A digital marketing side hustle is a flexible and lucrative way to earn extra income by leveraging online marketing skills. The need for digital marketing skills is rising as businesses focus more on strengthening their online presence. Whether managing social media accounts, creating compelling content, or running targeted advertising campaigns, the digital marketing industry provides various opportunities for those looking to boost their income.
ReliableSoft reports that freelance digital marketing can be a beneficial career path – the average hourly rate for U.S. freelance digital marketers is approximately $28, with experienced professionals commanding significantly higher fees.
Reading this article, you will learn more about digital marketing side hustles and their core components, and you will discover practical ideas for getting started. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional looking to expand your skills, a side hustle in digital marketing can provide you with additional income and help you enhance your experience. Check out the best digital marketing side hustle ideas and choose the new path to develop your career!
- Affiliate Marketing
- Email Marketing
- SEO Marketing
- Content Marketing
- Social Media Marketing
- PPC Marketing
- Web Design and Development
What is Digital Marketing Side Hustle?
A digital marketing side hustle can be defined as a part-time job where you perform specific tasks for businesses to generate additional income, alongside your primary job or business. Engaging in such ventures requires specific digital marketing skills (in at least one of the niches), e.g., SEO optimization, content writing, or social media management.
Digital marketing side hustles involve mostly freelance services. The concept involves leveraging online platforms and marketing skills to establish additional, scalable, and location-independent income streams. Individuals often focus on specific industries where they have expertise, utilizing freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to offer services.
Digital marketing side hustles are attractive due to their flexibility and low entry barriers. Freelancers can not only earn more money but also build a portfolio, increase experience, and develop their skills, which can be an excellent foundation for transitioning to full-time jobs in the digital marketing industry.
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Is Digital Marketing a Good Side Hustle?
Yes, digital marketing can be a beneficial side hustle due to its earning potential and high demand for qualified specialists in the industry. Upwork data indicates that the median hourly rate for digital marketing services ranges from $15 to $45. The demand for roles such as social media managers, content creators, and SEO experts continues to grow, providing ample opportunities for side hustlers.
Digital marketing side hustles offer flexible work hours, making them ideal for those balancing a full-time job. Freelancers don’t have to invest excessive amounts in setting the required toolkit. Essential tools like content management systems, social media platforms, and free SEO tools allow beginners to get started without significant expenses. Additionally, a side hustle in digital marketing provides perfect opportunities to develop new skills, which can benefit those planning to start a full-time job as a digital marketer.
How to Start a Digital Marketing Side Hustle?
To start a digital marketing side hustle, consider digital marketing types and choose the one you want to work with – learn core skills required in this field, like SEO, social media management, or content marketing. You can leverage free resources or courses from platforms like HubSpot. Then choose a niche based on your interests or expertise, such as local businesses or e-commerce.
The next important step is to create a portfolio. For this purpose, you can offer services to friends, small businesses, or nonprofits at discounted rates. Then, to attract clients, focus on building a solid professional presence on LinkedIn and freelance platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr.
Good advice for beginners is to start by offering services at a lower price and collecting testimonials and referrals. A key factor significantly influencing freelance success in digital marketing is the ability to stay current with the latest trends and best practices in the field. This ongoing effort to stay updated is essential for continuously enhancing your services.
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Digital Marketing Side Hustle Ideas for Marketers
Digital marketing offers many opportunities for side hustles – from content creation and social media management to SEO, PPC advertising, and email marketing, there are numerous ways to earn additional money, even for beginners. Discover 7 popular side hustle ideas for marketers and check out which align with your skills and interests.
1. Affiliate Marketing Side Hustle
Affiliate marketing is a popular side hustle that offers great passive income opportunities. It involves promoting other businesses’ products or services on your own blog, social media accounts, YouTube channels, or websites by sharing a unique affiliate link. Each time someone purchases or completes a specific action through this link, the affiliate earns a percentage of the sale or a flat fee.
This side hustle requires a low initial investment and has the potential to grow, making it attractive to both newcomers and experienced marketers. The best option to start this side hustle is to sign up for affiliate programs – there are plenty of opportunities, e.g., Amazon Associates. Achieving success in affiliate marketing hinges on selecting the right niche, cultivating a loyal audience, and producing valuable, genuine content that drives conversions.
2. Email Marketing Side Hustle
Email marketing is a digital marketing strategy used by 82% of marketers worldwide, according to GetResponse statistics. It gives a lot of side hustle opportunities as business owners need specialists skilled in email campaign creation and optimization.
Email marketers craft compelling newsletters and promotions, analyze campaign performance, segment audiences, and implement A/B testing to optimize results. This hustle requires skills in copywriting, design, and analytics, as well as familiarity with tools like Mailchimp or Klaviyo.
You can start a career as an email marketing freelancer by offering services to small businesses or building your portfolio through personal projects. Success depends on your ability to create engaging content, grow email lists, and analyze campaign performance for improvements.
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3. SEO Marketing Side Hustle
Choosing a side hustle as an SEO consultant can be profitable, as search engine optimization is a top priority for most businesses. This means that the demand for skilled SEO professionals is vast – as a freelancer, you can provide services to various firms, which can be a great source of additional income.
SEO consultants assist businesses in improving their website’s visibility in search engine rankings. This involves thoroughly analyzing the website’s structure, understanding the user’s search intent, conducting keyword research, and fine-tuning technical SEO elements like site speed and mobile compatibility. As a freelance SEO consultant, you should focus on specific niches to differentiate yourself in a competitive market.
However, this digital marketing side hustle requires strong analytical skills, proficiency with tools such as Google Analytics and Ahrefs, and a strong understanding of current search engine algorithms, so newbies in digital marketing can find it challenging. On the other hand, the SEO marketing side hustle is scalable and in high demand, so it’s worth the effort.
4. Content Marketing Side Hustle
If you enjoy creating content and your writing skills are strong, consider freelance writing as a potential side hustle. Content marketing is a massive industry, projected to reach a staggering $2 trillion by 2032 (Allied Market Research), which suggests working as a copywriter offers excellent earning potential.
A content marketing side hustle involves creating and distributing valuable, relevant content to help businesses attract and retain their target audience. Copywriting is also a form of content marketing, but it relies on creating SEO-optimized content whose main role is to persuade users to take the desired action more than only boost their engagement. For example, eCommerce companies hire copywriters skilled at writing compelling product descriptions.
5. Social Media Marketing Side Hustle
Every business strives to establish a strong social media presence. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X boast millions of users, making them excellent marketing channels for reaching target audiences effectively. However, growing social media accounts to increase brand awareness, boost audience engagement, and drive sales effectively requires a professional approach and takes time – that’s why businesses invest in hiring social media specialists.
A social media marketer’s side hustle involves digital marketing tasks like creating attractive social media posts, engaging with followers by responding to comments and messages, developing a content calendar to plan and schedule posts, and analyzing engagement metrics to optimize content strategy.
This role is beginner-friendly, allowing those with basic social media understanding to start a freelance career. Achieving success in this field relies on a blend of creativity, consistency, and a solid grasp of analytics to drive results effectively.
6. PPC Marketing Side Hustle
PPC marketing side hustle can be quite a good opportunity for additional income for those with the knowledge and skills needed to run paid campaigns. As highlighted by WebFX, 65% of small to mid-sized businesses utilize PPC advertising campaigns – they need skilled professionals to help them manage campaigns and ensure their investment in online ads turns into revenue.
A PPC marketing side hustle involves creating and managing campaigns where businesses pay a fee each time someone clicks on their ad. This job requires skills in keyword research, PPC copywriting, and campaign optimization. PPC marketers have to be familiar with platforms like Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and social media channels. The goal is to target specific audiences, drive traffic, and increase sales.
To build experience, you can start by managing small campaigns for local businesses or personal projects. Success in this side hustle requires strong analytics skills and consistent learning to keep current with trends and deliver results efficiently.
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7. Web Design and Development Side Hustle
If you are proficient with design tools, coding languages, and website development platforms, you can start a side hustle in web design and development. Each business wants to build a solid online presence, and for this purpose, a well-designed website is a must – web designers are in high demand, making it one of the popular side hustles.
However, nobody hires a designer without a convincing portfolio – you can build one by designing websites for friends, nonprofits, or personal projects. To reach first customers, leverage social media and promote your services on platforms like Fiverr. This hustle offers flexibility and high earning potential as businesses seek professional websites to enhance their online presence. While it can be a lucrative career, web design isn’t suitable for everyone – it demands creativity, technical expertise, and a commitment to creating responsive, SEO-optimized websites.
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Digital Marketing Side Hustle Ideas for Beginners
Digital marketing provides numerous side hustle opportunities, catering not just to seasoned professionals but also newcomers eager to build their portfolios and improve their skills in specific areas such as content writing and social media campaigns.
Depending on their interests, beginners can offer blog writing or copywriting services, focusing on creating SEO-friendly content to help businesses rank higher on search engines. Another excellent side hustle idea for entry-level marketers is email marketing – they can build email lists and optimize content for engagement.
Those with strong analytics skills can provide basic SEO services, such as keyword research, on-page optimization, and local SEO for small businesses, or run PPC ads for businesses using various digital channels to drive traffic and conversions.
Other digital marketing side hustles for beginners include social media management, where the main tasks involve creating and scheduling posts, engaging with followers, and running basic ad campaigns. Affiliate marketing is also a great opportunity for extra income for those who have a blog, YouTube channel, or well-prospering social media account and would like to monetize their audience.
These ideas require minimal upfront investment and can scale as experience grows. With free tools and resources, everyone can start a digital marketing side hustle to build skills and generate additional income.
Digital Marketing Side Hustle Ideas for Students
Digital marketing offers flexibility and allows for remote jobs, so students can benefit from side hustles in this industry, such as freelance writing, virtual assistance, SEO consulting, graphic design services, blogging, and more.
Content writing allows students to earn additional money online while building a portfolio and developing skills. It’s a great side hustle for everyone who wants to explore their writing abilities, improve their communication skills, and gain valuable experience in the digital marketing field. Virtual assistance sounds enigmatic, but this side hustle is about providing administrative support to professionals, including tasks like email management, scheduling meetings, and data entry.
SEO consulting is a valuable side hustle for analytics enthusiasts. Students with technical knowledge in search engine optimization can help small businesses improve their online visibility through keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building.
For those talented in creating immersive graphics, there is an opportunity to start a digital marketing side hustle as a graphic designer and offer services for clients who need design work for websites, publications, advertisements, or packaging. Students can easily start freelance careers in this field using dedicated platforms, like 99designs, to find their first clients.
These digital marketing side hustles offer flexibility, the potential for high earnings, and the opportunity to build valuable skills that can benefit the future careers of students aspiring to become digital marketing specialists.
Can I Make Money with Digital Marketing?
Yes, you can make money with digital marketing through various methods, including side hustles described above. The global digital marketing industry is expanding swiftly, with projections estimating its value to reach $870 billion by 2027. This surge in growth highlights a strong demand for skilled digital marketers, creating a wealth of opportunities for both employment and freelance work.
In addition to seeking experienced professionals, many companies are considering hiring outside consultants and freelancers who are valued at a similar level to full-time employees. For instance, experienced SEO freelancers charge between $75 and $150 per hour, while freelance graphic designers’ fees range from $35 to even $300 per hour, depending on their expertise. PPC specialists who excel in data analysis and drive winning digital marketing campaigns can expect up to $300 per hour, as highlighted by digital marketing consultant Mike Ncube on his blog.
While digital marketing offers a wide range of opportunities to earn a significant income, the key to succeeding as a freelancer is to develop specialized skills that are in high demand and to continuously update your knowledge to stay competitive in the field.
What’s the Best Way to Learn Digital Marketing Skills to Make Money on the Side?
The best way to learn digital marketing skills for side income is by combining free resources, hands–on practice, and targeted certifications. Depending on the online marketing area you are interested in, you can start education with free digital marketing courses from platforms like HubSpot Academy or Coursera to learn fundamentals like SEO, social media, and email marketing.
However, theoretical knowledge without practice can be not enough to learn all nuances. Some platforms, like Landingi, offer specific courses and free trials of their tools to help you become proficient in particular digital marketing areas. You can check out the Landing Page Academy course and create a free account on Landingi to craft your first landing pages – this platform will help you become a landing page expert who knows how to build an online presence, generate leads, and effectively optimize paid campaigns.
Each course you finish should be supported by practical experience. To gain technical expertise, explore tools characteristic to your chosen digital marketing field, like Ahrefs for SEO or WordPress for content creation. Once comfortable, offer your first services to friends or small businesses at discounted rates to build a portfolio. Certifications gained through participating in online courses will boost credibility and can attract more clients. Remember that continuous learning and experimentation are key as trends evolve.
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What Is the Average Income from Digital Marketing Side Hustle?
The average income from a digital marketing side hustle can vary widely depending on the specific services offered, the level of experience, and the demand for those services, yet, according to Iim Skills, side hustles in this industry can provide additional income ranging from $500 to over $10,000 monthly. Take a look at the list of the earning potential of top digital marketing side hustles based on data from The Freelance Hustle:
- Social media management side hustles average pay rates can range from $300 to $1,500+ per month
- SEO consulting’s average pay rates can range from $500 to $2,000+ per month
- Affiliate marketing average pay rates can range from $50 to $1,500+ per month, though this can be highly variable based on the products promoted and the audience reach
- Email marketing side hustles average pay rates are not precise, but these can be similar to other roles, potentially ranging from $300 to $2,000+ per month
- Graphic design side hustles average pay rates can range from $300 to $2,000+ per month
- PPC management side hustles average pay rates are similar to SEO services, potentially ranging from $500 to $2,000+ per month
What Are the Limitations of Digital Marketing Side Hustle?
The limitations of a digital marketing side hustle include time constraints, competition, and the need for continuous learning. This field is highly competitive, requiring standout skills to attract and keep clients. Moreover, frequent algorithm updates on platforms such as Google and social media can throw strategies off course, making it essential to engage in continuous learning to remain effective.
The competition is exceptionally high, as there are tens of thousands of freelancers in each digital marketing area who are constantly striving to improve their skills and services to stand out in the market. Additionally, gaining trust and building a client base may take time, especially for beginners without a portfolio.
Limited budgets from smaller clients can also restrict creative freedom and campaign impact. Despite these challenges, strategic planning and consistent effort can help overcome these limitations. However, there is one significant factor you should consider before starting a side hustle – managing clients while balancing a primary job or studies can lead to burnout. It’s important to set realistic expectations, prioritize tasks effectively, and maintain a healthy work-life balance to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Start a Side Hustle as a Digital Marketer
Catch the wind in your sails and grab an excellent opportunity to generate income and develop valuable skills in digital marketing. With its flexibility, scalability, and growing demand, individuals can explore various side hustle options – from social media management and content creation to SEO and affiliate marketing.
Whether starting small with freelance projects or aiming to grow into a full-scale digital marketing professional, the key lies in choosing a niche, building your expertise, and delivering measurable results. Success in this field requires dedication, continuous learning, and the ability to adapt to changing digital trends. Expand your skills with the best digital marketing platform – Landingi. Learn practical ways to build an online presence, discover conversion optimization methods, and enhance paid campaign optimization skills – try Landingi for free and become a digital marketing expert.
