25 Best Side Hustles for Ambitious Teens

Starting a side hustle can be an amazing way for teens to start earning their own money outside of traditional jobs. Having a side gig teaches important skills like time management, marketing, responsibility and can help teens reach financial goals like saving for college or buying a car.

In this post, we’ll explore over 25 awesome side hustle ideas that enterprising teens can start today!

Profitable Side Hustle Ideas for Teens

Freelance Writing

One of the top skills that pays online is writing. Teens who enjoy writing can create various types of content including articles, blog posts, web copy, social media posts, and more.

Potential clients include small businesses, bloggers, marketing agencies, and online media outlets.

How to Get Started

• Create diverse writing samples on topics you’re knowledgeable about to showcase your skills.
• Sign up on freelancing sites like Fiverr to find freelance writing gigs that fit your skills.
• Build up great client feedback scores and reviews to gain more regular work.

Virtual Assisting

Every business needs administrative help with tasks like data entry, email management, appointment scheduling, customer service, and more. Offer your organizational skills to local or online businesses as a virtual assistant.

Make sure you’re proficient with email, document creation/editing, phone communication, and scheduling/calendar apps. Virtual assisting is one of the best remote side gigs since you can often set your own hours too.

Key Skills Needed

• Communication
• Time management
• Data entry
• Calendar management
• Microsoft Office/Google Docs
• Email correspondence
• Customer service

Tutoring

Helping others learn is extremely rewarding. Offer in-person or online tutoring in academic subjects you excel at like math, science, english, computer science, foreign languages, and more.

Tips for Getting Started:

• Create flyers and spread the word at your school and neighborhood to find local students.
• For online tutoring, list your services on platforms like Wyzant or Varsity Tutors.
• Set reasonable hourly rates based on your expertise level. Beginner tutors can charge around $15-20/hour.
• Make lessons interactive by incorporating fun games, videos, quizzes.

Pet Sitting/Walking

For any teen who loves animals, pet sitting is a flexible gig with low start up costs. Offer to walk dogs, play with cats, feed pets, or watch homes when owners are away.

To find clients, advertise locally with flyers and on neighborhood Facebook groups. Highlight your animal care expertise and offer meet-and-greets so owners can evaluate you first.

House and Lawn Work

Local homeowners often need help with house and lawn maintenance – including mowing lawns, gardening, cleaning gutters, and general handy tasks. These tasks may involve outdoor work and physical labor, but teens can earn great side income.

Make flyers describing your services and prices and deliver to homes nearby. Offer seasonal services like raking leaves in fall or shoveling snow in winter. Building up regular clients is key for steady work.

Selling Handmade Goods

Teens who enjoy arts, crafts, jewelry making, sewing, and more can sell their handmade creations.

How to Get Started:

• Set up your own online store on Etsy to sell your handmade goods.
• Take high quality product photos and create listings that look professional.
• Market your store on social media and tell friends and family.
• Consider selling locally at craft fairs and markets as well.

This can become a full-time business if you gain traction!

Babysitting

Babysitting is a classic way for teens to earn money – it’s a service that will always be in demand.

Key Tips:

• Take a babysitting course to learn skills like diaper changing, activity planning, safety protocols.
• Get CPR certified if possible.
• Create flyers marketing your services and availability.
• Ensure parents meet you first before hiring.
• Discuss pricing and availability upfront.
• Bring activity ideas to engage kids.

Photography

Offer beginner photography services to build skills and make money. Teens can provide headshots, senior portraits, event, product, or real estate photography.

Build a portfolio website showcasing your best work. Reach out directly to seniors, local businesses, real estate agents and wedding/event planners to see if they need photography services.

Resume Building

Many teens are learning how to create resumes for the first time. Offer your resume building services to create polished, professional resumes that stand out.

Stay up to date on modern resume best practices. Provide interview prep and LinkedIn profile services as well. Share tips on tailoring resumes and writing cover letters.

Social Media Management

Nearly every business needs social media help – creating content, engaging with followers, running ads, and more. Offer social media management to local businesses and nonprofits.

Familiarize yourself with each social platform and trends. Use tools like Hootsuite to manage multiple accounts efficiently. Offer services like:

• Content creation
• Community engagement
• Influencer outreach
• Social monitoring
• Paid ad management
• Reporting/analytics

Set reasonable fees based on workload.

Running Errands

For teens with access to reliable transportation, running errands for others can earn decent money. Pick up groceries, make returns, deliver packages, and anything else clients need.

Advertise your services through local Facebook groups and community boards. Be sure to get permission from parents before transporting others’ items.

Website and App Testing

Companies developing websites, apps, and software need help finding bugs before launch. Offer your services as a quality assurance tester to review software and identify issues.

Sign up on testing platforms like UserTesting.com. Provide clear, detailed reports with screenshots when you encounter app issues. This experience looks great on tech-focused resumes too.

Language Tutoring

If you’re bilingual or fluent in a foreign language, offer tutoring services to students looking to learn conversational skills, vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and more.

Tutor locally or use platforms like Preply and iTalki to find online students across the globe. Incorporate fun activities like videos, games, and quizzes.

Transcribing Audio

For fast typists, transcribing audio files into written documents is a great side gig. Opportunities include transcribing meetings, interviews, podcasts, and other recordings.

Platforms like TranscribeMe, Rev, and GoTranscript hire beginner freelance transcribers. This role requires excellent listening skills and accurate typing. Pay ranges from a few cents to $1 per audio minute based on speed and quality.

Creating Online Courses

Teens can create and sell their own online courses through learning platforms like Udemy and Skillshare. Choose skill topics where you have in-depth expertise like coding, design, academics, or hobbies.

Film videos or screen recordings presenting the course material. Write clear lesson plans and create downloadable materials. Promote your course heavily upon launch.

Affiliate Marketing

In affiliate programs, you earn commissions promoting other companies’ products or services on your website, social media, or other channels.

Find affiliate programs through companies, bloggers, Amazon Associates, etc. Only promote products you genuinely like and recommend. Use affiliate links so you get credited for resulting sales or leads.

Selling Stock Photos

Did you know you can earn royalties from your photos? Snap interesting, high-quality photos and upload them to stock photo sites like Shutterstock and iStockPhoto.

Use relevant keywords and descriptions so your photos come up in searches. The more downloads your photos get, the more passive income you’ll earn over time. Just be sure to understand proper licensing terms.

Garage Organization

Help neighbors organize and declutter their garages by offering services like:

• Building storage shelves
• Sorting through items
• Creating zones
• Disposing of trash

Ask neighbors if they need help getting their garage in order. Set fair hourly rates. Take safety precautions when moving heavy items and cleaning.

Tech Support

With the prevalence of modern devices and software, providing ad-hoc tech support is a valuable service. Help troubleshoot common issues on computers, phones, TVs, printers, and other technology.

Familiarize yourself with common tech problems people face. Offer remote support over the phone, email or chat. Charge hourly or fixed rates per service.

Moving Assistance

Local moving companies often need strong helpers for tasks like loading and unloading boxes and furniture. Hard work pays off with tips and cash pay at the end of the moving day.

Look tidy and professional. Carefully follow all instructions from the moving crew leader. Use proper lifting techniques to avoid injury when carrying heavy items like couches and appliances.

Reselling Items

Reselling thrifted and used items for profit is called flipping. Search local secondhand stores, yard sales, and listings for undervalued items.

Clean and repair items as needed. Take professional photos and write great descriptions to help items sell for more online. Sell through sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist or your own store.

Paid Online Surveys

Taking online surveys in your spare time can generate a little extra income. Register on survey sites like SurveyJunkie, Swagbucks, and InboxDollars to receive paid surveys by email ranging from 50 cents to $5 each.

The pre-screening surveys determine which surveys you qualify for based on your demographics and interests. Not every survey pays out, so read carefully to avoid wasting time. Reaching cash out minimums takes time, but it’s an easy way to earn money from home in your pajamas!

Starting a YouTube Channel

YouTube channels can earn money through Google AdSense by placing ads before and during videos. If your channel starts bringing in views and subscribers, you can apply for the YouTube Partner Program and begin monetizing content.

Come up with an engaging video niche and work hard to create regular videos. Promote your content on social media platforms like TikTok. Once you reach 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, you can begin making money through ads.

Car Detailing

Car detailing involves thoroughly cleaning and polishing the interior and exterior of vehicles. This can be a great side business for teens who enjoy hands-on work and taking pride in making cars look immaculate.

Tips for Getting Started:

• Learn proper techniques for washing, waxing, polishing, vacuuming, etc. Correct processes prevent swirl marks and damage.
• Gather necessary supplies – microfiber cloths, towels, cleaners, vacuums, brushes, etc. Buy good quality products.
• Start by detailing family/friend’s cars for experience and portfolio.
• Market detailing services on social media and list prices/services offered.
• Consider mobile detailing where you travel to clients.
• Take before-and-after photos to showcase your work.
• Offer packages like basic wash, full exterior detail, complete interior/exterior.

Music Lessons

Offering private or small group music lessons is a great way to share your musical talents while earning income. This is ideal for teens skilled at instruments like guitar, piano, violin, drums, vocals, or music production.

How to Get Started:

• Decide if you want to teach privately or in small groups.
• Set your hourly lesson rate based on experience.
• Determine what styles and skill levels you’re equipped to teach.
• Create flyers and business cards to promote your services.
• Reach out to local schools, youth programs, community centers to find students.
• Leverage social media and neighborhood groups to advertise lessons.
• Ensure you have the proper equipment/instruments needed.
• Develop fun lesson plans catered to each student’s ability.
• Make lessons engaging through songs, games, and encouragement!

---

Tips for Starting a Successful Side Hustle

Here are some top tips to help teens launch an effective side hustle:

• Pick something you genuinely enjoy – This makes it feel less like “work”! Play to your strengths and interests.
• Start small – Don’t take on too much at once. Grow your hustle over time.
• Be professional – Treat your side gig like a real business. Be reliable and deliver great service.
• Track finances – Keep income and expense records so you know your profit margins.
• Provide value – Over-deliver for clients to build a stellar reputation.
• Market yourself – Spread the word about your new business! Advertise online and locally.
• Be patient – Rewarding side hustles take consistent time and effort to build.

Legal Issues Teens Should Know When Starting a Side Hustle

• Minimum age requirements – Some side hustles like ridesharing services or freelance sites require you to be over 18 years old.

• Business licenses & permits – Your state/city may require certain business licenses especially if you operate out of a physical location. These often require being 18+.

• Tax requirements – You’ll need to report your income if you earn over $600 per year. Pay estimated quarterly income taxes to avoid penalties.

• Labor laws – There are federal and state labor laws regarding how many hours and what times teens under 16 can work.

• Transportation laws – You may need a driver’s license and proper insurance/registration if transporting goods or people for your business.

• Income disclosure – Minors may need to disclose earnings to parents for tax purposes. Be transparent to avoid issues.

• Safety considerations – Avoid door-to-door sales or entering strangers’ homes. Get parent permission before engaging with new clients.

• Contracts – As a minor, contract terms may not be legally binding. Have parents review any service agreements.

The main thing is to research relevant laws based on your business type and location. Consider asking parents for help navigating legal issues. With some guidance, teens can find great side hustle opportunities.

Conclusion

Starting a profitable side hustle takes motivation and effort but can set teens up for financial success. Choose an idea that fits your skills and something you actually enjoy doing. Market yourself professionally and deliver excellent service to build your reputation. Don’t spread yourself too thin—focus on quality over quantity as you get started.

The income from side gigs gives teens financial independence and flexibility. Plus, you gain valuable real-world experience running a business, satisfying clients, and managing time effectively. With some hustle, teens can run successful side gigs that allow them to achieve their money goals and pursue their passions.