Inflation rates being what they are, it’s no wonder everyone is trying to supplement their income. With the cost of living ever on the up, it’s only natural that people are relying more and more on having any additional sources of income, leading to the rise of the “side hustle.”
A side hustle is small-scale paid work generally consisting of small tasks that can be done relatively quickly. Side hustles are varied, and many people usually have multiple, as the skills required for most side hustles are either universal or easily learned.
To assist anyone who may be looking for a way to support their main income stream or earn a bit of extra money during difficult times, here is our list of the most accessible and profitable side hustles.
Content and Copywriting
You know how the internet is full of articles, news, and information? Well, chances are, unless what you’re reading is an actual study, the article or blog you’re reading has been written by a copywriter: a person hired to research a particular subject and write about it.
Marketing companies like WebOracle use content writers in Australia to help companies advertise effectively and increase their business.
As a freelancer, content and copywriters make variable amounts of money, but are generally paid either per article or per word, and if you manage to get on the freelancing roster of a few marketing companies, it can be quite a lucrative venture.
Streaming
Possibly one of the best things about side hustles is how accessible they are. Many side hustles involve monetising hobbies, meaning you can potentially do something you enjoy doing while getting paid for it. One example of this is streaming on an online platform like Twitch.
While streaming content in and of itself does require a bit of extra effort in terms of the marketing stages to develop an audience, it is one of the most easily started side hustles out there. You can stream basically anything you can think of. Video gaming is one of the most popular hobbies, but you can also stream karaoke and take requests from audiences, as well as hobbies such as model building or tabletop games. Some people have even streamed themselves sleeping, setting up donation amounts that wake them up when audience members donate a certain amount of money.
App Testing
It used to be that people would say, “I have an app for that.” It was a sign of the times. Nowadays, we know there’s an app for everything. But there are still millions of people making more apps for more things. When these apps are being made, eventually, people need them to be tested to make sure they work properly and know what bugs and glitches need fixing.
There is some money to be made in performing this service for app developers. They will give you a test build version of the app they’re developing, and you will be allowed to use the app for an agreed-upon amount of time, after which you will provide information regarding your experience, what issues you ran into, and anything else the company might need from you.
There are many services that connect companies that need app testing with people willing to test said apps. Signing on with one of those companies will allow you to get your start as an app tester.
Social Media Management
People tend to think that influencers and digital companies somehow have it easier. What they don’t understand is that the internet and the effective use of social media to promote a business is as much a science as it is an art, relying in equal measure on creative flair and analytical ability. Between market research, metrics on every post, and the analysis of data from multiple platforms, managing social media for a company is a huge undertaking that requires specialised knowledge.
But, for someone who has the knowledge, managing a company’s social media accounts can be a lucrative business for someone who is looking for a decent side hustle from the comfort of their own home. All you need is a phone and a laptop or computer, and an internet connection.
How to Start
The thing about side hustles is that they often take a fair amount of time to get off the ground.
Some of them, like streaming, might even require specialist gear or equipment. However, if you can manage to make it through those initial teething stages, then starting a side hustle can be an incredibly viable form of income that will allow you to live just a little bit easier.
