Do you want to work for yourself? here are some ideas you can start while keeping a job.
1. Create a blog
Think blogging is no longer viable of income? Think again. Tens of thousands of bloggers are creating profitable content on topics as diverse as scrapbooking, home cooking, travel, film, lifestyle, business, personal finance, and more. And we’re growing our blogs into six-figure businesses thanks to a combination of email subscribers, affiliate marketing, blog sponsorships, and another revenue stream.
2. Web Design.
Web designers are incredibly valuable for technology companies which is why becoming a freelance web designer is a top side business idea today. Web design is all about mastering the art of creating a beautiful, value-driven experience for the people using a website or app. There is always a new website popping up in need of professional web design, and a foundational book like HTML & CSS: Design and Build Websites by acclaimed web designer Joining Duckett and Don’t make me think by user experience legend Steve Krug will get started down the right path to quickly determining whether or not becoming a web designer is a viable side business idea for you.
3. Online Course.
Using your skill for profit is a common trend with all of the best side business ideas. If you’re an expert at something, there’s likely an audience of people online who could be willing to pay to become an expert in your field just like you. If you want to take your skills and turn them into an online course that teaches others how to get the same results you’ve achieved in your life, career, or business, start with how to create an Awesome online course on Udemy, where instructor Miguel Hernandez covers how he makes over $90.000/year teaching online.
Packing your skills and knowledge into a downloadable eBook that delivers value to those seeking to learn a skill, advance in their careers, or start their own business, makes for a strong value proposition if you target the right audience. Check out Leslie Samuel’s great guide to selling EBooks online and start building your strategy around this side of the business idea. This class with Tara Gentile on CreativeLive will also who you how to use your existing body of work to write an eBook within the next week. Put in some serious work with your eBook, build an audience and you’ll have a platform to pitch traditional publishers on landing a book deal then you write one of the best business books and really build your personal brand
If you can create a regular audience for your podcast on a specific topic, this is a great way to get sponsors and fund this side business idea. My podcast, The Side Hustle Project is actually my current side business idea, and because I had an existing audience here on my blog at the time I launched the show, I was able to broker a $5,000 sponsorship from Fresh books to place ads on the first ten episodes before I even got started.
6. Amazon Reselling
Anyone can sell goods on Amazon, provided you have products to sell (or buy low, then resell). If you’re the type to hit all the local garage sales each weekend, there are all sorts of valuable things that can be resold online as a side business idea. If you want to step your Amazon selling game up, check out this detailed guide to Amazon and eBay retail arbitrage on Entrepreneur featuring an interview with Julie Becker and several drop-shippers who've grown this home-based business idea from a side business idea into a lucrative money-maker.
7. Local Business Consulting.
If you've developed valuable skill sets or certifications within your industry over the years, consider putting your skills to use in your free time by offering your consulting services to local business owners as a potentially lucrative side business idea. Whether you're an expert marketer, business strategist, or manufacturing aficionado, there's likely a local business owner who's willing to pay you to help them solve an issue with their company—if you can craft an effective cold email that convinces them to hire you. Start with this 18-step checklist to becoming a local business consultant as a side business idea, from Karyn Greenstreet. When you're ready to get serious about becoming a consultant, check out all of my picks for the best online business courses to keep building your skills and learning how to land your first consulting clients. Personally, I think this is one of the best business ideas you can get started with today.
Wedding photographers command premium rates. After all, you are capturing one of a couple's most important life moments, making it a very lucrative side business idea. Many professional wedding photographers charge between $2,500 - $10,000 (or more) to shoot a wedding, so it's realistic that this side business idea could quickly blossom into becoming a full-time endeavor with the right happy clientele base that's willing to refer you to their friends and family. Check out the Complete Wedding Photography Experience over on CreativeLive to get up to speed on everything you need to launch a successful wedding photography business.
