Side gigs have become increasingly popular in recent years, and it’s no secret why. Especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, where many people have lost their primary jobs, side gigs or “side hustles” are a great way of bringing in secondary income that can supplement the loss of a paycheck.
However, even if you’re currently working full time, getting a side gig can be helpful to supplement your savings or put money towards a big purchase. It can also be a way to beat inflation and stay debt free. So, if you’re currently working full-time but want to learn how to start a side gig, keep reading!
What is a Side Gig or “Side Hustle”?
A side gig, also known as a “side hustle,” is any secondary job you can get outside of your regular employment that adds to your current income. A side hustle can be a variety of different jobs, including everything from freelance copywriting to food delivery. It can be something you do during certain shifts as well as something you pick up whenever you have time. You can start many different side gigs depending on the time you have, your interests, and your current schedule.
Choosing Something You’re Passionate About
The best tip for starting a side hustle outside of your full-time job is to pick something that you’re actually passionate about. When you already work a 9 to 5, motivating yourself to do even more work when you get home can be a tough sell. However, suppose your side gig is something you’re genuinely passionate about evolving into a money-making career. In that case, convincing yourself to work on it outside your regular job can be more manageable. For example, if you have a talent for web design and want to figure out how you can make money doing it, you could consider that for your side hustle.
Choosing Something You Have Time For
Another essential tip for choosing a side hustle outside your full-time job is picking something you have time for. If your full-time job takes up most of your time, you probably don’t want to pick something that you have to work in shifts or that you have to have a set schedule for. Instead, you’ll probably want something you can pick up and work on whenever you have time, which can be somewhat flexible.
Know Your “Why”
Before you start your side gig, you’ll also want to understand your “why.” Why are you starting a side gig, and why are you choosing a specific side gig? Do you have a particular reason you need the extra money, or is it to supplement your income for additional spending? Do you want a rainy day fund? No matter what your motivations are, understanding the “why” behind your choices will help you motivate yourself to work harder and stay consistent with your side gig.
Have Plans for Your Money
Another vital thing to consider before starting your side gig is knowing what plans you have for the money you will make. As we mentioned above, it’s essential to know the motivations behind needing more money; are you going to save for a trip? Set aside cash for a down payment on a house? Pursue a college degree? No matter what it is, have a goal for your money and a plan for how you will reach that goal. And even if your goal is to have some additional grocery money, ensure you keep track of that and know how much to put away.
Best Side Gigs for Those Working Full Time
Now that we have discussed what side gigs are and how side gigs work, we can discuss the best side gigs for those who will also be working full-time. In this case, you want to choose something more flexible and something that can be picked up and put down at any time. Below are five examples of side gigs that are great for people who also have full-time jobs.
1. Paid Online Surveys
Getting paid to take surveys has become one of the most popular side gigs over the last few years, especially for those who already have full-time jobs. Paid online surveys are precisely what they sound like: marketers create surveys to fulfill the requirements for their research, and they pay people to take them and provide their opinions, experiences, or reviews. It’s truly a win-win situation. The researchers get the data they need, and you make money!
Branded Surveys is one of the best and most popular sites to earn surveys for cash. Branded connects you with the most trusted researchers and opportunities for you. And they generally pay their participants between $.50 and $2 per survey.
Additionally, Branded only requires a $5 minimum to cash out. And you can redeem your online surveys for money or gift cards. If you’re looking for something extremely flexible, taking online surveys for money is an excellent choice. And since there are no set hours, you can work whenever it is convenient for you.
2. Copywriting
Copywriting is also a very popular side gig right now. That’s because content is necessary for virtually any website or product. If you have extensive knowledge of the English language or are a good writer, writing content could be a great way to get closer to your favorite brands or websites.
You can write blog posts, press releases, product descriptions, or virtually anything else. Look online for companies or sites hiring contract copywriters, or check out Fiverr. There are many ways to make money writing content. So if one thing doesn’t work for you, try something else.
3. Web or UX/UI Design
If you are a graphic designer or have any knowledge of a coding language, web design or UX/UI design could be the perfect side hustle for you. Fiverr is also a great place to find these jobs because you can show off pages or apps you’ve already designed independently or for different companies.
Web design also allows you to be creative if you need a more artistic outlet. Sometimes, web designers or app designers can make hundreds of dollars per design, with multiple revisions if needed. Additionally, when people visit the site, it can act as free advertising.
4. Food Delivery/Grocery Delivery
Apps like Instacart, Doordash, Uber Eats, and Postmates have made delivery services more effortless than ever before. You have probably used one of these apps to order food in the past, but have you ever thought about actually driving for them?
All you need to start delivering food or groceries is a working cell phone and a car or bike. Additionally, some of the most popular times for people to order food or groceries would be after their regular 9 to 5 jobs. Therefore, it’s great for people who may end their regular job later in the evening. You can also start and stop food delivery shifts whenever you please, making it an extra flexible side gig.
5. Dog Walking
Rover and Wag are two apps that help users easily get access to customers who need their dogs walked. But if you live in a neighborhood with many dogs, you can go door-to-door and offer your services.
In addition, many people who have regular jobs need to walk their dogs during the day, so this is a task you could take on either before your full-time job starts or after you’re done for the day.
