15 Side Hustle Ideas for Creatives
By Literally Broke
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Side hustles are one of the easiest ways to increase your income and achieve your financial goals faster.
Whether you’re looking to launch a web series or pay off debt, here are fifteen side hustle ideas that are perfect for artists and creatives.
Work as a Freelance Writer
While I was paying off $10,000 in credit card debt, I started writing freelance for different brands and businesses. Although I had to take some low-paying or just plain unpaid jobs at first, they built my portfolio. Within a few months, I was able to scale my freelance writing business to include more established, high-paying gigs.
Content writing, copywriting, and freelance writing for publications are all ways to make money off your writing. If you’re looking to build your portfolio, you can always pitch a piece to Literally Broke (!!!!) or start your own blog. I also recommend signing up for the Freelance Writer Academy, which teaches you how to build a successful freelance writing business.
2. tutor students
Countless friends from college have all worked as tutors. My fiance even took the LSAT (the law school admissions test) and did so well that he became an LSAT instructor. Even though he had no intention of actually going to law school, he could make a full-time salary working part-time, and focus on his writing.
The good news is that you can tutor students in things much-less complicated than the LSAT! If there’s a particular field you know a lot about and you’re either in college or a college graduate, you can make a ton of money tutoring students from elementary-age to high school.
3. Assist with College Applications
Like tutoring, the college application market is enormous. College essays and auditions are both huge stressors for families, and they’re often willing to pay a pretty penny for your services. In addition to working for yourself, you can also apply to work for a tutoring service or college admissions consultancy.
4. Sell Graphic Design services
Social media’s popularity and the growing importance of visual branding mean that graphic design can be really lucrative. Logo design, assets for social media, and brand decks are all materials you can create for local and online businesses.
5. Start an Etsy Store
While Etsy stores may take more upfront work than other side hustles, they’re an excellent way to marry your creativity with money-making. Etsy stores also allow you to create passive income streams through print-on-demand merchandise and digital prints for people’s desks and homes.
6. Edit Videos for TikTok and YouTube
Filmmakers should be on the lookout for the business opportunities video content provides. Established brands and influencers are both looking to create quality, well-edited videos.
7. get a gig Pet Sitting
Pet sitting is one of the simplest and most fun side hustles. I cat sit for an agency and often make more than $100 just visiting a cat in my neighborhood. Apply to pet sitting agencies in your own area to get started!
8. Become a photographer
People are always looking for great photos, whether they’re of their business’ products or of themselves. Specializing in an area like headshot photography or engagement shoots is a wonderful way to make money while practicing a skill you already love.
9. Work as a Transcriptionist
Writers, filmmakers, and podcasters are always on the lookout for people who can transcribe their interviews. The media newsletter and community Study Hall frequently send out calls for transcriptionists.
10. Resell Clothing
Depop, Poshmark, and our favorite, Anxiety Marketplace, all allow you to resell clothing and turn a profit. While I was paying off credit card debt, I sold many items on Poshmark and loved having how it helped me clean out my closet while conquering my financial goals.
11. get hired as a Virtual Assistant
Many influencers and small businesses rely on virtual assistants (VAs) to correspond with their clients via email, post on their social media, and help them with ad-hoc tasks like scheduling podcast guests. Since the position can encompass many different skills, VAs can charge a high rate while also working remotely.
12. Look into Social Media Management
If you’re social media savvy and skilled in copywriting, Photoshop, or Canva, becoming a social media manager may be for you. I freelanced as a social media manager for over a year and found it an enjoyable and creative way to make money.
13. Create A Newsletter
If you’re passionate about a specific topic and have a lot to say about it, start a newsletter! There’s great value in having an email list. You can monetize your newsletter through affiliate marketing and set up a paid newsletter option for higher-value content on a site like Substack (we have a free newsletter on Substack, FYI). Newsletters are way simpler to maintain and monetize than a traditional blog, and you can always launch an official blog later.
14. Design Squarespace Websites
Are you a pro at building websites? Turn that skill into an income stream by monetizing your website design services on a site like Squarespace (we use Squarespace)! Other freelancers and artists are always in need of websites, which means you can quickly build a business by word of mouth.
15. Write Resumes
If you’re skilled at succinctly communicating your skills and work experience, look into resume writing. Countless people are looking for resume support (especially right now), and helping people find works makes this side hustle both lucrative and fulfilling.
Are you ready to launch your side hustle? Hone your skills with Skillshare, an online learning community that features thousands of educational videos for an affordable price, and create a portfolio using Squarespace, our go-to website builder and hosting platform.
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Literally Broke does not guarantee any results from using this content and is for educational purposes only. It is your responsibility to do your own research, consult, and obtain a financial professional or other help that you may need for your situation.
Side hustles are one of the easiest ways to increase your income and achieve your financial goals. Here are fifteen side hustle ideas perfect for creatives.