Earn Extra Cash from Home with These Online Side Hustles

Whether you're a content creator, small business entrepreneur, full time employee, student, or stay at home parent, you might be one of the many looking for ways to make extra cash in our current economy. Online side hustles are a great solution to this universal conundrum! Side gigs, which are essentially freelance work, offer flexibility and a wide range of diverse options to bring in more income - and many even have low entry barriers, so it's easy to get started fast. Let's check out two dozen side hustle ideas that can help you earn extra money right from your own home - there's something for everyone!

What's a Side Hustle? 

A side hustle or side gig is a job or project that you do in addition to your main job or source of income to bring in extra revenue. They're jobs that you do on a "freelance" basis, which means you're hired for that individual job, and don't technically work as an employee for the company or individual who hired you. 

Old-school style side hustles primarily focused on tasks like yard work, child care, dog walking, or driving for rideshare services - but the internet has opened up a whole new realm of side hustle possibilities. Now, online side hustles can span everything from managing social media accounts to building websites, creating videos, blogging, coding, or selling print on demand merch on a site like Fourthwall or Etsy.

And the best part? You can launch, grow, and promote these side hustles from the comfort of your own home, and you can get started on many of them in just a couple of hours. The opportunities are virtually limitless!

4 Great Benefits of Having a Side Hustle

Financial Independence 

Side hustles allow you to make extra money, and money, of course, gives you more control over many facets of your life. Side hustles can also generate enough revenue to give you leeway to slowly work on a more complex business venture or passion project.

Skill Building

Whether through freelancing, selling merch, or working as a virtual assistant, side hustles can also often help you develop new skills! Your newly gained side hustle skills can then lead to additional side hustles, which can keep you in extra income for even longer.

Flexibility and Control

With side hustles, you can generally can work on your own terms and hours of choice, whether you're teaching online, managing social media accounts, or taking up graphic design gigs. The "gig economy" rarely follows the rules and schedules of traditional jobs, so that flexibility is perfect for content creators and other creatives.

Potential for Growth

Many online side hustles can evolve into full-time businesses. If you find a side gig that you're particularly good at, you could create a personal portfolio of your work in that field, pursuing additional freelance gigs or even consulting positions that can provide long-term financial rewards.

21 Online Side Hustles to Do At Home

When it comes to making money from a side hustle, there are plenty of opportunities! Each side hustle has unique skill requirements, earning potential, and benefits to you, depending on your interests and skill set - so let's check out two dozen side gig options to get you started!

1. Freelancing

Freelancing in general remains one of the most popular and versatile online side hustles. If you're multi-skilled, you can offer a wide range of services from writing and marketing to graphic design or computer coding, based on your expertise; and platforms like Fiverr and Upwork let you showcase your skills as a freelancer, connecting with clients around the world. Freelancers - making good use of the word "free!" - also have the freedom to choose projects they’re interested in, and to set the pay rates for them. Potential earnings as a freelancer can vary greatly, with some freelancers making $15-20 an hour and others earning upward of $100 an hour, so it all depends on what you're offering and your level of experience.

Freelancing is perfect for individuals who want to leverage their professional skills to make extra money on the side, outside of your full time job. You can even combo your "regular" job with some freelance gigs; for example, if you’re a web developer, you can take on separate website projects outside of your full-time job for some extra cash. The keys to succeeding as a freelancer are in building a portfolio, networking with clients, and continuously improving your skills as you go.

2. Virtual Assistant

Plenty of businesses are making the move to operating online the majority of the time, which means the demand for virtual assistants is growing fast. As a VA, or virtual assistant, you'll help small businesses, entrepreneurs, and more manage administrative tasks like scheduling, email management, and more; bonus points for you if you can offer specialized services like bookkeeping or marketing support.

Virtual assistants generally make between $15-25 per hour, but if you can offer additional skills (or learn more skills as you go), you can start getting paid $30 per hour or more. Successful VAs have great organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple tasks at the same time, and good people skills to smooth over any bumps along the scheduling road. Sites like Upwork and FlexJobs are good places to look for VA gigs.

3. Social Media Management

Social Media is a necessity for entrepreneurs and businesses large and small to connect with their customers, build their brand, and drive sales. But many business owners don't have the time - or the media savvy - to manage their social media accounts effectively. This is where social media managers can make a splash! As a social media manager, your responsibilities will include creating content and socials marketing campaigns, managing posting schedules, answering comments, and analyzing socials engagement.

This side hustle is perfect for those already familiar with platforms like Instagram, Twitter (X), and TikTok - and if you're creative, all the better. Entry-level social media managers start around $30 per hour, with the very experienced notching upwards of $50. A good way to get started in this side gig is to build a portfolio showcasing some of your socials work to date, and offering discounted services to businesses as you get started.

4. Online Tutoring

Online tutoring has become an essential resource for students worldwide, and even more so with the increases in remote learning. Got expertise in subjects like math, English, science, foreign languages, or test prep? Then online tutoring can be a very lucrative side hustle for you! 

Wyzant is a reputable and well known site for tutoring gigs.

Tutorial rates can vary pretty widely - for some subjects it can be around $25 per hour, for others up to $50 or $100, depending on what level is needed and how much expertise you have. You don't necessarily need a teaching degree to tutor, although a deep understanding of the subject and the ability to teach it are, of course, key. Teaching as a tutor on sites like Wyzant or Tutor.com is also a rewarding way to help others while earning that extra money.

5. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a side hustle that's really blown up over the past several years. It allows you to earn commissions by promoting products or services; when you recommend a product or service and someone purchases it through your referral link, you then earn a percentage of that sale.

The potential earnings from affiliate marketing are basically limitless, depending on how much time and effort you want to invest into it. Top affiliate marketers can make anywhere from several hundred dollars to tens of thousands per month; it can take time to build an audience (affiliate marketing through your own blog or YouTube channel are two of the most common strategies for doing so), but once you have a solid following, affiliate marketing can become a significant source of extra income.

6. Blogging

If you enjoy writing or talking, then you might also enjoy blogging! Blogging is one of the most flexible side hustles, and offers several different avenues for generating income, including affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and ads. Starting a blog and keeping it consistent does require some dedication - and it helps to narrow down exactly what your blog is about, so you can focus on growing your target audience - but as your blog grows and gains viewers/readers, it can become a solid source of income.

Your blog can be monetized through the aforementioned affiliate marketing and sponsored posts, or through ad networks like Google AdSense for YouTube; and your earning potential will depend on your blog's traffic. This is another side gig with varying revenue possibilities; you could earn several hundred dollars per month, or thousands. It helps to choose a niche you're excited about, whether it's travel, food, fitness, or something else - it’s also smart to do some research to see what types of blogs and video blogs are currently popular, and see if your interests line up with one of those trends. Over time, consistently creating blog content that's valuable to your audience will become valuable to you in the form of extra money!

7. Selling on Etsy 

Feeling especially creative? If you enjoy making jewelry, artwork, crafts, or other handmade goodes, Etsy might just be the side hustle for you! Etsy offers a straightforward way to sell what you make, turning your creations into profit, and setting up an Etsy shop requires minimal upfront investment - you start by creating an Etsy account, then list your products and market your store.

Lower level sellers on Etsy can make a few hundred dollars a month, while more successful sellers (which Etsy calls "Star Sellers") can bring in much more revenue depending on their niche and their marketing efforts. To stand out on Etsy, focus on creating high quality, unique items that cater to your niche audience; then use your social media sites, especially Instagram and Pinterest, to promote your products and your store, which will help increase your visibility and ultimately your sales. The same types of products you list on Etsy can also be listed on other ecommerce sites like Fourthwall, to maximize your views and your profits!

8. YouTube Channel

Creating a YouTube channel can be an excellent way to build your brand and earn extra money! You can create YouTube content on just about any subject - travel blogs, cooking tutorials, GRWM (get ready with me) makeup videos, tech reviews - and you can earn through YouTube ad revenue, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. You will have to become part of YouTube's Partner Program and meet their eligibility criteria to earn money from ads, but sponsorships and affiliate marketing are yours to set up as soon as you'd like.

As with many of these side gig opportunities, earnings from YouTube can vary widely - from a few hundred to several thousand dollars a month depending on your channel’s size and audience. Consistency is key in building a loyal YouTube following, and as your channel grows, you can diversify your income through YouTube memberships, your own customer merchandise (you can even link YouTube Shopping to your merch store on Fourthwall!), or more in-depth collaborations with brands.

9. Dropshipping

Are you great at shopping? Do friends often ask you "where did you get that?" when you show up with a new purchase? Dropshipping might be your ideal side hustle! Dropshipping allows you to run an online store without the need to warehouse your product inventory. You build your store by selecting the products you want to sell, and then when a customer purchases a product from your store, the item is shipped directly from the supplier to the buyer. This business model requires little upfront investment, and lets you easily start a dropshipping store through platforms like Shopify, which offer easy to use tools for setting up your store and connecting with suppliers.

The earning potential in dropshipping can vary, but with the right products and marketing strategy, you can definitely bring in some substantial extra income. The most successful dropshipping businesses generally focus on finding a profitable niche, sourcing reliable suppliers, and using digital marketing (socials and platform ads) to drive traffic to their store.

10. Print on Demand

Print on demand (POD) is a business model similar to dropshipping, but with more customization. POD focuses on custom products like T-shirts mugs, and tote bags that you design, and then your ecommerce platform of choice prints the items and ships them directly to your customers. Using platforms like Fourthwall, you can create and sell products without any need to manage inventory. Fourthwall lets you customize your own online store and your product listings, so your store reflects your brand and is a great headquarters for your POD designs.

Print on demand is ideal for creative individuals who enjoy creating custom designs and want to sell them without dealing with logistics and shipping concerns. Earnings depend on the quality of your designs and marketing efforts, but it's not unheard of for a good print on demand ecommerce store making between $500 and $5,000 per month. To succeed in POD, focus on creating eye catching, trendy designs that resonate with a specific audience - it can really help to narrow down into a particular design niche! - and be sure to promote your products often on social media.

11. Stock Photography

If you enjoy photography, selling stock photos online can be a great way to earn extra income! Photographers upload their images to sites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or iStock, and then those images are available to be purchased by businesses, marketers, or designers for use in various print or online projects. 

To get started in stock photography, focus on taking high quality photos of advertising-friendly subjects like lifestyle shots, nature scenes, and business related images. Research current ads online and in magazines to see what types of ad images are currently trending, and then shoot your own original versions of those trending types of images. As you diversify your portfolio over time, you can  also increase your earnings; stock photography can even end up being a long term passive income source of hundreds to thousands of dollars per month, as popular photos can generate ongoing sales indefinitely.

12. Proofreading

If you have strong grammatical skills and a good eye for detail, proofreading can be a lucrative side hustle for you!. Many businesses, authors, and bloggers need their content reviewed for accuracy before publishing, and that's where freelance proofreaders come in. You can offer your proofreading services for all kinds of online print features - blog posts, articles, eBooks, or even academic papers if you have the knowledge. 

Proofreaders typically earn between $12 and $25 per hour, with more experienced professionals charging higher rates; you can find proofreading side gigs on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, or by networking in relevant communities. To succeed in this field, you'll need to demonstrate your attention to detail and language proficiency, which you can showcase in a portfolio of past work and client testimonials.

13. Transcription

A cousin of sorts to proofreading, transcription involves converting audio or video recordings into written text. This side hustle is popular among people who can type quickly and accurately, and who have great attention for detail. Transcription work is especially in demand for online content such as podcasts and webinars; specialized transcription jobs, such as legal or medical transcription, often pay higher rates due to the technical language involved, but of course you'll need to know what you're doing.

The average online pay for a transcriptionist is around $21 per hour, depending on the complexity of the project. If you're looking to get started in transcription, you might also consider taking an online course to improve your typing speed and familiarize yourself with transcription tools; then start looking for transcription jobs on sites like Rev and TranscribeMe.

14. eBook Publishing

If you enjoy writing your own stories or guides from scratch, self-publishing eBooks can be a profitable and fun way to generate passive income! You can write eBooks on any topic, from fiction to cooking, thrillers and mysteries to biographies, and Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform will allow you to easily publish and sell eBooks to a global audience.

While earnings, again, will vary depending on the book’s genre and sales volume, successful self-published authors can make thousands of dollars a month once their book catches on. Choosing a profitable niche, writing high quality books, making sure your cover art is on point, and marketing your book effectively are all ways to start finding success with eBooks; you can further build your reading audience through blogging, social media, and promotional book appearances (virtual or IRL!)

15. Online Course Creation

More and more people are turning to eLearning (taking classes online) for skill and personal development, which makes creating and selling online courses another great way to make money with a side hustle. If you have expertise in a particular field, whether it’s graphic design, coding, yoga, or foreign languages, you can package your knowledge into an online course. Platforms like Udemy, Teachable, and Skillshare make it easy to create, market, and sell your courses.

The potential earnings from online courses can be significant, depending on the course’s quality and demand; courses in general range from $50-100 to $500. You might think that a higher priced class will discourage people; but if you get 10 people to take a $250 course, you'll make the same amount ($2500) as if you had to encourage 50 people to take a $50 course. To get started, decide on your topic, outline your course, create the video tutorials for the class, and promote it through social media or a personal website. Building a loyal audience can help you sell more courses as you become an expert in your online course niche!

16. Data Entry

Data entry has been around for a long time, and is another well known side hustle. This one's ideal for those looking for flexible work with a low learning curve. Data entry tasks typically include organizing information, transcripting data, or updating records. Companies often hire remote workers to input data into spreadsheets, databases, or software systems. 

Earnings for data entry workers can range from $12 to $25 per hour, depending on the complexity of the task and the employer. You can started pretty quickly as data entry jobs don't really require specialized skills; but keep in mind that accuracy and attention to detail are crucial. To find data entry work, you can check platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and FlexJobs where companies frequently post remote positions.

17. Web Development and Design

Businesses, content creators, YouTubers, streamers, musicians, actors, brands - everyone needs a website! Which makes web development and design one of the most in-demand side hustle skills.  Freelance web developers design, create, and maintain websites, ensuring that they look great, run smoothly, and provide users with a good browsing experience. This field encompasses a wide range of specialties, including front end development (what users see), back end development (servers and databases), and full stack development (both front and back-end).

You'll need to have a solid grasp of programming languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and an assortment of frameworks; it will also help you to have front end design skills and a ready portfolio of websites you've already worked on. This side gig has significant earning potential, as web developers can earn anywhere between $30and $100 an hour, depending on their level of experience and the complexity of the project. Web development may start as a side hustle, but if you want it to, you can grow it into a full-time, six-figure career.

18. Graphic Design

Graphic design is another creative online side hustle for individuals with a knack for art and visual communications. The clientele list is similar to that of web designers - content creators, businesses, brands, and other creatives - anything that's being promoted or sold can use the services of graphic designers, which puts them in high demand. This freelance gig can range from creating logos and social media graphics to design brochures, product packaging, or even crossing over with web design to create digital illustrations, banners, and visual website designs.

Graphic designers can earn anywhere from $15 to $50 per hour on freelance platforms, with potential for higher rates as they build a strong portfolio and client base. You can also sell your design work on platforms like Fourthwall or Etsy, either offering your graphics as digital sales, or placing your images on passive income products like T-shirts, mousepads, and phone cases. Being proficient in software design tools like Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, PhotoShop), Corel, or Canva, plus being able to put together a strong graphic design portfolio, can get you started on this side gig! (And this is also another side hustle that can turn into a full time career, if you choose!)

19. Podcasting

Podcasting is more popular than ever, and is an excellent way to turn your passion or expertise into a side hustle! A podcast is essentially an audio show that you can record from home and then distribute on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. What are podcasts about? Whatever you want them to be about! Podcasts range from storytelling to entertainment, education to current events to business. And you can get started fairly easily with just a few basic pieces of gear, like a quality microphone and audio editing software like Audacity or GarageBand.

Sponsorships, advertisements, and listener donations via platforms like Patreon are how podcasts usually make money. Your total podcast earnings will depend on the size of your audience, but some successful podcasters can generate thousands of dollars per month. Adding additional layers of potential income to your podcast, like merch or memberships with premium content (which you can easily set up on a site like Fourthwall), will help you build your audience to a size that will be big enough to attract larger advertisers.

20. Digital Marketing

Many businesses can use experts who can help them reach customers via online channels like social media, search engines, content marketing, and email - and that's where you come in to this side hustle. Digital marketing is perfect for individuals with skills in promoting products or services online. As a digital marketer, you can bring your expertise in social media management, SEO (search engine optimization), PPC (pay per click), and more to your clients.

Freelance digital marketers average around around $25 per hour for their side gig work, but this is another hustle that can turn into a full time business as you build up your portfolio of digital marketing clients and establish your reputation in the field. You can take online courses in digital marketing to sharpen your skills, or if you already have a digital marketing foundation built, you can start seeking out clients on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. If you have experience working with SEO, or search engine optimization (a specialized method of improving a website’s visibility on search engines like Google), you can easily add SEO consulting into your digital marketing gigs.

21. Video Editing

The internet is stuffed to the brim with video content across platforms like YouTube, Twitch, Instagram, and TikTok - so it's really no surprise that video editing has become an in-demand online side hustle! Content creators and influencers - and also businesses - are constantly in need of polished, sharp video content to engage their audiences and bring in new fans and customers. Video editors are the ones responsible for much of this content, which involves editing together footage; adding music, transitions, text, and special effects; and optimizing videos for online platforms.

To get started as a video editor, you'll need proficiency in video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve; and a strong portfolio showcasing different styles of video content will help you attract clients. Video editing gigs can be found on freelance marketplaces like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer, as well as through social media networking, and video editors can earn between $20 and $60 per hour depending on the complexity of the project and their level of expertise; earnings can increase as you gain experience and take on larger clients.

And a Bonus Side Hustle to Buy You Lunch: Online Surveys 

Online surveys aren't really a full time side hustle, but they're definitely a simple way to earn a little extra money during your free time. They're unlikely to make you rich, but if you just need some quick pocket cash for lunch, you can get paid by sites like Survey Junkie and Swagbucks to share your opinions on products and services. Surveys typically take between 10-30 minutes to complete, with earnings ranging from $1-$10 per survey. Completing the surveys is pretty low effort, especially when thrown in as an extra alongside other side hustles. To increase your chances of earning more survey money, sign up on multiple survey sites, and keep an eye out for higher paying surveys that offer additional rewards.

Headquarter Your Side Hustle at Fourthwall!

When selecting the best online side hustle, it’s important to think about your particular skill sets, interests, and the amount of time you can dedicate to it, as well as what best fits your lifestyle. For instance, if you're tech-savvy and enjoy problem solving, then side hustles like web design or app development may be a good fit.

If you prefer creative work, then graphic design, eBook writing, or video editing could be more fulfilling. Also consider your short and long-term goals; do you just want quick extra cash for a few months, or are you looking to build a freelance business that could eventually replace your full-time job? For example, tutoring or data entry might offer quick income with minimal setup. Building a YouTube channel or developing an online course could take more time - but offer the potential for greater rewards later on.  

Whichever side hustle you choose, it's highly likely that your freelance gig headquarters can reside on your Fourthwall website! Fourthwall is an ecommerce platform that lets you set up your own customized website and shop (with no monthly fees or upfront costs), so you can list the skills and/or products you have to offer. Alongside your catalog of offerings, you can also sell memberships and members-only videos, easily link your Fourthwall store to TikTok Shop and YouTube Shopping, sell digital products (perfect for online courses and eBooks!), and so much more. Get hustling and get on Fourthwall today!