Learn how to start a blogging side hustle and freelance side hustles step by step, including platforms, tools, pros and cons, and weekly/monthly earning potential.
Blogging Side Hustle and Freelance Side Hustles: Step-by-Step Guide to Making Money Online
Starting a blogging side hustle is one of the best ways to build long-term online income, but it is not the fastest way to make money. That is why the smartest strategy is to combine blogging with freelance side hustles. Blogging can build traffic, authority, affiliate income, and digital product sales over time, while freelancing can bring in cash much faster.
A blogging side hustle can turn into a real online business when you treat it like a content asset instead of just writing random posts. Freelancing can help you earn money while your blog grows. Together, they can become a powerful income system.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, writers and authors had a median annual wage of $72,270 in May 2024, while graphic designers had a median annual wage of $61,300. That does not mean every beginner will earn that right away, but it shows that writing, content, design, and digital skills have real market value.
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com
What Is a Blogging Side Hustle?
A blogging side hustle is when you create a website and publish helpful content to attract readers from Google, social media, Pinterest, Reddit, YouTube, or email marketing. Once people visit your blog, you can make money through ads, affiliate links, sponsored content, digital products, services, and email offers.
Unlike freelancing, blogging usually does not pay immediately. You may spend weeks or months building content before money starts coming in. But the upside is that one good blog post can keep bringing traffic and income for months or years.
How a Blogging Side Hustle Makes Money
A blog can make money through:
- Display ads
- Affiliate marketing
- Sponsored posts
- Digital products
- E-books
- Online courses
- Email marketing
- Consulting
- Freelance services
- Product reviews
For example, if your blog is about side hustles, you can write posts about money-making apps, business ideas, tools, equipment, digital products, freelancing, and beginner guides. Then you can link to affiliate tools, sell your own e-books, or offer services.
Internal link idea: Add a link to your HustleSetup post “How to Turn a Side Hustle Into a Real Business.”
What Are Freelance Side Hustles?
Freelance side hustles are services you sell to clients without being a full-time employee. You get paid for your skill, time, or project. A freelancing side hustle can be done from home, from your phone, or part-time after work.
Popular freelance side hustles include:
- Blog writing
- SEO writing
- Copywriting
- Graphic design
- Logo design
- Website setup
- WordPress help
- Social media management
- Video editing
- Virtual assistant work
- Resume writing
- Email marketing
- Pinterest management
- AI content editing
- Local business marketing
Freelancing is usually faster than blogging because you can get paid as soon as a client hires you. Blogging is slower but can scale bigger over time.
Blogging Side Hustle vs Freelancing Side Hustle
| Category | Blogging Side Hustle | Freelance Side Hustle |
|---|---|---|
| Startup cost | Low to medium | Low |
| Speed to first money | Slow | Faster |
| Best for | Long-term income | Short-term cash flow |
| Skills needed | SEO, writing, website setup | Service skill |
| Income style | Traffic-based | Client-based |
| Scalability | High | Medium to high |
| Risk | Takes time | Client competition |
The best move is to use freelancing to make money now and blogging to build long-term income.
Best Platforms for Blogging Side Hustles
1. WordPress
WordPress is one of the best platforms for building a real blogging side hustle because you control your website, content, SEO, design, and monetization. This is usually better than only posting on social platforms because you own the asset.
What you need:
- Domain name
- Hosting
- WordPress theme
- SEO plugin like Rank Math
- Email opt-in form
- Blog categories
- Internal linking plan
Earning potential:
Beginner: $0–$500/month
Growing blog: $500–$3,000/month
Established blog: $3,000–$10,000+/month
Pros:
- You own the site
- Can rank on Google
- Can add affiliate links
- Can sell e-books
- Can collect emails
Cons:
- Takes time
- Requires SEO
- Needs consistent posting
- Not instant money
Internal link idea: Add a link to “Top Money-Making Apps That Pay Daily.”
2. Medium
Medium can be used as a blogging side hustle platform because you can publish articles without building your own website. Medium’s Partner Program rewards writers for stories read by paying Medium members, and writers must meet eligibility requirements before applying.
What you need:
- Medium account
- Clear writing niche
- Consistent publishing schedule
- Strong headlines
- Stories that keep people reading
Earning potential:
Beginner: $0–$100/month
Consistent writer: $100–$1,000/month
Strong writer with viral articles: $1,000+/month
Pros:
- Easy to start
- No website needed
- Built-in audience
- Good for testing topics
Cons:
- You do not fully own the platform
- Income depends on Medium’s rules
- Harder to build your own brand than WordPress
3. Substack
Substack is good for writers who want to build an email newsletter around a specific topic. You can write free posts, paid newsletter posts, or use it to send traffic back to your main blog.
What you need:
- Newsletter topic
- Weekly email plan
- Free value content
- Paid content offer
Earning potential:
Beginner: $0–$200/month
Growing newsletter: $200–$2,000/month
Strong niche newsletter: $2,000+/month
Pros:
- Email-first platform
- Good for loyal readers
- Can sell paid subscriptions
- Easier than managing a full website
Cons:
- You still need traffic
- Paid subscribers take time
- Works best with a strong niche
Best Freelance Side Hustle Platforms
1. Upwork
Upwork is one of the biggest freelance platforms for writers, designers, marketers, developers, virtual assistants, and consultants. A basic freelancer account is free, while Freelancer Plus is a paid option; Upwork states that talent service fees can range from 0% to 15% per contract.
https://www.upwork.com/resources/is-upwork-free?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Best services to sell:
- Blog writing
- SEO articles
- WordPress setup
- Social media posts
- Virtual assistant tasks
- Email copy
- Website edits
Step-by-step:
- Create your Upwork profile.
- Pick one main service, not ten random services.
- Add a clear title like “SEO Blog Writer for Small Business Websites.”
- Create 2–3 portfolio samples.
- Apply to beginner-friendly jobs.
- Send short, custom proposals.
- Get your first review.
- Raise your price after every few good reviews.
Earning potential:
Beginner: $100–$500/week
Intermediate: $500–$2,000/week
Advanced: $3,000+/week
Pros:
- Huge client base
- Good for remote work
- Built-in payment system
- Many categories
Cons:
- Competitive
- Platform fees
- Need strong proposals
- Beginners may need lower pricing at first
2. Fiverr
Fiverr is a gig-based marketplace where freelancers list services and clients buy packages. Fiverr’s help center covers seller setup, gig creation, earnings, and payout management, and Fiverr’s payment terms are updated regularly.
Best services to sell:
- Blog post writing
- Logo design
- YouTube thumbnails
- Resume writing
- SEO keyword research
- Social media captions
- Website banner design
- Product descriptions
Step-by-step:
- Create a Fiverr seller profile.
- Build one focused gig.
- Use a keyword title like “I will write SEO blog posts for your business.”
- Add 3 package levels: Basic, Standard, Premium.
- Use strong gig images.
- Offer fast delivery only if you can handle it.
- Ask buyers clear questions before starting.
- Deliver quality work and ask for honest feedback.
Earning potential:
Beginner: $50–$300/week
Intermediate: $300–$1,500/week
Advanced: $2,000+/week
Pros:
- Easy to list services
- Clients can find you
- Good for productized services
- Great for thumbnails, writing, design, SEO, and editing
Cons:
- Competitive
- Reviews matter a lot
- Low-price buyers can be difficult
- You need strong gig images and keywords
3. Freelancer.com
Freelancer.com is another freelance marketplace where clients post projects and freelancers bid on them. Freelancer’s own fee page says fixed-price projects carry a fee of 3% or $3, whichever is greater, and hourly projects carry a 3% fee on each payment from the client side; freelancers should always check the current fee page before pricing work.
Best services to sell:
- Writing
- Data entry
- Graphic design
- Website help
- Research
- Virtual assistant work
- Excel tasks
Step-by-step:
- Create a profile.
- Choose 1–2 categories.
- Upload samples.
- Bid on small projects first.
- Avoid jobs with unclear requirements.
- Deliver fast and build reviews.
Earning potential:
Beginner: $50–$300/week
Intermediate: $300–$1,000/week
Advanced: $1,500+/week
Pros:
- Many project types
- Good for beginners
- Quick job browsing
Cons:
- Heavy competition
- Some low-budget clients
- Need to read job posts carefully
4. Contra
Contra is a freelance platform built around independent creators and portfolios. Contra says it is commission-free for creatives, with optional paid plans and client-side contract fees depending on the payment setup.
Best services to sell:
- Branding
- Web design
- Copywriting
- Social media
- Portfolio-based creative work
- Consulting
Step-by-step:
- Create a Contra profile.
- Build a clean portfolio.
- Add services with clear deliverables.
- Share your Contra profile on LinkedIn, Reddit, and your blog.
- Use it as a professional landing page for freelance offers.
Earning potential:
Beginner: $100–$500/week
Intermediate: $500–$2,000/week
Advanced: $3,000+/week
Pros:
- Portfolio looks professional
- Commission-free model for creatives
- Good for premium service positioning
Cons:
- May require self-promotion
- Not always as much job volume as bigger marketplaces
- Best if you already have samples
5. LinkedIn Services
LinkedIn Services lets professionals showcase services and connect with people looking for help. LinkedIn describes its services area as a way for clients to find trusted providers for different scopes of work and communicate directly with them.
Best services to sell:
- Resume writing
- LinkedIn profile optimization
- Business writing
- Consulting
- Marketing
- Social media management
- Website services
Step-by-step:
- Optimize your LinkedIn headline.
- Turn on your services section.
- Post helpful content 3–5 times per week.
- Connect with small business owners.
- DM people with value, not spam.
- Offer a small starter package.
Earning potential:
Beginner: $100–$500/week
Intermediate: $500–$2,500/week
Advanced: $3,000+/week
Pros:
- Professional audience
- Great for higher-paying clients
- Builds trust faster than random platforms
- Good for B2B services
Cons:
- Requires networking
- Takes time to build visibility
- You need a professional profile
6. ProBlogger Jobs
ProBlogger Jobs is a writing job board where companies post blogging, article writing, and content jobs. The job board includes freelance, contract, part-time, and full-time opportunities.
Best services to sell:
- Blog writing
- SEO content
- Niche articles
- Ghostwriting
- Editing
Step-by-step:
- Check the job board daily.
- Apply fast when a good job appears.
- Send 2–3 relevant writing samples.
- Keep your email short and direct.
- Follow up after a few days.
Earning potential:
Beginner: $100–$500/week
Intermediate: $500–$1,500/week
Advanced: $2,000+/week
Pros:
- Writing-focused
- Better than random job boards
- Good for blog writers
Cons:
- Competition
- Fewer jobs than large platforms
- You need writing samples
Best Freelance Side Hustles to Start
1. Blog Writing
Blog writing is one of the best freelance side hustles because businesses need articles for SEO, websites, newsletters, and content marketing.
What you need:
- Writing samples
- Basic SEO knowledge
- Google Docs
- Grammarly or editing tool
- Research skills
Beginner offer:
“I write SEO blog posts for small businesses that need helpful, easy-to-read content.”
Pricing:
Beginner: $30–$75 per article
Intermediate: $100–$300 per article
Advanced: $500+ per article
Weekly potential:
1 article/week: $50–$300
5 articles/week: $250–$1,500
Monthly potential:
Beginner: $300–$1,000
Intermediate: $1,000–$4,000
Advanced: $5,000+
Pros:
- Easy to start
- Works with a blogging side hustle
- Builds writing skills
- Can turn into retainers
Cons:
- Takes practice
- AI content has increased competition
- Need to learn SEO
2. SEO Blog Optimization
What you need:
- Rank Math knowledge
- Keyword research
- Internal linking skills
- Meta title writing
- Image alt text writing
- Basic WordPress editing
Services to offer:
- Optimize old blog posts
- Add internal links
- Write meta descriptions
- Fix heading structure
- Add FAQ sections
- Improve image names and alt text
Pricing:
Beginner: $25–$75 per post
Intermediate: $100–$250 per post
Advanced: $500+ per full content audit
Monthly potential:
Beginner: $300–$1,000
Intermediate: $1,000–$3,000
Advanced: $5,000+
Pros:
- Businesses need this
- Easier than writing from scratch
- Can sell monthly packages
Cons:
- Need proof/results
- SEO takes time
- Must avoid fake ranking promises
3. Social Media Management
Small businesses need help posting on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.
What you need:
- Canva
- Caption writing
- Posting schedule
- Basic analytics
- Content calendar
Services:
- 12 posts/month
- 20 posts/month
- Reels captions
- Hashtag research
- Content repurposing
Pricing:
Beginner: $200–$500/month per client
Intermediate: $500–$1,500/month per client
Advanced: $2,000+/month per client
Pros:
- Recurring income
- Easy to package
- Works with many industries
Cons:
- Clients expect results
- Can become time-consuming
- Need consistency
4. Virtual Assistant Work
Virtual assistant work is one of the easiest freelance side hustles for beginners.
Services:
- Email management
- Scheduling
- Data entry
- Research
- Uploading blog posts
- Customer service
- File organization
Pricing:
Beginner: $15–$25/hour
Intermediate: $25–$50/hour
Advanced: $50+/hour
Monthly potential:
5 hours/week at $20/hour = $400/month
10 hours/week at $25/hour = $1,000/month
20 hours/week at $30/hour = $2,400/month
Pros:
- Beginner-friendly
- Many businesses need help
- Can become steady monthly work
Cons:
- Time-for-money
- May require availability
- Can involve repetitive tasks
5. Graphic Design
Graphic design can include logos, flyers, social media graphics, YouTube thumbnails, blog images, and e-book covers. BLS reported graphic designers had a median annual wage of $61,300 in May 2024, showing that design skills have strong professional value.
What you need:
- Canva or Adobe tools
- Portfolio samples
- Eye for layout
- Basic branding knowledge
Services:
- Blog featured images
- Pinterest pins
- YouTube thumbnails
- E-book covers
- Logo concepts
- Social media templates
Pricing:
Beginner: $10–$50 per design
Intermediate: $75–$250 per design
Advanced: $500+ per branding package
Pros:
- Visual work sells well
- Can create templates
- Good for Fiverr
Cons:
- Competitive
- Clients may ask for many revisions
- Portfolio matters
6. Website Setup / WordPress Help
Many small businesses need a simple website but do not know how to set it up.
Services:
- WordPress setup
- Theme installation
- Homepage layout
- Contact page setup
- Blog setup
- Basic SEO plugin setup
- Speed plugin setup
Pricing:
Beginner: $250–$750 per site
Intermediate: $1,000–$3,000 per site
Advanced: $5,000+ per site
Pros:
- Higher-ticket service
- Businesses understand the need
- Can bundle SEO and maintenance
Cons:
- More responsibility
- Clients may need support
- Requires technical confidence
How to Combine Blogging and Freelancing
The smartest system is:
- Start your blog.
- Publish helpful posts.
- Use your blog as proof.
- Offer freelance services connected to your content.
- Use freelance income to fund your blog.
- Use blog traffic to get clients.
Example:
You publish a post called “How to Start a Blogging Side Hustle.”
At the end, you add:
“Need help setting up your blog or optimizing your posts? Contact HustleSetup for blog setup, SEO optimization, and content planning.”
Now your blog is not just content. It becomes a lead machine.
30-Day Step-by-Step Action Plan
Week 1: Pick Your Niche and Service
Choose one blogging niche and one freelance service.
Good combinations:
- Blogging about side hustles + freelance SEO writing
- Blogging about local businesses + website setup
- Blogging about personal finance + blog writing
- Blogging about home services + social media management
- Blogging about digital products + Canva design
Week 2: Build Proof
Create:
- 3 sample blog posts
- 1 service page
- 1 portfolio page
- 1 contact page
- 1 simple offer
Example offer:
“I help small business owners write and optimize blog posts that are easy to read, keyword-focused, and structured for Google.”
Week 3: Join Platforms
Create profiles on:
- Upwork
- Fiverr
- Contra
- LinkedIn Services
- ProBlogger Jobs
Use the same niche and offer across every platform.
Week 4: Get Clients
Daily routine:
- Send 5 proposals
- Comment on 5 LinkedIn posts
- Apply to 3 writing jobs
- Improve 1 blog post
- Post 1 helpful tip on social media
By the end of 30 days, your goal is not to be rich. Your goal is to get proof, samples, traffic, and your first paying client.
Best Blog Post Ideas for This Niche
Use these on HustleSetup:
- Blogging Side Hustle: How to Start From Zero
- Freelance Side Hustles That Pay Beginners Fast
- Freelancing Side Hustle Ideas You Can Start From Home
- Best Platforms for Freelance Writers
- How to Make Money Writing Blog Posts
- How to Use Fiverr to Sell Blog Writing Services
- Upwork Proposal Examples for Beginners
- How to Turn Blog Writing Into a Real Business
- Best Digital Skills to Sell Online
- How to Build a Freelance Portfolio With No Clients
- How to Turn a Side Hustle Into a Real Business
- Top Money-Making Apps That Pay Daily
- Side Hustles for Students Using Only a Phone
- Flexible Side Gigs That Pay Fast
- Work From Home Side Hustles for Students
- Side Hustles From Home for Moms
FAQ
Is blogging a good side hustle?
Yes, blogging is a good side hustle if you are willing to publish consistently, learn SEO, build traffic, and monetize with ads, affiliate links, services, and digital products. It is not instant money, but it can become a long-term online asset.
What are the best freelance side hustles?
The best freelance side hustles include blog writing, SEO optimization, graphic design, social media management, virtual assistant work, WordPress setup, video editing, and resume writing.
Is freelancing better than blogging?
Freelancing is usually better for fast money. Blogging is better for long-term income. The best strategy is to do both.
How much can a blogging side hustle make?
A beginner blog may make $0–$500 per month at first. A growing blog can make $500–$3,000 per month. A strong niche blog can make $3,000–$10,000+ per month, but results depend on traffic, monetization, niche, and consistency.
How much can freelance side hustles make?
Beginner freelancers may make $100–$500 per week. Intermediate freelancers can make $500–$2,000 per week. Advanced freelancers with strong skills and repeat clients can make $3,000+ per week.
What is the easiest freelancing side hustle to start?
Virtual assistant work, blog writing, Canva design, and social media content are some of the easiest freelancing side hustles to start because they do not require expensive equipment.
What platforms should beginners use?
Beginners can try Upwork, Fiverr, Contra, LinkedIn Services, Freelancer.com, ProBlogger Jobs, Medium, WordPress, and Substack.