By
Justin Heller
Not long ago, the gig economy - powered by minor contracts and freelance jobs - was just a fringe idea adopted by a small portion of the workforce. This article highlights the best side gigs and gives you the full breakdown of each one. Let’s dive in.
The best five side gigs are:
The quickest, easy-to-start side gig puts you in the driver’s seat and links you to people who need your services behind the wheel. This could be taking passengers from point A to B or delivering food or other goods to the desired destination with speed and service.
Pick an app, set your schedule, and call the shots for when and where you drive.
Highlights:
Possible Wages
Base pay for most delivery apps will usually be between $14 and $20, depending on factors like location and timing. Top performers can earn extra cash through tips and take advantage of rush hour multipliers that bring in more for each ride or delivery.
Remember fuel costs and depreciation when driving, and account for them when calculating your total earnings.
Bottom Line
For anyone with a car and some downtime between work and life, rideshare and delivery apps are worth a shot. You may strike it big with weekend and evening rides, while opportunities might be scarce during the weekdays.
People are so dedicated to their roles as pet parents these days that they’ll do whatever it takes to keep their animal friends healthy, happy, and safe.
As a pet sitter or walker, you can quickly build up a solid client base in your area and start earning rather quickly. Just focus on a particular service and master it while collecting positive reviews and references. Before long, you’ll have a hugely profitable side gig,
Highlights:
Possible Wages
It’s not uncommon to earn minimum hourly pay when offering pet services, but those earnings can quickly rise once you prove your capabilities and build trust.
Before long, you can earn between $20 and $30 per hour as a walker or sitter, then double or triple those earnings by walking multiple dogs at once. Take that business to the next level by offering additional services, marketing intelligently, and even hiring subcontractors.
Bottom Line
The pet industry is booming in America, and pet parents are willing to pay top dollar for the best sitters, walkers, and groomers. Only take on this challenge if you’re ready to deal with animals of all types and learn the additional business skills required.
At the foundation of commerce is buying and selling tangible goods, representing a big chunk of the gig economy today. A combination of great products and smooth service makes all the difference when making the most of this business with substantial scalable potential.
Start by selling stuff you already have on hand, whether it’s books, records, video games, electronics, or clothes. Once you’ve got the infrastructure and skills to back it up, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.
Highlights:
Possible Wages
While selling a stack of records or a toaster oven may only earn you $15 on the spot, you can scale this type of business with unlimited upside. Use the power of existing platforms to your advantage when starting, and quickly earn a few hundred dollars per month.
The top eBay and Marketplace earners make thousands each month and even replace their full-time income by rising to the top. The sky is the limit if you can execute a strong eCommerce concept and scale effectively.
Bottom Line
Anyone can jump into the reselling game with just a few items and some grit. You may not become the next eCommerce king or queen, but there is money to be made and universally applicable skills to sharpen along the way.
This is boots-on-the-ground business at its finest and something everyone should try at least once.
Have a knack for housework, cleaning, repairs, or furniture assembly? These skills are always in demand, whether you’re in a big city, the suburbs, or beyond. You've got a winning side job if you can work quickly, build a client base, and develop business acumen.
Highlights:
Possible Wages
The average payout for a gig on TaskRabbit is between $17 and $20, but that’s for low-skilled work. As soon as you start specializing, your earning potential rises sharply, increasing to $35 per hour and beyond. Top earners on the app earn $80/hr or more.
Break free from the app and start a business; you can earn as much as you can handle and scale. From power washing to carpet cleaning and beyond, the money is there for the taking.
Bottom Line
It may not be the most glamorous work available, but these jobs pay well and meet everyday people's immediate, universal needs. There are plenty of entry points to get started, and you may even find an untapped niche that leads you to riches.
Every business needs customer service, and sales are the most critical skill. With the gig economy, you can get into the game digitally and dedicate a few hours weekly to these excellent and versatile skills.
We all have a natural ability to sell and support customers, so why not make the most of it?
Highlights:
Possible Wages
Starting in customer service, don’t expect more than $15 an hour in most fields. However, those earnings rise as you gain experience and specialize in a particular area of expertise.
In sales it’s usually all commission-based, meaning you get paid for each sale. Even in small industries, the top salespeople can earn six figures with full-time effort. As a part-time thing, you can make at least $1000/month extra income, which never hurts.
Bottom Line
There will always be demand for customer service and sales, even in the digital age. Show that you’re a reliable, results-oriented worker, and a world of opportunity will open up before you.
Between the rise of web apps, economic pressures, and the COVID ordeal, gig work is now the norm for millions of Americans, and there are plenty of ways to get involved.
The appeal of side gigs is the flexibility, the earnings potential, and the added security and decreased income volatility we all need right now. That is a huge part what Steady stands for and why we focus on optimizing the gig economy experience for everyone.
Part of succeeding in the gig economy is knowing which jobs are available and how they may suit your lifestyle and aptitudes, then pursuing them with the right approach to max out earnings for your time investment.
To formulate the optimal side gig strategy and get the most out of every free hour, Steady has the tools to make it happen. As soon as you open the app and create your account, you’ll see first-hand how you can coordinate the best side gig plan possible.
Right on the app’s homepage, you see your monthly earnings front and center and several recommended income opportunities in your area and pay range. In the “Find work” section, tap on the “Anytime (Gigs)” section to see what gigs are available to get started right away.
Go to the “Income” tab at the bottom of the screen to stay in the know and get insights about how much you’re earning, your income progress, and future income goals you wish to set.
Don’t forget the “Boosters” tab, where you can explore more ways to get cash rewards while you make key income decisions to steady your income. Income Boosters are basically cash rewards sent directly to you from Steady, just for being proactive in making smarter financial moves!
Setting up the perfect side gig plan isn’t always intuitive, but this guide should get you started with the insights you need to succeed. Instead of wasting time on gigs that don’t fit your lifestyle or needs, you can cut to the chase and earn smart.
Steady is here to help with every step, from strategy and planning to real-time execution, income tracking, and income organization. Bring it all together with Steady and make the gig economy work for you, not the other way around!
Sources:
2021 Side Hustle Statistics | Smarts
