More and more people in the UK are turning to side hustles as a means of not only boosting their income but also pursuing their passions. Whether you’re looking to pay off debts, save for a dream holiday, or simply have some extra cash in your pocket, starting a side hustle can be a game-changer. In this article, I’m sharing some of the best side hustles to start in the UK, offering you a range of opportunities to tap into.
The Best Side Hustles and Money Making Ideas if You Live in The UK
Many of these money making ideas can be done from home, making them a great option for stay-at-home mums, or anyone with a few hours a day to spare. Having a side hustle is the perfect alternative to taking a second job. It gives you additional income without having set hours or additional stress that comes with working for an employer.
Freelance writing
Ok, so this one is obviously my personal favourite! As many of you know, I’m a freelance writer myself! Freelance writing is a great way to make extra money. It enabled me to not go back to my 9-5 job after my first pregnancy, and be around for my children as much as possible.
It’s an excellent side hustle option for anyone with a passion for writing who wants to leverage their skills to earn extra income.
One of the biggest advantages of freelance writing is its flexibility. As a freelance writer, you have the freedom to choose your working hours, projects, and clients, allowing you to fit your writing gigs around your existing commitments.
How to Start Freelance Writing, Step by Step
- Define your niche. Determine the type of writing you want to specialize in, such as blog posts, articles, copywriting, or technical writing. Focusing on a specific niche can help you build expertise and attract clients.
- Build a portfolio. Create a portfolio of your best writing samples to showcase your skills and style. If you don’t have published work, consider starting a blog or writing samples on topics that interest you or guest posting on relevant websites to gain exposure.
- Set up an online presence. Create a professional website or blog where potential clients can learn more about you and your services. Include your writing samples, a brief bio, and contact information. Utilise social media platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter to connect with other writers and potential clients.
- Network and pitch. Reach out to businesses, online publications, and content agencies that might require freelance writers. Attend industry events, join writing communities or platforms, and actively network to build connections and find potential clients.
- Polish your skills. Continue honing your writing skills by reading widely, taking online courses, and staying updated with industry trends. The more you invest in improving your writing, the more valuable your services will become.
- Price your services. Determine your rates based on factors such as your experience, the complexity of the project, and the client’s budget. Research industry standards and consider starting with competitive rates to build your client base.
- Deliver quality work and meet deadlines. When you secure freelance writing projects, ensure you communicate clearly with clients, understand their requirements, and deliver high-quality content within the agreed-upon timeline. Consistency and professionalism will help you maintain client relationships and generate positive referrals.
As you gain experience and establish a reputation, you can expand your freelance writing business. Gradually you can increase your rates, and pursue higher-paying projects. Remember, success in freelance writing requires perseverance, continuous improvement, and a proactive approach to securing clients. With dedication and hard work, freelance writing can become a fulfilling and profitable side hustle.
If you’re looking for a course to guide you on your journey, check out The Freelance Writer’s Den, where you will find an active community of writers, and over 300 hours of training and courses to help you reach six figures a year from freelance writing.
Content editing
Content editing is an ideal side hustle for anyone with a keen eye for detail and a passion for refining written work. As a content editor, you have the opportunity to enhance the clarity, coherence, and overall quality of written materials, ranging from blog posts and articles to manuscripts and website copy.
This side hustle allows you to leverage your language and grammar skills while helping writers improve their work. Content editing offers flexibility in terms of working hours and location, making it a convenient side hustle option. As demand for high-quality content continues to grow, content editors are sought after, offering the potential for a consistent and rewarding income stream.
Start Your Own Blog
If you want to make money online, starting a blog is an excellent option. Whether you are based in the UK or further afield. First and foremost, it allows you to share your passion and expertise with the world. Whether you’re knowledgeable about travel, cooking, finance, or any other niche, blogging provides a platform to express yourself and connect with like-minded individuals.
A successful blog can generate multiple streams of income, including:
- Ad revenue
- Sponsored content
- Affiliate marketing
- Product sales
With dedication and consistent effort, your blog can grow into a sustainable income source, and it can even result in passive income, earning you money while you sleep! Additionally, blogging offers flexibility as you can work on your blog at your own pace and from anywhere with an internet connection.
It’s a creative outlet that not only offers financial rewards but also allows you to leave a lasting impact through your unique perspective and valuable content.
Find out more about how to start your own blog here.
Virtual assistance
Being a virtual assistant (VA) is an excellent side hustle for anyone looking for a flexible and rewarding source of income. As a virtual assistant, you provide administrative, technical, or creative support remotely to clients, offering a wide range of services tailored to their needs. One of the key benefits of being a VA is the flexibility it offers. You can work from the comfort of your own home, set your own hours, and choose the number of clients you take on.
This flexibility allows you to balance your side hustle with other commitments, such as a full-time job or family responsibilities.
Being a VA also allows you to leverage your existing skills and expertise. Whether it’s managing emails, social media accounts, conducting research, or providing customer support, you can capitalise on your strengths and offer valuable assistance to clients.
Another advantage is the potential for growth. As you gain experience and expand your skill set, you can command higher rates and attract higher-paying clients. However, even as a new virtual assistant, there is the opportunity to earn good money.
With low startup costs and a growing demand for virtual support, becoming a virtual assistant is a good side hustle for anyone looking for a flexible and lucrative small business idea.
Dog walking or pet sitting services
Dog walking and pet sitting make for a fantastic easy side hustle idea, especially for animal lovers. After all, it allows you to spend time with adorable furry companions while getting paid!
As a dog walker or pet sitter, you get the chance to enjoy the company of different pets and create a bond with them in your spare time.
The demand for pet care services is consistently high. Many pet owners require assistance due to busy work schedules, vacations, or other commitments, and by offering your services, you can help alleviate their concerns and provide quality care for their beloved pets.
Dog walking and pet sitting also offer flexibility in terms of working hours. You can choose to work during your free time or on weekends, allowing you to balance your side hustle with other obligations.
As you gain experience and build a reputation, you can expand your client base and potentially increase your rates. Satisfied clients often recommend pet care providers to others, helping you grow your business through word-of-mouth referrals.
If you have a passion for pets, this side hustle can be a truly rewarding endeavor.
Social media management
Social media management is an excellent side hustle for individuals who are savvy with online platforms and enjoy connecting with others. As a social media manager, you have the opportunity to help businesses or individuals establish and maintain a strong online presence. This side hustle offers plenty of flexibility, as you can work remotely and set your own hours.
With the increasing importance of social media for businesses, there is a high demand for skilled social media managers. You can provide services such as content creation, scheduling posts, engaging with followers, and analyzing performance metrics. Social media management allows you to combine your passion for digital marketing with a side income, making it a rewarding and lucrative side hustle option.
If you’re looking for a course to boost your confidence, try Powerful Social Media Marketing for Beginners, so you can hit the ground running.
Online tutoring or teaching
Online tutoring or teaching is an ideal side hustle due to its flexibility, earning potential, and the ability to make a positive impact. As an online tutor, you can work from anywhere, set your own schedule, and cater to a global student base.
With the demand for virtual learning on the rise, there are lots of opportunities to share your expertise and earn a competitive income.
If you’re interested in online tutoring, some good platforms to check out include:
- MyTutor
- Preply
Whether you’re a certified teacher or possess specialized knowledge, online tutoring offers a rewarding and lucrative side hustle that combines education and flexibility.
Start a YouTube Channel
Starting a YouTube channel is a great side hustle for anyone who is comfortable showing their face on camera.
Firstly, it offers a creative outlet where you can share your passions and talents with a wide audience. Secondly, YouTube provides various monetization options, including:
- Ad revenue
- Sponsorships
- Affiliate marketing
- Merchandise sales
Building a loyal audience and consistently uploading high-quality content are key to growing your channel and increasing monetization opportunities. You can also diversify your income streams by exploring brand collaborations and creating digital products to sell.
Engaging with viewers, optimizing video SEO, and promoting your channel through social media are effective strategies to accelerate growth and monetize your YouTube channel successfully
Selling on Ebay
Selling on eBay is a fantastic side hustle for people in the UK for many reasons. It’s one of the largest and most popular online marketplaces, offering a massive customer base and high visibility for your products. This provides excellent opportunities to reach potential buyers and maximize your sales potential.
eBay offers a user-friendly platform with simple listing and selling processes, making it super easy top get started, even for beginners. You can easily set up your online store, list items, and manage transactions with ease.
You can start by selling items that you no longer need, such as clothing, toys, and other household items. Once you have got into the swing of things, you can scour Facebook marketplace, charity shops and car boot sales to find bargains that you can resell on eBay for a profit!
This is another side hustle that gives you flexibility in terms of working hours. You can choose to sell on eBay part-time, allowing you to balance your side hustle with other commitments.
The UK eBay market is vibrant and dynamic, with a significant number of active buyers and sellers. This fosters competition, but it also means there is a demand for various products and opportunities to find profitable niches.
Amazon FBA
Amazon FBA is the perfect side hustle for anyone who wants to get into ecommerce but doesn’t want the hassle of storing, packing, and shipping products.
With FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) you source a product and have it shipped directly to Amazon’s warehouse. Once one of your products has sold on Amazon, they will pick, pack, and ship the product directly to the customer. So all you need to do is find the right products—Amazon takes care of everything else!
If you think this could be the side hustle for you, JungleScout has loads of great free resources to help you get started!
Online Surveys
If you only need a little extra cash each month, you might want to consider taking online surveys! I did this while I was on maternity leave, and it was super easy to do when I had a free minute here and there.
This side hustle certainly isn’t going to make you rich, but it could make you an extra £50 – £100 each month, and when you’re on maternity leave every penny counts!!
My favourite survey sites are Prolific and Swagbucks. It’s an easy way to earn a few extra pounds while you are watching tv in the evening or waiting in line at the supermarket!
Finding The Best UK Side Hustle for You
Whether you’re looking to make a little extra cash in your spare time to offset the cost of living crisis, or you’re looking to eventually replace your full time job, these popular side hustle ideas are a great way to boost your income. Before deciding which one is right for you, take some time to consider how much time you want to spend each week on your side hustle. Some of these ideas, like Blogging, will require consistency, whereas others (like eBay) can be done more sporadically as and when you have a little extra time.