necessary modifications to ensure it is safe and comfortable for them.
While you can set up a website and promote your services, one of the easiest ways to get clients is to sign up on platforms like Rover.
Doggie daycare charges range from $30 to $45+ a day, depending on the breed and the size of the dog. Many dog care and pet sitters also provide additional services that are priced individually.
For instance, Kahla offers doggy daycare, pet boarding, house sitting, and dog walking services and charges these rates:
Becoming a babysitter can be a great way to earn extra income while providing a valuable service to working parents in your community.
Before starting your babysitting business, gain some experience working with children. Also, consider obtaining certifications, such as CPR and First Aid, to demonstrate your commitment to safety and professionalism.
The typical hourly rates babysitters charge, according to UrbanSitter, vary from $11 to $26. However, the exact amount you can charge depends on your experience, education, the city you live in, the number of hours, and the number of children you look after.
16. Bake cakes, pastries, or pies
Starting a home baking business requires hard work, dedication, and attention to detail, but it is one of the most rewarding and profitable side hustle ideas.
While the amount of money you can make baking cakes and pies will depend on the number of orders and the pricing, you can expect to make about $1,000 per month if you bake custom cakes for big events. But it is possible to make much more than that if you’re willing to go that bit further.
For example, in their Brooklyn home, Gautier Coiffard and his wife started a side hustle of selling croissants and made $5,000 in just a month. In 2022, they turned their side hustle into a thriving business that brought them $128,000 a month.
If you have a vehicle and want to put it to good use, one of the side hustle ideas to consider is food delivery services.
There are plenty of food ordering apps, such as Uber Eats, Instacart, and Amazon Flex, that take on delivery drivers. Once you meet their eligibility requirements, you can start delivering food and making money from this side hustle.
Food delivery drivers can earn between $17 and $30 per hour. For instance, Uber Eats pays $24.27 per hour to drivers.
Of course, with more experience, you can earn a higher hourly wage.
18. Try rideshare driving
For a side hustle idea you can start just by having driving skills, rideshare driving is a good option.
Many ridesharing companies have a simple signup process that allows you to start driving quickly. As per Salary.com, Uber drivers earn $15 to $22 per hour. However, as the pay is calculated based on the frequency of work, time of the day, and location, the actual amount earned can vary.
Ridesharing companies like Uber also offer bonuses when drivers take up rides during busy times or when they complete a specific number of trips a day. For instance, you can earn $30 extra when you complete 20 rides in a week.
19. Provide cleaning services
Residential cleaning services are in high demand, thanks to rising health concerns and a growing number of families with dual income, according to Research and Market’s recent report. Valued at $8.1 billion in 2023, the home cleaning services market is expected to grow further in the next few years.
House cleaners can expect to make about $14.50 to $50 per hour, while the rate you charge can depend on the size of the house, the type of cleaning supplies you use, transportation costs, and the neighborhood.
For instance, in Los Angeles, standard house cleaning charges for a three-bedroom home range from $140 to $190. If you plan to hire two or three cleaners and charge $50 per hour, you can make up to $400 a day if the cleaners work for eight hours a day.
If you offer deep cleaning services, you can charge between $200 and $500.
20. Offer photography services
Starting a photography business as a side hustle can be a great way to turn your passion into a profitable side hustle.
To get started with this side hustle job, invest in the right equipment and select a niche. This could be anything from portraits to event photography to product photography.
Build a portfolio website to showcase your best work to potential clients. Also, develop a marketing strategy to promote your photography services by combining social media, email marketing, and networking.
According to an estimate by Pixpa, amateur photographers charge between $25 and $75 an hour, while semi-professionals charge between $50 and $150 per hour. Experienced photographers charge $75 to $250 per hour, and high-end photographers charge up to $500 per hour.
But the rates also vary based on your niche. Wedding photographers, for instance, charge a higher rate as the shoots take anywhere from four to eight hours.
Launching your podcast may be challenging, but it’s a great side hustle to bring in extra income. It’s a creative side hustle that involves recording and uploading audio content to podcasting services, which distribute them to platforms for people to listen to, such as Spotify.
With 464.7 million podcast listeners worldwide in 2023, the podcast market is projected to continue growing over the next few years. As shown on ZipRecruiter, a podcast host makes an average of $15.86 per hour in the United States.
Here’s how you can start a podcast to make extra money:
Begin with a compelling concept in a subject area you’re passionate about and knowledgeable in
Invest in basic equipment such as a decent microphone, headphones, and recording software
Utilize affordable audio editing software like Audacity, Descript, or Acoustica to refine your audio and add intro/outro segments
Record and edit your podcast, then distribute it across various platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts
Monetize your podcast through ads, paid subscriptions, sponsored content, and affiliate links in podcast descriptions
22. Start a YouTube channel
Running an active YouTube channel is one of the most fun side hustle ideas from home. With over two billion monthly active users, YouTube offers immense reach potential.
What makes a YouTube channel one of the best side hustle ideas is the minimal initial investment requirement. Joining YouTube is free, and you can upload an unlimited number of videos at no cost. However, you can only monetize your videos with ads once you’ve reached specific milestones.
These milestones include acquiring at least 1,000 subscribers and averaging over 4,000 watch hours over 12 months. (You can still monetize by adding affiliate links to your video description or directing people to other digital real estate sites, though.)
The average YouTuber earns around $0.018 for each view, which amounts to $18 for every 1,000 views.
To get started, the basic skills you’ll need are video editing, storytelling, and audience engagement. Here are some tips to get started with YouTube as a side hustle:
Identify your zone of genius: This forms the core of your YouTube videos. Your niche should reflect your genuine interests, allowing you to consistently deliver informative or entertaining content.
Build a channel identity: Create a catchy channel name that reflects your niche and resonates with your target audience. Design an eye-catching profile picture and banner that complements your channel’s theme.
SEO optimization: Research keywords that are relevant to your content. Integrate these keywords strategically in your video titles, descriptions, and tags. This increases discoverability through YouTube’s search engine.
Collaboration: Partner with other YouTubers in related niches for cross-promotion. For instance, a food influencer can collaborate with a fitness coach or a tech expert with a gamer to create unique content. This can expand your reach and introduce your channel to a wider audience.
23. Rent out space in your house
Renting out a portion of your house to people in need of temporary accommodation can be a passive side hustle to make money.
According to an estimate by Zillow, you can apply the 1% rule for your rental space. This rule recommends charging 1% of your home’s value in rent per month. Here are some important things to think about:
Consider the room size, amenities, and utility inclusions when deciding on a rental price
You can transform spare bedrooms, basements, or even sections of your living space into rentable units to earn extra income from your unused space
Learn local rental laws and potential restrictions due to zoning and homeowner association (HOA) regulations, and consult a property lawyer for compliance and important insight
Post your rental space on online platforms and rental listing websites to attract prospective tenants
Utilize social media channels and community forums to expand your reach and engage with potential renters
24. Teach a language
Teaching a language is one of the most lucrative side hustles you can explore. This can be both a rewarding and profitable venture, as you get to share your linguistic expertise while earning extra income.
To begin with, pick a language that you’re proficient in. Fluency in both speaking and writing the language is necessary since students will want to learn both.
To start your language teaching side hustle, decide on the demographic you want to target. This decision will allow you to adjust your curriculum and teaching style.
Next, decide on the format and structure of your lessons. Will you offer one-on-one tutoring sessions, group classes, or perhaps online courses? For online lessons, you can use platforms like Teams or Zoom to host your classes. You can also use dedicated language learning websites, such as Preply and MyLingoTrip, to connect with students from around the world.
25. Become a virtual event planner
If you enjoy planning and organizing, then a side hustle as a virtual event planner could be an option that’s both exciting and profitable, especially with the growing demand for online events like webinars and conferences.
To get started, you’ll need strong communication skills, time management, and an understanding of different virtual event platforms like Zoom and GoToWebinar. Research the type of events you want to specialize in. You may also want to specialize in a specific industry.
Once you define your niche, build a portfolio highlighting your ability to manage all aspects of an event, including scheduling, logistics, and tech support. You can market your services on freelance platforms like Fiverr or Upwork and use social media to grow your client base.
Tools and resources for side hustlers
Finding the right tools and resources is essential for turning your side hustle business ideas into a profitable business. Whether you’re building an ecommerce store or offering digital services, these platforms can streamline your operations, helping you succeed faster. Here are just a few that you may want to consider using:
Omnisend: An email and SMS marketing tool designed to help you engage with your audience and drive more sales through personalized communication
WordPress: As one of the most popular website builders, WordPress allows you to create a professional-looking site for blogging, selling products, or promoting your services
LeadPages: This platform helps you create high-converting landing pages and websites, ensuring that your side hustle can capture leads and convert visitors into customers
Shopify: For anyone interested in building an ecommerce store on the side, Shopify is an easy solution with built-in payment processing and lots of customization options
Teachable: Ideal for those offering online courses, Teachable provides tools to create, market, and sell courses
Ahrefs: An SEO tool that helps you improve search rankings, grow website traffic, and analyze competitors
Calendly: Manage your bookings efficiently with Calendly, allowing clients to schedule time with you easily
Canva: This graphic design tool makes it easy to create eye-catching visuals and branding materials, regardless of skill level
Pexels: A go-to source for free, high-quality images
Image via Omnisend
Tips for starting a side hustle
Starting a side hustle is a great way to earn extra income and pursue your passions outside of your main job. However, juggling your main job and your side hustle can be challenging if you don’t have a plan in place.
Here are some tips to help you get started on the right foot:
Identify your skills and interests: Choose a side hustle that aligns with your interests and talents that you can monetize
Determine the number of hours you can work: Decide how much time you can realistically commit to your side hustle each week
Research your market: Research the competition and your target market to see if there is enough demand for your side hustle
Set realistic goals: Determine what you hope to achieve with your side hustle, set realistic goals for yourself, and be prepared to earn very little in the initial months
Create a business plan: Your plan should outline your business structure and include your pricing strategy, marketing plan, and financial projections
Manage your time and resources: Use tools and apps to streamline your work or outsource certain tasks to save time
Promote your services: Develop a marketing strategy to promote your side hustle, and use smart tools like Omnisend to automate your email and SMS marketing campaigns to get the best results
Above all, keep learning and improving your skills to stay competitive in your market. This could include taking courses, attending conferences, or networking with others in your industry.
Questions to ask when considering side hustles
A side hustle can be an exciting prospect. However, before enthusiastically pursuing every intriguing idea, careful consideration is needed.
Here are some key questions to ask yourself before starting any of the side hustle ideas mentioned above:
Why do you want a side hustle? Is it purely for extra income, for professional development, or are you merely seeking a creative outlet?
Having clarity about your goals can help you choose the best side hustles to venture into.
Is your side hustle profitable? Is there a sustainable market? Is there a demand for what you’re offering?
Conducting thorough research will help you determine the sustainability and profitability of the side hustle ideas you choose.
How much time can you realistically dedicate to a side hustle without compromising your primary responsibilities and well-being?
Remember, even seemingly “passive” income streams require some effort and time.
What are you good at? Can you translate your skills and knowledge into a profitable side hustle?
You can adapt more quickly to your side hustle if you build upon your strengths.
What do you need to get started? While you might not have everything upfront, what’s the initial investment needed to get started? Can you get started with the resources you have?
Consider any upfront costs associated with starting any of the side hustle ideas mentioned above.
Automating your marketing strategy makes starting your side hustle less stressful — try Omnisend for free
Profitability can vary greatly depending on the chosen side hustle. Some lucrative side hustles with the potential for high earnings include freelancing, blogging, and coaching.
However, online businesses like dropshipping and affiliate marketing can also be profitable. Before you opt for any side hustle, conduct in-depth market research to understand its income potential.
What are the easiest side hustles to start?
The easiest side hustles to start are those that barely require additional skills or resources.
Some of these include:
Freelancing
Blogging and affiliate marketing
Becoming a personal assistant
Giving tours of your neighborhood
Dog walking
Pet-sitting
Babysitting
Baking cakes, pastries, or pies
Providing cleaning services
Renting out space in your house
Virtual event planning
How much money can you make with side hustles?
The income you can generate with a side hustle depends on several factors, including the amount of time you invest and your level of expertise. You’ll also need marketing skills to attract customers and retain them over time.
Some high-paying options include freelancing, coaching, starting online courses, and social media influencer marketing. You can set your rate based on your experience and work on projects that interest you.
Some low-paying yet flexible options include dog walking, babysitting, and giving tours of your neighborhood.
At the end of the day, income is not the only factor to consider when starting a side hustle. Nonetheless, building a good customer base and providing worthwhile services can help you increase your revenue.
Do you need to report your side hustle earnings?
You may need to pay taxes on your income depending on where you live and the income threshold in your area.
It’s important to consult with a tax advisor for specific guidance on your situation.
Richard is a Content Marketing Manager at Omnisend. An avid writer, he's said to have been born holding a pencil. Fascinated by all things handmade, if he's not reading or writing he can often be found practicing leathercraft.
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