13 Unique Side Hustles to Make Big Money in 2023

Are you looking to start a side hustle?

Whether you’re looking for side hustle ideas from home or side hustles that pay weekly, here are our top picks for unique and unusual side hustles to grow your wealth in 2023!

What are Unique Side Hustles to Make Extra Money in 2023?

1. Start a Blog

Starting a blog is one of the most unique side hustles for 2023 because the number of Google searches is only increasing, and of those searches, a large percentage are new searches.

Contrary to popular belief, the blogging industry needs to be more saturated, and there are plenty of opportunities to grow in various niches.

From running ads, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, or selling products online, there is a whole world of endless income opportunities! 

Starting a blog is inexpensive, with the primary investment being the cost of your domain, monthly web hosting, and any SEO or AI tools such as Surfer SEO or Jasper to improve your blogging content and your SERP position.

We highly recommend using WordPress.org to start your blog. 

2. Start a Bookkeeping Business

Starting a bookkeeping business can be rewarding and financially lucrative because so many small businesses and individuals need help managing their finances.

Consider taking a course or getting a certification in bookkeeping to learn the basics of financial record-keeping, tax laws, and accounting software. 

Tools like TurboTax and Sage make it significantly easier to manage financials across multiple entities, streamline complex processes and deliver real-time reporting for your clients.

A bookkeeping business is one of the most unique side hustles because anybody can learn these skills! 

3. Becoming a Content Creator

Content creation is creating and producing original content for websites, social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, and other forms of media.

Content can include writing articles, making videos, designing graphics, and developing podcasts. 

Content creation aims to inform, educate, or entertain an audience, and drive engagement and action. It is an essential part of marketing and can attract and retain customers, build brand awareness, and generate leads.

Many content creators become influencers and generate high income through paid sponsorships, affiliate marketing, or selling their own products and services. 

Content creation is one of the best unique side hustles because of the creativity involved – there’s no one size fits all approach. 

4. Create a Profitable Short-Term Rental Business

A vacation rental is a type of accommodation available for short-term rentals, typically for a few days to a few weeks.

Vacation rentals can include many properties, such as apartments, houses, cottages, and even treehouses or yurts. They are often rented out as an alternative to traditional hotel accommodations, as they can offer travellers more space, privacy, and amenities. 

Vacation rentals are often popular with families and groups of friends, as they can provide a more home-like atmosphere and allow everyone to stay together in the same place.

When I started looking into the idea of purchasing and renting out my cabin years ago, it was one of those lucrative side hustles no one talks about often.

With the rising popularity of Airbnb and VRBO, it’s no wonder renting out your home or vacation property is growing daily. 

Short-term rentals are one of the best unique side hustles because of the type of property you can rent. From Auxbox to A-frame cabins, there’s a real opportunity to create an unforgettable experience for your guests. 

5. Become an Online Coach

Becoming an online coach is a rewarding way to share your expertise and help others achieve their goals while earning some extra cash.

Try designing a one-on-one coaching program, a group coaching program, or a self-paced course for clients to follow.

Going with an online approach in 2023 means you can deliver your coaching program through a website or e-learning platform without spending hours, daily training clients.

6. Start a YouTube Channel

The income potential on YouTube varies greatly depending on several factors, including the number of views your videos receive, the level of engagement you get from viewers, and the revenue generated from ads and sponsorships.

The substantial passive income you can generate makes YouTube one of the most unique side hustles. 

When you enable ads on your videos, you can earn money from Google AdSense based on the views and clicks your videos receive. The amount you earn per view is generally a few cents, but it can add up over time if you have many page views.

With sponsorships, you can work with companies to promote products or services in exchange for a fee. Sponsorships are a great source of income if you have a large and engaged audience.

If you have a loyal following, you can even sell your own branded merchandise, such as t-shirts, hats, and other items, through your YouTube channel.

7. Freelancing

Becoming a freelancer can be a great way to have more control over your work and schedule and earn money doing what you love.

It’s one of our favourite unique side hustles because freelancing is about leveraging skills you already have in place, such as writing, design, or programming.

Given the number of clients you’ll be working with, you’ll want to ensure you have good tools to keep track of your additional income, especially for invoicing.

8. Dropshipping

Starting a dropshipping business can be a unique way to start an online business with relatively low overhead.

Try selecting a niche you’re interested in or have some background experience for your dropshipping business. Your expertise will make marketing the products to your target audience easier. 

Dropshipping also involves looking for a supplier that offers drop shipping services. You can sell their products without handling your own inventory or fulfilment, which is the best part!

Choose an e-commerce platform like Shopify and set up an online store. You’ll need to add your products and configure your payment and shipping options.

Dropshipping is a unique side hustle because of the vast product sale opportunities and the fantastic income potential! 

9. Sell Homemade Items

Etsy is an online marketplace that allows you to sell handmade, vintage, and unique items.

Customers are more likely to purchase from you if they can’t find your products anywhere else and if they know they are getting a well-made item.

The demand for unique, homemade, and customized products is growing, which makes selling on Etsy one of the best online side hustles to make extra cash. 

It’s important to note that Etsy charges a listing fee of $0.20 per item and a transaction fee of 5% of the sale price. Remember to factor these fees into the cost of your items when setting your prices.

10. Dog Walking and Pet Sitting

Are you an animal lover? If so, dog walking and pet sitting might be your perfect side hustle!

Not only will you get tons of exercise, but you’ll also be able to spend tons of time with some furry friends while making hundreds of dollars each week through Rover.

Consider offering a free consultation or meet-and-greet to get to know your clients and their dogs before you start working with them.

This extra personal touch will win over your customers, build a strong relationship and result in repeat clients, which means more money for you! 

11. Take Surveys

Taking surveys can be a simple and flexible way to earn extra money on the side.

Make sure you look for reputable companies that offer paid survey opportunities. Some popular options include Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and Vindale Research.

Remember – the more sites you sign up for, the more survey opportunities you will have.

Taking surveys will not likely provide a full-time income, but it can be a great way to earn additional money in your spare time!

12. Sell Digital Products

Selling digital products can be a great side hustle, as e-books, courses, software programs, or any other digital content are typically easier and cheaper to produce and distribute than physical products. 

Selling digital products is one of the simplest side hustles to start. You’ll need to create your digital product with various appropriate tools and software, such as Canva.

Creating these products may require some skill or expertise, depending on your product type.

There are many platforms for online courses, such as Thinkific and Skool, that will help to make your online course an evergreen selling machine! 

13. Food Delivery

From dinner orders to grocery drop-off, the demand for food delivery is at an all-time high, with people seeking convenience now more than ever.

Thanks to DoorDash and Uber, there’s an excellent opportunity to start a food delivery side hustle and earn thousands of extra dollars each month.

Food delivery requires no experience, and while it requires more time than some passive income side hustles, the extra cash is well worth the effort!

What is a Side Hustle?

Side hustles are a way to make extra money on the side, typically in addition to your full-time job or other primary sources of income.

Side hustles can take many forms, such as starting a small business, freelancing, or providing customer service or products.

Some people start side hustles to pursue a passion or hobby, while others do it to improve their personal financial situation, supplement their income or save for a specific goal.

There are many advantages to having a side hustle. For example, it can allow you to earn extra money, learn new skills, and increase your financial stability. Side hustles also give you a sense of accomplishment and make you more financially independent.

If you’re keen on starting a side hustle, here are some things may want to consider:

1. Think about what skills or knowledge you could use to create value for others.
2. Consider your goals and how much time and effort you will put into your side hustle.
3. Do some research to determine the market demand for the product or service you want to offer, and create a plan for how you will reach and serve your customers. 

Remember – the sky is the limit with unique side hustles, and there’s a whole world of opportunity waiting for you to make extra cash!