Looking to earn extra income? Here are five side hustle ideas with high potential, including tips on getting started and scaling them.
Popular online hustles for digital creators
- Monetize a YouTube channel
YouTube has a massive audience of 2.5 billion users, who watch a combined billion hours of videos every day. Tap into those views by joining the YouTube Partner Program, which lets you earn money from ads shown during your videos.
Keep in mind that it takes time to gather enough viewers to earn a lot from ads. That’s why many YouTubers look for other ways to monetize their content.
There are several ways to make money on YouTube that go beyond the Partner Program. For example, you could team up with brands to promote their products in your videos. They’ll pay you a fee or give you a cut of the sales. Another option is to direct viewers to buy products from your online store.
Next steps: Start by making engaging videos and Shorts that appeal to your target audience. As you gain subscribers, explore monetization strategies such as joining the Partner Program, selling merch, and promoting affiliate partners.
How a vegan chef built a business on YouTube
Wil Yeung dabbled in everything from dropshipping violins to developing his own consumer goods. The serial entrepreneur and self-taught chef built his latest business with a YouTube content strategy. He now sells his recipes as books, ebooks, and online courses.
Learn more
- Start a blog or newsletter
Blogging has long been a popular side hustle, but monetization can prove challenging. That’s why more and more bloggers are turning to subscription platforms like Substack, where independent writers can publish their work and get paid directly from their readers.
This allows bloggers to build an audience over time and maintain a regular stream of monthly income, without having to rely on intrusive ads, sponsorships, or finding freelance writing gigs.
Next steps: Once you’ve built a readership, consider selling products and merch to your fans. This is a great way to build awareness for your personal brand.
- Record a podcast
Podcasting, like social media and blogging, has become a staple of the broader world of online content. In fact, podcast audiences have grown consistently over the past six years.
Podcasting is comparatively cheap, too. A decent USB microphone sold specifically for podcasting can be purchased for less than $100, and recording platforms like Audacity are free and easy to use.
Next steps: To start a podcast, find a theme or subject that resonates with a target audience. Record a few episodes in advance and plan your launch campaign. As you grow, incorporate ads or sponsorships to turn your podcast into a side hustle.
- Participate in online surveys
There are countless companies and market researchers that want to know what people think of their products and services. Filling out surveys won’t pay your bills, but it can pad your pocket with extra money for the weekend.
Next steps: Websites like Branded Surveys, Swagbucks, and Survey Junkie have tons of surveys you can get paid to take.
- Get paid to test apps
Nothing will halt a business faster than a website riddled with issues or an app that doesn’t work. So developers get testers to go in and push all the links and play with all the buttons to make sure things work before they go live. Guess what? You can get paid for that. Some competitive gigs even offer $100 for a 60-minute test, so there is money to be made.
Next steps: Matchmaking sites like UserTesting, uTest, Userlytics, UserCrowd, and Enroll can connect you with website and app testing gigs.