Consider potential ideas that align with your passions, skills, and interests. A side hustle can open new possibilities for more significant income and fulfillment.
10 Real and Practical Side Hustles for 2024
Side hustles are a great way to generate extra income on top of your regular job.
With the right side gig, you can earn an additional $500-$1000+ a month working part-time. Choosing a hustle that fits your skills, interests, and schedule is critical.
Here are six of the most practical and profitable side hustles to pursue in 2024:
- Rideshare driving — Apps like Uber and Lyft allow you to set your own hours while earning up to $25/hour driving people around. This is one of the most flexible and popular side hustles.
- Food delivery — Similarly, deliver food for services like DoorDash or Grubhub and make $15-$20/hour during peak dinner times. You can choose which orders to accept and when to log on.
- Freelance writing — Freelance writing can be highly lucrative at $30-$60/hour if you have writing chops. Look for clients on job boards or pitch to companies directly.
- Teaching English online — Tutor Chinese or other non-native English speakers for $15-$22/hour on platforms like VIPKid. Flexible hours and teaching experience preferred.
- Virtual assistant work — Offer admin, social media, or other virtual assistance to busy professionals and companies at $15-$40/hour.
- Affiliate marketing — Earn commission promoting other company’s products on your website. Takes effort to build traffic but earns passive income.
Online Side Hustles
The internet has opened up a massive opportunity for side hustles that can be done entirely online.
💻With just a laptop and internet connection, you can find online side hustles like 👇.
App Development
Developing apps for smartphones and tablets can be a lucrative online side hustle.
While coding skills are required, you can earn passive income from the app store if you can create a popular app idea or game. Start by learning coding languages like Swift for iOS apps or Java for Android apps.
Blogging
Launching a blog on a topic you’re knowledgeable and passionate about can earn advertising and affiliate revenue.
You can use Wordpress, Ghost, or even Wix. While it might be tempting to use syndicate publishers like Medium, Substack, and the like, your SEO efforts build them up (for free) while you don’t own the platform and can get dropped at a moments notice.
Build an audience by consistently publishing high-quality content. Monetize through display ads, affiliate links, sponsored posts, ebooks, online courses, or coaching.
Online Tutoring
You can tutor students online via video chat if you have teaching experience or expertise in academic subjects. Sites like Chegg, Varsity Tutors, and Wyzant connect tutors with students and handle payment processing. Set your own schedule and rates.
Freelance Writing
Freelance writers can find paid writing gigs online in areas like blog posts, articles, social media, copywriting, proofreading, and more. Check sites like Contently, Flexjobs, and Upwork for freelance writing opportunities. Build a portfolio and niche to land better assignments.
Selling Digital Products
Create digital products like ebooks, courses, templates, graphics, and more, then sell them online through your website or platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, or Creative Market. Add value with your expertise and earn passive income. Useful digital products include planners, workbooks, guides, stock photos, website themes, and more.
Selling Products and Reselling
One great way to make money on the side is by selling products, either handmade or sourced. Here are some of the top product-based side hustles for 2024:
Handmade Crafts on Etsy
Selling handmade crafts, art, or other unique creations on Etsy is a popular side hustle.
You can open your own Etsy shop with minimal startup costs and start selling. Some best-selling items include jewelry, wall art, crochet products, candles, soap, ceramics, and more.
You’ll need to invest some time into honing your craft and making quality products. Great photography and descriptions will help them sell.
Etsy charges a fee, but you keep the majority of sales.
Affiliate Marketing
Become an affiliate marketer by promoting brand products and earning a commission on sales. Share affiliate links and promo codes on your website, social media, YouTube, or blog.
You don’t need to create or ship products. Instead, you drive traffic and sales. Amazon’s affiliate program is one of the largest. Focus on relevant products you genuinely like and recommend.
Selling products leverages your existing skills or items you can source.
It lets you make unique offerings creatively and earn passive income as your inventory sells over time. These are accessible ways to make money from home.
Passive Income Side Hustles
Passive income streams allow you to earn money with minimal ongoing time and effort. Here are some of the top passive side hustles to pursue in 2024:
Blogging Ad Revenue
Launching a blog on a topic you’re knowledgeable and passionate about can lead to passive income down the road.
You’ll need to invest initial time in creating content and building an audience. But once your blog is established, income sources like Google AdSense can generate largely passive revenue based on traffic.
💡Affiliate marketing commissions and selling ad space are other potential income streams.
Affiliate Marketing
Promoting products or services and earning a commission requires upfront effort but can become passive over time. Do research to find affiliate programs that align with your audience and niche.
Create resources like
- product reviews,
- comparison articles,
- and tutorials
with your affiliate links inserted. Continue promoting across channels like
- your website,
- email list,
- and social media.
eBook Sales
Publishing an ebook provides the potential for ongoing passive sales.
Do market research to identify underserved audience needs and niche topics. Outline and write a comprehensive guide that offers significant value.
List your ebook on platforms like Amazon Kindle, promote it heavily at launch, and then continue earning royalties on sales. Expand into a series of books on related topics.
These side hustles can generate largely passive income streams in 2024 and beyond with some strategic effort. The key is picking side hustles suited to your
- expertise,
- assets,
- and audience.
Getting Started with a Side Hustle
Starting a profitable side hustle takes some preparation and planning. Here are some tips to help you launch your side hustle successfully:
Set Clear Goals
Define what you want to achieve with your side hustle.
❔Do you want to make an extra $500 per month? Save up for a big purchase?
Do you make enough to quit your day job? Setting SMART goals will give you focus and motivation.
Select your niche
This can be the most challenging component; start by focusing on a niche aligned with your skills, interests, and experience. Becoming known as the expert in a specialized niche can help you attract clients and stand out.
⚠️Don’t try to be everything to everyone initially.
Start Small, Then Scale
Only bite off what you can chew. Start with a small, manageable workload for your side hustle and intentionally scale up over time. Going too big too fast is a recipe for burnout.
Manage Your Time Well
To avoid burnout, block out set times for your side hustle work so it doesn’t bleed into all your personal time. Track how long tasks take so you can estimate workload. Say no to scope creep.
Promote Your New Hustle
Get the word out to friends and family and on social media. Create a website, business cards, and brochures. Pitch to potential clients and partners. Solid promotion is vital, especially when starting out.
Continue Learning
Read books and blogs, take classes, and listen to podcasts. Improving your skills and knowledge will ensure you deliver top-quality services or products.
Review and Refine
Track what’s working well and what’s not. Adjust your offering, pricing, niche, or promotion strategies to maximize your earnings. Savvy tweaking can improve your profitability.
With some strategic planning and effort, your side hustle can thrive. Set goals, start small, learn continually, and keep refining. Before you know it, your hustle will be a huge success!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Side Hustles in 2024
What are side hustles, and why should I consider them in 2024?
In 2024, side hustles are an excellent way to earn extra money, offering flexibility, fulfillment, and financial growth.
Consider potential ideas that align with your passions, skills, and interests. A side hustle can open new possibilities for more significant income and fulfillment.
What are some real and practical side hustles for 2024?
Side hustles are a great way to generate extra income while working your regular job. In 2024, consider these ten practical and profitable side hustles:
- Rideshare driving: Set your hours and earn up to $25/hour driving with apps like Uber and Lyft.
- Food delivery: Deliver food with services like DoorDash or Grubhub and make $15-$20/hour during peak dinner times.
- Freelance writing: Earn $30-$60/hour with freelance writing gigs by finding clients on job boards or pitching to companies directly.
- Teaching English online: Tutor non-native English speakers for $15-$22/hour on platforms like VIPKid.
- Virtual assistant work: Offer virtual assistance services to busy professionals and companies at rates ranging from $15 to $40/hour.
- Affiliate marketing: Earn commission by promoting products from other companies on your website, creating a potential source of passive income.
What are some online side hustles I can pursue in 2024?
The internet offers various online side hustle opportunities. Consider the following options:
App Development
Develop smartphone and tablet apps for passive income. Learning coding languages like Swift for iOS apps or Java for Android apps can be rewarding.
Blogging
Start a blog on a topic you’re passionate about to earn through advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, ebooks, online courses, or coaching.
Online Tutoring
Leverage your expertise to tutor students online via video chat through platforms like Chegg, Varsity Tutors, or Wyzant.
Freelance Writing
Find paid writing gigs online in areas like blog posts, articles, social media, copywriting, and more through platforms like Contently, Flexjobs, or Upwork.
Selling Digital Products
Create digital products like ebooks, courses, templates, graphics, and more, and sell them on platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, or Creative Market.
What are some product-based side hustles for 2024?
Consider these top product-based side hustles for 2024:
Handmade Crafts on Etsy
Sell handmade crafts, art, or unique creations on Etsy. Some best-selling items include jewelry, wall art, crochet products, candles, soap, ceramics, and more.
Affiliate Marketing
Become an affiliate marketer by promoting products from various brands and earning a commission on sales.
What are some passive income side hustles to consider?
Generate passive income with these side hustle ideas:
Blogging Ad Revenue
Establish a blog on a topic you’re knowledgeable about and monetize it through Google AdSense, affiliate marketing, and selling ad space.
Affiliate Marketing
Promote products or services and earn a commission over time by sharing affiliate links and promo codes.
eBook Sales
Publish ebooks that provide value to your audience and list them on platforms like Amazon Kindle, earning royalties on sales.
How can I get started with a side hustle successfully?
Here are some tips for launching a successful side hustle:
Set Clear Goals
Define your side hustle’s purpose: make extra income, save for a big purchase, or eventually quit your day job.
Select Your Niche
Focus on a niche aligned with your skills, interests, and experience to become an expert and stand out.
Start Small, Then Scale
Begin with a manageable workload and gradually scale up to avoid burnout.
Manage Your Time Well
Block out specific times for your side hustle work to maintain a work-life balance.
Promote Your New Hustle
Use social media, create a website, and pitch to potential clients to promote your side hustle effectively.
Continue Learning
Keep improving your skills and knowledge through books, blogs, classes, and podcasts.
Review and Refine
Track your progress and adjust your offerings, pricing, and strategies to maximize your earnings.
Your side hustle can thrive and succeed significantly with strategic planning and effort!