We’ve been told over and over again that the world is designed for those outgoing, life-of-the-party extroverts.
But over the years, here’s what I’ve discovered: being an introvert is actually your superpower when it comes to crushing it with a side hustle.
Think about it – you have a knack for deep work, getting lost in projects and uncovering creative solutions that others might overlook. That’s a skill that’s pure gold.
And let’s not forget your love for autonomy and working independently – essential ingredients for building a thriving side gig on your own terms.
The good news is that the digital age is an introvert’s playground. You can build an entire empire from the comfort of your cozy cave, no awkward networking events required. It’s THE dream, right?
In this newsletter, we’re going to dive deep into side hustle ideas that were practically made for the introverted mind.
Not just listing them off, but really digging into how you can take those secret strengths of yours – laser focus, creativity, autonomy – and use them to turn these gigs into money-making machines.
This week’s newsletter brings you:
- Trends: Curious about what a typical salary looks like for different side hustles? We’ve found the data for you!
- Strategies: A curated selection of side hustles perfectly tailored for introverts, detailing their potential income, overview, and why they align with introverted strengths.
- Tool of the Week: Discover the CliftonStrengths Assessment, an insightful tool that helps introverts identify their inherent strengths, guiding them towards choosing the most suitable side gig
Trends
Curious about how much you can earn with a work-from-home side hustle? We’ve gathered the data so that you don’t have to!
Freelance Writer Salary
If you live in the US, you can expect to earn anywhere between $32.50 and $35.62 USD an hour as a freelance writer.
Freelance Graphic Designer Salary
Freelance graphic designers can charge slightly higher rates – in the US expect to earn anywhere between $39.04 and $42.45 per hour for your services.
Virtual Assistant Salary
Virtual assistant work commands slightly lower rates, this is likely due to a lower barrier of entry.
Freelance Editor Salary
Freelance editing is on par with writing work – with side hustlers earning anywhere between $36.78 and $39.59 USD per hour.
Strategies
There’s a whole world of side hustles out there that were designed for introverts to thrive without ever having to leave their homes (or even the couch – no judgment!). So without further ado, let’s explore some of these options:
Freelance Writing or Content Creation
This is the perfect gig for those of us who thrive in solitude and relish the chance to let our words do the talking. For one, you get to be free from awkward water cooler chit chat or forced team-building exercises – it’s just you, your thoughts, and a blank page (or google doc) waiting to be filled with your carefully crafted words.
But it’s not just about avoiding social situations (although that’s a huge perk). Freelance writing and content creation play to an introvert’s strongest skills: the ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity and precision, and the patience to meticulously craft each sentence to perfection.
You get to tap into your natural knack for deep thinking, research, and attention to detail – all while exploring topics that genuinely pique your interest.
Now, I know what you might be thinking: “But how do I actually get started?”
To jumpstart your freelance writing journey, explore gig opportunities on sites like Upwork, or connect with fellow writers for tips, job leads and pricing in online communities like the Freelance Writers Den.
Rates can start modest for newbies (think $10-$50 for a 500-word article), but experienced writers with specialized skills can command $0.25 to $1 per word or more. We’re talking potential earnings of $125 to over $500 for that same 500-word piece! Top experts in high-demand niches have even been known to exceed $1 per word.
The beauty of freelance writing is that you can start small, dipping your toes in while keeping your day job, and gradually build up your client base and income as you gain confidence and experience.
Graphic Design and Illustration
If you’ve been on the hunt for a side hustle that lets you flex your creative genius while embracing your solo streaks, look no further than graphic design and illustration. This side hustle will include just you, your trusty design software, and a world of artistic possibilities waiting to be brought to life.
Graphic design and illustration will use all the skills you already have: the ability to communicate complex ideas through visuals, the patience to meticulously craft each element to perfection, and the deep focus required to turn an initial concept into a polished final product.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the money-making potential. As a newbie, you’re looking at around $15 to $35 per hour or $50 to $150 for smaller gigs as you build that portfolio and client network.
But as you gain experience and your portfolio grows, rates can climb to $35 to $75 per hour, with project fees ranging from $150 to $500 depending on the complexity.
For seasoned pros with solid reputations and niche expertise, we’re talking $75 to $150 per hour or more, with larger projects like comprehensive branding packages fetching anywhere from $500 to several thousand dollars. And at the very top of the food chain? Upwards of $150 per hour for those niche experts and high-profile client magnets.
Ready to dive into the world of graphic design and illustration? Here are a few resources to get you started:
- Check out sites like Behance to showcase your work and find potential clients.
- Join online communities like the AIGA or the Graphic Artists Guild for industry insights, job leads, and networking opportunities (from the comfort of your couch, of course).
- Bookmark resources like the Graphic Design Pricing Calculator to help you set fair rates as your skills grow.
Programming and Web Development
The world of programming and web development is a perfect fit for your thoughtful, focused nature. Why? Because it’s all about immersing yourself in code, solving puzzles, and bringing digital creations to life—all solo activities that play to your strengths.
Money-wise, as a newbie coder, you can start raking in $15 to $30 per hour or bag $100 to $500 for small projects. As your skill set expands, so does your earning potential. Think $30 to $75 per hour and $500 to $3,000 for more complex stuff like nifty websites or apps.
Reach pro level with skills in full-stack development or intricate app building, and boom! You’re earning $75 to $150 per hour. Big projects can fetch you several thousand dollars. And if you dive into hot fields like blockchain or AI, we’re talking big bucks—over $150 per hour and massive project fees.
Keen to start? Check out resources like Codecademy or freeCodeCamp to get your coding journey rolling!
E-commerce and Dropshipping
E-commerce and dropshipping is your ticket to running a business from behind the scenes, minus the stress of handling physical products. It’s all about your virtual storefront, connecting customers with cool products, while suppliers handle the logistics.
Starting out might be slow—learning curves and initial investments are real. But once you get the hang of it, profits start rolling in.
Think a few hundred to $5,000 monthly as you grow your customer base and refine your sales strategies. And for the e-commerce elite? Monthly profits can soar up to $20,000 or more, with the top dogs pulling in six-figure incomes.
For you, this means leveraging your analytical and strategic skills, minus the face-to-face hustle. Resources to kickstart your journey? Shopify’s blog and Oberlo’s guides are great places to begin. Dive in and watch your virtual empire grow!
Digital Marketing Consultancy
Digital marketing consultancy is a playground for introverts like you! It’s about using your analytical mind and creative flair to help businesses shine online—SEO magic, social media strategies, you name it. You’ll be the unseen force behind a brand’s online success, and that’s exciting!
Pay-wise, beginners can earn $15 to $50 per hour, or a few hundred to $2,000 for smaller gigs. With experience, your rate can jump to $50 to $100 per hour, with meatier projects fetching up to $10,000. Specialize in areas like e-commerce SEO or content strategy, and you could be making $100 to $200 per hour, with major projects going for $10,000 to $20,000 and beyond.
The best part is that this lets you weave your digital spells from anywhere, far from the madding crowd. To start your journey, check out resources like HubSpot Academy or Google’s Digital Garage.
Online Tutoring or Coaching
With online tutoring, you get to share your smarts and skills with folks all over the globe, all from the comfort of your own space. Perfect for you, right?
You love diving deep into subjects, and this way, you can do it while helping others, without the overwhelm of a traditional classroom.
When you’re just starting, you could be looking at earning $10 to $25 per hour. But as you grow – getting more experience, specializing, maybe even racking up some qualifications – your rates could shoot up to $25 to $50 per hour.
And for tutoring with niche knowledge? Think $50 to $100 per hour, easily. If you hit the jackpot and become a top-tier expert or create killer online courses, you’re not just teaching; you’re potentially making thousands-of-dollars.
Your earnings can swing based on which platform you choose and how you market yourself. But if you’re all about sharing knowledge and rocking the digital classroom, this is your jam.
Want to get started? Check out platforms like Tutor.com or Udemy to begin your online tutoring journey.
Blogging and Affiliate Marketing
Blogging and affiliate marketing is where your passions meet profit. Imagine chatting about your favorite topics, like tech, travel, or whatever floats your boat, and making money while you’re at it.
Starting out, don’t expect to be rolling in dough immediately. It might be a slow climb from $0 to about $100 per month. But as your blog picks up steam, with great content and a loyal following, you could see that jump to $100 to $1,000 monthly through affiliate links, sponsored posts, and ad revenue.
Once you hit the big leagues with a solid audience and niche dominance, think big – like $1,000 to $10,000 monthly. The blogging elite can even earn up to $50,000 per month from various streams like high-profile sponsorships and product sales.
Success here means consistent, engaging content creation and mastering the art of SEO. If you love writing and have a knack for promoting products in a genuine way, blogging could be your digital goldmine.
Need a starting point? Platforms like WordPress and learning resources from Moz on SEO can help launch your blogging career.
Stock Photography
Stock photography is your chance to shine behind the lens, capturing life’s moments or thematic visuals for the world to use. This gig lets your creativity roam free and can be a neat way to earn some extra cash.
In the beginning, earnings might be modest – maybe a few bucks to a few hundred per month as you build your portfolio. But as you understand what images sell and keep adding high-quality photos, you could be looking at $200 to $1,000 monthly.
And for those of you who become stock photography experts with diverse on-point portfolios – you could be raking in $1,000 to $5,000 per month. Top-notch photographers can even pull in $5,000 to $10,000 monthly through passive income from their photos.
It’s a competitive field, but if you’ve got an eye for what’s trendy and a growing portfolio, this could be a great side gig. Start snapping and upload your work to sites like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock. Your photography could be the next big hit on these platforms!
Tool of the Week
Before you start making money off your side hustle, you have to decide which skill you should monetize. But deciding what to pursue can be unsettling – especially for introverts who might struggle with identifying their strongest skills. This is where our tool of the week, CliftonStrengths Assessment, comes into play.
Developed by Gallup, this is an online assessment tool designed to uncover your unique talents and strengths. It offers a comprehensive analysis of your innate skills and areas where you naturally excel, making it easier for you to choose a side hustle that aligns with your abilities and preferences.
Key Features:
- Provides detailed reports on your top strengths, offering a deeper understanding of your capabilities.
- Alongside identifying your strengths, it provides practical advice on how to apply them in various scenarios, including business or entrepreneurial ventures.
- Access to a wealth of resources to further develop and leverage your strengths.
The CliftonStrengths assessment offers different packages. The CliftonStrengths 34, which provides a comprehensive report of your full 34 strength themes, is priced at $59.99.
If you’re looking for a basic understanding of your top five themes, the CliftonStrengths Top 5 is available for $24.99. This version helps to improve performance by focusing on your most dominant strengths. Each package includes the assessment itself along with customized insights and action items tailored to your unique strengths profile.
So what are you waiting for? Find your skills on their website and get started with your side hustle!