20 Ways to Build a Side Hustle

Hustle culture teaches that there is more. More opportunities. More ways to be creative. More income to be made. From turning your knowledge into an online course to selling your crafts on Etsy, people are finding ways to make more money outside their regular job.

And while some people want their side hustle to flourish into a full-blown, profit-producing business, others are just looking for some extra cash on the side. No matter what financial reason you have for a side hustle, there is ample opportunity both on and offline to increase your income. The best part of a side hustle? You get to decide how much time and energy you want to put into it.

If you’re looking for a great side hustle that you can rely on to bring in the bucks, here are twenty that are in demand now.

Side Hustles You Can Do Completely Online

If you have a reliable internet connection and device, then any of the following might be right up your alley. Keep in mind that some of these will require you to market your services and land your own clients. For others, you can sign up through a platform and get gigs. Either way, you’ll make your own schedule and work from wherever you want.

1. Teach English online.

If you’re fluent, then you may qualify to teach English online on many different platforms. One note—some platforms do require that you hold a bachelor’s degree, previous teaching experience or a TEFL certification.

2. Sell your products online.

There are many websites and online marketplaces where you can sell your products. You can build your own online store or hop on a platform designed for selling like Shopify, eBay, Amazon, Etsy, Swappa or Facebook Marketplace to turn your stuff into cash.

3. Turn your expertise into a consulting gig.

If you have experience and expertise in an area, you could be a consultant. It’s a great side gig where you can give advice, provide valuable information, guide someone through a process or help them do something more efficiently.

4. Start a niche blog.

If you have a passion and knowledge in a niche area, think of starting a blog. Blogs can be monetized by selling ad space on them, and you could also become an affiliate marketer and make a portion of the proceeds from products you promote on your blog.

5. Creatives make great freelancers.

Do you create for your day job or as a hobby? Consider taking projects on the side (be sure you check your non-compete). Brands are always looking for skilled video editors, writers, graphic designers, and photographers, just to name a few.

6. Sell info products.

Turn your knowledge into an information product. Selling online courses, publishing on Amazon, leading online workshops or selling your own eBook are all profitable side hustles. Remember though, info products take time to create and market, so plan to not make any money for a bit. On the flip side, if they’re successful, you’ll have a stream of passive income you can count on. They say the riches are in the niches, so do a little research on the best topic for your creative pursuit.

7. Voice acting might be your thing.

Do you have a great voice? Voiceover artists only need great audio equipment, and they are ready to work. Voice actors are hired all the time in the entertainment industry. Think commercials and readers for audio books.

Side Hustles That Are Offline

These hustles are done in the real world, but you might use the internet to land the gig or promote your service.

8. Watch your neighbor’s kids.

Most parents need a babysitter from time to time. If you’re a stay-at-home parent already and have the capacity for another little one or two, ask around. You’re sure to find someone looking for reliable childcare.

9. Rent out your space.

Do you have any extra space or area you can rent? People will gladly rent a spare room or even storage space. And in larger cities, you might be able to rent out your unused parking spot.

10. Deliver groceries.

Personal shopping went into overdrive when the pandemic hit. Platforms like Instacart and Shipt are great places to find quick work. Plus, you can earn tips too!

11. Plan parties or events for others.

A lot of people don’t have the time to plan a large party. If you have connections or just love networking and putting together a party, you might want to offer party planning services in your area! You could even expand into general event planning too if you want to work with corporate functions, conventions, or larger scale get-togethers.

12. Be a handyperson for hire.

Finding the right pro to take care of something around the house is big. If you can paint, power wash a deck or install new cabinets, you might be able to turn those skills (plus more) into extra cash on the weekends. Promote your services online or look for work on Thumbtack or TaskRabbit.

13. Airbnb’s popularity is not stopping.

Renting out your space on Airbnb can be fun and profitable. Not to mention, you’ll meet cool people from all over.

14. Walk dogs.

Get some exercise and hang out with man’s best friend. Families are always looking for a reliable dog walker who is great with their pup.

15. Residential cleaners are always needed.

From light duties to a deep clean after someone moves out, cleaning is an important job that has to get done. If you love this kind of work, think of turning it into extra income. If you get on well with a property manager, you may get a lot of consistent work.

16. Pet or house sitting.

When people leave for extended periods, they want the extra security of knowing their home or pet is well taken care of. Besides, some pets are harder to board, like a turtle or rabbits, so these families need someone to come to their home and take care of them.

17. Drive for Uber or Lyft.

If you’re cool putting the wear and tear on your car, you can make some good money driving for one of these services. This can be especially lucrative if you drive to airports or if you live in a larger city.

18. Yard work or snow removal is great seasonal work.

You’ll probably want to have a ride-on mower or a snow blower if you plan on doing multiple homes each week. Cutting grass can become reliable income since most people will hire you on a schedule to maintain the yard. Snow removal can be hit and miss because it’s weather dependent.

19. Clean and detail cars.

You’ll have some startup costs here (cleaning supplies, wax, shop vacuum, etc.) but it could pay off fairly quickly. If you don’t have the space at your place, you can travel direct to your clients to detail their vehicles.

20. Deliver with Amazon Flex.

You can sign up to deliver packages using your own vehicle. This is a great option for people in larger cities.

Questions To Ask Yourself Before Starting Your Side Hustle

Not all side hustles will work for you. Your regular job, social life, family, and other responsibilities matter, too. Before jumping headfirst into anything, take your time and find the hustle that works for your lifestyle and helps you meet your goals.

Ask yourself:

• What am I generally interested in? Your side hustle should be sustainable. If you dislike the topic or task, you’re more likely to quit before it really starts to pay off.
• How much time can I devote each week to the hustle? Be realistic with your schedule to avoid burnout. Your mental health matters as much as your financial health.
• How much am I willing to invest in startup costs? Some side hustles will cost up front. Know what you’re willing to pay. And not just money. Count all the costs including time, energy, and effort to sustain the hustle.
• Are there any conflicts of interest with the side hustle and my current employer? Some employers put stipulations and non-competes on the other type of employment or work you can do. Make sure everything is good with your contract before launching something.

How Blink by Chubb Can Help

The hustle economy is here to stay. And like insurance, there’s no one-size fits all. Some hustles need protection. Others don’t. Only get the insurance coverage you need to protect your one beautiful precious life.