17 Best Side Hustles For Professors To Add Extra Income

best side hustles for professors

Being a professor requires a lot of time and effort, and it can be tough to find extra time to make some money.

With that being said, there is still plenty of great side hustles out there that can help you supplement your income.

Sometimes all it takes is a little creativity and effort to find the right opportunity.

In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the best summer side hustles that you as a professo4r can get involved in.

No matter what your interests or skills are, there’s sure to be something on this list that’s sure to be a fit for you.

Without further ado, let’s get started!

1. Create an online course teaching what you’re good at

  • Earning Potential: $500-$2000 per month
  • Difficulty: 6/10

If you’re an expert in a particular subject and you want to share your knowledge with others, why not create an online course?

You can use platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, or Teachable to create and market your course and earn money by teaching others what you know.

Creating a course takes some time and effort, but it can be a great way to make extra money on the side.

Plus, you’ll get the satisfaction of knowing that you’re helping others learn and grow.

This process usually involves coming up with an idea for a course, creating the course content, recording and editing videos, and then promoting the course to your audience.

I’d say the hardest part is getting people to actually take your course – once you’ve built up a good reputation as an expert in your field, this shouldn’t be too difficult.

But when you’re starting out, it can be tough to get people to part with their money for something they’re not sure about.

  • Earning Potential:

The earning potential for this side hustle is good, with most people earning $500-$2000+ per month from it.

Now, if you want to make more money from it, you can try charging more for your courses or marketing them to a wider audience.

You could also create multiple courses on different topics to further increase your earnings.

Additionally, you could offer one-on-one coaching or consulting services to students who want more personalized attention.

This can be done through platforms like Zoom.

By offering more value and services, you can make more money from your side hustle as an online course instructor.

Of course, one-on-one coaching is not very scalable, but if you price them correctly, it can be very lucrative.

  • How to get started?

To get started, you’ll need to choose a topic that you’re an expert in and create a course outline.

Once you have your outline, you can start planning, writing, and recording your lectures or workshops.

After that, once you have all your content recorded, you can upload it to a platform like Udemy or Skillshare and start promoting your course.

To make great classes that people will want to take, be sure to focus on quality content and engaging delivery, and find a topic that has decent demand.

If you can do those things, you’ll be well on your way to making money from your online courses.

Here are some tips for success as an online course instructor:

  1. Choose a topic you’re passionate about and have extensive knowledge of.
  2. Create high-quality content that is well-organized and engaging.
  3. Deliver your content engagingly and entertainingly.
  4. Promote your courses to your target audience through social media, email marketing, or other.

The last part of creating any course is actually getting students to sign up for it.

For people that already have an audience, this should be very easy, but if you don’t have that, running paid ads and building it from scratch is the second best option.

  • Pros:
    • Satisfying to help others learn.
    • Flexible hours.
    • Passionate about the topic.
  • Cons:
    • Takes time and effort to create a course.
    • Requires some marketing knowledge/skills to promote courses effectively.
    • Need to be an expert in the topic.

2. Start a home tutoring service

  • Earning Potential: $2000 per month
  • Difficulty: 3/10

As a home tutoring service, you would provide one-on-one or small-group instruction to students in their homes.

This could include academic subjects, test prep, and even enrichment activities like music or art.

You would need to be organized and have a flexible schedule to make this work, but, what could be better than earning money by doing something you love?

Of course, for most professors, leaving their full-time job and doing pretty much the same as their side hustle might not be ideal.

But if you’re fine with tutoring students after you’ve lectured all day, then this will be perfect for you.

  • Earning Potential:

You can earn approximately $2000 per month from this side hustle with minimal effort and just some word-of-mouth.

To make more money, you could try charging more per hour or teaching more students at a time.

You could also offer other services such as help with homework or editing papers for those who might need it.

Additionally, you could try marketing your services to a wider audience.

For example, you could post flyers around your neighborhood or online, or maybe even run paid digital ads on social media.

Offering discounts for referrals or package deals for those who sign up for multiple sessions is another way to increase your income.

  • How to get started?

To get started, you will need to create a teaching plan and find students in your area.

You could start by tutoring the students you currently have or once had, but just make sure your school allows for this if you’re part of any institution.

Once you feel confident in your abilities, you can begin charging for your services.

Another great way to find potential students is by signing up for platforms such as Tutor.com:

tutor dot com homepage

It is also important to set up a safe and comfortable environment for your students to learn in.

This could be a dedicated space in your home or even just a quiet corner in a public library nearby.

You will also need to have some basic supplies on your hands, such as paper, pencils, and textbooks.

Once you have everything set up, you can start advertising your services and begin tutoring your first students!

  • Pros:
    • Can be done from home.
    • Flexible hours.
    • Can be very rewarding.
  • Cons:
    • May require some investment to get started.
    • You may need to market your services.
    • Tutoring can be time consuming.

3. Create a smartphone app related to your field

  • Earning Potential: 0-$$$ per month
  • Difficulty: 5/10

This side hustle is not as straightforward as it sounds and it can take a lot of time to do, but it can be very lucrative. 

It entails creating an app related to your field, be it a game, a utility, or anything in between.

It is a way to make some extra money on the side while using your existing skills and knowledge.

There are many ways to create an app, but the most important thing is to make sure it is of high quality and provides value to users.

For example, if you are a professor who specializes in history, you could create a game that quizzes people on historical events.

If you teach math, you could create a calculator app or a platform to help people study for exams.

The possibilities are endless, and if you can create a useful, high-quality app, you can make a lot of money from it.

  • Earning Potential:

As mentioned above, the earning potential for this side hustle is quite good.

You could easily make $500 or more per month if you create a useful and popular app, and this is just when you’re getting started.

To increase your earnings, you could promote your app through social media and other online channels.

You could also offer in-app purchases or subscriptions for additional features.

If your app is popular and brings in a lot of users, you can also look into selling advertising space to businesses as well as personal brands in your space.

  • How to get started?

If you’re interested in creating an app for your side hustle, there are a few things you’ll need to do.

First, you’ll need to come up with an idea for an app that would be helpful to people in your field.

Once you have an idea, you’ll need to create a prototype or mockup of your app.

This will help you to get an idea of how your app will look and function.

duolingo apple store app page

Once you have a prototype, you’ll need to find a developer to help you create your app.

If you’re not familiar with coding, there are plenty of developers out there who can help you bring your app to life.

Online marketplaces like Fiverr and Upwork are amazing places to start.

Now, once your app is created, you’ll need to promote it and get people to download it.

Again, you can do this through social media, online ads, or by reaching out to bloggers and other influencers in your field.

  • Pros:
    • Can be done on your own time.
    • You could require a programmer’s assistance.
    • Helps people in your field.
  • Cons:
    • May take some time to get everything set up and running smoothly.
    • Need to promote your app to get people to download it.
    • Takes some time and effort to get started.

4. Coach sports teams

  • Earning Potential: $500-$2000 per month
  • Difficulty: 4/10

Coaching a sports team is a great way to earn some extra money on the side.

You can work with different age groups and skill levels, and you can often set your hours.

As a coach, you will be responsible for teaching your team members the skills they need to succeed in their chosen sport.

This can involve leading practices, providing feedback and encouragement, and helping your team to develop strategies for game day.

If you have a passion for sports and enjoy working with young people, coaching could be the perfect side hustle for you.

  • Earning Potential:

The earning potential for coaching a sports team can vary depending on the sport, the age group of the team, and the level of competition.

However, you can generally expect to earn around $500 per month for coaching a youth team, and up to $2000 per month for coaching a competitive adult team.

You can increase your earnings by coaching multiple teams, or by offering private lessons in addition to coaching your team.

Winning trophies can also increase your earnings potential, as many coaches receive bonuses for their teams’ successes.

Finally, you can also make more money by working as a camp counselor or in other sports-related positions during the off-season.

  • How to get started?

If you are interested in coaching a sports team, the best way to get started is to volunteer with a local youth team.

This will allow you to learn about coaching and see if it is something you enjoy and would love to be part of.

Once you have some experience, you can start looking for paid coaching positions.

Coach sports teams

You can also look into becoming a certified coach through a program such as the National Youth Sports Coaches Association.

To learn more about coaching, you can also read books and articles on the subject, or take online courses.

These resources will give you the knowledge you need to be a successful coach.

  • Pros:
    • Can work with different age groups.
    • Can be flexible with hours.
    • Get paid to do something you love.
  • Cons:
    • May have to work long hours.
    • Can be stressful.
    • Requires knowledge and experience.

5. Do freelance consulting work

  • Earning Potential: $60,000 per year.
  • Difficulty: 6/10

Do you have a knack for solving problems? Do you love helping others reach their potential?

If so, then starting a freelance consulting business could be the perfect side hustle for you.

As a freelance consultant, you would use your skills and knowledge to help businesses succeed.

You would work with clients on a one-on-one basis, providing them with guidance and advice on how to improve their operations.

To be successful in this role, you need to be a great communicator and have a deep understanding of business.

The topics you can consult on are limitless; it can be anything from business to social media to health and fitness.

  • Earning Potential:

The amount of money that an online consultant can earn depends on a variety of factors.

Among many others, some include your experience, the services you offer, and the number of clients you have.

With that being said, an online consultant can earn a substantial income.

The average income for a consultant in the United States is $60,000 per year.

However, those with more experience or who offer additional services can easily earn double or triple that amount.

In fact, some consultants make over $1 million per year!

  • How to get started?

To start providing your services as a consultant, you’ll first need to identify your area of expertise.

Once you have a strong understanding of your particular skill set, you can begin marketing your services to potential clients.

To attract the attention of potential customers, you’ll need to create a strong online presence.

This can be accomplished by creating a website and/or blog that showcases your skills as a consultant.

[Beginners] How to Get into Consulting Without Experience

You should also consider creating social media accounts on popular platforms such as Twitter and LinkedIn.

By establishing yourself as an expert in your field, you’ll be more likely to attract the attention of potential clients.

Once you’ve established an online presence, you can start reaching out to potential clients.

A great way to find potential customers is to search for job postings that relate to your area of expertise.

You can also network with other professionals in your field to find potential customers.

  • Pros:
    • You gain even more experience in your area of expertise.
    • Schedule flexibility.
  • Cons:
    • The stress of managing it can be constant.
    • It involves hours of contact and discussion with clients.

6. Write a book and sell it online

  • Earning Potential: $1,000 – $100,000+
  • Difficulty: 9/10

Of all the suggestions that we have brought you in this article, this is perhaps one of the most difficult and requires the most talent and patience.

Writing a book is not an easy task, and even if you love doing it, it takes time to research and elaborate.

But at the same time, it has great advantages such as that you can do it in your free time and you don’t have external pressures.

If you’re a good writer, there’s a chance you could make some serious money by writing and selling a book online.

The difference here is, that I’m not talking about traditional publishing.

I’m talking about writing an eBook and selling it through online retailers, such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing:

Amazon direct publishing

This can be a great way to make some extra money, and it also gives you the opportunity to reach a wide audience with your work.

Book topics can be anything from cooking to self-help to business.

If you can write a book that people will want to read, then you’ll be well on your way to making some money.

By no means is this a quick or easy way to make money.

It will take a lot of hard work and dedication to write a book that people will actually want to read.

But if you’re up for the challenge, it can be a great way to earn some extra cash.

Generating money from it depends on what you are capable of writing and the acceptance of your work.

Certainly, a book that runs with luck will generate notoriety and a good amount of money for its author.

If you are thinking of embarking on this beautiful journey, we recommend writing about a topic that you know in depth.

  • Earning Potential:

You can expect to earn anywhere from a few dollars to several thousand dollars per book.

It all depends on the quality of your book, the demand for it, and how well you promote it.

To give you an idea, many self-published authors are earning $1,000 – $5,000 per month from their books.

And some are even earning much more than that.

The key is to write a quality book that people will actually want to read, and then promote it effectively.

If you can do those two things, you’ll be well on your way to making money from your book.

Also, the good thing is that this will all be passive income.

Once your book is written and published, you’ll continue to earn money from it each month without having to do any additional work.

  • How to get started?

As I mentioned earlier, platforms such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing make it easy to self-publish a book and earn money from it.

All you need to do is create your book, list it for sale, and start promoting it to potential readers.

To get started, I’d recommend you do some research on how to write and publish a book.

How to Write a Book: 13 Steps From a Bestselling Author

Once you have a good understanding of the process, you can start writing your book and get it published.

Overall, before actually publishing it, you’d do something like this:

  • Know the topic you want to write about.
  • Ask yourself why you write about that topic.
  • Choose what kind of book you want to write.
  • Research the topic in question.
  • Plan your creative process.
  • Write a draft.
  • Edit it.
  • Give your manuscript to some first readers.
  • Incorporate feedback.
  • Prepare the final result for publication or submission.

Of course, it all sounds much easier than it actually is.

And your path will be very different than everybody else’s.

  • Pros:
    • Can earn a lot of money.
    • Gives you the opportunity to reach a wide audience.
    • Can be a fun and interesting experience.
  • Cons:
    • Takes a lot of hard work and dedication.
    • No guarantee that people will actually read and buy your book.

7. Open a daycare for kids of working parents

  • Earning Potential: $2000 – $3000 per month
  • Difficulty: 7/10

If you love kids and have a passion for early childhood education, then opening a daycare could be the perfect side hustle for you!

This business is all about providing working parents with a safe and reliable place to leave their children while they’re at work.

As the owner of a daycare, you would be responsible for hiring staff, creating schedules, and ensuring that the daycare is running smoothly.

You would also need to create a safe and stimulating environment for the children, with plenty of activities and toys to keep them entertained.

Other important aspects of this business include maintaining good communication with parents and keeping up with all the required licensing and regulations.

Aside from that, running a daycare can be an incredibly rewarding experience, as you get to watch the children in your care grow and learn.

  • Earning Potential:

You could easily earn an extra $2,000 – $3,000 per month from this side hustle.

Now, you can make even more money from it by charging a higher monthly rate, or by providing additional services such as after-school care or transportation.

Additionally, you could also offer discounts for referrals or for families who sign up for multiple children.

Another way to make a major amount of money would be to create a daycare franchise and sell it.

Franchises typically go for around $100,000 – $150,000.

A franchise is basically a copy of your business that someone else buys from you and then operates in their own location.

This means that you would be responsible for setting up the franchise, training the new owner, and providing ongoing support.

Franchises typically have a much higher earning potential than a single daycare business, so this is definitely something to consider if you’re looking to make a lot of money from your side hustle.

You can also offer your services to businesses or organizations that need child care for their employees or members.

  • How to get started?

To get started, you’ll need to obtain a business license, and insurance, and have enough money to invest in the initial location, staff, and legal work.

On top of that, you must accomplish certain requirements like having a high school diploma, passing a physical and TB test, getting CPR certified, as well as complete Child Abuse Prevention Training.

You will also need to create a detailed business plan that outlines your objectives, strategies, and how you plan on running the daycare.

And finally, look for a suitable location that is safe and has enough space to accommodate all the activities you have planned.

Check with your local city or county government for zoning regulations as well.

child-day-care-room

When you have all of that done, you’ll generally be somewhat ready to open your doors and start caring for kids!

Once you’re up and running, be sure to promote your business through word-of-mouth and online marketing.

  • Pros:
    • Can be very rewarding.
    • Flexible hours.
    • Can be done from home.
  • Cons:
    • Requires a lot of patience.
    • Can be stressful at times.
    • Requires a business license and insurance.

8. Design and sell t-shirts related to what you do

  • Earning Potential: $200-$2000 per month
  • Difficulty: 3/10

Designing and selling t-shirts related to your main occupation can be a great way to make some extra money on the side. 

This is especially true if you have a unique or creative design that speaks to your target audience.

Not only will you be able to make some extra cash, but you’ll also be able to promote your main occupation in a fun and creative way.

If you’re a professor, for example, you could sell t-shirts with clever sayings or designs that relate to your field of study.

This is a great way to connect with your students on a more personal level and to show your support for their academic journey.

Also, the good thing about it is that the entire world is your target market.

You can reach out to people all over the world who share the same passion and interest in your field of work or that at least relate to your designs.

  • Earning Potential:

With this side hustle, you could potentially earn $200-$2000 per month.

You can make more money from it by finding new and innovative ways to sell your shirts, such as online, at local events, or through word-of-mouth.

Another way to increase your earnings is by trying to design new and unique designs that people will be interested in wearing.

Furthermore, you can also look for opportunities to bulk sell your shirts or offer discounts which will attract more customers.

  • How to get started?

To get started, you will need to come up with some designs for your t-shirts.

You can use online tools or design software to create your designs, or you can hire a designer to help you.

To get started, you will need to come up with some designs for your t-shirts.

You can use online tools or design software to create your designs, or you can hire a designer to help you.

For example, TeeSpring is a popular online t-shirt design and printing platform that can help you get started.

tee spring to design your own tshirts

The cool thing about it is that you can create and sell your designs without having to worry about manufacturing or shipping, as TeeSpring takes care of all of that for you.

Something like this is called print-on-demand, and it’s a great way to get started in the t-shirt business with little upfront investment.

It means that you only have to pay for the t-shirts that are sold, and you don’t have to carry any inventory.

Once you have some designs, you will need to find customers interested in buying your shirts.

There are many ways to do this, such as online, at local events, or through word-of-mouth.

  • Pros:
    • Can make a decent amount of money.
    • Relatively easy to do.
    • Flexible hours.
  • Cons:
    • May be challenging to come up with designs.
    • Difficult to find ways to market and sell.

9. Create and sell printables online

  • Earning Potential: $500 per month
  • Difficulty: 2/10

Selling printables online is a great way to make some extra money.

You can create your designs and sell them on sites like Etsy or Creative Market.

If you are creative and have a good eye for design, then selling printables online could be a great side hustle for you.

Nowadays, people are always looking for ways to organize their lives and make them more efficient.

Planner inserts and other organization tools are in high demand.

If you can create attractive and functional printables, then you can definitely make some extra cash by selling them online.

  • Earning Potential:

The potential earnings from selling printables online depend on a few factors, such as the quality of your designs, the demand for your designs, and how much you charge for your printables.

You can typically earn anywhere from a few dollars to a couple of hundred dollars per month from selling printables online.

etsy printables page

To increase your earnings, you can create more designs, market your printables to a wider audience, or charge more for your printables.

As I said earlier, platforms such as Etsy are very good options to do this.

But, you could also start your very own website to sell printables, that way you get rid of fees and increase your margins even more.

  • How to get started?

If you want to start selling printables online, there are a few things you need to do.

First, you need to create some designs!

You can either create your designs or source them from other designers.

Once you have your designs, you need to list them for sale on sites like Etsy or Creative Market.

Finally, you need to market your printables to potential buyers in any way possible.

You can do this by creating social media accounts and/or a website dedicated to selling your printables.

Nowadays, people just make videos on TikTok or Instagram Reels using the product and showing its benefits.

Through organic traffic, this could be a great start for anyone.

  • Pros:
    • Can be a great way to make some extra money.
    • Easy to outsource and scale.
    • Only requires a small amount of effort.
  • Cons:
    • Earnings potential is unlimited.
    • You need to market your printables to potential buyers to make sales.

10. Start a YouTube channel about your specialty

  • Earning Potential: $0 – $$$
  • Difficulty: 3/10

If you have charisma and the ability to communicate with other people, you will surely love this side hustle.

YouTube is one of the most popular platforms on the internet, with over 2 billion active users per month.

It is also a very profitable platform if you know how to use it correctly.

Many YouTubers make a living by creating videos and posting them on their channel.

YouTube channel for professors

Then to monetize it, they use Google AdSense, which is a program that places ads on your videos and pays you for each view.

Of course, in order to make money with YouTube, you need to have a lot of subscribers and views.

But if you create quality content and market your channel correctly, it is possible to achieve these numbers.

Starting a successful YouTube channel is not easy, but it’s a beautiful journey that requires perseverance and dedication.

At first, it will be hard not to have an established audience…

But hard work will always pay off, and in the future, you could surely have it.

  • Earning Potential:

This will depend on the number of views and subscribers you have.

To make any amount of money, you need to create videos that are interesting, valuable, and appeal to a wide audience.

You must also market your channel correctly and use effective SEO strategies to make sure people can find your videos.

Things like your thumbnail, title, and description are very important when it comes to ranking your videos on YouTube.

Also, depending on your niche, AdSense will pay more or less money.

For example, if you have a cooking channel, your earning potential will be lower than if you had a tech or finance channel.

The most successful YouTubers, like PewDiePie or MrBeast, can make upwards of $5-40 million a year.

However, most YouTubers earn way less than that.

The first and most obvious way to make money on YouTube is through advertising revenues.

When a viewer watches an ad on your video, you earn a small amount of money.

Of course, not all YouTubers use ads to make money, many use other methods, like product placement or selling merchandise.

Nowadays, sponsorships are what’s usually driving most of a creator’s revenue.

A sponsorship is when a brand pays you to promote its product in your videos.

This can be in the form of a verbal mention, or simply displaying the product in your videos.

Sponsorships are typically negotiated directly with the YouTuber and can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars per video.

Last but not least, some YouTubers also make money by selling courses and other digital products.

  • How to get started?

The first thing you need to do is create a YouTube channel and start posting videos.

You can use a webcam or your phone to record the videos.

It is also important that you create branding for your channel so that people can easily recognize it.

Your branding should include things like a consistent color scheme, a channel icon, and intro and outro videos.

You can also use tools like Canva to create professional-looking thumbnails for your videos.

Once you have created a few videos, you can then sign up for AdSense and start monetizing your content after you complete the requirements.

Which are having at least 1,000 subscribers, and 4,000 public watch hours.

Although through affiliate marketing, you can monetize from day one.

  • Pros:
    • Can be done from home.
    • No need for special qualifications.
    • Very profitable if done correctly.
  • Cons:
    • Can be time-consuming.
    • Requires consistency and dedication.
    • Needs to be interesting and valuable to the viewer.

11. Start a podcast about something you love

  • Earning Potential: $0 – $$$
  • Difficulty: 7/10

Podcasting is a great way to connect with people who share your interests, and it can be a great source of supplemental income.

A podcast is simply an episodic series of digital audio files a user can download to listen to.

The advantage of podcasts over other forms of content is that they can be consumed while commuting, working out, or doing any other activity.

What that means is that you have a captive audience, and if your podcast is interesting enough, people will subscribe to it and listen to every episode.

The key to making money with a podcast is to find sponsorships from companies that are willing to pay you to plug their products or services into your show.

You can also sell advertising directly to businesses, or accept donations from listeners.

If you build up a large enough following, you can even get paid to speak at events or sell merchandise connected to your show.

  • Earning Potential:

This is a difficult question to answer because there are many variables involved.

Podcasters can make anywhere from a few dollars to thousands of dollars per episode, depending on their audience size, the content of their show, and other factors.

There are also several ways that podcasters can make money, such as through advertising, sponsorships, donations, and merchandise sales.

Some of the most popular and successful podcasts generate a significant amount of revenue through advertising.

In addition to advertising, as I mentioned earlier, many podcasts also rely on sponsorships to generate revenue.

Sponsorships are usually in the form of ads read by the host during the show, but can also take other forms such as product placements or branded content.

  • How to get started?

There are many ways to start a podcast nowadays!

You can use a simple recorder and microphone, or you can use more sophisticated equipment.

On the other hand, you will also need to choose a topic for your podcast and decide on the format that you would like to have.

Once you have all of this figured out, you can start recording your episodes and sharing them with the world!

For that, you need a way to host your podcast, and for that we recommend Buzzsprout:

Buzzprout is a podcasting tool that lets you record, edit and publish your podcast episodes all in one place.

You can use it to easily add new episodes, show notes, and transcripts to your existing website or blog.

Plus, with its built-in player, you can listen to your episodes right from the app.

Also, if you want to publish your podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Pandora, Amazon Music, or any other podcasting platform,

Buzzprout can help you do that with just a few clicks so it’s very easy to get started.

In addition, make sure you have some artwork made for your show.

This will help people recognize your podcast and make it more likely that they will listen to it.

Finally, promote your podcast on social media and other platforms to get the word out there.

  • Pros:
    • Low initial investment.
    • You can talk about a topic that you are passionate about.
    • Unlike videos, podcasts completely grab the audience’s attention.
  • Cons:
    • Generating income can take time.
    • It takes effort and patience to create a loyal audience.

12. Start and monetize a blog

  • Earning Potential: $100 – $10,000+ per month
  • Difficulty: 5/10

Starting a blog is one of the most popular ways to make money online and is a great way to share your thoughts, ideas, and experiences with the world.

And it’s not surprising why – it’s also a great way to earn passive income, and you can do it from anywhere in the world.

Even more, all you need is a computer and a good internet connection.

If you’re passionate about something and love writing, then starting a blog could be a great way to earn some extra cash.

creating a blog

The most common ways of making money from a blog include:

  • Affiliate marketing: you recommend a product or service and receive a commission.
  • Sponsored posts: a company will pay you to talk about them.
  • Products or services: you will sell your own product, e.g. budget binder, coaching.
  • Advertising: you will make money by letting other companies place ads on your website.

Also, it does not require previous experience so you can learn as you go.

  • Earning Potential:

A lot of people are making over $10,000 per month from their blogs!

Of course, it takes time and hard work to get to that level.

But it is definitely possible, and there are many bloggers out there who are proof of that.

Now, not every blog is going to make that much money, though, some others aren’t making even a dollar from their blogs.

But if you’re dedicated and willing to put in the work, you can make a full-time income from blogging.

You need to have a focus and share content that is helpful, interesting, or entertaining to your target audience.

  • How to get started?

The first thing to do is choose your niche and come up with a plan for your blog.

Then, you need to set up your blog by purchasing a domain name and hosting and installing WordPress.

We recommend Bluehost for this matter:

bluehost homepage screenshot

Once your blog is all set up, you need to do keyword research and start creating high-quality content that will help you rank in the search engines and attract readers.

And finally, you need to promote your blog and build an audience.

This can be done by guest posting on other blogs, and social media, and using SEO techniques.

Once you have a decent amount of traffic coming to your blog, you can start making money with affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, products, or services.

We’re definitely leaving a lot of details out because of the scope of this post, but those are the basics of starting.

  • Pros:
    • Getting started is relatively easy.
    • You create a community around the content you publish.
    • You manage your time and workspace according to your needs.
  • Cons:
    • To be a good blog requires periodic publications.
    • Internal errors can occur within the code and you need time to fix it.
    • It takes time to generate significant income.

13. Become a virtual assistant

  • Earning Potential: $10 to $60 per hour
  • Difficulty: 3/10

A virtual assistant is a person who provides remote services to companies and entrepreneurs.

The tasks of a virtual assistant can be very varied, but they’ll mostly be administrative tasks such as answering emails, managing schedules, or doing customer service.

Other tasks may be more creative, such as social media management or content creation.

Virtual assistants can work for several clients at the same time and usually work from home.

  • Earning Potential:

Virtual assistants can earn anywhere from $10 to $60 per hour, depending on their skills and experience.

It will also depend on where you’re located and the type of company you work for.

Because remember, you’re competing with other virtual assistants from all over the world, so rates can vary greatly.

And somebody in China will obviously charge less than somebody in the United States.

Hence, the best way to maximize your earnings as a virtual assistant is to specialize in a particular area or skill set.

  • How to get started?

If you want to start working as a virtual assistant, the best thing you can do is create a profile on one of the many platforms that connect virtual assistants with clients.

That way, you can start offering your services and get paid for them.

Fiverr virtual assistant gigs

There’re many options, but two of the most popular platforms for finding virtual assistant jobs are Upwork and Fiverr.

Do you start to see a pattern here?

Upwork and Fiverr are two great platforms for finding all kinds of remote jobs, so definitely check them out.

  • Pros:
    • All you need is a computer and an internet connection.
    • Can be done from anywhere in the world.
    • It’s very flexible, so you can work as you want.
  • Cons:
    • Can be quite stressful at times.
    • Hard to scale by yourself.
    • Few opportunity to increase earnings.

14. Be a transcriptionist of audio and video files

  • Earning Potential: $16 per hour
  • Difficulty: 3/10

If you have a good ear and great typing skills this might be the perfect side hustle for you.

Transcribing is a simple job, without many more complications than correctly understanding the audio that we take to paper, but not many do it because they consider it tedious and boring.

Just so you can visualize this, let’s say someone has a podcast or a YouTube video.

That person could also want to repurpose that content into written form for a blog.

And that’s exactly where you’d come into the picture!

  • Earning Potential:

You can earn anywhere from $5 to $20 per hour, depending on the company that you’re working for and your typing speed.

If you’re able to type quickly and accurately, you can definitely earn more money.

My advice would be to charge based on the project and not hourly.

This is because, again, you don’t want to get stuck in a situation where the client is asking for more work than what you’re being paid for.

And by charging on a project basis, you can also negotiate a higher price.

  • How to get started?

The simplest way to get started is to look for transcribing gigs online.

You can look on sites such as TranscribeMe and Rev.

Rev freelance page screenshot

Of course, you can, once again, search on Fiverr, Upwork, or Indeed for any of these types of jobs.

The more experience you have, the higher your rates can be.

So if you’re just starting out, I would recommend that you start with Fiverr or Upwork.

You can then slowly transition to charging more once you have some experience and clients under your belt.

  • Pros:
    • No experience necessary.
    • Can be done from home.
    • You set your own hours.
  • Cons:
    • Takes a long time to transcribe audio or video files.
    • Need to have a good ear for detail.
    • Can be repetitive and boring.

15. Speak at local conferences or meetups

  • Earning Potential: $200-$$$ per speech
  • Difficulty: 5/10

If you consider yourself a person with charisma and with the ability to communicate and establish a connection with the people who listen to you, perhaps this is the perfect side hustle for you.

You’ll need to be able to deliver engaging and informative speeches to groups of people and be comfortable doing so in front of large audiences.

This is a great way to earn extra income and get your name out there as an expert in your field.

A lot of professors have become popular because of the way they speak at conferences or meetups.

In the long term, this could lead to more opportunities, such as writing books or becoming a columnist.

Plus, it’s a lot of fun to do something like that!

  • Earning Potential:

The earning potential for this side hustle depends entirely on how many speeches you give and where you give them.

Generally speaking, you can expect to earn anywhere from $200-$$$ per speech.

When I put $$$ as the maximum of the range it basically means that there’s no limit to how much you can make.

In other words, you can make either some money or as much as $50,000 per speech, which is crazy, but achievable if you’re well-known.

If you want to make more money from this side hustle, consider charging higher fees for your speeches or finding more high-paying speaking gigs.

Additionally, try to get your name out there as an expert in your field so that you can command higher speaking fees.

  • How to get started?

If you want to start this side hustle, begin by reaching out to local organizations and groups who may be interested in hiring you as a speaker.

You can also search for speaking opportunities online or through your network of colleges.

presentations-at-conferences-or-meetups

Once you have found a few potential gigs, reach out to the organizers and inquire about giving a speech.

Be sure to have a well-crafted elevator pitch ready so that you can sell yourself as a speaker.

Finally, prepare and rehearse your speeches so that you can deliver them flawlessly.

  • Pros:
    • Flexible hours.
    • Can make a lot of money.
    • Great way to get your name out there.
  • Cons:
    • May require some public speaking experience or training.
    • May require some time and effort to find speaking gigs.
    • Can be nerve-wracking.

16. Start a local tour guide business

  • Earning Potential: $100-$10,000 per month
  • Difficulty: 4/10

If you’re in a small town, chances are there are plenty of tourists who come to visit and would love to have a tour guide.

Starting a local tour guide business is a great way to make some extra money while showing off your town’s best features.

You can create your own tours, or partner with local businesses to give visitors the best experience possible.

These tours can include visits to historical sites, local businesses, and even just a walking tour of the town.

Additionally, you can also offer unique tours, like a food tour or a ghost tour.

No matter what type of tour you offer, make sure you are passionate about your town and providing an enjoyable experience for tourists.

  • Earning Potential:

This side hustle has the potential to earn $200-$10,000 per month, but it all depends on how you market it and the number of clients you are able to get.

To make more money from this side hustle, try to get as many clients as possible and offer unique tours that will stand out from the competition.

Additionally, you can also charge a higher price for private tours or group tours.

tour guide around the world

Offering add-ons, like refreshments or souvenirs, can also help you make more money.

Also, partnering with local businesses can help you promote your tours and earn a commission for every booking.

Once you’ve established yourself, you could reach out to businesses and offer to bring them groups of tourists for a commission.

  • How to get started?

To get started in this side hustle, you’ll need to create a tour guide business plan.

This includes deciding what type of tours you want to offer, how much you will charge, and what promotions or partnerships you will have.

Next, you’ll need to create some marketing materials, like a website or social media pages, to promote your tours.

Start reaching out to potential clients and partners to get the word out about your business.

After that, it’s just a matter of getting out there and giving tours!

You can choose to have buses go around and pick up tourists, or you can meet them at a certain location.

Just be sure to be prepared with everything you need for the tour, like maps, water, and snacks.

  • Pros:
    • Very fun way to show off your town.
    • Can make good money.
    • It’s a flexible side hustle.
  • Cons:
    • Difficult to get started.
    • Can be a lot of work to promote tours.

17. Become an affiliate marketer

  • Earning Potential: $1,000 – $10,000 per month
  • Difficulty: 6/10

Affiliate marketing is the process of earning a commission by promoting other people’s products.

You find a product you like, promote it to others, and earn a piece of the profit for each sale that you make.

This is a great way to earn extra money, and can even lead to a full-time income.

To be successful as an affiliate marketer, you need to find products that you love and believe in, and then promote them to others.

You also need to build up a large audience of potential customers who are interested in what you’re selling.

  • Earning Potential:

The earning potential for affiliate marketing depends on several factors, including the size of your audience and the quality of the products you’re promoting.

If you have a large audience of potential customers who are interested in what you’re selling, you could make a lot of money from affiliate marketing.

To make more money from this side hustle, you can focus on building up your audience by creating helpful content that promotes the products you’re promoting.

You can also look for opportunities to promote high-ticket items, which can earn you a higher commission per sale.

  • How to get started?

You can promote products through your blog, social media channels, or email list.

If you don’t have a large audience yet, you can start by promoting products to your friends.

Once you start seeing some small success, you can then start working on building up your audience by posting more content.

This content could be written through a blog, spoken through a podcast, or recorded and posted on social media.

You need to be able to identify products that your audience will love, find an affiliate program for them, and then find creative ways to promote them.

For example, one popular one that many people start with is Amazon Associates:

doing affiliate marketing as a side hustles

This is Amazon’s affiliate program and is one of the most popular ones online.

Once registered in the affiliate program of your choice, you will need to promote any of its products or service.

It’s not any product, though, for example, if you build an audience in the makeup space, anything related to makeup would be ideal.

Now, if you’re not a natural salesperson, don’t worry!

There are plenty of resources out there that can teach you how to be an effective affiliate marketer.

Just make sure to do your research and start slowly, so that you don’t get overwhelmed.

  • Pros:
    • Can be a great way to earn extra money.
    • Can lead to a full-time income.
    • You get to promote products that you love.
  • Cons:
    • Takes time to build up an audience.
    • Requires some sales skills.
    • Can be competitive.