10 Profitable Online Side Hustles for Women
Urgh everything is so expensive these days; groceries, gas, breathing. It seems like everyone is in need of a side hustle especially if you want to do more in life than just get by!
There’s so many options when it comes to side hustles for women to make money online, that its often hard just working out where to start. I hope this guide helps you with that.
The beauty of a side hustle is the freedom it offers, whether it’s extra cash for groceries, saving for that family trip you keep putting off or just having an emergency fund to help you sleep better at night.
Side hustles can be a side gig to your 9-5, working on them a few hours a week or even over time replacing your income while enabling you to work from anywhere and set your own hours.
Everyone has different goals. For me, it’s being able to drop everything and travel with my hubby or take a week and visit my daughter without clearing it with a boss or using up vacation days.
For that reason in my own business I focus on the revenue streams that create passive income, which lets me earn money from anywhere….. Hello, Italy! Here I come.
If you’re curious about exploring ways to make money online then you’re in the right place. We’re going to explore the top online side hustles for women with busy lives, so that you can start living life on your terms, with less stress and more financial freedom.
Contents:
The Best Online Side Hustles for Women
1. Freelancing
Freelancing is a versatile gateway to utilizing your existing skills and making money online. Are you great at writing, bookkeeping, graphic design? Whatever your background or skill set, there’s likely a gig (freelance job) perfect for you.
There’s lots of platforms where freelancers can connect with potential clients, but choosing the right one is crucial. Platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr cater to a broad range of services, while others like Behance or Dribbble are specialized for creatives.
Networking in industry-specific forums and local business groups can also uncover valuable opportunities.
Start by identifying your niche – what you do best and enjoy the most. Create a compelling portfolio showcasing your best work. Be active on social media and professional networks like LinkedIn, sharing insights and engaging with your community. Consistently delivering high-quality work and gathering testimonials will also bolster your brand, making you a go-to expert in your field.
2. Ecommerce Side Hustles for Women
Traditionally ecommerce requires stock, storage space ( a warehouse or office) and someone to do the shipping so it’s not a passive business model HOWEVER there are a few Ecommerce models that are.
E-commerce with Print on Demand (POD)
Print on Demand (POD) is an increasingly popular online side hustle that has low upfront costs. Essentially, print on demand allows you to design custom products like t-shirts, mugs, phone cases and home decor which are then printed and shipped by a third-party provider when a customer makes a purchase. This eliminates the need for expensive inventory, reducing the risk and overhead typically associated with traditional ecommerce.
When it comes to platforms, there are several user-friendly options to choose from. Websites like Printful, Printify and Gelato offer a wide range of products and integrate seamlessly with popular e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce. This integration allows for an almost automated business model, where you focus on design and marketing, while the POD service handles the rest.
Additionally, marketplaces like Redbubble and Spring allow you to upload your designs and sell directly on their platforms, making them great for beginners who want to test the waters without setting up a full-fledged e-commerce store.
The key to success in POD is a combination of unique, appealing designs and effective online marketing. Social media platforms, particularly Instagram and Pinterest, are excellent channels for promoting your products.
Amazon Merch:
Another noteworthy platform for print on demand is Amazon Merch. Amazon Merch, much like the print on demand platforms, allows you to upload your designs and sell them on Amazon as physical products, such as t-shirts, hoodies, and phone cases. What makes Amazon Merch particularly attractive is the massive customer base that Amazon already has, offering a significant advantage in terms of potential reach and visibility for your products.
When you use Amazon Merch, you simply upload your design, choose a product type and color, set your price, and add a product description. Amazon then creates a listing for your item. When a customer buys your product, Amazon handles the production, shipping, and customer service, all with no upfront costs to you. Your earnings are based on a royalty system, where you earn a percentage of the sale price.
However, it’s important to note that Amazon Merch is an invitation-only platform, meaning you’ll need to apply and be accepted to start selling.
Dropshipping:
This model allows you to sell physical products without holding inventory. You partner with a supplier who ships items directly to your customers. Choosing the right products is critical, you need to find a niche with high demand but low competition. Remember, a successful product solves a problem or fulfills a desire in a way that resonates with your target audience.
The quality and reliability of your suppliers is crucial; you will need to vet them carefully. Focus on customer service and build a brand that resonates with your target audience. Dropshipping can be highly competitive.
3. Affiliate Marketing Side Hustles for Women
Affiliate marketing is a fascinating and accessible way to generate income online, especially for beginners. It involves promoting products or services through your unique affiliate link, and earning a commission for every sale made via this link.
It’s perfect as a passive income business model because it requires no product creation on your part – you simply share and recommend what you trust and love, this can be amazon products or services you use.
Many brands and services offer affiliate programs.
Affiliate marketing offers the flexibility to align your interests with your audience.
Print on Demand (POD) is an increasingly popular online side hustle that has low upfront costs. Essentially, print on demand allows you to design custom products like t-shirts, mugs, phone cases and home decor which are then printed and shipped by a third-party provider when a customer makes a purchase. This eliminates the need for expensive inventory, reducing the risk and overhead typically associated with traditional ecommerce.
Here are the most popular ways to promote your affiliate links;
4. Social Media Management
If Social Media is your thing then this is the perfect side hustle for you. Social media management is more relevant than ever, many brands and companies outsource this. There’s a huge demand for this service especially from small business owners who are already wearing too many hats and just can’t manage frequent posting as well.
With my physical product business it was the one task I consistently outsourced as I just did not have the time to devote to it.
To stand out in the competitive field of social media management, specialize in a niche or become an expert in a specific platform. That way you can create a library of strategies and content that work over and over but yet can be tailored to each client.
Examples of Social Media Management Niches
- Product Based Businesses
- Hair Salons & Spa’s
- Realtors
- Airbnb Rentals
- Therapists / Counseling
Offering personalized strategies rather than one-size-fits-all solutions can significantly set you apart in the market
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5. Online Tutoring or Coaching
If there’s an area or subject you are passionate about or have expertise in, consider teaching online. This can be in the form of 1on1 virtual sessions such as business coaching or nutrition or by creating a course such as photography, languages or art.
Various platforms cater to online teaching, each with its own features. Platforms like Udemy or Teachable are great for courses, whereas Zoom or Google Meet suit live sessions. For tutoring, platforms like Chegg or VIPKid connect you with students needing one-on-one help. Choose your platform based on the type of teaching you prefer, the technology you’re comfortable with, and the audience you aim to reach.
Marketing is crucial to attract students. Use social media, content marketing (like blogs or YouTube videos), and email newsletters to promote your courses. Paid advertising on platforms like Facebook or Google can also boost your visibility. Collect testimonials from your students to build credibility. Remember, word of mouth is powerful, so strive to deliver a great learning experience that your students will want to share.
6. Digital Products
This is probably the most popular of our side hustles for women. You’ve no doubt seen multiple posts on Instagram in the last year about creating digital products to sell online. The beauty of selling digital products is that you only need to create your product one time, but there is no limit on how many times you can sell it. It is an extremely passive form of income.
Popular options include
The key is to identify what aligns with your skills and interests, and what is in demand. Brainstorm your skills, hobbies and general life experience to identify what you are passionate about, who you want to help and the problem you can solve for them.
Are you great at DIY or refinishing furniture? Do friends comment on your sense of style? Do you have an eye for home decor, baking or entertaining? Are you a whizz with spreadsheets or at managing a budget (at home or at work)? Have you navigated a painful divorce and come out the other side with clarity and focus? These are all things people need help with.
Your choice of platform depends on the type of digital product you’re selling.
Here’s 3 of the most popular…
Social media platforms like Instagram can be used for promotion and even direct selling through shoppable posts.
7. Virtual Assistant:
Virtual assistants (VAs) provide a range of services based on their skills and client needs. Popular services include email and calendar management, data entry, social media management, customer support, and content creation. Other in-demand services are bookkeeping, project management, and research tasks. The key is to identify services that match your skills and are sought after by businesses or entrepreneurs.
To find clients, start by building a professional online presence. Platforms like LinkedIn, Upwork, and Fiverr are great places to start. Networking, both online and offline, is vital. Join VA groups or forums to connect with potential clients and fellow VAs. Don’t underestimate the power of word-of-mouth; let your friends and professional contacts know about your services.
Efficient workload management is crucial for a successful VA career. Use tools like Trello or Asana for task management and Google Calendar for scheduling. Set clear boundaries with clients regarding availability and turnaround times. Prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. Automate repetitive tasks where possible and continually refine your workflow to stay efficient. Remember, maintaining a work-life balance is key to avoiding burnout.
8. UGC Content Creation:
User-Generated Content (UGC) is content created by individuals (rather than brands), often shared on social media, blogs or other digital platforms. It’s authentic, relatable, and can significantly boost a brand’s credibility and reach. As a UGC creator, you produce content like photos, videos, reviews, or blog posts that incorporate or mention a brand’s products or services.
Authenticity is key in UGC. Share your genuine experiences and thoughts about a product. Use storytelling to make your content relatable and engaging. High-quality visuals and a consistent style help your content stand out. Platforms like Instagram are ideal for visually-driven UGC, offering tools like Stories, Reels, and IGTV to showcase creative content.
To start collaborating with brands, build a solid online presence with quality content and a good follower engagement rate. Reach out to brands you genuinely like, or use influencer platforms to find collaboration opportunities. Be clear about your content style and audience demographics to find the right brand fit.
9. Podcasting:
Podcasting isn’t just about sharing your voice or passions; it can also be a lucrative business. Monetization in podcasting typically comes from sponsorships, advertisements, and listener support. The key to attracting these revenue streams is to build an engaged audience and produce consistent, high-quality content.
Select a niche that you’re passionate about and that has an audience. Whether it’s storytelling, education, interviews, or discussions on specific topics like tech, health, or entertainment, your niche should reflect your interests and expertise. A well-defined niche helps in attracting a dedicated listener base.
Once you have a substantial listener base, you can attract sponsorships and ads. Start by reaching out to small businesses or brands relevant to your niche. Podcast ad networks can also connect you with potential advertisers. Ensure that the ads are relevant to your audience and seamlessly integrated into your content. Platforms like Patreon allow listeners to support your podcast financially and you can offer exclusive content, behind-the-scenes access, or other perks to subscribers in return.
10. Amazon Reviewer
Probably one of the simplest side hustles for women is making money with Amazon reviews. Unless you are a complete hermit, the chances are that you’ve made a purchase on Amazon and left reviews for those products. Did you know that you can actually get paid for those reviews? However there is a certain process to follow in order to monetize your efforts. To do so you need to be in the Amazon Influencer program and create 1-2 minute review videos.
The best part is that you don’t need a huge following to get approved and you don’t even have to show your face on the videos.
Here’s how that works:
It can be tricky to get approved on your first attempt. I highly recommend this Amazon Review training to help you get up and running quickly. I mean why not make money on the stuff you already own or are planning to buy anyway and make money from your Christmas shopping….hell yes!
Conclusion
There is no downside to a side hustle. There are only benefits to building more than one income source”
-Forbes
There are so many opportunities out there that are perfect side hustles for women, you just need to find the perfect fit for you. One where you can balance your goals and your time without overwhelm.
Remember the side hustle journey is not just about extra income; it’s a pathway to creating freedom and changing your life for the long term.
Creating a thriving online business doesn’t happen overnight; it takes consistent work and strategy in the beginning especially when it comes to learning new skills. However once you have everything set up, some of these businesses can literally make you money while you sleep.
If I missed anything you’d like me to cover, drop me a comment below.