25 Side Hustle Ideas to Try in 2024

Andris Mucenieks

Oct 14, 2023

Many people seek ways to increase their income beyond their regular 9-to-5 job. A side hustle allows anyone to be creative and pursue something they’re passionate about while making extra money.

This article explores the best side-hustle ideas. From freelancing to selling products with print-on-demand, there is a side-hustle idea perfect for you.

What Is a Side Hustle?

A side hustle is a secondary activity outside a person’s full-time job that provides additional income.

Side hustles usually offer more freedom and control over the activity, including how many hours to dedicate.

Besides the additional income and flexibility, a side hustle provides the opportunity to pursue an activity involving passions and talents and improving a skill set. Sometimes a side hustle may even evolve into a primary career.

The following are 25 of the best side hustles to pursue in 2024.

1. Print-On-Demand Business

Establishing a print-on-demand and dropshipping business is becoming the most popular and profitable side hustle, ahead of popular choices like content creation and pet-sitting.

The method means acting as the middle-man between the final customer and the print providers. A customer purchases print-on-demand products, like t-shirts and mugs, in an online store.

Then, the order is sent to a print provider, who applies the custom designs to the merch and sends it to the customer. There are no start-up costs, and the technique is more sustainable than traditional retailing.

Partner With Printify, Start Your Pod Store, and Earn Extra Money Online – No Upfront Costs.

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2. Virtual Bookkeeping

A virtual bookkeeper remotely records, stores, manages, and tracks business financial transactions.

People with formal accounting training or certification courses can perform virtual bookkeeping. The activity requires math and computer skills but allows flexibility and can earn good money as a side hustle.

Accountants can also work as part-time contractors to help individuals to fill out taxes, organize private finances, or prepare financial statements.

Skilled and experienced professionals may offer to consult and coach private persons to improve their finances or create small companies.

People with a talent for creating high-performing, engaging social network posts should consider it a side hustle and a fun way to make money online in their spare time.

Social media managers are responsible for an entity’s online presence on multiple channels. This may include developing and monitoring strategies to create content and interacting with audiences.

Enter the market by offering freelance services or applying to gigs through agencies.

As a company grows, its social media management becomes increasingly complex. This is one side hustle with greater potential of becoming a full-time job.

4.Content Writing

Content writing is one of the trendiest online side hustles, but it requires a specific skill set. Writers must gather information from various sources and make it engaging and digestible.

Content writers should be creative but detail-driven individuals who enjoy reading, learning, and researching. A freelance writer should understand SEO optimization, apply brand tones and voices, and preferably specialize in a niche.

Start a side hustle in writing by producing and learning daily. Enroll in free courses and tutorials on platforms like LinkedIn Learning or Skillshare, build a blog and a portfolio, and start pitching.

Content freelance writing is another of the side hustles with the potential to become a full-time occupation. Keep an eye on marketing departments’ openings.

5. Online Tutoring

Start a side hustle and teach something you’re knowledgeable about.

Offer a regular online course via conferences and video chats, allowing interaction with your pupils, or record a series of educational videos and educational material.

Additional resources, like videos and eBooks, should support online classes. Monetize content with platforms like Patreon, Nebula, or Skillshare, and offer subscriptions. WordPress users can also teach via plugins like LearnDash, LearnPress, and Sensei.

Plan the content and have all the courses prepared beforehand. After the first classes are held, evaluate and make any changes necessary.

6. Freelance Photography

Earning an income as a freelance photographer can be challenging but rewarding in many ways. Photographers need to remember that, besides loving the art, they need to run a business, including bookkeeping, marketing, and copyrighting.

Successful photographers have a niche and become experts in a limited field.

Invest money in photography gear – it is expensive and will vary according to the specialty, but it is indispensable for getting quality results. Consider if the work will be on assignments, with shoot-or-miss moments, or studio-based. Professionals engaged in outdoor shooting may need insurance for their expensive gear if there is a risk of damage.

Create a portfolio with clear categories according to your niche, making it easier for potential clients to evaluate your work. Insert only the best photos to showcase, and use platforms like Format, Lightfolio, Pixieset, PASS, Photonesto, or Shootproof to create proofing galleries.

Finally, invest in networking, create a brand representing yourself, and showcase it across many channels, including a website, portfolio, and social media.

7. Become an Affiliate Marketer

Companies pay affiliate marketers to promote their products and services.

Hustlers, bloggers, or influencers subscribe to a platform like Printify Experts, Rakuten, or Amazon and receive a unique link.

They share this link on a website or social media channel, and every time someone clicks on it and purchases something, the platform pays a commission.

Starting an affiliate marketing business may become a convenient income source if your channels have enough traffic.

Use URL shorteners like Bitly, Shorturl, or Tinyurl to shrink long URLs.

Learn more on how to start affiliate marketing on our blog.

Join the Printify Affiliate Program and Get Paid for Your Side Hustles.

Become an Affiliate Marketer

8.Selling Handmade Crafts on Etsy

Opening an Etsy store and selling handmade crafts is one of the most popular side hustles for making money online.

Even though the marketplace has expanded its reach and target audience, it remains the favorite place and first option for people looking for vintage and handmade items.

The Etsy search engine gives a small boost for new listings. Consider expanding your handmade online business by adding POD products. They are easier to create and will help keep your store updated while you craft other products by hand.

POD perfectly complements a handmade store by providing readily-available branded merch. You can offer the same products on other platforms, like Facebook Marketplace, for expanded reach.

Learn more about how beginners sell on Etsy on our blog.

9. Graphic Design Services

Depending on your skills, it is possible to make money online through graphic services.

Create a portfolio and keep a website to display your artwork with platforms like WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix.

Stay up-to-date with freelancing opportunities in marketing, fashion, or web building, and network through LinkedIn and attendance at conventions. Showcase yourself and find clients in directories like Printify Experts and Upwork.

Consider selling digital graphic designs in creative markets or stock websites like Creative Market, Gumroad, PayLoadz, Podia, or SendOwl.

10. Creating & Selling Digital Products

Digital products are anything that can be distributed online without managing physical inventory. That includes streamable or downloaded products like songs, videos, eBooks, templates, or software.

Producing digital products can be time-consuming, but they can generate passive income once they’re ready and available on a platform.

In addition, selling downloadables is a scalable and automatized hustle.

Selling digital products requires a keen marketing strategy and trustworthy platforms. Avoid piracy by copyrighting or trademarking your products – streaming platforms usually take care of this.

Depending on your skills and knowledge, consider offering educational products such as courses and tutorials, which may produce steady income by selling subscriptions and memberships.

Get more ideas for digital products on our selling printables on Etsy guide.

11. Become a Content Creator

Content creation is one of the most popular side hustles and has the potential to become a day job. It has the advantage of allowing people to pursue their passions while making money online, but the market is becoming increasingly competitive.

Successful content creators must have creative skills or other abilities, depending on their niche. They may publish on more than one platform, including their own YouTube channel, social networks like Instagram, and a stand-alone website with portfolios, blogs, and online stores.

Content can be monetized in conjunction with other side hustles and techniques such as selling merch, advertisements, affiliate marketing, subscriptions, selling digital products, and offering online courses.

Becoming a ride-share driver is one of the most popular side hustles. You can drive a few hours in your spare time and earn extra income according to your schedule.

Ride-share companies are spread worldwide, and many use them instead of owning a car. Depending on your location, you may drive for big companies like Uber, Lyft, or Bolt, or experiment with specialized companies like Wingz, focusing on airport rides.

13. Food Delivery

Food delivery apps and companies are everywhere and increased in popularity after the pandemic. People aren’t willing to give up the convenience of receiving food in their own homes.

Delivering food through apps is a very convenient side hustle that, similarly to ride-sharing, lets you define your working hours.

You can deliver food through many companies, and not only in the US – Doordash, GrubHub, Instacart, Postmates, UberEats, or Wolt, to name a few.

14. Rent Your Car

Car rental services pay to rent your car to private individuals or car companies. You can make money with your car when it would otherwise be sitting in a parking spot or your driveway.

The top companies to rent your car include Hyrecar, Turo, Getaround, and Avail.

Before renting, remember to check the company’s insurance coverage.

15. Grocery Shopping & Delivery

Shopping for and delivering groceries increased in popularity after the COVID-19 pandemic. It continues in high demand as people get used to the convenience of receiving groceries delivered at home.

Most great retailers offer some delivery programs and need drivers, usually requiring a background check after registration. Once approved, make your schedule in your free time.

Platforms and apps like Doordash, Instacart, Postmates, and Shipt work with many large retailers.

16. Task-Based Work

Task-based jobs require completing individual tasks for clients instead of committing to long-term employment or regular schedules.

These tasks can include data entry, transcriptions, translation, social media management, content creation, market research, phone calls, or scheduling appointments.

Payment varies widely from just a few cents to several dollars, and side hustlers are often hired as 1099 (independent) contractors to complete these tasks.

Connect with task-based jobs on platforms like Amazon’s Mturk, ClickWorker, FancyHands, or SproutGigs.

17. Freelance On Freelance Marketplaces

Freelancing can be a source of extra cash, even for people with full-time income.

Writers, designers, programmers, and musicians, to mention a few, may find side-hustle opportunities in special programs like Printify Experts, or in a freelance online marketplace such as Fiverr, Toptal, or Upwork.

After registering, getting the first assignment will be the hardest part, with zero reviews. Expand your network on Linkedin, nurture relationships, share your profiles in the freelance marketplaces, and keep learning and improving your skills until you establish yourself.

18. Dog Walking & Pet Sitting

Walking dogs or pet sitting can be a fun side hustle for those who love animals.

This hustle demands trust and can generate a reliable return customer base, as people want a trustworthy professional to pet-sit their buddies.

Finding clients is easier with apps and platforms like PawShake, PetBacker, PetSitter.com, Rover, or Wag!

19. House Cleaning

Everyone wants to live in a neat and clean house, but most don’t have the time and are willing to pay for the service.

House cleaning can become a handy source of extra cash. There is also the potential to develop a base of returning customers, as many want a known and trusted person inside their home.

Make clear beforehand who will provide the cleaning products and equipment and have agreements ready, especially if you must use your own vacuum cleaner and other expensive hardware.

Be aware of quirks and special needs, such as hypo-allergenic products, memorabilia, or special items placement, and be strict on scheduled hours.

20. Event Planning

Event planning can be a successful side hustle for organized people who love the thrill and energy involved in an event.

Start by volunteering, networking, and getting exposure and experience. After becoming comfortable in the position, treat it as a business and charge accordingly. Factor in how much effort is needed behind the scenes, photograph everything, and build a solid portfolio.

Finally, nurture collaboration over competition and keep a healthy network.

21. Personal Training

If you have the knowledge and the skillset, consider becoming a personal trainer. Teach people how to exercise safely and effectively, working in fitness centers and gyms or offering in-home and even online training.

Some trainers provide resources for weight control, including nutrition and supplements, but that is advisable only in conjunction with a professional nutritionist.

22. Rent Out Free Space

Making extra income by renting your apartment, house, spare room, or real estate to vacationers is easier than ever since Airbnb‘s success.

There are other platforms dedicated to the same purposes, like Agoda, Booking.com, Plum Guide, and Vrbo (previously known as HomeAway).

It’s also possible to make a property available on multiple platforms by synchronizing a calendar via services like Apple iCal.

23. Become a Transcriber

People with good language and typing skills and a good ear can try a side hustle as transcribers.

Sites like GoTranscript, Rev, or TranscribeMe have opportunities for short-term work transcribing audio notes, phone calls, videos, and other recordings.

24. Start a Local Lawn Mowing & Landscape Business

Mowing lawns is a classic side hustle for the warmer seasons and can be done informally by cleaning neighborhood lawns or through short-term jobs. Search for contractor ads on platforms like TaskEasy or TaskRabbit.

Make sure your hardware is in good condition, and keep aware of local regulations regarding allowed times for mowing and generating noise.

25. Detail Cars

Car detailing is cleaning and restoring a vehicle close to a like-new condition. It is labor-intensive and requires a specific skill set, but it can be rewarding as a hobby and a side hustle.

Exterior detailing may include washing and drying, paint claying, sealing, waxing, and polishing.
Interior detailing includes vacuuming, glass cleaning, and deodorizing. Cleaning is done by scrubbing, brushing, and steaming, while leather parts require special cleaners.
Advanced detailing may include engine detailing, engine pressure cleaning, glass chip repair, headlight polishing, ceramic coating, paint correction, and applying PPFs.

Car detailing requires skills, a detailed business plan (including supplies cost), and stocking supplies. The service can be offered in fixed or temporary locations or on-site. All these elements should be considered when factoring costs and setting prices.

Honorable Mentions

Join a focus group or answer online surveys – a research method to gather opinions from people of similar demographics. Participants in focus groups can earn from $30 -150.
Deliver packages with the Amazon Flex program. The sign-up process is simple, and the payment time is flexible – it’s possible to choose the best days for the money to arrive at your bank account.

To Summarize

There are endless possibilities for complementing income outside of a traditional day job. This article explains the best side hustles to make extra money, from becoming a content creator to selling crafts.

Not all side hustles pay equally or give the same satisfaction. Be creative and persistent, and find the one that works best for you. Remember that you can always count on Printify to help you create your own business.

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Written by

Andris Mucenieks

Andris is a writer and scholar with 10+ years of experience inside and outside academia. Devoted to his family and a convicted introvert, Andris left teaching to focus on what matters. He loves creating things, playing musical instruments, and walking around forests.

25 Side Hustle Ideas to Try in 2024

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