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Almost 40% of the U.S. workforce is freelance. Gig work and side hustling are here to stay and, if you’re smart, you’ll be leveraging them to make some extra cash.
But what exactly is a side hustle? And what side hustles are worth the time and effort?
Here’s everything you need to know about side hustling: What it is and 10 potential side hustles you can leverage to earn some extra cash from home.
What Is a Side Hustle?
A side hustle is a method of earning cash outside of your typical nine-to-five job. They’re often more flexible than regular jobs, letting you work when and how you want.
The rise of the gig economy has seen a boom in side hustling. More and more people are opting to make extra cash in more inventive, flexible ways.
Let’s take a look at 10 of the best side hustles available to you.
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Paid Surveys
Your opinion counts, particularly to marketing companies. This is why survey jobs are such a great way to make some extra cash.
Paid surveys are exactly what they sound like: you take surveys and are paid for your time. While not the most lucrative side hustle on this list, paid surveys are a great way to earn some extra cash on the side.
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Drive for Lyft or Uber
Ridesharing services are leading the way when it comes to gig work. Services like Uber and Lyft let you work when you want to and switch off the app when you don’t. As side hustles go, they’re a great way to make some extra cash outside of regular hours.
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Rent out Your Extra Room on Airbnb
AirBnB is an online resource that lets everyday folks like you make some extra cash from renting out their spare rooms. You can even go so far as to rent out your whole home if you happen to be out of the area for a while.
You set the price of the rental and get paid 24 hours after a guest checks in. As side hustles go, it’s a great way to turn your extra space into an income stream.
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Sell Services on Fiverr
The gig economy runs on platforms like Fiverr. Fiverr essentially lets you monetize your talents.
Know your way around Photoshop or Illustrator? Why not sell design services? How about hand sewing? You can offer to mend peoples’ clothing through Fiverr.
What you sell is really up to you with this platform. Services start at $5, but some sellers are earning six-figure-plus revenues annually through Fiverr. Your goal is to reach super-seller status, which means delivering value to your customers. With the right approach and a drive for success, you can turn Fiverr into a lucrative side hustle.
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Start a Blog
If you’re looking to make money fast then blogging probably isn’t a great avenue. However, if you’re willing to put in the work, a blog can eventually become a great source of passive income.
Whatever you choose to blog about, you have to ensure you’re posting valuable content regularly. You should also brush up on SEO and how to best write for the web.
The best part of using a blog as a side hustle is the work you put in now will continue to pay off well into the future.
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Sell Crafts on Etsy
If you’re in any way creative, then Etsy is a great way to monetize those talents. It’s essentially an eCommerce platform like eBay or Amazon with a twist: it sells custom, hand-made crafts.
What you create is up to you. You can sell everything from custom-made clothing to digital pet portraits. The key is to deliver a lovingly rendered product that will have your customers leaving rave reviews.
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Publish an eBook
Whether you write fiction or self-help, there’s a market available to you through platforms like Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Self-publishing is a booming industry and—leveraged successfully—an incredibly lucrative side hustle.
The key to successfully publishing an eBook is producing a quality product. Do your research on the genre you’re looking to publish and make sure you invest in quality editing services.
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Do Micro-Jobs on Mechanical Turk
Amazon’s Mechanical Turk won’t make you rich quick, but it is a great way to supplement your income. It essentially lets you take on quick, micro-jobs in every field from technical to artistic.
Similar to Fiverr, success on this platform depends heavily on your ability to churn out quality work at a consistent rate. Once you have the formula down, though, it can be a great side hustle.
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Create an Online Course
If you’re particularly knowledgable in a specific subject, then teaching others can be a great way to earn some extra cash. Platforms like Udemy, Teachable, or Skillshare let you upload courses and make a cut of the profits when people sign up to them.
The key to success when it comes to online courses is quality. Knowing the subject you’re teaching is only half the battle. You must also have a working knowledge of course structure, video editing, and teaching methods.
Done well, however, online courses can be a great way to earn you both active and passive income.
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Offer Pet Sitting Services
People love their pets and their holidays – and the two don’t often coincide. This is where you come in.
Offering dog walking or pet sitting services is a great way to earn some extra cash on the side. You also get to hang out with cute animals. It’s a win/win.
You have a few ways to approach this side hustle. You can print out flyers for display around your local area or you can leverage one of the many apps popping up that match pet sitters with owners looking for their services.
Make Some Extra Cash Online Right Now
Everyone could use some extra cash, particularly in today’s busy economy. With these 10 side hustles, you’ll be able to work when you want, how you want. The flexibility of side hustling is only trumped by its earning potential.
Afraid you’re becoming a workaholic? Make sure you don’t get trapped in a toxic workaholic culture.
