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5 Best Beginner Side Hustles (Free Courses and AI Tools to Get Started)

September 30, 2023

Whether you’re a student trying to make ends meet, or an employee looking for your way out of the 9-to-5 rat race, a lucrative side hustle could be your key to financial freedom.

This article will reveal five proven side hustles that are helping people make $500 per day in their spare time. To help you get started in your new venture, this article will share some of the best resources (like free courses and AI tools) for each side hustle.

Every single side hustle in this list has been curated to make sure:

  • You can do them from anywhere (i.e. your home, the beach… literally anywhere)

  • You can get started with $0 investment (yup, it’s free to get started… you just need some time)

  • There are lots of free resources to learn how to do this side hustle successfully

  • There are AI tools you can use to accelerate your success

1. Copywriting

You may have noticed, but the internet is literally just full of words. Website pages. Ads. Product descriptions. Product pages. Social media posts.

Well, someone has to write them. And you best believe they get compensated well for writing them.

Copywriting is the art and science of putting together words in the perfect way to persuade the reader to do something (usually to buy a product).

If you have a knack for writing (or know how to optimally use AI tools like ChatGPT), companies will pay you a lot of money for your services.

Niche ideas to get started

When you’re first starting out, it is easier to master one area of copywriting. If you can master any of the following niches in copywriting, you’re certain to be compensated handsomely.

  • Product pages and landing pages: Write the words on a website that convert a reader into a customer.

  • Product descriptions (on Amazon / Etsy / eBay): Write persuasive product descriptions in various online marketplaces, highlighting the key benefits to drive sales.

  • Scriptwriting: Create engaging scripts for YouTubers and social media influencers to captivate their audience.

  • Twitter / LinkedIn ghostwriting: Most influencers and executives are super busy, but they want to remain active on Twitter and LinkedIn. That’s why they pay ghostwriters a lot of money to create content for them.

Free copywriting courses

  • Copywriting for Social Media (Free on LinkedIn Learning trial)

  • Writing Ad Copy (Free on LinkedIn Learning trial)

  • Master the Art of Ad Copy and Ad Design (Free on Hubspot Academy)

  • Copy Work: Get Better At Copywriting By Handwriting Famous Pieces Of Work

  • Copywriting Quick Start: Top FREE Writing Tools & Hacks

Best AI tool for copywriters: ChatGPT

ChatGPT is a productivity hack for copywriters. Here’s how you can use it:

  • Use copywriting formulas: Craft compelling product descriptions, email marketing campaigns, and ad creatives in seconds with these prompts.

  • Content creation: Get it to write your articles, blog posts, and newsletters.

  • Idea brainstorming: Stuck on a concept for a particular campaign? ChatGPT can help brainstorm and generate fresh, creative ideas.

  • Content editing and proofreading: Once you’ve drafted your content, use ChatGPT to proofread and polish it.

Other AI tools for copywriting

2. Social Media Manager

I don’t need to tell you how important social media is for growing a brand. 

Behind a company’s curated posts and engagement-driving stories, there’s often a talented individual or a team making it happen. That’s right, meet the social media manager.

Social media management is about more than just posting cute photos; it’s about crafting a narrative, sparking conversations, and driving engagement in ways that ultimately benefit a brand or individual.

If you’re a person who understands trends, knows the right time to post, or even if you’re just a natural at getting those likes, shares, and comments, then businesses are looking for you. With the right skills (or the right AI-enhanced tools), you could make this your lucrative side hustle.

Niche ideas to get started

Just like any other field, diving deep into a particular niche can make you a sought-after expert in social media management. Here are a few areas you might consider specializing in:

  • Instagram Aesthetics: Help brands or influencers create a cohesive look and feel on their grid, ensuring every post aligns with their brand’s visual identity.

  • TikTok Trendsetters: Stay on top of the latest TikTok trends and create engaging short-form content that gets users dancing, laughing, or sharing.

  • LinkedIn Engagement Boosters: With the business world so active on LinkedIn, there’s a demand for professionals who can craft posts that spark conversations and engagement among industry peers.

  • Pinterest Strategists: Work with brands to create pin-worthy content, helping them drive traffic and sales through this visual platform.

  • Community Managers for Facebook Groups: More than just a post scheduler, dive into the conversations and ensure a positive, productive community atmosphere for brands or interest groups.

Free Social Media Management / Marketing Courses

  • Social Media Marketing – How to Make Engaging Content FAST

  • How To Build Your Social Media Marketing Strategy

  • Social Media Marketing

Best AI tools for social media managers

3. Web Design

If you’ve ever marveled at a website’s sleek layout or been entranced by its intuitive user experience, you’ve appreciated the handiwork of a web designer. 

For those with an eye for aesthetics or a skill in coding (or even someone proficient with web design tools), there’s a massive demand out there. Businesses, influencers, and individuals are willing to pay premium prices for websites that stand out and convert.

Niche ideas to get started

Diving into the vast world of web design might seem overwhelming, but focusing on a niche can make you the go-to expert. Here are some specialized areas where you can shine:

  • Responsive Design: With multiple devices in use, create designs that look and work perfectly whether viewed on a desktop, tablet, or mobile.

  • E-commerce Specialists: Craft seamless shopping experiences, integrating everything from product displays to checkout processes.

  • Portfolio Showcases: Artists, photographers, and freelancers need captivating sites to show off their work. Be the one to craft these masterpieces.

  • Blog Beautifiers: In the age of content, ensure bloggers have visually appealing and easy-to-navigate spaces to share their thoughts.

  • UI/UX Focused Design: Go beyond just looks; specialize in creating intuitive designs that enhance user satisfaction and interactions

Free courses for web design

  • Web Design for Web Developers: Build Beautiful Websites!

  • Web Design for Everybody: Basics of Web Development & Coding Specialization

  • Ultimate web design course

  • Free Course: Beginner Web Design using HTML5, CSS3 & Visual Studio Code

  • What is Figma? A Design Crash Course [2021 Tutorial]

Best AI tools for web design

4. Email Marketing Consultant

There are 4 billion daily email users. Adults in the US spend, on average, more than 2 hours in their emails. Getting email marketing right is the cornerstone of any successful online business.

Newsletters. Product launches. Event invitations. Cart recovery emails. Flash sales alerts. Someone’s gotta write them. Why not you?

If you possess the talent of making words dance or have mastered the art of email automation and segmentation (or perhaps you’ve got a grip on nifty email tools and software), businesses are ready to open their checkbooks for you.

Niche ideas to get started

The realm of email marketing is vast, but niching down can elevate your game and demand. Here’s where you could shine:

  • Newsletter Creation: Build engaging monthly or weekly digests that readers eagerly await, keeping brands top-of-mind.

  • Abandoned Cart Strategists: Craft emails that coax users back to their online shopping carts, turning potential lost sales into revenue.

  • Event Promotion: Be the driving force behind fully-booked webinars, workshops, and product launches with irresistible email campaigns.

  • Segmentation Specialists: Dive into data to create tailored email journeys for different user groups, maximizing open rates and conversions.

  • Automated Drip Campaigns: Set up sequences that nurture leads, welcome new subscribers, or even win back lapsed customers with minimal ongoing effort.

Free email marketing courses

  • Email Marketing Course: Get Certified in Email Marketing

  • Email Marketing Made Easy For Beginners

  • Email Marketing (Free completion certificate)

Best AI tools for email marketing

5. Graphic Design

Ever stopped to admire a captivating logo? Or been drawn into an advertisement because of its visuals? These stunning visuals don’t just appear out of thin air. They’re the creations of dedicated graphic designers.

If you have a flair for the artistic, an eye for detail, or proficiency in design software (or even some handy design apps), there’s a world of opportunities out there. In a visually-driven digital age, brands and businesses are constantly on the lookout for designers who can make them stand out and connect with their audience.

Niche ideas to get started

The world of graphic design can be a lot to take in, but specializing can set you on a path to mastery and demand. Here are some sectors you might carve a niche in:

  • Branding Experts: Craft unique logos, color palettes, and brand guidelines that help companies define and distinguish themselves.

  • Infographic Gurus: Transform complex data into visually engaging and easily digestible graphics.

  • Social Media Visuals: Curate and design scroll-stopping images and graphics tailored for platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook.

  • Print Design Specialists: Dive into designing brochures, business cards, and promotional materials that leave a lasting impression.

  • eBook and Report Designers: Elevate the presentation of digital documents, making them both informative and visually compelling.

Free graphic design courses

  • Graphic Design Specialization

  • Graphic Design Basics

  • Free Logo Design Tutorial

  • Adobe Illustrator for Beginners

  • Graphic Design Basics: Core Principles for Visual Design

Best AI tools for graphic design

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