A side hustle business is one of the best ways to make extra money. While some do it to bring in additional income, others find side hustles an excellent way to fill up their free time in a financially strategic way.
Tackling the cost of daily life is not easy, and sometimes one regular job barely gets you through the month. To provide a solution to this problem, this article covers the best side hustles for Canadians with varying skills. Some of these ideas are easier than others, so it's important to pursue one that fits your budget needs, free time, and skills.
10 side hustle ideas to make more money in 2023
From doing household chores as a handyman to living out your gastronomy dreams as a part-time baker, here are the best side hustle ideas you can consider.
Work as a handyman
If you've ever gone door to door asking to shovel a neigbor's driveway, this might be the time to pick it up and make it a side hustle.
But it doesn’t stop at shoveling snow. Everyday tasks such as mowing the lawn, cleaning gutters, and general maintenance around the house are a great way to utilize your handyman skills.
Post your skills on Kijiji or on Facebook marketplace and explain what you are good at. Make sure you have a good understanding of time management and the tools necessary to complete the job. There’s potential to earn around $20-25/hour.
Tip: Advertising your services on local social media groups is an excellent way to find clients. However, going door-to-door will help increase your chances of landing a successful side job. It may take time at first. But as people get to know you, some additional money will start rolling in.
Airbnb hosting
That spare bedroom or empty apartment can become a profitable and passive side hustle. Homeowners often rent out extra rooms or entire properties as an extra source of income through Airbnb.
Getting set up as a host is an uncomplicated money making idea, given that you have the space. You sign up on the site, take a few great photos, and provide a detailed description of the property. It helps if the location is close to a public attraction or in a central city such as Calgary, Vancouver, or Toronto.
The financial income generated from this side hustle will vary based on availability, size, customer rating, and the commission taken from Airbnb. On average, Airbnb hosts can make $9,600/year. Cleaning, additional guests, and pet fees will be added to the total cost the customer pays.
Tip: Clean sheets, precise and rapid communication, and good customer ratings will help you build an excellent reputation on the platform. Following these tips will make Airbnb hosting one of the most lucrative side hustles.
Become a freelancer
Your skills will always be valuable to someone. Clients pay big money for simple tasks. Data entry, virtual assistants, and customer service representatives are just some examples of online side hustles that will help you break into the freelance industry with little to no experience.
If you have a particular skill like writing, coding, or web design, you can turn it into a lucrative side hustle and make money from home. However, like any business, it will take time to get noticed and land your first clients.
Platforms like UpWork and Fiverr are great options for first-time freelancers. They offer various jobs for multiple skill levels to help grow your portfolio. Keep at it and watch your side hustle business as a freelancer flourish. The average hourly wage for a freelancer in Canada is around $42/hour, but newcomers can expect half, or $21.
Start a blog
If you’re wondering how to make money from home, starting a blog is one of the best side hustles you can consider. Having a passion for a particular niche will help you stand out. But before you start making money, there are a few steps needed to make sure your new blog generates income.
Firstly, you need to set up a domain name on a platform like GoDaddy. They offer 24/7 tech support and have one of the world's largest registrars. On top of that, GoDaddy also offers custom emails and marketing support.
Next, you will need to regularly post your content. Basic knowledge of WordPress is necessary for this. There are several tutorials (both paid and free) that will help with the basics.
Finally, the most critical factor of how to make money on the side from blogging is monetizing. Writing content that generates high engagement and drives traffic can help you make passive income through ad space, affiliate marketing, and brand sponsor deals. It is possible to make a full salary as a blogger, but if this is just a side hustle, you may need to rely on commission for display advertising, which is around $10 per 1,000 views.
Tip: Be sure to post regular and up-to-date articles on your topic. When something is trending, don't hesitate to write about it, as it is more likely to attract new eyes.
Rent your car
Although a vehicle is a depreciating asset, renting it out through a platform like Turo helps offset the costs that come with owning a car.
The amount of money you can make renting out your car on Turo depends on multiple factors. How often the vehicle is rented, its popularity, and the city you live in will affect the profit.
If you have an entrepreneurial mindset, renting your car is one of the best small business side hustle ideas in Canada. On average, hosts renting out their cars on the Turo make $10,000 annually. Over time, adding more vehicles to your fleet can increase your income to over six figures.
Tip:High-end luxury cars, SUVs, and convertibles are some of the best earners. However, economy cars (under $30,000) are proven to be an excellent option for those who are looking to make quick money.
Resell products (flipping)
It has been proven over and over across social media that flipping products is one of the best ways to make money. Like any other side hustle, flipping products needs to be safe, legal and quality. Additionally, demand is a huge consideration. Without a client, there is no one to buy your products.
Online platforms like Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace are fantastic. But if you are looking to get the best deals, going to flea markets, garage sales, and thrift stores are great alternatives.
When it comes to selling, the internet is your best friend. Ebay is an excellent option for rare and collectible items, whereas social media platforms work great for everyday objects. Expert flippers can make $500-$2,500/month.
Start and grow a YouTube channel
Starting a YouTube channel is a great way to show your interest and passion for a particular subject. Just as the other side hustles from home listed in this article, YouTube can provide a good source of income. However, you have to be in it for the long run.
Uploading content consistently, choosing the right thumbnails, using relevant keywords, and learning from previous analytics all play an essential role in your channel’s success.
Monetizing a YouTube channel requires a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 watch hours in the last year or 10 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days. The average established YouTube channel makes $59,000/year.
Tip: Trends (that are relevant to your target audience) are a great way to get exposure and gain followers on YouTube. Whether it's a song, challenge, or theme, being up to date with what is popular goes a long way.
Sell baked goods
Everyone loves a good, homemade meal. If you have a passion for making outstanding food, why not share it with others?
Canadians love fresh-baked Nanaimo bars, butter tarts, and bread, especially in the winter. Capitalizing on this need will help you make money on the side. Your kitchen counter, basic ingredients, and expertise make this side hustle business a recipe for success.
Be sure to check provincial and municipal regulations before getting ready to embark on this venture. Ontario, for example, has somewhat relaxed rules and does not require a commercial kitchen to make home-baked goods. Overall, expect to make $300-$1,000/month doing this side hustle business.
Tip: You may find that your baked goods end up being extremely popular, and bring in enough income to resign from a full-time job. This may be a sign that it’s time to start your own food business from home.
Clean houses
For some, cleaning is therapeutic. If you are a neat freak and you’re wondering how to make quick money, setting up a side hustle business cleaning houses is a great option. And there is no shortage of work.
Focusing on a specific demographic, like post-construction, apartment, and end-of-lease cleaning will help you land jobs easier. If your end goal is to scale the side hustle into a cleaning business, commercial jobs and running multiple crews should be taken into consideration.
Start-up costs are minimal, and the average hourly wage is $19. If you already love cleaning, it means you have most supplies already on hand.
Tip: Don't spend too much money on brand-name cleaning products. Instead, invest your time and some finances into marketing yourself to friends, schools, or offices.
Become a local guide
You know your city better than anyone. All the historical monuments and important landmarks are second nature to you. Becoming a local guide helps tourists discover the best a city has to offer while putting extra cash in your pocket.
Officially, there is no licensing or courses needed to become a tour guide, making it the best way to make money on the side without additional investment. However, some provinces, like Prince Edward Island, offer official certification at no extra cost.
Other side hustle ideas may bring in more money, but being a tour guide in Canada means you get going ASAP. The best place to start is by posting your services online or by going to local hotspots such as parks, museums, etc. Indeed reports an average hourly rate of $20 for Canadian tour guides.
Tip: Having an outgoing and friendly personality is a necessity if you want to be a successful tour guide in Canada. Don’t be afraid to go up to people and offer them your services.
FAQs
What is the best side hustle to earn money?
The top side hustle of 2023 to earn money is the one that best suits your skills and abilities. Overall, online side hustle ideas like freelancing are the biggest earners.
How do you start a side hustle?
Like any business, all side hustles need a plan. Find your niche and identify the target audience and who your competition is.
Creating an online presence is vital if you want your side hustle business to thrive. Be active on social media groups, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
Lastly, be sure to register your business and get the necessary permits (if required) to ensure you are fully compliant.
What are the easiest side hustles to start?
Some of the easiest side hustles to start are a YouTube channel, blogging, and freelancing. While these are the easiest, it will take some time to generate income.
The bottom line: side hustles to earn extra money
Starting a side hustle is a great way to make extra money. But it’s important to choose one that fits your skills, goals, availability, and budget. Like any business, a side hustle requires dedication, perseverance, and patience.
Putting in the time and not giving up when the going gets tough is the key to success. If you’re interested in pursuing something longer-term, you can read our latest article on the most profitable businesses in 2023 for inspiration.
Be sure to browse our selection of thousands of profitable businesses for sale currently available, in your side hustle turns into pursuit for business ownership.
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