Are you looking to make a little extra money? If so, a side hustle may be just what you need. Maybe it was your passion to have such skills and still get paid for it.
Side hustles are a smart way to bring in another income stream and achieve your financial goals. But where do you start?
The year 2024 brings endless opportunities for those looking to boost their income with flexible, accessible side hustles. With the rise of remote work and digital platforms, there are more legitimate side hustles than ever before, suitable for everyone from students to full-time professionals.
In this article we are going to look at into top 25 of the best legit side hustles you can start today to earn extra income, no matter where you are.
25 Legit Side Hustles You Can Start Today to Earn Extra Income Everywhere in 2024
1. Freelance Writing and Content Creation
If you’re skilled in writing, freelance writing offers flexibility and consistent demand. Content creators are essential for businesses needing blog posts, social media captions, and technical documentation.
- Why It’s Legit: Popular platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and specialized sites like ProBlogger make it easy to find clients.
- Income Potential: Beginners earn around $20–$50 per article; experienced writers can charge upwards of $200.
- Getting Started: Build a portfolio with sample pieces to attract clients.
2. Virtual Assisting
Becoming a virtual assistant (VA) allows you to provide administrative support remotely, helping businesses with scheduling, customer service, and even social media. No doubt Virtual assisting is one of the most legit side hustles you cant start today.
- Why It’s Legit: High demand from entrepreneurs and businesses that need remote assistance.
- Income Potential: VAs typically earn $15–$60 per hour, depending on experience and services.
- Getting Started: List your skills, create a LinkedIn profile, and sign up on VA-focused platforms.
3. Online Tutoring
With the surge in online learning, online tutoring has become a high-paying side hustle. Tutors can teach everything from math to language skills.
- Why It’s Legit: Platforms like VIPKid and Chegg make it easy to start with minimal setup.
- Income Potential: Earn between $15–$100 per hour, depending on the subject and student level.
- Getting Started: Create profiles on tutoring sites, and prepare lesson plans or study guides.
4. Social Media Management
Social media managers help businesses build their brand presence on social platforms by creating content, managing campaigns, and engaging followers. No doubt social media management is one of the most legit side hustles you can start now.
- Why It’s Legit: Small and large businesses alike seek social media support to reach more customers.
- Income Potential: You can expect $20–$75 per hour depending on experience.
- Getting Started: Offer to manage social accounts for friends or small businesses, and build a portfolio.
5. Print-on-Demand Business
With print-on-demand, you can create and sell custom designs on products like shirts, mugs, and tote bags without holding inventory.
- Why It’s Legit: Platforms like Etsy and Redbubble handle printing and shipping, making this low-risk.
- Income Potential: Typically $5–$50 per sale, depending on item and pricing.
- Getting Started: Use Canva or Photoshop to create designs, then upload them to print-on-demand platforms.
6. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
If you love animals, pet sitting and dog walking are rewarding side hustles. These services are in demand in both urban and suburban areas.
- Why It’s Legit: Sites like Rover make it simple to connect with pet owners.
- Income Potential: Earn $15–$30 per walk or visit, with potential for regular clients.
- Getting Started: Sign up on pet-sitting platforms and create a profile highlighting your experience.
7. Podcast Editing
With the rise of podcasts, podcast editing has become a valuable skill. Podcast editors cut audio, add sound effects, and improve sound quality.
- Why It’s Legit: There’s growing demand as more people start podcasts.
- Income Potential: $20–$100 per episode, depending on complexity.
- Getting Started: Learn the basics of audio editing through YouTube tutorials, and offer services on freelance sites.
8. Dropshipping
Dropshipping allows you to sell products without holding inventory. You list products in an online store, and third-party suppliers ship directly to your customers.
- Why It’s Legit: It’s a low-risk eCommerce model with a wide market.
- Income Potential: Varies by product type, but margins are typically 15–50%.
- Getting Started: Choose a niche, create a Shopify or Amazon store, and start marketing products.
9. Real Estate Investing
With the right knowledge, real estate can be a lucrative side hustle. You don’t need to buy property outright; you can start small with real estate investment trusts (REITs).
- Why It’s Legit: REITs let you invest in real estate without property ownership.
- Income Potential: Earnings vary, but some REITs yield 5–8% annually.
- Getting Started: Research REIT options on platforms like Fundrise.
10. Create an Online Course
If you’re knowledgeable about a particular topic, you can create an online course to share your expertise with others.
- Why It’s Legit: Platforms like Udemy and Teachable make course creation straightforward.
- Income Potential: Courses can earn anywhere from $20 to several hundred dollars per sale.
- Getting Started: Outline your course, film videos, and upload them to online course sites.
11. Transcription Services
Transcription involves listening to audio files and typing out what’s said. Businesses, legal professionals, and content creators need accurate transcription. No doubt transcription is one of the most legit side hustles you can start now.
- Why It’s Legit: It’s a reliable job with consistent demand.
- Income Potential: Typically $15–$50 per audio hour.
- Getting Started: Improve typing speed and accuracy, then join transcription platforms.
12. Etsy Shop Owner
Etsy allows you to sell handmade items, vintage finds, and craft supplies. It’s perfect for anyone with a creative side.
- Why It’s Legit: Etsy provides a large audience of shoppers looking for unique items.
- Income Potential: Earnings vary; sellers can make $50 to thousands monthly.
- Getting Started: List your products on Etsy, taking quality photos to attract buyers.
13. Freelance Graphic Design
Graphic design services are in high demand, especially for logo design, branding, and social media graphics.
- Why It’s Legit: Clients need visual content for online presence.
- Income Potential: $25–$100 per project, more for experienced designers.
- Getting Started: Build a portfolio with sample designs, and join sites like 99designs.
14. Website Flipping
Website flipping involves buying underperforming websites, improving them, and selling them at a profit.
- Why It’s Legit: Website marketplaces make buying and selling straightforward.
- Income Potential: Profits range widely, from a few hundred to thousands of dollars.
- Getting Started: Identify niche sites on platforms like Flippa, improve content and SEO, and list for resale.
15. Stock Photography
If you’re handy with a camera, stock photography offers a passive income opportunity. Selling high-quality photos to websites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Getty Images lets you earn royalties each time your photos are downloaded.
- Why It’s Legit: Businesses, bloggers, and advertisers constantly need fresh images for marketing and content.
- Income Potential: $0.25 to $10 per download, with the potential for passive income as your portfolio grows.
- Getting Started: Upload high-quality photos with popular keywords, covering various themes like nature, cityscapes, and lifestyle.
16. Online Market Research and Survey Taking
Market research companies pay users for their opinions on products, services, and online experiences. It’s an easy side hustle with flexible hours.
- Why It’s Legit: Platforms like Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, Afrisight,and Vindale Research offer legitimate payouts for your time.
- Income Potential: Typically $1–$5 per survey, though some can pay up to $50 for longer, specialized surveys.
- Getting Started: Sign up on reputable survey sites, and choose surveys based on your interests and time.
17. Voice Acting
Voice acting is a growing field, especially with the rise of audiobooks, online courses, and marketing videos. If you have a unique or clear voice, this can be a fun and profitable side hustle.
- Why It’s Legit: Platforms like Voices.com and ACX connect voice actors with clients.
- Income Potential: $20–$500 per project, depending on the project’s length and complexity.
- Getting Started: Record a few voice samples, set up a profile on voice acting platforms, and start auditioning.
18. House Cleaning Services
House cleaning is in constant demand, especially in large cities and vacation areas. Offering cleaning services is a high-paying side hustle if you’re detail-oriented and enjoy physical work.
- Why It’s Legit: Apps like TaskRabbit and Thumbtack make it easy to find local clients.
- Income Potential: Typically $20–$50 per hour, with potential for tips and bonuses.
- Getting Started: Create a profile on task-based apps, list your services, and set your rates.
19. Renting Out Your Car
If you don’t use your car daily, renting it out through services like Turo or Getaround can bring in extra cash. This is especially profitable if you live in a busy area or near a tourist destination.
- Why It’s Legit: Car-sharing services are becoming popular for people needing short-term car access.
- Income Potential: $30–$100 per day, depending on the vehicle and location.
- Getting Started: List your car on Turo, set your availability and rates, and manage bookings through the app.
20. Blogging
Blogging is a versatile side hustle that can cover a range of topics, from travel to tech. Once you grow an audience, you can monetize through affiliate marketing, ads, and sponsored posts.
- Why It’s Legit: Blogging platforms like WordPress and Medium make it easy to start without needing web development skills.
- Income Potential: Income varies; successful blogs earn from a few hundred to thousands per month.
- Getting Started: Pick a niche you’re passionate about, set up a blog, and post regularly. Optimize for SEO to attract traffic.
Also Read How to Improve Your Credit Score So Fast in 6 Months (Step by Step)
21. Amazon FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon)
Amazon FBA is a hands-off eCommerce model where you sell products on Amazon, and they handle storage, shipping, and customer service.
- Why It’s Legit: Amazon has a large customer base, and FBA simplifies the logistics of running an online store.
- Income Potential: Varies based on products; successful sellers earn several hundred to thousands monthly.
- Getting Started: Research profitable products, source them, and list them through Amazon’s FBA program.
22. Language Tutoring
If you’re fluent in another language, tutoring others is a great side hustle. Platforms like iTalki and Preply let you teach students from around the world.
- Why It’s Legit: With the globalization of business, language learning remains in high demand.
- Income Potential: Language tutors often earn $15–$50 per hour.
- Getting Started: Sign up on tutoring platforms, create a profile, and outline your teaching methodology.
23. Furniture Flipping
Furniture flipping involves buying second-hand furniture, giving it a makeover, and selling it for a profit. This hustle is perfect for creative, hands-on people who enjoy DIY projects.
- Why It’s Legit: Marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist make it easy to buy and sell locally.
- Income Potential: Profits vary; some items flip for a $50–$500 profit.
- Getting Started: Start with inexpensive pieces, refurbish them, and sell them with attractive listings.
24. Selling Digital Products
Selling digital products like eBooks, templates, and printables is a scalable way to earn passive income. Digital products are popular among creators, small businesses, and consumers looking for unique tools and resources.
- Why It’s Legit: Platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, and Shopify make selling digital items easy.
- Income Potential: $10–$100 per sale, with potential for passive income as your portfolio grows.
- Getting Started: Create products like planners, templates, or guides, and market them on popular digital sales platforms.
25. Professional Organizing
If you have a knack for organization, professional organizing could be a profitable side hustle. You’ll help clients declutter their spaces, creating a more organized and functional environment.
- Why It’s Legit: The demand for professional organizers has grown with the popularity of home organization content.
- Income Potential: $50–$200 per hour, depending on the location and scope of work.
- Getting Started: Create a profile on local service sites, share before-and-after photos, and build your reputation.
Some Tools and Resources for Side Hustlers
Finding the right tools and resources is essential for turning your side hustle business ideas into a profitable business. Whether you’re building an ecommerce store or offering digital services, these platforms can streamline your operations, helping you succeed faster.
Here are just a few that you may want to consider using:
ChatGPT: ChatGPT is a powerful tool for earning income by enhancing productivity in content creation, virtual assistance, and digital marketing. Freelancers can use it to quickly generate blogs, social media content, and ad copy.
Upwork: A freelancing platform connecting side hustlers with clients looking for skills in writing, graphic design, programming, and more. Upwork provides secure payment options, a rating system, and robust job-matching algorithms, making it easy to find remote work.
WordPress: As one of the most popular website builders, WordPress allows you to create a professional-looking site for blogging, selling products, or promoting your services
Mailchimp: An email marketing platform that lets you design campaigns, manage mailing lists, and track engagement. Side hustlers in affiliate marketing, e-commerce, or content creation can use Mailchimp to grow their audience and communicate effectively.
LeadPages: This platform helps you create high-converting landing pages and websites, ensuring that your side hustle can capture leads and convert visitors into customers
Shopify: For anyone interested in building an ecommerce store on the side, Shopify is an easy solution with built-in payment processing and lots of customization options.
Trello: A project management tool using boards, lists, and cards to organize tasks visually. Trello’s flexibility makes it useful for side hustlers managing multiple projects or teams and needing a visual way to keep track of tasks.
Teachable: Ideal for those offering online courses, Teachable provides tools to create, market, and sell courses
Ahrefs: An SEO tool that helps you improve search rankings, grow website traffic, and analyze competitors
Google Workspace: Offers tools like Gmail, Google Drive, Docs, and Sheets, providing a complete suite for communication, collaboration, and organization. Google Workspace is valuable for virtual assistants, project managers, and freelancers who work with teams or clients.
Calendly: Manage your bookings efficiently with Calendly, allowing clients to schedule time with you easily
Canva: This graphic design tool makes it easy to create eye-catching visuals and branding materials, regardless of skill level
Pexels: A go-to source for free, high-quality images
Read More All What You Need To Know About Crypto Airdrops
Maximizing Your Side Hustle Success in 2024
Starting a side hustle is a great way to earn extra income and pursue your passions outside of your main job. However, juggling your main job and your side hustle can be challenging if you don’t have a plan in place.
With so many options available, choosing the right side hustle depends on your skills, interests, and lifestyle. Here are a few tips to help you succeed in your side hustle journey:
Prioritize Skill Development: Many side hustles, like freelance writing, design, and virtual assistance, benefit from ongoing learning. Skill-building not only boosts your confidence but also increases your earning potential.
Use Technology to Your Advantage: Utilize platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Turo to simplify finding clients and managing your side hustle.
Optimize Your Time: Create a schedule that works around your main job, using evenings and weekends if necessary. Many side hustles, like online tutoring and freelance writing, allow you to work at any time.
Invest in Marketing: For side hustles like Etsy selling, blogging, and tutoring, a strong online presence and social media marketing can expand your reach and grow your clientele.
Diversify Your Income Streams: Having multiple income streams helps secure your financial future. You can combine several side hustles—such as freelance writing and virtual assisting—to increase your monthly earnings.
Above all, keep learning and improving your skills to stay competitive in your market. This could include taking courses, attending conferences, or networking with others in your industry.
Where Could Your Side Hustle Lead You?
A side hustle isn’t just a way to earn extra income—it’s also a chance to explore a new business idea. As you build skills and gain experience, what begins as a part-time gig could grow into a thriving career. Whether it’s dog walking, food delivery, or selling products online, a side hustle can be the first step toward financial independence.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Which side hustles require the least initial investment?
Side hustles like freelance writing, tutoring, and survey taking require very little upfront cost, making them ideal for beginners.
What are the most scalable side hustles for long-term income?
Blogging, selling digital products, and Amazon FBA have significant scalability potential, allowing you to grow your earnings over time without much additional time commitment.
Can side hustles help build skills for a career change?
Absolutely! Many side hustles, like graphic design, coding, and social media management, provide valuable experience that can lead to career changes or freelance opportunities.
Are side hustles sustainable as a full-time income source?
Yes, many side hustles can turn into full-time work if you build a strong client base or passive income streams.
What side hustles are best for rural areas or small towns?
Remote side hustles like freelance writing, online tutoring, and digital product sales are ideal as they aren’t dependent on location.
Can I start multiple side hustles at once?
Yes! Many people juggle several side hustles. However, to avoid burnout, it’s wise to start with one or two and gradually add more as you establish a routine.
