Sometimes your 9-to-5 job just doesn’t cut it and you need a little extra income to make ends meet.
And thanks to the internet, that’s never been easier!
Whether you have a passion for designing or a love for video-making, it’s time to start cashing in on your skills and hobbies online – all the while gaining valuable work experience, building your portfolio and increasing your job prospects in the process.
There are several side jobs that you can do online to earn extra money alongside your regular job on a freelance or part-time basis, and we’ve compiled a list of the 12 best online side jobs for your inspiration.
Dig in and get your hustle on!
Watch the video for the best side-gigs below:
1. Writer
If you’ve got a knack for writing and enough time to draft up engaging content, consider going for a freelance writing gig. There are hundreds of websites and blog owners out there who outsource their content looking for writers to join their teams.
You might scratch up articles or marketing materials like newsletters and landing pages. Choose your niche, find where your talent lies and hunt down a few writing jobs on websites like Upwork and Guru.
Depending on what and how much they write, freelance writers earn around $24 (£19) per hour.
2. Web/Graphic designer
If you’re a talented designer and desperate to make some extra money during your spare time, get those creative juices flowing and seek some design work online through sites like Coroflot or Authentic Jobs.
Whether you’re asked to create company logos or webpage templates, these small gigs are perfect for fitting around your existing work schedule. You also have the benefit of earning anything between $15 (£12) and $63 (£51) per hour.
3. Translator
If you’re bilingual and can adapt one language into another, you might want to look into translation side jobs. There are several agencies that hire freelance linguists to translate all kinds of documents, transcripts and materials. Sites like Gengo offer online opportunities to translate anything between a few hundred to tens of thousands of words.
Most translators charge by word count, often around $0.12 (£0.10) per word, so depending on how extensive your project is, you could be making big bucks out of this side job. You can even build your experience and eventually join a professional body or pursue certification to translate official documents.
4. Proofreader
Are you constantly correcting people’s grammar? With an online proofreading job, you can get paid to do just that. You can proofread articles, blog posts or even books from the comfort of your own home – which is always more productive!
With an excellent command of the English language (or language of choice) and great attention to detail, you can nab yourself a top-paying online proofreading gig. Qualifications are rarely required, the work is generally flexible and the yearly salary goes as high as $68,000 (£55,100).
5. Tutor
Your passion for teaching and strength in an academic subject can come to good use by becoming an online tutor. This job is a great side hustle for those who have spare time on their hands outside their 9-to-5. You don’t even require an advanced college degree – so long as you’re an expert in subjects like English, mathematics or chemistry, your services are high in demand.
You can advertise online through teaching sites like Udemy or at schools, colleges and universities. There might even be fixed part-time positions available, so don’t be afraid to put yourself forward.
6. Social media manager
Those who are social media-savvy have the benefit of turning their expertise into a side hustle. With some additional knowledge of internet marketing, you can dive into a part-time career as a social media manager.
Every business needs freelancers to build their online presence through Facebook or Twitter. If you’re a networking pro, you can get paid to do this behind your own desk – or phone!
Being a social media manager isn’t always a full-time role. With the right tools and mindset, you can schedule posts and set up campaigns in a couple of hours!
If this sounds right up your alley, head over to Upwork or Freelancer, or get in touch with local businesses to see if they’re hiring.
7. Blogger
If you know how to produce fresh and engaging content and have in-depth knowledge for a particular subject, why not start your own blog?
Owning a website can boost your CV and help you make money online. Of course, this can take time and effort, but once you do develop a readership, there are many ways you can monetise your blog, including through display ads or affiliate marketing.
Running a blog is an easy task on the side, and once you do make it big, you can consider making the move into full-time blogging!
8. Voiceover artist
Whether it’s for movies, video games or advertisements, voiceover artists are always in demand. Believe it or not, you don’t have to go to LA and fight it out in Hollywood to become a voiceover artist; you can do it in the comfort of your own home – in your pyjamas if you like!
If you have an ‘actor’s voice’, why not apply for this side job in your spare time? Some agencies may require you go to their studios, but others are perfectly happy with you working from home – as long as you have all the right equipment and a reliable internet connection!
9. Social media influencer
Sadly, becoming an overnight success as a social media influencer is incredibly rare, but if you’ve got what it takes, you can actually make huge amounts of money.
Influencers don’t just take the form of celebrities. Nowadays, they are also content creators (like bloggers and YouTube personalities) or ‘Instagram celebrities’.
If you have skills in marketing and advertising and, most importantly, knowledge of a specific subject, you can start building a loyal following and eventually attract brands to collaborate with you on sponsored posts. According to Fox Business, the average influencer makes between $30,000 (£24,300) and $100,000 (£81,000) per year by promoting products.
10. Virtual assistant
You can help successful business leaders and managers by becoming their virtual assistant!
This side job is ideal for those who have excellent organisational skills and enjoy helping others. Your responsibilities might include organising reports, managing social media, handling emails or bookkeeping.
Search for virtual assistant opportunities on sites like Zirtual or Outsourcely, and you can potentially make an extra income of around $10–$27 (£8–£22) per hour.
11. YouTuber
Love video-making? Have a shining personality? If you never managed to make it into acting or presenting, there’s always the glowing opportunity of becoming a YouTuber.
Like blogging and influencing, being a successful YouTuber takes a lot of hard work. But when you do make it, you could be earning anywhere between $3 (£2) and $10 (£8) per 1,000 views.
Having a sideline job as a YouTuber can be a brilliant way to release your creativity and make an additional income. Find your niche, start attracting an audience and make this side hustle profitable.
12. Customer service representative
Those extra hours after work or on the weekend can be dedicated to a customer service side job. If you enjoy liaising with clients, selling services and answering questions, this position is ideal for you. An additional way to earn more money and superb for spicing up your CV, becoming a customer service representative on the side is a great option.
This role isn’t as flexible as other freelance jobs, as it generally requires set hours and shifts, but if you do have the extra room in your daily schedule, it can be an easy way to make money online.
There are infinite ways of making extra money (we’d advise pursuing the legal ones) and our list of legit side gigs are a great place to start.
What other online side jobs would you recommend? Let us know in the comments section below!