Historically, women have faced more challenges to earning decent income than men, and research shows the gender wage gap even exists with side hustles. In fact, the hourly earnings gap is even greater for side jobs, according to some studies. But women are more likely to need extra money outside of their full-time jobs. To narrow the gap, it’s important for women to choose profitable side hustles that accommodate their schedules and utilize their skills. 

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All of the opportunities available to men are also available to women — and given that women are more patient and more organized, they’re even better suited to certain side hustles than men. We’ve chosen opportunities that are likely to be a good match for women’s skills. We also made sure to choose side hustles with flexible hours to accommodate women’s hectic schedules. There’s something for everyone on our list, so choose the option that will allow you to make the most money with the skills and availability you have. 

12 Ways to Make Extra Cash Fast as a Woman

1. Earn Money Taking Online Surveys

Big brands pay online survey sites like Swagbucks to conduct market research on their behalf, and that includes collecting opinions from women like yourself. While you won’t get rich answering surveys, you can easily earn a few extra dollars per day just for sharing your opinion. 

This opportunity is perfect for the woman who barely has any time for herself — you can make money on your own schedule, whether you’re standing in line, waiting to pick up the kids, or stirring the pasta. Swagbucks even offers other opportunities to earn extra cash, from watching videos to playing online games to shopping online. And if you opt-in to participate in focus groups, you can earn even more money. 

2. Sell Your Photos Online

If you have an eye for photography, it’s possible to earn quick cash selling your photos to stock photography websites like Shuttershock and SmugMug. You’ll get a portion of the royalties when an agency chooses to purchase your images. If you’re a prolific photographer, you might even start an online business selling photos on your own website. 

3. Become a Virtual Assistant

If you have an internet connection and administrative experience, you can work from home on your own hours as a virtual assistant. Choose online platforms like Fiverr or Upwork to list your services, contact companies directly or respond to job postings, or apply to work for Zirtual if you’re based in the U.S. and have a college degree. 

4. Sell Products Online 

There are a few ways you can go about making money online by selling products. You might start by reselling gently used clothing, home goods, and electronics that you have at home or purchase second hand. An online platform such as Poshmark and Facebook Marketplace would work well for this. Or, you might start a drop shipping business using Fulfillment by Amazon or Oberlo. The advantage of drop shipping is that you don’t need to assemble, store, or ship the products yourself. 

You might also decide to design, create, and sell your own product. If you have a brilliant idea but don’t have the start up costs, consider starting a crowdfunding campaign. Or, you can start an Etsy shop and sell a few products at a time until you build up more reserves. Selling online is something you can do in your spare time, but an online store could also become a full time business.

5. Become a Freelance Writer

If you’ve got a gift for the written word, particularly if you’ve ever been published, you’ll find plenty of online opportunities to make money freelance writing. You can start by listing your services on freelance platforms or applying directly for freelance writing positions. As you get more clients, consider setting up a website so more companies can find you. After a while, you may even develop a lucrative business that earns full time income, allowing you to quit your day job. 

6. Start a Social Media Management Online Business

If you live on social media, consider managing social media accounts for companies on a freelance basis. You can work as a social media manager out of your own home and earn money on your own hours, making it a great fit for employed women and stay at home moms alike. 

Start by learning social media analytics and building your own following to demonstrate your skills. Then, apply for positions or list your services on an online freelance platform. As you get more clients, create an online portfolio of your work. 

7. Offer Tutoring Services

If you’re college-educated, tutoring could be a lucrative business for you. That’s particularly true if you can teach advanced concepts or test prep for a standardized exam you scored well on. You may find in-person, local tutoring positions on platforms like Care.com, or you can work as an online tutor and set your own rates with platforms like Preply. 

8. Offer Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Services

Spending time with animals makes the perfect side hustle for women who are burnt out from their careers. If you know how to scratch behind the ears and appreciate the resulting tail wag, dog walking or pet sitting might not even feel like work. 

You can pick up walks on-demand from a free app like Wag, or set your own rates on a platform like Rover. If you already have a dog at home, hosting another one might not even require additional work, but can be a great way to get extra income. 

9. Get into Mystery Shopping

Many companies use mystery shoppers to collect information about customer experiences. Mystery shoppers go to retail stores and compile reports about the customer service they receive during various transactions. You can apply to work for companies like Elite CXS, Secret Shopper, or Market Force. In most cases, you’ll work as an independent contractor and get paid per assignment. 

10. Become a Personal Shopper

Women who understand the fashion industry and have direct sales experience are well-suited to personal shopping jobs. Start by styling your friends and family and taking photographs of each look to build an online portfolio. You can grow your business by word of mouth, or you can apply to work for a retailer or shopping service. Once you have the experience, you can offer online services, such as video fashion consultations, so that you’ll have work-from-home opportunities as well. 

11. Develop an Online Course

Creating an online course can be an excellent way to earn extra income outside of your full time job. If you have skills or experience you can share and are adept at organizing information in a way that is easy to learn, you can use an online platform like Teachable or Thinkific to build your instructional content and market your course to potential learners. Once the course is created, it can provide passive income — each download will provide extra cash without any additional work on your part. 

12. Make Money with Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing can be a very profitable side hustle. It’s a way to earn extra money online in your sleep. You’ll just need a website, blog, or social media account with a significant following to get started. 

Think about what products or services will be relevant to your readers, and include affiliate links to those products on your blog or page. When your readers click the link and make a purchase, you’ll receive commission. You can use internal tools offered by certain social media platforms, apply to affiliate networks directly, or use a content monetization platform like Shopstyle Collective. 

The Bottom Line

There are endless opportunities for women to make extra money online, and these are just a few of the options available. Whether you’re a stay at home mom looking to launch your own business or a career-driven woman with very little free time, there’s a way for you to make extra cash without compromising your lifestyle. 

With a lot of persistence and a little luck, your side project may even become a successful online business that pays better than your current career. Either way, you’ll be able to earn more and save money, bringing you one step closer to reaching your financial goals. 

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