When you think of finding a side hustle, you might picture yourself finding an obscure job as a bike courier three nights a week or maybe even walking your neighborhood dogs. Both of these positions can be fun and pay extremely well depending on who you work for.
There are endless opportunities for part-time, enjoyable, profitable side hustles. However, if you take on any of the following gigs, you could end up with a new career.
1. Day trading
Day trading is the purchase and sale of a stock, bond, or security all within the same day. Many entrepreneurs are drawn to day trading because it’s fast-paced and risky, but with the right skills, day trading presents a potential for serious profit.
If you’re curious about day trading, RJO Futures published a guide on how day trading works. RJO’s article explains that whether you trade from a large firm or on your own, you’ll need three tools:
- Access to a trade desk. This will give you instant order actions the moment your trades are placed.
- Analytical software. Analytical software will help you identify key indicators to inform your next move.
- Access to news outlets. Day trading – specifically day trading futures – is volatile. Prices move by the second and having access to news outlets will give you a heads up if your market might be affected.
Be aware that if you enjoy day trading and get good, you might want to go full-time. It’s possible to turn day trading into a career, but the learning curve is steep.
2. Investing in real estate
Real estate is a lucrative industry, but it’s not for everyone. Popular among entrepreneurs, investing in real estate requires long hours of study, extensive research, and getting your hands dirty.
Usually, real estate investors have side hustles to supplement their income. However, many people get into real estate as a side hustle and end up turning it into a career.
If you want to get started in real estate, don’t jump to investing right away. Take the expert advice from the folks at Bigger Pockets and start by learning about the industry. Get a part-time job as an assistant property manager to pick up industry knowledge and learn your local landlord-tenant laws. If you’re going to invest in real estate to rent out, you’ll be a landlord at least for a short period of time until you hire a property management company.
If you know someone who can help you make your first investment, you don’t need to wait. However, to be successful you have to think outside the box to gain a full spectrum of industry experience.
3. Content writing
Every business needs content writers and many are willing to settle for any level of proficiency. If you have any writing skills, you can easily pick up some content writing gigs on job listing sites.
If you love writing, you might start out writing one blog per week and decide you want to pursue writing full-time. If it’s truly your passion, stick with it and you’ll find the right clients who will pay you generously for your work.
4. Coaching
Whatever people are struggling with, there’s a coach to save the day. Life coaching and business coaching are the most popular, but you can coach people on anything you’re passionate about.
Being a coach isn’t easy. Even people who intentionally start a career as a coach struggle. What most people don’t realize about coaching is that passion does not equal profit. Coaching is a hard sell, but life coaching is especially difficult. Running a coaching business requires more than business skills – you need to be proficient at helping people solve their problems.
If you’re good at helping people solve their problems, there’s a chance you might get addicted to being a coach. There’s nothing more satisfying than helping people grow and transform their lives.
5. Thrifting
It’s not hard to find sellable items at your local thrift stores. However, you need an eye for what people want to buy. If you’ve got that eye, you could end up with a new career.
For example, Natalie Gomez, a former merchandise planner at Macy’s, took on thrifting as a side job and wound up making thousands of dollars. Gomez was interviewing for a new job when she realized she was already making a good living selling clothes.
Enjoy your side hustles
Even if you don’t turn your side hustle into a career, take on gigs you enjoy. Money is necessary, but it’s never worth sacrificing your happiness.
Robert D. Ashby
March 4, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Glad to see you are improving, albeit slowly. I will try to make it to at least 1 of the Tweet-Ups you planned.
Andy Kaufman
March 4, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Nice to see you on the interweb again Lani…
Twitter party!!!!!!
Mariana
March 4, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Yay for Lani being able to do a little bit more! We miss you. Twitter Party!
Kim Wood
March 4, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Yeah! SOOOO good to see you, Lani ! It is just awesome to see your face!
I’ll be there tonight!
Lani Anglin-Rosales
March 4, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Thanks guys! Hope to see everyone tonight!
Here are the commenter’s twitternames:
Robert- uhh.. i don’t know this one
Andy- @andykaufman
Mariana- @mizzle
Kim- @kimwood
Matthew Rathbun
March 4, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Of course, I’ll try to “fit you in”! Glad to hear you’re doing better!
Robert D. Ashby
March 4, 2008 at 2:14 pm
You don’t know me? I am deeply saddened, but here’s a quick fix…@floridaCMPS
Lani Anglin-Rosales
March 4, 2008 at 2:18 pm
thanks @mattrathbun
robert, forgive me- i blame my ears 🙂
Michelle DeRepentigny
March 4, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Whoo hoo! Glad you are recovering, although slowly. My version of hell now is to not be able to be online. Looking forward to tonight! @MichelleDe
Jonathan Dalton
March 4, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I’d be there if I could but I’ve got a poker game, dear. Was great talking to you Saturday, though!
Candy Lynn
March 4, 2008 at 3:02 pm
TWEET TWEET or be square! ;~)
Jeremy Hart
March 4, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Lani, so glad to see you getting back in the swing of things. Can’t make the meetup, but looking forward to seeing you out on the Web again soon!
@NRVLiving
DB
March 4, 2008 at 3:43 pm
“robert, forgive me- i blame my ears :)”
I blame mine on everything! By the way Lani, you are only a temporarily (hopefully) member of the hearing loss club so you’re limited by how much you can blame on your ears!
Ines
March 4, 2008 at 4:14 pm
OMG – I am so happy to hear you are better – you have us on pins and needles!
Chris Shouse
March 4, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I can’t wait to tweet with you. I need to follow Benn and I will add him right now. See ya tonight.
Rebekah
March 4, 2008 at 5:27 pm
It’s good to see you back online! Take care of yourself!!!
Carson
March 5, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Glad to read you are feeling better… That labrynthitis sounds freaky. I hope nothing hurt. I can’t stand ear pain and there is probably nothing I can think of worse than that, other than say, my hands. Carpal Tunnel freaks me out too.