Side hustles may seem difficult for introverts because they usually involve talking to people in some form or another. I know the feeling — I used to be scared to talk to other people, myself. I’d rather hide under my bed. But once you move past the awkwardness and shyness, there is money to be made in some very solitary pursuits. Here are nine smart side hustles for introverts:
- Becoming a virtual assistant
- Freelance writing
- Transcribing video and audio recordings
- Helping out with website services
- Selling on Amazon
- Dog walking and pet sitting
- Selling crafts
- Proofreading
- Cleaning offices and homes
1. Virtual Assistant
If you want a flexible work-from-home job, becoming a virtual assistant might be just the thing for you. Some people hire a virtual assistant to do things like make appointments, answer customer emails, make graphics for blog posts, and run social media accounts.
You’ll have the chance to develop a lot of different skills.
What’s more, virtual assistant work pays well. You can generally make $15 to $40 per hour — sometimes more — depending on your experience level and the tasks that you're working on.
2. Freelance Writer
Let’s face it: If you’re an introvert, you probably spend a lot of time reading books and writing for pleasure. Time to go pro. Find a niche area that you can write for. You can earn hundreds of dollars just by writing part-time, and you could even turn it into a full-time six-figure income if you play your cards right.
3. Transcriptionist
Good typing skills can get you started as a transcriptionist. Simply complete a basic audio typing test with companies like TranscribeMe, Quicktate, or Rev, and if you’re approved, wait for the company to send you audio recordings. Simply type what you hear, send it back, and get paid.
You’ll need two basic pieces of equipment to get started: Express Scribe transcription software and the foot pedal that it comes with. You can find the best hourly rates in the fields of medical transcription and foreign language translation.
4. Website Services
If you’re a code monkey (and even if you’re not), you can make a lot of money helping people out with all kinds of website services right from the comfort of your own home. You can do things like design and build people’s websites, create and sell WordPress themes, do search-engine optimization (SEO) audits, conduct website reviews, etc.
All you need is a computer and an open mind. You can earn anywhere from a few dollars an hour to hundreds, depending on your skill set and how you market yourself.
5. Amazon FBA Seller
You know how some items on Amazon say “Fulfilled by Amazon”? Those items are sold by real people just like you. For this side hustle, you simply scour your local area to find small, cheap items on sale, buy a ton of them, ship them to the Amazon warehouse, and then list them for sale on Amazon for a higher price than you bought them.
It’s pretty much passive income once you ship the items in, since Amazon will sell and ship the items for you. You can make hundreds of dollars a month just by doing this in your spare time!
6. Dog Walker/Pet Sitter
People can be scary, but animals are fun to hang out with! You can make upwards of $10 per dog walk or $20 per night watching animals in your home. And you can make even more if you house-sit someone’s pets while they’re gone.
It’s easy to set yourself up as a dog walker or a pet sitter. Just set up listings through Craigslist or on websites like Rover, DogVacay, or Care.com.
7. Craftsperson
If making crafts is your thing, then this is the perfect side hustle for you. You can sell wooden handicrafts, knitted items, clothes, leather journals — anything you can think of!
Sites like Etsy and Ravelry make it easy to set up an online shop. So your income potential is only limited by the demand for your items and how fast you can make them.
8. Proofreader
If you’re a book nerd but aren’t sure you’re about your writing skills, proofreading may be just the kind of introvert side hustle for you. You simply sign up with companies that will send you documents like transcripts or reports (sometimes with audio), and you proofread and correct the documents that they give you. Send them back, and you’ll get paid. For more training, check out ProofreadAnywhere.
9. Cleaner
Hey — don’t knock it. You can make good money cleaning other people’s offices and homes. All you need are some cleaning supplies and your own four limbs.
Sometimes clients will be present, and sometimes not. The holy grail may be a contract for recurring work with small business offices. That way, you’ll have steady paid work and they’ll likely prefer you to come in after-hours when the business is closed. The perfect side hustle to fit around your day job!
