Are you looking to make extra cash on the side? Whether you’re saving up for a big purchase or just want to boost your income, side hustles are an excellent way to achieve your financial goals. The best part? You don’t need a ton of money to get started! Here are 10 side hustle ideas, particularly great for beginners. These ideas are easy to start and have proven to work!
1. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is an excellent method of generating income by promoting products or services on the Internet. You get a commission every time someone purchases through your unique referral link. While this side hustle is ideal for those with a large following, anyone can get started and build an audience over time.
- How much you can earn: Successful affiliate marketers can make six figures annually.
- How to get started: Begin by choosing a niche, signing up for affiliate programs, and promoting products through your blog, social media, or YouTube channel.
2. Online Courses
Online education has gone crazy in recent years! Research and Markets even predict this industry will grow to $350 million every year!
You can dive into this growing field by creating & selling online courses! You don’t have to be a big-name expert but you should have solid skills and knowledge, so potential students take you seriously.
- Earnings: Your earnings could be anywhere from $0 to seven figures… but only a few people reach that top number. Marketing plays a huge role in how much you earn.
- Getting Started: Udemy is a great site that helps promote your course to tons of people. In return for that exposure, they take 50% of your organic sales & limit some customization options. If you already have your audience though, Teachable is better — since you control everything from pricing to the course domain!
3. Blogging
Blogging is one of the most popular side hustles out there. It requires minimal upfront investment and allows you to share your passion with the world. Whether you’re interested in fashion, cooking, or technology, there’s a niche for everyone.
- How much you can earn: Earnings can range from zero to six or even seven figures, depending on your blog’s traffic and monetization strategies.
- How to get started: Pick a niche, set up your blog, and start creating content. Generate revenue from your blog by using ads, affiliate marketing, or sponsored posts.
4. Bookkeeping
If you’re good with numbers, bookkeeping could be a lucrative side hustle. Many small businesses outsource their bookkeeping needs to save time and money, making this a high-demand service.
Bookkeepers can begin earning approximately $17 per hour, with the opportunity for higher pay as they gain more experience.
- How to get started: No degree is required, but familiarity with bookkeeping software and practices is essential. Online courses can help you get started.
5. Delivery
The gig economy has made delivery jobs widely available. Whether it’s food, groceries, or packages, there’s always a demand for reliable delivery drivers.
Delivery drivers can earn between $11 and $25 per hour, with tips included.
- How to get started: Sign up with delivery platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Amazon Flex. Make sure you have a valid driver’s license and a dependable vehicle.
6. Dog Walking
Love dogs? Transform your passion into income by starting a dog-walking business. This side hustle is perfect for animal lovers and requires minimal investment.
Dog walkers typically earn about $14 per hour on average.
- How to get started: Start by offering your services to neighbors or sign up on dog-walking platforms like Rover.
7. Dropshipping
Dropshipping permits you to promote products online without retaining any inventory. When a customer places an order, the supplier ships the product directly to them, and you earn a profit from the sale.
- How much you can earn: Successful drop shippers can earn six figures, though it requires hard work and experimentation.
- How to get started: Set up an online store with platforms like Shopify and start listing products from suppliers.
8. Editing
If you have a knack for grammar and a keen eye for detail, editing could be a great side hustle. Editors refine content by improving flow, clarity, and correctness, making it perfect for those who enjoy working with words.
- How much you can earn: Freelance editors typically make around per hour.
- How to get started: Find freelance editing gigs on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
9. Focus Groups
Participating in focus groups is a fun and easy way to earn extra money. Companies pay participants to share their opinions on products or services, often in a group setting.
- How much you can earn: Payments range from to 0 per session.
- How to get started: Sign up on platforms like User Interviews to focufind s group opportunities.
10. Graphic Design
If you’re artistic and enjoy creating visual content, graphic design could be a profitable side hustle. There’s a constant demand for logos, marketing materials, and social media graphics.
- How much you can earn: Graphic designers earn around per hour on average.
- How to get started: Build a portfolio and start offering your services on freelance platforms like 99designs or Upwork.
11. Hosting on Airbnb
If you have a greater area in your home, do not forget to rent it out on Airbnb. Whether it’s a spare room or an entire house, you can earn a significant income by hosting travellers.
- How much you can earn: Earnings vary depending on your location and the type of space you offer.
- How to get started: Sign up on Airbnb, list your space, and start hosting guests.
12. Mystery Shopping
Mystery shopping is a super side hustle! One writer for The Ways To Wealth has done it over 100 times. She has gotten all sorts of free (or almost free) stuff — like dining at nice restaurants and taking her family to water parks. Oh, and she makes a decent amount of cash for each assignment too!
Just a heads up: there are some scams out there. So it’s really important to educate yourself! Still, mystery shopping is legit. You can earn a nice little side income.
- Earnings: Typically, you’ll make under $20 an hour. But guess what? You can often score free stuff from the places you shop at!
- Getting Started: Want to know more? Check out our mystery shopping guide! If there aren’t any jobs close by, another way to grab free items is through product testing. We’ve put together a list of over 40 legit sites for product testing (some even pay you cash along with the goodies!).
13. Odd Jobs
Sometimes, you find yourself with an hour or two to spare, right? If you need some extra cash quick, odd jobs can be a perfect fit! Odd jobs are any random tasks or chores. This could be anything — from putting together boxed furniture to doing those one-off yard tasks.
- Earnings: How much you make depends on the job! Helping someone move out? You’ll likely earn good money that day. But if you’re just picking up dry cleaning, the pay won’t be very high.
- Getting Started: You can check out our list of the best gig economy apps for odd jobs!
14. Babysitting
Babysitting is a conventional side hustle, perfect for individuals who enjoy working with kids. It’s also highly flexible, making it ideal for people with full-time jobs or students.
- How much you can earn: Babysitters typically earn around $11.88 per hour, but this can vary.
- How to get started: Take a childcare course to enhance your credibility and begin by offering your services to friends and family.
Final Thoughts
Side hustles offer a flexible way to boost your income, whether you’re saving for something special or just want to achieve financial freedom. The key is to choose something you enjoy and can sustain over time. Start small, research as you go, and who is aware of it? Your side hustle could turn into a full-time gig!
Remember, each of these side hustle ideas is beginner-friendly, requiring minimal investment and offering growth potential. So why wait? Pick a hustle and start making money today!
