20 Best Side Hustle Ideas for Easy Extra Income in 2024

Looking for the best side hustle to supplement your income? This guide ranks twenty of the most promising options of 2024, detailing how each one could work for you. Find out how you can turn driving into dollars, leverage skills for online teaching, or earn passively with e-commerce. Get the essentials on start-up costs, earning potential, and how to begin, all packaged to help you make an informed choice and start earning.

Key Takeaways

Driving for Rideshare Services

Rideshare driver picking up passengers

Picture this: you’re cruising down the city streets, listening to your favorite tunes, all while earning money. Sounds appealing, doesn’t it? This is the reality for many rideshare drivers who offer their services through platforms like Uber and Lyft. Not only do you have the freedom to create your own schedule, but you can also earn a decent income. In fact, here are some key points to consider:

But it’s not just about the money; it’s about flexibility too. Rideshare services afford drivers great flexibility, allowing them to make money during their preferred times. Ever heard of ‘Destination Mode’? This feature enables drivers to accept riders along their route, effectively monetizing their commutes. And there’s more: Uber and Lyft both offer rewards programs that provide benefits such as cash back on gas, maintenance savings, roadside support, and other perks. Uber even includes unique benefits such as free Costco membership and tuition coverage for higher-tier drivers.

The world of ridesharing also offers the opportunity for income diversification. For instance, through Uber, drivers can combine rideshare services with food delivery options like Uber Eats to potentially increase their earnings. So, why not give it a go? You never know, your next Uber passenger could be your ticket to your next big side hustle.

Food And Grocery Delivery

Delivery person with grocery bags

Now, imagine a side hustle that allows you to explore your city, help local businesses, and earn extra income. Welcome to the world of food and grocery delivery. Platforms like DoorDash and Instacart are revolutionizing the way we shop for groceries and order food. As a delivery driver, you can opt for weekly payments through direct deposit, benefit from optional instant payouts, comprehensive sick pay, and additional earnings through tips and promotions. In fact, Instacart Full-Service Shoppers can see expected payouts before accepting an order, while DoorDash has a pay model that includes base pay and possible additional earnings for larger orders.

One of the greatest advantages of this side hustle idea is the ability to explore various side hustles:

These platforms cater to your availability, ensuring a seamless experience even with varying internet connection quality.

However, as with any side hustle, there are responsibilities to consider. As independent contractors, delivery drivers must manage their earnings for tax purposes and are responsible for obtaining delivery driver insurance for incident protection. But with great responsibility comes greater rewards.

So, why not turn your spare time into a profitable venture by deciding to deliver food and groceries in just a few hours?

Online Tutoring

From delivering food to delivering knowledge, another lucrative side hustle in 2024 is online tutoring. Platforms like VIPKid and WyzAnt have made it possible for anyone with expertise in a particular field to share their knowledge and earn money. For instance, VIPKid, an online tutoring platform, requires tutors to have a four-year degree and at least two years of teaching, tutoring, or coaching experience. Once onboard, online tutors with VIPKid can earn between $14 to $22 per hour and have the freedom to set their own schedules without a minimum hour requirement.

One of the most attractive aspects of online tutoring is the supportive work environment. VIPKid, for instance, is acknowledged as one of the top 10 best places to work, creating a positive work environment for its community of online tutors. The demand for teachers remains high at VIPKid, which serves nearly 1,000,000 students and connects over 200,000 teachers to job opportunities and professional development through the VIPTeacher network.

If your expertise lies outside the realm of traditional school subjects, don’t worry. WyzAnt hosts a variety of tutoring subjects, catering to both common and specialized niches such as financial accounting and computer programming. On WyzAnt, tutors can set their own hourly rates and respond to job postings by students, providing significant control over their work and earnings. So, whether you’re a math whiz or a coding guru, there’s ample opportunity for you to share your skills and earn extra income in the process.

Selling Handmade Products on Etsy

Handmade products on display

Are you a craft enthusiast with a knack for creating unique handmade items? If so, selling handmade products on Etsy could be your perfect side hustle. To get started, all you need to do is:

  1. Create a free account
  2. Set up a storefront with selected preferences like shop language and currency
  3. Choose a shop name
  4. Add high-quality photos and videos for product listings

Once your own business, the shop, is ready, you can start earning from sales.

But setting up your online store is just the beginning. To stay competitive in the Etsy marketplace, you need to master Etsy SEO. This involves using relevant keywords in titles, descriptions, categories, and tags. Continuously refining these elements, along with using Etsy advertising, helps match customer queries, improves ranking, and ensures your shop remains competitive.

Part of your Etsy success also relies on your product photography and the visual branding of your shop. Sellers can expand their reach by renewing listings regularly, diversifying product offerings, and specifying detailed product categories and subcategories.

Lastly, don’t forget about customer experience. Enhancing customer loyalty can be achieved by:

So, if you’re ready to turn your hobby into a profitable side hustle, Etsy is the place to start.

Freelance Writing And Content Creation

Freelance writer working on a laptop

If you’re more of a wordsmith than a craftsman, freelance writing and content creation could be your perfect side hustle. In this digital age, the demand for engaging content is skyrocketing, and freelance writers are reaping the benefits. Freelance writing allows individuals to set their own rates by assessing their skills and considering the demand for their specific niche or specialty.

But where can you find writing gigs? Here are some platforms that connect writers with clients in need of their services:

It’s important to regularly evaluate and adjust your rates based on your experience, skill level, and industry standards. This ensures you’re fairly compensated for your work and accounts for the cost of running your business.

Adjusting and negotiating rates is essential for maintaining a successful freelance writing business. However, it’s also important to account for platform fees such as those incurred when using Upwork. So, whether you’re a seasoned writer or a newbie looking to turn your passion for writing into a profitable side hustle, freelance writing offers a world of opportunities.

Virtual Assistant Services

In today’s digital world, businesses are increasingly looking to outsource tasks, opening the door for virtual assistant services as a promising side hustle. From appointment scheduling to customer emails and data entry, virtual assistants are in high demand. Companies like BELAY and Time Etc offer a structured process to connect clients with virtual assistants, providing a path from initial contact to ongoing support.

But what sets these platforms apart? Well, Time Etc offers virtual assistance specifically for entrepreneurs handling tasks like email management and scheduling. It’s also exclusive in its recruitment, employing only the top 2% of U.S. virtual assistants. On the other hand, BELAY has been highlighted by FlexJobs as one of 2024’s Top 100 Remote Work Companies to Watch, underscoring its prominence in the virtual assistant industry.

Besides these, TaskRabbit and ChatterBoss are other key platforms that facilitate virtual assistants in finding clients and managing gigs effectively. So, if you’re organized, detail-oriented, and enjoy administrative work, becoming a virtual assistant might just be your perfect side hustle.

Social Media Management

From managing emails to managing social media, the next side hustle on our list is social media management. In today’s digital world, an effective social media presence is crucial for businesses, and that’s where social media managers come in. As a freelance social media manager, you’ll need a comprehensive understanding of tasks such as:

Social media management typically involves strategy planning, content creation, post scheduling and publishing, community management, and analytics reporting. The key to success in this field is finding clients, which can be achieved through networking events, an optimized LinkedIn profile, participation in social media groups, and word-of-mouth.

The income for freelance social media managers varies, with some earning over $10,000 monthly. When pricing your services, you should factor in:

So, if you’re a social media savvy individual with a knack for creating engaging content, freelance social media management could be your perfect side hustle.

Dropshipping And E-Commerce

E-commerce store with products

From offering services to selling products, let’s shift gears and talk about dropshipping and e-commerce. Dropshipping involves running an online store without keeping physical inventory. You only pay for products after a customer makes a purchase. Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce can be used for this purpose.

To start a store on Shopify, you need to:

Another platform, WooCommerce, offers a cost-effective e-commerce store setup with no commissions or monthly fees required.

But setting up your online store is just the beginning. To be successful in e-commerce, you need to understand your target audience, experiment with marketing and advertising strategies, and invest in SEO strategies for better reach and increased sales. So, if you’re ready to enter the world of e-commerce, dropshipping might be the perfect side hustle for you.

Affiliate Marketing

From selling your own products to earning commissions by promoting others’, let’s talk about affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing allows you to team up with companies, share trackable affiliate links, and earn a commission when someone makes a purchase through those links.

The key to success in affiliate marketing is building trust with your audience and promoting products that are genuinely useful and personally verified. To engage in affiliate marketing, you need to create a blog with a professional look, easy navigation, and quality content focused on a chosen niche. This includes strategic integration of affiliate links and visuals while maintaining authenticity.

Affiliate marketers should:

So, if you’re interested in earning passive income, affiliate marketing could be your perfect side hustle.

From promoting products to creating your own, another profitable side hustle in 2024 is print on demand merchandise. Services like Printful, Printify, and Gelato enable you to upload artwork which these platforms then print, pack, and ship after a customer places an order.

But how can you make your print on demand business successful? Well, the key lies in focusing on profitable niches and optimizing your designs for maximum appeal. Effective print-on-demand designs should be:

Profitable print-on-demand niches include:

Photographers can utilize print on demand to sell their printed images on T-shirts, blankets, coffee mugs, and various other products. They can set their own profit margins and create digital products such as ebooks, guides, and courses. So, if you’ve got a knack for design or photography, print on demand merchandise could be your perfect side hustle.

YouTube And Video Content Creation

From print to video, let’s dive into the world of YouTube and video content creation. As a content creator on YouTube, you can monetize your videos through the YouTube Partner Program, which requires a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months.

Other monetization opportunities on YouTube include:

YouTubers can also utilize third-party subscription services like Patreon to offer exclusive content to subscribers.

For a successful YouTube channel, here are some essential strategies to consider:

  1. Enhance video quality to attract and retain viewers.
  2. Use storytelling techniques to engage your audience and keep them interested.
  3. Utilize SEO tools like TubeBuddy for keyword research to improve visibility and reach.
  4. Maintain a consistent posting schedule to keep your audience engaged.
  5. Interact with your audience through pinned comments, contests, and live streams.
  6. Create anticipation for your videos by releasing mini-trailers or teasers.

By implementing these strategies, you can improve the visibility, watch time, and overall success of your YouTube channel.

Collaborating with other creators and developing content ideas that resonate with the audience can further aid in growing a subscriber base and enhancing channel performance. Consistent refinement of content and aligning with the channel’s niche is fundamental for the channel’s long-term success. Optimizing video titles, descriptions, and tags, as well as utilizing social media platforms to promote YouTube content, are key tactics for increasing a video’s reach and discoverability.

Online Course Creation

From creating videos to creating online courses, let’s discuss online course creation as a side hustle. If you have personal skills and knowledge that cater to the learning aspirations of others, creating an online course could be your perfect side hustle.

Online courses can be created on a plethora of topics, with a significant market demand for content in numerous subject areas. Initial research and validation of an online course concept should focus on self-evaluation, targeting a specific audience, and developing solutions for their needs.

In developing online courses, it’s essential to:

Launching an online course successfully involves marketing the unique benefits of the course, fostering an early interest with waitlists, and incentivizing enrollments with early bird offers. Choosing the right platform, such as Teachable or Udemy, can make a difference in how a course is presented and sold. So, if you’re passionate about teaching and sharing knowledge, online course creation might be your perfect side hustle.

Pet Sitting And Dog Walking

From teaching online to caring for pets, let’s discuss pet sitting and dog walking as a side hustle. If you’re an animal lover, platforms like Rover and Wag! offer an ideal opportunity to earn extra income while spending time with furry friends. As a pet sitter or dog walker, you can set competitive rates and provide excellent care to attract clients and maximize earnings.

There’s a higher demand for dog walking services in urban areas with a large population of young professionals. Platforms like Wag! and Rover can help dog walkers find gigs in these areas. Ideal dog walkers and sitters are those with a love for animals, the ability to provide safe and loving care, and who can attract clients with a well-crafted Rover profile.

Sitters and walkers using Rover can set their own schedules. Though Rover keeps a 20% service fee, the flexibility afforded by the platform can be advantageous for those seeking a side hustle tailored to their lifestyle. So, if you love pets and enjoy staying active, pet sitting or dog walking might be your perfect side hustle.

Flipping Items for Profit

From walking dogs to flipping items, let’s discuss hustle ideas to make money, including side hustle ideas such as flipping items for profit. If you have a knack for finding treasures at thrift stores or yard sales, flipping items for profit could be your perfect side hustle. Begin by sourcing zero or low-cost inventory like unused personal items, free curbside finds, or thrift store bargains.

Profitable flipping items include:

Using tools like the eBay app can help you assess the value and sale probability before purchase.

To maximize profits, incorporate strategic listing techniques using keywords and shipping offers, sell specialized high-value items like designer bags, and engage with the online reselling community for trending item insights. Optimize sales by using platforms such as eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace, and consider retail arbitrage by finding discounted retail products to resell online at higher prices.

So, if you have an eye for value and enjoy the thrill of the hunt, flipping items for profit might be your perfect side hustle, or even a great hustle idea.

Stock Photography And Licensing

From flipping items to capturing photos, let’s discuss stock photography and licensing as a side hustle. If you have a passion for photography, selling your photos on stock photography sites can be a great way to generate passive income. Photographers can earn royalties that vary by platform, such as 50% on Pond5 for photos, 20% on Getty Images for images, and up to 60% on Pond5 for exclusive videos.

To enhance your sales potential, you should focus on a few areas of photography and develop a distinguishing style. Self-marketing and thought leadership within your niche can also boost your visibility. Stock photos should be prepped by leaving space for text, ensuring they are clean and noise-free, and excluding brands or logos to meet platform standards and increase commercial versatility.

Optimizing stock photo discoverability involves good keywording practices, using 20-25 relevant keywords, and obtaining model releases as needed. Participating in referral programs can also enhance earnings. Consistent shooting and experimenting with new photography techniques are crucial for stock photographers to stay relevant and refine their craft.

So, if you’re a photography enthusiast, stock photography and licensing might be your perfect side hustle.

Renting Out Property on Airbnb

From selling photos to renting property, let’s discuss renting out property on Airbnb as a side hustle. If you have a spare room or a vacation home, renting it out on Airbnb can be a lucrative side hustle. To attract more guests and support higher rates, you need to optimize your listing with professional photography, detailed descriptions of amenities and local activities, and by researching your market to align with guest preferences.

Enhancing the guest experience can also help boost your earnings. This can be achieved by:

These strategies can significantly improve guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Implementing a dynamic pricing strategy that adjusts for seasonality, market trends, and offers unique Airbnb Experiences can optimize occupancy rates and increase overall revenue. Keeping the Airbnb property meticulously clean is pivotal as cleanliness impacts guest satisfaction, repeat bookings, and can influence occupancy rates over time.

Before renting out on Airbnb, it’s critical to understand and comply with local rules and regulations specific to short-term rentals to avoid penalties or legal issues. So, if you have a property sitting vacant, renting it out on Airbnb might be your perfect side hustle.

Remote Freelance Work

From renting property to offering remote services, let’s discuss remote freelance work as a side hustle. Remote freelance work can be found on various platforms such as FlexJobs, Upwork, and Toptal. As a remote freelancer, you enjoy the benefit of flexible work hours, the freedom to work from any location with connectivity, and the autonomy to tailor your career path toward your interests and long-term goals.

Remote freelancers have the opportunity for unlimited income growth by taking on additional clients and adjusting rates based on experience and demand. Platforms such as WriterAccess and Fiverr allow freelancers to keep a substantial portion of their earned income, and also benefit from tax deductions related to business operations and expenses.

By engaging in remote freelance work, professionals can:

So, if you’re skilled in a particular field and crave the flexibility of working remotely, remote freelance work might be your perfect side hustle.

Graphic Design Services

From offering remote services to showcasing your creativity, let’s discuss graphic design services as a side hustle. With the demand for user-friendly digital products, engaging visuals for social media, websites, and marketing materials, the market for graphic design services is growing rapidly.

While professional designers held the largest revenue share, the fastest growth was seen among amateur designers and hobbyists. Graphic designers can enhance their marketability by:

To further develop their graphic design side hustle, designers should focus on projects aligned with their interests, use platforms like 99designs for visibility, and promote themselves through social media and industry events. So, if you’re a creative individual with a knack for design, offering graphic design services might be your perfect side hustle.

Online Survey Sites

From creative work to online surveys, let’s discuss online survey sites as a side hustle. If you’re looking to earn extra income in your spare time, completing surveys on sites like Swagbucks can be a great way to make money online.

Users earn rewards by completing various tasks; rewards can include PayPal cash and gift cards. Diamond-level members can earn over $20,000 and Survey Junkie offers cash redemption and gift cards for popular retailers. Sites like Survey Junkie are positively reviewed, BBB-accredited, and available to individuals in several countries, demonstrating their legitimacy and broad accessibility.

To enhance your earnings and make some extra cash, you can participate in digital monitoring programs like Survey Junkie Pulse or perform additional tasks such as trying new products on Swagbucks. So, if you’re looking for a side hustle that you can do in your spare time, completing online surveys might be your perfect side hustle.

Personal Fitness Training

From online surveys to personal fitness, let’s discuss personal fitness training as a side hustle. If you’re a fitness enthusiast, offering personal fitness training services can be a great way to earn extra income while doing something you love.

Personal trainers can diversify their professional activities by offering:

The personal training profession is experiencing rapid growth, making it a promising option for those seeking additional income.

However, like any other profession, personal training comes with its own set of challenges. These include time management, client acquisition and retention, maintaining balance with other jobs, and keeping abreast of industry trends. Successful client retention relies on building strong relationships, custom-tailoring fitness programs, and effectively using communication platforms for progress tracking.

Before starting your personal training side hustle, you should:

The personal training side hustle can lead to a significant income, with some personal trainers achieving six-figure earnings by diversifying their income sources.

So, if you’re passionate about fitness and enjoy helping others achieve their health and fitness goals, personal fitness training might be your perfect side hustle.

Summary

In conclusion, there’s a side hustle for everyone. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, a pet lover, or a digital nomad, you can find a side hustle that aligns with your skills, interests, and lifestyle. Remember, the key to a successful side hustle is passion, commitment, and a willingness to learn and adapt. So, which side hustle will you choose in 2024?

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the #1 Side Hustle?

The #1 side hustle is freelancing, which allows you to earn extra money by delivering work on a per-project basis for clients in your spare time. Embrace freelancing as a flexible and lucrative way to boost your income.

How Can I Make an Extra $2000 a Month?

You can make an extra $2000 a month by delivering food and groceries, renting out extra space in your home, and becoming an online tutor or virtual assistant. It's all about being creative and finding ways to generate multiple income streams.

Which Side Hustle Makes the Most Money?

The most profitable side hustles include bookkeeping, proofreading, running Facebook and Instagram ads, freelancing, and becoming a virtual assistant, with potential earnings ranging from $20 to $50 per hour. Other high-earning options include monetizing a YouTube channel, selling digital products, tutoring, delivering packages, starting a podcast, designing and selling t-shirts, offering pet sitting and dog walking services, and becoming a rideshare driver. These ideas align with various skills and interests and have the potential to bring in significant income.

How Can I Make $1000 a Week on the Side?

You can make $1000 a week by exploring options like proofreading, blogging, bookkeeping, freelance writing, and investing in real estate or stocks. These are great avenues to pursue for earning extra income. Start by identifying which opportunity aligns best with your skills and interests.

What Are Some Profitable Side Hustles in 2024?

In 2024, profitable side hustles include driving for rideshare services, food and grocery delivery, online tutoring, selling handmade products on Etsy, freelance writing, virtual assistant services, and more. These opportunities provide a flexible way to earn extra income while pursuing your passions and interests.