Side Hustle Ideas Tier List For Beginners

The desire for additional income streams has become increasingly important, especially for those who want to double up their income or save money for their needs.

However, for beginners, the challenge lies in choosing the right side hustle and identifying the most suitable options.

It’s important to note that the speaker’s rankings in this tier list account for the ease of entry and skill levels required, focusing on beginner-friendly options.

Additionally, while businesses in higher tiers may be easier to start initially, those in lower tiers might have the potential to be built into massive companies over time.

Considering your own skills and interests is important, as what you are already passionate about will give you an advantage when starting out.

S-Tier Side Hustles

The S-tier side hustles are widely regarded as the most beginner-friendly and potentially lucrative options.

YouTube

YouTube is considered the best overall platform for content creators. It offers high income potential, with some creators earning $50,000 to over $100,000 per month, showcasing the immense earning potential.

YouTube scales well and pairs perfectly with other businesses, allowing for synergies and multiple income streams. Importantly, you don’t need to be an industry expert or genius to succeed on YouTube; simply sharing your existing knowledge is often sufficient.

Online Courses / Coaching / Consulting

These side hustles allow you to teach or share what you already know, leveraging your existing knowledge and expertise.

While online courses offer a passive income stream, coaching and consulting require more direct time investment but also offer higher income potential. These options are great for beginners, as well as intermediate and advanced skill levels, making them highly versatile.

Detailed Explanation

YouTube involves creating and sharing video content on the platform, monetizing through advertising, sponsorships, and other revenue streams. Online courses involve creating and selling educational materials, while coaching and consulting involve providing personalized guidance and support.

These S-tier side hustles are ideal for beginners because they have low barriers to entry, leverage existing skills, and offer immense scalability and income potential. Success factors include strong communication skills, in-depth knowledge of your niche, the ability to provide value, and consistent effort to build an audience or client base.

A-Tier Side Hustles

The A-tier side hustles, while still beginner-friendly, often require more specific interests, skills, or startup capital compared to the S-tier options.

Digital Products

Creating and selling digital products like ebooks, templates, or software is relatively easy to get started with. These products are useful, simple to produce, and can generate passive income streams. However, scaling digital products to very high income levels can be challenging.

Dropshipping (physical products)

Dropshipping involves selling physical products without holding inventory, partnering with suppliers for fulfillment. It offers massive scaling potential and lucrative earnings, but is very complex for beginners. Success in dropshipping requires expertise in areas like product sourcing, marketing, customer service, and logistics management.

ATM Business

Owning and operating ATMs can provide semi-passive income with decent potential. However, it requires an initial investment in purchasing and installing the machines, as well as potentially hiring employees for management and servicing.

YouTube Automation

This involves running faceless YouTube channels with hired teams, allowing for scalability without being on-camera. While it has high income potential, it faces increasing competition and requires strong YouTube skills and effective marketing strategies.

Explanation

These A-tier side hustles offer unique benefits but also present potential challenges in terms of skill requirements, startup costs, and competitive landscapes. They are still suitable for beginners with dedication and specific interests, but may require more specialized knowledge or resources compared to the S-tier options.

B-Tier and C-Tier Side Hustles

The B-tier and C-tier side hustles encompass a diverse range of opportunities, from physical service businesses to niche online ventures.

B-Tier Side Hustles

Rental properties, real estate, and Airbnb hosting are common side hustles, but beginners may face potential pitfalls or mistakes.
Lawn mowing businesses are easy to start with low startup costs but can be difficult to scale significantly beyond providing decent supplemental income.
Pet care businesses offer good opportunities, but the market is becoming saturated, making it harder to scale beyond $10,000 per month.
Landscaping services involve hard work and are limited by seasonality, but offer good supplemental income potential with relatively easy entry.
Print-on-demand businesses have growing potential with 3D printing integration but require design skills and marketing knowledge.
Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) businesses are ownable and sellable, but Amazon controls data and can replicate successful stores, making it harder for beginners now than in the past.
B2B service-based businesses, such as cybersecurity or IT consulting, require high-level knowledge and skills but offer good potential for scaling, especially in recent times.

C-Tier Side Hustles

Laundromat businesses are not overly appealing, involving physical labor and property management complexities that can be challenging for beginners.
Vending machine operations are easier than laundromats but offer less potential than ATM businesses.

Overview:

The B and C tiers consist of various physical service businesses and niche online hustles.
General pros include relatively easy entry and low barriers to startup, but cons often involve limited income potential and difficulty scaling significantly as a beginner.

Conclusion & Additional Considerations

The S-tier and A-tier side hustles, such as YouTube, online courses, coaching/consulting, digital products, dropshipping, ATM businesses, and YouTube automation, offer excellent prospects for those seeking beginner-friendly, scalable, and potentially lucrative ventures.

However, it’s important to remember that the “best” side hustle choice ultimately depends on aligning with your existing skills, interests, and available resources. Some individuals may thrive in YouTube or digital product creation, while others may find more fulfillment in service-based businesses or niche online ventures.

Regardless of the chosen path, it’s important to start small, gain experience, and embrace a growth mindset. Don’t be afraid to explore new avenues as your side hustle journey unfolds. Additionally, consider exploring niche online communities, taking courses, and studying case studies of successful businesses in your area of interest.

Remember, the journey of building a successful side hustle is not without its challenges, but with dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to learn, the rewards can be truly transformative – both financially and personally.

You can watch this video as I extensively explain this tier list: