Freelancing

Hands down, freelancing is the one of the fastest ways to begin making extra money on the side.

You don’t need to build a website, create a product, or even come up with some killer business idea. All you need is to dig into your inventory of current skills, and find ONE client you can solve a problem for.

What kind of problems could you solve? In the archives here, you’ll find people freelancing their skills in:

For more, here are some of the most in-demand freelance skills.

No, it’s not as sexy as “passive income,” but it’s not as speculative either. You can start getting paid right away, and if your goal is to replace your day job income, there’s probably no faster way.

The Best Freelancing Podcast

I compiled a binge-worthy selection of freelancing and service business podcast episodes from The Side Hustle Show into this playlist. I think you’ll like it!

Dive into the archives here to figure out what you can sell as a freelancer and how to get it done.

361: Podcast Prospecting: How to Get More Clients … By Interviewing Them

November 14, 2019November 14, 2019

That’s exactly what today’s guest, Josh Elledge is doing.

Josh runs a kind of modern PR service for small businesses and has developed a unique and innovative way to break through the marketing clutter and have real conversations with real prospects — and do it at scale.

He’s found a way to create what he calls “a speed dating environment.” That’s his metaphor for the revolving door of new prospects he’s interviewing and selling his services to.

360: How to Start an Aquarium Maintenance Business – $70k a Year Part-Time

August 25, 2023November 7, 2019

He knew his $12 an hour gig at Walmart was a dead-end job.

His escape route was a business idea you probably walk past at least a couple times a year without even thinking about it.

What’s he do?

Today, Larry McGee’s the guy who takes care of the aquarium at the dentist office and other commercial waiting rooms.

And it earns him around $70,000 a year, doing something he enjoys and working just 15-hours a week.

357: Productized Service Coaching: Building a Product Ladder

August 28, 2023October 17, 2019

You’ve started a business.

You’ve created a product or a service.

You’re selling it to clients and getting great feedback.

That’s great, you’ve overcome so many of the hurdles we face as entrepreneurs. But the next step is finding a way to keep new customers coming through the doors and scaling up your services.

349: How to Start and Grow a Local Consulting Business: Effective Marketing Ideas

January 5, 2022August 22, 2019

She always knew she wanted to start her own business, she just didn’t know what kind of business. Sound familiar? So, Sylvia Inks asked friends and colleagues what they saw her as an expert in, and what they go to her for advice and help with. Their answers? “They said I’m great with finances, and … Read more

347: Airbnb Experiences: Make Money w/ Your Unique Local Experience

July 3, 2025August 8, 2019

Can you get paid to breathe? Well, that’s certainly part of Michele Mattix’s guided meditation Airbnb Experience. Airbnb Experiences are activities led by locals, and Michele jumped at the chance to reach a new audience for her meditation instruction. When travelers book a stay in Arizona using Airbnb, they are also offered one of Michele’s meditation … Read more

Virtual Consulting: How to Start a Location-Independent Consulting Business

November 1, 2023July 18, 2019

A location-independent consulting business that replaces your day job income in a matter of months? That’s what Paul Minors achieved with his virtual software consulting side hustle. You might recognize Paul’s name. Paul is a productivity blogger and consultant from New Zealand. He was part of a fun productivity roundtable episode we did towards the … Read more

Movie Extra Jobs: Earn Up to $200 a Day Working on Nearby Movies

November 5, 2021July 15, 2019

Have you ever thought it would be cool to be an extra in a movie but have no idea how to land movie extra jobs?

I was clueless, too, but once I found out how the process worked, I landed several roles in a few major Hollywood films.

337: Multi Six-Figure Consulting on the Side

May 17, 2023May 30, 2019

Dr. Shirag Shemmassian decided to take action on a particular skill of his, and is seeing some impressive results – all on the side from his day job as a research psychologist.What do I mean by impressive?How about $650k in revenue last year, which was more than double of 2017, which was more than triple of 2016.

329: Get Better, Not Bigger: On Growth, Freedom, Online Marketing, and “Enough”

April 4, 2019

“Growth isn’t the byproduct of success,” Paul Jarvis told me. “Or at least it shouldn’t be. The byproduct of success should be freedom.” Paul is a talented writer and designer who’s made a living–and a name for himself–by often taking the counterpoint to the conventional wisdom, especially when it comes to entrepreneurship and business growth. … Read more

7 Simple, Effective Ways to Scale a Service Business

April 22, 2021April 1, 2019

As we’ve mentioned, “scaling” a service business can be one of the biggest challenges with this business model. In fact, it’s a sticking point that keeps a lot of people away from freelancing altogether.

But if your goal is to get big or even to just avoid trading time for money your whole life, there are lots of ways to scale a service business.

Usually Hustling, Occasionally Social