Taking Your Side Hustle More Seriously

Written by

Cara Bradley

7 min read

Updated: 08 October 2024

Recent data has revealed that 43% of people in the UK have a side hustle and that, on average, these additional sources of income generate an extra £207 a week.
Whether you’re looking for online side hustles or inspiration for side hustle jobs from home, our blog explores the different options that could be available and shares tips on how to get your venture off the ground.

What is a side hustle?

A side hustle is a secondary source of income that is carried out alongside your ‘main’ full or part-time employment. This could be anything from flogging your pre-loved clothes and completing online surveys to performing in a band or selling homemade cakes.

What are the best side hustles?

According to Finder, the three most common side hustles are:

1. Selling unwanted items on second-hand sites, such as Vinted and eBay;
2. Taking on a part-time job, in addition to a current full-time role; and
3. Becoming a social media ‘influencer.’

The best side hustle for you will depend on your personal circumstances, including your skill set and how much time you have.

Side hustles that pay well

Finding side hustles to make money will again depend on YOU.
You should first ask yourself what you wish to get out of your side hustle.

If you’re looking for a quick cash fix – for example, to fund holiday spending money - you might prefer to go down the route of selling items you no longer need. There’s no guarantee that your items will sell quickly, or even at all, but if they’re in decent condition there’s a chance that they’ll gain some interest, and brand-new items could sell for a decent price.

If making more money over a prolonged period of time is your ultimate goal, you may be thinking about starting your own business or taking on a part-time job, rather than relying on online surveys, which are unlikely to make you mega bucks.
You should be prepared for the fact that establishing a successful venture could take a great deal of time and effort; don’t expect to become a millionaire overnight. However, with some passion and dedication, your side hustle business could thrive and reap the rewards of your efforts.

Side hustles that you can leave ongoing in the background, which may or may not provide a consistent income

1. Rent out your driveway (this is a perfect example of side hustles from home).

2. Advertise your spare room on Airbnb.

3. Complete surveys online.

4. Self-publish books.

Examples of shorter-term, easy side hustles

1. Sell unwanted items, either online or at a car boot sale.

Side hustle business ideas that you can build on over time

1. Bake homemade goodies. This could include cakes, cookies, bread, and even jams. Remember, if you’re selling food for profit, or you’re a registered business, you’ll need to obtain a food hygiene certificate.

2. Tutoring. In the UK, there is no legal requirement for self-employed and private tutors to have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate in place, although having one could offer parents and clients peace of mind.

3. Sell homemade crafts on Etsy.

4. Social media ‘influencing.’

5. Maintenance person/ gardening services.

6. Dog walking/ pet sitting. If you’re looking after pets at your own home as part of a paid boarding business, you will need to apply for a licence. It’s also wise to consider taking out appropriate insurance, too.

7. Blogging.

8. Website design.

9. Join a band.

10. Personal training. If done as a salaried role through an existing gym, rather than on a self-employed basis, this could also be considered as a guaranteed secondary income. Whether working for a gym or freelancing, it’s important to ensure that you have adequate insurance in place before you start taking on clients.

Guaranteed secondary income

1. Taking on a part-time job with an established company or business.

2. Delivery driving/ riding.

How to start a side hustle, and how to take it more seriously

Side hustles often stem from hobbies that people are already doing for free, so there’s usually an element of enjoyment and passion in it. Let this guide you when you’re mulling over potential side hustle ideas. There’s no point starting a cake business if you hate baking!

If you’re setting up your own business…

1. Establish clear branding. You want your business to stand out and be recognised. Have a play around with names and eye-catching logos.

2. Set up designated social media accounts and encourage your friends and family to share your content.

3. Boost your engagement levels and entice new customers by running competitions on your social media pages. For example, if your side hustle is baking, you could encourage your followers to like, comment on, and share your post for the chance to win a box of free brownies. Make sure this type of promotion is allowed by the social media platform you’re using – check their terms and conditions first.

4. In the early days, you might be happy to offer your services for free to get your name out there and build your portfolio.
Got a t-shirt printing side hustle? See if you can sponsor the local football team.
Budding baker? Donate a box of cookies to a charity bake sale.

5. Signing up for Google Business is free and could increase your chances of being found through Google searches and maps. This will also enable customers to leave reviews on your services.

6. Speaking of reviews… They’re hugely important to your business. Did you know that 79% of consumers trust online reviews more than personal recommendations?

If you’re looking for a consistent part-time job…

1. Before you start your search, check to see if there are any restrictions surrounding your main job. For instance, if you already work in retail, taking on hours at another shop on your days off could be considered a conflict of interest. Check your contract for further details.

2. Have a browse through job platform sites, such as Indeed. You can usually filter your search results for part-time work only. If you’re looking for a job outside of your main 9-5 job, roles in hospitality and retail may offer shifts that you can fit around your existing schedule.

3. Delivery service roles, whether food or packages, could be ideal if you need a more flexible approach to your hours. You’ll usually need your own car, bike or moped, as well as the appropriate licence.

4. Are you a dab-hand at gardening? Got a passion for DIY? Love getting out and about in the countryside on a dog walk? Turn your talents into your side hustle and secondary job. If things go well, you might even consider making it your main job one day. The great thing about being self-employed is that you’re in control of your own workload and the hours you do.

The side hustle tax

Earning money on top of your main wage could mean you have to pay more tax, although the rules differ depending on the source of your extra income.
If you’re carrying out a self-employed role which is bringing in additional income over a certain amount, you will need to register as self-employed with HMRC. In some circumstances, this also includes selling items on sites like Vinted.
You’ll also be required to complete and send a Self Assessment tax return before the January 31 deadline each year; you could also be subject to a change in your National Insurance contributions.

Unsure whether you need to send a tax return? You can check here, by completing a simple questionnaire on the Gov.uk website. It’s best to check and know where you stand, rather than be hit with an unexpected tax bill further down the line.
You can find further information on paying tax when earning multiple incomes here.

Happy hustling

Whether you’re self-publishing books or renting out your driveway, a side hustle could top-up your main source of income. This can be especially helpful when you have a big expense on the horizon, such as a holiday or a wedding, but can be equally as rewarding as a steady, long-term addition to your main job.

While bringing in some extra money is fantastic, you should also take the time to regularly check in on your wellbeing. Working one job can be exhausting enough, let alone two. If you’re feeling burnt out, don’t be afraid to take a step back. No amount of money is worth making yourself ill for.

Worried about money? Help is available

You can access free, impartial money and debt management advice through charities and organisations such as StepChange, MoneyHelper, National Debtline, and Citizens Advice.

The information contained in this article is meant as a general guide and does not constitute nor should be taken as advice. 
September 2024.