40 Profitable Side Hustles for 18-Year-Olds

Napoleon

Aug 7, 2024 — 11 min read

As an 18-year-old looking forward to earning an extra income, exploring side hustles is the way. Whether you wish to save up for college, aspiring to get a car or wish to try out new things, then you should be on the lookout for side hustles. With it, you won’t only be gaining valuable skills and experience, but you will be able to attain the financial stability needed.

Foundeck in this blog, explains the 40 profitable side hustles you can explore as an 18-year-old.

1. Online surveys

Participating in online surveys is a good way to earn more money as an 18-year-old. This would involve providing an honest answer to questions or giving feedback on a particular product. Many market research companies are on the lookout for individuals to carry out surveys while they are paid some amount. You would therefore be required to go through some legit online survey sites to get started.

2. Freelance Writing

With freelance writing, there is a lot to be achieved. This skill involves producing original, error-free, engaging content or write-ups. You could render your services to small businesses, bloggers, publishers and many more while you get paid for every write-up completed. You can decide on the timeframe you want to work and earn according to your availability. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Indeed, Freelancer and many more allow you to easily apply for freelance jobs and get clients from there.

3. Dog Walking

If you particularly love pets, then this is a side hustle you can try. This would involve taking dogs for walks and being a companion for them. By doing this, you would be able to spend some time outdoors, relax and enjoy the moment while also providing care for the pet. By searching for clients from your immediate community and building your customer base, you will be able to earn more.

4. Running Errands

Running errands for people and getting paid for it is another hustle you could do. You could help people pick up groceries from the store, pick up mail packages and many more. This kind of service, however, requires time management. Apart from the fact that you’ll be earning with this, you would be able to help busy people meet up with their tight schedules.

5. Affiliate Marketing

By rendering to sell other people's products or services, you could gain a commission for every product sold through you. You don’t even have to own the product, however, you would need some marketing skills in order to get the items to the right audience. By partnering with local businesses around you, you could earn some money when you introduce a new customer to them. So many online platforms, including Amazon, JVZoo, eBay and many more, also have affiliate programs you can join and earn.

6. Software Testing

You would need some programming skills if you want to earn with software testing. Your activities would revolve around testing applications for business owners, companies, programmers, etc. before the software is made available to the public.

7. Virtual Assistant

Many small businesses are constantly on the lookout for virtual assistants who could help with some basic tasks online. The duties of virtual assistants vary depending on the needs of the business. However, you could be expected to carry out administrative tasks, event scheduling and flight booking, social media posting, content creation, data entry and many more. Having some of these basic skills is therefore important to be efficient as a virtual assistant.

8. Video Editing

As an 18-year-old, you can also acquire some video editing skills and offer it as a service to small businesses, Youtubers, content creators and many more. In the era of social media, many individuals and businesses are on the lookout for video editors who could help improve the quality of their videos. By utilizing some video editing software like Lightworks, Hitfilm, Shotcut, InShot and many more, you would be able to earn from this skill.

9. Online tutoring

There are a range of platforms you could offer to teach other kids. You could decide to teach the English language to kids from other countries. Apart from that you could teach math, science or art-related subjects. If you are good at Music, you can offer to teach other kids. However, you need a good mastery of whatever subject you’ll be teaching to succeed with this. Additionally, you would find that you would indirectly be gaining more knowledge as you tutor others.

10. Fitness Training

If you have a flair for fitness and healthy living, then you could build a side hustle from that. You could train individuals of the same age group as yours and get paid for it. However, you have to be particularly skilled in some kind of fitness exercise for you to be able to train others.

11. Baby Sitting

As an 18-year-old, you could also sign up to help families take care of their babies for a particular period per day. Your activities with babies would include feeding, playing, engaging, putting kids into bed and many more. For you to be a babysitter, you must love kids, and be cheerful, trustworthy and patient. While babysitting could specifically require some level of patience, you would also be able to gain firsthand experience in childcare.

12. YouTube Channel

With a YouTube channel, you can create videos that talk about specific topics including fashion, gaming, education, music and lots more. This side hustle requires paying attention to what the audience resonates with, moreover, you would also need some video editing skills. You would also need to understand how YouTube algorithm and monetization work for you to earn through this.

13. Sell Printables

You could also offer to sell items with printed patterns and designs. This includes mugs, T-shirts, key holders, tote bags and many more. You would need some design skills to be able to come up with unique and attractive patterns. You could sell your items at local trade fairs or sell on social media platforms.

14. Pet Sitting

As a pet lover, you can render pet sitting as a service. This would involve helping individuals take care of their pets in their homes. You would be required to spend some time with the pets in their owner’s home for a period of time in a day. The duties to be carried out include feeding, walking, serving as a companion when the pet owner isn’t around and many more as specified by customers.

15. Food delivery services

By partnering with restaurants, bars, eateries, etc. around, you would be able to get extra money. You would be involved in picking food items from these restaurants and getting them delivered to customers’ doorsteps. This should preferably be done within your immediate community, as the time factor also matters when offering food delivery services.

Many businesses are now utilizing the power of social media unlike before. With this, you could offer social media management services to them. If you have a good grasp of how social media handles like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter work and you can easily engage the audience, then this is a hustle to explore. You would be required to curate and post engaging posts, stay up to date with social media trends, understand the marketing aspect of each platform and possibly turn the audience into customers.

17. Local tour guide

If you are knowledgeable about your city and the fun and historical places to visit within, then you can offer local tour guide services to foreigners or those on vacation. Apart from having a good grasp of major fun places to visit, you must also be an outdoor person and be ready to easily interact with people.

18. Web Design

Another digital yet lucrative side hustle you can start is website design and development. This would involve designing functional and attractive websites for businesses. By mastering the use of WordPress, you will be able to come up with an appealing website for your clients. Beyond that, you need to understand some basic design principles including the Font and color combination. As time goes on, you could learn more about HTML, Javascript, etc to build your expertise.

19. Selling Artwork

You can also sell artwork if you are skilled in painting, drawing, ceramics, molding and lots more. As you would expect, this skill involves a lot of creativity and you must exceptionally be good at it for you to stand out. You could sell your creative on social media, local fairs, or platforms like Etsy.

20. Newspaper delivery

Although this used to be a traditional way to make some extra income however, there are still individuals who purchase newspapers on a daily basis. You can offer to help deliver them to the customer's doorstep in the morning while you get paid for it. You would need to consider the act of punctuality for this kind of service.

21. Graphics Designing

Graphic designing is another valuable skill you could offer to many businesses. Your activities could involve creating fliers, posters, carousels, logos and many more. To do this, you must be creative and be proficient with the use of design software like Adobe Photoshop, Canva, illustrator and many more. With several freelancing platforms like Freelancer, Upwork and social media channels, you would be able to get clients.

22. Personal shopping

If you have a good eye for unique and attractive products, then you could offer personal shopping services. Many busy individuals will be willing to pay you to be their personal shopper. You could help them get items ranging from groceries, clothes, gifts, household utensils, and many more. You would, however, need to pay attention to details so as to understand the specific wants of each customer and more so satisfy their needs.

23. Customer service representative

Customer service representative basically provide answers to customer questions and queries, provide information about a product or service, act as the brand contact service and many more. You could earn from this hustle by applying for a customer service representative position. You could also reach out to local businesses around your community who require such services. By going through customer service-related courses on platforms like Udemy, Coursera, etc, you would be able to complete a few courses at a fair price.

24. Office or House Cleaning

Offices and homes are constantly in need of people who could help them clean their spaces and keep them sparkly tidied. Your duties could range from dusting, mopping, organizing the environment, and many more. Sometimes you could even find that you would need a second hand to be able to carry out some task effectively. In a situation where you are hired to clean a renovated home, then you might need to involve someone else to complete this service. Overall, you would always find simple cleaning tasks to earn more money.

25. Street Performance

Performing in the street is another hustle to do if you have talents in music or dancing. You could entertain passersby while they gift you some amount. A lot of confidence is however needed here to be able to perform in public, moreover, you must be able to impress people.

26. Hairdressing

Hairdressing is quite a lucrative side hustle you could render if you have a good mastery of the skill. And even if you don’t, you could start learning by watching some YouTube videos. With this, you could render the service to friends and family while you also maximize social media platforms in marketing your skills and finding new customers.

27. Photography

The photography business is another side hustle you can focus on. This would involve taking photos at events like weddings, birthdays, conferences and educational events, and lots more. You would, however, need to understand and have a knowledge of photography before starting this hustle. By maximizing the use of social media like Instagram, twitter etc., you would be able to get clients within and outside your community.

28. Car Washing

You can also offer to clean people's cars in their homes. Although this side hustle also requires some physical strength and ability, you would be able to earn massively when you concentrate on giving your client a great job. You could start by rendering the service to family members while you also expand it within your immediate community.

29. Become a lifeguard

If you're a great swimmer, then you could take some online courses and training to become a lifeguard. So many pools around need a lifeguard who could work for some hours a day and get paid. You can therefore apply at local parks and pools etc. Being certified is key to getting jobs with these skills so you can maximize taking courses online to receive certification.

30. Work part-time in a restaurant

As an 18-year-old, you can also offer to work for a few hours in a restaurant. You could basically be employed to work as a busser. A busser is someone who clears the table after an event or party. You can get this job by submitting your resume to nearby restaurants, eateries and bars. While this hustle might not necessarily pay you much, you would gather a lot of experience by working in a restaurant.

31. Publish books

With platforms like Amazon, you can write, publish and earn from selling books. You could publish books on several topics, ranging from education, self-help, family, traveling and so on. To be able to come up with valuable books, you should understand the content of what you’re writing and, more so, be able to research extensively on it.

32. Lawn mowing

Lawn mowing involves helping people clear grasses around their homes and gardens. This side hustle requires physical strength and the ability to pay attention to details. You can offer this service to neighboring houses and communities and earn extra money. However, you would need to put some safety practices into consideration. This could involve understanding how to properly operate the mower and using protective gear while working.

33. Selling baked items

Baking is a great skill you can also offer. While you can bake items like cookies, cakes, and bread and sell them within families and communities, you can also offer baking itself as a service. With that, you could bake for people in their homes while you’re paid for it. Just like every other skill, mastery is key to making a consistent income from this.

34. Bookkeeping for small businesses

Bookkeeping involves managing the financial books and records of businesses. If you have a good grasp of mathematics and numbers, pay attention to detail and are highly organized, then you could try offering bookkeeping services to small businesses around. Not only will you be gaining more money with the skill, but you can easily attain firsthand experience in management and finance.

35. Makeup Artist

If you are passionate about the fashion and beauty industry or you have a flair for makeup, then this is a good hustle to explore. People would always need to apply makeup to events so you can render this service to them. You could showcase your business by visiting event centers where wedding, birthday parties, photoshoots etc occur. Once you've been able to master this skill properly and you can satisfy customers, then building a great portfolio will be easy.

36. Developing gaming software

If you have coding or programming skills, then you can develop gaming software and offer to sell to others. On the other hand, you could develop gaming apps and make them available on platforms like Google Play Store or an open-source platform where people can have access to it. With open source, you could be gifted some amount and not necessarily earnings.

37. Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing is another side hustle to try. Many businesses are looking for influencers who can help them promote their product. As such you could focus on exploring several niche areas like fashion, beauty and care, automobile and many more. Once you get a niche you're comfortable with, then you start by creating engaging posts that would attract attention from the audience. You have to be able to gather a lot of followers on your chosen social media platforms. As you continue building your social media pages and dishing out valuable niche-related content, businesses who need your services will reach out.

38. Transcription and translation services

Transcription services involve listening to audio content and putting them down as written words. You would therefore be required to help people transcribe their audio into written statements. With that, you need to pay attention to detail and possess active listening skills. Translation, on the other hand, involves converting text or written statements from one language to the other. You would need to understand one or more languages other than English like Spanish, Arabic, Dutch, German language etc to translate.

39. Jewelry making

This side hustle requires some level of creativity and craft, as you would be coupled with producing handmade jewelry. Once you’ve gained an in-depth knowledge of the skill, you could start by creating the jewelry and showcasing it at local and online craft fairs. Though the skill might require some level of patience, learning and relearning, you would be able to earn more from it.

40. Home and interior decoration

You can render home decoration services during holidays like Christmas, Easter etc. Apart from that, you could also offer interior decoration service to families packing into a new house. This kind of service requires a lot of creativity and a grasp of attractive designs. Moreso, you would need some organization skills.

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Conclusion

Exploring side hustles as 18 years old is an exciting journey. Whether you’re a tech-savvy individual, artistic or you love helping other people, there are numerous side hustles you could explore. So you need to be sure of what you’re passionate about and what your interests and capabilities are when making a choice.