First thing’s first: this is not a guilt-tripping article. Despite the fact that it can sometimes feel as though everyone person and their hamster is running a successful side hustle alongside their day job, the truth is that for every one person doing that, there will be 99 who spend their evenings binge-watching Netflix or Googling cheap flights outta here.
And hey, no judgement here whichever camp you’re in. We live in a ‘rise and grind’ culture that prioritises productivity above all else, where all of our free time must be monetised and work-induced burnout is simply a byproduct of ‘success’.
That is toxic hustle culture talking and we are not about that life. The most important thing, as always, is keeping yourself feeling as mentally healthy as you can (which can sometimes feel impossible in the current climate), in whatever way that means for you.
But we do know that financial anxiety is currently sweeping the nation, with the cost of living crisis impacting our job safety, our bills and our bank accounts in general, and so it’s no surprise that many of us will be looking for new ways to generate additional income in the coming weeks.
So, we thought of a few ways you could get started. They may not be impossibly lucrative get-rich schemes, and some may take time to nurture and build like any business, but if anything can help to take even the slightest bit of financial pressure off right now, then it’ll be worth it.
E-tutoring
This is a great idea for a side hustle at the best of times – there will always be students who need extra tuition at all levels – but especially after how much learning time was missed after the string of school closures across the pandemic. To help support those who might have missed chunks of their education, or are struggling to fit back into a structured learning environment, online tutors are offering private tuition via virtual platforms, and this is an area that’s booming across the globe.
Selling clothes
This may seem like the obvious option, but sorting through your wardrobe and selling whatever you can is the quickest and easiest way to make small sums of cash. There’s a whole host of sites to choose from, but remember that the key to selling your item – and profiting the most from it – is a good, clear, Insta-worthy photo. Ebay is great for selling high-street clothes, while Rebelle is your best-bet for designer. Sell influencer hits on Depop and vintage items on Etsy. You can even rent your clothes out on Hurr Collective.
Selling books
Essentially the same as above, but instead of clearing out your wardrobe, you’re sorting through your bookshelves. Particularly useful if you’re a student and have a stack of old uni books that might be hiding on your shelves somewhere, because academic textbooks can rake in decent cash. Just enter the ISBN number, get a quote, package the books up, print the free postage label and post with designated couriers.
Graphic designing
If you’ve got some Adobe Photoshop or InDesign skills, why not use this time to put them to good use? You could offer custom illustrations for everything from dissertation covers to website logos. Sign up to certain freelance marketplace platforms, such as Fiverr, to offer your work to clients.
Website building
Got some HTML skills from back in the MySpace days? Know your PHP from your JavaScript? Offer your website-building or software-developing services to those who may be looking to build their brand at the moment, too. As well as Fiverr, Worksome is a great place to set up a freelancer profile, match with clients and apply for projects.
Social media marketing
As social media becomes a more and more crucial part of any brand’s marketing strategy, and new algorithms and add-ons pop up every day, many small businesses don’t have the time or expertise to be pushing their brand on platforms like Twitter, TikTok and Instagram, or the funds to hire a full-time social media manager. Start by offering your expertise to spots in your local area who may already know you.
Birthday baking
Many of us are spent time honing our baking skills during the various lockdowns (side note: don’t those feel like a lifetime ago?!), and if it’s a skill you’ve really refined, why not share your bakes on social media, with friends or in your local community forums? From parents who want to celebrate their birthdays with a showstopper of a cake to those after a lowkey wedding cake, or even cake pops for baby showers. Just make sure you’re up-to-date on food hygiene regulations.
Blogging
If you’ve always looked at the influencers and bloggers filling up every corner of social media (and earning big bucks from it, too) and thought, ‘I could do that’, then now’s your chance. Generating profit from blogs and social media platforms takes time as you’re building a business, but why not start investing the time you have now?
Podcasting
As with blogging, it takes time to see profit from a venture like podcasting, but podcasts have been big news for a while and with more of us tuning in than ever, now’s never been a better time to get yourself on air.
Digital course creating
According to a Twitter thread by blog coach Monique Solomon, video and digital course creation are the next big things when it comes to content consumption – and all you need to get started is a smartphone. Consider your skills, and teach people how to do something you’re good at via video. The e-learning market is filled with opportunities for you to share your knowledge with the world.