5 Creative Side Gigs That Bring in Serious Cash
Written by
Cara Danielle Brown
Edited by
Angela Corry
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If you’re in a creative field like acting or writing, you know the difficulty of earning a steady income each month. Heck, you know the difficulty of earning a sufficient income during the months you actually have work! This is why many creatives seek a variety of creative side gigs to supplement their main gig.
But which of these gigs are actually worth the time and effort? GOBankingRates chatted with experts to discover five creative side gigs that bring in serious cash.
Teaching A Class
If you’re an expert in your field or fashion yourself exceptionally good at a particular hobby, consider teaching a class. Classes can either be taught in person or via an online platform like Outschool. Nick Loper, founder of Side Hustle Nation, saw one woman create a series of video game themed classes that earned $4,000 per month, while another turned her passion for making polymer clay earrings into a popular class that brought in more than $100,00 in ticket sales over two years.
Organizing Paid Workshops
Perhaps you’re not an expert yourself but you happen to know a few. Anne Alexander-Sieder, founder of Act Bold, suggested hiring outside experts in specific areas of study to lead workshops and then inviting other creatives to participate in them. All you have to do is handle the logistics! Alexander-Sieder organized workshops with top acting coaches from London as a way to not only earn extra income, but to re-launch her own acting career. She averaged between $1,500 and $4,000 per month from ticket sales.
Styling and Photographing Living Spaces
Live in an area with lots of Airbnb’s? “Hosts are often looking for people who will make their space look more appealing in the pictures,” stated Jan Hendrik von Ahlen, co-founder and CTO at JobLeads. “And that’s where the creative side-hustlers come in. High-quality visuals increase bookings by a lot.”
According to Hendrik von Ahlen, simply being design-savvy and possessing basic photography skills can net individuals $300 and up per project.
Leading Walking Tours
If you’re particularly fascinated and knowledgeable about topics like street art, history, photography or architecture, and enjoy speaking in front of people, why not lead walking tours around your city? Per Hendrik von Ahlen, monthly earnings can range from $500 to $3,000 depending on how often you choose to give tours. Plus, walking tours provide great exercise and virtually zero startup costs.
Creative Strategy
A brand’s creative strategy can serve as the blueprint for how it connects with its audience and reaches its goals .
“That’s where creative people like writers, designers or multidisciplinary creatives can find their perfect side project,” stated Hendrik von Ahlen, who explained startups and smaller companies often turn to freelancers to guide a brand’s look, feel and storytelling.
Depending on experience and company budgets, Hendrik von Ahlen stated earnings can range from $2,000 to $6,000 per client.
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