In the first article of the Strive & Earn series, I shared 5 mindset changes for hustlers, especially the ones who are just beginning. If you haven’t read it yet, I recommend starting there to understand the mindset and options that helped me begin.
Today, we’re taking things a step further. Whether you’re a student, a stay-at-home parent, or someone just looking for a flexible side hustle, this list is for you. From blogging and freelancing to selling digital products and beyond, here are 22 practical ways to earn, many of which you can start with little to no investment.
1. Start a Blog
Share knowledge, tutorials, or opinions in any niche you love. I always wanted to start a blog but at that time I had no idea where to begin. The past me used to write a lot but had no website and the present me has a website but doesn’t write as much anymore. If I had a website back then, I would be posting daily, but it’s never too late. I had zero knowledge on how to make a website but I spent hours learning and practicing. After many trials and errors, I finally did it!
My first 3 websites were on Google Blogger (which is free) while this one is built on WordPress and hosted on Hostinger (paid). If you are just beginning and you can’t pay for a hosting service, then I suggest you start with a free platform like Google Blogger. Both require some learning but if I can do it, YOU CAN TOO!
I have written a detailed article on how to start a blog that earns, you can check it out for more details. You must be thinking how will you earn from a blog? Well, there are a few ways you can earn through a blog that I have listed below. I use affiliate marketing on both of my websites and I’m working on connecting my websites to Google AdSense.
Monetize through:
- Google AdSense or Adsterra
- Affiliate Marketing
- Sponsored Content
- Sell Digital Products or Services
2. Affiliate Marketing
Promote products or services through a unique link and earn a commission for each sale. Now this is also something I am working on and I have integrated it with my websites. You can do it without a website as well. I will write a detailed article on this topic as well.
Platforms to try:
- Fiverr Affiliates
- DARAZ Affiliates
- Creative Fabrica
- Amazon Associates
- Digistore24
- Impact or ShareASale
3. Sell Digital Products
Create once, sell forever. Perfect for creatives, planners, and problem-solvers. The thing I love about digital products is that you don’t need to worry about the printing and production of these products. All you need to do is to design, upload and promote. There are so many products you can make and sell. I am currently working on this topic but I am still learning. Once I have enough to share, I’ll write a detailed article on this one too!
Product ideas:
- Notion templates
- Resume or Canva templates
- Planners & trackers
- Fonts & clipart
- Digital stickers
- Lightroom presets
Sell on: Etsy, Gumroad, Creative Fabrica, Payhip
4. Start a YouTube Channel
Create content around tutorials, reviews, or niche topics. It’s slow to grow but worth it! If you are good at it, go for it! There are so many content ideas you can explore. I’ll try to make a seperate post on content ideas for YouTube soon!
Earn through: Ad revenue, affiliate links, sponsors, digital product promotions.
5. Print on Demand (POD)
Design for products that are only printed and shipped when someone places an order. There are so many platforms available that print and ship stuff for you. All you have to do is make and upload a design and they will handle the printing and shipping. I currently design T-shirts and upload them on TEEPUBLIC, but I will soon join other platforms too. Once I have enough to share, I’ll make a detailed guide about POD as well. I’ll share a list of different products you can design, platforms and resources for designing, as well as different POD platforms to upload your designs.
POD platforms:
- TEEPUBLIC
- Redbubble
- Zazzle
- Amazon Merch on Demand
- Spreadshirt
- Society6
6. Publish on Amazon KDP
Self-publish low-content books like:
- Notebooks
- Coloring books
- Journals
- Activity books
No writing skills needed, just design! If you know how to design low content books, try your luck on Amazon KDP. You will need to do some research on how to design and upload (specially the cover). You can watch YouTube tutorials and get designing. I also tried to publish low content notebooks and activity books but mine were rejected without a solid reason. Once I figure that out, I’ll share more on this topic.
7. Become a Virtual Assistant (VA)
Help businesses or creators with admin tasks, email management, or scheduling.
Offer services via: Fiverr, Upwork, or directly on social media.
8. Freelance Your Skills
Even beginner-level skills are valuable! Just go on Fiverr or Upwork and try your luck! Make sure to do a quick research on how to make a good portfolio and gigs. Be patient and keep on working on your skills. Build a portfolio that’s attractive and offer services that others are lacking in. Spend some time to look at gigs of the same niche and read reviews. You will definitely find something that other people are not providing. I will try to make a detailed guide on this topic in future.
Ideas:
- Content writing
- Graphic design
- Social media posts
- Proofreading
- Translation
- Voiceover work
9. Offer Canva or Social Media Design Services
If you enjoy designing posts or templates, this can be a great freelance service or digital product niche. You will have to invest a little in Canva pro but if this is something you are good at, it’s worth it!
10. Online Tutoring
Teach academic subjects, languages, or skills like art or coding. Anything you know, you can teach it to people using different platforms.
Platforms: YouTube, Skillshare, Preply, Cambly, Superprof, or offer your services independently.
11. Sell Stock Photos or Graphics
If you enjoy photography or illustration, sell your work on:
- Shutterstock
- Adobe Stock
- Creative Market
- Freepik Contributor
12. Become a Social Media Manager
Handle content creation, posting, and engagement for small businesses or influencers.
13. Create a Paid Newsletter
Build a loyal audience and offer valuable content via platforms like Substack or ConvertKit.
14. Sell Handmade Items
Crafty? Sell jewelry, decor, art, or handmade gifts on Etsy or Instagram.
15. Start a Skill-Based Service
Offer services based on what you already know:
- Cooking lessons
- Makeup tutorials
- Resume editing
- Quran or Islamic studies tutoring
16. Transcription Work
Listen to audio and type it out, simple work for beginners with good typing skills.
Sites: Rev, TranscribeMe, GoTranscript
17. Voiceover Work
Got a good voice? Offer voiceover services for ads, YouTube, audiobooks, or animations.
18. Write and Sell eBooks
Write a short guide, how-to, or fictional story and sell it via Amazon KDP or Gumroad.
19. Sell Digital Planners or Journals
Digital planning is trending. If you love productivity tools, create a digital planner for iPad or Goodnotes.
20. User Testing or Surveys
Give feedback on websites, apps, or products.
Sites: UserTesting, TryMyUI, Respondent, Toluna
21. Content Creation for Brands
If you’re good at making aesthetic videos or photos, offer UGC (user-generated content) services to brands, even without having a big audience.
22. Start a Pinterest or Quora Account to Drive Traffic
You can grow an account and monetize with affiliate links, blog traffic, or product promotions.
You don’t need to master everything at once, just start with what feels easiest and build from there. Each option opens a new door. In upcoming articles, we’ll go deeper into these paths and help you start step-by-step. Stay tuned for future posts!
Strive & Earn Series:
- 5 Key Mindset Changes for New Hustlers
- Blogging for Profit: How to Build a Blog That Earns
- How to Write and Publish Your First Blog Post
Recommendations:
- HBA Services YouTube Channel
- 90s Mentor YouTube Channel
- Detour Shirts YouTube Channel (Specifically for POD T-shirts)
- Greg Gottfried YouTube Channel
- Anastasia Blogger YouTube Channel
These are some of my favorite YouTube channels that I like to learn from.
