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16 Digital Marketing Side Hustle Ideas

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If you have skills in digital marketing, you can help businesses do this from anywhere—even your home. Plus, you don’t have to quit your main job; you can do it as a side job or “side hustle” if you prefer that term.

You might be wondering what are the popular side hustles in digital marketing this year.

As a digital marketer full time, I run this blog but I also attempt other side hustles to use my skills.  And, since I have been in this industry for so long, I have come up with a full list of side hustles you may want to consider.  Even if you don’t have extensive digital marketing experience, some jobs may work for you.

As in all of my guides, I only recommend what works.

So, with that being said, let’s begin.

Digital Marketing Side Hustle Ideas

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is when you team up with a company to show off their stuff. In return, companies give you a special link to put in your articles or videos. If someone clicks your link and buys something, you get a reward.  Depending on what’s being promoted, you could earn $1 to $100+ per conversion.

This can be a great side job, especially if you want to make your own website or video channel. Your main aim? Get people to follow you and recommend stuff they might like.

To start, you’d want to:

  • Choose a topic you care about and see if there are products linked to it with affiliate offers.
  • Decide how you want to share about it – like through writing, videos, or pictures.
  • Join affiliate programs to grab those special links.

As you grow, keep in mind to always be honest with your followers. Let them know that if they buy something using your link, you get a little something in return. Transparency is key.

To get started, there are so many great free resources such as Authority Hacker, Backlinko, Quick Sprout and the Ahrefs Blog.



Blog for Money

Launching your own blog isn’t just about sharing your thoughts with the world; it can also pave the way for some cool digital marketing opportunities. Through your blog, you can connect with potential clients, whether you’re offering writing services, SEO consultancy, or promoting products as an affiliate. Plus, it’s a great playground to hone your skills.

But here’s a twist: your blog itself can become a money-making machine. By getting your blog in front of the right eyes and tapping into what your readers are searching for, you can earn a tidy sum by placing ads on your site.

One of the great things about blogging is its flexibility. Whether you’re into fashion, travel, or cooking, there’s room for you in the blogosphere. And with the right strategy, you can turn your passion into profit by collaborating with businesses that align with your content.

First things first, you’ll want to set up your blog. Pick a catchy name that sticks and focus on building a strong brand. Your content? That’s where you’ve got to be smart. Dive into keyword research and craft content that resonates with readers, especially those nearing the point of making a purchase.  Again, check out those links mentioned previously.

Aim for content that’s not just fluff but offers real value. Not only will this build trust with your readers, but it’ll also boost your standings on search engines. And while you’re at it, play around with SEO techniques to make sure you’re reaching as many people as possible.

So, how can a blog make you money?

  • Offer Your Own Goods: Use your blog as a spotlight for your own store. This could be physical items, downloadable content, or even courses.
  • Rent Out Ad Real Estate: Platforms like Google AdSense let you lease out parts of your site to advertisers. Test different setups to see which ones resonate with your readers without being too intrusive.
  • Dive into Affiliate Marketing: This involves promoting products that fit with your blog’s theme. Every time someone buys something via your recommendation, you get a slice of the pie.

Content Creation

Freelance writing stands out as a flexible side gig in today’s entrepreneurial landscape. Even though AI tools like ChatGPT are changing up the game, there’s still room for skilled individuals to make their mark.

As a freelance writer, the world is your oyster. You can craft content for websites, whip up ad copy for online campaigns, draft social media updates, design email formats, or even write scripts for videos.

No matter which kind of writing captures your interest, the potential earnings can be pretty sweet, with the average going rate in the US hovering around $25+ per hour.

Now, diving into freelance writing is fairly straightforward, but to truly thrive and earn well, sharpening your skills is a must.

Kicking things off, flex those writing muscles. Dive into writing books, enroll in courses, or follow writers online for inspiration. But honestly, the best teacher? Writing regularly, especially on your own blog.

Setting up your blog or website isn’t just about practice. It’s also your personal stage to test out key strategies like SEO. Plus, think of it as a showcase—a place where potential clients can see what you’re all about, bolstering your credibility as you go.

If you’ve got dreams of making it big in freelance writing, here’s the game plan:

  • Skill Up: Being a great writer is a given, but to really catch a client’s eye, you’ll want to get a grip on SEO, linking strategies, and more. Specializing in certain areas can also give you an edge over the crowd.
  • Build Your Brand: Your reputation is golden. Put together a sleek website and portfolio. Pop up on platforms where clients are looking for freelancers, and never underestimate the power of networking.
  • Nurture Client Relationships: Keeping your current clients happy can be more valuable than always hunting for new ones. Invest in building those bonds and ensuring they keep coming back to you.

Email Marketing

Even though email has been around for ages, it’s still a top choice for businesses to reach out to people. Think about it. You probably get emails about sales, newsletters, or updates about your online orders. Unlike social media, where you might miss a post, email feels more personal.

As someone skilled in email marketing, you’d team up with businesses to sharpen their email game. Here’s a glimpse of what you might do:

You’d set up special forms on websites, encouraging visitors to sign up for newsletters. Then, you’d design a series of welcome emails for these new subscribers so they get to know the brand better. You’d also group subscribers based on what you know about them, which makes the emails feel more personal. And lastly, you’d put a lot of thought into the email’s subject and message to make sure people not only open the email but also act on it—like clicking a link or buying something.

Facebook Ads Consultant

In our swiftly changing digital landscape, thanks to advances like AI and ever-evolving search engine rules, paid advertising is becoming the go-to strategy for many businesses. With organic reach getting trickier by the day, many companies are turning to platforms like Facebook to get in front of their audience.

Considering a side gig? How about becoming a Facebook Ads consultant? It’s a stellar way to tap into the booming world of online advertising. Those diving deep into this realm can expect an average income of around $45,000 in the US.  And, if you want to bump up that figure, you can toss in some additional services like crafting catchy ad copy or even managing clients’ social media profiles.

Your journey begins with a deep dive into everything Meta’s advertising platform offers. For those scratching their heads, Meta is the powerhouse behind Facebook. They’ve rolled out a bunch of courses and certifications focused on Facebook Ads, which can be a fantastic foundation for budding consultants like you.

Master the art of monitoring campaign metrics, play around with custom and lookalike audiences, and get the hang of running various ad campaigns. And while you’re at it, get friendly with analytical tools and platforms that help manage social media—they can be game-changers!

Want to stand out and potentially rake in more as a Facebook Ads consultant?

  • Grab Those Certifications: When you’re certified by big names like Meta, it adds a shiny badge of credibility to your profile. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to deep-dive into optimizing campaigns and crafting compelling landing pages.
  • Targeting is Key: The magic of Facebook lies in its pinpoint targeting capabilities. The more you experiment and refine your audience selection, the better the results you can fetch for your clients.
  • Numbers Speak Louder than Words: Your role as a consultant is all about showcasing results. Dive deep into Facebook’s analytical tools and even explore other third-party tools. Your goal? Deliver insights that prove your strategies are working wonders.

Google Ads Consultant

Stepping into the role of a Google Ads specialist shares quite a few similarities with being a Facebook Ads consultant.

Besides enjoying a steady income stream as a Google Ads consultant, there’s a chance to pocket some commissions. And, if down the line you decide to sell your own products or services, guess what? You can use the very skills you’ve mastered.

Your first stop is getting well-acquainted with the Google Ads platform. Dive deep into its various offerings, be it search campaigns, display ads, shopping ads, or even app and video promotions.  Google provides a lot of free how-to guides to teach you how to learn the platform.

Alongside, you’ll wear the hat of a PPC pro. This means polishing your writing prowess, mastering keyword hunts, and playing around with bid strategies for clients.

Wondering how to get a leg up? Google and various other platforms offer certifications and courses tailored for Google Ads. They’re a fantastic way to level up and catch the eye of potential clients.

Want to get the most juice out of your Google Ads side gig?

  • Showcase Yourself Online: Launching your website and promoting it via Google Ads isn’t just a smart way to test your skills, but also a magnet for potential clients. Plus, it’s a fantastic platform to flaunt your work.
  • Stay Sharp and Updated: The world of Google Ads is ever-evolving, thanks to frequent tweaks in Google’s algorithms. Your mantra? Stay in the loop and be ready to adapt.
  • Certify Your Expertise: As hinted earlier, certifications can be a game-changer. While Google offers its own suite of certifications, remember they need periodic renewals to stay valid.

Graphic Design

Let’s chat about graphic design.

It’s basically making eye-catching images that help businesses tell stories and share ideas with their audience. This could be anything from the cool pictures they post on social media to the visuals on their website that make it fun to look around.

When you’re a graphic designer, it’s crucial to get what a company is all about. A lot of times, businesses have these set rules called brand guidelines. These guidelines are like a playbook—they lay out the vibe, the specific colors, fonts, and even phrases that capture the essence of the brand.

Now, if you’re wondering where to get ideas, it’s cool to look at other designers’ work for inspiration. But remember, it’s all about taking those ideas and giving them your unique touch, all while staying true to the brand’s guidelines. Websites like Dribble can give you a glimpse of some amazing designs out there.



Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing is when brands team up with popular folks on the internet to show off their stuff. These influencers have a following because they share about their lives, their hobbies, and give advice on topics they’re passionate about. Over time, they become sort of like online celebrities in their specific areas.

If you want to be an influencer, it means regularly posting on social media and finding your special area of expertise. For example, if you’re super smart with money and can offer helpful advice, you might start a YouTube channel sharing financial tips.

As you post more and gain followers, brands might approach you to talk about their products. This could mean dedicating a video to reviewing a product or giving a shout-out to the brand in one of your regular videos.

But here’s the golden rule: always be genuine. Your followers trust you because they see you as a real person, not just another business. Always be honest about what you think of products and let them know if you’re being paid to promote something. Authenticity is the key.

Create Online Courses

It seems that online courses are all the rage these days. They offer people a neat way to dive deep into a topic without breaking the bank or heading back to a traditional classroom.

If you’ve got some expertise in a particular area, why not share it with the world through an online course?

First things first, though: make sure there’s a good number of people interested in what you want to teach. A quick peek at online trends can give you a good idea of how many folks are searching for your topic.

Once you’ve got your course ready, it’s all about getting the word out. Some platforms, like Udemy, can be a big help because they’ll show off your course to their existing users. But if you’re going the independent route and setting up on your own site, you’ll need to hustle a bit more to gather students.

Once your course is up and running, always be open to feedback. Listen to what your students have to say and tweak things as needed. The goal is to offer the best learning experience you can.

PPC Campaign Management

Ever heard of Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising?

It’s a way for businesses to advertise where they only pay when someone clicks on their ad. Think of it like an auction—they bid to get their ads in prime spots on Google. The best part? They get visitors to their website instantly, helping them see what’s working and what’s not.

If you’re into PPC campaign management, your job is to help businesses with these ads. How is it done?

First, you’d hunt for the right words that people might search for and that align with the business. Next, you’d make a webpage (called a landing page) that the ad directs people to, making sure it’s convincing enough for visitors to take action. Writing the actual ad is an art in itself—you need a catchy title and a description that gives people a good reason to click. Then, you decide how much you’re willing to pay for each click.

But it doesn’t stop there.

You’ll constantly keep an eye on which ads are doing the best, ditch the ones that aren’t, and maybe even try out slightly different versions to see which one’s the champ.

SEO Consulting

Search Engine Optimization, or SEO for short, is all about making a website pop up more on search engines. Since a lot of people use Google to find things, businesses want their websites to appear at the top. So, they get a better chance of people visiting their site without having to pay for ads.

If you’re an SEO consultant, your main goal is to give businesses a boost on search engines. How? By helping them make great content and sprucing up what’s already on their website to make it more attractive to Google. If you’re curious about what exactly Google likes in websites, you can look up their guidelines.

Starting with SEO means you’ll first peek at a client’s current website to spot what needs fixing. This is often called an “SEO audit”. You’ll check things like how the website is set up, the short info that appears in search results (like the title and description), and make sure there aren’t any broken links or slow-loading pages.

Again, I’m just touching the base of the topic here.  If you’re interested in any of these options, YouTube has a ton of information readily available at no cost.

Social Media Management

Nowadays, social media isn’t just for chatting with friends; it’s crucial for businesses to have a strong online image. Companies use social media to find new customers and make their current customers even more loyal to their brand.

Being a social media manager means you’re in charge of a business’s social media. Here’s what you’d do:

  • Content Management: This is about deciding what to post online and when’s the best time to share it.
  • Content Creation: This involves making cool and interesting stuff to share, like posts, photos, or videos that the target audience would love.
  • Customer Service: Handle customer questions or concerns, both in public comments and private messages.
  • Data Analysis: This means checking which posts people liked the most and understanding what strategies are working best.

To do this job well, you need to really understand the people you’re trying to reach. You should know things like their age, what they like, how they shop, and more.

Using that knowledge, you aim to make posts that they’ll enjoy and want to engage with. As you keep posting, you’ll see which content they like the most and continuously improve your social media strategy.

Web Design

Think of a website like a digital shop window for businesses. It’s often the first place someone checks out to get to know a company and its offerings.

If you’re into web design and development, you’d probably use tools like WordPress, Shopify, BigCommerce, or Webflow to craft these websites. And yes, you’d need to be a bit tech-savvy:

You should know programming languages, like JavaScript, PHP, HTML, and CSS, to give websites a unique look. On the artsy side, tools like Photoshop, Figma, or Canva help in designing catchy graphics for the site. But it’s not just about looking good—the website should also be fast and work well on mobile phones.

Not all web developers do the same thing, though. Some focus on the visual part, designing how the site should look. Others dive into the tech part, using code to bring those designs to life.

Flip Websites

Think of websites as the digital equivalent of properties. Imagine buying an old house, giving it a makeover, and then selling it at a profit. Now, apply the same idea to websites. That’s right; you can buy websites on the cheap, spruce them up, and then resell them for a tidy sum, all while enjoying the comforts of your home.

Depending on the type of website and the effort you pour into it, there’s potential to earn a substantial amount with every transaction.

To excel in this field, you’ll need to arm yourself with certain skills. First and foremost, consider diving into UI/UX design. Making a website look and feel appealing is essential for attracting potential buyers.

But it’s not just about aesthetics. You also want the website to be easily found online. This requires a good grasp of SEO, allowing you to update the content and make necessary technical tweaks for better search visibility.

Choosing the right website to purchase is crucial. If you can, stick to a niche you’re familiar with. Your expertise will come in handy when generating content and making the site more valuable.

And speaking of value, familiarize yourself with the nuances of website valuation. Look at factors like web traffic, potential for growth, and more to ensure you get a good deal.

Want to get a premium price when you resell?

  • Refine the Content: Invest time in upgrading the content quality, ensuring it’s SEO-optimized. A website that shows up for important search terms naturally has a higher perceived value.
  • Strengthen the Backlink Game: A robust set of backlinks from reputable sources can significantly increase your site’s appeal. Network with influential sites in your domain and focus on creating a reliable set of backlinks.
  • Expand Revenue Streams: Elevate your site’s monthly revenue by integrating affiliate marketing, employing email marketing techniques to engage visitors, or renting out ad spaces.

Start a YouTube Channel

Did you know YouTube is the world’s second-largest go-to place for searches? Yep, it’s a goldmine for anyone looking to dip their toes into the digital marketing pool.

With billions tuning in every month, YouTube offers folks like you and me a handful of ways to earn some cash on the side.

What’s super cool about diving into the YouTube scene? The myriad of ways you can earn. Maybe you’re into promoting products for other companies, or perhaps selling your own cool merchandise is more your jam. Heck, you can even drive folks over to your website from YouTube.  There are so many ways to take advantage of the platform.

To consider this opportunity, you’ll need to sharpen your skills, especially in video-making. Your goal? Create jaw-dropping videos that not only reel viewers in but also keep them glued to the end.  There are a ton of tutorials out there.  Again, I’m just here to give you ideas.

Once you’re confident with your video-making chops, play around with how you’d like to earn. For instance, the YouTube Partner Program is neat because it lets you earn from ads that play during your videos.

Other options? Collaborate with brands, spotlight their products in your videos, or weave in some affiliate links. And remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Mix and match different earning strategies that feel right for you.

Want to make the most out of your YouTube venture?

  • Nurture Your Tribe: Building a community is key. The more people who tune into your channel regularly, the more you can earn—be it from ads, product promotions, or other strategies. Engage with your viewers, understand their likes, and churn out content they love.
  • Tweak and Tune: Keep an eye on your video stats. How long are folks staying? Which videos are a hit? Use this info to refine and better your content.
  • Stay Open to Experimenting: There’s no rulebook to YouTube success. Maybe you want to pair up ads with affiliate links. Or you could be an influencer one day and a promoter the next. Mix it up and see what resonates with your audience.

Final Thoughts

If you’re contemplating a side venture in digital marketing, it’s essential to pinpoint a specific niche to truly flourish.  From my experience, areas like SEO consulting and email marketing have proven lucrative.  However, as you can see, there are so many more.

I’m hoping this list gives you an idea if you’re interested in a digital marketing side hustle.  If you do find one of interest, watch YouTube videos or find free tutorials online to see how you can craft your skill to make some cash.

That’s going to do it for now.

As always, if you want to comment on your experiences or add to this list, you’re more than welcome to do so in the comments below.

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Tom Nathaniel

Hi! My name is Tom Nathaniel, and I created LushDollar to help share my honest thoughts on everything money. You won't find gimmicks here. It's the Internet's most honest money site after all. I graduated from Arizona State University, and I have worked in the finance industry since 2006, consulting with multiple Fortune 5000 companies.

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