25 Best Side Hustle Ideas to Make Extra Money
Many of us are experiencing the rising cost of living and financial uncertainties. So it’s no wonder that people are seeking ways to bring in more revenue. Side hustles have long been a popular and flexible solution for boosting your income with some extra money, while also gaining some personal growth.
Whether you’re paying off debt, saving for a big goal, or simply looking for extra cash in your day to day life, side gigs can help fill those gaps. Let’s talk about what side hustles are, why they’re worth considering, and how you can choose the right side hustle for you, whether you’re working full time or have a lot of extra time to spare. We’ll also throw in 25 of the best side hustle ideas to get you started!
What Exactly is a Side Hustle?
A side hustle is basically any type of work that you do outside of your regular job to earn extra income. Unlike a full time job, side hustles often involve lower commitment (outside of completing specific tasks), flexible hours, and more choices - you can choose which side gigs you want to do! This allows side hustlers to balance their side gigs with their other responsibilities.
To put together a list of side hustle ideas, think of tasks that match your skills; tasks that you either already enjoy, or that you would like to learn more about. That’s what makes a side hustle “work.” These ideas can include freelancing, selling handmade products, dropshipping, or offering niche services. Stay organized and professional, and your side hustles can yield consistent results!
Starting a side hustle is also easier than you might think. Online platforms like Etsy, Fourthwall, Fiverr, and even social media sites like TikTok enable creators and side hustlers to reach plenty of potential clients and customers, making side hustles accessible for anyone willing to put in the effort.
Why Consider a Side Hustle?
Side hustles are a scalable, non-committal way to bring in extra income, and are especially appealing to those who either want to supplement their existing day job, or who simply like a less rigid work schedule. There are many success stories of individuals turning their small side gigs into thriving businesses - and there are plenty of benefits to becoming a side hustler!
Side hustles can help pay off debt, save for major milestones or plans, or establish a financial safety net. Many side hustlers use their gigs to cover daily expenses, keep extra cash on hand, or to be prepared for unexpected emergencies.
Pursuing a side hustle can also help you learn valuable skills that you may not have pursued otherwise. For example, freelance writing can enhance your communication skills, while running an Etsy store can teach you about promotions and inventory management. Many side hustlers find that their gigs allow them to explore passions or hobbies that they can’t pursue in their full time jobs - and the side hustles definitely feel justified if they’re bringing in extra money! This can lead to both a bigger bank account and a better work-life balance.
25 Best Side Hustles for Extra Income
1. Freelance Writing
If you’ve got a way with words, freelance writing can be one of the best side hustles for those who enjoy it. Blog posts, articles, press releases, website copy and SEO writing, editing - there are many different varieties of freelance writing that you can do for both businesses and individuals, and platforms like Upwork and Fiverr help you connect with writing clients. This side gig offers flexible hours and can pay quite well, with experienced writers earning $25-$100 per hour.
2. Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants provide administrative services remotely for their clients, without being present in an office. Assistant tasks can include managing emails and calendars, scheduling, making travel arrangements, and assisting with other duties. This side hustle is in high demand as more businesses shift to remote work. You can find gigs on platforms like Upwork, or directly pitch your skills to potential clients, like content creators, influencers, small business owners, or executives.
3. Social Media Management
If you’re savvy with platforms like Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok, consider becoming a social media manager. Your role for this side gig could involve creating or editing posts, analyzing engagement and other socials stats, and brainstorming ways to gain followers for creators, influencers, and businesses. This side hustle combines creativity and entertainment with strategy, and can lead to lucrative freelance opportunities.
4. Online Tutoring
Online tutoring is a good way for side hustlers who enjoy teaching to reach students worldwide. You can teach subjects like math, science, languages, or English, using platforms like VIPKid or TutorMe connect you with aspiring learners. This side gig is perfect for educators or anyone with specialized knowledge, and also allows you the potential to set your own “class” schedules.
5. Graphic Design
Got design skills? Graphic design is very much in demand as a side hustle. You can create logos, social media graphics, marketing materials and product labels, merch designs, or even custom art for clients. You’ll need some specialized tools - like Canva or Adobe - for this side hustle. And to start getting customers, you can begin with simple projects on a site like Fiverr or Upwork to earn extra money, and gradually build out your graphic design portfolio from there.
6. Selling Handmade Products
Turn your creativity into profit by selling your handmade goods on ecommerce sites like Etsy, Fourthwall, or Amazon Handmade. Whether you enjoy making jewelry, wood carvings, candles, clothing, or even putting together gift baskets, this side hustle lets you monetize your hobbies while reaching a wide customer base through online platforms. In addition to online ecommerce platforms, you can also sell your goods and crafts at local markets, expanding your reach and getting you some extra cash.
7. Print on Demand Business
Design custom products like T-shirts, mugs, and tote bags with unique graphics and patterns of your own, and launch your own print on demand shop! Platforms like Fourthwall, Threadless, Printful, and Redbubble handle the printing and shipping, so you don’t have to manage inventory, and you can choose from a wide range of high quality products to showcase your designs.
8. Photography
Photography is a great looking side hustle for those with a keen eye for images. You can sell stock photos online, offer event photography services, sell your photos as posters, or create content for brands. Websites like Shutterstock and Adobe Stock help photographers earn passive income from their photos, and ecommerce sites like Fourthwall and Etsy let you present your work as gallery-worthy wall art for sale.
9. Dropshipping
There’s a lot of buzz around dropshipping these days, in part because it’s actually a pretty simple premise that any side hustler with some ambition can do. Dropshipping is an ecommerce model where you sell products without holding inventory. This side gig does require strategic marketing and customer service skills - including a keen eye for trending products - but it offers significant potential for extra money. Online dropshipping-friendly platforms like Shopify and AliExpress make it easy to start.
10. Affiliate Marketing
If you live stream or are active on social media, you can promote products through your streaming site, your socials or even your blog, and earn a commission for every sale made through your referral links. Affiliate marketing is one of the best side hustles for generating passive income, especially if you already have an online following, and the list of products that you can promote with affiliate marketing is nearly endless.
11. Flipping Items
“Flipping” is the term used for buying used or discounted items from thrift stores or garage sales and reselling them for extra cash. Some examples might be buying an old wooden dresser or chair and repainting it with modern designs; seeking out in-demand editions of rare books or videogames; or purchasing and reselling vintage clothing and jewelry. Platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace are ideal for listing and selling your flippable finds so you can get paid.
12. Delivery Driver
Delivery drivers can work with independent restaurants to deliver food and beverage orders, or with service apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Instacart to deliver food, beverages, or groceries. This side hustle is very flexible, and allows you to earn money during your spare time, including tips; you will need a reliable car (or in some locations, a bicycle) to make this one work for you, though, and a good knowledge of the area where you’ll be doing deliveries.
13. Renting Out Property
Do you have a spare room in your house, or perhaps a secondary property that you don’t use all the time? You can earn income by renting out your property through Airbnb or Vrbo (HomeAway.) This side hustle requires attention to detail to ensure smooth rental bookings, and a willingness to either clean your property regularly or hire someone to do so; but it’s fairly passive income once you have a rental routine set up.
14. YouTube Content Creation
Create a YouTube channel focused on a niche topic that you really enjoy, and then dig into all of the ways you can make extra money through it! You can monetize your YouTube channel through YouTube ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. This side gig requires consistency and creativity - and it will take some time to gain traction and earn revenue - but it can be highly rewarding, especially if you enjoy content creation.
15. Podcasting
If you like long conversations, interesting discussions, and storytelling, your side hustle can be starting a podcast. Some of the most popular podcast topics include pop culture, comedy, entrepreneurship, sports, travel, and beauty; and you can monetize your podcast through sponsorships, listener donations, and merchandise sales. Platforms like Spotify for Podcasters and Podbean make it easy to get your podcast side hustle started.
16. Pet Care
Ever thought you could earn extra cash by hanging out with cute dogs? Well, you can! Apps like Rover and Wag help connect you with pet owners in your area, or you can post on local message boards and socials sites to let people know that you’re willing to take their dogs for walks, or take good care of pets for some extra cash while their owners are out of town.
17. Fitness Coaching
This next side hustle is perfect for fitness enthusiasts or certified trainers - fitness coaching! You’ll provide personalized workout plans or virtual fitness coaching to clients; you can tackle their fitness goals in-person, do online coaching meetups, or provide them with prerecorded videos structured to their workout plan. If you have dietary experience as well, then you can maximize your rates and bring in even more revenue.
18. Freelance Web Development
If you have coding skills, especially experience with HTML, Javascript, and CSS or CMS, you can offer web development services to businesses. Web designers and web developers are always in demand; you can start small coding sites for friends or local businesses, and expand your portfolio as you develop your website skills. Platforms like Toptal, Upwork, and GitHub are excellent for finding freelance gigs in coding and web dev to get you started.
19. Voice Acting
Have people ever told you that you have a great sounding speaking voice? You might be able to turn it into your next side hustle. Voice acting involves recording voiceovers for audiobooks, phone message services, commercials, promos, and more. You can choose to do on-site voiceover only (recording in a professional studio), or you can set yourself up with a home studio, including a microphone, sound editing software like Audacity, and room treatments for clean sound. Websites like Voices and Fiverr can help you find clients for this unique and creative side gig.
20. Selling Digital Products
Creating and selling digital products is another side hustle that offers nearly limitless options. You can create anything from templates, eBooks, and online courses to digital wall art, calendars, planners, and to do lists. Then list and sell your digital download items on platforms like Etsy, Fourthwall, Gumroad, or Teachable. This side hustle offers plenty of passive income potential with minimal ongoing effort.
21. Car Sharing
Another easy way to earn passive income with minimal effort - if you have a car, that is - is to rent out that car through apps like Turo or Getaround when you’re not using it. You’ll want to check with your car insurance company first, to ensure that your policy will cover peer to peer car rentals (or to find out if you need to buy additional coverage); but this is a pretty straightforward way to get paid from something you already own.
22. Cleaning Services
Busy families, Airbnb hosts, city apartment dwellers, local cafes - all of these are places that could use cleaning services. Equip yourself with plenty of cleaning tools and products, and then network in your community to get cleaning gigs. This side hustle requires minimal investment. (other than some elbow grease), and can lead to recurring clients and a nice flow of regular extra income.
23. Freelance Video Editing
If you’re well-versed in video editing tools like Adobe Premiere, After Effects, or DaVinci Resolve, you can shop your editing skills to content creators, influencers, businesses and more. This side gig is highly in demand in the digital content space, and if you’ve got the talent, it can lead you into editing a wide range of projects, from commercials and bumpers to social media videos, music videos, and even short films.
24. Accounting or Bookkeeping
Math fans can generate side hustle income by providing accounting services like bookkeeping, tax preparation, business consulting, payroll, and even financial advice. You won’t need much to get this side gig going, outside of your own knowledge in the field and some accounting software; networking locally and also on platforms like LinkedIn should get you some solid job leads.
25. Hosting Workshops
Hosting workshops can be a fun way to both share your skills and earn some great side hustle revenue. You can host workshops on whatever you’re experienced in - cooking, crocheting, photography, hiking, coding, even development skills like communications, languages, or financial planning. Post signups for your workshops in your local community or online (you can also host them in-person or virtually.) This side hustle is perfect for those who enjoy connecting with others and sharing knowledge.
Which Side Hustle Works for You?
Choosing the right side hustle for you depends on your interests, skills, the market value of what you’re looking to do, and your available time investment. For example, creative individuals might enjoy freelance writing or graphic design, while practical personalities might prefer delivery driving or dropshipping.
Consider how much upfront investment is required, both in time and money - and if you’re unsure, start with easier gigs like affiliate marketing, freelancing, or cleaning services to get a feel for what it’s like working a side hustle on your own. But remember that the side hustle that aligns with your own interests is most likely to be the side hustle that sticks!
Hustle Over to Fourthwall to Maximize Your Side Gig Potential
If your side hustle instincts lean toward freelance writing, graphic design, photography, selling products, podcasting, or especially print on demand, Fourthwall can be a great headquarters for you!
Fourthwall lets you create your own customized website (with no monthly fees or upfront costs), where you can list and promote your physical and digital products, your services, and your own line of custom merch. Welcome in customers with discount codes and the offer of paid memberships with great exclusive content; and connect your socials with Fourthwall to keep your audience informed. Fourthwall has everything you need to make your side gigs succeed!