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Writer's pictureVirtually Solo Designs

5 Side Hustles To Start Now and Promote With Your Phone

Updated: Jul 25


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Side hustles are a great way to generate extra income. We all have reasons to keep a day job while trying to build something on the side. Luckily, there are ways to build your empire while keeping your current job. For some(most), the goal is to leave the "job" and create a business that gives you time and location freedom. There's nothing like sitting on a beach and working or spending more time with your family and not being tied to a specific place during certain hours. In my opinion, that is what the American dream is all about. Flexibility and freedom. If your niche involves selling a service, product, or giving your expertise, you've got a side hustle waiting to be tapped into. Marketplaces like Etsy, eBay, Amazon, Creative Market, and Walmart Marketplace provide a platform to sell physical and digital products as well as services with ease. Let's dive into each one to see how you can monetize your dream side hustle.


Building a side hustle on Etsy can be a lucrative and fulfilling venture. The platform is ideal for selling printables and other digital products, providing a low-cost entry point for entrepreneurs. Printables like planners, calendars, and restaurant menus are always in demand. These products require minimal upfront investment and can be sold repeatedly without additional production costs.


To diversify your offerings, consider integrating business tools into your shop. These tools can include templates for budgeting, social media planning, and marketing strategies. They cater to the growing market of small business owners seeking professional resources.

Utilizing Printify and Printful can significantly streamline your operations, especially for a print on demand model. These platforms allow you to create custom products such as tshirts without holding inventory. Simply design your product, list it on Etsy, and when an order is placed, Printify or Printful will handle the printing and shipping. This model reduces risk and simplifies logistics.


Incorporating a Cricut machine into your workflow can also expand your product range. With a Cricut machine, you can create intricate designs for tshirts, mugs, and other items. Pairing it with a Cricut mug press allows you to produce personalized mugs, a popular item on Etsy. These tools enable you to offer unique, customized products that stand out in the marketplace.


A successful Etsy side hustle requires a combination of digital products, business tools, and physical items. Leveraging platforms like Printify and Printful, along with crafting equipment like the Cricut machine and Cricut mug press, can help you build a diverse and profitable store. What's nice about this model is you list the products and only once someone makes a purchase the products need to be produced. You can promote your Esty store on social media easily right from your phone.


eBay as a side hustle is a popular way to make extra cash, offering flexibility and the potential for significant earnings. One popular method is reselling products, which involves purchasing items at a low cost and selling them at a higher price. This strategy, known as flipping items, can be highly profitable if you know how to spot undervalued goods.


Thrift store flipping is an excellent way to source inventory. By visiting local thrift stores, garage sales, and flea markets, you can find unique items to resell. Vintage clothing, rare collectibles, and refurbished electronics are just a few examples of products that can fetch high prices on eBay. The key is to identify items with hidden value and market them effectively.


Another approach is to sell extra items that you no longer need. Many people have unused items from home that are in good condition but no longer serve a purpose. These could include electronics, fashion accessories, or household goods. Listing these items on eBay not only declutters your space but also turns unwanted belongings into cash.


For those interested in local transactions, eBay offers the option to sell locally. This feature allows you to connect with buyers in your area, making it easier to sell larger items like furniture or appliances that are challenging to ship. Local selling with eBay is a nice alternative to OfferUp and eBay is a longtime trusted name in the industry of seller marketplaces.


If you have a knack for crafts, consider selling homemade goods. Handmade jewelry, art, and customized items can attract a dedicated customer base on eBay. This not only provides an additional income stream but also allows you to share your creativity with a broader audience.


Whether you're into reselling products, thrift store flipping, or offloading unused items from home, eBay offers several opportunities to build a successful side hustle. By leveraging your unique skills and resources, you can create a profitable venture that fits your lifestyle.


Amazon is a widely known brand that provides the opportunity to sell, offering various methods to cater to different business models and interests. One effective approach is to sell without keeping inventory at your home or in storage using the Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program. This allows you to send your products to Amazon's warehouses, where they handle storage, packaging, and shipping, freeing you from logistical concerns.


Online arbitrage is another popular method. This involves purchasing discounted products from online retailers and reselling them on Amazon at a higher price. By finding deals and taking advantage of price discrepancies, you can turn a profit with minimal upfront investment. Sites like Alibaba are invaluable for sourcing products at competitive prices, allowing you to capitalize on global markets.


For those interested in creating their own products, private label is a promising option. By branding and customizing generic products, you can build a unique brand that stands out in the crowded marketplace. This method requires more initial effort but offers the potential for higher margins and brand loyalty.


Digital publishing on Amazon is a growing field, particularly with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Authors and content creators can publish e-books, reaching a vast audience with minimal costs. Similarly, the audible side hustle involves creating and selling audiobooks on Audible, tapping into the growing market of audiobook listeners.


Each of these methods offers unique advantages and can be tailored to your skills and interests. Selling without inventory via FBA simplifies logistics, while online arbitrage and private label allow for greater control over product selection and branding. Digital publishing and audiobooks offer passive income opportunities with the potential for significant reach.


By combining these strategies, you can build a diverse and profitable side hustle on Amazon, leveraging the platform's vast resources and customer base to achieve your entrepreneurial goals. Whether you prefer hands-on product management or digital content creation, Amazon provides the tools and opportunities to succeed. I've sold on Amazon and found it to be easy and profitable. There are a ton of ways to make money with Amazon. It's about finding the one thats right for you.


Building a side hustle on Creative Market can be extremely rewarding, offering a platform tailored for selling digital products. One of the significant advantages is that there is no inventory needed, which eliminates the complexities of storage and shipping. This allows you to focus entirely on creating and marketing your offerings.


Creative Market is ideal for those looking to sell digital products. These can range from graphic designs and fonts to website themes and templates. Selling creative assets on this platform means you can tap into a vast audience of businesses and individuals seeking high-quality, professional resources.


Selling to businesses is a particularly lucrative strategy. Companies constantly need new and unique assets for their marketing, branding, and operational needs. By providing exceptional digital products, you can establish a steady stream of income. I sell my products and services to other businesses and find that profits are much higher than selling to non-business owners.


One of the greatest benefits of Creative Market is the ability to create once and sell many times. Once you've designed a product, whether it's a set of icons, a photography preset, or a branding template, it can be sold repeatedly without additional work. This model allows for scalable income with minimal ongoing effort.


To succeed on Creative Market, use your creativity to produce standout products that cater to current market trends and demands. Innovative, high-quality designs will attract more buyers and help you build a loyal customer base. Regularly updating your portfolio with fresh, relevant items can also boost your visibility and sales.


Creative Market offers a prime opportunity to monetize your creative skills. With no inventory needed and the potential to sell digital products to a broad audience, you can build a profitable side hustle. By focusing on quality and leveraging your unique talents, you can create once and sell many times, ensuring a consistent and scalable income stream.


Walmart Marketplace offers the opportunity to sell on the biggest retail marketplace in the US. This gives an opportunity for entrepreneurs seeking to expand their e-commerce presence and grow with a huge name behind them. As a Walmart Marketplace seller, you gain access to millions of potential customers who trust the Walmart brand for their shopping needs. To succeed, developing an effective Walmart selling strategy is crucial.

Start by selecting the right products. Walmart Pre-owned and Walmart Restored items can be excellent categories to explore. These products appeal to budget-conscious shoppers looking for quality goods at reduced prices. By sourcing high-demand items and ensuring they meet Walmart's quality standards, you can carve out a profitable niche.


Understanding the Walmart Marketplace dynamics is essential for business growth. Unlike other platforms, Walmart emphasizes a competitive pricing model. Ensuring your prices are competitive while maintaining healthy profit margins will be key to your success. Additionally, offering free shipping and leveraging Walmart's fast shipping options can attract more customers and boost your sales.


Investing in optimized product listings is another vital aspect of your Walmart selling strategy. High-quality images, detailed descriptions, and relevant keywords will enhance your visibility on the platform. This not only helps in attracting potential buyers but also improves your search rankings within the marketplace.


Customer service is a foundation of success on Walmart Marketplace. Promptly addressing customer inquiries and resolving any issues can lead to positive reviews and repeat business. Building a reputation for reliability and quality service will differentiate you from competitors and foster customer loyalty.


Lastly, continuously monitor and adapt to the market trends. The e-commerce industry is dynamic, and staying informed of changes can provide you with a competitive edge. Regularly analyzing your sales data and adjusting your strategies accordingly will ensure sustained business growth.


Walmart as a side hustle can be highly profitable if approached with the right strategies. By focusing on competitive pricing, quality listings, and exceptional customer service, you can establish a successful presence on Walmart Marketplace and achieve significant business growth. This model requires some work but the result is worth it. For this, you'll need at least a few hours to dedicate to the business but once that's completed you'll be able to promote and monitor your business from your phone.


Conclusion

Side hustles are an excellent option for busy people for several reasons. They provide a flexible way to earn additional income without requiring a significant time commitment. Many side hustles, such as selling digital products or engaging in online arbitrage, can be managed during evenings or weekends, fitting seamlessly into a hectic schedule.


Side hustles offer the opportunity to monetize skills and hobbies, turning passions into profit. They can also provide a sense of achievement and fulfillment outside of one's primary job. Financially, side hustles can boost savings, pay off debt, or fund special projects and purchases.


Additionally, they serve as a safety net, offering financial security and independence. This supplementary income stream can be particularly valuable in uncertain economic times or during unexpected expenses.


Side hustles are a great option for busy moms and dads because they offer flexibility, financial benefits, personal fulfillment, and security without demanding a significant overhaul of one's daily routine.


Do you have a side hustle right now? Are you thinking of starting one? If so, comment below.

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