5 Powerful Reasons to Start an Online Side Hustle Today

Introduction

Hi there! Have you ever thought about starting an online side hustle? Maybe you’ve heard friends or colleagues talking about it, and you’re curious to know more. Well, you’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll dive into what an online side hustle is, why it’s become so popular, and how you can start your very own. 

My Reason for starting a side Hustle

So let’s wind the clock back 12 months – I was worried about money and this time, more than normal.  We weren’t broke, but we were barely getting by and couldn’t do the things we wanted because money was tight.  2 years earlier we’d just moved into a new home, and we had renewed the mortgage, just at the time the interest rates had shot up.  My wife was pregnant with our second child and self-employed, meaning we’d soon be living off just my income. That scared the hell out of me. I thought about taking a loan or getting a zero-interest credit card to get us through the year, but the idea of more debt made me feel really uncomfortable

But I had to try something. I noticed a lot of these people were talking about affiliate marketing. So, I started researching it more. I learned that I could earn a commission by promoting other brands’ products or services—without needing to sell anything myself or have a product of my own. But where do I start? I didn’t use social media much and didn’t even have a YouTube account. Affiliate links? Adverts? Articles? I had no idea how any of it worked. I’ve always been a numbers guy, not a words guy, and I doubted I could pull it off.

But this is where I found a program that taught me all the skills I needed and where I found a business model that worked for me in affiliate marketing. I learned slowly and I started small, figuring things out step by step. And it started to work 

Now, I want to help others do the same. If you’re like me, feeling trapped and looking for a way to support your family without taking on more debt, there’s a way. You can learn the skills to start a side hustle that can complement your main job or even replace it. Let me show you how.

What is an Online Side Hustle?

Using the internet to earn extra money outside of your primary employment is known as an online side hustle. It’s a side gig that you typically undertake in your spare time, and it can involve anything that you are passionate about. You can work from anywhere at any time with an internet side business, which is its greatest advantage. You can earn money while sipping coffee, lounging in your pyjamas on the couch or even inbetween feeds of the baby

Why, therefore, has it gained such popularity? The solution is straightforward. Starting a business or providing services is now simpler than ever thanks to the internet. Neither a physical store nor a big investment are required.

All you need is a computer and an internet connection. Plus, with the rising cost of living, many people are looking for ways to earn extra income to support their families and achieve financial stability.

Benefits of Having an Online Side Hustle

• Extra Income: The most obvious benefit is the extra money you’ll make. Whether you’re saving for a vacation, paying off debt, or just want some extra spending money, a side hustle can help you reach your financial goals.

• Flexibility: Unlike a traditional job, an online side hustle allows you to work whenever you want. This means you can fit it around your main job, family commitments, and social life. You can pick this up in the evenings once you have the kids to bed, or chip away while your partner is watching TV. 

• Skill Development: Starting a side hustle can help you develop new skills and improve existing ones. You’ll learn about marketing, customer service, and maybe even some technical skills. When your main job has maybe gone a little stale, learning something new is a great way to keep you motivated and excited to keep coming back.  Once something new is learned and then applied to your own business, it can become very addictive to learn more and apply these new skills to your own business.

• Financial Security: Having an additional income stream can provide financial security. If something happens to your main job, you’ll still have money coming in through your own side hustle. Should my wife decide she wants a 3rd child then we wont have to worry about loosing her income again

• Pursue Your Passion: An online side hustle can be a great way to turn a hobby or passion into a source of income. Love writing? Why not start a blog. Enjoy graphic design? You could offer freelance services. If you love mountain biking or being outdoors like I do, you could always write a review and recommend physical products or the latest equipment. If you send your readers to the retailers of the products you recommend, and then they go on to buy them, then you will earn a commission.  This is what is known as affiliate marketing.

Popular Online Side Hustles

• Freelancing: If you have a skill like writing, graphic design, or programming, you can offer your services as a freelancer. Websites like Upwork and Fiverr make it easy to find clients and start earning money. You will be surprised how much value there is in the knowledge you already have

• Affiliate Marketing: This involves promoting other people’s products and earning a commission for each sale made through your referral. It’s a great way to earn passive income once you’ve set up your marketing strategies.

• Drop shipping: With drop shipping, you sell products online without having to keep inventory. When someone buys a product from your online store, you purchase it from a third party, who then ships it directly to the customer.

• Blogging: If you enjoy writing and have something to say, starting a blog can be a great way to earn money through ads, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing.

• Online Courses: If you’re an expert in a particular field, you can create and sell online courses. Websites like Udemy and Teachable make it easy to reach a wide audience.

Before I started my journey I considered all of these, but I decided to go with affiliate marketing.  For me this just fits with my situation the best.  I didn’t have a physical product to market, so promoting products and services that already existed was a much easier way for me to get started. Also with little skills and little time available, this again was the easiest option for me to get started

How to Get Started with Your Online Side Hustle

Starting an online side hustle might seem overwhelming, but it’s easier than you think. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Choose the Right Hustle: Think about your skills, interests, things that you are passionate about.  Do you have a ‘thing’ that you can talk about for hours?  How much time you can commit. If you can only do an hour a day – something like affiliate marketing would make a great choice.  Make sure your side hustle aligns with these factors.

2. Set Goals: Decide what you want to achieve with your side hustle. Whether it’s earning a certain amount of money or learning new skills, having clear goals will keep you motivated. Remembering the reason why you started helps keep you focused

3. Do Your Research: Learn as much as you can about your chosen side hustle. Read articles, watch videos, and maybe even take an online course.  So much value is in the learning how – we can all read about what you need to do – but its learning the how that will help make your side hustle a success

4. Create a Plan: Outline the steps you need to take to get started. This might include setting up a website, creating a marketing plan, and finding clients or customers.

5. Start Small: Don’t try to do everything at once. At the beginning there can feel like a lot to take in, which can lead to a feeling of overwhelm, which may derail the success of your side hustle.  Start with small, manageable tasks and gradually build up your side hustle

6. Stay Consistent: Consistency is key. Set aside regular time each week to work on your side hustle and stick to it. Even if this is just an hour a day – when applied consistently, over time you will be surprised how much you can achieve

Balancing Your Online Side Hustle with Your Main Job

One of the biggest challenges of having a side hustle is balancing it with your main job and other commitments. Here are some tips to help you manage your time effectively:

Set Boundaries: Make sure you set clear boundaries between your main job, side hustle, and personal life. This will help you avoid burnout. For me, I allocated an hour or so in the evening once the children had gone to bed – this way I didn’t feel like I was missing out on family time

Create a Schedule: Plan out your week and allocate specific times for your side hustle. This will help you stay organized and ensure you’re making progress.  Adding actions to the calendar is a great way of ensuring your to do list is actioned

Prioritize Tasks: Focus on the most important tasks first. This will help you make the most of your time and achieve your goals faster.  When learning new skills, its easy to be drawn into spending all your time learning.  I would recommend learning a skill then apply this skill to the next step of your journey

Take Breaks: Don’t forget to take regular breaks to rest and recharge. This will help you stay productive and avoid burnout.  Sometime you can feel guilty if you are not always working on something, but taking a break from a task is also a great way to reset your thought process and see a challenge from a new perspective 

Ask for Help: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s outsourcing tasks or asking for advice, there’s no shame in getting support.  Finding a community of people who are on the same journey as you, is a fantastic way to keep you motivated and stops you feeling like you are on your own

Conclusion and time for real talk

Starting an internet side hustle can honestly change your life. It can give you the financial boost you’ve been looking for and open doors to doing something you actually enjoy. Plus, for some people, it’s been the key to ditching the 9-to-5 grind entirely. That’s life-changing stuff.

But let’s have some real talk here.

This isn’t going to be a walk in the park. There, I said it. If it were that easy, everyone would be doing it. When I got started, someone gave me the same reality check, and you know what? It made sense. If I can hustle and go the extra mile for a boss at my job, why not do the same for myself? The difference is that all the effort I put in now will actually benefit me, not someone else.

That said, it’s not for everyone. Maybe your life’s already jam-packed, or the timing isn’t right. Or maybe you’re perfectly happy as things are. And that’s completely fine—no judgment. What’s important is being honest with yourself about what you really want.

And here’s another thing: don’t expect to make money overnight. Building something you love and that works for your lifestyle takes time. Learning the skills you need to succeed takes time. But these skills? They’re a game-changer. They’ll not only help you build a side hustle now but can open doors to financial freedom down the road.

Invest in Knowledge

Investing in yourself—learning those skills and finding the right education—is what will set you apart. For me, it was the best decision I ever made.

You can do this too. You can learn the ropes, build something you’re proud of, and create a life that works for you.

So, why not start today? If you’re ready to take the first step, I’ve got the tools and resources to help you get going. Let’s make it happen!

FAQ’s

“What is the best online side hustle for beginners?“

The best online side hustle for beginners depends on your skills and interests. Freelancing, affiliate marketing, and blogging are great options to start with.

“How much time do I need to dedicate to an online side hustle?“

The amount of time you need to dedicate depends on your goals and the type of side hustle you choose. Generally, setting aside a few hours a week can help you make steady progress.

“Can I start an online side hustle with no money?“

Yes, many online side hustles require little to no upfront investment. For example, freelancing and affiliate marketing can be started with just a computer and an internet connection. However, investing in tools or your education can help you grow faster.

“How long does it take to see results from an online side hustle?“

The time it takes to see results varies depending on the side hustle and the effort you put in. Some people see results within a few weeks, while others may take several months.

“Is it possible to turn an online side hustle into a full-time job?“

Absolutely! Many people have successfully turned their online side hustles into full-time careers. With dedication and hard work, you can do the same.

And there you have it! Starting an online side hustle can open up a world of opportunities, providing you with extra income and the flexibility to live life on your own terms. So, what are you waiting for? Get started today and see where your side hustle journey takes you!