If you’re a techie looking for an ideal side hustle to start, there are countless options for you out there.
This isn't surprising given that most tech skills are always in demand. And not everyone is tech-savvy, so people will be willing to pay for your skills.
However, knowing which idea can bring in substantial income and fit your busy life can be tricky.
Plus, no matter how good a side hustle you pick, if you don’t market yourself effectively, you may find it quite hard to get customers or clients.
This article will share the 7 best side businesses you should consider as a tech nerd.
We’ll also share marketing tips for each of these side hustles to help increase your chances of creating a successful side business.
Why consider launching a tech side hustle?
Mastering sought-after tech skills is a highly effective way to kickstart an online side hustle and gain a competitive edge in the thriving gig economy.
Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr provide avenues to attract clients and build your brand.
Tech side hustles offer flexibility and autonomy, allowing you to work on your own terms.
You don't necessarily need a college degree or years of experience; all it takes is a willingness to learn tech.
Starting a tech side hustle is ideal if you're aiming to set out on the path to financial independence.
7 Tech Side Hustles You Can Begin in 2024
Here are the seven lucrative tech side hustles along with the average rates freelancers earn on Upwork. Dive in now to increase your income and reach your financial milestones!
1. Freelance Web Development
If you’re an expert in web development, then becoming a freelance web developer is a great side hustle to consider.
There’s always a demand for websites, and businesses are willing to pay well for quality work.
To get started in this area, you need to be knowledgeable in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and probably some backend languages like PHP and Python.
If you want to offer more comprehensive solutions, you may also consider learning about tools like Shopify and WordPress.
To market yourself as a freelance web developer, we advise you to start by creating a killer portfolio that highlights your best work.
You can also use social media to share your projects and possibly engage with potential clients.
Consider platforms like LinkedIn, GitHub, and Instagram.
2. App Development
If you’re a skilled coder, app development is another lucrative side hustle to consider.
For this particular hustle, you'd want to familiarize yourself with programming languages such as Java for Android, Swift for iOS, or React Native for cross-platform development.
If you’ve got these skills already, then all that’s remaining is to brainstorm app ideas that help solve real-life problems or specific needs.
Remember that you’ll need to promote your app, not just post it on the app store. Focus on app store optimization (ASO) to help increase your app’s visibility.
Additionally, you can use social media to help create buzz around your app. Paid advertising and influencer marketing are additional marketing tricks to consider.
3. Cybersecurity Consulting
Are you an expert in the cybersecurity field? If yes, this is your part! A perfect side business you can start would be offering consultant services at a fee.
With cyber securities on the rise, this can be quite a lucrative business. Just make sure you have a deep understanding of cybersecurity principles.
You’ll also need to stay updated with the latest threats and trends in the industry.
So, how do you market yourself to ensure you reach your target audience? It’s simple—share your knowledge through articles, blogs, or speaking engagements.
Networking will also come in handy here; attend industry events and join online forums.
PRO TIP: Offering free consultations initially is a good way to attract potential clients for your business.
4. Content Creation
Content creation involves creating and monetizing content through a YouTube channel, podcast, or starting a blog.
This particular hustle can not only be fun but also rewarding for techies.
To get started in this field, you'll first need to decide what type of content you want to create. Is it writing, videos, or audio?
Once you decide which way to go, you’ll then invest in the necessary equipment and start producing content you’re passionate about.
However, keep in mind that building an audience in the content creation field takes time and effort.
We advise you to be consistent here by posting regularly and engaging with your followers.
Be sure to employ proven SEO tactics to help your target audience easily discover your content.
Collaborating with other content creators to reach new audiences. Using special media also helps you promote your work.
5. Digital Marketing Services
Last but not least, you may consider offering digital marketing services to businesses if you’re knowledgeable in this area.
Most of the experts who are in this business have in-depth knowledge in key areas such as SEO, PPC, content marketing, email marketing, and social media marketing.
Building a portfolio that showcases your expertise as a digital marketer is a good way to get started.
A great marketing trick here would be to use case studies that demonstrate your success with previous clients.
Also, ask satisfied clients for referrals and testimonials.
Staying active on social media and regularly sharing your insights can also help attract potential clients.
6. Online Tutoring and Course Creation
How about teaching your tech skills or creating online courses surrounding your area of expertise?
Isn’t that another profitable (and fulfilling) side business to consider?
First, come up with a set of skills that you’re proficient in so that you can create resources or tutorials around them.
Next, you can use a platform like Udemy, Teachable, or just YouTube to host your tutorials/courses.
In case you prefer one-on-one teaching sessions, consider platforms like Chegg Tutors and VIPKid.
Don’t forget to promote your course to help reach your target audience.
You can do this by offering free valuable content to help attract students who may be willing to pay for more in-depth lessons.
Patterning with other educators will also help expand your reach.
7. E-Commerce Business
If you want a high-paying side hustle, consider launching an online store or dropshipping store.
This particular hustle can be highly profitable if you choose the right products and marketing techniques.
Getting started in this particular field requires you to first choose a suitable niche with high demand and low competition.
Next, you'll need to use platforms like WooCommerce or Shopify to set up your store and finally start adding your products.
Probably the most important step is implementing effective marketing techniques for your store to ensure the success of your new online business.
Consider tactics like search engine optimization (SEO) to help drive organic traffic, and email marketing to keep your customers engaged.
Using social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, can also help expand your reach.
NOW…if you’re looking into the e-commerce field without handling every detail yourself, you may want to consider our done-for-you program at TrendHijacking.com.
How TrendHijacking.com can help you:
We understand that starting a side hustle can be exciting. But it also takes time and effort, especially when it comes to the marketing part.
That’s where our done for you program comes in;
Our program takes care of everything on your behalf, right from product research and selection to market analysis, and audience targeting—we handle it all!
Our dedicated team will build your stores, write compelling copies, conduct competitor research, and ensure you’re always ahead of the pack.
Besides setting up your business, we also make it thrive.
Our experts will run paid marketing campaigns across various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Google.
We also continuously test different strategies to find winning products and scale them for optimal results.
And the best part? You can qualify for up to $100K investment to boost you financially to start and scale your side hustle.
With our weekly live calls and 24/7 support, you can rest assured that you’re never alone in this journey.
Conclusion
Starting a side hustle can be a rewarding experience for tech-savvy individuals. There are many side hustle ideas to consider as we have just discussed in this guide.
Depending on the skills you possess, you can choose to become a freelance web developer, app developer, cybersecurity consultant, online course creator, tutor, or digital marketing expert.
Whichever hustle you choose, remember that effective marketing is crucial for your success.
Implement the marketing tips we’ve shared throughout this guide to help you become successful at your side hustle.
At Trend Hijacking, we understand that you may not have the time to run your side business while also managing your day job.
That’s why we designed our automation program to handle all aspects of your e-commerce business, allowing you to focus on what you do best.
Book a call with us today to learn how we can help you launch and scale your online store to new heights!