Choosing the path of entrepreneurship, and working on your side hustle business idea, is without a doubt riskier than being content with holding a 9-5 job.
It requires way more sacrifice. However, once you’re reaping the lifestyle benefits of being your own boss and hustling your way into making significantly more money than you ever could at your day job, the hard work will have all been worth it.
So here are some business ideas you can start today.
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It is a way for a company to sell its products by signing up individuals or companies (“affiliates”) who market the company’s products for a commission There are two ways to approach affiliate marketing: You can offer an affiliate program to others or you can sign up to be another business’s affiliate.
As the business driving an affiliate program, you’ll pay your affiliates a commission fee for every lead or sale they drive to your website.
Your main goal should be to find affiliates who’ll reach untapped markets.
For example, a company with an e-zine may make a good affiliate because its subscribers are hungry for resources.
So introducing your offer through a “trusted” company can grab the attention of prospects you might not have otherwise reached.
Social Media Manager
As a social media manager, you’ll need to: develop a social media strategy and set goals to increase brand awareness and increase engagement. manage all social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google + and Instagram.
At Home Day Care
Business Ideas You Can Start Today: The daycare should have a welcoming, friendly atmosphere and be known for its nurturing environment. Ask the provider for names and numbers of current clients, and call them for references.
Also, your own first impressions definitely matter here.
The best home daycares have structured schedules that include plenty of time for physical activity, quiet time (including daily story time), group programs, individual activities, meals, snacks, and free time.
Television and videos should play little or no part in what your child does all day.
A well-thought-out curriculum stimulates your child’s development and makes daily life more fun. Also, look for a home daycare that offers regular outings that are well supervised, stimulating, and age-appropriate (like trips to a park or museum).
Become A Business Or Life Coach
If you’re passionate about the business world or able to influence and encourage others in your own unique way, you may want to consider marketing your services as a business or life coach.
Use your passion and expertise to give advice and suggest actionable steps people can take to improve their professional and personal lives.
Website Design
Many small businesses in your community could use a very basic web presence to tell others about their business. Quite often, these businesses don’t have a large budget for such things.
That’s where you come in – get a bunch of clients from the local community by beating the pavement, create sites for them, and maintain them for a small fee.
Get enough businesses and you have a nice side business of your own that doesn’t require a ton of maintenance time.
House Staging
Business Ideas You Can Start Today: For those of you with an eye for killer interior design. House staging is setting up a house to maximise its appeal to potential buyers.
It’s quite the science but if you’re good at it, you can make a fortune in commission.
Make & Sell Stuff
If there’s one thing pet owners love doing, it’s buying their animals presents. From squeezy dog toys to cat scratch poles, there’s a lot of money to be made from making a product.
Create your own store on Shopify and market through social media.
Sewing Or Tailoring
If you already know how to sew and you’re skilled at tailoring or hemming clothes, you could easily turn this skill into a side business.
Why? Because a lot of people don’t know how to use a sewing machine.
You could also earn extra money by teaching others how to sew with small, at-home classes.
Web Development
As a web developer, you’ll build incredibly valuable skills that are in extremely high demand. You can get up to speed on building websites in as little as a few months with inexpensive or free online education programs like Treehouse, the Web Developer Bootcamp on Udemy and Codecademy.
Once you command a knowledge of HTML, Ruby, Python, Javascript, or CSS, you can start a freelance business as a side hustle to build your portfolio while you still hold onto your full-time job.
Over time, you’ll build more relationships, have more experience and eventually take this side hustle business idea over to becoming a full-time source of income.
Dog Walking Or Pet Sitting
Business Ideas You Can Start Today: Starting a neighbourhood dog walking or pet sitting business is a great way to add some extra cash to your pocket.
After all, people aren’t afraid to spend money on their pets, even in a down economy.
According to the American Pet Products Association, over 46 million households in the U.S. own a pet. And in spite of the recession, household spending on pets keeps going up.
In 2008, right when the recession started, we spent $43.2 billion on our pets. In 2010, we spent $48.35 billion. Pet owners are expected to top $50 billion.
Freelance Writing
You can earn great money as a freelance writer, especially if you get into commercial copywriting (i.e. writing for businesses and corporations).
Blogging is also a great way to earn money as a writer, especially if you align yourself with an established blog. Keep in mind that competition is fierce right now; many people turned to freelance when the recession hit to earn some extra money on the side.
So you’re going to have to fight your way into this market.
The good news, however, is that quality writing never goes out of style, and there are far more bad writers out there than great ones. So if you’re good and you’re persistent, you’re going to find work.
Check out sites like Elance.com to get started, and learn more about factors to consider when setting freelance writing rates.
Wedding Planner
Business Ideas You Can Start Today: If you’re one of those people who can’t help but flip through bridal magazines and think about various wedding arrangements in your daydreams, wedding planning might be the perfect thing for you.
A great way to get started is to develop a website or blog on the topic, get to know people online and promote your services at local wedding venues and throughout the community.
Catering
Business Ideas You Can Start Today: The catering business is a $70 billion industry. Yes, more people are cooking at home to save money, but there are still plenty of busy families and professionals out there who simply don’t have time to cook healthy, delicious meals.
If you’re a whiz in the kitchen, you could earn some great money catering on the side.
If you don’t want to offer a full line of meals, why not focus on one thing?
For instance, there are plenty of shops on Etsy that sell homemade gourmet cookies (e.g. Earl Gray Sandwich cookies, Cupcakes in a Jar, or gourmet caramels).
Pool Cleaning
Business Ideas You Can Start Today: Only do this if you know what you’re doing, you don’t want to be responsible for a swimming pool turning green.
Contrary to popular opinion, you don’t have to be 21 and well-built to do this job.
Virtual Assistant
Many ultra-busy professionals appreciate having someone who can check and answer their email, organize task lists for them, update their calendars, and other administrative tasks, with minimal interaction.
The best part is that you can provide this service from home with a good Internet connection is one of Business Ideas You Can Start Today.
Start A Resume Writing Service
If you’re excellent at crafting amazing resumes that ultimately result in people getting the job, consider marketing those services.
Most of your work will revolve around writing, editing, designing, and proofreading, so you will need a few supplies outside of your computer and basic software to get started.
These are just some of the many side business opportunities that have grown more common in the past few years.
However, there are many more out there already, in addition to some that are yet to be discovered.
As you embark on your new side business or “side hustle,” remember that you are only limited by your own imagination and skillset. Don’t be afraid to be creative, and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t succeed.
Online Courses
Using your skills for profit is a common trend with all of the best side hustle ideas. If you’re an expert at something, there’s likely an audience of people online who would be willing to pay to become an expert in your field—just like you.
If you want to take your skills and turn them into an online course that teaches others how to get the same results you’ve achieved in your life, career, or business, start with How to Create an Awesome Online Course on Udemy, where instructor Miguel Hernandez covers how he makes over $90,000/yr teaching online.
You’ll learn from more than 8 hours of video instruction.
Landscaping Services
Willing to mow lawns and trim bushes and trees?
Many people are quite happy to pay for such services, and the demand is persistent: Nature just keeps growing… and growing… and growing.
Not only is this a great side business for a fit adult, but it’s also a great way for a teenager to get a small business started.
Editing And Proofreading
It’s hard for writers, professionals or otherwise, to proofread their own work.
So many people hire editors and proofreaders to look over a piece before it goes to print.
You can advertise as a proofreader on Craigslist and Elance, or on the job board at FreelanceFolder. You can also flyer college campuses since professors and academics are always looking for good proofreaders.
Exercise Instructor
Many gymnasiums will trade membership and often a bit more for a person willing and able to teach an exercise class.
You can also find people who don’t want to go to a gym and train them at home as a personal trainer. If you’re in good shape, this is a great opportunity to earn some extra money, plus it can often lead to additional income with one-on-one instruction opportunities.