Start Earning More Money With These Amazing Side Gigs
May 23, 2023
8 min read
Are you looking for ways to make a little extra money in your spare time? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people are turning to side gigs to supplement their income and achieve their financial goals.
A side hustle can also help you make some extra money, explore your passions, and tap skills you didn't know you had. And if you're feeling creative, use your unique side hustle as a testing ground for a business idea.
If you're searching for ideas to make some extra money on the side or build a new career, this is the perfect article for you. We've gathered the best side hustle gigs we could find.
How Much Can You Earn From Side Jobs?
This question is difficult to answer with certainty because it depends on many factors. It matters whether your goal is to make some extra cash, get a part-time job, or replace your 9-to-5.
We've gathered the best tips and other resources to help you get started with each side hustle, including an earnings estimate based on interviews with current side hustlers, industry reports, wage estimates, and a dash of realism. Although some apps may claim you could earn up to $30 an hour, it's unlikely that you will.
You can take on as much or little freelance work as you want, depending on how much money you need or want to make.
10 Best Side Hustles You Can Try
These jobs can be done outside your main job and are available in most places year-round. Some of these will take little to no effort to get started. Some may take more planning but provide steadier earnings, while others offer chances to learn new skills.
These are all tried and true methods. With this, you can begin your journey to making money on the side. We've compiled a list of reliable side gigs that you can start earning from right away!
1. Airbnb Host
If you own a spare room, list it on Airbnb. Have a clean and lovely home that is close to popular attractions? You could make extra money each month by renting it out! Tourists are often most interested in spaces that are both clean and close to popular attractions.
After you spend some time creating your listing and setting up rules, all you need to do is to help interested tourists and tidy up when they check out. You can control what nights of the week your space is available. Typically, Airbnb takes 3% of the earnings. However, this could go up to 20% based on location or type of listing.
Although the coronavirus has undeniably impacted earnings for Airbnb hosts, many were using their income from hosting to cover other bills like their mortgage payments. So don't worry if you can't reach that level of success immediately.
2. On-Call Laundry Cleaner
People dread doing laundry, so it's the perfect time to step in and save the day with your laundry skills. Rather than spending their time and energy going to a coin laundry, tenants would want somebody to pick up their clothes, wash, and bring them back clean and folded.
Starting your very own laundry service is possible with minimal resources and skills. All you need is your vehicle, a washer, and a dryer. There are many great websites available that can help you get started. This include:
However, we always recommend that you try to build up clients outside of third-party websites. You can do this by advertising your services near coin laundries and at apartment complexes that don't have washers and dryers on-site.
Potential Income: Around $20 per hour.
3. Freelance Content Writer
Although freelancing and freelance writing may appear the same to some, you must break free from general platforms like Fiverr or Upwork if you want a successful career as a writer. Instead, begin pitching your work directly to the publications or websites of your preference. Doing this ensures prompt payment while also giving you control over what happens with your article.
After you have a few writing samples, it's best to choose one particular niche to master. The narrower your focus and the more knowledgeable you are about that topic, the higher your rate will be. However, it's worth noting that rates vary depending on what industry you're writing for and how renowned the publication or website is.
Once you've established yourself as a professional writer, you will also be able to negotiate higher rates. Additionally, it's vital to keep learning and developing your skillset by taking writing and reading courses.
Potential Income: $4 to $6 per hour.
4. Online Tutor
Before we called second jobs "side hustles," tutoring was already a popular form of supplemental income. With numerous websites to pick from, it's now easier than ever before to find students and make money.
Many tutoring websites operate like a marketplace. You create a profile with information about your academic expertise, qualifications, and hourly rate. Afterward, you can contact students or wait for them to reach out. Some websites will also set up a meeting schedule in advance.
Subject areas that tutors can cover include core K to 12 subjects such as Math, English, Science, Reading, and Social Studies. In addition, tutors can also help students prepare for the SAT/ACT or college-level courses.
Potential Income: Starts at $10 an hour (you can make more as you gain experience)
5. Social Media Manager
Small to mid-size businesses need active social media accounts in the ever-growing digital age. However, many business owners lack the commitment to maintain their pages.
While this may be draining for customers, it's an excellent chance for you to make money off of your social media skills by reaching out to potential clients and offering your assistance. Businesses will be more apt to go with you over an agency when they see that you bring the combination of branding and customer service help—at a fraction of the usual cost.
Potential Income: Approximately $20 per hour.
6. Virtual Assistant
With the increasing popularity of remote work, companies and businesses are now hiring virtual assistants. VAs handle tasks beyond general administrative work, like organizing schedules and filing documents.
Virtual assistants nowadays don't just stop at the usual administrative tasks. Many are designing visuals for social media campaigns, creating content for websites, bookkeeping, translation, and other services. By possessing these additional skills, you can charge more per hour.
There are a few sites you can look for related gigs, such as Fiverr, Upwork, and VA-specific job boards.
Potential Income: About $20 per hour.
7. Babysitter
Though people often think of it as a job for only teenagers, babysitting is a great way for anyone to make some extra money. It is a great way to gain experience working with children and can be satisfying.
Many people turn to word-of-mouth recommendations and personal contacts when finding side gigs. If you're having trouble finding gig options this way, consider websites such as Care.com or SitterCity. These sites allow users to create free or paid accounts so babysitters can easily search for openings in their area.
The sites can also highlight credentials you have, such as a CPR certificate or coursework from the American Red Cross. These credentials can help assure potential clients and give you the edge.
Potential Income: $15 to $20 per hour.
8. Food Delivery Driver
Many restaurants and food delivery companies need people to deliver food orders. Depending on the company policy, you can deliver food using your car or a rented vehicle. Food delivery is an excellent job if you want to make some extra money in your spare time.
DoorDash and Uber Eats are the top delivery services in the United States since they deliver more consistently than their competitors. Depending on your location, there may be smaller-scale options like Bitesquad, Caviar, Fooda, or Postmates.
Potential Income: $15 and up per hour plus tips.
9. Pet Sitter
If you adore animals, pet sitting is perfect for you. Not only is the work flexible, but it's also easy to find, and you get paid to spend time with some fuzzy friends.
Rover and Wag! are the two most popular pet-sitting sites, so if you're looking to get started immediately, those are your best bets. Like many other gig economy apps, you'll create a profile and then get connected with people who are nearby and in need of pet care.
Another way to build a client base is by socializing at dog parks and posting ads on bulletin boards. You get to choose which services you want to offer, including walks only, pet and house sitting, or pet boarding. This side gig is reliable and will help you generate a consistent income.
Potential Income: $12 to $20 per hour.
10. Competitive Online Gamer
If you're a video game enthusiast with skills to spare, why not turn your passion into profit? In recent years, the gaming industry has exploded, making it easier to break into the market and earn some serious cash.
Real-money gaming competitions are getting more well-known as video games grow in popularity. For those just starting, sites like GamerSaloon, GameBattles, and WorldGaming Network provide ways to earn. You can win cash prizes from $1 to $500 by defeating your challengers in online tournaments.
Today, the most popular competitive games are Dota 2, FIFA, Call of Duty, Madden, Counter-Strike, and League of Legends. With practice, patience, dedication, and skill development, you could even compete in esports tournaments where prize money can total millions of dollars.
Potential Income: You could earn anywhere from $1 to $500 per match in online competitions. Professional esports tournaments have much higher stakes, with winning teams taking home $35,000 and up.
Find the Best Side Gig for You Today
Side gigs are a perfect way of making extra money. Whether it’s freelance writing, online tutorial, or virtual assistant service—there are plenty of options. Do your research and compare opportunities to find what’s best for you. Start earning more today!
