What is a side hustle?
With the gig economy continuing to boom and the rise of remote work, side hustles have become an increasingly popular way to earn extra income. Whether you’re looking to supplement your current income, pay off debt, save up for a big purchase, or quit the 9-5 altogether, there are countless side hustles you can start from home with just your laptop.
With the ever-increasing rise in the cost of living predicted to get even worse in the next few years, our money isn’t going to go as far, and if we still want to have the money to actually enjoy life how we deserve to, relying on just one source of income is simply not enough anymore. The importance of upskilling and being able to diversify the way we earn our income has become greater than ever before. Thankfully, its also become easier than ever before to start a side hustle business from your kitchen worktop!
Over the past few years the term “side hustle” has become increasingly popular. It often starts as a passion project or a hobby that can be monetized, but it can also be a simple gig or freelance work. Many people are turning to side hustles as a way to supplement their income, pursue their interests, and even turn their hobbies into full-time businesses. As a matter of fact, many multi-million dollar businesses started as side hustles.
In this article we will explore the world of side hustles, and how you can start one, from home, today with just a few hours a week, around an existing career, as well as some pros and cons for each.
At the end of the article I want to give you access to a video that’s going to give you an in-depth look at the 6 critical steps to getting customers online 24-7, in any business you can think of, that’s going to help you thrive in the online world and stand out above all the noise, helping you not only build but also scale your side hustle.
Why start a side hustle?
Making money online = freedom.
Making money on the internet can give you an insane amount of freedom, you can build multiple streams of income and truly release that inner entrepreneur that’s bursting to get out, and it can all start with a side hustle. You may wish to travel the world or work from your favourite cafe. Having an online side hustle gives you this flexibility.
But if you want to get started with your online side hustle right now, I want to send you some video workshops that are going to walk you through what it’s going to take and how to start today!
Having an online side hustle has so many benefits, and there is no reason why you can’t start one today, even if you only have a couple of hours spare each evening. So stop watching Netflix and start doing something that opbenefit you
Here are 7 online side hustles business ideas I believe are a great way to start earning in 2023.
1. Social media manager.
Love social media? Love creating content? Why not turn your love for social media into a side hustle business?
As a social media manager for various social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube as well as the other platforms out there, your job is to connect the business to its target audience through the various platforms. Of course, you do not have to specialize in all of them, you could pick just one or two and really get to know the platform inside out!
Because it is vital for businesses to have a social media presence in today’s ever-competitive world they are willing to pay big bucks for somebody to run their social media for them. This can be done either as a full-time job or as a side hustle.
Pros…
- Getting paid to spend time on your favourite platforms
- You get to decide the clients you choose to work with
- Lots of variation in your work
- You can work fully remotely
- Opportunity to build relationships that can serve you in future ventures
Cons…
- You need to constantly evolve and keep up with trends
- It can get very stressful
- May become very time-consuming
2. Affiliate Marketing
The lowest-hanging fruit and the best online business to start as a beginner. Affiliate marketing if done right, can be life-changing.
Affiliate marketing is a type of performance-based marketing where a business rewards its affiliates for each customer brought to the business through the affiliate’s marketing efforts. In this model, an affiliate promotes the products or services of a company on its website, blog, or social media platforms. When a user clicks on the affiliate’s unique tracking link and makes a purchase, the affiliate earns a commission.
Affiliate marketing can be incredibly lucrative and is often touted as the “perfect business model” for newbies.
It’s a genuine business and the industry is predicted to be a $37 Billion industry by 2030!
And the good news is, you don’t need to be an influencer with 10,000 followers to make a success of it and earn a life-changing income, and you can get started straight away. If you learn how to do affiliate marketing the right way, it can give you success faster than you ever thought possible.
Pros…
- Passive income: Once you’ve set up your affiliate marketing system, it can be a great source of passive income. You can earn money while you sleep!
- Low start-up costs: Becoming an affiliate marketer is relatively low cost, as you don’t need to create or stock products or handle shipping or returns.
- Flexibility: Affiliate marketing can be done from anywhere, and you can set your own schedule and work at your own pace.
- No customer support: As an affiliate marketer, you are not responsible for customer support, refunds, or returns.
- No inventory: You don’t need to carry inventory, which can be a significant advantage if you’re short on space or funds.
Cons…
- Commission rates: Commission rates can vary significantly depending on the company and product you’re promoting, and may not be as high as you’d like.
- Competitive market: Affiliate marketing can be competitive, so you’ll need to put in time and effort to stand out.
- No control over the product: You don’t have control over the product or service you’re promoting.
3. Start an E-commerce store
An e-commerce store is an online platform where businesses or individuals can sell products or services directly to customers over the Internet.
E-commerce has been on the rise for some time now, especially from individuals importing their own products and selling them on sites like Amazon, eBay and Shopify as side hustles. In fact, over half of the products for sale on Amazon are from third-party sellers.
Starting an e-commerce store is relatively easy, and anyone can do it with the right tools and guidance. To start an e-commerce store, you’ll need to first select a niche, create a business plan, and then choose an e-commerce platform to host your store. There are several popular e-commerce platforms available such as Shopify, and WooCommerce.
Pros…
- Low startup costs: Starting an e-commerce store can be relatively inexpensive compared to starting a brick-and-mortar store, as there are no rental or utility costs associated with a physical location.
- Flexibility: Running an e-commerce store allows you to work from anywhere, at any time, and provides you with a flexible schedule that can be tailored to your needs.
- Scalability: E-commerce stores have the potential to grow quickly and easily, with the ability to add new products or services, scale marketing efforts, and expand into new markets.
Cons…
- Intense competition: E-commerce is a highly competitive market, with numerous other online stores selling similar products and services, which can make it challenging to stand out.
- Shipping and handling: Managing shipping and handling logistics can be time-consuming and costly, particularly for international shipments.
- Customer service demands: E-commerce stores require high levels of customer service to address inquiries, complaints, and returns, which can be time-consuming and labour-intensive.
4. Start a Blog or Vlog
Blogging isn’t dead, it’s still a thing in 2023, even with video becoming more and more popular. Blogging and vlogging are two types of content creation that have become increasingly popular over the years. A blog is an online platform where individuals or businesses can write and publish articles, typically focused on a particular topic or niche. A vlog, on the other hand, is a video blog that features videos instead of written articles. Both blogging and vlogging can be done on a personal or professional level and can cover a broad range of topics from food and travel to finance and technology.
Creating content for a blog or vlog involves researching and writing or filming, editing, and publishing content regularly to build an audience. Successful bloggers and vloggers focus on creating high-quality, engaging content that resonates with their audience and encourages them to share and engage with the content. Over time, bloggers and vloggers can monetize their content through various methods, including advertising, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing, making it a potentially lucrative business.
Successful blogs can earn thousands of dollars a month of passive income.
Pros…
- Creativity: Blogging and vlogging offer a creative outlet for those who enjoy writing, filming, or editing content.
- Flexibility: Creating content for a blog or vlog can be done from anywhere at any time, allowing for flexibility in scheduling.
- Low start-up costs: Starting a blog or vlog requires relatively low start-up costs, especially compared to starting a traditional business.
- Potential to earn a passive income: Successful bloggers and vloggers can monetize their content through advertising, sponsorships, and product promotions, potentially generating significant income.
Cons…
- Time-consuming: Creating high-quality content for a blog or vlog can be time-consuming, requiring research, writing, filming, and editing.
- Competitive: There is a lot of competition in the blogging and vlogging world, making it challenging to stand out and build a substantial audience.
- It can be hard if writing doesn’t come naturally, creating content ideas isn’t always easy.
5. Freelance video editing
Have a passion for creating and editing videos? Starting a freelance video editing side hustle can be a great way to earn extra income while pursuing your passion for video creation and editing.
As a video editor, you have the ability to work on a variety of projects, such as corporate videos, music videos, short films, or social media content. To get started, it’s important to build a portfolio of your work to showcase your skills to potential clients. You can also network with other videographers, join online video editing communities, and use job boards to find opportunities.
Freelance sites like Upwork and Fiverr operate as online marketplaces that connect freelancers with clients who need their services. On these platforms, freelancers create profiles that highlight their skills, experience, and portfolio.
Pros…
- As a freelance video editor, you have the freedom to work when and where you like.
- A wide variety of work and you get to choose the projects that are a good fit for you.
- Potential to earn a very good income.
Cons…
- Can be a very highly competitive market.
- Not always easy to find the right clients to work with
- Lack of consistent work
6. Print on demand.
Print on demand is a side hustle that involves creating and selling custom designs on products like t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases. With print-on-demand services like Printful or Teespring, you can create your designs and upload them to your online store. When a customer orders a product with your design, the print-on-demand service prints and ships the item directly to the customer. The key to success in print-on-demand is to create designs that resonate with your audience and to promote your products through social media and other marketing channels.
Pros…
- Easy to get started with relatively low start-up costs.
- No need for large upfront investments in inventory.
- It also allows for the customization and personalization of products.
- Low overheads.
Cons…
- Busy and competitive market.
- Less control over your shipping and product handling.
- Less control over the quality of your product.
7. Photography.
If you’re passionate about photography and looking to earn some extra income, there are several ways to turn your hobby into a side hustle. One option is to offer your services as a freelance photographer for events such as weddings, birthday parties, or corporate gatherings. You can also sell your photos online on platforms like Shutterstock or Etsy, where you can offer digital prints or even personalized products like photo books or canvas prints. Another approach is to build a social media following and use your photography skills to create sponsored content for brands. You could also consider teaching photography classes or workshops, whether in person or online, to help others learn the skills you’ve developed over time. With a bit of creativity and hard work, your photography hobby can become a lucrative side hustle.
Pros…
- Flexibility: Photography can often be done on a freelance or contract basis, which means you can work around your schedule and take on as much or as little work as you’d like.
- Creative outlet: For many people, photography is a way to express their creativity and capture moments that are important to them. As a side hustle, it can be a way to continue pursuing that passion while also earning money.
- High demand: There is often a high demand for photographers, particularly for events like weddings and corporate gatherings. This can make it easier to find work and build a client base.
- Potential for passive income: If you sell your photos online, you may be able to generate passive income over time as people continue to purchase your prints or products.
Cons…
- Competitive market: While there is high demand for photographers, there is also a lot of competition. It can be challenging to stand out and build a client base in a crowded market.
- Upfront costs: Starting a photography side hustle often requires investing in equipment like cameras, lenses, and editing software. These costs can be significant and may take time to recoup.
- Time-consuming: Photography can be a time-consuming activity, particularly when it comes to editing and post-production. It can be challenging to balance a side hustle with other responsibilities like work, family, and social life.
- Inconsistent income: As a freelancer or contract worker, your income may be inconsistent or unpredictable. It can be difficult to know how much work you’ll have each month and plan your finances accordingly.
Conclusion.
In conclusion, starting a side hustle in 2023 can be a great way to boost your income, develop new skills, and pursue your passions. With advances in technology and changes in the way people work, there are now more opportunities than ever to turn a hobby or interest into a profitable venture. Whether you’re looking to pay off debt, save for a big purchase, or simply explore new opportunities or escape the 9-5, a side hustle can provide the extra income you need to achieve your goals.
Starting a side hustle has never been easier than what it is today, and it can also be incredibly rewarding, offering the chance to take control of your own life and build something that’s truly your own. So if you’re looking to make a change in 2023, consider starting a side hustle and see where it takes you!
If you’re looking to start a side hustle but have no idea where or how to start I want to introduce you to a 28-minute video that’s going to walk you through the abundance of opportunities online, the strategies that are working today, and how to get started, and how using a concept called authority marketing can shortcut you to success.
You will also get access to a four-part video workshop, that covers affiliate marketing, and selling products on Amazon in much more detail.
Don’t go it alone when starting your side hustle, learn from the people in the trenches that are building income streams online and have already made mistakes along the way, meaning you can avoid these mistakes.