Believe it or not, some of the most accessible, flexible, and surprisingly lucrative side hustles that require no experience don’t ask for any specific amount of training—they just need your time, your hustle, and maybe a decent Wi-Fi connection. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, a college student, or someone side-eyeing their 9-to-5 from across the Zoom screen, there’s a side gig out there with your name on it!
In this post, I’m diving into real, beginner-friendly side hustles that you can start today—no fancy qualifications, no gatekeeping, and no nonsense.
1. Online Selling (Reselling)
Flip thrift store finds, your own unused stuff, or even clearance items from big-box stores for a profit online. No need to start with a brand—just a good eye and a phone camera.
How to get started:
Step One: Decide What to Sell
For Reselling:
- Thrifted or secondhand goods (clothes, books, toys, electronics)
- Retail arbitrage (buy discounted items at stores like Walmart, TJ Maxx, etc., and resell online)
- Clearance items or overstock
- Estate sale or garage sale finds
- Used or vintage items (think 90s fashion, collectibles, etc.)
For Original Selling:
- Handmade items (Etsy)
- Digital products (printables, templates)
- Private label products (custom-branded, often sourced from Alibaba or similar)
- Dropshipping (you don’t hold inventory—products ship directly from supplier)
Step Two: Choose Your Platform(s)
For Reselling:
- eBay – great for used goods, collectibles, electronics
- Poshmark – fashion and accessories
- Mercari – general marketplace
- Facebook Marketplace – local selling
- Depop – trendy clothes and vintage
- Kidizen – kids’ clothes and gear
For Selling New Products:
- Etsy – handmade, vintage, or digital goods
- Shopify – create your own store
- Amazon – massive customer base but high competition and fees
2. Virtual Assistant
Formal training is not a requirement to become a VA. Many businesses, solopreneurs, and bloggers need help with email, scheduling, and simple content updates. If you’re an attention-to-detail type with good organization and time management skills, this could be the perfect side hustle for you. You don’t have to work full-time; start with 5-10 hours a week, and grow from there.
How to get started:
Step One: Identify Your Skills
You probably already have VA-friendly skills! Common ones include:
- Admin tasks (email, scheduling, data entry)
- Social media management
- Customer service
- Graphic design (Canva, Photoshop)
- Writing/blogging
- Bookkeeping (QuickBooks, Excel)
- Research
- Transcription
Tip: Make a list of all the tasks you’ve done at home, in school, volunteering, or in any past job that are organized, helpful, or tech-related.
Step Two: Choose Your Niche or Services
Examples:
- Real estate VA
- Pinterest manager
- E-commerce VA (Shopify, Etsy)
- Executive assistant
- Email marketing assistant
- Or start broad with general admin tasks and specialize later.
3. Create and Sell Printables
If you are into organization, budget planning, or planners, then build your own printables and sell them on Etsy or your own site. Meal plan templates, cleaning checklists, and digital planners are always great sellers.
There are tools like Canva or Adobe Express that give you free templates that can help you to have an easy start. Just focus on one niche (like, for example, home organization or budgeting for moms) and create 5-10 products to test the waters. You can also try bundling related printables to add more value.
How to get started:
Step One: Choose a Niche
Picking a niche helps you stand out and attract a loyal audience.
Ideas:
- Moms and families
- Teachers/homeschoolers
- Students
- Small business owners
- Brides-to-be
- Budgeters
- Faith-based content
Tip: Think about your own life—what kinds of printables would have helped you?
Step Two: Create Printables (No Fancy Software Needed)
You can use beginner-friendly tools:
- Canva (best for starters)
- Adobe Illustrator or InDesign (pro level)
- Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides
- Affinity Designer
Tip: Start with templates or use Canva’s free designs and modify them. Always make sure what you use is allowed for commercial use.
4. Freelance Writing
You don’t have to be a journalist or have an English degree from an Ivy League. If you’ve got strong writing skills, you can do various writing projects like blog articles, website copy, or social media captions for small businesses. Build yourself a portfolio by working for free or at affordable/competitive rates at first (this also helps build experience), then your prices are going to go up as you accumulate more positive reviews from clients.
Accelerate Your Career
How to get started:
Step One: Pick a Niche (or a Few to Start)
You don’t have to lock into one forever, but it helps to start with a focus.
Beginner-friendly niches:
- Parenting / family life
- Health and wellness
- Education / homeschooling
- Personal finance (budgeting, saving tips)
- Lifestyle and travel
- Product reviews
- Real estate
- Small business or marketing
Tip: Choose something you already know or are passionate about—it makes writing easier and more authentic.
Step Two: Create Writing Samples
You need writing samples to show clients what you can do:
- Write 2–3 blog-style articles (500–800 words) in Google Docs or Canva Docs
- Create samples based on made-up assignments (e.g., “5 Healthy Dinner Ideas for Busy Moms” or “How to Homeschool a Middle Schooler”)
- Publish on Medium.com or a free Substack newsletter
Tip: Your goal is to show your style, clarity, and ability to communicate ideas effectively.
Step Three: Set Up a Simple Portfolio
Start small. You don’t need a website right away.
Free options:
- Google Drive folder with shared links
- Linktree page
- Notion page
- Medium profile
- Canva portfolio
When you’re ready, you can upgrade to:
- A personal website (using Carrd, Wix, or WordPress)
Step Four: Start Finding Freelance Writing Jobs
Beginner-friendly platforms:
- Upwork – lots of small writing jobs to build experience
- Fiverr – create gig packages (e.g., “I will write a blog post for $25”)
- Freelancer.com
- PeoplePerHour
- ProBlogger Job Board
- Content Writing Jobs (contentwritingjobs.com)
- Blogger Hangout on Facebook
5. Write a Book
No one’s saying that you should become the next J.K. Rowling. But hey, why not, really. Every author became famous just after their first hit book, not before. The same might happen to you.
If you aren’t sure where to start, or how to structure your book, or even are fond of the idea of you being an author as a career, a book coach can help you stay on track and can help you finish that manuscript you’re working on.
Here’s additional tips on how to get started:
Step One: Clarify Your Book Idea
- What is this book about?
- Who is it for? (target audience)
- Why am I the right person to write it?
- What do I want the reader to take away from it?
Examples:
- A memoir for moms about raising a gifted child
- A guide for beginner resellers or virtual assistants
- A short fiction novel about a homeschooled teen prodigy
Tip: Write a 1–2 sentence summary of your book. This helps you stay focused.
Step 2: Outline the Structure
Create a basic outline or chapter breakdown. This doesn’t have to be perfect—just something to guide your writing.
Nonfiction example:
- Introduction
- Your story/background
- Step-by-step chapters (teaching the reader something)
- Challenges and how to overcome them
- Conclusion / encouragement
Fiction example:
- Main character’s situation
- The conflict/problem
- Rising tension
- Climax
- Resolution
Tip: Keep a notebook, Google Doc, or use tools like Scrivener, Notion, or Reedsy to organize.
Step Three: Start Writing Consistently
- Set a goal: e.g., 500 words a day or 2 hours a week
- Use a simple writing tool (Google Docs, Word, or Scrivener)
- Don’t edit as you write—just get it down first
Step Four: Edit and revise
- Hire a professional editor (or use Beta readers first)
- Choose publishing path:
- Self-publishing (via Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, etc.)
- Traditional publishing (requires a query letter and literary agent)
Conclusion
Side hustles don’t have to be scary or require certification you don’t have. Start with what you’re already enjoying or do naturally, and work from there. You don’t have to quit your day job to try something new, you just have to start.
Even a few hours a week can grow into more, and eventually, that side hustle can become a major part of your professional or personal brand!
