If you’re looking for ways to make money online, you’re not alone. 34% of Americans have a side hustle, and that number keeps rising.
Here are 7 side hustles you can start, without a degree, to make money online:
- Virtual assistant
- Web designer
- Bookkeeper
- Social media manager
- Graphic designer
- Language tutor
- Copywriter
Stick around til the end to see which one is my favorite and why!
First things first… why start a side hustle?
1. Extra income
The number one reason why people pursue side hustles is for the extra income. And that’s a solid reason.
As inflation continues to rise with most traditional salaries remaining unchanged, more and more persons have turned to side hustles to supplement their salary.
Whether it’s travel, property purchase, or saving for some other personal goal, a side hustle is one of the best ways to make money online and achieve that goal faster.
2. Work experience
A side hustle is a great way to get experience in a specific field, especially if you want to eventually gain full-time employment in that area.
I’ve seen many entrepreneurs (copywriters, web designers, marketers) leverage their experience running their own business to get their dream 6-figure job.
3. Work on something you’re passionate about
Not all side hustles have to be about the grind.
It’s great to make extra money online, but it’s also nice to spend your time doing something you enjoy.
How to choose the best side hustle
Not every side hustle will be a good fit for you. Which is why I suggest asking yourself these questions before you decide which one to pursue.
What are you passionate about?
Passion isn’t essential to a successful side hustle, but it definitely makes it easier to keep going on the days when you feel like quitting.
So it’s a good idea to choose something that gets you excited.
What are your natural talents?
Don’t you dare tell me you have none. Every single one of us is good at something. If you can’t figure out what your thing is, think about what people tend to ask for your help with.
If you still can’t come up with anything, ask your friends and family what they think you’re good at.
How urgently do you need to start making money online?
This is important, because some side hustles on this list have a steeper learning curve than others.
Get clear on how urgent this is, and think about how much time you can devote before earning your first dollar.
What are the best side hustles for making money online?
Now for those side hustles I promised.
You won’t find side hustles like ‘dog walking ‘ or ‘delivering meals’ on this list. That’s because every single item on this list can be done online — from the comfort of your own home.
The key here is to think of your own natural skillset and find the side hustle that most aligns with that. This will reduce the time it takes to get started and become profitable.
Let’s dive in!
1. Virtual assistant
A virtual assistant (VA) is someone who offers services online in exchange for a fee.
The definition is vague, because VAs do so many things. They’re invaluable to entrepreneurs and business owners as they help make businesses run smoothly.
From content research, website management, and keyword research, to calendar management and data entry, the possibilities are nearly endless.
Skills required to be a virtual assistant
The skills required to be a VA will depend on the specific services you plan to offer. But in general, being organized and paying keen attention to details is critical.
Effective time management is also important.
Where to learn VA skills
You don’t need specialized training to become a VA. If you have administrative or operations experience, those skills are transferable.
The hardest part will be figuring out how to find and manage your clients.
If you’re new to the role and don’t know where to start, a platform like Acadium may help. Acadium makes it easy for you to get your first client and build your portfolio while expanding your experience.
If you’re feeling more confident and don’t need to start with a site like Acadium, you could put together a simple one-page website, define your pricing, and start promoting your services to business owners.
2. Web designer
With so many no-code web design tools available — including platforms like Webflow — it’s never been easier to be a web designer.
Skills required to be a web designer
That’s not to say it’s super simple. If you’re starting from scratch with no knowledge of web design, you will need to learn critical design skills before you start offering your services.
Visual Design
Knowledge of visual design will be important. This means understanding design principles like color theory, as well as typography and web fonts.
Design software
You should also be comfortable using design software like Adobe’s suite of tools — Photoshop, Illustrator, and Sketch.
These tools will help with creating and sharing your ideas, designs and finished projects.
Coding
Coding is an important skill for a web designer. While you do not need to learn and be proficient in every single programming language, it’s important to understand the foundational stuff.
HTML and CSS are two good programming languages to learn and become competent in.
Where to learn web design skills
Web design courses are a great way to learn this in-demand skill.
No-code software WebFlow has their own free introductory Ultimate Web Design Course.
Webflow University also has an extensive library of courses.
And there are many other platforms that offer free and paid courses ranging from beginner to expert level skills and topics.
3. Bookkeeper
If data entry and numbers are your thing, you may want to consider a side hustle as a bookkeeper.
While many people mistakenly confuse the job of a bookkeeper with that of an accountant, the two are not the same. In fact, a bookkeeper’s job is not as complex as an accountant’s.
A bookkeeper is responsible for recording all financial transactions for an individual or business into an accounting software.
An accountant uses that information to help individuals and businesses file taxes and make larger financial decisions.
Skills required to be a bookkeeper
As a bookkeeper, you will need to be pretty confident with data entry and spreadsheets. It’s also important to be comfortable with financial accounting software like FreshBooks or QuickBooks.
Where to learn bookkeeping
Online learning platforms like Udemy and Coursera have bookkeeping and accounting courses that can be a great place to start.
Courses on AccountingCoach also come highly recommended.
Be sure to do your own research to see which option may be right for you.
4. Social media manager
As social media continues to be wildly popular among brands, there’s a huge opportunity for those who know how to leverage this channel.
If you have a knack for social media and know how to grow and engage an audience, social media manager may be the side hustle you’ve been searching for.
Skills required to be a social media manager
A great social media manager will have solid writing and design skills. They will also be skilled at community engagement and analytics.
Analytics here means both social media metrics (likes, shares, engagement, saves, etc) and business metrics (conversions, traffic, etc).
Social media managers are also creative and very organized.
Where to learn social media management
There are lots of online resources for learning social media management, like Hootsuite Academy and Digital Marketing Institute.
Hubspot Academy also has a great free course that comes with a certification badge.
5. Graphic designer
If you’re interested in design but don’t want to learn any coding at all, graphic design is a good alternative to web design.
Graphic designers create visual concepts to communicate ideas, often for commercial use.
Skills required to be a graphic designer
The skills required to be a graphic designer are somewhat similar to the skills required to be a web designer.
The best graphic designers are creative, have a solid understanding of design principles, and are proficient in using design software.
Where to learn graphic design
Canva’s Graphic Design Basics course is a good option if you’re starting from scratch, but it won’t be enough to make you a graphic designer.
Coursera’s Graphic Design Specialization is more comprehensive and covers 5 areas — graphic design fundamentals, typography, image making, branding, and the history of graphic design.
6. Language tutor
Becoming a language tutor is a great side hustle that doesn’t require any specialized skill.
If you’re a native English speaker, you can find students and professionals online looking to improve their English speaking skills.
Skills required to be a language tutor
To be a successful language tutor you should be an effective communicator and very organized. It’s also important to have excellent command of the language you will be tutoring.
Where to find tutoring opportunities
Platforms like Preply make it easy to sign up and get started. And they even provide support through training webinars if you don’t have any experience as a tutor.
7. Copywriter
Copywriting is a lucrative skill that can pay off in many ways. And you don’t need 10 years experience to command a livable wage as a copywriter.
Emilia Tinase made money as a copywriter in high school.
Copywriters write copy for websites, emails, landing pages, ads, social media, product descriptions, and so much more.
Skills required to be a copywriter
To be a great copywriter, you should be able to organize and articulate your ideas. You should also be an effective researcher and communicator.
Your job won’t be to just write copy. You will need to conduct research, plan and structure the copy, and communicate your decisions to your client.
Where to learn copywriting
Copyhackers is home of the conversion copywriting method. It’s the best place online to learn copywriting from the pros who command big bucks from working with big names you likely recognize.
The Conversion Copywriting 101 course is a great starting point if you’re newer to copywriting and want to learn the fundamentals.
The Tutorial Tuesdays copywriting training videos are another great resource.
Here’s why being a copywriter is the best way to make money online in 2023
When it comes to ways to make money online, copywriting is a solid option. And I’m not just saying that because I’m a copywriter.
To get started as a copywriter all you need is a laptop, an internet connection, and a commitment to learn the basics.
You don’t even need to be a great writer, because copywriting is less about great writing, and more about principles of persuasion.
And the earning potential is limitless!
I won’t sell you a pipe dream; it’s not easy. But with effort and the right resources (like the ones I mentioned above), you can make money online as a copywriter.
The key is to take action right away. So if you’re serious about starting one of the best side hustles for 2023, you should start now — before the new year.
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