12 Part-Time Side Jobs for Increasing Your Income
It is common to look for part-time jobs or side jobs in this economy. Sometimes we just need a little more income to make ends meet. When our day job’s income is just not enough, the best option is to find an alternative source of income with side jobs. The good news is we are living in one of the best eras in terms of part-time jobs.
Aside from the internet opening up new prospects for additional income, there are also several apps and programs that can help you find the exact job that you are looking for. These jobs are often not as demanding as a full-time job, and they only require a part-time commitment. There are also several kinds of jobs that have different requirements and skills. Here are just some of the part-time side jobs that can help you to increase your income:
Freelance Writer
There are several jobs available out there if you have high-quality writing skills. These jobs could be writing anything from website content to advertising copy. You could even get hired to write for someone’s blog.
There are several websites that cater to freelance writers. There is so much content to be created for the Internet that good writers are almost always in demand.
Tutoring
Online tutoring used to be done only at specific centers and education programs. But now, because of the advances in communication and networking, you can become an effective tutor with just your laptop at home. All you need is a decent internet connection, a computer, and maybe a webcam.
You can tutor in anything from ESL (English as a second language) to basic mathematics, to advanced college level classes. Online tutoring centers even offer classes all over the world, so you will never run out of clients.
Babysitting
Babysitting is one of the oldest side jobs in the world, and it is still in great demand. While this job is more associated with teenagers and family friends, there are still families and couples that are looking for more mature and responsible adults to look after their child/children.
This job requires a lot of patience and understanding when dealing with younger kids, but if you have that, then this could be a great source of income. You can use specific websites to connect you with families in your area that are in need of babysitters.
Virtual Assistant
One of the most popular online side jobs today is providing virtual assistance. With this position, you will be helping your employer on any number of online jobs and tasks, from social media accounts, to emails, and scheduling appointments. You can make use of your organizational skills and online savvy to help out professionals with their virtual portfolios. The hours and tasks for this job vary but you may need to be online very early or very late depending on your clients’ needs.
Customer Service
Customer service is another profession that you can do in your downtime. There are several companies that hire customer service operators that work from their own home. There are several services and products that require customer service, either on the phone, or through online correspondence. You can work during off hours or even during the weekends, when they need additional help. This job requires you to have good communication skills as well as patience and understanding with irate callers.
Data Entry
Data entry is another online job that does not require you to be in a certain location, or to work during specific hours. These positions are often project-based. Employers usually need a lot of information to be uploaded, transcribed, or converted to a different format. You will need to be able to type or encode quickly and accurately. This is relatively easy work, but the workload can be substantial. Also expect short deadlines.
Survey Caller
This phone-based side job requires you to conduct surveys or market research. This job is a lot easier than retail because it does not require you to sell anything. Instead, you will be asking for people’s time and information. If you don’t mind talking to strangers and being social over the phone, then this could be a great side job for you.
Real Estate
There is still a market for real estate agents in this day and age. This does not require a lot of time, just a few hours to survey potential properties, and maybe an afternoon or two touring and showcasing a few of the properties that you want to sell to potential buyers.
You can work part-time for an agency or start your own real estate company. But if you plan on doing this on your own, be warned that it will require a lot of capital and investment risk.
Short-Term and Long-Term Rental Properties
If you have a large house or you have several properties, then remodeling a room or several rooms into possible lodging for home-stays or short-term rentals can be a lucrative business. This is especially true for people that live in places that are frequented by tourists.
This will require some investment in fixing up your property/properties and also time for cleaning the rooms after each use. But you can take advantage of apps such as AirBnB to attract potential customers.
Rideshare Driver
Another app-based part-time profession you can look into is being a ride-share driver. If you enjoy driving and you don’t mind people riding in your car for a few bucks, then this could be an ideal job for extra income. You can also take advantage of Uber and other similar apps to help you get more customers and more rides. This is also a job that has no time restrictions and you can drive during the hours that you choose.
Event Photographer
Being a photographer can be a lucrative business. You will only be working during events or special occasions, so it won’t be time consuming. But you will have to invest in the proper equipment that you will need in order to deliver the best product (not just cameras, but also lenses, filters, tripods, lights, and flashes). You can establish yourself as a photographer for a certain niche, such as weddings, bar mitzvahs, or kids’ birthday parties.
Event Host
Hosting is another great side job. If you are comfortable with public speaking, have a clear and understandable voice, and you have the skills for talking people up and leading a show, then this could be the perfect side job. Being an event host is not demanding in terms of time, because you will only be working during events, but you will have to be standing and talking the entire time, so it can be tiring.