For teenagers looking to cultivate their entrepreneurial spirit and get ahead in life, a side hustle is one of the most rewarding things to pursue.
As a teenager, you are often burdened by numerous obligations, such as school, chores, extracurriculars, etc. While all of these are important, they don’t provide any monetary value for you. That’s where having a side hustle comes in.
Why should you actually have a side hustle? Earning some extra cash while still in your teenage years can not only put extra money in your pocket, but teach valuable lessons and life skills. When you have a side hustle, you are pursuing your passions.
Some side hustles require essential skills, such as coding or blogging. When you engage in these side hustles, you are developing skills that can be used in the future.
In this article, we’ll go over 14 side hustles for teenagers that are looking to make some extra cash.
Offer Lawncare Services
Lawn care is one of the most popular side hustles to do. It plays a key role in maintaining the health and appearance of outdoor spaces. Lawnmowing, weed-whacking, putting down mulch. Whatever it is, homeowners desire a nice and tidy lawn, and are willing to pay for it. They often lack the time to do it themselves, and that’s where you come in.
Homeowners will be delighted to have a young entrepreneur to carry out various lawncare tasks for them, and will reward you for your labor.
This side hustle may seem seasonal, such as when winter rolls around. When the roaring winter comes around and most lawncare services are not in demand, then adapt. If snow is prevalent in your area, offer to shovel peoples’ yards, or lay salt where ice has formed.
Create a Blog
You’re reading a blog right now. A blog is a regularly updated website that offers information and services, or is just for personal use. If you’re passionate about a certain topic, or want to write about something that interests you, then this is perfect for you.
What’s great about a blog is that there are multiple ways to monetize it. Google ads, affiliate marketing, and digital products are just some ways to introduce new income streams to your blog. Keep in mind that blogging is a side hustle that requires patience and discipline. Results will not come immediately. However, when traffic to your website starts to roll in, you will reap the rewards.
Make a YouTube Channel
With more than 2.7 billion active users on its site, YouTube is a media giant. It is a platform where you can express your creative talents and share your passions (as well as earn some cash!). As a content creator on the site, you are able to monetize your channel and earn profits through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.
Making a YouTube Channel requires proper planning and execution. Choosing a niche and sticking to it is one of the best ways to ensure growth for your channel. With any type of content creation (this also concerns blogging), consistency is king. Consistently making content will make you more favorable to the algorithm and boost your exposure to potential viewers.
If you are a shy individual, then there is no need to show your face to have a successful channel. Your YouTube channel can experience growth without offering a face behind it.
Resell Items
Selling your stuff is one of the best ways to clean and organize your home while also earning some extra cash. There are several platforms that you can sell your items on, including eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, and Facebook Marketplace. You can also host a yard sale, and avoid all the fees of selling online. With this side hustle you can learn sales, which I believe to be one of the most important things for any entrepreneur to learn.
If you have sold your own items and wish to sell more, then try sourcing other products to sell. This is known as reselling, and can be a very lucrative side hustle.
Become a Freelancer
Freelancing is a flexible side hustle that allows individuals to offer their services and skills to clients. It is defined as an individual who works for themselves and earn wages on a per-job basis. This can be done either in-person or online. In the physical freelancing world, you can offer numerous services such as the aforementioned lawncare or tutoring (which we will talk about later).
Online, you can offer your skills on websites such as Fiverr or UpWork, and do different gigs for varying amounts of money. Either you can take a job that is posted online, or you can make your own (and set your own price!).
Clean Houses
If you are good at cleaning, then this one is for you. House are large structures that can often get messy and require a lot of maintenance. By cleaning houses, you ensure the tidiness and overall hygiene of the house. The tasks you may be met with often include: vacuuming, mopping, moving furniture, and sanitizing surfaces.
You can also offer services that extend beyond the interior of the house. Power washing, cleaning windows, and cleaning a garage out are some other services that you can provide to homeowners for some extra cash.
Graphic Design
With platforms like Canva, graphic design is easier than ever. Graphic designers create visual content for clients, usually in a digital space. It is a great way to leverage your artistic skills to earn some extra income. Graphic design encompasses a wide range of content, such as logos, infographics, drawings, and more. What’s great about it is that you can work on your own terms and let your creativity flow.
There are many ways you can monetize this side hustle. The first way is through the freelance websites we mentioned earlier (Fiverr and UpWork), or a social media platform. On these sites you can offer various services, such as logo-making or customized drawings. The other way is to make a print on demand website, where all you have to do is make the design and the site can run the side hustle for you!
Tutoring
If you are a smart teen who has the grades to back it up (or are superb in a particular subject), then you should try out tutoring. From tutoring English to ACT prep, there are a plethora of subjects that you can offer. The more you offer, the more you attract. However, you should stick to what you know. On top of being able to offer various services, you can also charge your own rate. But be careful, charging too much will drive away customers.
Tutoring can be done online or in-person, with the in-person method being more popular. If you decide to tutor in-person, then you can visit the other person’s home, or have the session at your own. Additionally, you could go to public spaces such as the library. If you wish to offer tutoring digitally, then you can host the session over zoom, or on a tutoring website.
Pet Services
This isn’t for everyone. But if you are accustomed to pets, then providing pet services to people who lack the time to care for them is a great side hustle.
The first method is to walk dogs. Some are not able to take their dogs on walks. By walking their dogs, you get to spend time with furry companions while being active. The next idea is to start pet sitting. Watching someone’s pet while they are away is a great side hustle as it does not require much effort. Finally, and this is not for the faint of heart, is cleaning pets. If you are okay with getting dirty, then cleaning pets can be a good service to offer.
Car Detailing
Let’s face it. The primary focus of cars is appearance. It’s why most will ignore functionality and instead buy cars based off of looks. You can see where I’m getting at. People will pay to have their cars clean (both the interior and exterior).
Car detailing not only promotes a car’s aesthetics but also contributes to its overall maintenance, preserving its value and providing owners with both a clean and comfortable driving experience. This job requires attention to detail and a good customer relation. Car detailing contains a bunch of little tasks, and proper equipment is often needed to perform them.
Babysitting
A classic. Babysitting is a side hustle that is actually known for being done by teenagers. By taking care of children and ensuring their well-being and safety, teens learn valuable caregiving skills while also earning some cash. Tasks you will face will include: putting the children to sleep, feeding them, playing with them, and addressing their needs.
Start A Podcast
A podcast is similar to a blog. If there is a particular subject that you love and could talk about for hours on end, then consider starting a podcast. This can be done by yourself or with a group friends. Podcasts require editing and planning to provide a valuable listen for listeners. You will most likely need equipment, such as a microphone, recording space, camera, headset, and editing program. You can post the podcasts on platforms such as YouTube or Apple Podcasts. Podcasts can be monetized through ads and sponsorships.
Become A Social Media Influencer
Who doesn’t want to be a social media influencer. Posting content related to your passions is a great way to have fun while making money. The content can be almost anything, from fitness to beauty. Creating an online presence and developing a following is great for getting yourself out there. This also means you must establish a sense of authenticity and build trust among your followers. Being on the social media space means that you must be flexible and adapt to new and emerging trends.
I recommend trying out TikTok, as they have recently launched a program named the Creativity Program Beta. This program offers higher earnings for creators compared to ordinary videos.
Get A Part-Time Job
If you can’t decide on a side hustle, then getting a part-time job is a great alternative. Whether it’s at a retail store, fast food establishment, or a grocery store, it’s a great way to get valuable work experience and earn some cash.
It is great because it is a source of sustainable income that does not depend on your current clientele. They also offer a glimpse into different career fields, and is an amazing way for young individuals to find what they are interested in. Find a position that matches both your availability and skills, so that you can ensure that it won’t intrude on your daily life. Many employers will offer flexible hours that will work for you.
The most important part about any side hustle is the treatment of the client. It is the cornerstone of any business practice. Be sure to treat the client with respect, understanding, and adequate service. Even better, go the extra mile and show your appreciation. Proper treatment of the client will almost always ensure repeat clients, who will more often than not require your services again. If a client is mishandled, you may lose out on future business.
So you’ve earned some money from your side hustle. Now what? Most teenagers will hastily spend their cash on unnecessary goods and blow it all away. If you are smart, you will invest your money, and make it work for you. Another thing you can do with the money is reinvest it into your side hustle or fund another entrepreneurial endeavor.
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