- Steph Thompson is putting more effort into side gigs after finding success with them in helping her generate income during her studies.
- She has finished surveys, examined shops through secret shopping assignments, and marketed digital goods.
- She spoke with Business Insider about her most enjoyable experiences at work.
Many people are trapped in inflexible 9-to-5 positions . Others desire a more adaptable schedule and transition into freelancing. Steph Thompson, at 31 years old, enjoys blending both worlds. side hustles .
Thompson, residing in Australia, mentioned this. side gigs enabled her to be self-sufficient while she was enrolled in a one-year academic course.
She mentioned that during weeks with more availability, she could dedicate additional time to it, whereas when her schedule was packed, it wasn’t an issue since the side gigs would consistently be ready for her.
Between January 2024 and last month, she earned over $5,000 through various side gigs like taking surveys and getting involved in different projects. user-generated content , recommendations, and marketing digital goods. Thompson finished her course in November, and since then, she has been intensifying her part-time ventures. Numerous individuals maintain a primary employment alongside a secondary job, with certain part-timers focusing more seriously on their additional pursuits. Some of these part-time workers are stay-at-home parents hoping to earn some extra cash. Some individuals have left their jobs to concentrate on making additional income through side projects.
Thompson motivates individuals to seek out part-time work that aligns with both their passions and availability.
She stated, 'There will generally be something available for many individuals. You might need to search for it somewhat, but ultimately, you'll discover something that aligns with your character, matches your mind, and fits into your schedule.'
Here are some of the side projects Thompson has explored along with reasons why they could be appealing to others.
Assessing and examining goods and offerings
UserTesting, a platform claiming individuals can earn extra cash during their free time by assessing and giving feedback on various products and services, is among Thompson’s top picks. side hustles She earned more than $400 in the last twelve months through this platform.
Certain tasks might require providing input via video or audio recordings, whereas some could be simple surveys without needing such elements.
Karan Mavai, who serves as the vice president of product management at UserTesting, mentioned that "think-aloud tests" are the most favored type within their platform. He explained that participants express their thoughts verbally while they move through a digital interface, prototype, or app. According to Mavai, clients looking for insights receive a recording encompassing both the visual actions on-screen and the spoken comments provided during the test.
"Being on camera and interacting with individuals aligns well with who I am," Thompson stated regarding their work at UserTesting and involvement in market research. side hustles .
She is also fond of User Interviews, an avenue for sharing her opinions. This platform offers multiple methods to make money such as completing online surveys, joining focus groups, and participating in extended studies. Certain research projects necessitate the use of a webcam, whereas others might entail telephone conversations.
"Should you enjoy sharing your viewpoints on various topics, this could be the perfect side gig for you," Thompson stated.
She mentioned that the compensation can be quite generous; according to the platform, the typical payout exceeds $50 and is issued via gift cards. Thompson has earned some income through referring people to User Interviews and joining various studies. Her payouts have varied from about $10 for a 15-minute session up to around $50 for extended sessions. She noted that these chances often arise during standard working times, making this an ideal side hustle for those able to participate throughout the daytime.
Mystery shopping
Thompson indicated that mystery shopping is a method used for easy side gig To attempt this since you might discover chances via an application and swiftly commence a task. She earned six Australian dollars, roughly equivalent to four U.S. dollars, for one mission and AU$8 for another. These tasks entailed photographing the chocolate and confectionery sections of two separate shops to document their displays.
Thompson believes this additional job works well for those who frequently do their grocery shopping. She mentioned, "It’s a fantastic small addition to your daily routine without having to deviate much from your usual path to make some extra cash."
Digital products
Thompson has additionally made income through the sale of a meal planning template and a budget spreadsheet, both of which are digital products Over a period of seven months, she managed to earn approximatelyAUD$1,418from all her digital creations.
"What I created was initially meant for me, but then I thought, 'Actually, others might find value in this as well,' " she explained.
Ebooks , budget trackers, printable planners , and artwork can also be sold as digital goods. Thompson believes that having a sizable audience isn’t necessary when beginning to sell such items.
"I believe that following your interests will likely lead to better product development, as these creations stem from authentic passion," she stated.
Surveys
Thompson mentioned that although surveys can serve as a decent part-time job, she considers them dull. surveys While they aren't her top choices for side gigs, she has a fondness for two specific platforms: Prolific and the Australian platform Octopus Group.
Thompson mentioned that keeping an eye out for those that offer higher payouts generally makes it worthwhile to spend your time on these survey platforms.
Prolific’s website states that the lowest hourly wage for tasks starts at $8, though Prolific informed Business Insider that numerous researchers offer higher rates. According to Prolific, most studies typically last from five minutes up to thirty minutes.
Thompson thinks survey sites Would be perfect for someone looking to earn some additional income or who can't dedicate too much time to it.
She mentioned that it’s certainly not the highest-earning part-time job, but if you’re someone who can easily multitask between watching television and browsing your phone, then you’ll manage just fine.
Delivery
Although certain individuals might appreciate earning additional money from this activity, delivery jobs It could also involve reinvesting part of your earnings back into it. Thompson pointed out that for a delivery side gig, you’re probably accumulating higher expenses compared to other freelance choices since you have to account for fuel costs, vehicle upkeep, and additional expenditures.
One alternative for food delivery is through services like Uber Eats. Thompson believes that using Uber Eats could be enjoyable for those who like driving. She mentioned it can serve as a supplementary job that’s relatively simple to begin once you clear the background verification process. However, she feels it may not be as advantageous now compared to previous times.
She mentioned that she hasn’t been doing it much over the past one or two years since the compensation has noticeably dropped below what would justify the time and effort involved, particularly with alternative opportunities present.
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