Remote Side Hustles: 4 Ideas to Consider

If you’re looking to expand your skill set, try something new, and boost your income in the process, taking on a side hustle or two might be for you.

Digital transformation has given professionals (like you) the flexibility to make a rewarding living from anywhere in the world. Whether you currently work in digital marketing or you’re looking to break into the field from another profession, a side hustle has its merits.

What is a Side Hustle?

A side hustle is defined as a product, skill or service that you provide on the side of your existing full time job to earn extra experience and income.

Starting a side hustle can broaden your horizons as you will:

• Earn new or multiple sources of income
• Acquire new transferable skills which will give you better prospects as well as varied career choices
• Develop a wider network of professional contacts and acquaintances
• Accelerate your personal development and growth

Where do you find remote side hustles?

By building a solid portfolio and networking, you’re likely to connect with plenty of side opportunities. But, where do you network online, exactly, and where do you look for jobs?

To help you on your quest for success, here are some the best apps for side hustle action:

• Upwork: A resourceful space for gaining experience, building client relationships, and expanding your portfolio.

• Fiverr: From graphics and web design to copywriting, social media consultancy, and beyond, brands are lining up to connect with skilled side hustlers on this thriving freelancer platform.

• FlexJobs: A remote working gig and project platform with an affordable membership fee and access to over 100 different niches or skill specialisms.

The 4 best online side hustles

One survey found that around 45% of people in the US report having a side hustle. This new breed of employed side hustling professionals also find their secondary ventures very rewarding—with 76% of respondents confirming they prefer their sideline to their main source of employment.

Now that we’re up to speed with the motivations, value, and benefits of taking on a secondary venture, we’re going to look at the most rewarding remote side hustling options in the digital marketing arena.

1. Social media marketer

There are around 3.78 billion active social media users on the planet—that’s a colossal audience, to say the least!

Social media marketing is a pivotal pillar of digital marketing and as new platforms continue to emerge, the demand for analytical yet creatively innovative professionals is only getting stronger.

If you’re someone that actively engages in social media, you like sourcing interesting content, you have a flair for writing snappy content, and you’re happy to get analytical—and sweat the stats—you can earn up to $5,000 per month.

Social media marketing is one of the most varied, rewarding, and creative branches of digital marketing—it also offers an incredible level of flexibility to fit around your existing job. Building up a portfolio of clients is a rewarding adventure as a budding social media specialist and once you’ve started gaining momentum, you’ll have the freedom to choose the campaigns or projects that excite you most.

Read up on the skills you need to become a successful social media manager and consider taking a short course on social media marketing.

2. Freelance writer & content marketer

If you have a way with words and a passion for creating valuable content across a broad mix of mediums and touchpoints, freelance writing or content marketing will make a rewarding side hustle.

Competent freelance writers and successful content marketers have the potential to make up to $150,000 per year. By gaining the right skills, building experience, and taking a mix of rewarding projects, you will earn a steady flow of lucrative clients.

Content is one of the most vital forms of brand communication in this day and age—the more experience you gain as a freelance writer or content marketer—the more exciting your side hustle projects will become.

Consider taking a short course on content marketing to really get your skills up to speed.

3. Search engine optimization (SEO) consultant

As one of the cornerstones of digital marketing, brands across industries are crying out for advice and creative guidance from search engine optimization professionals.

Freelance SEO consultants or specialists can earn an average salary of $59,871. The reason SEO experts are so valuable is because they bring a fresh perspective to the table, strategically speaking, while significantly boosting brand awareness (offering an excellent return on investment in the process).

The best thing about SEO consultancy is that it strikes the perfect balance between technical and creative. There is a lot to learn about this area, but by developing the right skills, say with a short course on SEO you can get up and running fairly swiftly.

4. User experience (UX) designer

UX is an element of marketing that can make or break a brand’s success. In our hyper-connected digital age, consumers expect a seamless experience across all channels and touchpoints.

If there is any confusion or friction present in a consumer’s journey, they are more than likely to jump ship and invest in a competitor with better UX offerings. As they are such a vital component of digital marketing success, talented UX designers can make an average salary of $97,426.

If you’re a graphic designer looking to expand your skill set or someone with technical skills looking for a slightly more creative, collaborative side hustle, becoming a UX specialist may be the way forward.

Exactly why (UX) is the key to customer success is understanding just how vital user experience managers are in today’s hyper-connected world.

Do you need a digital certification to start an online side hustle?

There’s no doubt about it: if you’re thinking about taking on a side hustle, you stand to reap great professional as well as financial rewards.

While each of these remote digital marketing side hustles command a different set of attributes, they all have one thing in common—gaining a firm grasp of the fundamentals and remaining open to learning new skills consistently will ensure you sustainable success in your chosen field.

To get a solid edge on the competition and gain the skills you need to thrive as a side hustler in a variety of areas, earning a digital marketing certification is the way forward. It’s one of the best investments you will ever make.

If you’re looking to build the right foundations and gain a wealth of transferable skills across all areas of digital marketing that will increase your success as a remote working side hustler, check out our industry-recognized professional diploma in digital marketing.

“One of the secret benefits of using remote workers is that the work itself becomes the yardstick to judge someone’s performance.” Jason Fried, Author of Office Not Required