Whether you’re looking to make a little extra cash to build up an emergency fund or need the money to help you pay your bills or debts, a side hustle can be extremely beneficial when you need money. The term “side hustle” has blown up over the past few years, and it seems like almost everyone has one these days. But it’s not hard to see why. Full-time jobs aren’t cutting it the way they used to. And more people are playing with the idea of turning their hobbies into full-time jobs by exploring them outside of their regular 9-5.
If you’ve been interested in starting a side hustle in 2023 but are unsure what interests you, don’t fret. We’re rounding up some of the hottest side hustles for the year so that you can walk away with your pockets a little fuller.
Hottest Side Hustles for 2023
- Blogging
We know what you’re probably thinking–blogs are so 2015. But that’s actually not the case at all. In fact, in a study done by HubSpot, blogs are one of the top-used marketing platforms for businesses. WordPress also reportedly has over 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages a month. With those numbers, it’s pretty safe to say that blogging is still very much relevant, and it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.
Though this is a side hustle that requires some patience and hard work initially, if you’re willing to play the waiting game, you can eventually make a full-time living writing–especially if you take advantage of affiliate marketing and ads.
- Social Media Managemet
Social media may be the bane of many’s existences, but there’s no denying that social media platforms are here to stay. If you consider yourself creative or you enjoy all things graphic design, social media management might be for you. Not only are these jobs extremely easy to find thanks to sites like Upwork and Freelancer, but there’s always a need for SMMs. And because all of the work is done online, it’s perfect for anyone looking for something entirely remote.
- Pet Sitting
Ever heard of Rover? The site has become increasingly popular with pet parents and pet sitters alike. You can set up at-home care for animals while their owners are on vacation or working long hours. Caring for these animals ranges from taking them on walks, playing fetch to get some of their energy out, or staying with them for days at a time. Who wouldn’t want to cuddle with cute puppies and get paid for it?
- Virtual Assistant
Becoming a virtual assistant is yet another great option for those looking for a job that they can do out of the comfort of their own homes. If you love all things organization, you’ll love this one. You’ll be responsible for everything from bookkeeping, scheduling appointments, replying to emails, and booking travel. Think of it as a customer service position without having to be in front of people all the time.
- Online Tutoring
Feel like you’ve missed your calling as a teacher? Think you’re patient enough to help others get an education? Try online tutoring! You can teach kids in foreign countries English, or you can help others in areas that they’re struggling with (i.e., math or science). To get started, check out sites such as Cambly, Superprof, or VIPKid.
- Deliver Food or Groceries
Grocery shopping is not for everyone. That’s why platforms such as Instacart were created. If grocery shopping is therapeutic for you (or you just don’t mind it too much), consider picking up other people’s groceries through a grocery delivery program. It’s an ideal option when you don’t have too much time but just want to make a little extra money. You can also make your own schedule.
The same holds true for delivering food. Though becoming a GrubHub, Postmates, or DoorDash isn’t the most lucrative option on this list, if you’re in a pinch, it’s worth trying out. Just like with groceries, you can choose when to work and what deliveries you do or do not want to pick up based on your location.
- Take Survey
If you have some extra time on your hands and you’re looking for mindless work that will make you some money, take surveys. According to ZipRecruiter, the hourly wages of an online survey taker range from $11 to $37. Though the lower end of this doesn’t seem like much, there are plenty of opportunities out there pay more. Before you get started with this side hustle, we recommend doing your research and finding platforms that offer hourly pay. They may be harder to come across, but it’s worth it.
- Proofreading
We mentioned blogging earlier but know that not everyone loves to write. However, an attention to detail and a love for reading makes for a great proofreader. This is another one in which you’ll always be able to find jobs, and you can pick and choose how many clients you want to take on at one time.
- Photography
Okay, so this one is typically a full-time job, and it can become yours too (if that’s something you’re interested in), but it’s also an idea for those who want something in the art world. Of course, this does require a lot of money upfront to buy the equipment, but if there’s one thing that we know, it’s that investing in yourself is worth it. Build up your portfolio by taking photos of family and friends before moving on to graduation photos, engagements, weddings, etc.
