Things are probably not that great financially because of the pandemic for you, right? Even having a regular 9 to 5 job may not cut it anymore because your partner had to leave their job. Or maybe you have a family member who has been struggling a lot, and they need your financial support?
The chances are that you are stuck at home and have to work remotely. And this situation provides a perfect opportunity to dedicate some of your time to create a side hustle. You do not have to commute to and from work and spend time in a traffic jam. You do not have to pay for gas, meaning that the money can be invested in an online business.
Related: Ways To Earn More As A Freelance Digital Marketer
The time to make money on the internet has never been easier. However, finding your groove may not be that simple, particularly if you lack the experience. A business will not succeed unless you have a proper idea.
Thus today, we are giving you a list of 8 best side hustle ideas that will help you increase your income and make your life easier. And who knows, maybe that side business could become your primary source of income one day?
Idea #1: Launch an Online T-Shirt Store
According to PR Newswire, the global t-shirt market should reach nearly 7 billion dollars in the year 2027. The number should not come as a surprise. After all, t-shirts are a great and versatile product that can be bought as a gift or style detail.
One of the best ways to sell custom t-shirts online is by using a print on demand service like Printify. Taking advantage of the platform is so much better than investing in a printing machine yourself. Moreover, you will not have to worry about shipping, returns, and inventory.
Related: Best Ecommerce Platforms To Build Online Store
Once you find your feet in the market, you can look to introduce products other than just t-shirts. Hoodies, phone cases, calendars, mugs, and even face masks are popular print-on-demand products.
Finally, keep in mind that you do not need to run the business alone. Finding a partner may be a more efficient option. You could be in charge of creating new designs while another person manages marketing. Or vice-versa.
Idea #2: Start an Influencer Career
Sponsored posts pay anywhere between 50 to 50,000 dollars, reports Fox Business. Thus, it is not surprising to see so many people who dream of becoming an influencer one day.
In addition to payments for a shoutout, influencers also get products they promote.
Related: What is Influencer Marketing?
Nevertheless, when you look from a bigger picture, influencing is another job. Sure, some individuals have it easy because of their attractive looks and personality. However, there are other types of influencers – micro-influencers. They are known for the content quality they publish and a relatively low number of followers. But higher engagement rates is what makes micro-influencers stand out from the rest.
Taking a micro-influencer approach offers higher chances of succeeding. You can find a niche and start a social media or YouTube page. Focus on content quality over quantity and grow your audience.
Once you have decent follower numbers, you can reach out to brands. Or maybe some brands will reach out to you and ask for a promotional piece?
Idea #3: Become a Freelance Writer
Some would argue that the writing niche is oversaturated. Even so, there is always room for quality writers. If you have a way with words, becoming a freelance writer could be one of the best online business ideas.
Related: Best Content Writing Tools For Content Writers
People who hire writers do so with certain expectations. Similar to other freelancing jobs, you will need to show proof that you are a professional. And for writers, it is published content on authority websites like Forbes, HuffPost, WSJ, New York Times, etc.
If you can accomplish that, finding work in the writing industry should not be an issue. It is also recommended to find a niche you are passionate about and polish your craft in it.
Idea #4: Sell Hand-Made Jewelry
With shopping platforms like Etsy, creating and selling hand-made jewellery has become quite popular. Statista revealed that Etsy’s annual gross merchandise sales reached nearly 5 billion dollars in 2019.
Related: Best Affiliate Marketing Programs
Now when it comes to hand-made goods like jewels, you have two options. The first is to create products yourself, but that requires talent. Your other option is to get in touch with artists and work as a middleman who can sell their goods.
Social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest have plenty of people who showcase their talent. But the problem is that they cannot make enough money despite all the talent.
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Someone else has to step in and take the reins into their own hands. And you can be that someone. Operating an ecommerce project like this is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience in addition to making money.
Idea #5: Stream on Twitch TV
Streamers are similar to influencers, but they make most of their money not from promoting goods or services. The majority of streamer income consists of donations and subscriptions.
Twitch TV is the most popular streaming website. Its viewer numbers grew from 127 million in 2019 to 143 million in 2020. In other words, the platform continues to attract more viewers and content creators.
You can start a channel as well. And do not think that Twitch is about video games. There is plenty of room for other types of channels. Music, cooking, or talk shows are just a few examples.
If you have an entertaining personality and like to interact with an audience, Twitch TV could be your ticket to financial independence.
Idea #6: Start a Virtual Assistant Career
There is a choice to test yourself in a virtual assistant’s career for those of you who are currently studying or just starting to search for your career path. The work itself is relatively simple. Some of the examples include:
- data entry and research
- answer phone calls and responding to emails
- creating schedules
- making appointments
A lot depends on who you work for, as you may slowly move your way up the ladder. Gaining the trust of your employer could lead to better pay and more important tasks.
As for where you can find VA gigs, there are several ways. Social media groups for freelancers is one of the examples. You may also encounter relevant online forums on Google. And finally, freelancer sites like Fiverr and Upwork, though the competition can be pretty fierce on such websites.
Idea #7: Teach Languages
Knowing how to speak in foreign languages may be beneficial in various life situations. You could get that job interview you always wanted at an international company. Or maybe you have been eager to work with foreign business partners and expand your brand overseas?
Of course, the desire to learn another language does not have to be business-oriented. Some people bother learning it to have fewer issues when they travel abroad. Or maybe they want to enjoy some of their favourite TV shows or books in their original language.
If you are a native speaker of a popular language, you can start a career as a teacher. Sure, having certificates and a degree from a university helps, but they are not necessary. Nor do you need to meet eager learners in person.
At the end of the day, there is the option to teach online via means like Zoom. You interact with students through a video chat. In other words, you can teach without leaving home.
Idea #8: Create Online Courses
Speaking of online teaching, there are ways to make money with it besides foreign languages. The demand for online courses continues to grow. People want to advance in their job or change careers. And what better way to do so than by learning online?
Related: Best Affiliate Marketing Strategies To Earn More Money
Sadly, not every employer is willing to provide their workers with training. And not every employee lives in an area that has classes in the evenings.
Thankfully, platforms like Skillshare and Udemy exist. As someone who wants to make money, you can create and sell courses on these platforms.
Pick a topic and look for as many different sources that cover it. Compile the information in the form of an easily-digestible online course and publish it.
Your courses will make money so long as they provide valuable information. At the same time, advertising your content would improve sales.
You could:
- get in touch with influencers and pay them for a shoutout
- post on relevant forums and social media groups
- ask bloggers to advertise your courses on their website
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone make money online?
Pretty much, yeah, so long as you have the desire and patience. It may take some time to learn how a method works, but that should not be an issue. There are plenty of people who have started from scratch. And keep in mind that if your first idea is not successful, you have other options to pursue.
How long will it take before I see my first profits?
It depends on the method and a little bit of luck. Some business models require time. For example, you are unlikely to sell t-shirts on your first day after launching a POD website. Or, if you aim to become an influencer, you will need some followers first.
On the other hand, offering freelancing services is simpler. You submit a gig or get in touch with potential clients via other means and wait for an answer. If they accept, you can expect payment after submitting your work.
Is there a limit to how much money I can make online?
Again, it depends on the method. As a rule of thumb, ecommerce has no real profit ceiling. It ultimately comes down to how much work you put in and whether you continue scaling the business.
If you work as a freelancer, you can also look to demand more for your services. Though remember that your expertise should justify that. Also, do not forget to consider the competition and the overall financial situation in your niche.
