It is the dawn of a new decade. As the CoVID-19 pandemic has afflicted the world, one of its primary repercussions on people has been a loss of jobs, reduced salaries, the rise of a seemingly permanent work from home culture, etc. While this might sound negative, we see a rather interesting outcome of this change. While earlier, part-time businesses were largely explored by college students to fund their studies, a greater number of working professionals today are reaping the benefits of the internet and exploring the second source of income, either through a part-time job or a part-time business without investment.
In this article, we look into the best part-time business ideas :
1. Digital Marketing:
Digital Marketing is one of the most important career avenues in today’s times. A person can explore opportunities as a part-time venture, either as a freelancer or in the form of a part-time internship. A field that is seeing an ever-increasing demand for skilled professionals, Digital Marketing, values creativity and technical knowledge, thus making it one of the best part-time business ideas today. A part-time digital marketing specialist can quickly generate Rs15000-20000 a month from their initial gigs.
To work as a freelancer in this field, you require a laptop. Certain courses on digital marketing, social media marketing, and thorough knowledge of software such as Photoshop and Canva is very useful. Knowledge of SEO is an added benefit. Starting as a part-timer in digital marketing requires an initial investment of around Rs 30,000 for a laptop, and around Rs 3000 for digital marketing and SEO certification courses.
2. Graphic Design
Another field gaining traction in recent times is Graphic Design. Graphic Designers typically work alongside Digital Marketing Specialists to design their social media posts, e-brochures, etc. A Graphic Designer also helps in offline marketing by designing flyers, visiting cards, etc.
Graphic Design involves a lot of creativity as better graphics go a long way in conveying a good brand image. Freelance graphic designing is one of the best part-time business ideas; the designers make huge money through gigs like designing visiting cards for a business professional, creating flyers and logos for multinational companies, creating social media posts for digital marketers and so on.
The graphic designers require a laptop to start their gigs, costing around Rs.35,000-40,000 and stable internet connection.
3. Content Writing
One of the best side business ideas, content writing, is a fairly rewarding field, in terms of monetary compensation and work-life balance. Freelance content writers can choose to write on a topic of their interest and are paid handsomely when there are no intermediaries between them and the clients. Alternatively, they can also register themselves on a content creation platform to find steady work. Many companies require marketable content in the form of blogs, articles, social media posts, etc., and good content writers are always in demand as in the coming ten years content is going to be the king.
Content writing is an amazing part-time business idea with low investment. All you need is an entry-level laptop or tablet for Rs. 20,000 and an internet connection for research and corresponding with the client. A part-time content writer who writes regularly can make up to Rs. 10,000-15,000 a month, depending on the number of gigs they receive.
4. Video-editing
Several colleges, comedians, professional conferences, etc., keep a record of their events/ performances, which requires them to hire high-quality video editors for the job. Since they do not need permanent video editors, these gigs are often bagged by freelancers. So if you are skilled with video-editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, video editing is a fantastic small side business idea.
Video editing software typically requires laptops of a higher configuration, making the investment shoot up to around Rs. 60,000-70,000; if the person does not have a laptop of their own. However, video editors are paid handsomely, with minimum compensations being as high as Rs. 5000 for a single project.
5. Tutoring
Rising competition among students has increased the need for private tuitions, especially for competitive exams. Tutoring is a highly profitable part-time business for people who are well-versed in a particular subject and have a flair for teaching. For instance, an engineer could work as a part-time teacher at a coaching institute for engineering entrance examinations. Tutoring is a fantastic part-time business idea without investment, mainly if the person in question works with an already established institution.
Several teachers also explore home-tutoring or online tutoring as a part-time business.
6. Homework solutions expert
Like tutoring, albeit more flexible, certain websites these days, such as Chegg, provide people with a chance to enrol themselves as homework solutions experts, wherein they can help students of a particular subject solve their doubts in return for a pre-decided fee. This is one of the best part-time business ideas with low investment, all you need is a basic laptop and a stable internet connection. Also, you can call the shots by choosing the projects you would be interested to work on.
7. Proof-reading/ Editing
For people proficient in a particular language can explore proofreading and editing can be the best side business idea. With growing demand in the field of content marketing, there has been a steady growth of editing proof-reading gigs. It is a part-time business idea without investment, all you need is a laptop and a steady internet connection. Many proofreading and editing projects are available on online freelancing sites; you can also work with a content creation platform. Though proofreading/ editing gigs are of variable remuneration, depending on the amount of work you can take and turn around, the entry level income ranges between minimum Rs 10,000-15,000.
8. Website designing
Web designing is one of the highest paying part-time business ideas. Web designing projects are available in plenty across the internet. This part-time business requires maximum commitment in terms of time and skill and a sizable monetary investment. A web designer typically requires a laptop that costs around Rs. 50,000.
9. T-shirt designing
T-shirt designers are gaining a lot of traction in recent times as more and more people are looking for quirky, customised t-shirts instead of regular ones. T-shirt designing often requires no investment in particular and can serve as a great avenue for your creativity while also serving as a rewarding part-time business to do in your spare time.
10. Baking
With CoVID-19 forcing many countries into lockdown, many people have started baking as a part-time business, as people are trying to digress from bakery or other outdoor food items and choosing more home-made and personalised options.
11. Making personalised gifting items
Personalised gifting items have a huge market in every country, and good craftworks often fetch a hefty price. One of the best small side business ideas with low investment, making personalised gifting items not only allows you to earn by putting your creativity to use but also serves as an amazing mood-lifter, as you play a role in bringing a smile on someone’s face.
12. Tailoring services
Many tailors in developing countries like India function part-time. Tailoring is a huge industry in India, and you can begin the business at home with easier tailoring jobs. The investment required is generally low, as a tailoring machine does not cost a lot, and profit margins are typically high. Many people who begin with tailoring as a part-time business end up doing it full-time because of the high profits associated with it.
13. Online sales
Online sales have picked up after the advent of cheap internet services and the CoVID-19 outbreak. Though it's a small side business idea to begin with, online sales can grow enough to help you earn more than your primary source of income! With an investment as desired, you can begin by obtaining the commodities they want to sell through wholesalers, store them in a room of the house, and either publicise them through social media platforms like Insta, or register with online sellers like Amazon.
14. Pop-up shops
Pop-up shops can be explored as a part-time business idea by people with an entrepreneurial spirit. Such shops can be set up in exhibitions on weekends and serve as a highly rewarding part-time business.
15. Photography
People with a penchant for photography can take up photography gigs in their free time, thus making money through their hobby. However, photography typically requires an investment of around Rs.1,00,000; you need a camera and a laptop to process the images. Gladly, the monetary compensation associated with event photography is high enough for it to be a sustainable part-time business.
You can explore a plethora of part-time business ideas in your spare time. Depending on your expertise, ability to invest time and money, and expectations from the business, you choose the suitable part-time gig for you. These profitable small side business ideas literally prove that time is money if you invest in the right part-time business.
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2) 31 Successful Organic & Unique Business Ideas [A Complete Guide]
3) 5 Small Business Ideas for Housewives
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