25 Side Hustle Ideas to Try in 2024
25 Side Hustle Ideas to Try in 2024
Nearly everyone could benefit from a bit more cash, especially when a full-time salary falls short. A well-chosen side hustle can provide the additional income you need, supplementing your day job.
Side hustlers come from all walks of life. They are inventive, willing to embrace experiments, and see limited resources as an exciting challenge. By dedicating just a few hours a week, you too can tap into the potential of a side hustle.
Whether your goal is to generate passive income or transform a hobby into a profitable business, this list of side hustle ideas has something for everyone.
1. Monetize a YouTube channel
YouTube has a massive audience of 2.7 billion users, who watch a billion hours of videos every day. Tap into those views by joining the YouTube Partner Program, which lets you earn money from ads showing during your videos.
Keep in mind that it takes time to gather enough viewers to earn a lot from ads. That’s why many YouTubers look for other ways to monetize their content.
There are several ways to make money on YouTube that go beyond the Partner Program. For example, you could team up with brands to promote their products in your videos. They’ll pay you a fee or give you a cut of the sales. Another option is to direct viewers to buy products from your own online store.
Next steps: Start by making engaging videos and Shorts that appeal to your target audience. As you gain subscribers, explore monetization strategies such as joining the Partner Program, selling merch, and promoting affiliate partners.
2. Sell digital products
Digital products are items that exist only online. Examples include downloadable or streamable files such as MP3s, PDFs, videos, and technical assets.
Use your existing skills to start a side hustle creating digital products. That might mean educational ebooks for your industry, custom music or visuals, or different kinds of digital templates.
If you’re a graphic designer, think about how websites are always on the lookout for unique fonts and eye-catching page layouts to set them apart.
Next steps: Once you’ve created your product, start an online store to sell to customers. Promote your products on social media with enticing incentives such as a free sample or discount code.
3. Become a tutor
Teaching is incredibly rewarding, and thanks to online platforms like Cambly, TutorOcean, Preply, and Learn to Be, it’s easier than ever to become an online tutor. Even students are getting into the tutoring business, offering services like test prep and homework help, tapping into a market that’s expected to grow at a rate of 5.2% annually until 2027.
To make your tutoring side hustle extra profitable, consider creating an online course. Building an online course takes considerable effort at the start, but once it’s set up, it can generate passive income continuously.
Next steps: Identify the subject or skills you are most knowledgeable about, then look for students on tutoring platforms or at local educational institutions.
4. Deliver Packages
If you have some free time and a vehicle, you can start a side hustle as a delivery driver. What’s great about this gig is the flexible schedule. Most delivery drivers choose when they want to work and only receive delivery assignments when they’re available.
Next steps: To get started, sign up with a service like Amazon Flex. Once you’re registered, you can start picking the time blocks that suit your schedule.
5. Start a podcast
Podcasting, like social media and blogging, has become a staple of the broader world of online content. In fact, podcast audiences have grown consistently each year.
Podcasting is comparatively cheap, too. A decent USB microphone sold specifically for podcasting can be purchased for less than $100, and recording platforms like Audacity are free and easy to use.
Next steps: To start a podcast, find a theme or subject that resonates with a target audience. Record a few episodes in advance and plan your launch campaign. As you grow, incorporate ads or sponsorships to turn your podcast into a side hustle.
6. Design and sell your own t-shirts
If you have a passion for design, print-on-demand businesses are fun, low-risk side hustles. Apps such as Printful, Printify, and Gelato allow you to easily upload custom designs onto t-shirts that are printed and shipped at the point of purchase, meaning there’s no need to make large inventory purchases upfront.
Next steps: Shopify has everything you need to start selling t-shirts online.
7. Offer pet sitting and dog walking services
People treat their pets as members of the family—meaning they’re willing to pay for reliable professionals who can take care of their furry loved ones. In the past, finding clients was the hardest part of becoming a dog walker or pet sitter, but with apps like Rover, Wag!, PetSitter.com, and PetBacker, it’s easier than ever to find owners in need of a hand.
Once you’ve got started, expand your side hustle into a full pet business and create or source products to sell to your existing clients.
These are just a few of the side hustle ideas you can try in 2024. Whether you’re looking to make extra money, pursue a passion, or start a new business, there’s a side hustle out there for you. So why not give one of these ideas a try and see where it takes you?