17 Best Side Hustles for Teens to Start in 2024: If you are looking for Side Hustles to make money as a teenager? We’ve got 17 amazing side hustles that can help you to make money without the hassle of a regular job. From going viral on social media to selling custom merch, these money making ideas are perfect for teens who want to earn extra money and build their own business.
17 Best Side Hustles for Teens to Start in 2024
- Snapchat Spotlight
- Affiliate Marketing
- Reselling
- T-Shirt (Print-on-Demand)
- Fortnite Streamer
- Investment App Rewards
- Editing
- Curb Painting
- AI Homework Helper
- School Tutor
- Landscaping
- Shutterstock
- Pet-Sitting
- Dropshipping
- Social Media Influencer
- Freelance Writer
- Graphic Designer
1. Snapchat Spotlight
If you have used then you may know what Snapchat Spotlight is. Snapchat Spotlight is a feature that allows users to share short, entertaining videos with the Snapchat community. If your video goes viral and gets a ton of views, Snapchat will pay you based on the number of views. Some users have made hundreds of thousands of dollars from a single viral video.
You have to create funny, relatable, or trending content that people want to watch and share. Things like pranks, skits, reactions, or even just random moments from your life can become huge hits. Use creative editing, effects, and transitions to make your videos stand out.
To get started, simply open Snapchat and tap on the Spotlight icon. From there, you can record and edit your video before submitting it to the Spotlight feed. The more views you get in that crucial first 24-hour window, the higher your potential earnings.
2. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a way to earn commissions by promoting other companies’ products or services. You have to register yourself as an affiliate for a brand or company, and they give you a unique tracking link. When someone clicks your link and makes a purchase, you earn a percentage of the sale.
The good thing about affiliate marketing is that you can promote almost any type of product from clothing and jewelry to tech gadgets and online courses. Popular affiliate programs include Amazon Associates, ClickBank, and CJ Affiliate.
To get started, sign up for affiliate programs in your niche or area of interest. You can then promote those products on your website, social media channels, or even through word-of-mouth. Be sure to disclose that you’re using affiliate links and only recommend products you genuinely believe in.
3. Reselling
Reselling is all about buying products at a low cost and then selling them at a higher price for a profit. As a teen, you can source items like snacks, school supplies, or even clothing and accessories from wholesalers or retailers, and then resell them to your classmates or local community.
You have to find products that are in high demand and offer them at a competitive price point. You can use social media, word-of-mouth, or even set up a small store in your locker or backpack to sell your wares.
Just be sure to follow any rules or regulations set by your school or local authorities regarding reselling activities. And always prioritize quality and customer satisfaction to build a loyal following.
4. T-Shirt (Print-on-Demand)
With the help of Teespring and Printful, you can design and sell custom t-shirts without having to worry about inventory or shipping. Simply create your design and then set up your online store, and start promoting your products.
The good thing about this side hustle is that you can do all these things in virtually any niche or interest – from sports teams and fandoms to inside jokes and memes. Encourage your friends, classmates, or social media followers to purchase your unique designs.
To stand out, consider offering a wide range of apparel options beyond just t-shirts, such as hoodies, tank tops, or even phone cases and accessories. And don’t be afraid to get creative with your designs – the more unique and eye-catching, the better.
5. Fortnite Streamer
If you’re a pro gamer, particularly in popular games like Fortnite, you can turn your passion into a lucrative side hustle by live-streaming your gameplay on platforms like TikTok or Twitch.
As you build a following of loyal viewers, they may choose to support you through donations, subscriptions, or even sponsorships from gaming companies or brands. But for this, you have to consistently provide entertaining and engaging content that keeps people coming back.
In addition to showcasing your impressive gaming skills, consider adding entertaining commentary, interacting with your viewers, or even collaborating with other popular streamers to cross-promote each other’s channels.
6. Investment App Rewards
Many investment apps like Webull, Robinhood, or Acorns offer sign-up bonuses or free stock rewards to attract new users. And the best part? You don’t even need to be an active investor to claim these rewards!
Simply sign up for the app using a referral link or promo code, and follow the instructions to claim your free stocks or bonus cash. Some apps may require you to make a small initial deposit (as little as $5 or $10), but it’s a small price to pay for essentially free money.
Once you’ve claimed your rewards, you can choose to hold onto the stocks or cash them out immediately. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even use the funds to start building your investment portfolio!
7. Editing
In the last few years social media content creation, and video editing skills have been in high demand. If you are interested in editing videos, whether it’s for TikTok, YouTube, or even professional projects, you can offer your services to influencers, businesses, or anyone in need of quality video content.
Start by building a portfolio of your best work, showcasing your ability to seamlessly blend footage, and add transitions, special effects, and audio elements. You can then reach out to potential clients or list your services on freelancing platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.
As you gain more experience and build a solid reputation, you can command higher rates for your editing services. Consider specializing in a particular niche or style to set yourself apart from the competition.
8. Curb Painting
Curb painting, or painting house numbers on the curb in front of a home, is a simple but often overlooked service that can be a lucrative side hustle. Not only does it help emergency services locate addresses more easily, but it also adds a touch of curb appeal to a property.
To get started, you’ll need to invest in some basic supplies like stencils, high-quality paint (preferably reflective), and brushes. Then, go door-to-door in your neighborhood, offering your curb painting services at a reasonable rate (typically $20-$50 per address).
As you build a reputation for quality work and customer satisfaction, you can start increasing your rates and potentially even hire a crew to help you handle larger volumes of work.
9. AI Homework Helper
If you’re tech-savvy and have a knack for using AI tools like ChatGPT or other language models, you can offer your services to help fellow students with their homework assignments or even take tests on their behalf (ethically, of course).
Start by letting your classmates know about your AI expertise and willingness to assist them with their academic work. You can charge a reasonable fee per assignment or offer package deals for regular clients.
Just be sure to maintain academic integrity and avoid any forms of cheating or plagiarism. Your goal should be to use AI as a tool to help students better understand the material, not to simply provide them with completed work without any effort on their part.
10. School Tutor
If you are doing well in your academic subjects, then you can share your knowledge and help others by becoming a tutor. Schools, community centers, and even individual families are often willing to pay for quality tutoring services to help students improve their grades or prepare for exams.
Start by identifying the subjects you’re most proficient in and comfortable teaching. Then, reach out to your school’s guidance counselor, post flyers in your community, or even advertise your services on local classifieds or social media groups.
As a tutor, your responsibilities will involve reviewing course materials, explaining concepts clearly, providing practice exercises, and offering encouragement and support to your students. With patience and a passion for teaching, you can make a real difference in someone’s academic journey – and get paid for it!
11. Landscaping
Landscaping and yard work is a classic side hustle that never goes out of style. From mowing lawns and trimming hedges to raking leaves and planting flowerbeds, there’s always a demand for reliable, hardworking individuals to keep properties looking their best.
To get started, you may need to invest in some basic equipment like a lawnmower, trimmer, and gardening tools. However, you can often borrow or rent these items initially to keep your overhead costs low.
Once you have the necessary gear, start canvassing your neighborhood or local community, offering your landscaping services at competitive rates. As you build a solid reputation and client base, you can consider expanding your services or even hiring a crew to help you handle larger jobs.
12. Shutterstock
If you love photography then you can turn your passion into a side income by uploading your photos to stock image websites like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock.
These platforms are constantly in need of high-quality, royalty-free images on a wide range of subjects, from nature and landscapes to lifestyle shots and conceptual imagery. Whenever one of your photos is downloaded and licensed by a customer, you’ll earn a portion of the sale.
To get started, create an account on your preferred stock photography platform and upload your best images. Be sure to keyword them properly and provide accurate descriptions to increase their visibility in searches.
While the payouts per image download may seem small at first, they can add up as your portfolio grows and your photographs gain more exposure.
13. Pet-Sitting
If you love animals then you can turn it into a profitable side hustle by offering pet-sitting services in your local community. As a pet sitter, you’ll be responsible for caring for people’s pets (typically dogs and cats) while they’re away from home, whether it’s for a few hours or an extended period.
Your duties may include feeding, exercising, administering medication (if needed), and providing plenty of love and attention to the pets in your care. You can offer your services through word-of-mouth, local classifieds, or even dedicated pet-sitting platforms like Rover or Care.com.
Not only is pet-sitting a great way to earn some extra cash, but it’s also an opportunity to spend quality time with animals – a win-win for any animal lover!
14. Dropshipping
Dropshipping is an increasingly popular e-commerce business model that allows you to sell products without ever having to handle or store any inventory.
In dropshipping, you partner with suppliers who ship products directly to your customers on your behalf.
As a dropshipper, your role is to create an online store (using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce), curate a selection of products to sell, and handle marketing and customer service.
When a customer places an order, you simply forward the order and shipping details to your supplier, who then fulfills the order and ships it directly to the customer.
While dropshipping requires some initial effort to set up your online store and build relationships with reliable suppliers, it offers the potential for significant earnings with relatively low overhead costs and minimal inventory management.
If you already have a good number of followers on social media then this will be very easy for you.
15. Social Media Influencer
If you have a strong social media presence then you can easily convert it into real income opportunities.
If you’ve already built a good following on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, you can leverage that audience to earn money through influencer marketing.
Brands are always on the lookout for influencers with engaged followings to help promote their products or services.
As an influencer, you can partner with these brands to create sponsored content, and product reviews, or even become a brand ambassador.
The key to success as a social media influencer is to cultivate an authentic, relatable brand and consistently produce high-quality content that resonates with your audience.
As your following grows, so too will your earning potential through sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and even your merchandise sales.
16. Freelance Writer
If you love storytelling and have a strong command of language then you can turn your writing skills into a lucrative side hustle by offering your services as a freelance writer.
You can write blog posts, social media captions, and marketing materials. Businesses and individuals are always in need of fresh, compelling content.
To get started, create a portfolio showcasing your best writing samples and build an online presence through platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or even your own personal website or blog. You can then bid on writing projects or pitch your services directly to potential clients.
As you gain more experience and build a solid reputation, you can command higher rates and even specialize in specific niches or writing styles making it an ideal side hustle for busy students or those with other commitments.
17. Graphic Designing
Graphic design skills are in high demand across a wide range of industries. If you have a talent for creating visually appealing designs, illustrations, or graphics, you can offer your services as a freelance graphic designer.
Potential clients may include businesses in need of logos, branding materials, or marketing collateral, as well as individuals seeking custom designs for events, merchandise, or personal projects.
To get started, build a portfolio showcasing your best design work and create an online presence through platforms like Behance, Dribble, or your website.
You can then bid on design projects, offer your services through freelancing sites, or even approach local businesses directly with your services.
As you gain more experience and refine your skills, you can become an expert in specific areas of graphic design, such as branding, web design, or even animation and motion graphics.
Final Thoughts
These 17 side hustles offer a diverse range of opportunities for teens to earn money, gain valuable skills, and explore their entrepreneurial spirit.
From going viral on Snapchat to doing pet-sitting, these money-making ideas are perfect for teens who want to take control of their finances. So, what are you waiting for? Pick your favorite hustle and start working.
