Side hustles are great for pursuing your passion or supplementing your main income, and there are endless options depending on your interest. In fact, I started my side hustle (this blog), and it has become my full-time business.
While some side hustles have the potential to earn a six-figure income, others might give you an extra $500 to $1,000 a month.
Today’s post is about legit side hustles that make $500 or more per month. Remember that some of these hustles require you to learn a skill, which can help you earn more with your expertise.
#1. Freelance Writing
Doing freelance writing on websites like Upwork can give you good extra income. You have to create a profile on the platform with your details, experience, and writing samples. You can also set your own rates and choose a project according to your interests.
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#2. Dog Walking Services
Dog walking services are a perfect side hustle for students, side hustlers, and pet lovers. To get started, you have to sign up for pet sitting websites like Rover. Fill out your profile with your availability and rates to land more gigs. You can earn more if you offer services like pet boarding and pet sitting.
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#3. Create and Sell Printables
Creating printables is both a fun and rewarding hustle. You can design digital products like calendars, planners, worksheets, invites, name tags, etc.
To get started, choose a niche that interests you, create designs on platforms like Canva, and start selling on Etsy. You don’t need any expertise or experience to start this hustle. Learn more about selling digital printables on Etsy.
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#4. Virtual Assistant
As a virtual assistant, you can offer many services like admin work, website management, social media management, writing, etc. Virtual assisting is a diverse side hustle that offers flexibility and great income. You can promote your services on social media or your website. Here are some companies that hire work-from-home virtual assistants.
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#5. Rent a Spare Room
Renting a spare room in your house is an easy way to make some extra money. Just sign up for websites like Airbnb or Vrbo and provide descriptions and photos of your space. You can communicate the availability of the room with potential guests and start earning once the place is booked. It is one of the easiest ways to earn $500 in passive income.
#6. Online Tutoring
Online tutoring is a rewarding side gig if you have expertise in any subject. To get started, you can sign up as a tutor on websites like Wyzant, Brainfuse, or Tutor.com with your credentials. Having a thorough knowledge of the subjects you are teaching can help you gain more clients. Depending on your experience, you can charge anywhere from $30 to $70 per hour, making it easy for you to earn $500 a month. My daughter’s tutor charges $60 per hour, and she is a college student!
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#7. Participate in Focus Groups
Participating in focus groups can be an easy way to make some extra cash on the side. You can earn extra income in your free time by giving feedback on products/services. Two of the most trusted market research companies that I recommend are User Interviews and Respondent. Focus group studies are dependent on the demographics, so having a complete profile with all the details can give you more opportunities.
You can earn up to $200 depending on the type and length of the study.
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#8. Amazon Influencer
As an Amazon Influencer, you will be reviewing products that you already use and promoting them to your followers. Once the viewer buys the product, you will earn a commission on it. This side gig is in high demand now with the growing popularity of social media channels like Instagram and TikTok. Learn more about how to become an Amazon Influencer in this post.
#9. Social Media Management
Social media management is another rewarding side gig that can give you a good side income every month. Managing social media profiles of brands and businesses, like posting, analyzing, and working on growing followers, is the basic responsibility of this job. You can start by taking up small projects on Fiverr or promoting your services on social media.
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#10. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing, in simple terms, is promoting the products you like through your website and earning commissions when someone buys them. You can promote products through your blog, YouTube, or social media. If this is something that interests you, then start a blog and sign up for affiliate networks like Adbloom, Impact Radius, or ShareAsale.
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#11. Selling Dog Treats
Did you know that you can whip up tasty dog treats and make money from home? Yes, you can. You don’t need any baking or culinary experience for this side gig. The basic requirements to get started with this hustle are the baking materials and marketing your treats via social media or in your community. Learn more about this side hustle idea in this post.
#12. Selling Stock Photos
If you are good at photography, then selling stock photos is a good side hustle. Depending on the niche, you can take landscape, portrait, flat overlay, etc., photos and start selling. Platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and iStock allow you to upload your photos for sale.
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#13. Transcribing Audio Files
Transcribing audio files is a simple and in-demand hustle that can give you $500 a month. The basic requirements for this job are strong listening skills, typing speed, and attention to detail. You can find jobs on platforms like Rev, TranscribeMe, or Upwork. Many transcribers earn around $15 to $25 per hour depending on their experience. Find out how to become a transcriber in this post.
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#14. Proofreading
Proofreading is correcting grammar, punctuation, and syntax in written content. Proofreaders are needed in every industry, and there is high demand for this job. The basic requirements are having a keen eye for detail and a strong command of the English language. To get started, you can take the freelance route or try remote proofreading jobs with companies like ProofreadingPal, EduFast, Scribe Media, Polished Paper, etc.
Take this free workshop to see if proofreading is suitable for you.
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#15. Participating in Online Surveys
Taking surveys for extra money is something everyone does, and it’s great for extra cash. All you have to do is sign up for some legit survey sites like Survey Junkie, Branded Surveys, Swagbucks, and Pinecone Research and fill out your profile.
The key to getting more survey invites is filling out all the demographic details, checking emails for survey invites, and signing up for more than one survey site.
I have earned over $30 this month with one survey panel while working on other things.
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#16. House Sitting
House sitting is an easy way to make money while traveling. As a house sitter, you will be taking care of the house, watering the plants, and even taking care of any pets. This side gig is perfect for people who love to travel and want to make some extra cash during their stay.
To start, sign up for platforms like TrustedHousesitter and start finding house sitting gigs.
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#17. Babysitting
Babysitting is perfect for students and side hustlers, and it’s one of the side gigs that’s easy to start. Though you don’t need any certification, having certification like this can help get more gigs. You can advertise your services on social media or sign up for websites like Care.com.
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#18. Flipping Items
Flipping items on eBay can be a profitable side hustle. In simple terms, flipping is buying junk items and selling them for profit. Having a keen eye for finding good stuff and taking time to transform the item are essential for flipping. This is a side hustle that can become a potential business if you learn the skill. Find out more about how to flip junk items in this interview.
#19. Fitness Trainer
As a fitness trainer, you can teach clients online anywhere in the world. To start with this hustle, you need to have a certification or experience as a fitness trainer. You can promote your services on social media or create a website with online fitness programs.
#20. Voice Over Acting
Voice over acting is a great way to side hustle using your voice.
To start, you need to invest in a good-quality microphone and soundproof your recording space. This can improve your recording quality.
You can find voice over work on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Voices.com. On average you can earn around $200 per hour doing voice overs.
Take this free workshop to find out how to start your own voice acting business from home.
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#21. Creating Online Courses
Creating online courses allows you to share your expertise while earning income. If you know a particular area, then creating online courses is the best way to monetize your skills.
Platforms like Udemy, Teachable, and Skillshare make it easy to sell your courses. You can promote your courses on your website or social media channels to gain more exposure.
#22. Task Completion on TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit allows you to work on short tasks like furniture assembly, home repairs, cleaning, yard work, etc. The requirements to become a tasker are to be at least 18 years of age, have a valid bank account, and have a smartphone. Once you register on the app with your details and availability, you can accept tasks and start making money.
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#23. Video Captioning
Video captioning jobs involve converting audio to text. Captioning jobs are abundant on freelance websites. Typically, you’ll need good listening skills and a typing speed of at least 60 words per minute. Understanding captioning formats can be helpful to land jobs quickly. Here is a list of companies hiring for closed captioning jobs.
#24. Mystery Shopping
As a mystery shopper, you are responsible for testing the quality of service in shops. Companies recruit mystery shoppers to go undercover and check the service quality. You can sign up for legit mystery shopping companies like BestMark, Market Force, Call Centre QA, etc.
#25. Virtual Bookkeeping
Running a virtual bookkeeping service allows you to utilize your financial skills from the comfort of your home. A bookkeeper records day-to-day financial transactions, manages payroll and ledgers. The basic requirements for this job include having a high school diploma or GED and certification. Bookkeeping companies like Xero and QuickBooks hire virtual bookkeepers. This is a perfect fit for someone who likes working with numbers.
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#26. Social Media Influencer
Becoming a social media influencer for brands can be a rewarding side hustle. You can use social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat to promote products or services.
To get started, you need to identify your niche and start sharing content on the platform. It can be a lifestyle, home decor, fashion, travel, gardening, etc. Once you grow your following, you can collaborate with brands for sponsorships, affiliate marketing, or commission work.
#27. Launching a YouTube Channel
Starting a YouTube channel is another great side hustle for extra money. To start, you need to focus on the niches that interest you. Some of the popular niches on YouTube are gaming, cooking, home decor, personal finance, art, travel, and more. Being consistent and shooting good-quality videos are vital to growing on this platform.
As you grow your following, you have the potential to earn more through advertisements, sponsorships, or affiliate sales.
#28. Renting Out a Car
Renting out your car on Turo can be a profitable side hustle. This platform connects car owners with people looking to rent vehicles for short periods.
You can list your car on the website and set your own rental price. How much you earn depends on the type of car, the place where you live, etc. This is a passive income hustle that can give you money without doing anything.
#29. Translation
If you are bilingual, then using your language skills can give you $500 a month. Many legit translation companies hire people translators. If you are a beginner, then try searching for short translation gigs on Fiverr or Freelancer.com to build your experience. This is a flexible side gig that can be done from anywhere.
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#30. Chat Agent
Chat agents are in high demand in the work-from-home industry. Businesses have online chat support to help their customers with their inquiries, complaints, and any kind of troubleshooting. This saves time for the customer and makes it easy for the business to solve the customers’ problems without any phone calls or emails.
The basic requirements are having a high school diploma, good typing speed, and communication skills. You can apply to companies like Concentrix, U-Haul, Sutherland, etc.
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#31. Event Planner
Planning events can be rewarding and a fun side gig. Event planners plan and organize events and are responsible for every detail, including food, entertainment, decoration, presentation, accommodation, etc. You can start small by organizing events with your family and friends and promoting your services in your neighborhood or on social media. How much you earn depends on the type of event, the number of people, and the services you provide.
Many Side Hustles Make $500 a Month.
Side hustles are of different types. Some have the potential to become a full-time business, while others can give you extra income. I hope with the above list of side hustles you can find some options to earn an extra $500 a month and supplement your income.
