What's the easiest way to become an online tutor?

Identify a skill or subject you excel at that others, particularly younger individuals or those pursuing specific goals (like medical school entrance exams), need help with. Sign up for online tutoring platforms or language exchange sites like iTalki.

Can I build a website for clients without coding?

Yes, you can use no-code website builders like Squarespace, Wix, or learn WordPress. Focus on a niche market, like orthodontists, and build a portfolio by offering services to them.

How can I consult for businesses on social media if I'm young?

Leverage your natural understanding of social media platforms. Businesses run by older demographics often need help. Offer consulting services, starting with advice and potentially moving to full social media management for a retainer fee.

What is Notion consulting and how can I do it?

Notion consulting involves helping businesses streamline operations and create standard operating procedures using the Notion app. Learn Notion through online tutorials and offer your services to local businesses looking to improve their workflow systems.

What kind of writing services are in demand for freelancers?

Businesses and creators need clear, concise content for websites, blogs, social media, and marketing materials. You can offer services like writing blog posts for SEO, converting video content into articles, or creating tweet threads.

How can I create passive income with a newsletter?

Start a paid email newsletter by offering valuable, niche content that subscribers are willing to pay for. The speaker mentions this as a side hustle and directs viewers to interviews on Nebula for more details.

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7 Side Hustles You Can Start This Year

Ali Abdaal

Education4 min read23 min video

Feb 16, 2022|1,503,478 views|56,335|1,481

Ali Abdaal Ali abdal passive income how to make passive income how to make money online making money online side gigs how to make money passive income ideas passive income 2021 make passive income how to make money on youtube

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Seven side hustles explained: video editing, tutoring, web design, social media consulting, Notion consulting, writing, and paid newsletters.

Key Insights

Video editing for YouTubers can be started by learning skills online and using the "permissionless apprentice" model.

Online tutoring leverages existing knowledge to help others, with platforms like iTalki offering conversational practice.

Niche website design, focusing on specific industries like orthodontists, can be a profitable strategy.

Social media consulting leverages generational knowledge for businesses, with potential for retainer-based services.

Notion consulting helps businesses streamline operations and workflows using the Notion app.

Freelance writing for businesses and creators focuses on clarity and can be initiated through the "permissionless apprentice" approach.

Paid email newsletters offer a way to monetize content, with further resources available on Nebula.

VIDEO EDITING FOR YOUTUBERS

Becoming a video editor for YouTubers is an accessible side hustle. The skills required can be learned in a weekend through online tutorials or courses. To find clients, one can post on freelance platforms like Fiverr or Upwork, or proactively reach out to YouTubers. A highly effective strategy is the 'permissionless apprentice' model: edit a YouTuber's existing content as an example, then offer to edit a free video for them to showcase capabilities before discussing paid services. This approach, along with good communication, helps stand out in a crowded market. While easy to start and earn the first hundred dollars, it's time-intensive as it's a service-based model.

ONLINE TUTORING AND LANGUAGE PRACTICE

Online tutoring leverages existing knowledge to help others, making it a viable side hustle. The core idea is that if you've mastered a subject or skill, there's likely someone younger or less experienced who can benefit from your guidance. This can range from academic subjects to language learning. Platforms like iTalki allow native English speakers to earn money simply by conversing with individuals seeking to improve their English. While requiring a foundational skill, no formal teaching qualifications are necessary if one is good at explaining concepts. It's relatively easy to start and earn initial income, but it is also time-intensive due to the hourly nature of the work.

NICHE WEBSITE DESIGN

Website design is a valuable skill that can be learned relatively quickly using no-code platforms like Squarespace, Wix, or WordPress. The key to success in this niche is specialization. Instead of targeting all potential clients, focus on a specific industry or group, such as orthodontists. By mastering the needs and common website requirements of this niche, you can offer tailored solutions. This approach allows for efficiency in building subsequent websites for similar clients. While it may be challenging to secure the first client, once established, earning potential increases, though it remains a time-intensive service-based model unless a productized offering like website themes is developed.

SOCIAL MEDIA CONSULTING FOR BUSINESSES

Social media consulting capitalizes on the digital fluency of younger generations, who often possess greater understanding of social media platforms than older business owners. Many businesses require a strong online presence but lack the expertise or time to manage it effectively. Offering advice on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn can be a starting point. This can evolve into retainer-based services where you provide ongoing strategy and management. The key is to target businesses, as they are more likely to have the budget for such services compared to individuals. This can be time-efficient due to the use of scheduling and content creation tools.

CREATING NOTION TEMPLATES AND CONSULTING

Notion has emerged as a powerful tool for organizing business processes, internal wikis, and standard operating procedures. Becoming a Notion consultant involves learning the app and understanding business workflows to help companies streamline their operations. This service is valuable for small to medium-sized businesses that may lack structured systems. Similar to other consulting roles, it's about offering a valuable service to businesses willing to pay. While easy to learn Notion through online resources, securing initial clients might require offering services at a lower rate or even for free to build a portfolio. The time commitment can vary from part-time work to developing it into a full-time venture with courses and packages.

FREELANCE WRITING FOR BUSINESSES AND CREATORS

Businesses and creators often need clear, concise written content for websites, blogs, social media, and marketing materials. Freelance writing, distinct from academic writing, focuses on clarity and practical communication. Targeting businesses with websites that could benefit from content marketing, such as orthodontists creating blog posts about dental procedures, is a viable strategy. Larger YouTubers also require writing support for tasks like research, article creation, and repurposing video content into other formats. Initiating this hustle can involve a "permissionless apprentice" approach, offering to write sample content for potential clients to demonstrate skill and value.

PAID EMAIL NEWSLETTERS AND PLATFORM ACCESS

Starting a paid email newsletter is another side hustle option, though detailed discussion was deferred due to video length. For those interested in content creation and monetization, platforms like Nebula offer exclusive content, including interviews with successful writers and entrepreneurs. Access to Nebula, along with its extended content, can be obtained through a subscription to Curiosity Stream. This bundle provides a wealth of documentary content and creator-focused material, offering further insights into building online businesses and brands.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Software & Apps

●Companies

●People Referenced

7 Side Hustles You Can Start This Year

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Learn skills online for free (video editing, web design, Notion, social media basics).

Use the 'permissionless apprentice' model: create sample work for potential clients using their content.

Specialize in a niche for services like web design (e.g., for orthodontists) or consulting.

Focus on businesses as clients; they have money and need services.

Leverage your existing knowledge for online tutoring if you can explain concepts well.

Build templates or themes once and sell them multiple times for passive income.

Use scheduling tools like Buffer to manage social media efficiently.

Communicate professionally and read briefs carefully on freelance platforms.

Avoid This

Don't expect easy money; all methods require an exchange of value.

Don't target individuals without disposable income for business-related services.

Don't rely solely on inbound leads; be proactive in reaching out to potential clients.

Avoid generic services; niche down to stand out.

Don't get discouraged by initial client acquisition challenges.

Common Questions

Learn video editing skills over a weekend using free online tutorials and software. Then, identify YouTubers (around 20k-250k subscribers) and offer your services, perhaps starting with a free edited sample of their content to showcase your abilities.