20 Best Side Hustles To Make $1000 A Month (2023)

Who wouldn’t want extra cash? Whether you’re paying off student loans, clearing debt, saving up for a down payment, or growing your savings, extra cash can help relieve financial stress.

A side hustle is perfect for making extra money outside of your job. Finding the right side gigs is definitely a game-changer. Aside from increasing your income, it also allows you to explore your passion. Plus, it also opens the door to different career opportunities.

But with so many side hustle ideas to choose from, where do you start?

Tips For Finding The Right Side Hustle

1. Evaluate Your Skill Sets

First of all, determine where your skills and talents lie. Before you jump into starting an online gig, create a list of your skills.

Are you a good writer? Do you excel in certain subjects and topics? Are you skilled in arts and crafts?

It’s important to choose a side hustle you’re good at. That way, there isn’t a steep learning curve as you get started. Remember, side hustling still requires time and effort. So take some time to evaluate your skills and find your element.

2. Consider Your Passion and Interests

A side hustle is something you do on top of your other responsibilities. This could mean working on an online gig after your full time job. So you’re probably tired and mentally exhausted. That’s why you need a side hustle that is interesting to you.

List your interests and passions. What are your hobbies? What activities do you consider exciting?

Find something that caters to both your skills and passion. For example, you enjoy making crochet plushies. And you’re really good at it, too! Selling your creations on Etsy or other online platforms is a good starting point to finding the best side hustle.

3. Manage Your Time

This is another factor you need to consider when finding the best side hustle. So track your schedule. List down your responsibilities and priorities. Then take into account how much time your side hustle will take.

Let’s use the previous example of selling crochet plushies. How long can you finish one product? How many can you make in a day or in a week? Additionally, if you have a full time job, how many hours can you spend on your side hustle?

Knowing how much time you have and how much time you need for your side hustle will help you determine the best course of action.

A side hustle is an excellent source of extra income. But you’ll still be relying on your paycheck to pay essential bills. So avoid juggling your full time job and side hustle if you don’t have enough time.

 

Best Side Hustle Ideas

1. Start a Blog

Blogging is one of the most enjoyable side hustle jobs. First of all, you’re in complete control of when you work. You can do it from home or anywhere else. Plus, you can choose what to write about and how to monetize your blog. Most importantly, you can start building your personal brand.

You can earn extra money from your blog through:

• Advertising
• Sponsored posts
• Affiliate marketing

But starting a blog is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It’ll take a while and lots of effort before you can start to monetize your blog. First, you’ll need to create valuable content. Doing so will help build your audience and boost readership.

That said, having a niche is important. What are you passionate about? What subject or topic are you most interested in? For instance, you can write about business, beauty, or recipes to build an audience.

Tip: Choose a niche that you’re passionate about. Continuously publish high quality, valuable content to build your audience.

Platforms: There are free and paid blog hosting services like WordPress.com. Another option is to pay for hosting services like Bluehost, GoDaddy, and SiteGround.

Income: It depends on how you want to monetize your blog.

2. Work as a Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant provides business support from a remote location. They provide assistance in administration, project management, social media, bookkeeping, and more.

Here are virtual assistant services that you can provide, depending on your skills:

• Data entry
• Proofreading
• Bookkeeping
• Customer service
• Email management
• Social media management
• Blog management
• Project management
• Website design

With this side hustle job, you can choose to set a total monthly earning. Or you can choose to get paid by the hour. But make sure that you’re charging a reasonable hourly rate or fixed rate. Don’t sell yourself short even if you’re just a beginner virtual assistant.

Tip: Determine the type of service you’re offering as a virtual assistant. It should be in line with your skills and interest. Then determine your pricing for your services.

Platforms: Fiverr, Upwork, WishUp, Freelancer.sg, and more.

Income: The average hourly pay for virtual assistants in the U.S. is $19.22 per hour. But you can decide on your own hourly rate or fixed rate.

3. Be a Freelance Writer or Editor

Are you a good writer? You can put your skills to good use. Write about the things you’re passionate about and get paid for them.

For example, you can write blogs for businesses. Or you can edit college essays for students. Here are other side hustles you can do as a freelance writer:

• Marketing campaigns
• Product descriptions
• Web copy
• Resumes
• Business blogs
• Email newsletters
• Online and print articles

Freelance writing gives you complete control of your time. You can work on your own schedule and set your own rates. With freelance writing, you can charge your clients based on the value you provide. Avoid undercharging since it usually results in burnout without earning much.

Tip: Choose the type of freelance writing services you want to offer. Then figure out how much you want to earn and how many hours you are willing to work. For instance, you want to work 10 hours a week and earn an extra $300. Then you’ll need to take work that pays you $30 per hour.

Platform: Upwork, Guru ProBlogger, WriterAccess, and more.

Income:  $30.39 is the average hourly pay for a freelance writer in the U.S. according to ZipRecruiter.

4. Launch a Youtube Channel

Over 2 billion users visit YouTube every month. That said, this platform offers plenty of opportunities for creatives. So if you have a lot of video ideas, launching a YouTube channel is one of the best side hustles for you.

Just like how you would start and monetize your blog, launching a YouTube channel requires a niche. You need to be specific with the value that you offer. Then slowly grow your traffic and subscriptions. That’s when you can start making money from:

• Advertising
• Affiliate marketing
• Sponsored content
• Google AdSense

Did you know that once you’ve reached 1,000 subscribers with 4,000 watch hours, you can apply for Google AdSense? It’s a great way to start monetizing your channel.

Tip: The key to a successful YouTube channel side hustle is creating videos that people want to watch. Find your niche and create content that your target audience will love.

Platform: YouTube

Income: It depends on many factors such as the kind of advertising, sponsorship, or affiliates. But on ad views alone, a YouTube channel can receive $18 per 1,000 ad views. This means side hustlers can earn $3-$5 every 1,000 YouTube video views.

5. Sell Handmade Items on Etsy

Start a successful side hustle job out of your hobbies. From knitting to designing stationery, to crafting unique gifts, you can make money from the things you create. Consider selling these items on Etsy.

Etsy is a great website for selling crafts, homemade goods, customized items, and more. Once you’ve set up your shop, you need to add photos of your items. Get the word out with the help of your social media channels.

Here’s how to get started:

• Start by selling small items first. Doing so will keep costs down while you build your reputation as a seller.
• Calculate your expenses, including materials to make the items, packaging materials, listing fee, and more. Remember, Etsy charges a $20 cents listing fee. Plus, there’s a 5% transaction fee on the listing price that you’ll need to pay per sale. So keep these in mind when pricing your items.
• Stick to a niche or category. For instance, if you love knitting, then sell knitted items.
• Learn through other sellers.

Tip: Start by selling small items. Plus, take into account other expenses like listing fees and transaction fees when pricing your items.

Platform: Etsy

Income: It depends on the items sold

6. Be An Online Teacher

Today, parents and children are familiar with home-based learning. That said, there’s a recent rise in the demand for online tutoring. The great thing about this side hustle is that you can do it remotely!

If you have a knack for teaching, you can earn extra money by taking on an online tutoring job. You don’t even have to limit yourself to teaching young children. For example, in the United States, you can offer English or ESL tutoring for non-English speakers.

You can sign up with an online teaching school. Or you can build your own tutoring website. But you need to take into account the time and money you need to invest in building a website.

Tip: It’s best to have some teaching qualifications. Aside from academics, you can also teach in other areas like art, music, and more.

Platform: VIPKID, Brainfuse, Skooli, Tutor.com, and more.

Income: The average hourly rate of an online teacher is approximately $21. But it could also depend on which platform you use or how much you choose to charge.

7. Be a Part-Time Realtor

Are you a social butterfly with a knack for sales and networking? Are you knowledgeable in the real estate industry? Being a part-time realtor may be the perfect side gig for you!

This side hustle is very flexible. You can get work done after your day job or during the weekends. Although you need to invest in earning a license, the payoff could be lucrative.

All you have to do is look for great real estate deals. Then refer them to individuals looking for real estate or investment opportunities. All that’s left is to collect commission or referral fees.

Tip: Pass the state exam and get a real estate license. The next step is to become a licensed real estate broker. This involves passing a second exam. Once that’s done, you can then work independently.

How to get started: Finding opportunities and customers is the key to your success. So start by building your network. You can do this through social media like LinkedIn and Instagram. Or you can build your own real estate website.

Income: Most realtors are paid on a commission- or referral-only basis. According to salary.com, the average annual earnings of real estate agents in the U.S. is approximately $41,894.

8. Sell Your Photographs

If you like taking photos, you can sell your photographs to sites such as Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, or Getty Images. You’ll get paid whenever someone purchases or downloads them. Another option is to sell your photos to your local publications or city newspaper or blog. It’s a great way to earn extra money in your spare time.

Or you can take this side hustle job further and set up your own studio. This might need a little bit of investment, but it’s a great business idea. You can offer to take family portraits. Or you can offer your photography services for events like engagements and weddings.

Tip: If you want to sell your photographs on a stock photo website, then start building your collection. Then use the right tags so people will find your photos.

Platforms: Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, or Getty Images.

Income: Some photographers make an extra hundred or thousand dollars a month by selling their photos on stock photo sites. If you start offering your photography services, you could make more depending on the scale of the events.

9. Be a Graphic Designer

If you have a passion for the arts and are skilled in digital graphics, why not become a graphic designer? You’ll need to be experienced in design software like:

• Photoshop
• Illustrator
• InDesign
• Procreate

As a freelance graphic designer, you’ll create visual concepts for websites and social media. You can create ads, logos, or make commission art.

Tip: Build a small portfolio. Use it when applying for online graphic design jobs. Another option is to post your works on your social media channels to create a bit of a buzz. Don’t forget to place a watermark on your artwork to avoid stolen works.

Where to find clients: You can start by reaching out to your network. Or reach out to bloggers or IT developers. You can also use sites like Fiverr or Patreon.

Income: The average base hourly rate of freelance graphic designers is around $29.55.

10. Side Hustle as an AirBnB Host

Do you have a spare bedroom? Or do you have a spacious basement area you can fix up?

Renting out a part of your home is a great way to make money. Sign up on Airbnb to make your home available for a short-term stay.But first, you’ll need to make your home comfortable and attractive to renters. That said, you might need to invest in renovation and other basic accommodations.

Here are a few things you might need:

• Bed and pillows
• A cabinet, drawer, or any storage for clothes
• Towels
• First aid kit
• And other basic supplies

This is one of the best side hustle ideas because you don’t have to worry about working additional hours. All you have to do is list your property. Then wait for renters to find your property.

Tip: Make your listing stand out by adding high-quality photos. And in your listing description,  list all amenities, check-in and check-out time, as well as your house rules.

Platform: Airbnb

Income: Some Airbnb hosts make multiple six figures. But according to Fundera, Airbnb side hustlers can make an average of $924 dollars per month.

11. Take Online Surveys

This isn’t a highly profitable side hustle idea but it’s still worth considering. It’s low stress so you can easily do this after your day job or during the weekends.

Businesses use online surveys to perform valuable market research. There are a number of survey sites that pay you to answer these surveys. But not every paid survey site is reputable. So be careful when selecting paid survey websites.

Additionally, before you start answering surveys, check the requirements first. Determine whether you’re eligible to answer the questions. Surveys for money are usually based on demographic information as well as your personal habits. So don’t waste your time on surveys that don’t suit you.

Tip: Answer surveys from reputable websites. Plus, check the eligibility requirements before taking an online survey.

Platform: OpinionWorld, Univox Community, Toluna Singapore, and more

Income: You can make anywhere between $1 and $25

12. Be a Social Media Manager For A Small Business

Today, businesses are focusing on digital marketing to reach their customers. This includes small businesses that need to make a name for themselves. That said, these businesses are in need of social media managers.

So if you love spending time online and have some knowledge on growing social media accounts, then being a social media manager might be a good option. All you need is a stable internet connection and a computer. You’ll also need to have a schedule during the week for this side hustle.

Tip: Reach out to small business owners, restaurants, or mom and pop shops. You can also pitch your services on your social media accounts.

Where to find clients: Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and other social media websites.

Income: According to Glassdoor, the average base pay for social media managers is $4,000/month.

13. Get a Part-Time Job

Another option to earn extra cash is through a part-time job. You can get a weekend job or find side hustles that are not too stressful. Here are a few side hustle ideas:

• Dog walker
• Babysitter
• Cafe barista
• Receptionist
• Delivery driver
• Work at a bookstore

But since it’s a part-time job, you’ll have to invest time and money. Additionally, it’s not one of the most lucrative side hustle options.

Tip: Look for side hustle jobs you can do after your full time job or during the weekends. It’s best to consider side hustles with a flexible schedule. That way, you won’t feel burnt out.

Where to find part-time jobs: Job listing websites like Glassdoor, Indeed, or LinkedIn is a good place to start.

Income: Most part-time jobs pay at least a minimum wage.

14. Offer Bookkeeping Services

According to a 2019 survey by FlexJobs, bookkeeping is the hottest side hustle. This side gig offers flexibility. Plus, it allows you to work remotely.

So if you’re good with numbers, then this side hustle is perfect for you. As a virtual bookkeeper, you’ll be helping small business owners in managing their accounts. This includes:

• Recording their daily financial transactions
• Updating financial records
• Collecting business payments
• Manage payroll

Tip: The first step is to make sure you understand bookkeeping and accounting rules. You may want to invest in online courses to polish your skills. Then start marketing your services.

Platform: Upwork, Glassdoor, LinkedIn

Income: Freelance bookkeepers can earn around $30 to $40 per hour.

15. Sell eBooks or Online Courses

Do you consider yourself an expert in a certain field? Or are you passionate about a particular topic or niche? Monetize your expertise by creating content around it. You can sell eBooks or online courses.

However, this side hustle takes a lot of time. And it requires thorough research. Plus, you’ll need to market your skills to make money. But it will be worth it once people start discovering your content.

Don’t know where to start? If you already have a blog or a YouTube channel, you can take relevant content from there. Then consolidate them in your eBook or online course. You may need to make edits and add more information. 

Tip: Focus on a specific topic or niche. Think about a problem you want to solve. For example, you’re in the digital marketing niche. You can create an online course about growing social media accounts.

Where to sell: You can sell your eBooks on Amazon or list your online course in Udemy.

Income: It depends on your niche and how well you market your product. But as a side hustle, you can earn a few hundred dollars every month.

16. Career Coach

Do you have a knack for motivating people?

Being a career coach is not only a lucrative side hustle but it can also be very fulfilling. As an online coach, you’ll guide your client towards their desired goal. You’ll be offering support as well as actionable advice.

This side gig is very flexible since you can simply set up a meeting time with your clients. More importantly, most coaches work online or via phone, Zoom, and Skype.

Here are some of the most profitable coaching niches:

• Life coaching
• Business coaching
• Wellness coaching
• Financial coaching

Tip: Guidance and support are non-tangible things. But you need to view them as a product. So deliver it in a structured way so you can monetize it. For example, create a course plan with worksheets that your client can use throughout the coaching session.

Where to find clients: You can start marketing your services within your network. Another option is by reaching out to potential clients via LinkedIn or Instagram.

Income: According to FlexJobs, this side hustle pays $20 per hour. But it really depends on how much you’ll be charging your client. There are business coaches that earn thousands of dollars in a month.

17. Offer Delivery Services

The food and restaurant industry is growing at a tremendous speed. In fact, according to statistics, this business is expected to reach $200 billion by 2025. And with plenty of food delivery apps, the demand will continue to grow.

That said, food delivery side hustles have also become a super popular side hustle. Here’s how it works:

• You’ll receive an order via phone or text message or an app
• Go to the restaurant to pick up the order.
• Take the food to the customer’s location

Tip: You’ll need a license and your own licensed vehicle. Then you’ll need a delivery partner.

Platform: Foodpanda, GrabFood, or Deliveroo

 

Income: Some delivery drivers average $15 to $20 per hour if you’re delivering in your spare time.

18. Be a Transcriptionist

A transcriptionist takes audio files or voice recordings and turns them into a text document. Basically, it involves jotting down content from an audio file. If you take on this side hustle job, you might work on:

• Court proceedings
• Doctors’ notes
• Market research

Tip: If you’re a beginner, it’s best to do your research or invest in an online course. Additionally, you’ll need to choose a niche. In doing so, you’ll be familiar with the terms used making it easier to transcribe them.

Platform: Upwork, Freelancer.sg, Fiverr. You can also go to transcription websites like TranscribeMe.

Income: Starting pay is around $0.45/minute of audio. Experience transcribers can make money up to $2/minute of audio.

19. Become an Uber/Lyft Driver

You can earn extra cash by driving for a rideshare service. It’s a flexible side hustle and easy to get started. Simply apply, add the app on your phone, and wait for an SMS or app notification.

Tip: When you drive for a rideshare company like Uber/Lyft, you’ll be earning a portion of what the rider pays. For example, some rideshare companies offer drivers a 25% cut.

Platform: Uber and Lyft

Income: It varies depending on a few factors including time of day and location. Just make sure to take into account your expenses like car maintenance and gas. You could be making less than minimum wage.

20. Sell Baked Goods or Homemade Food

Do you know how to bake? Are you a talented cook? You can turn your passion and skill into a lucrative side hustle.

Here are a few things to consider:

• Only delivery and collection of food items are allowed.
• Your staff must be living at the same address. And since this is going to be a side hustle, you’ll probably be working alone.
• You must observe proper food handling and safety practices.
• Use cashless payment methods.

Tip: Check with your city to make sure you have the appropriate licenses and permits. Follow the city guidelines for food safety and delivery. Then market your baked goods and other food items online. 

Where to sell: You can sell your baked goods and other homemade food on your social channels. Another option is to register your business on food apps like Foodpanda.

Income: It depends on the products you’re going to sell.

Conclusion

The goal of having a side hustle job is to earn extra money each month. It isn’t meant to replace your day job or business. The best side hustles can be done after work or during the weekends. But it can help you develop new skills, build your portfolio, as well as provide more financial freedom. If you need financial assistance to get started on a side hustle, you can look into getting a personal loan. Check out different options on Instant Loan. You can request up to 3 loan quotes through Instant Loan from Singapore’s top financial institutions.