Think about what you wanted to be when you grew up. Flight attendant? NBA player? Firefighter? Was your answer based on the potential income or a feeling you had? And now that you are grown up, are you doing what your 7-year-old self thought you would?
Your current job might be fulfilling, but - as well as not being the career of your dreams - it may not provide the financial security or growth you desire. A side hustle can bridge that gap, offering additional income, skill development, and networking opportunities. However, finding the right side hustle can be challenging.
In this article, we'll look at some of the top remote side hustles around. We’ll look at the average income you could earn, all from the comfort of your home. We'll also provide tips on how to choose the perfect remote side hustle and start your journey towards financial growth and personal development.
Remote side hustles: a growing trend
Side hustles are growing in popularity. A recent FlexJobs survey revealed that nearly 69% of employed professionals either have a side job or are looking for one. With seemingly everyone starting to jump on this particular trend, it’s no surprise you want to find out more.
So let’s start with the basics.
What is a side hustle?
A side hustle is a small business that a person pursues alongside another, usually more stable, job. Often with the sole aim of earning additional income. Side hustles are also referred to as side jobs or side gigs.
And while they may be considered add-ons, they’re big business.
Some side hustle stats
In fact, 45% of Americans (that's roughly 40 million people) have a side hustle according to Zippia. The report also found that people were spending an average of 13 hours a week on their side hustle.
A remote side hustle allows you to work from home. Virtual vocations like the ones we'll look at in this article are definitely on the rise.
Depending on the route you choose, you could earn a lot through a side hustle. And a side hustle could be pretty much anything…
In a 2019 Harris Poll/LEGO survey of 3,000 children aged between 8-12, 29% of respondents chose “YouTuber/Vlogger” as their first choice of career. And it’s not difficult to see why…
Credit: https://www.statista.com/chart/28802/childhood-aspirations-in-china-us-uk/
Business Insider spoke to 28 YouTubers of varying subscriber numbers. Their YouTube earnings were reported as being between $82 and $83,000 per month. Thanks to on-video advertising, the YouTubers earned between $1.61 and $29.30 per 1,000 views. Check out this YouTube Money Calculator to see how much you could make with a YouTube side hustle.
But it can take time to build up meaningful traffic, create quality content and monetize your channel. So what else is out there?
Exploring top remote side hustles (beyond YouTube)
One of the main appeals of remote side hustles is the flexibility they offer in terms of scheduling and earning potential. The beauty of remote side hustles is that they can be done from anywhere at any time.
As long as you have a mobile device and strong internet connection, you can run a side hustle from your couch, local coffee shop or even on the road!
There’s never been a better time to pursue a side hustle. Especially as you’re no longer limited to what you can find within your home city. We saw how well remote working fared during the Pandemic and its aftermath.
Finding a flexible side hustle you can do remotely means no commuting costs eating into your time and income. Let’s look at some remote side hustles now.
Types of remote side hustles
1. Freelancing
Freelancing is a fantastic choice for a side hustle because it offers flexibility and gives you control over your schedule. You can decide which projects you take on, how much you commit to, and when you work.
Please be aware that your side hustle success as a freelancer will depend not only on the quality of your work but also on your ability to market yourself and your services. You will also need to engage with clients and may have to rely on them for referrals and reviews.
Examples of areas you could freelance in:
- Copywriting.
- Proofreading.
- Transcription.
- Graphic design.
- Web design.
- Social media management
- Data entry.
2. Matched betting
Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of matched betting. It’s pretty new to the US, having been a popular side hustle in the UK and Europe for over a decade. Users can earn $1,000s per month from matched betting, spending just a few hours a week. So how does it work?
Matched betting is a risk-free way to make money from betting sites. Using mathematical calculations, you can guarantee a profit from free bet promotions offered by online sportsbooks and bookmakers. You do this by covering all possible outcomes of a sports event which ensures that you have a winning bet, regardless of the outcome.
Use an online platform like Profit Duel to show you how to do matched betting as a side hustle. You can even earn $100 straight away with a ProfitDuel Free Trial.
3. Affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing is a type of performance-based marketing where you promote or recommend a product or service and receive a commission on any sales you encourage. The commission varies depending on the business you work with and is usually a percentage of the sales or leads generated through your marketing efforts.
You usually receive a unique code or web link which you share with your audience. How you market the product or service is completely up to you. For example, you could use a blog, social media platforms or email.
Not only is affiliate marketing a fantastic remote side hustle, but it can almost become a form of passive income. Once you have built up an audience and optimized your content for search purposes, your affiliate marketing site or posts can sit live and attract views. Though, the more effort you put in, the more sales you’re likely to encourage.
4. Dropshipping
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Dropshipping is a form of e-commerce. However, instead of producing or sourcing and then storing and handling goods, you pay someone else to do that. Any sales you make via your digital storefront are passed onto and fulfilled by a third party.
In a dropshipping side hustle, you would be responsible for handling product curation, online marketing and customer services. Another company, such as one operating on Ali Express, would take care of inventory and distribution.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to deciding what to sell with your dropshipping business. Income potential, too, is dependent on the type and number of items you sell.
Click here to find out more about drop shipping.
How much can you earn with a remote side hustle?
The exact amount of money you can make from a side hustle is so variable. It depends on things like the type of side hustle you do, the amount you charge and the number of hours you spend working.
The number of hours you spend on your side hustle is completely up to you. Portfolio Collective suggests spending 15 hours a week on your side hustle. Those 15 hours can then be broken down into chunks such as 2 hours a day.
According to a survey conducted by Bankrate, “side hustles are bringing in hundreds of dollars a month for the average person. U.S. adults with a side hustle make $810 per month on average”. However, it’s important to remember that exact amounts can differ and there’s no set figure that you can expect to earn from a side hustle.
Tips for choosing the perfect remote side hustle
So how do you choose a side hustle? The most important thing is to consider your interests, skills and financial goals.
1. If you’re working full time and have other commitments such as family, the chances are that you’ll be spending your remaining spare time on your side hustle. So make it enjoyable! Think about interests you have that you're super passionate about.
2. Do you also have existing skills in these areas? You do? Fantastic! You’re on your way to a successful side hustle already. But don’t worry if you don't because you can find online training and certification for thousands of things.
3. Do your research when it comes to picking a side hustle. Research yourself and the space you want to move into. It’s important to understand as much as you can about what’s included in running a particular side hustle before you get started so that there are as few surprises as possible along the way.
4. How much do you want to earn from your remote side hustle? Keep your financial goals realistic and achievable as this will serve to motivate you.
Be in control with a remote side hustle
Remote side hustles are becoming an integral part of the employment landscape. Not only are they a fantastic opportunity to boost your income but they also let you explore things that your main job doesn’t. A side hustle is an open door to increased financial freedom and the opportunity to use your outside interests.
For anyone considering a side hustle, now is the perfect time to take the first step. The current digital landscape means that remote opportunities are everywhere, each offering the potential for personal success and financial growth. So what are you waiting for?!
