If you’re looking to make some extra money this year, a creative side gig might be just what you need. There are lots of side hustles you can get into to generate income, and many of them can be done on your schedule and from the comfort of your own home.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some creative side hustles you can do to earn money on the side.
We’ll cover a range of options, from writing and design work to pet-sitting and event planning. Rest assured that no matter what your interests and skills are, there’s definitely a side hustle that’s a good fit for you.
We’ll also provide tips on how to get started, where to find clients or customers, and how to grow your side hustle into a successful business – Awesome, right?
So, whether you’re a student, stay-at-home parent, or you’re simply looking for a way to supplement your income, read on for some great ideas for creative side hustles to do to make money.
Best creative side gigs to earn money on the side!
1. Freelance writing or copywriting
With the increasing demand for content marketing and online writing, there are so many opportunities for writers to find work and generate income.
To become a freelance writer or a copywriter, you’ll need to have strong writing skills and an understanding of the basics of marketing and copywriting – this one’s a no-brainer.
You can start by creating a portfolio of your work (on your topic of interest or area of specialty) and reaching out to potential clients or applying for jobs on freelance job platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer.com. You can also network with other writers and professionals in your industry to find new opportunities and build your client base.
When things have kicked off and you have plans to expand your freelance writing or copywriting business, remember to focus on building a strong reputation and establishing yourself as an expert in your niche.
You can do this by consistently delivering high-quality work, meeting deadlines, and maintaining good communication with your clients. A website or blog to showcase your work and attract new clients isn’t a bad idea, too.
Also, it’s very important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices in the industry, such as SEO and content marketing.
And, by continuing to learn and improve your skills, you can position yourself as a valuable asset to your clients and build a sustainable and successful freelance writing or copywriting business.
2. Graphic design
Graphic design is a fantastic side hustle to make money for those with a creative flair and an eye for design.
Businesses and individuals need high-quality graphics for everything from social media posts to websites and logos, so there’s plenty of demand for skilled graphic designers.
Plus, with so many online platforms and tools available, it’s easier than ever to get started with your own graphic design business.
To get started, you’ll need some basic software and skills, such as Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Don’t be scared if they sound a little scary—There are lots of free tutorials online that can help you learn the basics and develop your skills.
Once you’ve got the basics down, you can start building a portfolio of work to showcase your talents and attract potential clients. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and 99designs are great places to find freelance design work and build your client base.
One tip to stand out as a graphic designer is to specialize in a particular niche or style. For example, you could focus on creating designs for a specific industry, such as fashion or tech, or specialize in a particular type of design, such as logos or social media graphics. This can help you become known for your expertise in a particular area, making it easier to attract clients who need those specific types of designs.
As you grow your graphic design business, you can then start to expand your services and reach a wider audience. You could offer additional services like website design or branding, or start building relationships with local businesses or agencies to get more referrals.
3. Photography
If you have a passion for capturing moments, you can turn that passion into profit. Whether you specialize in portraits, landscapes, or events, there is always a demand for skilled photographers.
To get started, consider building a portfolio of your work to showcase your skills and style. You can create a website (you can use a free site from any popular CMS if you aren’t ready to splurge on hosting) or use social media platforms like Instagram to share your work and attract potential clients.
You can also reach out to friends and family members to offer your services for free or at a discounted rate to gain experience and build your portfolio.
Once you have some experience tucked away and a portfolio brimming with samples, it’s time to start hunting for clients. You can advertise your services on social media or through word of mouth, or you can use online platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr to find photography gigs.
Another option is to work with local businesses or individuals to provide photography services for events, products, or real estate.
It’s always a good idea to keep investing in your skills and offerings, and you’ll want to have this in mind while nursing thoughts of expansion. You can also invest in better equipment and continue to learn new techniques to improve your craft.
Eventually, you can offer additional services like photo editing or videography, or specialize in a specific type of photography like food, fashion, or sports.
4. Social media management
Social media management is a lucrative and rewarding creative side gig that allows you to work from anywhere, anytime.
As a social media manager, you’ll be responsible for managing and creating content, analyzing metrics, and engaging with followers on behalf of businesses or individuals.
The demand for social media managers has skyrocketed in recent years, making it an excellent option for those looking to make money on the side.
To start building a career in social media management, you can find jobs through online job boards such as Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr. You can also network with local businesses or reach out to influencers or content creators who may need your services.
When starting, it’s important to build a strong portfolio and showcase your expertise by creating engaging content and sharing case studies of your successful campaigns.
To grow your social media management business, staying up to date with the latest trends and best practices cannot be overemphasised. Attend webinars or conferences, read industry blogs and articles, and follow social media experts on platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn.
As you gain more clients, consider hiring assistants or outsourcing some of the work to keep up with demand and scale your business.
5. Personal shopping and styling
As a personal shopper, you can have fun and help others feel their best while making sweet, cold cash. If you have an eye for fashion, enjoy shopping, and like working with people, this is a great option for you. Personal shoppers and stylists are in demand, and there are plenty of opportunities to build a successful business.
First, consider reaching out to friends and family who might be interested in your services. Offer to take them shopping or provide styling advice for special events or everyday wear.
Once you have some experience and a portfolio of work, then you can start looking for more clients. You might consider offering your services to busy professionals, new parents, or anyone who wants to update their wardrobe but doesn’t have the time or knowledge to do so themselves.
You can also partner with local boutiques or clothing stores to offer your services to their customers. Also, it’s important that you promote your services on social media or create a website to showcase your work and attract potential clients.
As your business grows, you could even consider expanding your services to include closet organization, personal shopping for specific occasions, or even virtual styling consultations.
You can also consider offering group styling sessions or workshops to generate more income and reach a wider audience.
To be successful as a personal shopper and stylist, you have to stay up-to-date on fashion trends and be able to adapt to each client’s style and preferences. Be patient and flexible, and always put your client’s needs first.
6. Videography
If you have experience with video production and editing, or if you’re willing to learn, you can offer your services as a videographer for events, weddings, or marketing campaigns. This can be a great opportunity to showcase your creativity and help others capture important moments.
To get started in personal videography, start by building a portfolio of your work. Consider filming some events for friends and family or creating sample videos that showcase your skills. Once you have some examples of your work, you can start looking for clients.
You can advertise your services on social media or local classifieds websites. It’s always a good idea to network with other professionals in the industry, such as wedding planners or event coordinators, who may be able to refer clients to you.
As you start to get more clients, you may want to consider investing in better equipment and software to improve the quality of your videos. You can also consider offering additional services, such as video editing or production, to increase your income.
It’s important to continue to build your skills and stay up to date on industry trends to ensure that you’re providing the best possible service to your clients.
To grow your videography business, focus on building relationships with your clients and providing excellent customer service.
Encourage them to leave reviews or refer you to others. You can also consider offering discounts or special promotions to new or returning clients.
By building a reputation as a reliable and talented videographer, you can continue to grow your business and increase your income.
7. Landscaping
Landscaping is a great creative side hustle to make some extra cash while enjoying the great outdoors. If you have a green thumb and enjoy working with plants and gardens, this could be the perfect side hustle for you.
Landscaping can include everything from mowing lawns and planting flowers to designing outdoor spaces and creating hardscapes.
With some basic tools and a little bit of know-how, you can start your own landscaping business and start generating income in no time.
One great way to find landscaping jobs is by advertising your services on local classifieds websites or social media platforms. You can also offer your services to neighbors or friends and ask them to refer you to others who might be interested in your services.
Once you’ve landed your first job, make sure to do a great job and leave your customer satisfied – this will help you to build a good reputation and generate more business through word-of-mouth.
To get started with landscaping, you’ll need some basic tools such as a lawnmower, rake, shovel, and pruner. You’ll also need to have a good understanding of plants and landscaping principles and be able to design and create outdoor spaces that are both functional and visually appealing.
Take some time to research different landscaping styles and techniques, and practice your skills by working on your yard or offering your services to friends and family.
As you grow your landscaping business, consider expanding your services to include more complex design work or hardscaping projects.
You can also offer maintenance services such as fertilizing, weeding, and pruning to keep your clients’ outdoor spaces looking great year-round.
With dedication and hard work, you can turn your landscaping side hustle into a successful business that provides you with a steady stream of income and the satisfaction of creating beautiful outdoor spaces for others to enjoy.
8. Podcasting
Podcasting is an increasingly popular creative side hustle that can be both fun and lucrative. With the rise of podcasting platforms and the growth of online audiences, more and more people are turning to podcasting as a way to share their expertise, tell their stories, and make money.
Getting started with podcasting is relatively easy and requires minimal investment. All you need is a microphone, a computer, and some recording software. Once you have your equipment set up, you can start recording your episodes and publishing them to platforms like iTunes, Spotify, and SoundCloud.
To generate income from your podcast, you can engage sponsorships, ads, or merchandise sales. There are also platforms like Patreon that allow listeners to support their favorite podcasts with donations or monthly subscriptions.
If you’re interested in podcasting as a side hustle, there are a few things you can do to get started. First, find a topic that you’re passionate about and that you have expertise in. This will help you create endless engaging content that resonates with your audience.
Next, research your competition and find ways to differentiate your podcast from others in your niche. You can do this by offering unique perspectives, interviewing interesting guests, or using creative storytelling techniques.
As you grow as a podcaster, focus on building a loyal audience and engaging with your listeners. Encourage feedback and incorporate listener suggestions into your episodes. You can also leverage social media to promote your podcast and build your brand.
9. Online course creation
Online learning has exploded in recent years, and there’s a growing demand for high-quality courses on a wide variety of topics.
If you’re knowledgeable in a particular area and enjoy teaching others, creating an online course might be the perfect creative side gig for you.
To get started with online course creation, you’ll need to choose a topic that you’re passionate about and have expertise in. Consider what skills or knowledge you have that others might be interested in learning.
Once you have your topic in mind, you can start planning your course content and creating your course materials. You’ll need to decide on a format for your course, whether that’s video, audio, text-based, or a combination of all three.
After creating the course, you can sell it through online course platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, Gumroad, or Coursera. These platforms provide a built-in audience and can help you reach more students than if you were selling your course independently.
You can also sell your course through your website or blog, using marketing techniques like email marketing and social media to promote your course and reach potential students.
To grow your online course business, you can create additional courses on related topics or expand your offerings to include coaching or consulting services.
You can also build your brand and reputation as an expert in your field by publishing blog posts, speaking at events, or appearing on podcasts.
10. Musician or hired performer
There are plenty of opportunities to play at local events, weddings, and parties, as well as to find gigs at bars and other music venues. One great way to get started is to create a portfolio of your work and showcase your talent on social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube.
To get started as a musician or performer, you’ll need to have a good understanding of your target audience and the type of music they’re interested in.
This may involve researching local venues and events to find out what types of performers are in demand. You can also network with other musicians and performers to gain insight into the industry and learn about upcoming gigs.
You can also reach out to local event planners and wedding coordinators to see if they have any upcoming events that you can perform at.
It’s important to build a strong brand and market yourself effectively. This may involve creating a website, developing a social media presence, and creating promotional materials such as posters and business cards.
Finally, remember that as a musician or performer, your success will depend on your talent and dedication. Take every opportunity to improve your skills, whether that means taking lessons or attending music festivals and conferences.
With hard work and perseverance, you can turn your love of music into a profitable and fulfilling side hustle.
Starting a side hustle can be a great way to make extra money and pursue your passions outside of your day job. With so many creative side hustles available, it’s important to find one that aligns with your skills and interests.
Whether you choose to become a freelance writer or offer your graphic design services there are endless opportunities to turn your hobbies and talents into profitable side businesses.
However, it’s important to remember that starting a side hustle takes time, effort, and dedication. Success is not guaranteed overnight, but with hard work and perseverance, you can turn your side hustle into a thriving business.
So if you’re considering starting a side hustle, take the leap and explore the possibilities. Who knows, your side hustle could turn into a full-time career that you’re truly passionate about.
If you’re looking for more ideas for creative side hustles to make money, be sure to check out our post on the best side gigs to earn money online.
With a bit of research and some hard work, you can find the perfect side hustle to help you achieve your financial goals and pursue your passions.
