Did you know that around 43% of Brits have a side hustle to supplement their income? Online and remote work has made extra revenue sources much more accessible to everyone, including you. 

Meeting your financial goals in an uncertain economic climate may seem wishful thinking, but all it takes is the right hustle to match your skills and you’ll be there in no time. 

High Ticket has got your back. Here are 27 great side hustle ideas that we believe are the best choices for 2024.

Understanding Side Hustles

Before we dive into the wide world of side hustles, it may be helpful to understand what they are first. 

What Is a Side Hustle?

“Side hustle” is a casual term for an extra stream of revenue that can supplement your main income on the side. The “hustle” defines the additional nature of the jobs. You hunt these opportunities down and make them work for you. You’re “hustling” for extra income. 

The best side hustle idea depends on the individual, their spare time, and capabilities. You may be looking for one small freelancing job on the side, or feel strong enough to tackle digital downloads or dropshipping (what does dropshipping mean?). What’s more, multiple successful side hustles can actually form your main income if properly managed.

The key to success with side hustles is playing to your strengths and knowing your market, something an experienced partner like High Ticket can help with. 

Benefits of Having a Side Hustle

Side hustles are more than just a great way to earn extra money. They carry a whole range of benefits: 

• Providing a financial safety net for unforeseen emergencies

• Gaining a measure of financial independence

• Learning new skills or strengthening existing ones

• Making new contacts and strengthening your social networks

• Adding an extra dimension of excitement and fulfilment to life

A recent study shows that 69% of young people with side hustles feel more positive about life.

How to Choose the Right Side Hustle

Choosing the right hustle for you needs careful consideration to bring you fulfilment and a steady income.

Factors to Consider

Before you begin searching for side hustles, it’s helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• What are my interests? To find the best fulfilment and compatibility with a job, it should align with your own goals and interests. A badly matched job will feel more like a grind than a hustle.

• Do I have the right skills? A side hustle is easier when it plays to your strengths. Choose one where you have at least some familiarity or expertise.

• Can I trust this side hustle? Unfortunately, many sites and organisations are looking to take advantage of others. Ask around about a side hustle’s credentials: check reviews, ask on social media, and consult fellow hustlers.

• What’s there a demand for? Look for the right side hustles that are hot right now. If this is your initial stream, you don’t want to spend all your time trying to make it work.

• How much time do I have to spare? Not all side jobs require the same amount of commitment. Choose the path that suits your current lifestyle and employment situation the best.

27 Profitable Side Hustle Ideas for 2024

Now let’s look at the best ways to supplement your income this year. 

1. Freelance Writing

Do you have a gift for the written word? While many think that AI has made freelance writing redundant, it can still be spotted so easily. Companies need the human touch to words to make their brands sing. It’s a great way to earn extra money.

By becoming a freelance writer through platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and LinkedIn, you’ll be exposed to a host of potential clients, local and abroad, who could use your gift of the written gab. 

2. Online Tutoring

The online world makes access to education and distant countries so much easier. Why pay to learn English from a local teacher when you can connect to one living in the U.K.? Online tutoring is now a popular way for youngsters and adults to learn a variety of subjects from home.

You can be the one to teach them. If you’re qualified or experienced in a subject, you can sign your skills up on platforms like Tutor.com and Chegg. They’ll connect you with pupils and handle payments, while you can choose your hours. If your customer ratings are good, you’ll make money online and earn even more.

3. Virtual Assistant Services

What was once a desk job can now be completed from any desk in the world. A virtual assistant acts as a customer’s personal organiser, sorting schedules, coordinating meetings, making calls, and all sorts of administrative tasks.

The world is fast moving and more people than ever need a virtual assistant to organise their lives. Even if it’s for just a few hours a day, you’ll be earning generous extra income based on the region. You can sign up for this side hustle on platforms like Belay and Time Etc.

4. Dropshipping

Dropshipping rose to prominence during the pandemic as a viable way to make money online. Side hustlers connect dropshipping suppliers with a willing market of buyers through well-curated online platforms. Some of these hot products are newer appliances like air fryers, while others are always in-demand products like diapers and pet food. Read our guide to dropshipping for beginners.

Either way, platforms like Shopify can help you get a dropshipping side job going. Learn more about the benefits of dropshipping.

5. Online Surveys

Some organisations not only want your opinion, but they’ll pay for it too. Online surveys are a great side hustle that requires just a few minutes a day to complete. Sites like Swagbucks and Survey Junkie want you to complete surveys. Based on the quality of feedback you provide, you can also earn more.

However, you’ll seldom earn more than £400 a month, but if it pays for groceries or the occasional trip, it’s worth it.

6. Blogging 

Blogging is more than a way to share your passions and express your opinions. It can also be a valuable side hustle. If you’re able to create a niche blog that people love to read, then you can earn money through sponsored posts, affiliate marketing links to major retailers, and ad revenue through providers like Google Ad Sense. 

What’s more, it’s easy and cheap to start. All you need is the content that people crave.

If you accidentally get your Google Ads account suspended, here’s how to recover it.

7. Social Media Management

Every business needs a social media presence in today’s landscape, but not every business has someone who can handle it. If you’re a wiz with social media platforms of all sorts, then becoming a freelance social media manager is a good side hustle for extra income. Most businesses won’t need constant content and regular strategy sessions, but even the occasional update can be quite lucrative.

Look to sites like Hootsuite and Buffer to get started with social media management. 

8. Graphic Design

Image is everything, and those who can create the branding, design, and layouts for any organisation will be well compensated. Graphic design jobs usually start with one or two commissions, and grow as word of mouth and your reputation get around. 

The odd freelance design job is a great side hustle to supplement your income. Be sure that you have the right eye for design and are familiar with tools like Canva and Adobe Creative Suite to have the best chance out there.

9. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking

Calling all animal lovers. There’s a chance to profit from your passion. Pet owners who travel or don’t have the time to exercise their beloved animals often look for reliable people to take the reins or the leash!

Put your name down at vets or on local community forums that you’re available to help with pet sitting or walking. You can also use platforms like Rover and Wag to advertise your skills. You might be needed for the occasional weekend or a few hours every day. The key is to start small with local pet lovers and build a reputation.

10. E-Commerce Store

Have you ever considered starting your own online store? If you’ve got goods or courses to sell, you can use platforms like Etsy and Amazon to market yourself to a global audience. Find the e-commerce site that gives you the best value for their commission, and turn your hobbies into a side hustle. 

11. Photography

Weddings, dances, and parties are all local events that often need a photographer. Professional photography doesn’t always have to be award-winning, perfectly composed work. Sometimes capturing memories is enough. Put your name out on forums and to friends to build your reputation as an event photographer.

If you take great shots, consider selling them as stock images on sites like Getty and Shutterstock. Companies often need stock images of a variety of scenarios, and an uploaded photo set can be an excellent side hustle for passive income.

12. YouTube Channel

A popular YouTube channel can provide some useful income through brand deals, ad revenue, and affiliate links. Channels with enough views and subscribers make money online through the YouTube Partner Program. 

Starting a YouTube channel doesn’t require fancy equipment, just a smartphone and some good ideas. Once you’re established and found your niche, you can partner with YouTube and be messaged by brands looking for targeted marketing opportunities.

13. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is where an affiliate (that’s you) earns money by promoting the goods and services of a company or site through links. You can pepper your blogs, YouTube channels, or recipe sites with affiliate links and you’ll earn a passive income whenever someone follows that link to the company’s page.

It’s a good side hustle because the hard work is upfront. Affiliate programs like Amazon Associates and ShareASale are always looking for content creators and influencers to indirectly market their products. If you have a product or service you use in your life, why not promote it and earn money?

14. Handmade Crafts

If you like to knit, paint, model, or work on any crafts in your free time, then you can also sell these goods for extra cash. Local markets are a great place to sell your crafts, but for broader reach, you can also choose craft sites like Etsy and e-commerce platforms like eBay.

Simply create a profile and list the items you want to sell. Buyers will find their way to you if your goods are high quality and your service excellent.

15. Online Courses

Everybody’s good at something. Odds are you can make money online by sharing that expertise with others as a side hustle. Sites like Udemy and Teachable are always looking for talented teachers and experts to share their expertise in well-packaged ways.

You can create a video series and provide coursework to help others to succeed. Once the course is uploaded, it’ll continue generating revenue for you with every purchase or subscription.

16. Real Estate Investing

Real estate investing is a great side hustle for some extra income. It can take many forms:

• Renting out a house or room of your own for a time

• Investing in real estate stocks

• Turning a property into a holiday home or B&B

• Earning referral fees by finding old or abandoned households for estate agents

You can trade housing stocks on the market, or offer your services to estate agents. Depending on your free time and skills, there’s always money in real estate.

17. Print on Demand

Creating printed mugs and t-shirts can be a lot of fun, but the process of getting it done often isn’t. If you’re too busy to slap your prints onto merchandise, you can still sell products through a print-on-demand site like Printful, RedBubble, and Teespring. They’ll handle the shipping and printing, and you’ll still receive a cut with every sale.

18. Virtual Event Planning

Virtual hangouts are now a popular and normal way to bring people together. Organising these events can be just as complicated in the digital space, though. Times need to be coordinated, emails sent, and chats moderated, be it a webinar, a conference, or a company function.

If you’ve got great organizational skills, then why not earn extra income through organising events on platforms like Zoom? 

19. Consulting Services

Your advice can be a valuable asset and a high source of income. Freelance consulting is a high-reward, low-risk way to earn money. From audits to tax advice, HR to web analytics, you can provide a valuable service and be well rewarded, provided you find the right niche and the greatest area of demand. 

If your reputation and demand grow, especially through sites like Clarity.fm and LinkedIn, you might even be able to turn a side hustle into your main job.

20. Language Translation

AI is good at the average translation but still falls woefully short when it comes to unravelling the intricacies of language. Businesses, universities, and legal firms still require the skills of human translators. If you’re qualified in a language and have training in a certain field, then turn it into your side hustle by signing up to translation sites like ProZ and Gengo.

21. Digital Marketing

If you have a good grasp of SEO and know your way around analytics, then you can be a freelance digital marketer for organisations and businesses. Digital work means your presence isn’t required to make money online.

If you’re proficient with Google Analytics and HubSpot, then there’s bound to be someone who could benefit from your service. Once you’ve made a name, they’ll come to you.

22. Podcasting

The video didn’t quite kill the radio star. Podcasts are great for those stuck in traffic, commuting, or doing chores around the house. It’s easy to start a podcast. All you need is a niche where you can excel, proper promotion to friends, and platforms like Spotify.

Once you’ve built an audience, you can earn extra money from your podcast through ads, product sponsorships, and monthly listener donations through sites like Patreon. Just be sure to keep uploading regularly.

23. Renting Out Property

If you’ve got a spare room, cottage, or house that’s standing empty, why not make it work for you by renting it out? Sure, this side hustle requires a little sprucing up of the property, but it can be an excellent source of extra income. 

Keep an eye on local forums for people looking to rent. If you like, you can also list your property with an estate agent. Keep your property well-maintained, vet your tenants, and you’ll have a good income for years to come.

24. App Development

Google Play and the App Store can be great places to make money online, provided you’ve got a killer app to market. With online and college courses aplenty, you’ll be able to pick up the skills to design apps in no time. 

Be sure to look at the competition, spot needs that you can meet, and know what makes an app versatile and appealing.

25. Personal Fitness Training

Everybody wants to work out, but not everyone knows how. If exercise is your passion, then you can help others achieve their goals and get some extra income. Personal fitness training requires at least one form of accreditation before a gym or club will hire you. But the few hours a week you spend helping others can easily become a viable side hustle.

If you’re qualified, market your skills through workout spots and see if anyone could use your expertise.

26. Resume Writing Services

Standing out from a crowd of resumes requires a special touch. You can be the one to provide it. Many resumes need extra polish to appeal to employers in specific fields. A digital marketing agency might find a potential employee’s time spent in finance less impressive than their analytics skills. 

As a resume writer, you’ll be looking out for these details. Market your skills on sites like LinkedIn and highlight your special qualifications in writing or design to prove them.

27. Car Detailing

Most drivers don’t have the time or equipment needed to effectively clean and detail their cars, but everyone wants it done. If you can provide prompt, thorough, and reasonable car detailing, maybe just on weekends, you’ll have a surefire side hustle.

Even if doing it solo, you’ll need the proper equipment before you can work, e.g. vacuum cleaners, detailing brushes, microfiber cloths, polish, and more. Start with the essentials and branch out when business picks up.

Tips for Balancing a Side Hustle With a Full-Time Job

It’s important that your side hustle doesn’t end up becoming your main worry in life. You’ll need to keep your full-time job in focus while still finding time to relax.

Time Management Strategies

Time’s the one thing that’ll dictate what side hustles you can do and when. It also involves striking the right balance:

• Find time to learn new skills that can become side hustles. Don’t just stare at your office screen during downtime.

• Plan out a schedule with your work commitments. Time management will stop things from becoming too stressful.

• Use your free time constructively. If hours in your day are currently being spent unproductively, try and strike a better balance.

Setting Realistic Goals

Don’t expect your side hustle to be the silver bullet for success or no financial worries. You’ll need to properly plan for the future:

• Temper your expectations and expect a slow start to any side hustle. Most won’t pick up for a few years. 

• Have a goal in mind for your side hustle earnings. Do you want a vacation or a new car? 

• Keep an eye on the market. Will any new developments affect your side hustle in a good or bad way?

• Track your progress and remember your past clients. A saved number and a good review can go a long way in a dry spell.

• Write your goals down. It’s easier to visualise your aims when they’re written on the wall or in your planner.

Hustling Up More Money on the Side

Side hustles aren’t just a good way to make extra income, but a viable financial alternative that can provide a greater sense of fulfilment while providing extra financial security. Use the ideas above as a starting point and consider what might work well with your skills and available time. 

Everybody’s situation is different, but everyone can make a side hustle work.

And if you’re looking for the best ways to manage and grow a side hustle, why not let the experts help? At High Ticket, we’ve got the resources, the expertise, and a welcoming community ready to help your vision become a success. If you’re ready to start dropshipping, sign up for our free training.