Best 38 Side Hustles for Introverts [Updated for 2024]

Updated: February 22nd, 2024

Whether you're a introvert looking to make a little extra money on the side or just starting in your career, there are plenty of side hustles for introverts to choose from.

A side hustle is a great way to make extra money and can be a lot of fun.

So if you're looking for excellent and easy side hustles for introverts, Here are the best side hustles to help you make the most of your skills and knowledge as a introvert. So get ready to start earning!

1. Start a web design and development blogging business as a side hustle

How much you can make: $6,600 — $7,846/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

2. Start a publishing business as a side hustle ($1.02M/month)

Starting a publishing business can be a rewarding and lucrative endeavor for those with a passion for literature and strong business acumen. This type of business involves producing and distributing written materials such as books, magazines, and digital content.

To start a publishing business, you need a solid business plan outlining your goals and target market. You will also need to secure funding to cover the costs of printing and distributing your materials. This can include obtaining loans or seeking investors.

In addition to financial resources, you will need a team of professionals with expertise in editing, design, marketing, and sales. It’s important to build a diverse and skilled team to ensure the success of your business.

Success in the publishing industry requires a strong understanding of current trends and adapting to changing market conditions. Stay current on industry news and continually seek new opportunities to grow and expand your business.

Starting a publishing business requires hard work, dedication, and a willingness to take risks. But with the right team and strategy, it can be a fulfilling and profitable venture.

How much you can make: $1,200 — $2,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)

3. Start a freelance writing business as a side hustle ($67.2K/month)

Freelance writing can be a good career choice if you are looking for a flexible online job.

Working as a freelancer gives you the flexibility to define your work schedule. You can work from home at any time. Freelance writers work across various niches, writing about various topics assigned by the client,

To earn good money as a freelance writer, you need the following personal qualities:

  • Strong writing skills
  • Ability to meet deadlines
  • Stay on the cutting edge
  • Be a self-starter
  • Be up-to-date with the current writing tools & writing trends
  • Proper communication skills

How much you can make: $700 — $320,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $300 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

4. Start a Greeting Cards Business as a side hustle ($50K/month)

People use greeting cards to mark births, deaths, graduations, anniversaries, and other parties or events.

If you love helping people celebrate special occasions, starting a greeting card business can be a great business opportunity.

When starting a greeting card business, choose a potential niche and write a business plan.

Then, find an ideal spot to sell the greeting cards.

For instance, you can offer greeting card design and posting services, so customers can choose the best designs and post greeting cards online.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $100,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 65 days (?)

5. Become a proofreader as a side hustle ($2K/month)

Proofreading business is a service that helps customers review their written work and ensure it is ready for publication. Typically, a proofreader corrects grammatical errors and provides the written piece meets any relevant style guide.

As a proofreader, you can work online, allowing you to choose what time to work.

If you plan to start a professional proofreading business, make sure you possess the following skills:

  • Have an excellent grasp of grammar
  • Ability to correct mistakenly capitalized words
  • Familiarity with the proper use of capitalization
  • Use spell-checkers to flag misspelled words

Proofreading is a great way to enhance content quality. With the increased use of written content marketing to reach a broader market, the demand for professional proofreaders has grown tremendously. Professional proofreaders earn an average of $12/hr. And $30/hr.

Therefore, consider proofreading as a business if you are looking for a great side hustle idea or simply looking for ways to increase your income.

How much you can make: $2,000/month

6. Start a flipper of goods as a side hustle

How much you can make: $8,300 — $17,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $50 (?)

7. Create an online course as a side hustle ($118K/month)

An online course business involves creating and selling digital classes teaching specialized skills or knowledge to subscribed students.

As an entrepreneurial course creator, you identify educational gaps around topics you have expertise in and develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials.

With flexibility around self-paced or cohort-based structures, building a student base provides passive income potential.

For founders who enjoy information-sharing, launching an online course platform presents a lucrative way to monetize your instructional talents with small startup costs by serving eager lifelong learners seeking convenient access to emerging subjects.

How much you can make: $350 — $3,735,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,850 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

8. Start a gaming blog as a side hustle

Starting your gaming blog enables you to make money and have a successful career in the gaming industry. You do not have to be a gamer to earn money through a gaming blog. You can start a blog and hire experienced gamers to write reviews of their favorite games at a fee.

How much you can make: $5,000/month

9. Start a dog walking business as a side hustle ($54K/month)

Are you a dog lover? If so, you can turn your passion for animals into a profitable side hustle that allows you to earn extra income for your mortgage, a vacation, or paying off student loans.

As a dog walker, sitter, or boarder, you can earn an average annual income of between $10,000 and $30,000 by offering your services to dog owners in need of a caregiver for their furry friends.

To get started, register on a credible dog-walking app and create a compelling profile that showcases your experience, skills, and love for dogs.

With your dedication and expertise, you can help dog owners ensure their pets receive the care and attention they need while building a thriving business that fulfills your passion for animals.

How much you can make: $15,000 — $54,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

10. Start a pet sitting business as a side hustle

A pet sitter is a professional who provides daily care for pets while the pet owners are at work or on vacation. The pet sitter's duties include:

  • Cooking special meals for pets as instructed by pet owners.
  • Reporting any behavioral issues to pet owners.
  • Playing with the pets to encourage their mental and physical stimulation.

One of the advantages of working as a pet sitter is that it's not a stressful career. You also get to work with different animals while enjoying a work-life balance.

How much you can make: $15,000/month

11. Start an etsy seller business as a side hustle

Etsy is an online marketplace where people can buy and sell all kinds of handmade goods, vintage items, and art supplies.

It's a great way to make some extra cash, and you can use it as an opportunity to build your brand and find new clients.

To get started on Etsy, you'll need these four things:

  • An Etsy account
  • A PayPal account
  • A product idea (or at least a product category)
  • A visually appealing storefront with photos of your products

How much you can make: $100 — $750,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

12. Become a product tester as a side hustle

As a product tester, you can try out new products before they hit the market and provide valuable feedback to manufacturers. This business idea is perfect for those who love trying new products and have an eye for detail.

To start your product tester business, you must establish relationships with manufacturers and companies looking for product testers. You can do this by networking, attending trade shows, or joining a product testing panel connecting you with manufacturers.

Once you have established relationships with manufacturers, you will be sent new products to test and review. It is essential to be thorough and honest in your reviews, as manufacturers will rely on your feedback to improve their products before they are released to the public.

To run a successful product tester business, it is important to be timely and efficient in your testing and review process. Manufacturers will expect prompt feedback, so it is crucial to have a system to test and review products quickly and accurately. You should also carefully read and follow any guidelines provided by the manufacturer regarding testing and reviewing their products.

Having a robust online presence as a product tester is also essential. By sharing your reviews and experiences with new products on social media and other platforms, you can build a following and establish yourself as a trusted source for product recommendations.

Starting a product tester business is an excellent opportunity for those who love trying new products and providing valuable feedback to manufacturers. You can run a successful business in this field by building relationships with manufacturers, being timely and efficient in your testing and review process, and having a solid online presence.

How much you can make: $150,000/month

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

13. Start a website development business as a side hustle ($4.8K/month)

Website developers create websites for their clients. as a website developer, your responsibility is to ensure a website is visually appealing and easy to navigate. Web developers also focus on improving the website’s performance and capacity.

To become a website developer, learn different web programming languages. Your customers can be eCommerce business owners or brick-and-mortar businesses looking to have an online presence.

How much you can make: $200 — $350,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

14. Start a food delivery business as a side hustle ($206K/month)

In today’s busy lifestyles and schedules, cooking is no longer a priority to many. People like to order-in food from their nearest restaurants or food joints and enjoy a meal in the comfort of their homes.

The food delivery business is like a courier service through which restaurants deliver food to their customers.

You can offer retail food delivery services to restaurants within your locality if you have a truck. Customers order through a restaurant or grocer’s website, and the owners contact you to deliver.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $83,333,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

15. Start a grocery delivery service as a side hustle

Grocery delivery is an on-demand service where clients shop for groceries, and you deliver to their commercial or residential premises.

As a carrier in grocery delivery, you have an opportunity to maximize your output, as you can serve multiple customers in one trip. Besides, you get to choose your preferred working time and location.

How much you can make: $83,333,333/month

16. Become a virtual assistant as a side hustle ($340K/month)

Virtual assistants support businesses, teams, or individuals by performing administrative tasks remotely. As businesses these days tend to outsource their tasks, the demand for virtual assistants is growing rapidly.

Becoming a virtual assistant is flexible, as you can choose a work schedule and location at your convenience. Many virtual assistants have a dedicated home office where they work in a quiet and distraction-free environment.

To become a virtual assistant, identify a niche you like and undertake any training. Then, figure out how much to charge your customers and create an online presence where you can apply for jobs. As a virtual assistant, you can define your work schedule depending on your availability.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

17. Sell stock photos as a side hustle

Stock photography is the supply of licensed photographs for specific uses. If you have a camera and love traveling or taking photos, you can start your own stock photo business.

Create a stock photography website and upload the best shots to start your stock photography business. To ensure professional images, you can hire freelance photographers and photo editors. Alternatively, you can invest in a professional camera and learn the art of photography before launching your business.

Running a stock photo website allows you to create unlimited earning potential. Besides, stock photographers enjoy flexible working hours and have the potential for passive income.

How much you can make: $10,000/month

How long does it take to build: 3 days (?)

18. Start a transcription business as a side hustle ($133K/month)

A transcription service converts live or recorded speech into a written or electronic text document. Transcription service is in demand globally across industries.

Becoming a transcriptionist can be a side hustle or a full-time job, so long as you have the right gear.

Do you plan to become a transcriber ? Take an online transcriptionist course and work on your listening skills. To succeed, you need a good typing speed and excellent language command.

How much you can make: $100,000 — $200,000/month

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

19. Start a cold email service business as a side hustle

How much you can make: $4,000 — $450,000/month

20. Start a graphic design business as a side hustle ($45.6K/month)

Graphic designers create logos, brochures, ads, and other marketing materials for companies and organizations. They also design websites and other digital content, including social media graphics.

Graphic designers may specialize in one type of design (such as print or web design), or they can be generalists who do everything from logo design to social media graphics.

Starting a graphic design business can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. It’s not easy, but if you’re passionate about design and want to make a living, starting your own graphic design business is a great way to go.

Consider a suitable pricing structure when starting a graphic design business. You may charge the customers per hour or fixed pricing based on the project’s nature.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 87 days (?)

21. Start an online video editing business as a side hustle ($4K/month)

Video editors manage camera footage, dialogue, sound effects, graphics, and special effects to produce the final film or video product. To become an online video editor, you must have media production and communication knowledge and the ability to work with others.

To start a video editing business, you can outsource video editing skills from an experienced professional. Your role will be to pick video footage from the customers and upload them for the video editor to do the magic.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $208,000/month

How long does it take to build: 145 days (?)

22. Start a social media management business as a side hustle

Similar to virtual assistants, social media managers offer various services, including but not limited to:

  • Developing a marketing strategy based on clients’ goals
  • Setting up social media accounts
  • Posting on behalf of their clients
  • Coming up with strategies for increasing client’s social media following
  • Marketing analysis.

To become a social media manager, know the various platforms and understand how they work so you can develop strategies that help clients reach their goals.

The beauty of working as a social media manager is that you can define your work schedule and choose what niches to work on.

How much you can make: $20,000 — $166,667/month

How much does it cost to start: $251 (?)

How long does it take to build: 3 days (?)

More business ideas

  • 23. Start a virtual assistant services as a side hustle

24. Start a book reviewing business as a side hustle ($90K/month)

How much you can make: $1,000 — $90,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,525 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

25. Start an email service provider as a side hustle

How much you can make: $3,500 — $2,033,333/month

26. Start a house sitting business as a side hustle

House sitters take care of customers' homes while they are away for extended periods. You may be able to offer house sitting to people with multiple properties for short-term or long-term, depending on how much time you have.

Starting a house-sitting business does not require a huge amount of capital. You can create a website or a social media page and advertise your services. Your typical duties as a house-sitting agent will include the following:

  • Feeding pets, cleaning cages and grooming them
  • General housework and cleaning
  • Maintaining gardens and hedges
  • Taking in the post, newspapers, and junk mail
  • Watering houseplants

You can attract new customers by printing a few business flyers and targeting wealthy housing estates or apartments in the city.

27. Start a podcasting business as a side hustle ($50K/month)

Podcasting businesses often start as a hobby. You publish a few episodes and posts, and soon you will start getting engagements from interested parties.

However, to earn money from your podcasting business, you need to put a lot of effort and time into producing quality shows that address your audience's concerns.

To grow your podcast business, ensure regular publishing, which brings better growth, more listeners to your channel, and a higher income.

Here is a list of steps to help you transition the podcast from a hobby to a full-time podcast business:

  • Ensure a focused effort and adjust the tone of each podcast episode
  • Make podcasting your priority
  • Focus on building
  • Grow a mailing list
  • Aim at building a trusted brand
  • Develop a long-term growth and marketing plan

How much you can make: $5,000 — $349,983/month

How much does it cost to start: $200 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

28. Start a stock trading business as a side hustle

Stock trading typically allows one to profit by buying and selling securities. However, profitability in stock trading relies on timing the market, different risk factors, and stock mispricing.

There is no minimum amount you need to trade in the stock market. You can begin with as low as $500 and add it as you earn and save more money.

How much you can make: $830,000 — $833,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

29. Start a proofreading service as a side hustle ($1.2K/month)

How much you can make: $1,200/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

More business ideas

  • 30. Start a paid online surveys business as a side hustle
  • 31. Start a pod hotels business as a side hustle
  • 32. Start an earn money watching videos as a side hustle
  • 33. Start a telescope business as a side hustle
  • 34. Start a virtual bookkeeping as a side hustle
  • 35. Become a house cleaner as a side hustle
  • 36. Start a take online surveys as a side hustle
  • 37. Start an affiliate marketing without website business as a side hustle
  • 38. Start a midway rides and games business as a side hustle

How to pick the perfect side hustle for you?

Side hustles are great for you as a introvert. For some, it's about paying off debt or building savings. Others use it to take vacations and spend more money.

Apart from money, side gigs can open doors to new careers. So, as a introvert, you should consider your side hustle carefully rather than just finding one randomly.

Here are some tips for picking your side hustle as a introvert:

Pick a side hustle you enjoy

As a introvert, you likely spend 40 hours or more working on your main tasks each day, which means you are pretty tired at the end of the day. In addition, a introvert's life can be stressful, so finding a side hustle you enjoy is crucial.

Working 10 hours a week at a side hustle as a introvert will be challenging, so that side work should be something you enjoy. With this in mind, you could turn your hobby into an income source. This way, that side hustle won't seem so hard.

Prioritize choosing flexible side hustles

Having a side hustle shouldn't interfere with your introvert's duties. As a introvert, it pays to choose a side hustle that accommodates your schedule and deadlines. If you don't have predictable tasks as a introvert, you may need to prioritize choosing a side hustle that offers flexible hours.

Get a job with room for growth

It is not uncommon for introverts to turn their side gigs into full-time jobs. However, introverts' side hustles can be good to carry into retireintrovertst, especially if you start them later in life. As a result, you can earn a living and do something meaningful with your time.

For this reason, it's wise to take on a secondary gig with expansion potential. For instance, if you're a introvert who decides to do graphic design work on the side, you can grow the job as more clients discover you. However, if you work a seasonal job at a restaurant to make some money, you might find yourself unemployed soon.

Find a side hustle that pays

While you might like your side hustle as a introvert, chances are you're doing it to earn more. So, if you're going to work on top of your duties as a introvert, you should do something that lets you earn but you still enjoy it.

Try to find that sweet spot in between. It can make a noticeable difference in your finances as a introvert, but you'll also enjoy and learn from it.

Having a side hustle as a introvert is an excellent idea to boost your earnings. If you choose the proper gig, you'll hopefully have a rewarding experience.

Frequently asked questions

Can I work for myself as a introvert?

As a introvert, you can work for yourself, and you will improve your skills and abilities while improving your career prospects.

Having the ability to work on your own as a introvert can result in greater productivity. This is because besides the daily tasks you must complete as a introvert, you are challenged to do more.

How much time do I need to spend on a side hustle as a introvert?

The time you need to spend on a side hustle depends on your free time as a introvert. After all, a side hustle is meant for us to earn more using only the time we can spare. Therefore, as a introvert, you must maintain a balance of everything.

The goal here is to understand how much time you have besides the time you have to do your tasks as a introvert and the time for you to rest.

For instance, it takes around 8 hours daily to finish your tasks as a introvert, together with all your schedules. If the rest of the day is only spent doing leisure activities, then that's the potential hours for you to work for your side hustle.

Another essential thing to note as you consider the hours to spend on a side hustle is your resting time. As always, the last thing you'll want is to compromise your time to rest, as it can affect your health in all aspects, especially when you have tasks to finish as a introvert.

In short, please take it as a rule of thumb to evaluate your day. It includes your tasks as a introvert, your time to sleep and rest, and your spare time. Once you do so, you'll learn how much time to spend on a side hustle and pick one according to it.

How much can I make side hustling as a introvert?

Every side hustle has its potential income to offer. As a introvert, you can make as little or as high an income depending on your chosen side hustle.

In most cases, the potential income you can earn from side hustling as a introvert can be 10%, 20%, or 30% of your actual income if you're working full-time.

However, such a range depends mainly on your chosen side hustle, allotted work hours, and primary income. It's not even impossible for you to make more money from your side hustle over time than in your full-time job.

Conclusion

Introverts can find side hustles to make more money and have more job security. There are introverty opportunities for introverts to find a side hustle, including online options.

Side hustles can help introverts stay current in their field, learn new skills, and network with other professionals.

Introverts should consider their goals and needs when choosing a side hustle. The best way to start a side hustle is by researching and planning.

You can subscribe to our newsletter if you don't know where to start.

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.