Do you live your life online — spending most of your time fully engaged on a smart phone or a laptop? Why not turn your screen time into income? Whether you’re a keyboard warrior, meme queen, or just someone who scrolls like a pro, these internet-based side hustles are perfect for the chronically online.
User Experience Testing
Your screen time probably gives you a good feel for what makes an effective and engaging website. And that’s information that companies will pay you to discuss in detail. By and large these user experience testing companies pay $5 to $10 per 20-minute test — roughly $15 to $30 per hour.
Usually, the testing company will screen potential testers to make sure that they have an interest in the website’s topic. After that, they’ll have you download software onto your system so the testing site can watch as you navigate a website. You’re usually asked to talk out loud about what you like and don’t like. Sometimes, you are asked to complete specific task to make sure that the steps are all intuitive.
Where can you find these gigs? Some good sites include UserFeel, PingPong, UserPeek, UserTesting and Userlytics.
Social Media Manager
If you live online and know how to drive engagement, a number of marketing firms would love to enlist you. By and large, these firms do not require college degrees, but they do require experience. You should also be able to prove how much your actions improved engagement, followers and other metrics.
Each site has a thorough vetting process for freelancers that requires a detailed resume and online interviews. If you pass the screening, they’ll match you with clients that need your expertise. You’re often able to set your own rates, but pay can vary by the project. The best sites to consider? Mayple, MarketerHire and GrowTal.
Online Class Instructor
With summer vacation just weeks away, there are fewer online tutoring gigs to be found. Outschool, on the other hand, starts to gear up. They call it “online summer camp.”
Outschool offers a unique platform for teachers to create and teach imaginative classes to children aged 3–18. The site allows you to teach anything you’re passionate about, from academic subjects to fun, themed lessons. The summer camp sessions, which often involve a series of classes, address everything from coding to getting ready for first grade. There’s even a “barista” camp that teaches you how to make popular Starbucks drinks. (You get a shopping list for each class.)
Classes are held live online. And teachers set their own rates and schedules, typically around $12–$20 per per student, per class. Outschool handles the marketing and collection in exchange for a 30% commission.
Content Creator
If you have a way with words, platforms like nDash and ServiceScape can help you find clients that need content that fits your area of expertise. Editing and writing gigs are done completely remotely, so these side hustles are perfect for the chronically online.
nDash connects experienced writers with companies that need blog posts, social media content, and more. You set your rates (usually $150–$450 per piece) and pitch ideas directly to brands like Walmart and HarperCollins. Most jobs are privately assigned, so building relationships is key. Payment is made via Stripe within 10 days of client approval.
ServiceScape, meanwhile, connects writers and editors with corporate and academic clients, who need editing for everything from books to research projects. Freelancers set their own rates, but ServiceScape takes a hefty commission off the top. So, be sure to factor in the site fees before setting your prices.
