A Detailed Guide to Starting a Digital Marketing Side Hustle in 2024 (+ 12 Hot Ideas)

Imagine sitting at your favorite café, sipping a latte, and running a successful side business right from your laptop. No more grueling commutes or rigid schedules—just you, your creativity, and the digital world at your fingertips. This is the allure of a digital marketing side hustle. Today, I’ll talk about what digital marketing hustle is, why it’s so important, the best side hustles you can start in this field, and how to get started. Plus, I’ll share some personal experiences and field insights to give you a real taste of the possibilities. So, let’s get started!

Key Takeaways

Digital marketing involves using online channels like social media, search engines, and websites to promote products or services. It encompasses various strategies such as SEO, content marketing, and social media marketing, aiming to connect with audiences where they spend their time—online.

Digital marketing side hustle offers significant earning potential compared to other side hustles, with roles like freelance writers earning up to $29.32 per hour and UX designers up to $97,426 annually. Learning opportunities are abundant, allowing individuals to acquire in-demand skills that can lead to full-time employment.

The beauty of digital marketing side hustles lies in their variety. From social media management and content creation to SEO and user experience design, there’s a niche to suit almost any skill set and interest.

Digital marketing side hustles offer the flexibility of remote work, allowing individuals to work from anywhere and manage their schedules. This flexibility, combined with the potential for high earnings and continuous skill development, makes digital marketing an attractive option for those looking to supplement their income or transition into a new career path.

What is Digital Marketing?

Digital marketing, in simple terms, is the use of digital channels such as search engines, social media, email, and websites to promote products or services. It encompasses a variety of tactics and strategies, including SEO (Search Engine Optimization), content marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, and more. Essentially, it’s about connecting with your audience where they spend most of their time—online.

What’s a Digital Marketing Side Hustle?

Any business that wants to thrive needs advertising, and now that the majority of the world is online, digital marketing is king. That is not to suggest that traditional marketing has died out, while its expansion has slowed in some areas. For example, it is expected that B2B professionals will reduce traditional advertising approaches by 3.64% by 2024.

A digital marketing side hustle is when you do specialized digital marketing tasks for firms as part-time work (usually through freelancing).

For example, if you’re a skilled graphic designer, you can earn money online by creating logos, infographics, general visuals for videos/websites, and banner ads. Once you’ve built a portfolio and secured a few clients, you’ll have a legitimate digital marketing side hustle.

Since most of these side hustles require freelancing, it is typical to hunt for digital marketing work on freelancer marketplaces such as:

FreeUp. Whether you specialize in cold calling, copywriting, or web design, you’ll find work in FreeUp’s thriving marketplace. All skill levels are welcome, and there are separate rates for beginners and experts.

Upwork. Upwork is currently the largest freelance marketplace online, with plenty of digital marketing opportunities accessible. However, it is tough to establish traction on Upwork, which is worth considering.

iWriter. Specifically for copywriters, this marketplace connects clients with content writers of diverse skill levels, making it a suitable option for both beginner and experienced writers.

Why Should You Consider a Digital Marketing Side Hustle?

Are you worried about committing to something on the side?

If so, your reluctance is understandable. After all, we’re talking about taking on extra work, something most people don’t look forward to, especially if you already work 9 to 5. However, before you decide that becoming a human couch cushion is your new side business, you should consider the benefits of a digital marketing side hustle. See infographics below:

#1. Earning Potential

One of the most important benefits of pursuing digital marketing as a side hustle is the amount of money you can make. For example, freelance UX designers can earn up to $97,426 per year, while content marketers and copywriters can make up to $150,000. Regardless of the approach you take, digital marketing side gigs tend to pay a lot more than other side hustles.

#2. Learning Opportunities

There is no disadvantage to learning a new skill, and digital marketing skills are always in demand. Whether you decide to start managing social media accounts or creating content, you’ll be learning the ins and outs of vital skills that could lead to full-time employment in the future.

#3. Lots of Demand with Diverse Opportunities

Digital marketing services are in high demand from organizations across all industries, so there is plenty of work available. Beyond that, the prospects are incredibly wide, ranging from SEO to user experience design, among others. As a result, you’ll be able to combine skills as needed (like learning WordPress design while writing content for clients).

#4. Work from Home

Instead of wearing out the car making deliveries, start a digital marketing side hustle from the comfort of your own couch. As previously mentioned digital marketing activities can easily accomplished online, giving you more flexibility than other side businesses (such as food delivery).

As you can see, digital marketing side gigs have numerous appealing benefits. If you want to increase your marketing education while working from home, consider digital marketing side hustles.

Best Digital Marketing Side Hustle Ideas

Digital marketing is a relatively complex industry with numerous sub-niches. This means that when looking for your first job, you must first understand your skills and interests.

Personally, I’ve made money from various digital marketing side hustles and online jobs throughout the years. But specialization has helped me get higher-paying clients and earn more money. However, if you’re just getting started, any of these lucrative digital marketing side hustles are well worth looking into.

#1. Become a Freelance Writer

Freelance writing is one of the most adaptable side hustles for today’s entrepreneurs. While generative AI tools like ChatGPT are impacting the market’s trajectory, there are still opportunities for anyone with the proper plan and expertise.

Freelance writers can provide different types of content, from website copy, PPC ad content, social media posts, email templates, and video scripts. Regardless of the type of content you specialize in, you can earn a good living in this industry, with an average hourly pay of roughly $29.32 in the United States. Becoming a freelance writer is also rather simple. If you want to make a good living, you’ll need to improve your skills.

#2. Become a Digital Marketing Specialist

Similar to the freelance writing industry, digital marketing provides a diverse set of opportunities. You can collaborate with businesses and clients on various projects, including Search Engine Marketing (SEO), social media advertising, and more.

The average annual salary for digital marketing in the United States is roughly $72,000, indicating that you can make a good living even if you just work part-time.

With the correct tools, skills, and resources, you can establish your digital marketing job from anywhere, including your own home. Developing your career as a digital marketing specialist might be time-consuming because you will be expected to wear numerous hats in your role.

#3. Become an SEO Freelancer

Working as an SEO freelancer can provide numerous benefits to people with skills in both digital marketing and content creation. Search engine optimization is one of the most in-demand skills in marketing.

SEO specialists in the United States earn approximately $57,589 per year, collaborating with businesses to develop search engine strategy, content, and marketing campaigns.

As an SEO freelancer, you will have complete control over your pricing strategies, the services you provide, and the clients you work with. You can focus on on-page SEO, off-page SEO, technical SEO, keyword research, competitive analysis, or a combination of these strategies.

#4. Start Blogging For Money

Creating your own blog can be a significant step in developing other types of digital marketing side hustles. It will allow you to connect with clients as a freelance writer, affiliate, or SEO consultant while also providing you with a place to practice your skills.

However, you can make money from your blog. If you know how to rank your site for commercial intent keywords and reach a large audience, you can make a lot of money by displaying ads on your site.

Blogging is a good digital marketing side hustle choice because it appeals to a diverse group of creatives. You can write about anything, from fashion to travel, and yet generate money by collaborating and connecting with the right businesses.

#5. Start an Affiliate Marketing Business

Affiliate marketing is another excellent option to consider if you want to start a profitable digital marketing side hustle. The benefit of affiliate marketing is that you can make a passive income. After you’ve created fantastic content and optimized it for search engines, you can use it to continually attract new customers to other businesses.

According to various research, the average annual pay for an affiliate marketer in the United States is approximately $55,202. However, if you understand which product to market and how to connect with your target audience, your profit potential is endless.

Customers are increasingly ignoring traditional advertisements in favor of recommendations from industry insiders when deciding what to buy. Affiliate marketing allows you to earn money by promoting products that clients might be interested in on your website, social media platforms, and even in videos.

#6. Start a YouTube Channel

YouTube is the world’s second-largest search engine and is an ideal platform for digital marketers wishing to start a side hustle. The site attracts billions of active users each month and provides creators with a variety of monetization methods.

The benefit of using YouTube as a digital marketing side hustle platform is that you’ll have various options to earn money.

You can invest in affiliate marketing, promote other firms’ products, sell your own products or merchandise, or earn money through sponsorships. You can even use YouTube to increase traffic to your own website.

#7. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is another digital marketing side hustle that has gained prominence in recent years. Its like to print on demand, is the practice of selling products to customers without ever handling inventory or shipping yourself. This is because when you make a sale, you buy the product from the manufacturer and have it shipped directly to your buyer.

Back in college, I created a Shopify dropshipping store. It generated one sale, but I was unable to break even between Facebook Ads and product costs.

However, dropshipping can be extremely profitable. I appreciate the business model since it allows you to quickly test new products and focus on advertising and conversion rate optimization without having to worry about shipping and logistics.

How to Start a Digital Marketing Side Hustle

Here’s a step-by-step guide to starting your digital marketing side hustle:

#1. Identify Your Niche

What aspect of digital marketing excites you the most? Identifying your niche helps you focus your efforts and become an expert in that area. When I started, I chose content creation and SEO because of my love for writing and data analysis.

#2. Build Your Skills

Take advantage of online courses, webinars, and tutorials to build your digital marketing skills. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and HubSpot Academy offer excellent resources. I spent countless hours on these platforms learning the ins and outs of SEO and content marketing.

#3. Create a Portfolio

Showcase your skills by creating a portfolio of your work. If you’re just starting, consider offering your services for free or at a reduced rate to build up your portfolio. My first few projects were for friends and family, but they provided valuable experience and testimonials.

#4. Set Up a Website

Having a professional website is crucial for showcasing your services and attracting clients. Use platforms like WordPress or Wix to create a simple, yet professional-looking site. My website not only displayed my portfolio but also helped me rank for local SEO services in my area.

#5. Network and Market Yourself

Join online communities, attend industry events, and network with other professionals. Use social media to market your services and connect with potential clients. LinkedIn has been a game-changer for me, connecting me with clients and other professionals in the industry.

#6. Offer Value

Provide value to your clients by delivering high-quality work and excellent customer service. Word-of-mouth referrals can be powerful, so always strive to exceed expectations. One satisfied client led to multiple referrals for my social media management services.

#7. Stay Updated

Digital marketing is a rapidly evolving field. Stay updated with the latest trends, tools, and best practices. Subscribe to industry blogs, attend webinars, and take part in online courses. I regularly read blogs like Moz and HubSpot to stay ahead of the curve.

Starting a digital marketing side hustle was one of the best decisions I made. It allowed me to explore my passion for marketing, gain practical experience, and generate additional income. One memorable project was creating a comprehensive digital marketing strategy for a local startup. Seeing their business grow and succeed because of my efforts was incredibly rewarding.

Want to land your first digital marketing client, but feeling overwhelmed by the process? Imagine the satisfaction of securing a dream freelance gig and launching your marketing career. This FREE downloadable checklist simplifies the journey, guiding you through each crucial step. Don’t miss out on this valuable resource – download your checklist today and start attracting clients!

Download Checklist

Can I do digital marketing as a side hustle?

Yes, you can definitely pursue digital marketing as a side hustle! Many people successfully manage digital marketing projects alongside their full-time jobs or other commitments.

How can I make extra money with digital marketing?

There are several ways you can make extra money with digital marketing, whether as a side hustle or as a part-time endeavor. Here are some effective strategies to consider:

Freelance digital marketing services
Affiliate marketing
Create and sell digital products
Consulting or coaching
Social media management
Content writing or blogging
Digital advertising campaigns
SEO services
Virtual assistant services
E-commerce marketing

To succeed in making extra money with digital marketing, it’s essential to showcase your skills, build a portfolio of successful projects, stay updated with industry trends, and continuously improve your knowledge and expertise.

What is the most profitable type of digital marketing?

Determining the absolute most profitable type of digital marketing is tricky. It depends on several factors, including:

Your skills & experience
Client niche
Campaign goals

However, some general contenders for high profitability in the digital marketing landscape include:

Performance Marketing (Pay-Per-Click or PPC)
Affiliate Marketing
SEO Consulting

How to make money in digital marketing with no experience?

The world of digital marketing offers exciting opportunities even for those with no prior experience. It might take some dedication and hustle, but here’s a roadmap to get you started making money:

Identify your niche & skill sweet spot
Build your foundational knowledge
Gain practical experience
Package your skills & start hustling
Continuous learning is key

Can I work remotely as a digital marketer?

Yes! In fact, the remote work revolution has made digital marketing one of the prime fields for location-independent careers.

Conclusion

Digital marketing side hustles offer a fantastic opportunity to explore your creativity, build new skills, and generate extra income. Whether you’re managing social media accounts, creating content, or optimizing websites for search engines, the possibilities are endless. So, are you ready to start your digital marketing side hustle? What niche will you dive into first?