21 Best Side Hustles To Start In 2023 (For Beginners) - Skyler Benson (2024)

Whether you want to make some extra money on the side or replace your full-time income, finding the best side hustles is the key to getting started.

Wouldn’t it be great to make an extra $100 a week or $1000+ monthly?

Well, with a side hustle, it is possible!

According to a survey from Insuranks, a staggering 93% of Americans had a side hustle in 2022.

With inflation soaring and economic uncertainty at an all-time high, people are looking to alternatives from traditional (and unstable) employment options to make some extra cash.

Side hustles are one of the best options, as they are quick and easy to get started, and you can turn your existing skills into extra cash.

Gone are the days of filling in online surveys for pennies. Now the opportunities are endless for anyone who wants to earn extra money.

You’re probably familiar with Uber, DoorDash, and eBay, but many more opportunities are available.

We’ll cover both online and in-person side hustles.

Do you want to start an online business?
Check out my list of the best business ideas of 2023 that are low-cost and easy to start online.

For the past 5 years, I’ve been working online as a freelance writer while I travel the world as a digital nomad. I’m currently working from a cabin in the jungle in Costa Rica!

These days, I’m also focusing on growing my blog which I launched in early 2022, to create passive income.

As well as freelance writing, I’ve also done many side hustles over the past few years to bring in extra income.

I’ve done everything from transcribing interviews between journalists and famous athletes to writing parody raps for best man speeches to social media content creation.

Then for some more common side hustles, I’ve reviewed the image quality of listings for freelancing platforms, written job applications for prison wardens, and edited automatic subtitles for online courses.

I’ve also reviewed software, offered proofreading services and video editing, created graphics for bands and brands, and much more.

What Is A Side Hustle?

A side hustle is a hobby, skill, or activity you do in your spare time to make extra money. It could be anything from taking on freelance work, starting a blog, selling items on eBay, or being an Uber driver.

Side hustles can help with financial stability and allow you to explore your interests. They are also a great way to find out what you’re really good at and what kind of work you enjoy.

Why you need A Side Hustle in 2023

A side hustle is a second job or business you work on in your spare time.

It’s not uncommon for people to have a side hustle these days. But, even if it’s just something that you do on the weekends or in the evenings, it can be a great way to generate some extra income and make your life more fulfilling.

Deciding to start a side hustle is often easy because the skills needed are not difficult to learn, and many options are available.

How To Decide Which Side Hustle You Should Do

Side hustles are a great way to make more money while you work your 9-5. But how can you figure out which side hustle is best for you?

Many factors go into choosing the perfect side hustle.

First, think about what you want to do in your free time. If you’re going to learn a new skill, consider doing something like freelance writing or video editing. Also, many pet-sitting and dog-walking opportunities are available if you love animals.

If you’re looking for a job that doesn’t require any skills to start earning right away, consider becoming an Uber driver or Lyft driver. You might also be interested in finding bargains at thrift stores and garage sales and flipping them on eBay.

The best way to figure out which side hustle is right for you is by simply trying them. Then, you can have your side hustle up and running within a weekend.

The great thing about side hustles is that they don’t take too much investment to start, so you can try a few different ones to find out what you are best suited for.

The different types of Best Side Hustles: Online Vs. Offline Side Hustles

There are many side hustle ideas, and it’s important to understand the difference between them.

An online side hustle is one that you can do from the comfort of home, a coffee shop, or anywhere in the world – with just your laptop and a wifi connection.

An example of an online side hustle is a video editor.

While an offline side hustle is one you do in person, and you need to be in a physical location to do it.

An example of an offline side hustle is an uber driver.

How To Learn Side Hustle Skills

Do you dream of starting a side hustle but don’t have the skills yet?

Some side hustles, such as an Uber Driver or DoorDash Delivery person, can be learned on the spot. But many other side hustles require you to have some technical skills.

Also, the more skills required, the higher you can get paid.

Maybe you want to create a YouTube channel or edit videos for other creators? Perhaps you want to be a freelance blogger or a podcast editor.

Whatever side hustle you want, there are many affordable ways to learn on your own schedule, thanks to online courses.

Here are the best online learning platforms in 2023.

Table Of Contents:

What Are The Best Online Side Hustles To Start?

1. Start A Blog

2. Become A Freelance Writer

3. Start A YouTube Channel

4. Become A Video Editor

5. Start A TikTok Account

6. Sell An Online Course

7. Start A Podcast

8. Sell On Facebook Marketplace

9. Sell On Amazon FBA/eBay

10. Become A Language Teacher

11. Offer Virtual Assistant Services

12. Become A Graphic Designer

13. Start A Resume Writing Service

What Are The Best Offline Side Hustles To Start?

14. Become An Uber Or Lyft Driver

15. Become A Professional Cuddler

16. Start A Vending Machine Business

17. Start A Laundromat Business

18. Start Flipping Cars

19. Deliver Food With DoorDash, Uber Eats Or Postmates

20. Mow Your Neighbors’ Lawns

21. Become A Plasma Donor

Best Side Hustles in 2023

In this section, we will identify the best side hustles to make money for 2023.

Often people talk about trying to find a second job to earn a little extra income.

But, with a side hustle instead, you can choose your own hours and how much you work each week.

If you’re stuck and looking for inspiration for the best side hustles, here are some ideas to get you started.

What Are The Best Online Side Hustles To Start?

First, let’s take a look at the best online side hustles.

What could be better than being able to work from home or anywhere in the world where all you need is an internet connection?

1. Start A Blog

Blogging is one of the best ways to make real passive income from a side hustle.

This is the side hustle that I am focused on in 2023 with this very blog.

If you enjoy writing, what better way to make money online than to start your own blog?

As blogging has shifted with the rise in social media, creating a personal brand through your blog is now the best strategy.

There are many different ways that you can make money blogging, such as:

• Affiliate Marketing
• Advertising
• Sponsorships
• Selling Digital Products
• Providing Digital Services/Consulting

However, you should be aware that blogging isn’t a get-rich-quick overnight scheme. Instead, it is a long-term strategy.

2. Become A Freelance Writer

As well as starting your own blog, freelance writing is another good choice for a side hustle if you already have experience in content writing or copywriting.

Freelance writers are in high demand as brands and businesses always require well-written content. You can write blog posts and articles, often leading to ongoing work with startups and brands. You can also write website content for small businesses.

If you’re new to writing, asking friends and family if they require any copywriting for their business is a great place to start. Offer to do it for free. Then you can include it in your portfolio to find paying clients.

As well as finding your own clients through networking on LinkedIn and Twitter, you can also use writing job boards and freelancing platforms such as Fiverr or Upwork.

I managed to turn freelance writing from a side hustle to a full-time career that allows me to travel the world. I now write from anywhere with a wifi connection.

3. Start A YouTube Channel

Nowadays, everyone wants to start a YouTube Channel. And for a good reason, it can be highly lucrative!

YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world, and it’s a great place to start a channel. You don’t need any fancy equipment or expensive software to get started. All you need is a camera (you can even use your smartphone), some editing software, and your creativity!

To be eligible to monetize your channel with AdSense, you’ll need to build an audience of 1000 subscribers and 4000 valid watched hours of content in the past 12 months. It takes some time to build a following, but you can make good money once you have.

Other ways to make money with YouTube immediately include sponsorship deals and affiliate marketing.

4. Become A Video Editor

Perhaps you don’t want to be in front of the camera with your own YouTube Channel. Instead, you can make a decent amount of money with video editing as a side hustle.

Every day there are YouTubers who have grown their channel and no longer have enough time to edit their own videos. So they outsource the work to a video editor.

You’ll need professional video editing software such as Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro and a laptop or desktop computer with high specs. You’ll also need high-quality headphones or monitors.

5. Start A TikTok Account

TikTok is perhaps the most fun and exciting social networking platform of 2023. It has become wildly popular and has over a billion active users worldwide.

There is also a real possibility of creating a viral video and blowing up overnight. There are also many different ways that you can make money.

You can partner with brands via sponsorships or sell your products or services using TikTok to create brand awareness and generate traffic.

TikTok also has a creator fund, where you can get paid to create content.

To be eligible, you’ll need at least 10K followers and 100K video views in the past 30 days.

If you dream of being a TikTok star, there has never been a better time than now to get started.

6. Sell An Online Course

Creating an online course is one of the best side hustle options.

It is the perfect way to monetize your knowledge.

Is there something you are an expert in and can teach others?

Do you have digital skills, such as being a master of specific software?

You can create your own online course and charge people for it.

The best thing is that you can do it on your own schedule, launch it with a core number of lessons, and then add more over time.

Platforms such as Udemy, Skillshare, or Teachable make it easy to launch your course on platforms with millions of students.

Tip: You don’t need to be an expert and know everything about a topic. Y

You only need to know more than the people you are teaching.

Teaching a high-quality online course helps position you as an expert in your industry and grow your brand.

7. Start A Podcast

Podcasts have exploded in popularity in recent years. Almost everyone listens to podcasts on any topic imaginable.

There are also many ways to monetize your podcast, which is part of their appeal.

The first is to use a podcast to indirectly promote your existing business or services, which can increase sales and customers.

But perhaps the best way is to find brand deals that include sponsorship or product placement with brands that you love and are related to the topics you discuss.

You can also have well-known creators as guests on your show to help generate a buzz and boost traffic.

Other ways to generate revenue are from ad networks and offering premium content via Patreon to subscribers.

All you need is a great podcast idea, and you can get started with even just your smartphone and be on your way to creating passive income in no time.

8. Sell On Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is a popular e-commerce platform that you can use to sell and buy used and new items through Meta (Facebook).

If you have many items you no longer use, it can be a great way to turn them into cash.

You post an ad, and then buyers will contact you directly to make a purchase.

The great thing about Facebook Marketplace is that there are no listing fees, and your products can be seen by a large audience.

You can also search through thrift stores to find items to flip, sell your own custom-made products, or source products from suppliers to sell.

To have the best chance of selling, you should take high-quality photos that clearly show the product. Next, you set a price, add your location, and publish the listing.

I’ve sold many items through Facebook Marketplace in many countries, including Australia, Mexico, and Guatemala.

9. Sell On Amazon FBA/eBay

Some great platforms to sell physical products are Amazon FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) and eBay.

Do you want to sell your products on Amazon FBA? In that case, they handle all the customer service, shipping, and returns for you, allowing you to run your business on autopilot.

Instead of dealing with day-to-day transactional requirements, you can focus on more important aspects of your side hustle, such as marketing and adding a range of new products.

If you’d rather manage inventory yourself, then selling on eBay is a great option.

For both platforms, you’ll need to create listings for each product you want to sell. Listings with high-quality and clear images and detailed descriptions sell best. You’ll also need to decide on the price of each listing and try out different price points based on competition and market demand.

10. Become A Language Teacher

More and more people are learning a second language as the world becomes more global. As a result, there is a huge demand for language teachers, especially English teachers.

There are many websites and apps where you can get paid to teach a language. Best of all, you can do it from the comfort of your home.

Most students have formal lessons and just want a teacher they can practice speaking with in a real-world environment. Someone that won’t laugh at them for their beginner language skills or pronunciation mistakes.

You can get paid just to talk to students about their interests in your language!

You’ll need to be a native speaker of the language you wish to teach, and some companies require a degree.

You’ll also need a fast and stable internet connection to teach the video lessons.

You can join many platforms, but the most popular ones are Verbling, VIPKid, iTalki, and Cambly.

11. Offer Virtual Assistant Services

Being a virtual assistant is a great place to start if you don’t have any online remote work experience.

Do you have excellent customer service skills and experience? Are you organized? Have you ever worked as a personal or executive assistant?

Being a virtual assistant (VA) could be your perfect side hustle.

You’ll most likely be providing virtual support for entrepreneurs, startups, and brands while doing tasks like customer service, social media management, admin work, and more.

As more businesses look to outsource work and free up time from day-to-day operations, there is a strong demand for virtual assistant services.

A VA is not only a great way to earn a side hustle. It also allows you to develop your online business and digital marketing skills. You can use these skills to start your own online business one day.

12. Become A Graphic Designer

Are you passionate about design? Well, starting a graphic design side hustle could be the best way for you to embrace your passion for creativity and entrepreneurship.

Even with the rise of online tools such as Canva, there is still a high demand for quality graphic designers. You’ll work closely with brands, startups, entrepreneurs, and big and small businesses. As a graphic designer, you’ll help them define their visual identity, create a powerful brand, and develop strong visuals.

You’ll need a strong design background and advanced knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and Sketch.

These days, you don’t need a degree. Instead, all you need is a portfolio.

So, the best way to start is to create some logos and graphics for friends and family to showcase in your portfolio.

13. Start A Resume Writing Service

A resume writing service is one side hustle that will always have strong demand, even in a recession.

People are always looking to apply for jobs to enter the workforce, move to a new company, or for a career change.

Resume writing is hard for people to perfect, especially if they do it infrequently.

You can offer a service to showcase their talents and skills while highlighting their experience and accomplishments. You’ll be successful if you help them stand out from other applicants and secure an interview.

If you do, you’ll receive many free word-of-mouth referrals as they tell all their friends and family about your services.

Best Offline (In Person) Side Hustles

Not everyone wants to work from home or be tied to their laptop 24/7.

So let’s look at the best in-person offline side hustles ideas.

14. Become An Uber or Lyft Driver

This is perhaps the most well-known and popular side hustle. If you like to drive, you can turn it into a great side hustle by working for a rideshare app such as Uber or Lyft.

If you have a commute to a 9-5 job, you can even work on the way to work and back to monetize your commute.

As a rideshare driver, you can choose your own schedule and decide how many hours you will work. But, of course, the more miles you put in, the more you can make.

With the soaring cost of gas lately, it is much more suited if you have a gas-efficient car. Otherwise, earning a decent amount of money may not be a viable option. You’ll need to complete the onboarding process and be sure that you are familiar with all the terms and conditions.

15. Become A Professional Cuddler

Do you love to cuddle? Do you get told you give the best hugs?

Well, did you know that you can get paid to cuddle! No cap.

Some companies offer a professional cuddle service, where strangers will pay you to cuddle.

While it may seem bizarre, it is legitimate, with no ‘extra services’ or creepy, weird experiences.

It is an entirely positive, comfortable, and safe environment.

Would you get paid to cuddle someone?

16. Start A Vending Machine Business

You’ve probably seen the videos on TikTok of people making bank just from owning vending machines.

Everyone wants to grab a quick snack or drink when they’re out in public, even more, when there are few other food options available.

Owning a vending machine business is actually quite profitable. There is no overhead. All you have to do is buy a vending machine and then keep it stocked with snacks.

You can also choose where you put the vending machine and the price of each item. Then, you can fill the machine based on what sells best to maximize your earning potential.

A vending machine business is an unusual side hustle idea, but one that can make some serious money.

It is also a low commitment. You just need to stop by once a day to collect the money and replenish the snacks.

17. Start A Laundromat Business

A laundromat business is another great side hustle idea widely popular on TikTok.

You’ll need to invest in the laundromat and washing and drying machines. But then it is very low maintenance and can generate significant passive income.

It can run on autopilot, and you just need to come by once daily to collect the money, replenish the laundry liquid, and ensure that no machines require any maintenance.

Also, a laundromat business is recession-proof. People will still need to wash and dry their clothes, no matter the state of the economy.

18. Start Flipping Cars

While flipping homes has become very popular in recent years, it takes a lot of capital and time.

If you’re mechanically inclined and enjoy working on automobiles, a much better option is to flip cars.

You can turn an old and run-down car into a road-worthy vehicle if you have good restoration skills.

The way to make it a viable side hustle is to find a car that requires some work and secure a good deal. After you’ve found the right vehicle, it’s time to start renovating it.

Depending on how fast you can repair and upgrade each car, you may be able to flip one per week or more.

If you want to start a fun and exciting side hustle, flipping cars may be for you.

19. Deliver Food With DoorDash, Postmates, and Uber Eats

A great side hustle to make money on the side is by delivering food to people’s homes.

There are many different companies you can work for, such as DoorDash, Postmates, or Uber Eats.

You can choose the days and times you work and set your own hours. You’ll get paid for each delivery you make and also can receive (virtual) tips.

It is a great way to make extra money if you own a vehicle. However, you’ll also need to consider the cost of gas to decide whether it is a good idea and a financially viable side hustle option for you.

Tip: Even if you don’t have a car or motorbike, you can even use a bike to make deliveries if you live in an urban area.

20. Mow Your Neighbors’ Lawns

Do you have a lawnmower and want to earn extra cash with an easy side hustle? Then, you can offer to mow your neighbors’ lawns.

This is a great business opportunity where all you need is a lawnmower. You’ll also need a truck to expand your lawnmowing business beyond your neighbors on your street.

The best way to get started is to tell your immediate neighbors about your new side hustle and even offer to mow their lawn for the first time for free. Then, do it the next time you will already be mowing your own lawn.

This lets you show the quality of your work, and for a business like this, word of mouth spreads quickly.

You can also drop a flier mailbox in your neighbors’ letterboxes in the surrounding area.

Not everyone owns their own lawn mover. Even if they do, most people are extremely busy these days. As a result, they often don’t have time to mow their lawns, leaving them to be neglected, overgrown, and aesthetically unpleasing.

21. Become A Plasma Donor

This may seem like a bizarre side hustle idea! But did you know that you can receive between $50 and $75 in compensation per donation appointment? In addition, if you’re a first-time donor, there is also often a bonus or incentive.

So, how exactly do you get started with donating plasma?

You’ll need to qualify by completing a questionnaire that shows you are healthy and a good candidate. Then, after you’ve been approved, you can begin donating. The process takes approximately an hour each time, and you can donate up to twice per week.

This is something outside the box that can earn you $100+ per week!

Are Side Hustles Worth It?

Side hustles are undoubtedly worth it!

You can choose your own hours to commit to a side hustle and work as little or as much as you like on your own schedule.

They also help you to make extra money, which can help you meet your goals or dreams sooner than without a side hustle. They can also help with expenses, bills, and rent.

A side hustle also lets you develop new skills and knowledge that can allow you to pursue your passion and make income from it.

Side hustles let you be creative and are an excellent outlet for your skills.

Over time, you can also grow your side hustle to earn more than your full-time job. You can then quit your job and do what you love instead.

Final Thoughts – Best Side Hustles

Side hustles are an excellent way to make some extra money on the side. They can be done in your spare time, on your own schedule, and allow you to be your own boss.

The great thing about side hustles is that you can choose one that you are passionate about doing. So, if you have a talent, skill, or hobby that you enjoy with a side hustle, you can begin to monetize it and get paid for doing something you love.

Take some time to think about what side hustle is best for you. The above list is the most popular side hustles in 2023 that you can get started with right away. But there are hundreds of different options available!

Many require no initial investment, and you can start earning money immediately.

So what are you waiting for? Choose a side hustle idea, and get started today!