The pandemic had its silver lining – it pushed forward the remote work and side hustle scene. Here at FuelEd Community, we’re all about learning new skills and turning them into profitable side hustles.
If you’ve been with us for a while, you know we’re all about trying new things. To continue with that, we’re diving into the top side hustle skills to learn in 2024.
So, if you’re reading this, chances are you’re either part of our community or you stumbled upon this post while looking for profitable side hustle skills. Either way, I’ve got your back.
Full disclosure: I’ve ventured into learning various skills and testing out different side hustles over the past few years (and failed at most).
Taking all that into account, this article is your shortcut to picking high-paying side hustle skills that can kickstart your next side hustle.
Top 3 Sectors to Build a Side Hustle
No doubt, there are hundreds of sectors and skills you can start a side hustle with. But when it comes to top side hustle skills to learn, there are three broad sectors:
- Digital Marketing: From individuals to MNCs, everyone needs digital marketing
- E-commerce: We all shop online, and many of us want to sell online. Hence, e-commerce!
- Technology: With the rise in AI trends, remote work, and freelancing culture, the profitability of having a technical skill is higher than ever.
Hence, in this article, I’ll talk about top side hustle skills in the above-mentioned sectors. Let’s start:
Digital Marketing Skills
When asked, ‘Which skill is best for a side hustle?’ the first answer that comes to mind is Digital Marketing. It has become the go-to arena for countless individuals seeking to build a side hustle or freelance career.
Take me, for example; despite being a software developer, I built my side hustle in marketing. What’s crazier is this has become my full-time work now!
With its ever-growing demand and expansive reach, it’s no wonder that many of you are interested in venturing into digital marketing. But it is very vast. The easiest way is to pick a sub-domain and build your side hustle accordingly.
Now, let’s break down the top side hustle skills to learn in digital marketing:
1. Social Media Marketing:
This one needs no introduction. You must’ve heard a lot about SMMA (social media marketing agency). Well, this is it!
We all know that utilizing the power of social media platforms is essential for connecting with your target audience and driving brand engagement. It is undoubtedly one of the best skills to learn in 2024.
Proficiency in social media marketing involves creating persuasive content, interpreting analytics to refine strategies, and using paid advertising tools to maximize reach and conversions.
Also Read: How to start Digital Marketing as a side hustle
2. Search Engine Optimization (SEO):
A lot of you think that SEO is dead. You couldn’t be more wrong. No matter how popular video content gets, the need for dedicated websites and blogs will never die.
Optimizing your online presence for search engines is paramount for improving visibility and driving organic traffic to your digital assets. Mastery of SEO includes optimizing website content and structure, conducting keyword research, and implementing link-building strategies to enhance your search engine rankings.
Precisely what I’m doing with this website!
3. Content Marketing:
This one is my favorite; after all, my primary headline is – Content Marketer. Currently, I’m A big chunk of digital marketing is creating content and building strategy across platforms.
Crafting valuable and relevant content is central to attracting and retaining your audience’s attention. Effective content marketing involves creating diverse content formats, such as blog posts, videos, and infographics, tailored to resonate with your target demographic and address their pain points.
This means that a content marketer should have multiple skills stacked: content writing, copywriting, SEO, strategy, etc.
4. Email Marketing:
If you are active on LinkedIn and X, you know how popular newsletters are today. Despite the rise of other communication channels, email marketing remains a cornerstone of digital marketing strategies.
Expertise in email marketing includes list building, crafting persuasive email campaigns, segmenting audiences for targeted messaging, and analyzing campaign performance metrics to optimize results.
If you’d ask me to pick stack skills as a priority, I’d place email marketing at the top!
5. Influencer Marketing:
Businesses know how partnering with influencers can significantly amplify their brand’s reach and credibility. But they don’t know how to do so. This is where influencer marketers come in.
Successful influencer marketing involves identifying and collaborating with influencers whose values align with your client’s brand, building authentic relationships, and measuring the impact of influencer partnerships on brand awareness and engagement.
6. Graphic Design:
There is no social media without visuals and no digital marketing without visual design. Visual elements play a crucial role in capturing the audience’s attention and conveying your brand’s identity.
Proficiency in graphic design tools and principles enables you to create visually compelling assets for social media, advertisements, and website content. Also, not only side hustle, graphic design as a fulltime career is highly sought after.
E-commerce Skills
Building a side hustle in e-commerce is one of the smartest steps you can take toward your future. People working in e-commerce often get paid by the amount of revenue they generate and trust me, it’s always big. But mind you, thriving in e-commerce is highly competitive and hard!
Let’s explore the top side hustle skills to learn for the e-commerce sector:
7. Customer Relationship Management (CRM):
One of the most important but often neglected aspects of e-commerce is CRM. A lot of e-commerce businesses focus only on selling and never bother about customer relationship management. This is where they fail, and this is where you can come in!
Building and nurturing customer relationships is paramount for building customer loyalty and driving repeat business. Proficiency in CRM includes capturing and analyzing customer data, segmenting audiences for targeted marketing efforts, and implementing personalized communication strategies.
8. Landing Page Copy and Design:
Every penny of a sale depends on the landing page and content written on it. Building persuasive landing pages is the most important step for capturing visitors’ attention and guiding them toward conversion.
Mastery of landing page copywriting involves crafting compelling headlines and persuasive copy that addresses customer pain points and communicates the unique value proposition of your products or services.
Additionally, proficiency in landing page design ensures an intuitive user experience and visually appealing layout that enhances conversion rates.
9. Platform Proficiency (e.g., Shopify, WooCommerce):
Familiarity with e-commerce platforms is essential for setting up and managing online storefronts effectively. There are two platforms that rule the world of e-commerce: Shopify and WooCommerce.
Proficiency in platforms such as Shopify or WooCommerce involves mastering features such as product catalog management, order processing, payment integration, and customization options to create a seamless and user-friendly shopping experience for customers.
10. Paid Ads:
An e-commerce business without paid ads is like a butter sandwich without butter. You get the point, right? Proper use of paid advertising is essential for driving targeted traffic and maximizing sales in the competitive e-commerce world.
Learning the skill of paid ads involves selecting the most suitable advertising channels, creating compelling ad creatives, targeting relevant audiences, and optimizing ad campaigns for maximum return on investment.
Technological Skills
I’m not going to talk about specific skills in this section, but there is a reason:
The demand for technical skills is skyrocketing across every sector, making it one of the most sought-after skill sets for side hustlers in 2024. Whether you specialize in web development, artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, or any other area of technology, there’s no shortage of opportunities.
As a techie, you have the advantage of diving deep into your chosen field, mastering your skills, and applying your skills to real-world projects. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, the key is to focus on continuous learning and skill development.
Start by building your expertise in your chosen area of technology. Build a portfolio of impressive projects that showcase your skills and reach out to potential clients or employers. Look for part-time or freelance roles that align with your skills and interests, and don’t be afraid to pitch your services to potential clients or companies.
In short – coding tops the list of best side hustle skills to learn.
Also Read: Ultimate guide to switching your career from non-tech to tech
Conclusion
Obviously, there are many more sectors and underlying side hustle skills that you can learn and build a career in. But in my opinion, digital marketing, e-commerce, and technology are the most profitable ones. Now, how do you start?
The path to build a profitable side hustle is simple: Pick one of the above mentioned side hustle skills, learn for free on YouTube, build a portfolio, and hunt clients. All you need is persistence and consistency.
Want to join a group of Gen Z hustlers who love to build cool things? Join FuelEd Community now.
FAQ
1. Which skill is best for a side hustle?
Honestly, the best skill for a side hustle depends on your interests, strengths, and market demand. But it’s smart if you pick one from digital marketing, e-commerce management, or technical skills. These are fairly popular choices due to their versatility and high demand in today’s economy.
Let me be a bit biased but truthful here: Writing is the most profitable and in-demand skill of 2024. Think of anything – tweets, landing pages, websites, video scripts, LinkedIn posts, or anything else. Every bit of content starts with writing.
2. What is the best side hustle to start with?
Again, it’s all about your skills, interests, and available time commitment. Freelancing in areas such as graphic design, writing, web development, starting an e-commerce store, or offering digital marketing services are all viable options to consider.
3. How can I make an extra $2000 a month?
Making an extra $2000 a month through side hustles is achievable with dedication and strategic planning. Learn a skill, build a self-published portfolio, offer free work, get testimonials, and then price your services. An average side hustler can get to $2000 mark within 5 months, easily.
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