By the year 2027, over half of the U.S. workforce is projected to consist of freelancers, whether as a full-time occupation or as a side gig alongside a primary job. The trend of the gig economy is not confined to the United States but is also significantly affecting workplaces globally. The World Bank revealed in a 2023 statement that the 'gig economy' contributes to up to 12% of the global labor market, a figure much higher than previously estimated.
This significant shift in the labor market occurs against a backdrop of soaring annual inflation rates, which peaked at 8.3% in 2022. Although there has been a moderation in inflation rates since then, prices in March 2024 have still risen by 3.5% compared to the same period in 2023, according to Statista. As a result, more professionals, including an increasing number of Gen Z graduates, are turning to side hustles to augment their income or even substitute their primary salary.
Considering this context, there is a growing trend of professionals and new graduates exploring side hustles to boost their earnings. To provide inspiration, here are 20 accessible side hustles that individuals can pursue as freelancers on the widely-used global freelancing platform, Fiverr. These side hustles are categorized as "easy," meaning that they don't require deep technical expertise attained through years of study nor do they demand significant upfront investment. Individuals can embark on these side hustles equipped with readily available, low-cost tools, and their existing skill set.
- Logo design: As a freelance logo designer, you would collaborate with your clients to understand their specific needs, vision, market, and industry, and after consulting, create custom logos tailored to their brand, ensuring it is visually appealing, functional, and memorable. These days, logo design is easy to accomplish with the help of design tools (including AI-powered online studios).
- Proofreading and editing: When you provide proofreading and editing as a freelance service on Fiverr, you may find yourself working on all types of projects (although it helps to be more specific with your specialty). For example, you could decide to proofread and edit speeches, presentations, university applications, or blog copy.
- Social media graphics: Social media management and design are in high demand, so why not create engaging graphics for social media? Your services could range from posts to banners, cover images, and promotional graphics.
- Voiceover services: Voiceover gigs are another fantastic way to make money online through Fiverr. With the right audio equipment, you can provide voiceover recordings for commercials, explainer videos, and even audiobooks.
- Virtual assistant tasks: More freelancers and small businesses mean people need more help so they can focus on what matters most in their business endeavors. That's where you come in. As a virtual assistant, you help business clients with administrative, "boring" tasks—the ones that they choose not to outsource to AI. For example, it could be customer service, email management, or itinerary creation and calendar management.
And here are 15 more side hustle ideas you can start on Fiverr:
- Transcription
- Basic video editing (such as clips for YouTube)
- Digital illustrations
- Resume writing and formatting (you may be able to earn more if you specialize in other related areas such as interview prep and job application assistance)
- Social media management
- WordPress customization
- SEO optimization
- Basic website design
- Translation services
- Photo editing
- Product reviews
- Creative writing (for example, articles, blogs, write-ups, features, etc.)
- Social media profile setup and integration
- Data entry
- Virtual Tutoring
With such a vast range of categories to pick from on freelance websites such as Fiverr, you can never run out of ideas to make extra money from home. Using your existing interests, hobbies, and skills, paired with easy-to-obtain tools and software, there's always a way to bolster your career and earning potential.