Best Side Hustles for Project Managers in 2024 ($150+/hr)
Last Updated on February 22, 2024 by John Cirelly
If you’re a professional project manager, there are plenty of ways to earn extra in your spare time. Below are some of the best side hustles for project managers paying up to $150/hr.
Side Hustles For Project Managers in 2024
Freelance on Toptal
For project managers looking to leverage their skills in lucrative side hustles, freelancing on Toptal presents a golden opportunity. Toptal stands out as an exclusive platform that connects the world’s top talent, including project managers, with leading global companies.
Unlike other freelancing platforms where competition can drive rates down, Toptal maintains a high standard for both freelancers and projects, ensuring that you can command a premium for your expertise. Project managers can expect to earn significantly more here, with average hourly rates ranging from $75 to $150, depending on the complexity and requirements of the project.
To get started, you’ll need to pass Toptal’s rigorous screening process, which assesses your technical skills, project management acumen, and communication abilities. Once in, you’ll have access to projects from startups to Fortune 500 companies, allowing you to build a high-paying side hustle that fits your schedule and career aspirations.
Create a Project Management Course
Developing a project management course is an excellent side hustle for project managers with a passion for teaching and sharing their expertise. This venture not only positions you as an authority in the field but also meets the growing demand for skilled project managers across industries. By creating a comprehensive course, you can help aspiring project managers or companies looking to enhance their project management practices.
Online platforms like Udemy or Teachable offer the tools you need to get started, allowing you to reach a global audience. The earning potential varies widely, depending on the price of your course and the number of students you attract. Courses can be priced anywhere from $50 to $500 or more, potentially generating thousands of dollars in passive income.
Begin by identifying a unique angle or niche within project management that you’re particularly skilled in, then develop a curriculum that delivers real value to your students. Marketing your course through social media, your professional network, and project management forums can further boost your reach and earnings.
Sell Project Management Templates
Selling project management templates is a smart way to generate passive income for experienced project managers. These templates can range from project plans and budget sheets to risk management logs and communication plans. Since project managers across various industries seek ways to streamline their processes, your templates can provide immense value by saving them time and enhancing project efficiency.
You can sell these templates individually or as part of a package through your website, marketplaces like Etsy, or platforms dedicated to professional resources. Pricing can vary based on the complexity and utility of the template, with individual templates often selling between $5 to $30 each.
To get started, identify the most common project management challenges and create templates that offer practical solutions. Marketing your templates through project management communities, LinkedIn, and your professional network can help boost sales. Additionally, offering a few templates for free can attract potential customers to your paid offerings, significantly increasing your earning potential.
Start a Project Management Drop Service Agency
Launching a drop servicing agency in the project management niche is an innovative side hustle that leverages your expertise and network to offer project management services without directly executing the tasks. This model involves finding clients in need of project management services and then outsourcing the work to freelancers or other agencies, acting as the middleman.
The key to success in drop servicing is to establish reliable partnerships with skilled project managers and maintain a portfolio of high-quality services. Your earnings come from the margin between what you charge your clients and what you pay your contractors. For project managers with a solid network, starting rates for projects can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars, depending on the scope and complexity.
To kick off your drop servicing side hustle, identify your niche, set up a professional website showcasing your services, and use digital marketing strategies to attract clients. Leveraging platforms like LinkedIn for networking and outreach can also be crucial in building your client base. This approach allows you to scale your business and focus on acquiring new clients and managing relationships, freeing up time for other pursuits or larger projects.
Start a Project Management Newsletter
Creating a project management newsletter is a fantastic way to share your knowledge, inspire others in your field, and build a community around your expertise. This side hustle for project managers can serve as a platform to discuss industry trends, share best practices, and offer insights into successful project management strategies.
With tools like ConvertKit, you can easily set up and manage your newsletter, focusing on delivering valuable content directly to your subscribers’ inboxes. The earning potential from a newsletter comes through various channels such as sponsored content, advertisements, and exclusive memberships for premium content.
Initially, your focus should be on growing your subscriber base by offering compelling content that resonates with project managers. Once you have a substantial audience, you could potentially earn hundreds to thousands of dollars per month through sponsorships and subscriptions. Getting started involves choosing a niche within project management that you’re passionate about, setting up a subscription service, and promoting your newsletter through social media and professional networks.
Start a Project Management YouTube Channel
Starting a Project Management YouTube Channel is a dynamic way to engage with a broad audience interested in improving their project management skills or learning about the field. This YouTube side hustle offers project managers a platform to share educational content, industry insights, and practical advice through video.
The earning potential varies widely, depending on your channel’s size and engagement levels, with opportunities to earn through ads, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing. A successful channel can start generating revenue once it meets YouTube’s monetization criteria, potentially earning between $3 to $20 per 1000 views. Additionally, a YouTube channel can serve as a marketing tool to promote other side hustles like courses, consulting services, or digital products.
To get started, identify topics that are both of interest to your target audience and showcase your expertise. Creating high-quality, engaging content regularly is key to growing your audience. Promoting your channel across social media and project management communities can also help accelerate your growth.
Start a Project Management Podcast
Launching a project management podcast is a great side hustle for project managers aiming to reach their audience in a more personal and engaging way. While project management might not immediately seem like the most captivating topic for a podcast, there’s a substantial audience out there interested in improving their skills, learning about industry trends, and hearing success stories from leading professionals.
The earning potential for a podcast can come from sponsorships, advertisements, and affiliate marketing, with successful podcasts potentially earning from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per episode. To begin, focus on creating content that adds value for project managers, such as interviews with industry experts, case studies, and discussions on the latest project management tools and techniques.
Growing your listener base will take time and consistent effort in producing high-quality content. Promoting your podcast through social media, your professional network, and podcast directories can help attract listeners. Over time, as your audience grows, so will your monetization opportunities.
My Thoughts
Project managers are in high demand, but it’s nice to know there are plenty of side hustles catering to the skills and interests of project managers. If you enjoy working with freelance clients, I’d highly recommend applying for Toptal.
If you’re looking for something more passive, consider offering consulting, selling project management templates, or outsourcing client work thought a drop servicing model.
