3 side hustles you can start today (no experience needed)
You don't need much to get started
The covid pandemic has changed the way people think about job security, which brought about the popularity of side hustles.
I like to think of a side hustle as a form of insurance against a job loss.
If you are willing to spend thousands of dollars on insurance, why not take up some insurance for the income you receive from your 9–5.
The way to do this is by starting a side hustle.
What is a side hustle?
A side hustle is anything you do outside of your day job that generates income.
It can be a hobby or a passion, something that helps you earn a secondary income.
According to a survey by Motley Fool, the average side hustle earns $686 per month.
However, more than half of those surveyed earn less than $200 per month. This suggests that the figure is being pushed up by higher earners.
In 2023, about 1 out of every 3 people in the US has a side gig.
It is estimated that more than 80% of Americans will perform gig work by 2027.
While it may seem like everyone has a side hustle, it’s still only the minority.
The side hustle movement still has legs to run.
Side hustle must-haves
A side hustle needs to satisfy these 3 criteria:
Makes money (duh)
Fulfils you creatively
Gives you autonomy over your time
Before you start a side hustle, you first need to:
1. Learn a high value skill
The power of the internet means that many things can be learned online. Combining a few rare and valuable skills will make you unstoppable.
2. Find paying clients
This is where the hard part comes in.
As an introvert, it takes A LOT for me to do cold outreach.
My motto is:
Feel the fear and do it anyway.
Side Hustle 1: Content Writer
Yes, I know there’s ChatGPT, but nothing can replace your own personal life experiences.
That’s a way to differentiate yourself from a non-living thing.
Writing is the ONE thing that every business needs.
If you’re a Youtuber, you need to write a script before shooting your video.
If you’re into e-Commerce, you need to write your product description.
In short, there’s no escaping from written content.
Side Hustle 2: Sales Copywriter
“Another writing side hustle?” you might ask.
Yes, there’s no escaping from writing.
A simple 3-step framework for sales copy
Define the problem
Agitate the problem
Propose a solution
This is also applicable for content writers.
Side Hustle 3: Thumbnail Designer
Finally, something that’s not related to writing.
While the title says thumbnail designer, it does not just apply to designing thumbnails for Youtube.
People need help to create visual content on social media, content that appeals to the human eye.
Content on Instagram and Pinterest are some common examples.
Conclusion
Diversification is a much talked about concept in investing.
A topic that you seldom hear is diversification of income streams, which might be just as important (if not more).
While it might seem safe and comfortable working a 9–5, there’s no harm protecting yourself against unforeseen circumstances.
A side hustle offers that diversification and protection.
This is something which I am slowly building up, so that one day I will no longer be reliant on my day job for the majority of my income.