So you’re thinking about starting a side hustle. Good for you. Lots of folks are trying to figure out how to find the right side hustle to earn extra money, save time, and do something they enjoy. It’s definitely not just about the money – though that can be a nice perk.
Maybe you’re tired of the 9-to-5 grind, itching for a creative outlet, or simply dreaming of being your own boss. Whatever your motivation, there’s a side hustle out there with your name on it, but how to find the right side hustle takes some thought.
It’s all about finding the right fit for you, so we’ll walk you through all the easy steps to nail it down.
How to Find The Right Side Hustle
Every person can have any hustle idea. However, we are unique, making it a hustle idea that is good for one and may not be for others. Fret not because this guide will help you learn how to find the right side hustle, which means earning extra money without exhausting you.
Step 1: Figure Out “Why”
This is the exciting part. But don’t skip this step – it’s super important to nail down your “why” for starting a side hustle. Having a clear goal in mind will keep you motivated.
Are you chasing that big-ticket item, battling a mountain of debt, or aiming to build a nest egg for your future?
Perhaps you dream of launching your own full-time business one day and want to test the waters first. Maybe you want more freedom or to ditch the morning commute.
Defining success right now is essential to learning how to find the right side hustle for your wants, needs, and dreams.
Step 2: Identify Your Skills and Passion
This step will set you on the right track. Take some time to honestly assess what you’re already good at. You might be surprised at how many valuable skills you have. It’s okay if some of these come from your hobbies—anything you do with expertise can be a gold mine for a hustle idea.
Think back to college—were there certain subjects you consistently excelled at? Even simple things, like your killer organization or your natural charm when talking to people could turn into successful hustle ideas. What are some things you can do in your spare time?
Take it a step further. We’re also looking at what lights you up. What do you already spend hours on because you find it super rewarding, maybe even more so than your main job? Don’t overthink this; perhaps it’s playing guitar or gardening.
Don’t worry if some of those passions feel too “niche.” These can work perfectly in today’s digital world. Think about selling digital products or creating online courses around your passion, and that could be the best hustle idea for you.
Step 3: Match Passions with Markets
Now for some serious exploration. We need to know if those skills and passions actually translate into profit, and for that, you’ll have to do some research to uncover where they intersect with real-world side hustle ideas.
Many Americans find side hustle ideas. But, a little research can save you a lot of headaches down the road. The gig economy is evolving, but trends change constantly.
It’s critical to ensure the market supports what you offer and that you’re aiming for something profitable, even with competition. In short, you should know the income potential of your hustle idea.
Step 4: Gauge How Much Time You Can Give
This part can get tough. To discover how to find the right side hustle that aligns with your lifestyle, you’ll need to do an honest assessment of how much free time you can dedicate.
Are your weekends swamped with errands? Nights crammed with Netflix and chill? Be realistic.
While extra cash is the dream, burnout will just make life worse.
Do you thrive in the mornings, or are evenings your peak performance hours? This should also factor in because you’ll be giving up some of this free time. Evenings and weekends might be your only free time to dedicate to a side hustle.
As long as you earn money without being exhausted or without sacrificing your full-time job, then that hustle idea can be a potential one.
Step 5. Check the Earning Potential
Time for a reality check. Are you shooting for small goals or a full income replacement?
Different gigs will have vastly different incomes. Maybe you just need to save $200 a month to build that travel fund or make $500 per week to get that debt monkey off your back.
Some options for additional income, like dog walking or pet sitting (paying $19 an hour) and babysitting (which pays $7 to $24 an hour), might pay weekly or bi-weekly depending on how many hours you work and if it’s something that aligns with your interests. Again, ask yourself, “Do you like animals or working with kids?”
Think hard. Do you need cash flowing immediately, or is delayed gratification an option? Freelancing (44 million people are part of the gig economy) or creating a YouTube channel (2.7 billion YouTube users watch content every day) can grow steadily but sometimes require a lot of up-front work before any significant money rolls in.
Once you know how much you can earn from these hustle ideas, you can evaluate if they’re perfect for complementing your day job.
Step 6: See the Big Picture
It’s not just about today, is it? While cash flow matters, what about five years down the line? This is the journey of figuring out how to find the right side hustle that goes beyond immediate needs.
Are you aiming to develop long-term, highly sought-after skills that can boost your entire career or pivot to something new? If so, factor this into your selection. That part-time gig stocking shelves might bring quick income but not valuable career experience.
Imagine starting out selling digital art prints as a creative outlet. With consistent work and dedication, maybe your online store will prosper, creating passive income while you chase your artistic passions full-time.
A clear long-term vision might even push you toward more challenging gigs, like virtual assistant work or dropshipping, which requires patience and can become a full-time gig.
In fact, dropshipping may surpass $500 billion between 2020 and 2026, according to experts. This means dropshippers have a bright future, making their business becomes successful when done right.
Maybe even podcasting is more up your alley. With the popularity of this hustle, it has potential if you’re willing to spend time promoting your podcast through YouTube (2.7 billion YouTube users can’t be wrong).
If done correctly, your earning potential could average out to be $18 to $50 for every 1,000 listens. You could even earn extra income by having affiliate links in your show notes or social media accounts.
Step 7: Choose Your Side Hustle
Once you’ve tackled that initial work, you should be excited. Now is the time to hone in on the top three side hustle ideas, your most promising gigs for success. Let’s face it: this is super exciting.
Even with limited time and resources, there’s a ton of flexibility here. Your side hustle needs to blend nicely into your daily life to work.
Examining Your Choices
Use these tips to narrow it down. Start by figuring out the real-world investment for each option – this goes beyond cash. Will this require travel time or special certifications like online tutoring (which pays around $18 an hour) that take time to obtain?
Consider all your limitations.
Does your home office only exist between the couch and your coffee table? Are you truly reliable about answering emails within 24 hours? The right side hustle doesn’t need a mountain of cash upfront but requires skills you truly possess, not those you hope to develop.
Honesty is key here. This might lead to one hustle standing out as needing significantly more upfront investment or another simply requiring more hours in a day than you can actually commit to. Are there any upfront costs associated with each hustle?
Step 8: Research Deep – Getting into the Nitty Gritty
To master how to find the right side hustle and truly crush it, don’t forget to check out the competition. Who are your major competitors, and what makes their service stand out?
If your vision involves selling handmade jewelry, scope out popular online marketplaces and analyze what competitors offer. This might highlight pricing strategies or potential product gaps that you could exploit.
Maybe your niche focuses on vintage fashion; could partnering with sustainable or recycled textile sources elevate your brand in today’s eco-conscious world?
Step 9: Test Your Hustle Idea
Why commit without dipping a toe in first? Instead of going all in, start small. Your first move could be offering heavily discounted work to gain early experience or creating a very targeted product list before overstocking your spare bedroom with inventory.
This stage also lets you seek valuable feedback, fine-tuning processes, or product selection.
Maybe you thought virtual customer service would be your perfect gig, but the sheer number of instant messages drives you nuts after just one day. Could you handle customer service, or would you need to hire help?
You’ll never know if you don’t try the side hustle idea you’ve listed.
Step 10: Refine and Grow – Continuous Improvement Is King
Side hustles, just like full-time businesses, are ongoing endeavors. Staying stagnant can mean failing. That initial launch is simply the first step.
Consistent, measurable success requires continual evaluation, testing, and even adapting based on client feedback or changing market trends.
For example, suppose your meal-prepping service booms when you post recipe walkthroughs on your new YouTube channel (after all, 2.7 billion YouTube users give you quite an audience). Perhaps then you expand by offering downloadable PDF grocery lists.
Continual market research ensures your chosen gig remains aligned with those initial goals. That side hustle success depends on maintaining momentum and continuously evolving to meet demands.
Your side hustle social media can make or break you as well. Be sure to take some time to create a social media marketing strategy and make a schedule of when you’ll post social media content.
FAQs
How do I figure out my side hustle?
The first step is determining what you’re passionate about and what skills you possess. Are you great at graphic design, or can make a delicious five-star meal? These might lead to a potential side hustle that can be successful.
Then, determine what you need to earn to support yourself. Do you need quick cash or a substantial source of long-term income? There are many side hustles that require no money to get started.
What is the #1 side hustle?
No two side hustles are the same. The best hustle depends on what aligns with your wants, needs, goals, and lifestyle. The best side hustles involve turning your interests into profit.
Which side hustle makes the most money?
While hustle income potential varies greatly across side hustle options, some industries often yield higher earnings compared to others. Consulting, coaching, and high-demand freelancing, such as specialized writing or programming, generally offer above-average compensation but require years of expertise.
Similarly, owning and managing a successful online store, while potentially lucrative, demands dedication and investment.
How to make an extra $2,000 a month?
Reaching a $2,000 monthly goal through side hustling depends heavily on your chosen avenue. High-demand services, such as expert consulting, could involve just a few clients at a premium rate.
Conversely, supplementing income with consistent dog walking might mean committing more hours to reach that same financial goal.
Conclusion
It all comes down to you and those aspirations. Figuring out how to find the right side hustle takes a lot of thought. It’s exciting, and you have complete control over it, so use these tips to steer yourself.
Remember to make this fun, because isn’t that why you started exploring in the first place?
So much opportunity is out there – but knowing how to find the right side hustle is your path to success. The biggest thing to remember is that your perfect fit is out there, so don’t settle for something that drains your soul.
