20 Side Hustle Ideas To Make Extra Money In Charlotte, NC [2024]
Are you looking to make easy money or start a business in Charlotte?
In a 2021 report by Lending Tree, Charlotte offers one of the best places to start a small business.
Ranked at #3, Charlotte City is growing at a healthy clip, and experts expect it to double its size by 2030.
If you live in Queen City and are looking to make extra money alongside your fixed, you've come to the right place.
What is the average cost of living and income in Charlotte City anyway?
- Cost of living: $2,038 per month for a single person, $4,746 for a family of four
- Average income: $71,000 per year
Considering this, it makes sense if you want to make some extra money.
This post provides you with 20 side hustle ideas and ways to make money in Charlotte.
Here they are:
1. Become A Brand Ambassador
Are you an outgoing and enthusiastic person with a significant social media presence? If you can persuade a market audience to purchase a company’s products and services, you are lucky! You could work as a brand ambassador and earn handsomely.
As a brand ambassador, your role will be to represent the companies you are partnering with and advocate for their products or services in the best possible light.
Earning Potential: $29/hour
Requirements: Have a good follower base on social channels like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. Regularly post on your social media handles & be engaged with your audience. Must possess a present personality & persuasive nature in order to convince your audience into buying a product or service.
Investment needed: $0 investment needed
How To Get Started Discover the compatible brand and build an engagement with them. Interact with your followers and provide high-quality content.
Here is a list of some of the platforms to get brand ambassador jobs:
2. Become A Secret Shopper
Mystery shoppers are people who are paid by an outside company to visit stores and businesses and report on their experiences. Think of mystery shoppers as undercover customers sent in to observe, interact, and report on other customers and store employees. Mystery shoppers or secret shoppers are typically employed by a third party rather than the store or company itself.
A mystery shopper, also known as a secret shopper, is a great way to make easy money in Charlotte. It's a simple way to make extra cash by evaluating customer service at different businesses in your area.
Earning Potential: Up to $45/hour
Requirements: A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Own reliable transportation. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to memorize quickly and accurately. Organized and flexible with an attention to detail. Ability to conduct duties discreetly and impartially. Must have access to a smartphone or computer with internet access.
Investment needed: $0 investment needed
How To Get Started: You can find secret shopper and other relevant jobs on Indeed.com.
3. Deliver With DoorDash
Are you searching for a profitable side hustle, with low entry requirements? DoorDash is a viable way to make extra money in your spare time.
However, you need to be available at peak hours and be picky about the orders you accept. While DoorDash delivery takes little time to start, it pays frequently and offers flexible working hours.
Earning Potential: $13-$25/hour + tips
Requirements: Applicants must be 18 or older, hold a valid driver's license in select cities, and must pass through a background check.
Investment needed: $0 investment needed
How To Get Started:
The procedure for becoming a DoorDash delivery driver is simple. Here are the steps to follow:
- Go to DoorDash sign-up page
- Complete the application
- Enter your vehicle, insurance, and your driver's license information
- Accept the background check
- Finish completing the application.
4. Create How To YouTube Videos
As devices become available around the globe, people are taking to technology for instruction. Creating YouTube videos and monetizing your channel opens up an extra revenue stream.
Your videos will need to reach 1000 views, 1000 subscribers, and at least 4,000 valid public watch hours to earn money on YouTube. Look for what people are searching for and create how-to video guides for those topics. You will need to perform thorough research and have some basic knowledge about the subject you are creating videos for.
Earning Potential: $3 to $5 per 1,000 video views on an average
Requirements: A camera is an obvious necessity for creating YouTube videos, but you may also want to use a microphone, tripod or gimbal stabilizer, lighting equipment, and video editing software.
Investment needed: $0 investment needed if you have a laptop, a camera, or a phone with good camera quality, and a high-speed internet connection.
How To Get Started:
Apply for YouTube Partner Program to access the Ad revenue feature. Keep creating advertiser-friendly content as per YouTube Guidelines.
5. Become A Social Media Manager
A growing number of companies are looking to outsource their social media management. A Social Media Manager is responsible for overseeing a company's interactions with the public through social media platforms. Other duties include analyzing engagement data, identifying trends in customer interactions, and planning digital campaigns to build community online.
As a social media manager, your most significant responsibility will be maintaining brand promotions and creating marketing campaigns.
Earning Potential: $22/hour
Requirements: Extensive experience in social media marketing, including proven skills in content creation, copywriting, and web design.
Investment needed: $0 investment needed if you already have done a course in social media management
How To Get Started: To get started, get the proper foundation knowledge, choose a niche, create a website, and build your social media strategy. Find potential clients and market your services. Make sure to include a convincing pitch whenever you are sending a proposal.
You can search for social media manager jobs on various job portals such as Indeedd, ZipRecruiter, and Upwork
6. Help People Move
Do you own a truck or a trailer, have some extra hours, and want to put it to use then you can start a moving service. It will take some manual labor and good driving skills, but it can help you make a good amount of money on the weekends and on your free weekly hours.
People always require assistance moving furniture or shifting apartments, or just picking up a washing machine. If you have extra skills like putting together pieces of furniture or packing stuff, that could get you more extra cash.
Earning Potential: Up to $50/hour
Requirements: Meet the minimum age to drive in your city, should have a driving license, and be physically strong to be able to pick up or move heavy stuff.
Investment needed: You will need to invest in a few basic items like moving dollies, moving pads, moving boxes, rope, and furniture belts which can cost around $1,000-$2,000 at max.
How To Get Started: You can start with posting ads on your local newspaper and cable networks to get the words out about your business. Approach the houses in your neighborhood with printed pamphlets letting them know about your business.
Don't have a car for moving? Rent a car or truck with HyreCar.
7. Become A Valet Parking Attendant
Looking for side gigs to earn extra income in your free time in Charlotte? Start working as a valet parking attendant. If you know how to drive and possess basic people skills this can be a great career option. You can work at restaurants, hotels, clubs, airports, and other business complexes as a parking attendant.
As a valet parking attendant, you'll be responsible for greeting customers as they enter the property, parking & bringing back the guests' cars from the parking space, and ensuring this whole operation is performed smoothly. In addition to providing excellent customer service, you'll also be responsible for keeping the parking lot clean and organized.
Earning Potential: Up to $14/hour + tips
Requirements: A valid driver's license, zero traffic offenses, neat appearance and uniform upkeep, and excellent customer service & communication skills.
Investment needed: $0 investment needed
How To Get Started:
Identify office blocks, restaurants, or office compounds with good traffic and talk to the management to get started. For inspiration, observe how professional valet services like Royal Parking operate and borrow a leaf from them.
8. Open An Online Bakery
Is baking something you enjoy doing in your free time? Then you can turn this hobby into a part-time business by opening an online bakery that you can operate from your home. Run a home bakery and take orders for various occasions like birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, baby showers, and more. This job will let you work on your own time, cultivate your passion, and earn a good sum of money as a side hustle.
Earning Potential: From an online bakery you can make around $1,500 to $4,750 per month
Requirements: requirements to start an online bakery
- You will need to set up an online store
- Need business license & permits
- Advertise your products across all social media channels
- Get baking professional equipment
- You can take professional baking courses to further hone your existing baking skills
- Carefully price the baked items
- Pay attention to packaging & shipping
- Maintain hygiene and health standards
Investment needed: A home-based online bakery business can require around $19,500 as a startup cost.
How To Get Started: Create a list of items you want to sell, test your products and offer free samples to your friends & family members and get their feedback. Tell people in your circle about your business. Use platforms like Facebook & Instagram to get direct sales. To know more about starting an online bakery, take a look at this article.
9. Learn Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a type of performance-based marketing. An affiliate marketer earns a fixed sum as a commission to market products or services from another brand.
If you are good at sales and marketing, have good technical aptitude, and have good communication skills then doing affiliate marketing is one of the most lucrative ways to make extra money in Charlotte. It allows you to work on a flexible schedule and the revenue you generate can even exceed your full-time job.
Earning Potential: Up to $28 to $192 per hour
Requirements: To become an affiliate marketer, you will need to research the available affiliate programs, evaluate market demand, and analyze the competition. The next step would be to identify a niche in which you can influence your audience by creating and publishing top-notch content. Find companies offering affiliate marketing programs on the internet and reach out to them via emails or social media channels.
Investment needed: $0 investment needed if you have a laptop and fast internet connection.
How To Get Started: Decide on a platform (Ex: Instagram, Youtube, etc.) > Pick your niche > Look for affiliate programs to join > Produce great quality content > Push traffic to your affiliate site > Encourage people to click on your affiliate links > Convert those clicks to sales.
10. Become A Freelance Event Planner
Event planning can be an excellent opportunity for those looking for an additional revenue stream. However, you must be ready to give up your holidays because most events occur during the holidays. But, don't be sad you will be compensated as the pay in this business is pretty good.
To be a successful event planner, you need good people skills, be organized, and be passionate about your work.
Earning Potential: $44/hour
Requirements: To be an event planner, you will typically need a Bachelor's Degree in any of these fields - Event Management / Business / Communications / Public Relations / Marketing / Hospitality Management. However, some employers may hire candidates without a degree for entry-level positions if they have at least one to two years of experience in the field.
Investment needed: Zero investment if you already have a degree in a related field. Otherwise, an event planning certificate can cost you anywhere between $1,000 to $4,000, depending on which program you choose.
How To Get Started: You can look for freelance event planner jobs on ZipRecruiter, Indeed, or Upwork
.
11. Become A Part-Time Music Teacher
To all the instrumentalists, if you know how to play a musical instrument, you can make money by teaching others your skill.
The advantage is that you do not need to rent space, as apps serve as a marketplace for music teachers and students. Examples of marketplaces where you can find students include:
Earning Potential: $28/hour
Requirements: To become a music teacher in a public school, one must earn a bachelor’s degree in music or education and complete an approved teacher preparation program. But for offering classes online you will just need the skills, basic computer knowledge, a laptop, and the internet.
Investment needed: $0 investment needed
How To Get Started:
Choose an online platform, signup as an online music lessons tutor, fill your profile with relevant information, and soon you could receive requests from students.
12. Start Attic Cleaning Business
Attic cleaning is another great side hustle idea to start in your free time. The person hired for this job will be responsible for cleaning attics, removing junk and debris, and replacing it with insulation. As an attic cleaner, you will need to have a good understanding of the safety precautions involved in working in an attic and should be able to use the tools and equipment safely.
Earning Potential: $25-$75/hour
Requirements: To start an attic cleaning business your age must be 18 or above. No need for basic educational qualifications is required, however getting a high school diploma will help. You will need cleaning equipment, a valid driver's license, and a reliable vehicle to get around town. Also having previous experience in this field can be beneficial.
Investment needed: $0 investment needed
How To Get Started:
Put together a business plan, and begin educating people on why attic cleaning is essential to have their attic cleaned by professionals. When you get your first client, make efforts to deliver the best service. Market your service online, in local newspapers, and on tv channels. Get the word out!
13. Record MixTapes and Upload Online
Are you a DJ and looking for ways to earn an extra income? You can record your mixtapes upload on YouTube or Twitch and earn additional revenue? There are other music-sharing platforms like Itunes, Spotify, and Tidal where you can share your mixtapes as well. Just make sure your mixtapes are entertaining and share them widely with your social media audience.
Earning Potential: $3-$5 Per 1000 Views on Youtube and Spotify will give you between $2 and $4 per 1000 streams.
Requirements: You need to have recording tools, a computer for streaming, and must have a good speed internet connection.
Investment needed: $0 investment needed if you know how to make mixtapes.
How To Get Started:
To start earning, become a partner on your preferred platform, monetize your channel, and upload quality content.
14. Become a Dog Walker
If you have a couple of hours and need an exercise buddy, consider taking a stranger's dog for a walk. There are tons of people in the area that can't walk their dogs and will pay you to have a fun hour or two with their bundle of fur. Can it get any better?
Apps like Wag let you work on a flexible schedule and choose when you want to work. However, if you're open to doggy sitting/boarding - you're on call 24/7. Still, you're doing a service to your neighborhood and getting paid handsomely for it!
Earning Potential: up to $25/hour
Benefits: You get to play with a furball, get some exercise and explore the area!
How To Get Started: You can apply to be a dog walker through apps like Rover, Walkatxpets, Wag.
Dog walking can bring in some serious money. Learn how Melodi makes $54k/month walking dogs.
15. Become A Swim Instructor
Do you know swimming and enjoy your time in the pool? You can get paid doing what you love and take home a good salary. The advantage is that you do not need to invest in any equipment, as you can teach swimming at a public swimming pool.
Earning Potential: Up to $29/hour
Requirements: Knowledge of proper swimming techniques and water safety rules is necessary. No educational qualification is required as such, however, having a high school diploma or GED will help. Also, if you have any prior experience working as a swim instructor or lifeguard might be useful. CPR, First Aid, and American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor or Basic Swim Instructor (BSI) certifications are preferred.
Investment needed: $0 investment needed
How To Get Started:
To apply for the swimming instructor jobs, here are some websites:
LinkedIn Recruit.net Glassdoor Talent.com Salary.com
16. Start A Pool Cleaning Business
Starting a pool cleaning side hustle can be very rewarding if you love being outdoors and working in different locations. As a pool cleaner, you will be visiting clients’ homes or businesses to check and adjust the water chemical balance, maintain the water pumps, check the skimmers, and clean.
Earning Potential: Up to $21
Requirements: Vacuum Hose, Pool Brushes, Water testing equipment, Skimmer, and a vacuum head.
Investment needed: You'll initially need to invest a sum of my for purchasing the necessary tools.
How To Get Started:
You will need some training from a professional pool cleaner to get started. The training equips you with keeping chemicals balanced and maintaining different pool equipment pieces. After the training, you can then become a lone practitioner. You can start building your website and market your business through that platform, or you can use various social media channels to advertise. Otherwise, you can also go on job searching platforms such as Indeed
17. Start Reviewing Products For Money
Are you wondering how you can get paid to review products at home? Top brands need people to review their new products before listing them on the market. Your feedback could earn you cash, a gift card, or even free merchandise. The catch? You need to have a good social media presence and some knowledge about the field related to the product or services you will be reviewing.
Earning Potential: $3-$500 depending on the product
Requirements: You need to have a computer, a smartphone, and high-speed internet.
Investment needed: $0 investment needed
How To Get Started:
To become a product tester, signup with a market research firm that offers product testing at home. The market research firm will review your application, and if you are qualified, they will ship some products to review.
18. Start An Online Retail Store
If you like the idea of running an online business but would prefer to be a little hands-on with suppliers and the products, starting an online retail store could be perfect for you.
How this works is you purchase products in bulk at a lower price and then sell them at a higher retail price to your customers. Since you are hands-on with the products, you can watch the quality.
Earning Potential: $150,000-$330,000 Monthly
Requirements: A website, computer, internet, and of course products to sell.
Investment needed: To build an online retail store, you can expect to spend between $1000 and $100,000. The total cost will vary depending on the needs of the company. A small company may spend between $1000 – $10,000; an enterprise company can expect to spend anywhere from $50,000 – $100,000.
How To Get Started:
Find a niche, research a reliable supplier, negotiate lower prices, set up your online retail store, and market the products. Finally, you have to find a reliable fulfillment service.
Not looking for extra income, but rather a better job? Find a new job in Charlotte:
Resources:
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
