After the COVID pandemic showed the world that they are capable of working from home, the idea of starting a “side hustle” and earning some additional income skyrocketed. However, finding that right side hustle is one of the most challenging aspects of starting this journey. There are endless opportunities and options, which can be both good and bad. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the best side hustles to start in 2023.
What we are going to focus on in this article is 3 main things.
1. How easy it is to get started.
2. How much money do you have to invest to get started?
3. How quickly can you actually earn profits.
Let’s dive into the top five side hustles whether you are a digital nomad, freelancer, remote worker, part-time employed, or fully employed!
What is a side hustle?
A side hustle is any form of supplemental income earned outside of your full-time job. It can be anything from driving for a ride-sharing service to selling handmade goods online to becoming a social media influencer. Side hustles are often ways to make extra money, but they can also lead to starting a whole new business or career.
Side hustles may also be called side gigs, part-time jobs, freelance work, or moonlighting.
1. Become a freelance writer
In the number one spot for the best side hustles to start in 2023 is freelance writing. It’s a great way to make money on the side because it’s relatively easy to get started and you don’t need to invest any money upfront. All you need is a computer and an internet connection.
If you have basic writing skills, you can start offering your services to businesses and individuals who need content for their websites or blog posts. You can also sign up for platforms like Fiverr or Upwork to find writing gigs. And once you build up a portfolio of work, you can start charging more for your services.
The great thing about freelance writing is that there is always demand for well-written content and there are many ways to monetize your skills. You can earn per word, per article, or per project. And you can work as much or as little as you want.
If you’re looking for a way to make money on the side, freelance writing is a great option.
Here are some tips to get started as a freelance writer:
- Start by offering your services for free or at a low rate to build up a portfolio of work.
- Find clients through online job boards, social media, or word-of-mouth referrals.
- Create a website or blog to showcase your work and attract new clients.
- Network with other writers and professionals in your field.
- Stay up to date with trends in your niche to offer relevant and high-quality content to your clients.
Some of the best places to get freelance writing jobs to include:
How much can you earn as a freelance writer?
As we briefly mentioned, freelance writer pay can greatly vary. It all depends on your skills, experience, and the type of writing you do. For example, a freelance copywriter can earn anywhere from $25 to $200 per hour. And a freelance blogger can earn anything from $50 to $500 per article.
Of course, as with any side hustle, the more you work, the more you’ll earn. So, if you’re looking to make a full-time income from freelance writing, it’s definitely possible.
Why is becoming a freelance writer a great side hustle?
There are many reasons that freelance writing in one of the best side hustles to start, but here is a quick debrief on why it takes the number one spot on our list.
Pros:
- Anyone who can speak English well can become a freelance writer.
- There are AI writing tools available that can drastically speed up your writing times.
- You can work an extra 1 hour per day, and earn an extra $50-$100.
- It is very easy work, and if you pick a niche you enjoy it can be very enjoyable and relaxing.
- You can work remotely, work while traveling, and earn as much money as you want if you learn the ins and outs of being a full-time travel writer.
- You can start earning money immediately.
Cons:
- You need to be able to write well, and quickly, in order to make a good hourly wage.
- You will likely have to start working for very low rates when beginning your freelance writing career.
- You can get “writer’s block” which can lead to dry spells of no work and no income (again, AI writing solves this problem).
2. Garage sale and marketplace buying and selling
Second on our list of the best side hustles to start for 2023 on our list is buying and selling items on garage sales, flea markets, and online marketplaces. This is a great way to earn extra money because you can find items that are deeply discounted and resell them for a profit.
You can also buy things in bulk and sell them individually for a higher price. For example, you could buy a bunch of clothes from a clothing store clearance sale and then sell them on eBay or Poshmark for a higher price.
The key to making money with this side hustle is to be patient and look for deals. You’ll also need to invest some time into taking good photos and writing quality descriptions of the items you’re selling. But if you’re willing to put in the work, you can definitely make some extra cash with this side hustle.
Here are some tips to get started:
- Check out garage sales, flea markets, and online marketplaces like eBay and Poshmark for deals.
- Invest in a good camera and learn how to take quality photos.
- Write detailed and accurate descriptions of the items you’re selling.
- Price your items competitively to attract buyers.
- Promote your items through social media and other online channels.
- Offer shipping or delivery options to make it easy for buyers to purchase from you.
- Be patient and keep looking for deals.
Picking up free items and selling them for a profit!
Another form of buying and selling is using free online marketplaces to pick up items, and then reselling them on a different marketplace. This is especially easy if you have a truck or are able to deliver the items to the new buyer.
If you spend a few weekends swinging by garage sales, you may find a few hidden gems that can be worth a lot of money. Oftentimes people have garage sales strictly out of convenience. This means they want to get rid of the items as quickly as possible and may not be too concerned with how much they make.
To get started, simply download a garage sale app like OfferUp or LetGo, browse for items in your area, and message the sellers to see if they’re interested in selling to you.
All this requires is a little effort from you, and you can capitalize out of convenience for the individual trying to get rid of items.
Why are garage sales and free marketplaces great side hustles?
We love garage sailing and free marketplaces for many reasons, but the number one reason is that you again can make some immediate money, without needing any new skills at all.
Pros:
- The items are at a deep discount.
- You can resell the items for a profit.
- Can make money immediately.
- No new skills required.
- Can find some hidden gems that can sell for large profits.
Cons:
- It can take some time to find good deals.
- You may need to invest in a camera and learn how to take quality photos.
- You’ll need to invest some time into writing quality (although our AI writing software can help with this ;)).
- Having a vehicle will drastically help.
3. Make food or grocery deliveries
The third side hustle that can make immediate profits is making food or grocery deliveries.
There are many apps and websites that allow you to sign up to be a delivery driver, such as DoorDash, Instacart, and Postmates. Once you’re signed up, you can start accepting delivery orders from customers in your area.
The great thing about this side hustle is that it’s extremely flexible – you can work as little or as much as you want, and there’s no commitment required. You also get to choose your own hours, so it’s perfect for those who need to make some extra cash but have a limited amount of time available.
I also want to note, that this side hustle can be especially successful if you live in a city that has a fairly dense population. If a city is extremely spread out, like Los Angeles for example, you may spend too much time driving around picking up deliveries.
However, if you happen to live in a city like New York or Toronto, then all you need is a bicycle, and you can make a killing with this side hustle!
To get started, simply sign up with one of the many delivery apps or websites and start accepting orders in your area!
Why is becoming a food delivery driver one of the best side hustles for 2023?
Pros:
- Flexible hours – work as little or as much as you want.
- Can make good money – often better than minimum wage.
- Tips can add even more to your earnings.
- If you live in the right city or neighborhood, you can make a killing.
- Healthy lifestyle if you are biking everywhere!
Cons:
- May have to deal with difficult customers.
- Could have long wait times for orders during busy periods.
- Takes up your time.
- Need a vehicle or bicycle.
4. Drive for Uber or Lyft
The next on our list of the top side hustles is driving for Uber or Lyft.
They are essentially taxi services that allow people to book rides through their app. Drivers then pick up the passengers and drive them to their destination.
Driving for Uber or Lyft can be a great way to make some extra cash, as you can set your own hours and work as little or as much as you want. The pay is also generally pretty good, although it will vary depending on the city you’re driving in and how busy it is.
How do you get started driving for Uber or Lyft?
According to the Uber website, there are three primary requirements to make driving your side hustle.
- Create an account on the company’s website. Make a profile by telling us about yourself and your vehicle. Register to drive a car.
- Submit your license to them for screening to ensure you have no violations against your name.
- Activate your account online and bring your vehicle in for inspection. This helps ensure the safety of the passengers.
Be sure to look up the requirements online to make sure you qualify to be a Lyft or Uber driver!
How much do Uber drivers actually make?
The amount that you make as an Uber or Lyft driver will depend on a few factors.
First, it depends on the city that you’re driving in. In larger cities, there is generally more demand for rides, so drivers can make more money. Second, it also depends on how busy it is – if it’s during rush hour or late at night, you’ll likely make more money per ride. Finally, it also depends on how many tips you get from passengers. According to Salary.com, you can expect to earn about $15 to $22 per hour as an Uber driver.
Why is rideshare driving one of the best side hustles for 2023?
Pros:
- You can make good money – often better than minimum wage.
- Flexible hours – work as little or as much as you want.
- You can use your own car.
- No new skills required
- Start earning immediately
Cons:
- Can deal with intoxicated or difficult customers
- You have to own a vehicle
- You have to have a license and meet the safety requirements
- It takes up your time
- Gas prices are increasing
5. Ticket buying and reselling
Coming in at number five on the list of the best side hustles to start for 2023 is ticket buying and reselling.
With the rise of social media and online ticketing platforms, it has become easier than ever to buy and sell tickets for events. Whether it’s a concert, a sporting event, or a theatre show, there is always someone out there who is willing to pay more for a ticket than face value.
To get started in this side hustle, all you need is an internet connection, a credit card, and a PayPal account. Then, simply start scouring the internet for tickets that are being sold at below face value. Once you find a good deal, buy the tickets and re-sell them at a higher price!
You can use websites like StubHub or Ticketmaster to help you find tickets to resell.
Tips for earning as a ticket buyer and reseller.
- You have to be aware of the concerts that are coming and are in high demand. If you know a big act is touring, buy the tickets as soon as they go on sale!
- Be quick to buy the tickets when you find them at a lower price. If you wait too long, somebody else will snatch them up.
- Sell the tickets for a higher price, but don’t try to rip people off. You want to make a profit, but you also want to sell the tickets so that people are willing to come back to you in the future.
Why is buying and reselling tickets one of the best side hustles for 2023?
Buying and selling tickets, whether it is a sporting event or a concert is one of the easiest ways to make a great side income. You can do it all from the comfort of your home, and you don’t need any special skills or qualifications.
Pros:
- You can make good money
- You can do it from your own home
- You do not need any licenses
- You can start immediately
- You can work around your regular job or school schedule
Cons:
- You have to purchase the tickets out of pocket first
- If the ticket does not sell out, you are at risk of losing money
The best side hustles for 2023:
There you have it! The 5 best side hustles for 2023 to earn immediate income without requiring any new skills at all!
At the top of the list, we have freelance writing, which is a great way to make money from your existing skillset. Coming in the number two spot we have used garage sales and online marketplaces to buy and sell products. Then we have food delivery services. Followed by rideshare driving. And then closing out the list of the top 5 side hustles for 2023, we have buying and selling tickets.
Regardless of which side hustle you choose to start, remember to have fun and enjoy the extra income!
Do you have any other side hustles that you think should be on this list? Let us know in the comments below!
