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15 side hustles you can start in 2025 to boost your income

15 side hustles you can start in 2025 to boost your income

Side hustles are the real deal these days. As more companies adopt remote work, more people have enough time in their hands to look for extra sources of income.

You may have several reasons for starting a side hustle such as earning extra income because you are not earning enough from your main job, learning new skills for future endeavours or you are simply looking for something different and more exciting. Whatever your reason may be, having a side hustle is highly recommended especially in times like this when hunger and poverty seem rampant.

Without wasting more time, here are the top 15 side hustles you can start in 2025.

15 side hustles you can start in 2025

1. Freelance writing

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Freelance writing remains one of the best ways to earn a good living. You can earn from $15/hour to $100/hour depending on experience, niche, and quality of work. All you need is your writing  skills, a portfolio, and consistent client patronage.

As a freelance writer, you can create content for blogs, websites, and businesses. Choose a niche, build a portfolio with writing samples  on freelance websites such as Fiverr and Upwork, and add your  fee.

2. Social media management

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Managing social media accounts of businesses is one of the most profitable ways of boosting your income. However, you do need to develop some skills which include content creation and analytics.

You can start by targeting businesses who want to promote their social media space but cannot afford a full-time manager. Deliver a great work and ask for referrals to grow your client base.

3. Virtual assistant

Virtual assistant
Photo credit: Time Doctor

Being a virtual assistant involves providing remote administrative support to businesses such as handling tasks like email management, scheduling, and customer service. If you are good in multitasking, this is definitely a side hustle that is worth considering.

First, create a profile on platforms like Upwork, and start applying for VA jobs. Offer competitive rates and deliver your best task to increase your client base.

4. Drophipping

Drophipping
Photo credit: Nembol

Dropshipping simply means selling products online without the need to stock inventory. This means a customer makes a purchase, and the supplier ships the product directly to them. It is a low-risk, cost-effective way to start a side hustle.

Therefore, choose a niche, create a Shopify account or any e-commerce store of your choice and promote your products on social media. If you can, create your own e-commerce store and promote your products.

5. Sell digital products

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Selling digital products is one of the most profitable side hustles, projected to reach $74 billion by 2025, according to Hostinger. Here, you will sell digital templates, eBooks, printables, and courses. The best part is that you can keep selling the same thing repeatedly, making it one of the best ways to earn a passive income.

To get started, research and choose the type of products you want to sell, create your product using  tools like Canva or Adobe Creative Suite and promote on social media.

6. Online tutoring

Online tutoring
Photo credit: Research.com

These days, a teacher’s reward is no longer in heaven, it is right here on earth. Many teachers who understand this have decided to look for tutoring gigs to add to their main income.

One of the best side hustles  in this case is online tutoring where you will teach any subject of your choice for a fee. Subjects like mathematics, English language and other foreign languages are hot cakes that can fetch you an income that may be higher than what you earn from your main hustle.

7. Create a YouTube channel

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Starting a YouTube channel is a great way to earn from ads and sponsorships. It is a great platform to explore your video production skills and online engagement. As your channel gets more subscribers and engagements, so does your income.

To start, research on niches that can get subscribers and viewers quickly. Create a content plan and start filming your content. To monetise your channel, enable Google ads and try getting sponsorships from clients or promote products through affiliate marketing. Who knows, you may become a YouTube star, earning millions on USD.

8. Babysitting

Babysitting
Photo credit: Babysits

Nowadays, men and women work equal number of jobs and time. This means many parents do not have time for take care of their children. It is why the babysitting service is increasingly in demand.

You can take advantage of the opportunity by offering your services to babysit people’s children, especially if you love kids. It also offers an extra income without any start up capital. Just brush up your resume, highlighting your experience, certifications (like CPR or first aid), and availability.  To find clients, create a profile on platforms like Care.com or Sittercity or ask around for anyone who is looking for a babysitter around your neighbourhood.

9. Dog walking or pet sitting

Dog walking or pet sitting
Photo credit: Sugar House Veterinary Hospital

This side hustle requires love for animals and make sure you are not allergic to them. Also, think of it as a way to earn extra income while spending time outdoors. With the right approach, you can build a client base and increase your income. To find clients, register on dog-walking platforms like Wag or Rover.

10. Translating content

Translating content
Photo credit: Writers.ae

Translating or transcribing content is a side hustle you can easily do from home. It pays well too, ranging from $15 to $30 per hour, depending on speed and specialisation.

You can get steady gigs especially if your niche is medical, legal or high demand foreign languages. To get started, sign up to platforms like Gengo, pass their skill tests, and you are good to go.

11. Ride hailing services

Ride hailing services

Ride hailing services such as Uber and Bolt as a side hustle comes with some benefits. For one thing, it is a flexible job, meaning you can do it on your own schedule. Then you can earn a good amount of money in a day.

To get started, register your car to one of the hailing services of your choice and go through their inspection processes. If you do not have a car, you can borrow one from a family or friend or colleague. Once you are cleared, then begin taking on rides.

12. Food delivery

Food delivery
Photo credit: Premium Times

Like ride hailing services, food delivery is a flexible work. All you need to do is deliver meals from restaurants to customers. This is an ideal side hustle for people who want to make quick money from the short time they created from their normal schedules.

However, you will need a vehicle, bike, or scooter and registration with a delivery service.

13. Photography

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Photo credit: Freepik

Selling photography online is a great side hustle to earn a passive income. You can take and upload  high-quality images to stock sites or license them to businesses to continuously earn money.

However, you will need a good quality camera, and develop strong editing skills to ensure your photos stand out. Focus on popular niches like lifestyle, landscapes and business images to attract clients.

Upload your images on popular platforms like Shutterstuck, Getty Images, Pixels, Freepik and so on.

14. Let out your spare room

Let out your spare room
Photo credit: Realtor.com

So you live in this big flat and you do not know what to do with all that space. Sublet it to someone else and earn some cool money as a side hustle. Simple.

15. Take online surveys

Take online surveys
Photo credit: Cvent

Online surveys are one of the quickest and easiest ways of making extra income. You do not need to have special skills to participate. However, these surveys do not pay much, so it is better to treat them as the side hustles that they are.

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Nonye is a Thespian, screenwriter, creative writer and an unapologetic lover of books, great movies and sports. She has over 10 years experience in content writing on entertainment, movies, sports and lifestyle. Nonye is currently a content writer at Blackdot Media and founder of litafrik.com
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