It’s no secret that side hustles allow you to optimise your income. With the cost of living crisis prompting people to seek out new ways to optimise their earnings, there’s never been a better time to try to give something a go alongside your main job. By diversifying your income, you’ll have more revenue streams to fall back on. And if successful, a creative side hustle means you can make money from a hobby, which feels like a no-brainer.
Freelance writer
Whether you focus on copywriting or journalism, freelance writing can be a great way to earn additional income from something you enjoy. Creating a website with a portfolio will mean you can showcase your work and help land new projects. You can even embark on qualifications to strengthen your credibility.
Editors from certain publications regularly seek out articles from freelance writers, so providing you’re utilising social platforms like Twitter to connect with them, you can get a feel for the type of projects out there. Developing a niche is always a good starting point, whether that’s lifestyle or sport. If you want to focus more on content writing or copywriting, networking platforms like LinkedIn and The Dots can help connect you with the right people.
Crafting
Jewellery, home decor, upcycled clothing – you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to crafting as a side hustle. The first step is to invest in any equipment necessary for your venture i.e. bonding such materials using glue guns from RS to sewing kits for such delicate designs. Then, so long as you remain business-minded, you’ll be making money from something you love in no time.
Many small businesses use Instagram or TikTok to reach the right audience, so it’s worth investing time into the upkeep of these, while mastering the art of taking good quality photos and videos of your products.
Online tutor
If you get a kick out of helping others, online tutoring could be the side hustle for you. You might specialise in languages, maths or even music. Either way, getting the word out there and building a client base is key in the start-up stage.
Then, it’s a case of retaining clients where possible. Making it a personable and enjoyable experience will make it fun for both you and your clients. This will also mean you can observe their progress, which is bound to make you feel great while forming great marketing case studies.
Pet sitting
Pet sitting has become surprisingly popular, with plenty of apps and websites that connect pet owners with potential set sitters. You could be doing anything from house sitting for a few days or dog walking with all manner of furry friends.
There’s been a boom in UK dog sitting, with workers returning to the office, so there’s plenty of scopes for you to see whether pet sitting is the side hustle for you.
Starting a podcast
There’s a podcast for everybody these days, so chances are, if you market it correctly, you’ll reach the right audience. From sports to dating dilemmas and news podcasts, there are plenty of niches out there. Many podcasts secure sponsorships if successful, presenting money-making opportunities for something you enjoy.
According to a Yougov survey, podcasts offer one of the biggest media growth opportunities in the UK, giving you even more incentive to get started! Many figures with an online presence have dabbled in podcasting to engage with their audience differently, with several YouTubers and TikTokers taking the plunge.