Welcome back to Ftalk! In this blog post, we will dive into the top side hustles you can engage in to earn extra income in Nigeria while maintaining your 9-5 job or to replace it. This post includes sources where you can learn the skills required to take on this side hustle. Check out our previous post on how to register your business with CAC in Nigeria.
Note: Some links are promotional, and we might get a token when you interacts with them
What is a side hustle?
A side hustle is a business you run in your free time, which allows you to pursue what you are most interested in. It is an avenue to delve into different areas of your life that might not be finding expression in your day-to-day workspace. Activities you are passionate about – whilst keeping your day job.
Why you should have side hustles as a Nigerian.
In Nigeria, it’s not a foreign concept to have a side hustle. ~88% of Nigerians either have a complementary job or operate their own business. However, When picking a side hustle, choose something that doesn’t interfere with your main job. Think about what you’re good at to find ideas for making extra cash.
Having a side hustle can offer numerous benefits that can positively impact both your personal and professional life. Here are several reasons why you should consider having a side hustle:
Additional Income:
The most obvious benefit of a side hustle is the extra income it can generate. This can be particularly useful for paying off debts, saving for big purchases, or investing for the future. A side hustle can help you rise above inflation and increase your earnings.
Diversification of Income:
Relying solely on a single source of income can be risky especially in a country like Nigeria. A side hustle can provide an additional income stream, reducing your financial vulnerability if you were to lose your primary job. This is particularly true if you work a contractual job.
Skill Development:
A side hustle can be an opportunity to learn new skills or deepen existing ones. This can make you more marketable in your primary job or open up new career opportunities.
Personal Growth:
Managing a side hustle requires discipline, time management, and problem-solving skills. Over time, this can contribute to your personal growth and self-confidence.
Passion Projects:
A side hustle can be a way to pursue a passion or interest that you may not be able to explore in your regular job. This can add more fulfillment and satisfaction to your life.
Business Ownership:
A successful side hustle has the potential to grow into a full-time business, providing you with long-term financial and personal rewards.
Put your free time to use:
Utilizing your free time for a side hustle encourages better time management and productivity. It pushes you to prioritize tasks, set goals, and allocate specific blocks of time for focused work, which can spill over into other areas of your life.
What can make or break your side hustle goals in Nigeria?
You are not sure why you are doing it:
Understand why you want to start a side hustle. Whether it’s financial freedom, personal development, or pursuing a passion, having a clear purpose can motivate you during challenging times. Establish specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals for your side hustle. This will help you stay focused and track your progress over time.
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You lack the required skills:
Invest in acquiring new skills and knowledge relevant to your side hustle. This could involve taking online courses, attending workshops, or reading books and articles related to your industry.
Depending on your side hustle, you may need to develop technical skills such as digital marketing, website development, graphic design, or financial management.
You suck at time management
Learn to prioritize tasks effectively and focus on activities that will have the greatest impact on your side hustle. Use tools and techniques like time blocking, to-do lists, and project management software to stay organized.
Time Management for Nigerian Students
You quit before you hit
Consistency is key to success in a side hustle. Dedicate regular time each week to work on your side hustle, even if it’s just a few hours. Over time, consistent effort can lead to significant progress and results.
Side hustle can be challenging and unpredictable. Develop resilience to overcome setbacks, learn from failures, and persevere in pursuing your goals.
5 SIDE HUSTLES YOU CAN START RIGHT AWAY.
Virtual Assistance:
Virtual assistants are online helpers who assist people with their daily tasks. They handle administrative jobs such as organising schedules, managing calendars, planning travel, and doing research.
Working as a virtual assistant means you do your job from a distance, helping clients remotely. You can work with multiple clients and earn a good income based on the amount of work you take on. Get started here for Virtual assistant Training
Social Media Management:
With the surge in digital marketing, businesses increasingly rely on social media management to boost online sales, enhance brand visibility, and establish a strong online presence. If you have skills in this area, you can turn it into a consistent source of extra income.
To excel as a social media manager, you must be adept at creating content and understand the workings of various social media platforms. Before securing your first job, you can hone your skills by experimenting with your personal social media accounts, using them as a showcase of your capabilities.
Then, you can approach businesses, offering to help them manage their online presence. Building a strong portfolio and reputation will increase your chances of landing paid gigs, which you can find on platforms like LinkedIn, Fiverr, Terawork, and others. Click here to enroll and embark on your journey to becoming a top-notch Social Media Manager
Affiliate marketing
I’m certain you’ve encountered financial apps that offer rewards for referring friends using your unique code. Affiliate marketing operates in a similar fashion. You promote products to others and earn commissions based on your sales performance.
To succeed in affiliate marketing, you must possess effective marketing and sales abilities to persuade people to purchase a product/service through your affiliate link. With just a mobile phone and internet access, you can reach a broad audience interested in the product and earn significant commissions as agreed upon with the seller.
The Ultimate Guide to Making Money with Email Marketing
Freelance Writing
If you have a knack for writing, freelance writing can be a profitable side gig. From crafting articles and blog posts to marketing copy and short ebooks, there’s high demand from individuals and businesses to connect with their audience. Plus, you don’t necessarily need a laptop; a phone will do just fine.
Begin by exploring job boards or freelance platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr to find writing opportunities. With effective time management, you can seamlessly integrate freelance writing alongside your primary job. Start here for a comprehensive course on Affiliate Marketing
Make money from anywhere writing on Medium
Graphic Designing
Graphic design is a sought-after skill for businesses of any scale, requiring captivating visuals for social media, event promotions, brand messaging, and beyond. As a creative individual, graphic design can serve as a lucrative side hustle opportunity.
To begin your journey as a graphic designer, you can acquire skills from platforms like Udemy or Coursera, and practice using tools such as Canva and Adobe Photoshop.
Next, develop your portfolio by volunteering for design projects or working on personal initiatives. Showcase your work on platforms like Behance to attract paid opportunities. Start Learning Graphic Designing Now
Conclusion
Starting a side hustle in Nigeria offers many opportunities for extra income. Whether it’s virtual assistance or affiliate marketing, there are diverse options to explore. Success comes from planning, perseverance, and using your skills and networks. With determination, anyone can turn a side hustle into a thriving venture and achieve their goals in Nigeria’s changing economy.
Beginning a side hustle can be challenging, and you might not succeed on your first try. But stay patient, concentrate, and plan—it’ll happen!
If you need further assistance on any of the ideas here, buzz us on our socios or shoot us a mail at hey@ftalk.space and we will be happy to help.
Till next time.
Cheers ❤️
