These side hustle ideas for creative people (writers, artists, and content creators) could help you earn $1000 per month from home.
Life is increasingly becoming more and more expensive and it never hurts to have multiple sources of income. But it can be hard to come up with a revenue stream that works for your personality type. So I’ve curated a list of side hustle ideas tailor-made for creative people.
According to Zapier one in three Americans has a side hustle. Here are a few reasons why you might need to make a little extra money:
- To pay off debt
- To build a nest egg
- To stay at home with children
- To diversify your income streams
- To prepare for a move
- To save for a down payment on a car or house
- To plan a vacation
- To support a family member
But regardless of your reason, who wouldn’t want to make an extra $1000 a month?
In this article, we’ll explore a variety of ways for creative people to earn a little extra money with side hustles separated into three groups: writers, artists, and content creators.
Best side hustle ideas for writers
Become a freelance writer
Whether it’s writing articles for news sites or doing copywriting for landing pages, there are a variety of ways for freelance writers to make money online. Sites like Upwork and Fiverr have created marketplaces where businesses can connect with you to do project-based work.
Start an email newsletter
Newsletters are the best touchpoint for connecting with an audience. Instead of needing to connect with your audience with social media, you can build a trusting relationship with your audience in more personal ways.
Make revenue from your newsletter with:
- Sponsored Ads
- Paid newsletters
- Online Courses
- Coaching and Consulting
Self-publish a book
Both nonfiction and fiction books are lucrative ways to use your skills as a writer to make additional income. After writing your book, you can self-publish it through platforms like Amazon’s Kindle Digital Publishing and sell it via the Amazon store directly to your audience.
Become a proofreader
For people obsessed with grammar and great attention to detail, proofreading is an excellent way to make money. Most online businesses are creating lots of content and that content needs to be thoroughly reviewed before it goes up on sites.
Write and edit resumes
With the economy changing so much, it’s a useful skill to know how to write and edit resumes. Sometimes the easiest way to make money is to help other people make money. Learn the best practices in helping people pivot to new careers and you could build a lucrative side hustle.
Best Side Hustle Ideas for Artists
Sell printables and digital downloads
Printables and digital downloads are an effective way to make additional revenue without the headache of managing physical merchandise. Making and selling downloadable art prints, workbooks, and other digital downloads could become a lucrative side hustle with a little upfront work and the right audience.
Sell your crafts and artwork
If you regularly make physical art objects, you can sell them online to your customers with a Shopify website or Etsy store.
Use a print-on-demand service
The easiest way to test a concept is to put your artwork on products with a print-on-demand service. With no upfront costs, you can quickly learn what ideas sell the best with your customers and don’t have the headache of finding manufacturers or the upfront costs of production, storage, and shipping. Items usually include art prints, mugs, and t-shirts.
Self-publish a coloring book
For illustrators that want to make extra money, you can self-publish your own coloring book with Amazon’s Kindle Print on Demand. All you need to do is define an audience and create compelling artwork that connects with that group of people.
Best side hustle ideas for content creators
Start a Youtube Channel
Youtube continues to be one of the best ways for creative people to make additional income online. With a dedicated schedule of content creation, you can build revenue from Youtube’s ad network. As you continue to grow you can also find your own sponsors and sell products, courses, and digital downloads.
Sell an online course
Online courses are the best way to take the knowledge you’ve gained to support the growth of someone else. You can sell your own online courses on a platform like Teachable or Podia. Or you can sell your courses through a marketplace like Udemy.
Sell creative services for other businesses
If being behind the scenes is more your speed there are a variety of ways for content creators to start a side hustle. Some ideas include:
- Editing videos for Youtube or social media
- Doing graphic design services
- Designing and building websites
- Designing and selling templates
- Doing freelance photography
- Creating content for small businesses
- Run social ads for people
Launch a Patreon account
If you already regularly make content, one interesting way to monetize your audience is to launch a Patreon account. Patreon allows people that love your work to pay you monthly for access to behind-the-scenes or other special content.
Start a blog or a podcast
While it might feel like blogging and podcasts are saturated markets, there’s always room for you to create consistent content and build a following. Blogs and podcasts with a large enough following can sell ads, sponsorship, and affiliate marketing. They also can be great ways to promote your own courses and products.
Become an Influencer
Building an audience online can be hard, but once you’ve built your social following, you can monetize your social platform with sponsorship from other brands that align with your lifestyle.
Sell online coaching and consulting
If you have specific expertise and love connecting with people and businesses one on one, one lucrative way to make additional income is to sell online coaching and consulting. Coaches meet one on one or in small groups with people to help them to achieve business or personal goals. Consulting is the process of working with a business to achieve a specific business goal using your knowledge.
Become a virtual assistant
With so many small businesses online, you can make consistent revenue as a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants provide administrative support on a part-time basis, executing tasks like research, checking emails, booking flights, data entry, and light graphic design.
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