11 High Paying Side Hustles For Introverts 2024
Last Updated on May 10, 2024 by John Cirelly
Hate sales calls, being on camera, and dealing with people in general? You’re not alone my friend. I put together this list of the best side hustle for introverts, because sometimes, people just suck. 🙃
The Best 11 Side Hustles For Introverts
Here’s my list of the highest-paying side hustles for introverts:
1. Blogging
Blogging is a way to write about your passions, interests, or expertise while earning extra income from your own space. For introverts, it’s ideal because you can connect with readers without leaving your home.
Getting Started
To start blogging, first choose a niche that excites you, like cooking, travel, or personal finance. Create a blog through platforms like WordPress, which has both free and paid options.
Share useful, interesting posts regularly, and build an audience using social media or email newsletters. Look into search engine optimization (SEO) basics to help your blog reach more readers.
What You’ll Earn
Income varies based on your traffic and monetization strategy. Bloggers often earn between $200 to $2,500 per month from ads, affiliate marketing, or sponsored posts.
A well-established blog can generate even more—sometimes over $10,000 monthly with a strong audience and diverse income streams.
2. Print on Demand
Print on demand is a way for creative introverts to sell their designs on various products without managing inventory.
Once you’ve created a design and uploaded it to a platform, the site takes care of production and shipping, letting you earn a 30-40% cut from each sale.
Getting Started
Begin by choosing a print-on-demand platform like Redbubble or Teespring. Make a few original designs that will look good on products such as t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases.
Upload your creations to the platform, set your prices, and promote your designs via social media or other channels. Refer to my guide on how to start a print-on-demand business for a deeper dive into the basics.
What You’ll Earn
Earnings depend on your designs and marketing. You might start with a modest $100-200 per month while you refine your style and grow your customer base.
However, unique and appealing designs that resonate with buyers can eventually generate over $2,000 monthly or more if you successfully break through the competition.
3. Online Freelancing
Online freelancing is a flexible way to offer your skills and services remotely, with writing being particularly lucrative.
Introverts can enjoy the freedom of working from home, picking their hours, and avoiding face-to-face interactions while earning good money.
Getting Started
Identify a service you can confidently offer, such as writing, graphic design, or web development. Set up a profile on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to showcase your work and attract clients.
Refine your portfolio and bid on projects that align with your expertise. If writing appeals to you, check out my complete freelance writing guide for beginners.
What You’ll Earn
Freelancers can earn widely varying incomes based on experience and skill. Beginners might earn $10 to $30 per hour initially.
As you build a client base and improve your skills, it’s possible to make $50 to $100 per hour or more, especially with specialized expertise and consistent positive reviews.
4. Start a Newsletter
Starting a newsletter is a less-talked-about but lucrative way to share your expertise and monetize your knowledge.
Introverts can thrive by curating valuable content for their audience without having to interact directly.
Getting Started
Identify a niche that you know well and can consistently write about. Choose an email marketing platform like Substack or Mailchimp to host and send your newsletters.
Promote your newsletter through other channels like podcasts, YouTube, or your blog to gain subscribers. Offer weekly insights and deliver content your audience will find worthwhile.
What You’ll Earn
Earnings depend on your subscriber count and engagement. Affiliate marketing and sponsored promos can bring in a few hundred dollars monthly once your subscriber base grows.
With a large audience and paid subscription tiers, successful newsletters can earn over $5,000 per month through subscriptions alone, with even more potential through promotions and advertising.
5. Kindle Publishing
Amazon’s Kindle platform allows writers to publish their eBooks directly to readers, eliminating the need for a traditional publisher.
Whether you love writing fiction or non-fiction, Kindle Publishing is a fantastic way to reach a global audience.
Getting Started
Write a manuscript and ensure it’s professionally edited for clarity and quality. Format it using Amazon’s guidelines, then upload it through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).
Design a cover that stands out, and set your price while deciding if you’ll enroll in Kindle Unlimited for more visibility. Market your book through social media, your blog, or YouTube to attract potential readers.
What You’ll Earn
Earnings vary based on your genre and promotion efforts. With each sale, you’ll earn a royalty of 35% to 70% depending on the pricing.
A well-marketed eBook can make anywhere from a few dollars a month to thousands. Some authors earn over $10,000 per month through consistent publishing, smart marketing, and high reader engagement. However these publishers are in the top 1% of the market.
6. Join a Focus Group
Focus groups are a way for market research companies to gain valuable insights by paying participants to test and review products.
For introverts, it’s a low-key opportunity to earn extra cash and sometimes try out new products before anyone else.
I personally like using Respondent. They pay well, are highly reputable, and have a decent number of new opportunities every week.
Getting Started
Sign up with reputable market research firms like Respondent or UserTesting, which are some of my favorite focus group platforms. Fill out your demographic information to qualify for suitable focus groups.
Once accepted, share your honest feedback on products and services. Depending on the study, you may participate in-person, via video calls, or through surveys.
What You’ll Earn
Earnings range from $10 to several hundred dollars based on the product and demographic fit. Simple online surveys often pay around $10 to $50 per hour.
In-depth focus groups for specific demographics can yield $100 to $300 per session, especially if they’re specialized or require more input.
7. Retail Arbitrage
Retail arbitrage involves purchasing discounted items from retail stores and reselling them at a higher price on platforms like Amazon or Facebook Marketplace.
Once you find a reliable source and profitable products, it can snowball into a steady income.
Getting Started
Scout local stores and clearance sales to find discounted items with resale potential. Start by researching prices on Amazon or Facebook Marketplace to ensure you’ll make a profit.
Create an account on your preferred platform and list your items for sale. Monitor pricing trends and expand your product sourcing to increase inventory and profit.
What You’ll Earn
Initial profits depend on the products and how much you invest upfront. Newcomers might start with $100 to $500 in monthly revenue by flipping clearance items.
As you scale up and refine your sourcing strategy, experienced sellers can earn thousands of dollars each month by consistently finding high-demand products.
8. Dropshipping
Dropshipping lets you resell products from manufacturers without handling inventory or shipping.
For introverts, it’s perfect because you can manage the business entirely online without phone calls or video chats.
Getting Started
Choose a niche and find reliable suppliers through platforms like AliExpress or Oberlo. Set up an online store using Shopify or WooCommerce, and import the suppliers’ products to your site.
Focus on marketing through social media ads, email campaigns, or search engine optimization to attract buyers. Make sure your supplier ships directly to customers and that you monitor inventory levels.
What You’ll Earn
Your earnings depend on the product margins and marketing success. Beginners might earn $500 to $1,000 in monthly revenue with well-targeted ads and a good niche.
With a winning product and scaling efforts, experienced dropshippers can generate $10,000 or more monthly as they refine their marketing strategies and build a loyal customer base.
9. Self Storage
Self storage is a way to rent out spare rooms or unused spaces in your home for storage instead of hosting people like Airbnb.
For introverts, it’s an ideal option because it allows you to earn money with minimal interaction.
Getting Started
Register on platforms like Neighbor to list your available space, such as a room, garage, or shed. Take clear photos of your storage area and write a detailed description to attract potential renters.
Set your rental rates competitively and decide how much access you’ll allow renters, such as giving them a key or arranging scheduled visits. Respond to inquiries promptly to secure bookings and fill up your space.
What You’ll Earn
Earnings vary based on the size and condition of your storage space. Renting out a small room or garage can bring in around $100 to $200 monthly, while larger spaces could earn up to $500 or more per month.
With multiple areas rented out or prime location demand, it’s possible to earn over $1,000 per month from self storage.
10. Podcasting
If you enjoy sharing your thoughts but don’t like being on camera, podcasting could be your perfect side hustle. It can start as a fun weekly project and grow into a profitable business over time.
Getting Started
Choose a topic you’re passionate about and outline a few episodes to build your show’s foundation. Download an app like Anchor to record, edit, and upload your podcast directly from your phone.
Invest in a good microphone if possible, but you can also start with basic audio gear. Promote your episodes on social media or via a newsletter to attract an audience.
What You’ll Earn
Podcasters can earn through affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and listener support. With a small but dedicated audience, you could make $200 to $500 per month through affiliate sales and ads.
As your audience grows, sponsorships and paid interviews can bring in $1,000 or more monthly, with popular podcasters earning upwards of $10,000 per month through consistent monetization strategies.
11. YouTube
You can launch a successful YouTube channel even without showing your face. Gaming videos, product reviews, and tutorials can all attract viewers and help you earn money.
Getting Started
Pick a niche you enjoy and brainstorm video ideas that will be helpful or entertaining to your audience. Create a channel and start recording using screen capture, voiceover, or video editing software to produce high-quality content.
Optimize your titles and descriptions for search engines, and share your videos on social media to reach a wider audience.
What You’ll Earn
Earnings vary based on your niche, audience size, and monetization strategy. With ads alone, channels can earn $2 to $10 per 1,000 views depending on engagement and topic.
By combining ads with affiliate products, merchandise, and sponsorships, successful YouTubers often make thousands per month. Popular channels can bring in over $10,000 monthly with a consistent content schedule and a large, engaged subscriber base.
My Final Thoughts
Finding the right side hustle is a personal journey, and each opportunity comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. Whether you’re drawn to writing, designing, or reselling, there’s a way for everyone to make extra money that aligns with their interests and lifestyle.
The most important step is to start with what excites you, be patient with the process, and refine your approach as you learn. With determination and consistency, your side hustle can become a valuable source of income and fulfillment.
