Side hustle ideas consume many college students’ minds these days, as a quick way to make some extra cash!
Because college kids are on tight schedules, the prospect of making a few extra dollars with low-commitment spurts of work is always appealing. Here are just a few ideas that can help any college student make a few extra dollars in no time!
- Start a pet-sitting business
If you love animals, starting a pet-sitting business could be a great way to make some extra money.
Word of mouth is a great way to get the word out about your services, parents are usually good about letting friends and family know about your latest venture.
However, there are some fabulous apps as well that will connect you with prospective clients in a snap!
Rover, for example, offers services ranging from dog walking, dog sitting, doggie daycare, house sitting and drop-in visits.
- Offer tutoring services
If you’re a whiz in a particular subject, why not offer your services as a tutor? You can advertise your services online or through flyers posted around campus.
- Start a blog
Blogging is a great way to share your thoughts and expertise in a particular niche!
Creating content as a blogger takes time. It can take many months to build a website, create new posts, connect on social media and generate interest. However, as a “side hustle” with a longer shelf life, blogging can be a long-term source of extra income.
And if you build up a large enough following, you could start earning advertising revenue from your blog, as well as affiliate and product revenue!
- Sell handmade goods
It seems that more people are turning away from the cheap, factory-generated plastic junk that most stores offer in favor of better quality, handmade items. Crafters have a distinct advantage in the marketplace today.
Whether it be a hand-crafted wooden bowl, a knit scarf or adorable baby bibs, there are customers out there who want to buy from you.
- Offer freelance writing services
If you’re a good writer, there are many people who would be willing to pay you for your services. You can start by offering your services to friends and family, and then expand your client base by offering your services online or through word-of-mouth.
Upwork offers freelance writing gigs, they are worth checking out!
6. Sell Your Notes
If you’re a student who takes excellent notes in class, you can sell your notes to other students who would benefit from having them.
There are a few different ways to do this: you can post your notes online and set your own price, or you can work with a note-taking service that will pay you for your notes.
Professional note-takers are making an average of $52,000 (source) and more in many parts of the US.
7. Do Odd Jobs for People
Personally, I can’t wait until the college kids are on break!
I have a small farm and I always need help with projects and clean-up! I pay my college helpers well, and I even feed them when they’re working for me!
There are always people in need of someone to do odd jobs for them, such as yard work, moving furniture, or cleaning their house. If you’re willing to put in some hard work, you can make some extra cash by doing odd jobs for people in your community.
8. Sell Your Clothes
If you have clothes that you don’t wear anymore, consider selling them!
You can do this online or at local consignment shops like Plato’s Closet. This is a great way to make some extra money and declutter your closet at the same time.
9. Manage social media accounts
Are you active on social media? If so, put your skills to good use by managing social media accounts for businesses or individuals. This side hustle requires good organizational skills and the ability to stay up-to-date on current trends.
You would be surprised at how many “boomer” business owners have no idea how to market their businesses on social media, something most college students could do with their eyes closed and both hands tied behind their backs.
10. Farm Sit
If you grew up on a farm or in a rural area, and know a bit about how a farm is run, check out this article about how to be a good farm sitter and how to find work in this niche.
What other ideas would you add to this list? How have you made extra money as a college student? Share in the comments!