DavidA “side hustle” is essentially a small business that you run on the side of your normal, full-time job. It can be a great way to boost your income and reach your financial goals, and technology makes it possible to run a side hustle from the comfort of your own home. If you are looking for an additional gig to supplement your regular paycheck, here are five at-home side hustle ideas to get you started as you take the next steps to the financial future you want.
1. Become an English Tutor
English proficiency is a highly desirable skill in many professions, which is why parents worldwide want their children to learn English. As such, many companies are looking to connect native English speakers with potential pupils in China, Spain, Thailand, Argentina, and more. Typically, all you need for this side hustle is a reliable internet connection, a webcam, and the ability to speak English with native proficiency. Note that some companies may require an additional certification, which you can complete online.
2. Rent Your Spare Room
Sites like Airbnb and VRBO have allowed people to earn additional income by listing their properties as short-term rentals. You don’t have to offer your whole house, either. If you have a spare bedroom, consider listing it as a vacation rental, targeting solo travelers, couples, or people traveling for business. To get the most out of this side hustle, take attractive pictures of the room and set a competitive rate for similar rentals in your area. Before starting, make sure short-term rentals are allowed in your local areas.
3. Create Custom Embroidery
If you are willing to purchase an embroidery machine or already have one, custom embroidery may be a perfect fit for you. Some examples of custom embroidery products include hats and jerseys for local sports teams, company uniforms, monogrammed towels and pillowcases, and personalized gifts. Modern embroidery machines make it even easier to produce perfect embroidery in high volumes by digitizing the entire process. All you have to do is load a digital design or font, insert the threads in the required colors, and press “start.”
4. Start a Transcription Service
Transcribing entails converting audio into text-based forms, such as closed captions on online videos. These days, more and more companies are looking to transcribe their audio content to boost online engagement, so the demand is high for skilled transcriptionists who are fast typers. You can use your everyday computer and keyboard to start your transcription service, but it’s helpful to have a high-quality sound system for creating accurate transcripts.
5. Offer Yourself as a Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant is someone who handles the admin tasks of another business, such as managing an inbox, sending newsletters, or creating blog posts. As a virtual assistant, your client may be as big as an entire corporation or as small as a single individual running his side hustle. You can find these positions by looking on job listing sites, networking with other virtual assistants, or promoting yourself on social media.