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The biggest misconception about introverts is that they despise interacting with other people. As an introvert, I am here to set the record straight: no, introverts do not despise interacting with other people. We just prefer not to. Most social interactions are mentally draining for introverts, so when we have to interact with people, whether it be in a casual or work setting, we simply need to spend some time alone to recharge our social batteries. This is probably why some people can not picture the words “side hustles” and “introverts” together.
Despite the preference of limiting social interactions, introverts actually make great entrepreneurs because they tend to be prominent critical thinkers and stay focused on their goal. So, being an introvert is not a hindrance to becoming a successful business owner. In fact, some of the most successful entrepreneurs are, or have been, introverts: Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and the late Steve Jobs (to name a few).
Believe me – I get it. If you’re an introvert, you prefer not to interact with people unless absolutely necessary. However, that shouldn’t be a reason to not pursue your entrepreneurial goals. That’s why I compiled this list of side hustles that require little to no face-to-face interactions with other people (aside from the occasional video call).
Without further ado, here are the 13 best side hustles for introverts.
For content-based businesses, there comes a point when outsourcing content is one of the most affordable things to do.
There are hundreds of blogs out there, and all of them require content. While some website owners and businesses write all of their own content (likely blogs with low traffic), big-time bloggers, like Ryan Robinson and Neil Patel, hire freelance writers to create web copy, blog posts, essays, and product descriptions.
Because freelance writing is a very broad business, it’s best to choose an area in which to specialize in. If you’re worried that you need some kind of English degree, trust me – you don’t. Most freelance writers don’t even have a secondary education degree. Although having a degree is a plus, results are what ultimately matter. A competitive writing portfolio will always top competition with a degree.
Another important component of freelance writing is niching down, or the process of writing about specific topics within a specific niche. This, in time, will strengthen your portfolio, and you’ll eventually become an expert in the niche you selected. Expertise within a specific niche is valuable because it makes you a much more desirable candidate to blog and website owners within that niche.
Beginner freelance writers typically charge $40-$50 for a 1200- to 1500-word article, the equivalent to a $10-$12 hourly rate. Freelance writers who specialize within a specific topic charge $80-$100 (which translates to $20-$30/ hour) for a similar length article.
One piece of content shouldn’t take a full day to write. Dedicate about 4 hours at a time to writing one article or blog post so that you can free up more space in your day to take on more jobs. The more areas you specialize in, the more varied jobs you can take on. And the more work you can take on in your day-to-day schedule, the more your profits will greatly multiply.
There’s a misconception that editing and proofreading can be done by freelance writers, but, truth be told, most writers aren’t skilled enough to achieve the same level of editing as a professional editor. A decent writer could probably take on some light editing jobs, but nothing that a true, professional editor could.
To be a professional editor, you need to be a skilled writer and possess a pretty strong command of the English language (at the bare minimum). Formal training and experience critiquing other people’s writing is a definite plus because it will help you navigate trivial grammatical issues a general freelance writer might miss or struggle with.
Editing and proofreading rates can vary depending on your experience and skill level, ranging from $15 to $40 an hour. The best place to look for freelance proofreading and editing work is Upwork, a freelancing platform that connects business owners with freelancers. Scribendi.com and Prompt.com are also good freelancing platforms, however, it’s much less well-known than Upwork, so the likelihood of finding good work is lower.
The pros of editing and proofreading are that you have little to zero startup costs, it requires no certifications, and the work will never run out. However, clients often want a quick turnaround (24 hours or less), so you’ll need to complete your work quickly and efficiently.
Blogging can be one of the most fulfilling side gigs for an introvert. Expressing your thoughts and imparting knowledge to an invisible (but real) audience is more than an introvert could hope for. The most interaction a blogger faces with another person is when they need to reply to comments and send emails – that’s practically it.
However, to become a successful blogger, one does not just type whatever comes to mind. There’s a process that goes into deciding what to write about before writing a blog post. Besides that, choosing a niche that satisfies your passion and is profitable at the same time can be quite difficult.
Thinking about starting your own blog? Check out our article titled “8 Essential Steps on How to Start a Blog Business and Make Money” to learn everything there is to know about starting a blog!
A perk of blogging is that it can complement other business ventures and exponentially multiply your income as a result. Whether you’re doing freelance writing, graphic design, or pet sitting, a blog can help broaden your audience to the point that you earn a loyal following. A loyal group of followers will result in a consistent customer base.
However, it’s important to note that blogging demands a significant time-investment. Blogging requires consistent content creation (especially at the inception of your blog), even if you see no results, because it’s far from a “get-rich-quick” scheme. The usual timeframe for when you’ll begin to see some semblance of part-time income is 12-18 months (especially if you follow the steps from the article linked in this section).
I’ve had my fair share of awkward rideshare experiences, so I definitely understand if strangers getting in and out of your car (often engaging in small talk) doesn’t sit well with you.
So, why not take people out of the equation?
Food delivery companies offer the convenience of restaurant-quality food directly to your doorstep. As a driver for these companies, you’re picking up and dropping off food to the individuals who place orders through the company’s app on a case-by-case situation.
It’s similar to a food delivery service, except the driver chooses which orders to pick up and deliver on their own time (as opposed to delivering food for one restaurant). This type of food delivery gives you all the perks of being a rideshare driver without the worry of strangers getting in and out of your car or having to make awkward small-talk with passengers.
There are quite a few options when looking to become a food delivery driver. UberEats, DoorDash, and Postmates are the most popular companies that pay on a similar scale, depending on your geographical location (DoorDash and Postmates claim that their drivers earn up to $15-25/hr). However, it’s still important to research which company is the best option for your current location.
Pet sitting is another one on the list of great side hustles for introverts. It is perfect for introverts who both love pets and can keep up with their demands. Other than the fact that you won’t have to deal with a single human soul while pet sitting, you also get to spend your time with animals! Pets provide a calming presence, an important factor when drained of energy and in grave need of recharge time.
However, many resources on the internet downplay the difficulty of pet sitting. Blog posts and articles make it seem like the easiest job in the world — especially if you love pets.
But it isn’t.
Pets are like people: they all have different personality types. Some pets are extremely friendly. Some pets have a difficult time with strangers. There are some pets that require a little more patience than others. A good pet sitter understands this about animals and is well-prepared to adapt to and handle whatever situation comes their way. That’s why being an animal lover in general makes the job a little easier.
Any aspiring pet sitter should ask potential clients the following questions regarding their pet before agreeing to take them on:
Asking these questions beforehand will save you a lot of trouble and will make the experience much more enjoyable for both you and the pet.
Rover is the most well-known pet sitting service currently available. Rates can vary quite a bit depending on the city you live in, but, on average, pet sitters charge between $19 to $50 per night (a fee that varies on the number of pets in the home). While you will need to occasionally update owners about the well-being of their pet, most of your time will be spent caring for your newfound furry friends.
If you have a knack for coding and web design and functionality, the demand for website developers around the world provides you with the opportunity to make money as an introvert. The best part about being a website developer is that you can work from home and communicate primarily through email.
If you have little to no formal knowledge in web development, free resources, such as Code Academy, are readily available. Free resources typically include everything you need to get started with the foundations of coding, so there’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars on paid courses. However, if you’re serious about pursuing this side hustle and making it a career, and you prefer a more hands-on approach to learning, with personalized guidance and access to trainers, then a paid course may be something to consider more seriously.
Beginner freelance web developers charge about $50/hr for simple front-end jobs and about $100/hr for full stack projects (fees vary depending on the developer’s experience and expertise).
A good graphic designer knows their work speaks louder than words, and there are two paths they can take — a client-based business, or selling their designs online.
A client-based business is the most stable path for a beginner (everyone needs to start somewhere, right?), but it can also be less rewarding because you’re not creating your own designs. On the flipside, working on and selling your own designs can be extremely rewarding, but it won’t instantly offer a stable stream of income.
Regardless of the path you choose, a crucial factor to becoming a successful graphic designer is having a compelling portfolio that demonstrates your range and skill level. A visually appealing portfolio will carry you miles and miles ahead of the amateurs, so make sure to dedicate time to updating it frequently.
If, as a graphic designer, you decide to build up a client-based business, how much you earn will depend on your skill and portfolio. Beginner graphic designers can expect to charge anywhere from $25-$50 an hour, while many expert designers charge $250-$300 an hour.
If, however, you decide to tough it out in the very competitive world of ready-made digital design, Merch by Amazon and Redbubble.com are both websites that allow graphic designers to upload and sell their designs on products like water bottles, stickers, t-shirts, and mobile phone cases.
Does full autonomy of a flexible schedule sound attractive? This is the potential benefit of being a virtual bookkeeper.
Bookkeeping is a viable option for people who are great at crunching numbers or possess a background in accounting. It pays well and is in high demand as every small business needs someone to keep track of their finances.
While a degree is not necessarily required, bookkeepers need to have a strong understanding of accounting practices. Keeping track of and organizing the finances of any business is no small task, so it’s important to stay up-to-date and informed on the latest industry information.
Attending online classes and securing accredited certificates are great ways to earn the trust of your clients. Many individuals I know who got their start in bookkeeping now run full-time businesses from the comfort of their own home.
Freelance bookkeepers earn up to $35 per hour.
Headphones in, cleaning begins…
A cleaning service is one of the best side hustles for introverts that is perfect if you find cleaning spaces therapeutic and calming, and for individuals who enjoy beginning and finishing projects.
Cleaning companies service a variety of spaces, including homes and offices, and offer a range of services. The best part? You often work when your clients aren’t around! In fact, most cleaning services make it a policy that clients not be present when the space is cleaned for the safety of the client.
The key to getting started is finding your first few gigs. Once a few clients are established, it’s a lot easier to pick up additional cleaning jobs through referrals. Another way to get clients is by setting up a profile on Handy.com, a website and app that connects homeowners with cleaners and other service professionals.
The usual home cleaning service rate is $25 per hour while the rate for a commercial office space tends to be higher. Over time, you can add additional service fees for specialized cleaning services, such as space organization and deep cleanings.
Don’t expect much from answering online surveys. There is some money to be made from this avenue, especially on the right platform, but there are many paid survey platforms that aren’t worth the effort because of the time investment it demands versus how much profit potential it holds.
We’ve had our share of shady paid survey platforms that:
While online surveys won’t make you rich, it’s a decent option to earn a little extra on the side. Here at StoppingScams.com, we’ve done the research for you and carefully reviewed some of the most popular paid survey platforms out there to find a trustworthy platform that comes out on top of all the others: Swagbucks.
No, Swagbucks isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme, but you’ll definitely make a few extra bucks pretty quick. To learn more about this paid survey site works, read this incredibly in-depth review of Swagbucks.
Being a virtual assistant requires minimal social interaction. Most employers will leave you alone as long as the job is done well.
Virtual assistants perform a wide range of tasks for working professionals and website owners. While tasks vary dramatically based on the job, common duties include tasks such as checking and replying to emails, answering customer service inquiries, creating vital documents, and designing bookkeeping templates.
It’s important to understand that unless you’ve been in the industry for some time or already have an established reputation, competition will be extremely tough. Companies tend to outsource from South America and Asia because the labor is cheap and the quality of the work isn’t sacrificed. You’ll be competing with people who are content with earning $4 per hour because that’s way above the minimum wage in their country.
Another approach to becoming a virtual assistant is to get established with an agency. There are a few reputable and established agencies that hire work-from-home assistants. The downside to agencies is that it can be notoriously difficult to get hired by them, and most will only hire the top 1% to 3% of candidates. Even then, agencies may only pay their employees $12-16 an hour.
A lot of the ideas listed here are adequate enough as side gigs for introverts, BUT…
They all carry the potential to become something more. How much your freelance business grows will depend on the time you are willing to invest into it. There’s no single business idea that’s perfect for introverts because every person is different with different passions and personalities.
Whatever business path you choose, be sure to choose the one that genuinely captures your interest so that you avoid experiencing burn out. If you’re truly dedicated to making this business a success, you will be spending a lot of time on it, so it’s important that you give your business a fighting chance by starting on a good foundation.
And finally, don’t let the label of “introvert” stop you from pursuing ANY of your entrepreneurial goals. Remember: introversion is a spectrum. Most people are not strictly introverted or strictly extroverted – we all fall somewhere in the middle. But it doesn’t matter where you land on the spectrum. You CAN do this. It just comes down to finding the right fit.
Good luck on your journey!
I've been in internet marketing for over 10 years, and I've purchased dozens of illegitimate products for the sole purpose of evaluating them and exposing the truth about these products to anyone who's thinking about purchasing it. I never let money influence my rating of a product and your success/safety is my absolute highest priority. Don't want to buy a product? Register for one of my 100% free internet marketing training courses>>
