Do you want to make extra money but don’t have the means to invest in a business venture? You may be surprised to learn that you don’t need money to start earning a steady stream of income through side hustles. In this article, we’ll take a look at 10 of the most lucrative and creative side hustles to start with no money.
Whether you want extra cash to supplement your full-time job or want to become a full-time side hustler, we have something for you. From freelancing gigs to blogging and selling your crafts online, each of these side hustles has the potential to generate a substantial income with minimal to no start-up costs.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
1. Freelancing gigs
Freelancing is one of the best side hustles to start with no money. If you want to be your own boss and quit your 8-5 job, then freelancing is something to look into. Freelancing comes with a lot of options to choose from depending on your area of interest. For example, you can offer tutoring services, become a freelance writer, a freelance IT manager, a bookkeeper, a proofreader, a web developer, offer consulting services, etc.
What makes freelancing one of the top side hustles to start with no money is that you will be selling skills you already have. This makes your entry cost low to none. The only thing you need to do is to create an account on a freelancing website such as Freelancer or Fiverr to get started.
If you are interested in getting started with freelancing as a side hustle to start with no money, the following are the best freelancing websites to find side hustles.
Freelancing is a flexible way to make money with little to no initial input. Some of the skills you need to succeed as a freelancer include time management, customer service skills, communication skills, and the ability to work independently. You should also have basic computer skills such as MS Office and have access to conferencing apps such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meets.
Additionally, you need to update your social media profile, collaborate with other freelancers, keep up with new trends in the industry, and have projects to showcase your skills especially when you are getting started.
You might also like: 13 Tips to Become a successful freelance writer
2. Proofreading
Proofreading is one of the greatest side hustles to start with no money. It requires no initial investment, tools, or other expensive equipment. If you are proficient in your language and can spot grammatical errors, then proofreading is a great side hustle you can start right away.
As a proofreader, you will focus on large manuscripts such as books, eBooks, and proposals, or small ones such as blog posts, resumes, etc.
Related: 22 best websites to find freelance proofreading jobs in 2023
3. Graphic designer
If you like designing and have some experience or are willing to learn, this side hustle could be what you have been waiting for. What makes graphic designing one of the best side hustles to start with no money is that it comes with the option to work part-time. Meaning, you don’t need to quit your 9 to 5 jobs to work as a graphic designer.
As a graphic designer, you will work with many businesses or individual clients on different projects. Some of the projects you will work on include but are not limited to creating graphics such as logos, layouts, photos, and different illustrations.
If you have enough experience, you should expect to be compensated fairly. According to Payscale, the average graphic designer’s salary in the U.S. is $49,092/year. As you gain more experience, you will be able to take on more expensive projects from high-paying businesses.
This side hustle requires no initial cost. If you are experienced already, you just need to start looking for graphic designing gigs. However, if you have no experience, you must put in a little bit of work before you can successfully do the job. Always, remember that the first impression matters. The first few projects you take on will determine if you continue on this path or change the course.
4. Selling your stuff is a profitable side hustle to start with no money
Do you have things that you no longer need? I am talking about clothes, books, electronics, and many more. You can generate enough revenue by selling them either online or offline.
Many people have made profitable businesses by flipping things they no longer need. This side hustle is so effective that there is no initial investment required to get started. To successfully turn this side hustle into a profitable venture use the following steps.
- Go into your closet and put aside everything you don’t plan to wear or use.
- Take great pictures of them and list them on websites like ThreadUP, Poshmark, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Depop, Stock, etc. I have created a list of all places you can sell used clothes and other items online. Check out those guides at the end of this section.
- Ask your friends if you can sell things they don’t need anymore
- Go through garage sales and grab everything that is free or buy them for less if possible
- List everything online and wait for people to buy
- Market your products to your social media followers
- Repeat this process
That is all you need to start making money with this side hustle.
The following are some of the websites where you can sell used stuff or things you no longer need.
Are you having trouble choosing where to sell your stuff online? I have created complete guides of websites to sell items online for maximum profits. Keep reading for more details using the guides I listed below.
Related guides:
- 16 Best Places to sell used clothes online for Cash
- 7 Best Websites to sell unused gift cards online
- 14 Best Websites to Sell Products Online
5. Write an eBook or a book
Are you great at writing or have a great imagination? If so, writing an eBook/ book will be a perfect side hustle to start with no money in your case. It is easy to make money from writing books and eBooks and there is no initial cost for this side hustle. All you need to make money from writing an eBook is a topic that interests people and writing an eBook that catches their imagination. Again, you need something that engages people and provides value.
After writing a book, you will need to have it edited professionally. That is someone else must check the format, correct grammar, fonts, etc. You don’t need to pay a ton of money for this service. A friend of yours could do the job for free or for a small payment.
While writing an eBook is one of the best side hustles to start with no money, it can be challenging to get started for many people. Knowing that there are hundreds of pages that need to be written can be a little intimidating.
If this is the case for you. Do not worry. You can use my technique: Treat each chapter like a blog post and go from there. You will be amazed by how easy it will be to write your eBook and how fast you will finish it.
After the book or eBook is done, you will either self-publish it or use a publisher. Amazon is a great place to start if you are looking into selling your books online. You can also sell your eBook on your own blog or other places such as social media and Etsy.
6. Do reviews for websites, apps, video games, and other products
Are you still looking for side hustles to start with no money? Start with reviewing products, apps, websites, games, etc. All these side hustles can be started with zero dollars. Reviews mean that you are selling your opinions.
For example, let’s say that an online gaming company made a game and wants to increase its sales right after releasing the game. One of the best ways to do this is to reach out to as many people as possible through ads.
The downside of ads is that they are expensive. To minimize the cost of ads, companies hire professional video gamers and ask them to review games in front of their audiences. In return, gamers receive compensation or get a free copy of the game. This applies to many businesses as new products are being made every day.
You do not need an initial investment to get started with this side hustle. If you are doing something already, why not do it and get paid at the same time? Reach out to companies for product reviews if you have a lot of social media followers or are a blogger.
Doing online reviews does not end there. You can also take paid reviews on websites like ReviewStream, Crowdtap, Capterra, GetReviewed, G2, etc.
7. Do pay surveys
Online pay surveys are some of the greatest side hustles to start with no money. Yes, you can get paid to do surveys. Just like doing reviews of products, you get paid for your opinions by doing surveys. With these side hustles, you will be rating products and answering questions based on how you feel about these products.
Online surveys do not pay a lot, but every little bit counts. If you are spending a ton of time on social media, and watching useless stuff people are doing, consider using your time on things that bring in cash. You can still spend time on the Internet and make money at the same time.
The following are the best survey websites to make money. All you have to do to start doing surveys is to create an account on the websites and follow their requirements.
8. Do public speaking
Do you like being in front of people and engaging in constructive conversations? How about being excited when talking about something you believe in or like? If you are not shy about sharing your own opinions, you could make money with public speaking.
What makes public speaking one of the best side hustles to start with no money is that there is no initial cost to get started. You will be paid based on your public speaking talents which require less initial investment.
As a public speaker, you can work independently where you speak at events and pocket the proceeds or get a job where you speak on behalf of your company. You can either be a part-time public speaker or a full-time public speaker.
The following are some of the qualifications and skills you will need to be a successful public speaker.
- Great communication skills
- Politeness
- Ability to handle rejections
- Ability to manage people
- Intrapersonal skills
- Time management
- MS Word, Excel, PPT, etc.
- Self-Starter
- Confidence
Although your job may have extra or fewer requirements, the ones that I listed above are the basic public speaking skills you should have. Besides, you will need to learn about the products or services you will be speaking about.
9. Tutoring
Are you good at sciences and Math or any other subject? If so, you could start a tutoring side hustle. There are a ton of people who are struggling with these complex subjects which keeps the demand for tutors high at all times.
What makes tutoring an effective side hustle to start with no money is that yes, you don’t need money to get started. But, also, you don’t need to learn anything aside from what you already know. For example, if you are a Math teacher, you can also become an online tutor on the side. All you have to do is to sign up and start getting clients.
Additionally, being a tutor comes with a lot of flexibility. For example, if you are busy with your 9 to 5 job, you can choose a part-time tutoring side gig. You can also work as an independent tutor which comes with more freedom in time management, scheduling, and rates you get paid.
The following are some of the many websites you can start your tutoring side hustle with.
Another option to consider is to start your own tutoring services and market yourself on social media. Other people choose to tutor students in their own cities or town to limit the number of offers they receive.
Popular tutoring subjects include but are not limited to Mathematics and science and English.
10. Monetize your hobby
One of the most effective side hustles to start with no money is to monetize your hobbies. If you are already doing something, why can’t you monetize it and get paid to do it? Here is a secret you did not know about: Everything is salable. You can monetize anything you can think of nowadays.
Do you have hobbies that you spend time on such as crafting, art, etc? Start selling your work online or offline. There is someone out there who is willing to pay great money to get what you have made. One of the best websites to sell your crafts online is Etsy. But, other sites like Handmade Amazon, iCraft, and eBay are also great to sell your crafts. You can also create your own online store and list all your products there.
A good strategy to increase your sales is to drive traffic to your online store using social media marketing. Do not be shy about what you make or underestimate their quality. As long as your work is unique, people will pay a fortune to own them. What you consider useless, others find value in them.
If you are a photographer, sell those photos instead of keeping them stored on your computer. Whatever you do can be marketed as a profitable venture that requires zero capital to start with.
What side hustle can I do to make money fast?
To make money fast through a side hustle, consider offering a service that addresses people’s immediate needs and provides a solution to a pressing problem. For instance, you can start a local delivery service for groceries or essential items, helping those who cannot go out themselves due to health concerns or a lack of time.
Make sure to promote your services on social media platforms and through word-of-mouth to reach a wider audience quickly. Additionally, offer unique value propositions, such as faster delivery times or personalized service, to differentiate yourself from competitors.
There are other side hustles you can do to make money fast such as participating in paid online services, driving for Uber and Lyft, getting paid to test apps, getting paid to walk dogs, renting out your room, or simply taking on a quick freelance side gig.
Related: 49 easy ways to make money fast: A complete guide
What side hustle can I start?
One potential side hustle you can start is selling custom-designed print-on-demand products, such as t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases. To succeed in this venture, research popular niches and trends, identify your target market, and create unique, high-quality designs that appeal to the interests of your audience. By understanding consumer desires and effectively marketing your products through social media and other channels, you can build a loyal customer base and grow your side hustle into a profitable business.
A customer-designed print-on-demand side hustle is not the only side hustle you can start. There are many other side hustles you can start even in you don’t have money. Usually, it is best to start a side hustle that aligns with your interests or passion. For example, if you have a hobby such as photography, knitting, or crafting, you can turn any one of them into a business.
You can also look into something that aligns with your profession. For example, if you are a web designer at XYZ company, you can take on graphic design freelancing side gigs. Since the side hustle aligns with your profession, it will be easy to get started and earn quick money.
You might also like: 13 Steps to Turn a Hobby Into a Successful Business
How can I get paid every day?
A common way to get paid every day is through your full-time job. But, there are other ways you can make money on a daily basis without showing up to work. These options involve starting your own business or doing side hustles.
To get paid every day through side gigs, you need to do a side hustle that allows you to get paid daily. This means offering a product that can be sold on a daily basis such as paid subscriptions, microservices, or daily deals.
For example, if you own an online boutique, you might be able to get paid daily by generating sales. To reach this goal, you must craft a compelling sales message that highlights the unique benefits, urgency, and value of your solution, and target your marketing efforts toward the right audience.
Additionally, you should utilize multiple channels and platforms to reach potential customers and keep them engaged through personalized follow-ups and valuable content.
That was just one example of ways to get paid every day. You should also look into other venues that can offer daily payments. Side hustles you can start if you want to get paid daily include but are not limited to the following.
- Dog Walking
- Proofreading
- Freelance copywriter
- Reselling used items
- Rent out a room
- Selling handcrafted products
- House Sitting
- Do online reviews or get paid to do surveys, etc.
You can start these side hustles with no money, make your own schedule, and get paid every day.
How to make $100 cash a day doing side hustles?
To make $100 cash a day through side hustles, you need to do side gigs that pay daily. You can also work on something that pays you a monthly salary of at least $3,000. While many side hustles will pay you daily, there are side gigs that don’t pay enough. For example, most online surveys will not pay you enough to make $100 a day. For this reason, you need to stay away from low-paying side hustles.
So, what can you do to make $100 a day?
In order words, what side hustles can you do to make at least $100 per day? If you are interested in earning more than $100 per day, the following are some of the side hustles to look into.
- Pet walking
- Play video games
- Run ads and affiliate programs on your blog and social media
- Deliver food for groceries and local restaurants
- Become a freelancer writer or proofreader
- Sell your crafts online
Other options to consider if you want to make $100 per day include trading stocks and currencies. This option is more tailed to those who understand how the stock market works with a lot of experience.
How to easily make $50 dollars a day?
To easily make $50 a day, is actually simple than you might have imagined. Almost every side hustle you can do will allow you to make $50 on a daily basis. For example, you can easily make $50 doing online surveys.
$50 per day translates to $1,500 per month. Is there a side hustle you can do to make $1,500 a month? Yes, there is a ton of side gig to give you this income.
If you are getting started with side hustles or looking for ways to supplement your income by making $50 per day, check out the following list of side hustles.
- Become a rideshare driver. Uber and Lyft are popular companies to work for
- Deliver food and grocery for local businesses. Some companies to work for include but are not limited to DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, Roadie, and GoPuff.
- Resale clothes and unwanted gift cards. These are places to sell unused gift cards and places to sell unwanted or used clothes.
- Become a blogger
- Rent out a room
- Walk dogs and other pets. The following are websites and apps that will pay you to walk dogs: Pawshake, Rover, Holidog, PetBacker, Care, Petsitter, Fetch!, Wag!, etc.
- Start a YouTube channel. This side hustle might take longer to master. But, after getting enough followers you can start monetizing your channel through AdSense, affiliate programs, sponsored content, etc.
How can I get money right now?
If you are in need of cash right now, there is a number of ways to earn cash or have access to money fast. The fastest way to get money right away is to tap into your savings accounts or liquidate some of your assets to raise money. For example, if you own stocks, you can easily log into your brokerage account and sell them for easy access to cash. Keep in mind that your money might take a few business days to settle before you can transfer it to your bank account.
Another option to get cash right now is to get a cash advance on your credit card. Keep in mind that this option comes with a cash advance APR, a cash advance fee, and a possible ATM credit card withdrawal fee.
If the above options are not right for you, take out a small loan. Popular loans you can look into include personal loans, home equity lines of credit(HELOCs), home equity loans, and 401(k) loans. You can also borrow money from your friends and family members.
Additionally, check with your job and see if you can have a portion of your paycheck early. Some businesses allow you to get paid early through the company or by partnering with third-party companies. For example, apps like Earnln let you draw cash from your paycheck way before your payday, according to NerdWallet.
Finally, offer a service and get paid right away. For example, you can mow your neighbor’s yard instead of taking out a loan. You can also look into other side hustles that pay in advance or daily such as pet sitting to earn cash now or on the same day.
