The New Year is a great time to explore new opportunities and diversify your income streams. Whether you’re looking to supplement your main income or build a foundation for a future career, side hustles can be a game-changer.
I have a couple of ongoing side hustles and have dabbled with others in the past too. Today, I’ll be sharing with you some ideas for side hustles that actually work. Read on to discover how you can convert your spare time into some extra cash in 2024!
6 Simple Side Hustles You Can Start in The New Year
Here are six simple yet effective side hustles that you can start in the New Year. From leveraging your writing skills to online teaching and even helping other people run their own businesses, these ideas cover a variety of skill sets and interests.
1. Start a Blog/Website
Blogging is an amazing and fulfilling way to share your passions, expertise, thoughts, and experiences with a wide range of people all over the world. I have my own travel blog and I love the creative freedom it gives me.
You can start a blog about almost anything – travel, food, fashion, niche sports, flower arranging – whatever you’re interested in and knowledgeable about.
Done right, blogging can also be financially lucrative. There are several different ways to monetize a blog, including affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and advertising. It’s also a great way to build a personal brand and can open doors to various other opportunities too.
It takes time to grow a successful blog. This is definitely not a get-rich-quick option. But, with quality content and effective strategies, it can certainly pay off in the long run. Click here to start your blog or website and get our blogging course for free.
2. Freelance Writing
Freelance writing is a versatile side hustle that allows you to monetize your writing skills. The demand for content is ever-growing, with opportunities ranging from writing blog posts and articles to technical manuals and even marketing copy.
Start by writing about subjects you’re knowledgeable and/or passionate about. Then, you can think about whether you want to specialize in any particular area(s). Taking a freelance writing course can also be a great way to hone your skills and boost your resume. Goats On The Road readers get 25% off the freelance writing course with Knowadays. Use promo code GOATS25 at checkout. Click here for details.
There are various ways to find freelance writing work. Freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr are great places to start. Or, you could try networking and reaching out to potential clients directly. Whichever route you choose to pursue, building a portfolio is key.
Something that’s worked for me is reaching out to established blogs and pitching them a great guest post. You won’t usually get paid for this, but it does help you start to build up your credibility as a writer. Plus, you’ll have examples of your work that you can show when applying for future paid roles.
3. Proofreading and Editing
If you have a keen eye for detail and strong language skills, becoming a proofreader and/or an editor can be another excellent side hustle.
Each job is different. But, essentially, the role involves reviewing and refining someone else’s writing before it’s published. Proofreading and editing are slightly different skills, although there’s a lot of overlap, and the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
Technically, proofreading is more about correcting typos and grammatical errors, while editing involves making changes to ensure that the writing is clear, coherent, and has the right tone and voice for its given purpose.
One of the best things about proofreading and editing is that you can usually do it in your own time, from anywhere in the world. For those who love to learn, it can also be very interesting as you’ll often get to read and review a range of different texts, from travel blog posts to academic papers.
If you’re considering this as a potential side hustle but don’t have much prior experience, Knowadays is an online company with excellent courses on both proofreading and editing. I’ve taken both of these courses and highly recommend them. Click here to learn more and use promo code GOATS10 for 10% off.
4. Teach English Online
Online English teaching is one of the OG ways to earn money online. This can be an incredibly rewarding side hustle as you’ll be helping other people improve a skill that has the potential to open a lot of doors for them.
You can teach English online to people of all ages. Certain platforms specialize in teaching children, while others are geared more towards adult learning. Have a look at PrePly and Cambly.
You typically need a TEFL certification, but some platforms require only native-level fluency and a bachelor’s degree. Like the other side hustles described in this post, online English teaching can be done from anywhere in the world – providing long as you have a decent internet connection.
One thing to bear in mind about online teaching is that, because you’ll be teaching in real-time (usually via video), you may need to consider factors such as time zones, depending on where you and your students are based.
5. Become a Virtual Assistant (VA)
Virtual assistants typically provide administrative support to businesses and entrepreneurs on a remote-only basis.
There are many different tasks that a VA can perform, from managing emails and calendar appointments to creating presentations and templates, and even sourcing images for blog posts. Virtual Assistants earn anywhere from $5-$30 per hour.
It’s a highly flexible job that you can tailor to your own specific skillset and availability. I don’t have any personal experience in being a virtual assistant, but I’m considering hiring one soon for my blog!
6. Social Media Management
Love it or hate it, social media is a key element of marketing for many businesses. However, many small businesses and entrepreneurs lack the time or expertise to effectively manage their social media presence.
Becoming a social media manager is another great way to earn money remotely, from anywhere in the world, on a flexible basis. The job usually involves creating and curating content, formulating social media strategies, scheduling posts, engaging with followers, and analyzing engagement data.
Naturally, the role requires a good understanding of and familiarity with social media platforms, although you don’t need to be an expert in every single one. You could either offer a broad range of social media services (e.g. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and TikTok) or specialize in one or two.
In Conclusion
For many people, New Year is a time for taking on new challenges. All of the side hustles mentioned in this post have the power to earn you extra money and all can be done on a fully-remote basis, from anywhere in the world.
As well as the financial benefits, you’ll also be improving your own skillset in a flexible, rewarding way. So, what are you waiting for? 2024 is the year to make it happen!
