If you have financial goals, extra money will make reaching them a whole lot easier.
Side hustles have been around for decades, but they’ve become increasingly common as equity gaps widen. Technology has also improved in recent years, making it easier than ever to drum up some extra cash without even needing to leave your house.
Side hustle income can help you reach goals that you won’t otherwise be able to reach on a full-time job alone, and fortunately for us, writing is a highly transferable skill – even in the age of AI.
Whether you are a student, a stay-at-home parent, or someone simply looking to diversify your income, here’s a roundup of side hustles you can do from home.
What to Consider for Your Side Hustle Idea
Side hustles vary widely with regard to skill level, time commitment and initial investment. Because of this, there is no “best” side hustle; what’s more important is to identify which approaches make the most sense for you.
Consider the following factors.
Skill set. If you already have a skill with something, and can offer it outside of your day job, consider leaning into that first. You’ll be able to offer something more specialized that can help you charge higher rates.
Time availability. If you’ve got an extra 40 hours a week to work with, then yeah, you could pick up just about anything on work on your own schedule. If you’re really strapped for time or have family responsibilities, you’ll have to be more discerning; consider exploring a side hustle that is more asynchronous and lets you do the work on your time, rather than set times each day.
Initial investment. If you have some upfront capital to work with, you might be able to give yourself a running start. This passive income approach requires less of a time commitment, but obviously you need the extra cash on hand to begin with.
Location flexibility. Not all side hustles have location independence. You could always deliver food or do something like dog walking in your neighborhood, but what happens if you’re traveling or want to travel more?
We’ll focus on writing side hustles in this post because they provide both flexibility and a way to produce extra income.
Writing Side Hustle Ideas to Consider
Here are 8 side hustles to make you extra money.
No 1: Freelance Content Writing
Freelance writing is a tried-and-true way to make extra cash as an independent contractor. Whether it be journalistic articles or a more B2B approach helping companies put together written documentation, there are always people hiring writers if you know where to look.
Although it’s true that businesses are incorporating more AI into their content approaches, humans are still needed to manage and edit this machine-produced copy. If you have a knack for writing, freelancing as a content writer can be a lucrative side hustle.
Pro Tip:When you publish online, your work can serve as a portfolio, which can help you pitch future clients.
No. 2: Creatorship
In the creator economy, writers and content creators publish content on platforms, then run advertisements or brand sponsorships. Think about sponsored posts on social media or ads that run before you watch a video on YouTube. In these scenarios, someone has published content, and the attention they attract on that content is an asset, one that can be offered up to advertisers.
If you’re someone who loves to create and work on your craft, creatorship can be a way to drum up additional funds. For example, writing on Medium can get you paid in royalties using the Medium Partner Program.
No. 3: Coaching and Consulting
Writing doesn’t have to be your only output. Perhaps you help people come up with a publishing strategy or coach them on how to refine their message. Services that you render from your expertise can also be a side hustle.
My company, Hefty Media Group, is a small consulting company that I downsized after taking a job as a professional editor a few years ago. What’s nice about coaching and consulting is that it can scale up and down easily based on your financial situation.
No. 4: Online Courses and Workshops
If you want something a little more automated, capture your knowledge in the form of an online course or workshop, then offer it on-demand.
Be sure to validate your course idea first. Since most or all of the work is upfront, you want to make sure your content is something people will pay for. This protects you from building something no one wants.
No. 5: Social Media Management
In the age of digital marketing, businesses are constantly seeking professionals to manage their social media presence. If you have expertise in social media strategies, content creation, and engagement, consider offering your services as a social media manager. You can help businesses build their online presence, increase their followers, and interact with their target audience.
No. 6: Virtual Assistant Opportunities
A virtual assistant is someone who helps others remotely with administrative work. The rise of remote work and the gig economy has created additional demand for virtual assistants.
If you have excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage tasks remotely, you can offer services like scheduling meetings, answering emails, or writing up standard operating procedures. Platforms like Upwork can help you find clients and build a mini virtual assistant online business.
No. 7: Gig Work on Job Marketplaces
If you offer VA services or other types of skilled labor, an online labor marketplace can be a great place to find clients. Fiverr is for offering set services with set prices, whereas Upwork is more client-centric, with a client posting that they need help with and potential contractors applying and pitching for the job.
There are other industry-specific online job marketplaces, too.
Make Money Online and Achieve Your Goals
You can use side hustles to make extra money and pursue a better financial future. Try new things and see how your skills transfer so you can live a more financially fulfilling life. â—†
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