I believe people shouldn’t have to work themselves to exhaustion. No one wants to spend their whole life just trying to get by. We should be free to do what we love and spend our time on things we’re passionate about.
Okay, I understand. Money is always going to be a problem, especially with the rising costs of rent and food due to inflation!
But what if I told you that you could make money from something you love doing?
There are many hobbies that can help you earn money, so you can do what you love without the hassle of commuting, dealing with office gossip, or handling unnecessary tasks.
The best part? You’ll be your own boss, so you can choose when and where you work! Whether you want to have a side hustle from home or work as a freelancer in another country, the options are endless!
The only question you need to answer is what kind of self-employed work is right for you.
You can make $500 a day in lots of ways, like freelancing, starting a business on Etsy, or working as a photographer. Keep reading to discover some of the best self-employed jobs that pay well!
1. Tutoring
For anyone who enjoys teaching, online tutoring is a great option! It’s perfect for retired teachers, college students, or anyone who knows a lot about a subject, like high school science, languages, or calculus. If I had the chance to tutor, I’d love to teach young kids basic math or English because they’re so adorable!
If you’re a student looking to make money while in college, you can start by talking to your classmates or offering your services to younger students, either online or in person. Becoming a tutor is a great option because there are many online tutoring jobs available. You can set your own hours, earn extra money, and feel good about helping others learn.
To start finding tutoring jobs, check out
platforms like Tutor.com, UpWork, Preply, and Chegg. Some of these sites might need you to have specific certifications, like an ESL certificate if you want to teach English to non-English speakers. Even if a platform doesn’t require certifications, getting them can increase your chances of getting hired and might help you earn a higher salary.
2. Flipping Things
Have you ever watched shows like Flop or Flip or Property Brothers? I enjoy improving my home and making upgrades. Sometimes I think about trying house flipping because it seems like a great way to earn a lot of money.
However, Did you know you can flip more than just houses and still make a great profit?
You can make money flipping all sorts of items, like sneakers, designer handbags, furniture, or workout gear. These items are popular and sell quickly. If you’re good at finding value in things that others don’t want, this could be a great way to work for yourself and earn a good income.
For example, you can sell used furniture that you’ve refurbished and earn between $500 to $1,000 a month. How much you make depends on the type of furniture and how much time and effort you put into fixing it up.
There are many places where you can sell items you’ve flipped, but most people have better results on eBay, Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace, and sometimes Craigslist. The best site to use can depend on what you’re selling. For example, if you’re selling shoes, you might have better luck in Facebook groups focused on buying and selling sneakers.
3. Social Media Manager (Freelance)
Social media is a big part of life for many people, including me! For businesses, it’s even more important. Companies rely on social media because it helps them connect with people who are always online, like me (I can’t stop watching the next reel, haha). That’s why social media managers are so important. Businesses need these experts to create successful campaigns and reach more people.
But it’s not just about posting a funny meme and moving on. Social media managers come up with plans, create interesting content, track how people interact with posts, oversee campaigns to ensure they meet their goals, and more. In short, their job is to manage and improve a company’s online presence and boost brand awareness.
Like freelance writing or tutoring, being a social media manager lets you choose your own schedule. Whether you want a part-time gig just one day a week or a full-time career, there are plenty of social media management jobs available. Your working days will vary based on the company’s size and the projects they have.
Before applying for jobs, it’s a good idea to refresh your social media skills. Learn how to make money on Pinterest, create effective content for different platforms, and understand basic SEO strategies. Luckily, there are many free courses available to help you with this. By gaining these skills, you’ll be able to impress employers and show that you’re a great candidate for a social media manager position.
4. Blogger
I recommend working as a full-time blogger because I’ve done it and know how much it can earn you in both money and freedom. I’m not keeping any secrets because I think everyone deserves a chance to make good money doing something they enjoy!
When I first started blogging, I didn’t know much about it. I just wanted to share my thoughts and maybe make some money. As I began to earn more, I decided to leave my job and focus entirely on blogging, turning it into a full-time online business.
Here we are, using my passion for writing to make money from sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and ads! It’s incredible how much I’ve achieved, and it’s all because of your support. That’s why it’s worth giving it a shot.
Making money from blogging is simpler than it seems and doesn’t require much money to start. Once you set up your website and pick a topic you’re comfortable discussing, you can begin creating interesting posts to attract and grow your audience.
Even if you’re new to blogging, you can start earning money right away with AdSense display ads. As you gain experience, you can explore other ways to make money, like affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, or selling useful digital products that people want to buy.
5. Become a Proofreader
I’m really into grammar, and it’s both good and bad. I notice mistakes in everything I read and always look for ways to make sentences better. If you’re the same way, proofreading might be the perfect job for you.
If you love reading books or articles, how great would it be to get paid for it and help improve your writing? That’s something I would have loved to do if I hadn’t started blogging!
One big advantage of being a proofreader is that you can start without spending any money. All you need is a computer, an internet connection, and strong proofreading skills to get your first job and begin working!
If you’re wondering how to become a proofreader, let’s first start with the basic skills you’ll need. You must have sound knowledge of spelling, grammar, and punctuation in English (or the language you plan to specialize in), pay excellent attention to detail, and have great communication skills, as you may be collaborating with a team.
You can find proofreading jobs by connecting with other proofreaders or using your own network. Professionals in marketing and publishing often need proofreaders, so reach out to them. Also, check platforms like UpWork, LinkedIn, and Fiverr for job opportunities.
6. Photographer
If you enjoy taking beautiful photos to capture special moments, photography could be a great and rewarding job. It must feel amazing to do what you love while creating lasting memories! I often see videos of people smiling with joy when they see their stunning photos after an event—it’s really touching.
However, being a photographer involves more than just taking pictures at events. You can also make money in other ways, like through affiliate marketing, selling online courses or stock photos, or renting out your equipment. These options let you earn money even when you’re not working at an event.
If you’re thinking about starting a photography business, start by learning the basics of photography and improving your camera skills. If you already have some experience and the right equipment, focus on building your brand and creating a portfolio to show potential clients. To get your first job, network with people and use job platforms like UpWork or stock image sites.
7. Open An Etsy Shop
Running your own online business is a great way to work for yourself because you get to be your own boss and handle everything from operations to finances. If you enjoy making and selling unique products, starting an Etsy shop could be a perfect fit for you.
If you’ve visited the website, you probably know that Etsy has a lot of things for sale, like handmade items, antiques, and digital art. I often browse Etsy myself to find small decorations for my home!
It has a huge number of users, including me, so you’ll definitely find people interested in the products you want to offer, like custom jewelry or personalized pet portraits. Because so many people use this platform, you’ll be able to connect with hundreds or even thousands of potential customers!
For anyone curious about how much you can make selling on Etsy, it varies a lot based on your products and how well you market them. You could earn anywhere from $5,000 to over $100,000 a year, making it a great way to make money from your laptop.
Once you have your products ready to sell, it’s time to create your shop. Sign up for an Etsy account and set up your profile in just a few minutes. Have your business logo and description ready, and enter your payment details. Then, you can start adding your products and promoting them!
8. Freelance Writing
If you’re good with words, isn’t the best goal to get paid for writing?
Or maybe you want a job where you work alone and avoid office drama? It doesn’t have to be just a dream—you can start working as a freelance writer today!
People are worried that AI, like ChatGPT, might replace writers. But there’s no need to be afraid. Have you tried using AI to write a heartfelt letter or an informative article? It often misses the personal touch and has gaps. You can usually tell when a website uses AI for writing, and it can be pretty off-putting.
The need for freelance writers is increasing, creating more chances for writers in different areas. You can make between $10 and $60 an hour as a writer, making it a great self-employed job that lets you work from anywhere!
Finding freelance writing jobs is quite simple because there are many opportunities out there. You can reach out to blogs that match your interests, work for content mills to write a lot of articles for payment, or check job boards for part-time or night-time remote writing jobs.
9. Work As A Virtual Assistant
If you’re thinking about freelancing, you might have come across the idea of becoming a virtual assistant. It’s a growing field that’s great for both employers and freelancers. Employers can hire virtual assistants to handle tasks like scheduling appointments, data entry, bookkeeping, managing social media, or creating content. For virtual assistants, it means a good-paying job they can do from home or anywhere with a laptop and Internet connection.
I know some wonderful and skilled virtual assistants who work from their beds! This makes it a great business idea for stay-at-home moms because it lets them work while managing household tasks. It’s perfect for multitasking!
The great thing is that these jobs are always in demand across many industries and company sizes. Whether it’s a small tech startup or a big corporation, there will always be a company looking for a dependable assistant to handle daily tasks.
If you have special skills, you’ll have an advantage because many of the top virtual assistant services need people with expertise in areas like customer service, content creation, digital marketing, e-commerce, and research.