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Looking for a way to make extra money to spend? More and more people are considering side jobs online to diversify their sources of income.
Nowadays, you can generate income from the comfort of your home as long as you have an internet connection. Work-from-home jobs like freelance writing, selling handmade items on Etsy, teaching or even starting your own YouTube channel are popular ways for people to earn money on the side.
Here are the top side hustles to consider for anyone looking to earn extra money online.
Best Online Side Gigs You Can Do From Home
An online side hustle should be something you can easily fit into your weekly schedule without overexerting yourself. If you already have a full-time job or want to pick up extra work as a stay-at-home parent, a great side hustle or gig can take as little or as much time commitment outside your normal workweek.
1. Become a Freelance Writer
If you're a word wizard and love writing in your spare time, freelance writing is a natural way to make extra cash week to week. Freelance writing includes writing blogs, newsletters, white papers, landing pages, ebooks, social media posts and more. Assess your experience and consider taking some online courses to keep your skills current with SEO and web writing best practices.
It’s worth noting that some writers specialize in certain areas, especially if they have academic or technical areas of expertise (such as for medical writing). Others are generalists who can jump in at a moment’s notice and draft an email newsletter or blog post in a company’s voice. You can find freelance writing jobs through typical job search boards—for example you can tailor search results on LinkedIn and Indeed. Some platforms are specifically designed to gather qualified writers to pair with compatible companies. Such platforms include ClearVoice, Contently, Skyword, Verblio and Constant Content.
2. Consider Freelance Editing
Those with a precise eye for detail may find a home in freelance editing. There’s a wide range of roles that fall under the editor category, including proofreading, fact-checking, line editing and developmental editing. Some of these roles do require professional experience or a history of edited content, but some are open to beginners who can pass an editing test.
Like copywriters, some editors build up a specialty, such as becoming experts in editing scientific writing or book editing, but generalists get the lion’s share of work as digital content aimed at consumers is where much of the work is. You can check many of the same sources for jobs as freelance writers, and look into industry-respected resources like the Editorial Freelancers Association.
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3. Take Online Surveys
Believe it or not, some companies will pay you to take surveys. It won't amount to hundreds of dollars per month, but it's an easy task to complete for some extra cash.
Depending on the survey, you can generally expect surveys to take up to 15-20 minutes to complete. Most platforms allow you to earn points for each survey you complete, which can then be redeemed for cash or gift cards. Points per survey most commonly convert to less than $1 to $5 per survey.
Companies that pay for online surveys include Survey Junkie, Opinion Outpost, Fetch Rewards, Branded Surveys, Swagbucks Surveys and MyPoints.
Guide to Paying Taxes as a Freelancer
4. Start a Blog
Have an interesting point of view on a specific topic? Want to share your thoughts with others? Consider starting your own blog. Your blog can be about anything you are passionate about: parenting, politics, cooking, beauty, fashion, woodworking, travel, finance or sports.
The best part is you don't even need to know how to build a website from scratch to create your own blog. Companies like Wix, WordPress, Weebly and Blogger offer free, easy-to-use website creation. Simply select a website template and customize colors, fonts and layout from there.
To earn money blogging, you'll need to sell ad placements, write sponsored content, sell digital downloads or offer services. The more people visit your website, the more money you can make. As you grow your audience and brand, you could multiply your earnings and potentially turn a side gig into a career.
5. Sell Your Belongings
Whether you use Amazon, ebay, Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace—or resale apps like ThredUp, Mercari and Poshmark, selling your gently used belongings is an easy way to make a little extra cash.
Clean out your closets, crawl spaces, attics and garage once every season to keep your home in tip-top shape and earn money on items you don't want anymore. Once you get the hang of it and who knows? You might start buying others' belongings for cheap and reselling it online as well.
6. Create an Etsy Storefront
If you're creative and have a side hobby of painting, crocheting, knitting, making jewelry, constructing one-of-a-kind furniture, sewing clothes, crafting beautiful invitations or building handmade toys, you could launch your own Etsy business to sell your goods.
Be sure to look into the terms and fees when you join a marketplace to ensure you're charging enough for your goods to make your side gig financially worth your time. You may have to adjust your prices and inventory over time as you learn what customers want and how these marketplaces work.
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7. Become a Website User Tester
Some companies need everyday consumers to test out their website to ensure it's user-friendly. No need to understand the technical workings of a website. Simply complete the task the company requests on their website and provide honest feedback on your experience.
Visit websites like Respondent, UserTesting, UserFeel or TestingTime to find testing opportunities.
8. Work as a Virtual Assistant
Many working professionals could use an assistant to help with day-to-day tasks, but not all can afford a full-time, salaried assistant position. Did you know you can provide assistance to professionals virtually? Whether you help maintain a website, manage content schedules or run reports, many administrative tasks can be completed online.
Websites like UpWork, VAnetworking and Zirtual can help you find virtual assistant positions but so can common job boards like Indeed and Ziprecruiter.
9. Start a YouTube Channel
Love filming and editing videos? Think you have something to share with the online world? Why not combine the two and start your own YouTube channel. The sky's the limit when it comes to content you can post to YouTube. Create tutorials, become a vlogger, or simply make videos on a topic you are passionate about, such as parenting, sports, politics, finance or DIY.
According to Ziprecruiter, the average YouTube channel earns around $60,000 annually. But here is your reality check: You'd need about 1 million video views to earn between $2,000 and $3,000. Finding success requires a degree of dedication as creating YouTube videos alone does not earn you money. If you can market your channel to businesses that pertain to your content, you can earn passive income or additional money as an influencer through video sponsors, advertisements and brand partnerships. Unless you are lucky enough to go viral, perhaps.
10. Do Freelance Graphic Design
If you have a knack for graphic design, why not turn it into a money-making opportunity?
Many businesses are in need of freelance graphic design work whether it be for rebranding, a product launch, event promotion or social media. Put together a portfolio of work you've created, then scour online job boards for opportunities to share your art. Many jobs are short-term projects that won't take much of your time but pay well.
11. Be a Resume Helper
If you see dozens of resumes as part of your full-time career, you might be able to help job seekers fine-tune their resumes for some extra cash outside the office. Eager candidates could always use help ensuring their resume is one that will catch the attention of prospective employers. You can get started by pitching your skills and experience to friends, family and your professional network on LinkedIn or in person. Freelance platforms like Upwork allow you to build a profile, share your talent and bid on gigs—many of which are from folks looking to polish their resumes.
12. Sell Photography
Love snapping breathtaking photos of beautiful landscapes, everyday scenes, objects, wildlife or interesting people you meet? Don't let those images sit on your memory card or keep them confined to the walls of your home. Give interested buyers the chance to purchase your photography.
Either set up your own website to sell your photographs or use sites like Etsy, Shutterstock, Adobe Stock or Alamy to start earning royalties on your snaps.
13. Become an Online Tutor
If you're a natural-born teacher, why not put those skills to good use and teach an online course? Teaching online often requires fewer credentials than a traditional teacher in a classroom. Almost anyone who is passionate about a topic can teach that subject if they go through the right avenues to do so. From one-on-one instructions to virtual classrooms, you can tailor your gig based on your teaching style.
There’s a lot of demand for remote learning right now. Websites like Udemy, Teachable and Skillshare allow you to draft your own course and create videos that can be paid for and watched for years to come.
If you’re a math whiz or word nerd, you might find a home as an online tutor, where students of all ages look to further their education. Places like Kaplan regularly hire qualified tutors to help young students prepare for tests and excel in education. And Cambly contracts lots of tutors to teach English around the world
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14. Rent Out a Room in Your House
Your home itself could help you earn some extra income, as well. If you have a spare room, consider renting it out to earn some reliable monthly cash. Maybe your kids have grown up and moved out, or you’re no longer using that well-intentioned “craft room.” Be sure to check your local zoning laws and regulations first to learn how to rent out a room legally. Once you’re in the clear, you can find tenants by posting an ad on Craigslist or sites like rent.com. If you’re more interested in short-term renting, consider getting set up on a place like Airbnb to rent out your room on your schedule.
15. Earn Cash Back While Shopping
We all have regular purchases to make each month, along with occasional bigger purchases, so why not earn cash back while doing it? With the best cash-back credit cards, you can earn a percent back on your shopping, from buying groceries to filling your car to planning your next dream vacation.
And on top of that, the Slickdeals browser extension can connect you to the latest deals to help you save even more—finding you cash-back offers for select retailers, promo codes and more.
Find the Right Online Hustle for You
Online side hustles help you learn new skills or fine-tune strengths you already have, boost your resume, help build a personal brand for yourself, and add to your portfolio. It doesn't matter what side hustle you choose so long as you enjoy doing it.
Slickdeals Money Staff
The Slickdeals Money editorial team is dedicated to helping readers navigate the personal finance space. We’re passionate about educating our readers on the very best financial tools & products on the market today.