We’re living in the age of the side hustle, as more and more people use their free time to build up their savings. There are many types of side hustle, and for some, these jobs can become full-time occupations. You’ll have to consider your skills to find the right side business to start and ensure you have the dedication and enthusiasm to make it a success.
Some of these businesses will also require some start-up funds, so you should consider how to finance your business. You will also need to think carefully about how you will juggle your main job and your side business to prevent becoming burned out.
1. Become An Influencer
Being an influencer can offer a great range of benefits. It is not the easiest side business to get into, and it can be a challenge to build up enough of a following to start making money. You’ll need a dedicated following of between 15 and 30 thousand before businesses will consider working with you.
You will also need to be knowledgeable about the industry you are working in. There are influencers in almost all industries you can think of, from farming to technology to beauty. You’ll also need to understand the type of content that attracts and retains followers and produce such content consistently.
2. Start A Dog Walking Business
If you love spending time with animals, becoming a dog walker could be the perfect fit. You will need experience with dogs and the confidence to handle dogs of varying temperaments. An excellent place to start is in your local community. You could draw up some fliers and post these through the doors of your neighbours. Include your contact details and typical rates. You could also offer boarding services for pet owners that want to leave their dogs in safe hands when they go on holiday.
3. Launch A Podcast
Podcasts have exploded in popularity in recent years. If you have the gift of the gab and a good voice for audio recordings, you could earn good money by launching a podcast. You’ll need excellent researching skills and good quality audio recording equipment. You’ll also need to choose a topic that you’re passionate about, which will provide plenty of content for your podcast.
4. Tend Other Peoples’ Gardens
If you love gardening and have a great green thumb, you could consider becoming a gardener in your free time. While you’ll get the most side business during spring and summer, you can typically expect to find work all year round. You could start by mowing lawns for your neighbours and branch out as you get more experience.
It is a good idea to ask customers to recommend your services to their friends and family to help your side business grow quickly. You’ll also need the right equipment and a vehicle large enough to transport it in.
5. Offer Cleaning Services
Many families choose to employ a cleaner to help them keep on top of housework. If you enjoy getting places sparkling clean, this could be the ideal job for you. You’ll need cleaning supplies and equipment like a vacuum. You’ll need to advertise your side business similarly to dog walking by handing out fliers or taking out adverts on Facebook or in local newspapers.
6. Refer Friends To Services
Many side businesses offer customers the chance to make or save money on their services if they refer a friend. This is an easy way to earn cash online and can benefit both you and the person you refer. You should look for opportunities with any side business you use, like Lebara, a leading provider of mobile phone plans who offer attractive rewards to people who refer their friends.
7. Sell Floral Arrangements
If you have a talent for arranging flowers, starting a floristry side business out of your home could be very lucrative. People are willing to pay good money for quality floral arrangements. You will need to create a portfolio of images of arrangements you’ve made in the past to show potential customers the kind of service you can provide.
It is a good idea to create arrangements for different events like Valentine’s Day, weddings, birthdays and funerals. You’ll need a suitable workspace, equipment, and quality flowers to get started.
8. Rent Out A Spare Room
If you have a spare room in your home that isn’t being used, you could consider renting this out to a lodger. This can be a great and simple way to earn extra cash. It is essential to be careful when choosing who to rent a room out to and get references from past landlords to ensure they will be a good fit.
9. House Sit For Neighbours
House sitting is a great way to earn money doing very little. Many people like to have someone looking after their home when they go away for long periods on holiday or for work. You will need to be responsible with the home you’re looking after and may need to take on additional duties like pet sitting.
There are plenty of websites dedicated to matching house sitters with potential jobs. Some websites offer paid services while others work more like an Airbnb, with homeowners in desirable locations offering their homes to people looking to save money on their holidays.
10. Restore And Sell Houses
If you like doing DIY, buying a home in need of some TLC to flip could be the perfect fit. You’ll need enough funding to purchase the property and carry out renovations, but you could see a significant return on your investment ideas. You could also consider working with an investment partner who will buy the property for you to renovate and then pay you for your services once the property is sold.
11. Manage A Business’s Social Media Accounts
Social media for even the smallest side business can be a full-time job in its own right, so offering your services to a side business can be a great win-win for you and them. You will need to prove to the company that you are well versed in social media and can help them grow their following.
