The word ‘introvert’ is often bandied around as a synonym for shy or even socially awkward. And while introverts can have shy tendencies, often preferring to spend quiet time alone, being an introvert doesn’t mean social or business ineptitude. Here are five joyful side-hustles that will set introverts up for success.
Let’s be honest here, many of us would love a little extra income each week or month. You may want to have holidays, enjoy time with your friends and family, and find that your career is just not bringing in enough money to let you do all of these things. Your job may not even be something that you love or enjoy, and it certainly may not be paying you as much as what you think that you are worth. Perhaps you find the hectic office environment overwhelming? It might not be what you want to do, but you do what you gotta do, right? After all, we all have bills to pay and commitments to maintain. It might be that as an introvert you are yet to find the environment or role that fills you with joy and suits your energy.
There is always time to find a side-hustle that brings you joy, even if we think we don’t have any time to spare. There are always changes you can make, even if you think you do all that you can. With all of that in mind, here are some suggestions to help you make more money with a side-hustle that will suit your introverted tendencies.
Side-Hustle OR Self-Employed?
When it comes to earning more money often the answer can be to go it alone. In a study from Intuit, 63%, of self-employed women polled identified as introverts, compared to 37% who identify as extroverts. It’s understandable that this can be a scary prospect to go it alone. Leaving a secure wage and trying to make something out of nothing. However, many do take that leap of faith and go on to be hugely successful. Being fully self-employed might suit your needs better, particularly if you feel an office or hectic working environment is not right for you. Take some time to think about things like the daily tasks, role expectations, office culture, and team dynamics when you consider a career path. Make lists of pros and cons before deciding if you’d rather just have a side-hustle to work in tandem with your full-time job or take the leap of faith and become fully self-employed.
“There’s zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas.”
– Susan Cain
1. Delivering
There are things that can be done to help your business idea become a success, and cutting out the middleman can often increase your earning potential. You could start with just a van and delivery option for a business idea, this article ‘10 Sites to Help You Become an Expert in Van Hire Purchase’ could help with that. It all starts with an idea! You could run a fleet of drivers, matching up drivers to delivery jobs online. Alternatively you could buy a van and go it alone. Operating as a lone delivery driver is a great option for introverts as it means lots of time alone on the road. You could offer your services via websites such as Shiply.
2. Accountant
If you’d rather spend time with numbers and spreadsheets than people, then becoming a freelance accountant might be your perfect side-hustle. If you love managing finances, taking time to analyse numbers and outgoings then being an accountant might be that joyful side-hustle you’ve dreamt of. Perfect, if you’re detailed orientated and love identifying changes that could be made to improve profits. The money is good too, particularly around tax return time!
3. Online Nutritional Advisor
We all have habits that we develop, especially when it comes to food. If you love meal planning and cooking from scratch instead of using convenience foods, you could learn about nutrition and offer your services online. This can be an excellent way to help others stay healthy and experiment with your own recipe ideas. You could even offer a food delivery for clients in your local area. Planning their meals and delivering them, helping them to avoid takeaway and convenience options throughout the week. This kind of 1-1 client relationship will suit most introverts.
4. Blogging
Another great way you can boost your income would be to look at creating a website or a blog. There will be something that you are passionate about or have experience in, and you may want to share with the world exactly how you dealt with it. Maybe sharing your fitness journey or experiences of parenting, there are blogs and websites about pretty much anything these days. Blogging can be an excellent way for introverts to share their voice creativity and love of writing. And you can get a slice of the action. Start by creating content and working on your blog as a hobby. In time this will develop into something more and you can then be able to monetise it. You could use things like google ads from the start. Other ways you can monetise the blog is through sponsored content, reviews and advertising campaigns. More brands want to deal with real people who have engaged and organic following. This could be you.
5. Sell Clothing Online
We all have homes that will have a few, if not more, items in them that we no longer want, need or use. Yet we just store them away in cupboards, drawers, lofts, attics and sheds. Now is the time to start selling them and clearing your home or unnecessary items. This can be very profitable on platforms like eBay and could be an excellent way to boost your income quickly. Clearing your home of clutter can be profitable and clear your mind, reducing anxiety and sparking joy!
“The secret to life is to put yourself in the right lighting. For some, it’s a Broadway spotlight; for others, a lamplit desk. Use your natural powers — of persistence, concentration, and insight — to do work you love and work that matters. Solve problems, make art, think deeply.”
– Susan Cain
Use your spare time wisely
Finally, we all have a bit of spare time that we could put to good use wether you consider yourself an introvert or not. Maybe you like the idea of online side hustles that can be done from your computer while you are watching TV in the evening. Filling out online surveys or website testing, for example. You could also consider things like mystery shopping, where you get paid a fee for services as well as money towards anything you may have to spend. If you’re an introvert and would love to learn more about what it means and how to harness your own power, pick up a copy of Susan Cain’s Quiet: The Power Of Introverts In A World That Can’t Stop Talking
