41 Best Work From Home Side Hustles to Boost Your Income (2024)

A side hustle is a second job or gig a person does to add to extra income from their primary job. 

With 66% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck, finding additional income sources is more crucial than ever. No wonder, that more than half of those Americans (57%) have taken on extra opportunities to supplement their primary source of income.

It’s a great way to increase your earnings from your regular job, and can even turn into your main source of passive income. And yes, it goes way beyond renting a spare room on Airbnb or doing odd jobs on Taskrabbit.

Here, you'll explore 35 proven side hustle ideas and tips for starting your next venture. 

Once you’ve got your side hustle up and running, Fiverr provides you with a freelance marketplace you can use to sell your services, along with lots of resources to guide you on the path to success.

35 of the best side hustle ideas for 2024

1. Start a dropshipping business

Dropshipping is a method of selling products supplied by a third party, who’s responsible for storing inventory and shipping merchandise.

You’re only responsible for promoting and selling the products and passing orders on to your supplier, but you don’t have to handle the logistics of storing and shipping the products. 

Example of dropshipping store, Boba Love

To get started in dropshipping, you’ll need to set up an ecommerce store and find one or more suppliers with products to sell. You can set up your own website using Ecommerce platforms such as Shopify or Woocommerce or tap into existing platforms, such as Amazon, eBay, or Shopify. To find suppliers, you can search dropshipping directories or work with print-on-demand suppliers directly.

2. Sell handmade crafts and goods

Instead of dropshipping someone else’s products, you can make and sell your own. 

For example, soap entrepreneur Anne-Marie Faiola started Bramble Berry in 1999 with a pallet of soap, five fragrances, and a handful of soap molds. Since then, she's grown her business to a social media success with 60,000 customers and 90 employees. Sites like Etsy provide markets you can use to sell your products.

Learn more: How to start an online boutique

3. Start a blog

Another way to make money digitally is by blogging about a popular topic. Blogs can be monetized in a number of ways, and even turn into full-time jobs. 

You can use your blog for affiliate marketing, where you drive traffic to links for products in return for a commission. You also can make money from ads placed on your blog through Google AdSense.

You can write your own blog content,or get someone else to do it. Fiverr provides writers who offer blog posting services. Affiliate partners may be willing to contribute guest blog posts for free in return for promotional consideration.

Learn more: How to start a blog (step-by-step guide)

Find out what other brands — particularly in your industry or related fields — they’ve worked or collaborated with. Some ghostwriters add a list of the brands they’ve worked with on their website or portfolio. For instance, Fiverr freelance writer faswaldo mentions top brands like CNBC and Business Insider who've featured her articles.

Connect with seller

4. Run a web design business

If you know how to use your design skills to give websites a professional look, you can earn money as a web designer for business clients in your spare time.

To get started, create a visually compelling website to show clients what you can do for them. 

Promote your site by partnering with companies that work with clients who need websites, such as marketing agencies. Or by using Fiverr’s website design market to promote your services.

Learn more: How to write a graphic design proposal letter.

5. Create and sell an online course 

You can sell digital products online, as well as physical goods. One simple way to create a digital product is to offer a digital course on a subject you have expertise in.

Demand is high for digital course content in a wide range of fields, such as: 

• Health and wellness

• Self-improvement

• Personal finance

• Financial services

• IT

• Healthcare

The global e-learning market will swell to $457.8 billion by 2026, ReportLinker projects.

One of the easiest ways to create an online course is to deliver your content as a series of videos. For example, offering a step-by-step how-to guide delivered over a series of premium videos and use a free video sample to promote your course. 

If you need help creating your content, Fiverr offers access to AI content writing services. 

6. Offer graphic design on demand 

Another way to sell graphic design services online is to offer graphic design on demand. With this business model, clients can pay a monthly fee to subscribe to custom graphic services, commissioned as needed. 

For clients who need graphics regularly or in high volumes, this can be more cost-efficient than commissioning designs individually. You can establish different pricing tiers for clients with different levels of need, and even replace your day job in time. 

Using AI art prompt ideas, you can spark your creativity and improve your workflow when offering graphics on demand. There are many AI generators to choose from to find the perfect fit for you.

7. Sell pre-made designs

Another way to turn graphic design skills into a side hustle is by selling designs you’ve already made. Use sites like Creative Market to showcase designs, such as icons, illustrations, and web elements.

For best results, research what your market is buying before creating your designs. You’ll find it easier to sell if you can identify a niche where designs are already in demand.

8. Sell illustration and animation services 

Illustration and animation are specialties within graphic design where you can earn money. Illustrations are needed for purposes, such as ads, product packaging, and books. While animation is needed for business and educational videos as well as entertainment.

To succeed as an illustrator or animator, you’ll need to start by building a strong portfolio showcasing your skills.

Fiverr makes it easy to connect with businesses looking for freelancers offering illustration and animation services.

9. Offer PPC or SEO 

Pay-per-click advertising and search engine optimization are important digital marketing tools today. If you’re good at either one, many online businesses need your help. 

There are a number of ways you can get started selling PPC or SEO services using AI. One is to approach small businesses individually offering your marketing assistance.

10. Do social media management for businesses 

Social media marketing is another area of digital marketing where businesses have high demand. Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube are just some of the social media platforms where businesses need help creating posts and ads. 

Sign up for a Fiverr account and set up your profile, highlighting your social media management experience and skills. Create distinct gig packages that cater to different client needs. 

11. Become a freelance writer

SEO marketing depends on relevant content, creating a high demand for blog writers. Global SEO spending is growing at a CAGR of 20.27%, on track to reach $108.89 billion by 2026, according to projections. This means a steady stream of work for writers who can produce quality content.

To get started in freelance writing, you’ll need to build a portfolio of samples and testimonials to show your talent. Competition is high, so consider focusing on a niche where you can stand out. Approaching small business website owners via email is one way to go.

Learn more: 7 AI writing prompt ideas to power your content workflow

12. Offer video transcription work

If you’re a writer, you may be a fast typist, which means you can make money as a transcriptionist. 

There are different specialties within transcription. One in high demand is video and podcast transcription. Businesses and government agencies need video transcriptions for improving SEO search results, documenting Zoom meetings, and providing interview quotes to content writers.

Transcriptionists in the U.S. currently earn an average of $17.63 an hour, according to job site Payscale. You can find work through a transcription company or by promoting your work through the Fiverr transcription services category.

13. Create and sell eBooks

Another writing specialty you can turn into a side hustle is eBooks. Many businesses commission eBooks to position their brands as thought leaders. You also can sell your own eBooks for profit.

If you want to get into writing eBooks for businesses, use the same strategies as you would to get into content writing. Then promote your services through resources, such as Fiverr’s book and eBook writing listing. 

If you’re thinking of selling your own eBooks, write them yourself and sell them through platforms like Amazon, or commission other writers to create content for you while you handle the marketing.

14. Edit resumes

If you’re a good writer, you also may be a good editor, which can open up additional gig opportunities. One way to put editing skills to work is to help others find work by editing resumes.

Anyone with writing and editing skills can pick up resume editing, but you can bolster your credentials and increase your pay rate by getting certified by an organization like the National Resume Writers Association. This will earn you the opportunity to be listed in directories of professional resume writers and editors. 

15. Provide proofreading and editing services

Another good business idea is branching off into proofreading or editing. Proofreaders review spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Editors may help writers with these issues as well as broader concerns like content development and organization.

Marketing agencies, business marketing communication departments, and book publishers are among clients in need of proofreading and editing services.

Find AI proofreading and editing services for your business on Fiverr. 

16. Teach coding online

Over half of U.S. students aged 16 to 23 see coding as an important skill to learn for their future careers, according to a survey by data analytics firm KX. Combined with working adults who need to learn to code, this creates a large market for coding instruction.

You can earn money teaching code via a video course or offering customized lessons for individual students. 

17. Develop websites

Another source of demand for coding skills is website development. Whether you have basic website design skills or advanced programming experience, you can find business clients who need your help with their websites.

Start by building your own website to showcase your talent. To begin building a portfolio, find your first clients by helping friends with their websites, canvassing businesses through email or social media, or using Fiverr to promote your web development services.

Example of web developer @developeratbest selling services through Fiverr

18. Offer computer consulting

Another way to earn money from coding knowledge is by becoming a computer consultant. Consultants advise and assist companies on technical support issues, such as what type of software they need, how to set up a network, or online security.

Depending on your area of expertise, computer consulting can gain you entry with high-paying business clients. A computer consultant in the United States currently earns a median of $45.35 an hour, according to job site Zippia.

19. Become an event planner 

Event planners organize occasions, such as graduations, weddings, and business conferences. 

They are responsible for planning activities, scheduling dates, renting venues, arranging catering, sending invitations, and ensuring everything is in place for a successful event. If you have good organizational and budgeting skills, you may be a success as an event planner.

Event planners earn a median of $29 an hour, according to the job site Salary.com. You can gain practical experience as an event planner helping family and friends, but to attract professional clients, you’ll need to earn a degree in meeting and event management

20. Offer photo retouching

Companies and individuals who use photos often need them retouched so they're suitable for display. If you're skilled at using photo editing software like Photoshop, you could earn money retouching photos.

Potential photo retouching clients include marketing agencies, small businesses, and photographers for events such as weddings. Create a portfolio of photos you’ve retouched with before and after versions to showcase your skills. Use your website to start promoting your services.

21. Sell photography

Marketing agencies, real estate agencies, car dealerships, and news companies are a few of the types of businesses that buy photographs. If your photographs are more artistic, consumers who collect art may be interested in your work.

Photo by Verne Ho from Burst

You can sell photos taken on your own initiative, or take photos commissioned by clients. You can sell your own photos through your website or through online marketplaces, such as Etsy. If you want to sell commissioned photos, consider approaching a local or online business that needs photos regularly and showing them your portfolio.

22. Be a consultant in your area of expertise

Do you have an area of specialized expertise needed by consumers or businesses, such as personal training or marketing? If so, you could earn extra money as a consultant.

Earnings for consultants vary widely based on the type of consulting you’re doing. Some types of consulting require professional certification, while others only require knowledge. Once you have your qualifications, showcase them on a website and build a portfolio of clients. 

23. Start a pet-sitting or dog-walking business

Pet sitting is when you look after animals while their owners are away. You can feed, play, and walk their pets as a pet sitter. Create profiles on pet-sitting platforms like Rover or Wag, and promote your services through social media and local bulletin boards.

24. Edit videos

Like photos, videos often need editing before they can be used for commercial purposes or family remembrances. If you have experience with video editing software, you could make side hustle money helping businesses or consumers make their videos look more professional.

Markets for video editing include marketing agencies, event planning companies, realtors, news media, and film and TV producers. Create a website and portfolio and promote your services through social media or through Fiverr’s video editing marketplace.

Learn more: The best 12 video editing software

25. Be a Virtual Assistant

Do you have good skills in managing phone calls and email, organizing calendars, or using office software? You could earn money from home as a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants offer remote administrative support for businesses, similar to an in-office secretary.

You can work as a virtual assistant part-time or full-time. Earnings vary with experience and other specifics. In the U.S., virtual assistants currently earn an average of $26.80 per hour, according to the job site Indeed.

26. Start a bookkeeping business

A bookkeeping company manages client financial records, making sure they're accurate and up-to-date. You can help small businesses or freelancers track expenses and manage invoices. 

Example of Fiverr Seller @zfjharna offering bookkeeping services

Make a Fiverr profile to show off your services, take bookkeeping courses, and get certified to kick off your business.

27. Drive for Uber or Lyft

Uber and Lyft drivers use their own cars to transport passengers, earning good money through fares. Your job is to pick up passengers through the rideshare app and take them to their destinations. 

Here’s how to start:

1. Get a driver account

2. Complete the background check

3. Make sure your car meets the requirements

If you don’t want to be a driver, you can always get into food delivery with services like Instacart, Doordash, or Uber Eats. 

28. Start babysitting

A babysitter takes care of kids for a short period of time, usually when the parents are away. You could watch a family friend's kid while they go to an event or the movies. To take action on this side hustle:

1. Obtain a CPR/First Aid certification

2. Create a profile on babysitting websites like Care.com

3. Ask friends/family for referrals.

29. Participate in focus groups

Participating in focus groups helps companies make informed decisions about their products and services. If you're interested in giving your opinion on the taste and packaging of an upcoming food product, join a focus group to earn extra cash. 

Sign up for focus group websites like FocusGroup.com and Respondent.io, and complete your profile to get started. 

30. Take online surveys 

Taking online surveys is a way to earn rewards or cash for completing questionnaires for market research companies. You may take a survey about your shopping habits, for example, helping companies better understand consumer preferences. 

Sign up for survey websites like Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, and Vindale Research, and make a profile to start. 

31. Start a YouTube channel

You can earn revenue through advertisements and sponsorships by creating and sharing videos on a specific topic on your YouTube channel. Pick something you're passionate about. For example, you could start a channel sharing DIY home improvement tips and tutorials. 

Starting a YouTube channel is free. You’ll have to put time and effort into planning and producing good video content and building your audience. 

Learn more: How to Become a YouTuber: Steps, Expert Tips, and Checklist

32. Start a reselling business 

Buying items on sale and reselling them for a profit is the basis of a reselling business. For example, you can resell vintage clothing online at a higher price by buying them from thrift stores. 

You can sell products on a Shopify website, or set up an account on platforms like eBay, Etsy, or Facebook Marketplace to sell your goods. 

Reseller store Packer Shoes, built on Shopify

33. Teach a language

If you’re fluent in multiple languages, consider offering online tutoring and classes to help teach a language to potential students. It’s a great way to make money on your own schedule. You can provide one-on-one tutoring to students in another country through video calls. Or sign up with an agency that connects you with students.

Costs: Offer your language tutoring services on platforms like Fiverr, Preply, or Italki.

34. Become an influencer or brand ambassador

Influencers and brand ambassadors promote companies through guest blogs and video reviews. They can help brands build their reputation and gain a social media following.

To become an influencer or brand ambassador, you’ll need to find a brand you feel passionate about and connect with them. For example, if you like a particular fashion brand, you might begin building a social media profile where you review their products. 

Once you’ve gained a following, you can contact a representative of the brand about the possibility of you becoming a brand ambassador. Many brands offer affiliate marketing programs you can join to earn a commission on sales.

Learn more: How to become a social media influencer in 12 steps

35. Sell AI Generated Art and Copy

Harness the power of AI tools to create and sell digital art or copy. Platforms like DALL-E and MidJourney can generate stunning visuals, while tools like Chat-GPT and Gemini can craft compelling written content.

You can sell these creations on marketplaces like Etsy or Fiverr, or offer custom services to businesses needing unique artwork and marketing copy. This innovative side hustle can quickly become a lucrative source of income from home.

Learn more: 200 Professional Prompts for Midjourney to get the best results for AI Images

36. Become an affiliate

We’ve briefly mentioned affiliate marketing, but let’s talk about this more in-depth because it can be a great way to generate passive income. Affiliate marketing can also be used alongside some of the other ideas on our list, like starting a blog or YouTube channel or becoming an influencer.

With affiliate marketing, you sign up as an “affiliate” with different companies—typically companies you already know and like. You can then promote their products to your audience using an affiliate link with a specific tracking code.

Anytime someone makes a purchase using your link, you receive a commission from the sale of the product. While affiliate marketing can take awhile to build up as you have to have a large, consistent audience, it can be a great side hustle.

It costs nothing to become an affiliate—except, perhaps, costs of starting your blog if you go that route. You can become an affiliate through Amazon and other programs like PartnerStack, CJ Affiliate, ShareASale, or FlexOffers.

37. Offer lawn maintenance services

If you already own the equipment (i.e., lawn mower, weed eater, edger), you might consider offering lawn care services in your area. This can be a great seasonal job during the warmer months if you’re looking for extra work.

You’ll have to maintain your equipment and buy gas (if you have gas-powered tools). But promoting your services in Facebook Groups and by printing out flyers is totally free.

38. Test websites and apps

When businesses launch new websites and apps, they need people to test them out and ensure every page, link, button, etc., is working properly and easy to navigate. Offer to help with website testing to generate some side income.

There’s typically no upfront costs associated with a gig like this. Offer your website testing services on a platform like Fiverr or Upwork or sign up for jobs with a platform like TesterWork.

39. Become a delivery driver

If you don’t want to drive around people using Uber or Lyft, consider becoming a delivery driver. Uber Eats, Doordash, and GrubHub all hire external drivers to deliver food orders. You can also shop and deliver groceries through apps like InstaCart.

And Amazon even has Amazon Flex, a way to use your own vehicle to deliver Amazon Prime packages to peoples’ doors.

Other than vehicle maintenance, getting started with any of these delivery jobs and platforms is free.

40. Start a clothing line

Do you have an eye for fashion? There are several online companies that can help you out. You can easily create designs for clothing, sell them through a third-party platform, and watch your designs come to life.

Pietra is the best customizable clothing line designer. You can prototype designs and easily sell them online. Platforms like Gelato and Printful can help you turn basic illustrations into t-shirts, sweatshirts, and other clothing to sell.

41. Flip furniture

If you have woodworking or furniture-building skills, you might consider starting a side hustle selling furniture. Find pieces on the side of the road or for free or cheap on Facebook Marketplace and restore them to their former glory so you can resell them at a higher price.

Facebook Marketplace is the perfect place to sell upcycled furniture. Upfront costs include any tools and equipment you need to improve each piece.

Side hustles to avoid 

Just because there are endless possibilities for side hustles out there doesn’t mean there aren’t also a few bad eggs. Here are a handful of side hustles you’ll want to steer clear of.

MLM schemes

MLM, or multi-level marketing, schemes are abundant—and you’ve likely heard of many of them. Also called network marketing companies, these work by encouraging distributors to hire more salespeople underneath them—all while they also work for other salespeople/distributors.

If you’ve also heard these called pyramid schemes, it’s because they basically are. The business model creates a literal pyramid:

Popular MLMs include:

• Arbonne

• Beachbody

• Herbalife

• Mary Kay

• Young Living

• DoTERRA

• Rodan + Fields

These types of companies often require new distributors to pay an entry fee to join. They then have to purchase any product they hope to sell ahead of time, without any guarantee of actually being able to sell it.

And many of these companies encourage their distributors to try to sell to family and friends, a tactic that’s been overdone by these brands and is frankly more effective at driving people away than making sales.

Any company that requires you to pay to join it is not a side hustle you should aim to join. There have been many a horror story of people ending up in major credit card debt due to the unfulfilled promises of these MLMs.

Cryptocurrency trading

Some people have gotten extremely lucky with cryptocurrency trading. Others not so much. With cryptocurrency being so new to the market and so volatile (Bitcoin has increased by $45k just in the last year after having been at a low for a year before that), it’s an unreliable side hustle to get into, and you may end up losing more money than you could ever hope to earn.

Side hustles that require licensing or certifications

Some people tout jobs like real estate, accounting, tax prep, and the like as potential side hustles. However, each of these requires licensing and/or certifications that can take time and cost a pretty penny to get.

These simply aren’t side hustles. They’re jobs. Often full-time jobs that require a lot of focus to make any kind of money. If you’re just looking for a way to earn extra income on the side, you’ll want to steer clear of these.

Coaching programs

While not a side hustle you can join in on, many people who have seen legitimate success with side hustles have created their own coaching programs to help others. However, some of these coaching programs can cost a lot of money—think upwards of $500-1,000+—to join.

You don’t want to start investing in coaching programs before you’ve even started your side hustle. If this is a goal of yours, choose a side hustle and set aside your income until you’ve made enough to join a coaching program.

Remember, though, that there are plenty of successful side hustlers that share their tips and tricks for free on YouTube and their blogs. Start there before deciding to buy into a coaching program.

Unrealistic business ventures

Unrealistic business opportunities, or “get rich quick schemes” are never what they appear to be. Promises to help you generate tens of thousands of dollars a month in little to no time are usually scams, plain and simple.

Making tens of thousands of dollars a month is possible through hard work and finding the right job. But it’s not going to happen quickly and you don’t want to fall victim to these empty promises.

How to find a great side hustle work from home

Many workers run a side gig from home because they aren’t earning enough from their regular work to cover expenses or student loans. However, other side hustlers work to increase their standard of living, to lay a foundation for a new career, or to get paid for a hobby they enjoy.

Side hustles have grown more popular as the Internet and smartphones have made it easier for entrepreneurs to make money online from the comfort of home. In 2023, 55% of Americans earned money from online side hustles, according to a survey conducted by the Lending Tree.

One advantage of side hustles is they’re easier to set up than most businesses. Here’s all you need to get started:

1. Choose something you're passionate about. Your side hustle should be something you enjoy doing, or at least something you're interested in. This way, it won't feel like work and you'll be more likely to stick with it.

2. Start small and simple. Don't try to do too much at first — just focus on getting started. Once you've got the basics down, you can start expanding and growing your side hustle.

3. Use your existing skills and knowledge. You don't need to start from scratch — you can leverage your existing skills and knowledge to get started with your side hustle. This will save you time and energy, and help you hit the ground running.

4. Create a brand. First, you need a brand name to call your business. You can use your own name or choose a name that sums up what you’re selling. You can hire a professional graphic designer to make a logo for you, or use Fiverr Logo Maker to make one yourself.

5. Promote your side hustle. Make sure you let people know about your side hustle — whether it's through social media, word-of-mouth, or other marketing channels. The more exposure you can get, the better.

6. Be prepared for bumps in the road. There are challenges and setbacks for all small business owners, no matter if you’re selling t-shirts part time or freelancing full-time. Just remember to stay positive and keep moving forward, and you'll eventually achieve your goals.

If you want to sell services on Fiverr, sign up for a free account today.

How to start a side hustle

Ready to start earning additional income? Whether you want to pad your savings or need the extra money to make ends meet, side hustles can be a great way to cushion your monthly income.

It’s also pretty simple to get started with most of the side hustle ideas we’ve included in this list. Follow along with these seven steps to start your new side hustle of choice.

1. Create a list of options. Which of these side hustle ideas seem most viable for you? Some require you to have a certain skill set, others require you to have access to specific equipment, and some just require a good bit of time. Make a list of the ones that fit the bill according to our last section on choosing the right side hustle and go from there.

2. Put together a plan. Once you’ve settled on a single side hustle to get started with, create a plan that outlines any equipment, tools, or software you need, anything you already own that you’ll need to pull out to use, and how much time you can dedicate to your new side hustle.

3. Give yourself a goal. How much do you hope to bring in from your side hustle? By giving yourself a goal—and especially a date by which you hope to meet said goal—you’ll motivate yourself to stick with it until you start bringing in a steady income.

4. Take advantage of helpful tools. Platforms like Fiverr were built to help people get started with side hustles, generating more income and becoming financially free. Create a free profile as a starting point for finding new gigs.

5. Promote your new side hustle. Create social media accounts, a website, job marketplace profiles, and more in order to promote your new side hustle and find even more work.

6. Get to work. Start doing the work for your new side hustle! Whether that’s client work, creating handmade items or art to sell, filling out surveys, etc., there’s no time like the present to just get right into it.

Measure your success. Pay attention to your monthly income from your side hustle and whether it’s growing or not. From there, make any changes to your plans, like an increase in pricing, a new platform to test out, or something else. As you make more and more money from your side hustle, consider whether you can make a full time business out of it and bring in even more income.

Side hustles FAQ

How can I make an extra $2000 a month?

To make an extra $2000 a month, consider freelancing in your area of expertise, such as web development, graphic design, or writing. You could also invest in stocks or real estate, but these options require initial capital and carry some risk.

What's a good work-from-home side hustle right now?

A good side hustle to work from home right now is ecommerce, such as selling products on platforms like Etsy, eBay, or Amazon. With the increasing popularity of online shopping, there's potential for significant profit if you can identify a niche market.

What is a fun side hustle?

A fun side hustle could be teaching a skill you're passionate about, like music, dance, or art, either through online platforms or in-person classes. If you like pets, becoming a dog walker is always a fun side hustle, too. 

What are some side hustles for students?

Some perfect side hustles for students include tutoring in subjects they excel in, working as a campus ambassador for brands, or starting a small business like selling handmade crafts or custom-designed clothing. These options allow students to earn money while balancing their academic workload.