Looking for a side hustle that allows you to make money from the comfort of your own home? Look no further! In this blog post, we’ll be exploring three TikTok-inspired side hustles that are fun, but most of all realistic.
These side hustles are a great way to supplement your income and unleash your creative potential. So, let’s dive in and see which side hustle is right for you!
Realistic side hustles inspired by TikTok
TikTok is full of side hustle ideas from affiliate marketing to starting a YouTube channel or a social media marketing agency. While these are all possible ways to make money online, many TikTok creators don’t mention anything about the disadvantages of different options. Mentioning things such as unrealistic expectations of earning potential and the difficulty in standing out in crowded markets are often intentionally avoided. Additionally, some TikTok-promoted side hustles may require specialised skills or a significant investment. This could make them less accessible for those with limited resources.
It’s important to carefully research and assess the feasibility of a side hustle before jumping in. Therefore, we’ve reviewed different TikTok side hustle ideas with a realistic view. Let’s discover the best three, including their pros and cons.
1. Print-on-demand (POD)
Print-on-demand (POD) is a popular side hustle option for those looking to turn their designs into physical products. In this model, you create designs and upload them to a print-on-demand platform, which then handles the printing and shipping of the products to customers. The main advantage of print-on-demand is that you don’t need to worry about storage, shipping, or managing inventory, as this is all handled by the platform.
There are several popular print-on-demand platforms to choose from, including Printful or Spring. Each platform has its own unique features, so it’s important to research and compare the options to find the best fit for your business. For example, some platforms may offer a wider range of products, while others may have more customisation options.
To get started with a POD side hustle, you first need to choose your products. There is a wide range of products available, from t-shirts and hoodies to phone cases and mugs. Once you have chosen your products, you will need to create designs to sell those products. If you don’t have graphic design experience, you can easily utilise design platforms such as Canva or VistaCreate.
Once you’ve created your designs, you upload them to your chosen platform, such as Etsy. Alternatively, you can set up your own e-commerce store with Shopify. If your plan is to grow your POD side hustle into a full-time business, setting up your own e-commerce store will be more beneficial. Therefore, it’s important to choose a platform that aligns with your business goals and offers the features you need to succeed.
Additionally, you will need to invest time and effort into promoting your products and building a following on the platform. With the right strategy and approach, print on demand can be a lucrative side hustle that allows you to turn your designs into physical products and reach a large audience.
What TikTok doesn't tell you about print-on-demand
Print-on-demand side hustles have some disadvantages, such as limited control over production quality, high competition, and lower profit margins compared to traditional manufacturing methods. Additionally, print-on-demand platforms take a commission on each sale, reducing your earnings. There is also a risk of low sales if you are relying on the platform’s marketing and promotion efforts. Finally, it can be challenging to stand out and differentiate your products in a crowded market. To succeed with print-on-demand, it’s important to have a unique and high-quality product offering, a well-defined target market, and a strong marketing strategy.
@brandon.tw Print on Demand (Step by Step) 📦 #printondemand #printful #printify #sidehustle #dropshipping ♬ As It Was - Harry Styles
2. Digital products
Another TikTok side hustle we’ve selected is selling digital products. This can be a great option for those looking to start a side hustle that is low-cost and flexible. Digital products include things like e-books, online courses, printables, and more.
To start selling digital products, you need to determine what you want to sell. If you’re knowledgeable about a certain topic, consider creating an e-book or online course. Or if you enjoy designing, you could create printables, design templates or posters.
The next step is to set up a platform to sell your products. You can use popular e-commerce sites like Etsy (printables and templates), Sellfy (digital downloads), or SkillShare (online courses), or you can set up your own website to sell your products directly to your customers.
One of the main benefits of selling digital products is the low overhead costs. You don’t need to worry about shipping costs or inventory management, which makes this a great option for those looking to start a side hustle with limited resources. Additionally, digital products have the potential for a high profit margin, meaning you can earn a significant amount of money for each sale.
What TikTok doesn't tell you about selling digital products
Like the other realistic TikTok side hustle ideas, selling digital products is not a “get rich quick” option. One of the main issues is competition in the market. There are many other individuals selling similar products, making it difficult to stand out and attract customers. Additionally, marketing and promoting digital products can be challenging, as you need to reach a large audience to achieve substantial sales. Finally, creating high-quality digital products can take a significant amount of time and effort. It may also require specialised skills and knowledge depending on the product.
@kay_zane1 Selling digital products on Etsy #etsypassiveincome #etsysidehustle #onlinesidehustles #passiveincomeforbeginners2022 #startanetsyshop #kayzane ♬ original sound - Kay Zane
3. Amazon FBA
Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) is a business model that allows you to sell products on Amazon without having to worry about storage, shipping, or customer service. In this model, the seller sends their products to Amazon, and Amazon takes care of the rest. This includes storing the products in their fulfilment centres, picking, packing, and shipping the products to customers, as well as providing customer service.
To start an Amazon FBA side hustle, you first need to choose a product to sell. This can be a product you manufacture yourself, or a product you purchase from a supplier (from Alibaba, for example) and then resell on Amazon. Once you have chosen your product, you will need to create a listing on Amazon and send the products to Amazon’s fulfilment centre.
One of the main benefits of an Amazon FBA side hustle is the ability to reach a large and engaged audience. With millions of customers shopping on Amazon every day, your products have the potential to reach a large audience and generate substantial sales. Additionally, Amazon also provides a range of tools and services to help you optimize your listings and improve your sales, such as Amazon’s advertising.
Another benefit of Amazon FBA is the convenience it provides. With Amazon handling storage, shipping, and customer service, you have more time to focus on other aspects of your business, such as product sourcing and marketing. Additionally, Amazon’s customer service is known for its quality, which can help improve customer satisfaction and build a positive reputation for your brand.
What TikTok doesn't tell you about Amazon FBA
One of the main cons of Amazon FBA is the competition. There are many other sellers on the platform, which can make it difficult to stand out and attract customers. Therefore, like with the other TikTok side hustles, product and market research is absolutely essential before getting started.
Another potential drawback is the cost of storing and shipping products through Amazon. The fees can add up quickly, especially if you have a large inventory. Additionally, there may be restrictions on the types of products you can sell, as Amazon has strict guidelines on product quality and safety.
@hughfba How to sell on Amazon for beginners👆 #amazonfbaseller #amazonfbauk #amazonselleruk #fbauk #amazonforbeginners ♬ Blade Runner 2049 - Synthwave Goose
Do TikTok side hustles work?
TikTok has inspired many people to start their own side hustles in a variety of fields. To succeed in these ventures, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your target audience, a unique value proposition, and a consistent and professional brand image. Additionally, success often requires hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn and adapt to change. Unfortunately, these are often topics that TikTok creators don’t mention.
Finally, it’s important to realise that most side hustles are not sources of passive income, especially in the beginning. As the below video concludes, it’s called hustling for a reason. If you are prepared to hustle and make some extra cash from home, explore also these 19 online side hustle ideas.
@justin_addison The best side hustle 2023 and it's slept on. Alex Hormozi, Gary Vee, and Charlie D'amelio all did this. #sidehustles #ecommerce #airbnb #socialmediamarketing #mindsetshift #entrepreneur #ecommercemarketingexpert #fyp ♬ original sound - Ecommerce Strategist
Related: 7 genius online hacks to make money online with minimum effort
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