9 Online Side Hustles That Can Earn You Extra Cash Today

Are you looking for opportunities to make extra money? 

Maybe you want to attain your savings goal or have debts to settle. Whatever your motivation, side jobs are a fantastic way to increase your income. 

The best aspect is that you may get started with little money or time upfront commitments.

This article will discuss some of the best online side hustles to earn extra cash today. So whether you want to try something new or make the most of your current skills, read on to learn about some potential side businesses.

What Is a Side Hustle?

Any activity pursued to make money besides one’s principal source of income is referred to as a “side hustle.” It allows you to live your passions and put money aside for the future. 

In the contemporary digital age, people increasingly employ side occupations online to supplement their income. You can utilize them to earn money without leaving your home if you have a working computer or laptop and a stable internet connection. 

Hence, you can plan your time and activities however you like. The side gig removes the need to leave the house regularly.

Besides, side hustles have little upfront costs and no significant time commitments. It’s a way to unlock your entrepreneurial spirit and view resource constraints as a thrilling challenge rather than a sign to give up.

Why an Online Side Hustle?

Nowadays, having a side business is nearly a requirement. But why should you pick an online side hustle? There are many powerful reasons:

1. A need for several revenue streams: This is especially critical if you rely solely on one source of income. It can also be beneficial if you wish to diversify your financial holdings.

2. Help clear your debt: According to CNBC, most Americans are heavily in debt, which may be a significant source of stress. However, you can earn a few hundred dollars with an online side business to reduce your debt.

3. Accruing wealth: You can use the money you earn from your hustle idea toward future financial investments. Start your own online business, use the revenue to invest in stocks & real estate, or save money for unexpected expenses — enabling you to reach your financial goals quickly.

4. Finally, establishing an online business can be a fantastic way to exercise creativity. Daily work may limit your opportunities to express yourself creatively. But by engaging in an online side hustle, you may unlock a potential you’d never have known.

7 Online Side Hustles That Can Earn You Extra Cash Today

1. Start a Blog

Expert writers often discover a creative outlet by starting their own blog. Although it may not bring immediate financial success, you can increase your reach and income to thousands of dollars with hard work and dedication. 

Bloggers have seen remarkable growth by including affiliate marketing or advertisements in the website design if they are willing to put in the necessary effort.

Starting a blog isn’t as challenging as most people perceive it — it’s as easy as finding, registering a domain name, securing a web hosting service, and installing your best Content Management System (CMS). 

Once all this is set up, start writing about any subject that interests you. However, I advise that you first analyze the competition across various niches and do keyword research to find topic ideas that your target audience might be searching for. Ideally, you want to go for low-competition, high-volume keywords. 

You could start a cooking blog or share your travel experiences. If you’ve got some background in finance, or health, feel free to start personal finance or a health blog. It all boils down to what interests you or what you’ve got experience in. 

Creating and growing a blog takes dedication and effort. However, the potential for expansion is practically limitless. From developing your brand to connecting with like-minded readers, blogging can open up many opportunities.

Your blog is now up and running, so what next? The obvious answer is to find ways to monetize your blog. 

There are several ways to make money from your blog — you can sign up for affiliate marketing programs and run ads on your site through various ad networks, sell eBooks, or create paid membership programs — it’s all up to you. Monetize your blog in a way that would match the interests of your target audience.  

2. Freelancing

Freelancing is a popular approach to earning extra money, which is getting more popular in the modern economy. Freelancers work for one or more clients on a project-by-project basis. They give their abilities and knowledge to finish projects that call for their specialist services. Some freelancing opportunities include freelance content writing, graphic design, website design/ development, and virtual assistant roles. 

To offer these services, you may want to either have a portfolio website or sign up for any freelancing platform, such as Upwork, Freelancer.com, or Fiverr. 

These platforms (Upwork, Fiverr, etc.) provide project management and payment processing for independent contractors. They can assist you in expanding your clientele and expanding your business.

Moreover, you can showcase your skills on your professional website, social media sites, and personal networking. These avenues will give a polished aura to your services and enable online payments and invoices!

Most people usually start with free platforms like Fiverr or Upwork, but you should weigh options between going on your own or starting on a freelance platform.

Freelancing can be an excellent online business for folks with erratic incomes. This is because these gigs give you the freedom to work whenever you are free. 

You could make anywhere from $50 to $2,000 monthly (not limited), depending on your work type and the platform you use. Nonetheless, it is essential to charge clients depending on the value you deliver to avoid burnout and maximize return on investment.

Several resources are accessible to aid in your success if you’re interested in seeking a freelance job. Consider taking an online course like the Proofread Launchpad, The Brambila Method, Facebook Side Hustle Course, Transcribe Anywhere, $10k VA, and Bookkeepers. 

They can impart valuable knowledge to you and walk you through how to start an online side hustle. The possibility for earning additional income as a freelancer is infinite, with a bit of tech know-how and the drive to pick up new abilities.

3. Social Media Manager

There is a growing demand for social media managers. This results from the growth of social media sites and the expanding interactive technology sector. 

Social media managers are in charge of producing content that heavily utilizes marketing techniques. They draw potential consumers and customers and establish a connection between an organization and its target market.

Social media managers sometimes work in a corporation’s marketing, public relations, or communications divisions. They keep an eye on, filter, support, and direct a company’s, product’s, or brand’s social media presence. 

They must be capable of working rapidly, responding to information as it becomes available, and sharing it. This is due to the quick-paced nature of social media platforms, which are frequently considered a “real-time marketing” avenue.

Social media managers usually need to be knowledgeable about news cycles. You must also be a subject matter expert for your organization, product, or service.

Their primary responsibilities are:

• They develop editorial schedules that include potential content tied to scheduling and channel.
• Publishing information on different social media platforms
• Addressing user-generated comments and feedback
• Launching advertisements with content that reflects the brand voice
• Monitoring campaign and content success through analytics, metrics, and ratings of engagement
• Taking part in visual design strategies
• Developing engagement and marketing tactics
• Presenting data to senior management to evaluate and direct future strategy.

A social media manager makes $44,741 on average yearly. The annual compensation ranges from $14,000 to $105,000. You should develop social media marketing strategy knowledge to maximize your revenue, obtain a bachelor’s degree, or acquire related work experience.

Moreover, building up your social media presence and posting meaningful content is essential. Consider searching for an online marketing and social media course — such a program can help you gain new skills that will make your portfolio stand out from the competition. 

Plus, pay close attention to businesses that have succeeded in the industry by following them across all their platforms. Doing so will keep you informed about what works well at any moment!

4. Influencer Marketing

If you’ve been paying attention to the world of marketing lately, then you’re probably aware that brands are increasingly relying on influencer marketing – enlisting social media personalities in order to promote their products or services. 

These influencers can range from content creators and prominent figures all the way up to celebrities; anyone who has a significant presence on one (or more) platform(s).

Marketers are becoming more and more interested in influencer marketing. The sector is anticipated to continue expanding in 2023, and over three-quarters of US marketers want to employ influencer marketing in some capacity this year.

Collaborations with influencers can include sponsored content, product reviews, and giveaways. The effectiveness of a marketing campaign depends on selecting the proper influencer.

There are numerous categories of influencers to think about. Micro-influencers, for instance, have a more engaged audience despite having a smaller following. Conversely, macro-influencers may have lower engagement rates despite having a more extensive fan base.

The most popular social media platforms for influencer marketing initiatives are Instagram and TikTok. Cross-channel campaigns, however, are also growing. However, brands should only use influencers specializing in the channels that matter to them. 

Social media users are active across multiple platforms, with an average of 6.6 social media accounts per person. This allows marketers to reach their target audience through influencer marketing.

Starting an influencer brand can be a lucrative side hustle. Different ways to monetize content include affiliate links, ad income, and sponsored content. Starting an influencer side hustle on social media and YouTube costs nothing since those accounts are free. 

You can start a blog for your influencer campaigns. Use free or low-cost drag-and-drop content management systems like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress. 

5. Become a Tutor

Consider becoming a tutor if you’re interested in a flexible side hustle that allows you to share your knowledge and skills with others. It’s easy to connect with students and start teaching online from the comfort of your home. 

You can use online tutoring platforms like Cambly, TutorOcean, Preply, Learn to Be, Tutor.com, TutorMe, Studypool, Wyzant, Skooli, and TakeLessons.com.

Don’t worry, even if you didn’t graduate at the top of your class. You don’t need to know everything to be a great tutor. All you need is a good understanding of a particular subject and excellent communication skills.

The test-prep online marketplace is expected to grow at a rate of 6% annually until 2027. However, tutoring and exam-prep services are already popular among university student freelancers. 

Moreover, you can market virtual and in-person instruction services if you have musical, academic, sports, or fine arts skills. Reach out to parents and adult students in need of convenient sessions.

In most cases, the startup costs are minimal, but rest assured that the online platforms will help you advertise your services and manage payments and gigs. 

You can get paid to tutor kids online if you’re a teacher or have a college degree. The area of teaching English as a second language online to children overseas is incredibly lucrative. 

Time zone differences make this a perfect side hustle if you’re looking for something you can do at home on your computer.

The downside is that some users just hope someone will write their essays. Be careful when looking through postings, but don’t let that discourage you. Offering real help can be an excellent reward for your life and wallet.

6. Become an Affiliate Marketer

Anyone with a platform or online presence can make money as a side hustle by engaging in affiliate marketing. 

In essence, it is promoting someone else’s goods or services on your blog, social media pages, or website. Any sales made using your referral link or code earn you a commission. 

Affiliate marketing is a passive approach to supplement your income while pursuing other interests or side businesses. Various affiliate marketplaces are available — ClickBank, ShareASale, Leadpages, and ConvertKit. 

The Shopify Affiliate Program is a fantastic choice for e-commerce influencers, online course instructors, and content providers. It’s crucial to remember that affiliate marketing has a learning curve. It is important to identify the proper product to sell and the ideal brand with which to collaborate.

Your earnings are influenced by the affiliate network you utilize and the product you are selling. For instance, if you were a Shopify affiliate marketer, you might receive an additional $58 for each retailer you referred. With just ten recommendations, you could earn more than $500.

It’s imperative to ask the affiliate program or content producer for resources you can utilize to aid in the promotion of their product if you want to be a successful affiliate marketer. These resources can include a lead magnet or a free tool that encourages customers to buy the product. 

A well-written piece of content can also aid in warming up cold leads.

7. Open a Drop Shipping Business

Dropshipping is a business strategy that is very popular among business owners. It enables you to sell online goods to customers without maintaining inventory or handling product shipments. 

The signup process is easy — find the perfect dropshipping platform (I recommend you use Shopify), create an online store, find and list products (Oberlo is recommended), then start promoting them. 

Choose a product you wish to sell online and test your side hustle ideas before you start a dropshipping business. After that, track down a vendor who does retail dropshipping fulfillment for that product. 

The next step is to create an online store to sell the product. After that, start marketing to draw customers to your shop and boost sales.

Dropshipping is a low-risk business model, which is one of its main benefits. You’ll only need to promote the products listed on your store, and the manufacturer will fulfill the order once a buyer places their order.  

This e-commerce business model has the additional benefit of allowing you to sell practically any goods you choose. No matter your passion, there is a niche for you to resell online goods. The possibilities are limitless, and your only constraint is your creativity.

The level of work you put into your business and marketing will determine how much money you can make. Some people earn an additional few thousand dollars each month, while others earn far more.

You can streamline a lot of the process using dropshipping websites like Spocket. Nonetheless, you will need to invest some time in developing your business strategy to ensure that you are well-prepared before you begin.

8. Become a Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant is a self-employed individual who provides administrative, technical, and sometimes sales or marketing tasks for a business. The “virtual” part means you can complete all your activities online. 

VAs keep their calendar and schedule and respond to emails. You might also be responsible for collecting information on sales targets before meetings and ordering office supplies for their physical office.

Becoming a virtual assistant is an excellent way to make a few hundred dollars from home. Consider this side gig if you have good communication skills, customer service experience, and spare time to help new or busy business owners. 

Being a virtual assistant allows you to be flexible and experience many different kinds of environments, then focus on the ones you like best.

9. Open an Ecommerce Store

Technology has revolutionized how we shop, and e-commerce businesses are reaping the rewards. Due to ever-advancing digital advancements, online stores now have a distinct edge over traditional brick-and-mortar outlets.

Two of the most well-known options for creating a fully-featured online storefront are Shopify and Amazon. They offer the resources you need to launch and operate an online store. 

They also advise creating your brand and thriving in the cutthroat e-commerce environment. People who want to reach more niche markets can use sites like Etsy and eBay. 

It takes a lot of work to launch an online store, though. 

You must commit and plan carefully to develop it into a successful side business or even a full-time job. Begin by identifying a product with high demand, then buy it in quantity at a discount from vendors and retail it for more money online. 

You’ll need to undertake in-depth market research before getting started. Establish your pricing and margins and validate your side hustle ideas. Also, you must analyze your rivals’ strategies and decide which marketing channels to use. 

After carefully crafting your business plan, you can take the next step and create an online storefront to maximize your potential for success.

How to Evaluate Potential Side Hustles

A side hustle can be a great way to supplement your income. But it takes initial effort, just like any other new business. 

Incorporating something fresh into your lifestyle can be a daunting prospect. It will unavoidably slide down the priority list and eventually get left behind if it doesn’t match your current daily regimen.

Because of this, doing something genuinely out-of-the-ordinary as a side hustle can feel less like work. It will be more like an opportunity to express your individuality while putting your skills to good use.

When a side hustle becomes successful enough, you can make it your primary source of income. If you’re looking for a side gig that could become a full-time job, we’ve prepared a few considerations to consider. 

Read the section below before deciding on the ideal side hustle for you.

1. Will You Have Enough Time to Implement the Plan?

You must manage your time thoughtfully to make the most of your side venture. After all, this endeavor mustn’t hinder your 9 to 5 work schedule. 

Strategically planning how much effort and energy you’ll dedicate to this activity will be invaluable for reaching success and preserving a healthy balance between both ventures.

Occasionally, issues will arise at your regular workplace. There will be days when you must spend extra time at the office to meet deadlines. You must also participate in required activities like team-building exercises and meetings.

Selecting a task rescheduled will help you commit to your side hustle idea  — dog walking, babysitting, and real estate are all viable options. However, they may be challenging to fit into your busy schedule. 

2. Do You Have a Genuine Interest in This Idea?

After dedicating countless hours each week to family, friends, and other obligations, it’s no wonder our creativity wanes after a 40-hour workweek. 

It can be difficult for many of us to carve out time for creative endeavors when we’re already stretched thin with our day-to-day responsibilities.

But sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you just won’t feel like working. That’s why it’s best if your hustle idea relates to something you’re enthusiastic about. 

That could mean that you take pleasure in the administrative aspects of running the side hustle, learning about and becoming an expert in the new field, or assisting others.

Whatever the case, it’s good to pursue side hustle ideas that you find yourself drawn to, even when procrastinating on other work.

3. Is There a Market for It?

A side gig is successful if it generates financial benefit in exchange for the time we put into it. That means you need your hustle idea to be more than just a hobby. It needs to be a source of steady income for the foreseeable future.

It is not unusual for side businesses to take time before bringing in revenue. This is because entrepreneurs are still refining their services and figuring out how to gain customers effectively. Initially, you should focus on minimizing your expenses while getting at least one sale as a sign of validation for your side hustle concept.

So, what does that entail, exactly? 

You don’t need to worry as much about keeping track of your sweat equity at the beginning of any project. This is because the difference between the time invested and the money returned is disproportionately large.

However, as you advance and earn more money, you must learn what it costs. Analyze the revenue and time taken to land a customer, sale, or client for profit. If the side gig you’re considering will leave you with negative profits or hourly wages, it’s probably not a good idea.

How to Start a Side Hustle

A side business can be a terrific way to follow your passions and make passive income. 

But where do you begin? 

The first step is to research and restrict your possibilities to roughly three. This may entail contacting the companies involved and speaking with a focus group that has done comparable work to determine the pros and cons.

Make a list of everything you will need to get started after that.

• Do you need to buy supplies or obtain a certification? 
• Do you need to find clients or register online? 

Instead of becoming distracted by flashy business cards or elaborate social media campaigns, concentrate on what you need to accomplish to start earning money.

Also, it’s crucial to include any upfront expenses in your budget. Ideally, you should be making extra money without going into debt. Consider choosing an alternative side hustle if you realize that you cannot afford the startup expenditures of your current side hustle. 

The next step is to go over your checklist item by item. Moreover, include the additional revenue in your budget as soon as it starts to come in. Identify a clear objective, such as saving money, eliminating debt, or investing.

There are a few additional measures to take if you’ve determined that an online side business is the best approach to earning money online. First, list all the things you could be interested in doing as a side hustle. Choose a cause close to your heart since it will require a lot of drive and inspiration to make it stick.

Next, decide early on if you will invest money in your side hustle idea. While it shouldn’t cost too much, hosting, branding, and tools may require some investment upfront. Plan your spending accordingly and measure your success to know whether you should continue.

It’s also essential to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest. If you have a day job or have connections that could lead to a conflict of interest with your side hustle ideas, it may not be a good idea to continue with it. Starting a side hustle with a conflict of interest could lead to costly repercussions.

When you’re at the office, give it your all, and don’t try to divide your day job and side hustle within 9-5; this is a surefire way for things to go downhill. Sure, a side gig can add more money into the mix, but it’s still important that your main income source comes from your daily task. After all, bills aren’t going anywhere.

Side Hustles to Avoid

Side hustles can be a great way to earn extra cash, but some require hefty time and money investments with limited returns. 

Therefore, it is essential to be wary of red flags when considering gig work and side hustle opportunities. 

A few side hustles you should avoid are:

1. Hustles with licensing and certification requirements: Real estate sales, salon services, tax prep services, and certified accounting can be lucrative. However, you must have the necessary education, certification, or licensing, which can be costly. 
2. Multi-Level Marketing Scheme: MLM companies convince you of quick cash and considerable profit potential. However, research the MLM opportunity’s required product and cost investment. You’ll mostly only make money when you build a large downstream team of salespeople, which takes effort.
3. Side Hustle Coaching Programs: Some online coaching programs offer sound techniques and good advice. However, none are a ticket to quick riches. Research your side hustle ideas before paying for any coaching program.
4. Direct Sales: Although not all direct sales businesses aim to hurt you, there are some that you probably won’t make any money from. You have to make upfront product purchases in many direct sales positions. This implies that you might spend more of your own money while generating no income.
5. Be Wary of Certain Freelance Jobs: Although many work opportunities on freelancing websites are legitimate, others still aim to con you. Be wary when accepting or inquiring about a specific offer. Ensure the advertisement provides all the information you need and a description of the work you’ll be doing. Stay away from side business frauds that demand payment upfront.
6. Data entry: Unscrupulous businesses will often require payment to access their data and programs before they even offer you a job. And, shockingly, some may ask for the full cost of their program upfront! Unfortunately, these jobs never exist; once your money is gone, so are any hopes of employment.
7. Mystery Shopping: If a website or offer for mystery shopping requires you to pay any certification or registration fee before revealing the job details, stay away from them. It is not advisable to trust businesses and sources which request payments in advance.
8. Medical Billing: In exchange for a charge, you will be guaranteed educational materials, suitable software, and worthwhile leads. Yet more often than not, you won’t get a training session, and your leads won’t get you anywhere. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Earn an Extra $1000 Monthly?

Everyone ready to put in the work can achieve their goal of earning an additional $1,000 per month through side businesses. There are numerous ways to make over $1,000 monthly working online in professions like editing, proofreading, and writing. Nevertheless, ensuring a reliable income each month can be challenging because these jobs sometimes pay on a project-by-project basis.

You may make side gigs into a full-time income if you put in the effort and time. Finding the ideal opportunity and honing the required abilities may require trial and error. However, perseverance and determination can grow your earning potential and reach your financial objectives. 

What Are the Best Side Hustle Ideas?

A good side hustle provides additional income and fits your interests, skills, and lifestyle. It should also have a relatively low start-up cost and be flexible enough to work around your schedule.

Some popular high-paying side hustles include freelancing, tutoring, selling online courses, products online, pet sitting, taking online surveys, and food delivery. However, the best side hustle for you will depend on your specific circumstances and goals.

If you enjoy writing, editing, or proofreading, online side hustles in content creation may be a good fit for you. If you are crafty, consider making and selling handmade items online or at local markets. Or, if you enjoy driving, food or package delivery services like Uber Eats or Postmates could be a viable option.

Ultimately, a good side hustle is one that you enjoy and can stick with long-term, as it has the potential to turn into a full-time business or career.

How Can I Make Extra Money Legally?

Plenty of ways to earn additional income are completely legal and won’t cause you any trouble. Some popular options include freelancing, selling goods online, renting out a room or space, and driving for ride-sharing services.

It’s crucial to follow the laws and regulations in your area to avoid any legal issues. Ensure you have any necessary permits, licenses, or insurance for your job. It’s also essential to declare your earnings and pay applicable taxes to avoid any problems with the government.

With a little research, you can easily find legal side hustles that fit your skills and interests. You can turn your hobby into the most lucrative side hustle with some hard work and dedication.

What Are the Best Offline Side Hustles?

Those who prefer to work outside may find offline side gigs a great option. They are also an excellent option if you don’t want to sit in front of a computer all day. Some of the top offline hustle ideas are listed below:

• Cleaning houses: If you’re excellent at it, cleaning might be a terrific way to earn some additional money. You can work on your own time and invest little money in this side business.

• Pet grooming: Consider pet grooming a side business if you enjoy caring for animals. You can walk dogs and charge for other services like bathing, nail trimming, brushing, and teeth cleaning.

• Event planning: Event organizing is a great side business if you enjoy planning and are creative. In exchange for payment, you can help people organize events like weddings, birthdays, or baby showers.

• Photography: A terrific side job for folks with good vision and a passion for capturing images. You can provide your services for occasions like weddings, parties, or graduations and make decent money by selling the photos you take.

• Tutoring: Sharing your expertise and skills with others can be a rewarding side business. You can teach English online, math, science, music, art, language, etc.

Are the Side Hustles on TikTok Legit?

With the rise of social media platforms, TikTok has become a hub for discovering new and creative side hustles. While some of these may seem too good to be true, it’s essential to distinguish between legitimate opportunities and potential scams.

Many TikTok users have claimed to make significant money through side hustles such as dropshipping, Amazon FBA, and selling on Etsy. However, these side hustles require substantial time, effort, and knowledge to succeed.

Overall, the side hustles featured on TikTok can be legitimate opportunities to make extra money but approach them cautiously. Don’t be swayed by promises of easy money or overnight success. Instead, research, understand the time and effort required, and take a calculated risk. 

Can I Get Paid From TikTok?

The well-known video-sharing platform TikTok has gained popularity as a way for users to monetize their accounts. Although there are criteria to earn money directly on TikTok, alternative ways exist to monetize your account.

Brand sponsorships are one well-liked TikTok revenue stream. Influencers with sizable fan bases are compensated by businesses to advertise their goods or services in their videos. These influencers occasionally receive hundreds of dollars for each sponsored post.

Is There an App for Side Hustles?

Yes, there are a few apps I could point you to. 

The Steady App is one of the most well-liked apps for side jobs. You can go through employment postings, keep tabs on your earnings and outgoings, and receive tailored recommendations for new opportunities. 

Swagbucks is an excellent alternative. You may earn money by completing online surveys and questionnaires, watching videos, and more. Swagbucks offers a low payout threshold and speedy payment turnaround, albeit the money for taking surveys is less than with some other side hustle apps.

Anyone interested in delivery or transportation should consider the DoorDash app. It lets you a side income if you deliver food from neighborhood restaurants to clients in your area. You may start making money using the app now, which is simple.

If you want to earn a passive income through delivery or transportation, DoorDash is the way to go! This user-friendly app enables you to start generating money now by delivering food from local restaurants in your area. Plus, it’s easy and convenient, so don’t miss out on this great opportunity!

And finally, if you want to start your own online store or e-commerce firm, think about using the Shopify app. It enables simple website creation and online sales of your goods or services. Although it can take more work initially, Shopify has tremendous earning potential.

Bottom Line

Side hustles offer numerous benefits beyond just making passive income. They can act as a sandbox where you can learn how to make good money online and test small hustle ideas. 

Starting a side hustle is an excellent way to develop new skills, achieve professional growth, and eventually turn your passion into your career. 

However, it’s important to remember that a side hustle is not a get-rich-quick scheme and does not guarantee success. Like other businesses, it requires commitment, follow-through, and attention.

Nonetheless, with the ease of starting an online side hustle, there’s no reason not to pursue your dreams and make extra money on your terms. So, don’t wait any longer — start exploring side hustle opportunities today!