Millennials are well known as the generation of the “side hustle”. With many of them looking to make extra money to pay off loans, put towards a house, or other important investments, having a second job is quite common. Unfortunately, for many millennials, the emergence of COVID-19 has resulted in even more individuals looking for alternative sources of income due to layoffs, pay cuts, or reduced hours from their main employers.
If you have found yourself in this position, the great news is that there is a ton of freelance opportunities out there! In fact, we asked nine business professionals what side gigs they would recommend to individuals looking to make additional income at this moment. Regardless of your experience or talents, there is a gig for you on this list!
Qwick
For anyone that has experience in the food and beverage industry, Qwick doubles as a great source of supplemental income and also a great way local restaurants keep up with staffing. Restaurants are getting killed by staffing right now, and Qwick is looking to connect them with people that want to work.
Zack McCarty, Qwick
Tap into the Beauty Industry
Tapping into the beauty industry is a great place to start as a side gig. Cutting hair, doing nails, or doing eyelash extensions are all things that can be done alongside another job. While these side gigs require extensive training to be certified, it can be done! The Lash Professional offers online training classes to become a certified lash technician so you can begin taking clients and making your side hustle profitable!
Vanessa Molica, The Lash Professional
Temp Jobs
Temp jobs like a grocery store clerk or retail cashier can be helpful for you if you need a little bump in your savings. These types of jobs exist everywhere and shifts are flexible. It may seem a little silly to do a job that traditionally boasts high schoolers and college students but the boost in your pocket could be enough to convince you.
Ryan Nouis, TruPath
Freelance your Skills
If you have any marketing skills at all, companies will gladly hire you to freelance their blog writing, social media management or even graphic design work. Do research on sites like Freelancer for writing opportunities. Explore 99Designs for graphic design jobs. Contact local businesses to ask them if they need help running their social media platforms and then show them your portfolio. The opportunities are endless when it comes to freelancing!
Kayla Centeno, Markitors
Upwork + Fiverr
My side gig suggestion if you want to make money within the next month is to sign up to Upwork and Fiverr with any skill you have. You can sell a lot of services like writing, website development, transcribing, and so much more, and if you feel you don’t have any of those skills, many of them are easily learned. If you have a longer time frame, I would suggest affiliate marketing if you’re interested in making websites, writing content, and owning something that can earn you money month after month.
Tiffany Shan, Film Recommend
Writing and Tutoring
Take what you know in your industry and tutor others who are prepping for upcoming exams and certifications. Specifically for my industry, there is a high number of students looking to fill accounting roles. These students are likely starting to research the CPA Exam and prepare for it. You can offer to tutor these enthusiasts or even write blogs or articles for famous websites or start your own blog.
Bryan Kesler, CPA Exam Guide
Turn to the Gig Economy
If you want to make money on the side, turning to the gig economy is one of the fastest and most lucrative options available. Online gigs like blogging or starting your own business often take months or even years to turn a profit. In contrast, gig economy jobs like delivering food for DoorDash or working as a rideshare driver for Uber and Lyft let you start earning extra money incredibly fast. Additionally, driving isn’t your only option. You can walk dogs with Rover, rent out a room on Airbnb or help people move with Handy. If you live in a major city, there’s definitely enough gig economy opportunities to boost your income.
Tom Blake, This Online World
Offer Lead Generation Services
Help businesses with lead generation. Every business in your city runs off leads, whether it is a guest at a restaurant or a client of a medical center. Find two or three high value services, like home renovations or massages and offer to promote the service on a pay-for-results basis. For example, if massages are $60 you could charge $40 for each new customer. The value to the business owner is the long term value of repeat business and referrals. To attract the leads, post on sites like Craigslist and you can even make simple posters to hang around your city.
Michael Alexis, Teambuilding
Bookkeeping
Businesses continue to need people to track their financial information for them, meaning that working as a bookkeeper can be a really lucrative side hustle. In fact, it’s reported that you can earn an average of $80 per hour. Not only does it let you work whenever you want (as long as you meet relevant deadlines), but all you need is a computer, an internet connection and a keen eye for detail. There are specific sites online where you can search for bookkeeping opportunities, but advertising your services on Upwork and Freelancer can also be a great start.
Anna Barker, Logical Dollar
