13 Digital Marketing Side Hustles for Beginners

Last Updated on August 14, 2025 by Katie

You can earn extra income from home faster than you might think, thanks to digital marketing side hustles.

This field covers remote-friendly work like social media management, affiliate marketing and content creation.

With digital marketing growing every year, more companies are looking for part-time freelancers and flexible contractors.

This post outlines 13 beginner-friendly digital marketing side hustles that you can start now to grow your income.

For each, you’ll learn about the main tasks, the essential skills, top learning resources and the earning potential. You’ll also discover where to find these opportunities, plus tips for scaling as you gain confidence.

Whether you need a little extra cash or want to build something bigger, digital marketing side hustles offer the flexibility to work from anywhere on your own schedule.

If you want more quick-start inspiration, check out these fast start side hustles for ideas that pair well with digital marketing.

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Top 13 Digital Marketing Side Hustles for Beginners

Getting started with digital marketing side hustles is a smart way to boost your income from home.

Each one can tap into your strengths, your schedule, and even your interests.

Below, you’ll find 13 popular options that beginners can jump into right away, with details about day-to-day work, key skills, free learning resources, and where to land your first gig.

1. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing lets you earn a commission by sharing products and services online.

As an affiliate, you promote a link and get paid when someone makes a purchase through it. This is great if you like writing, reviewing, or recommending things you value.

Key Skills Needed:

• Researching trending and trustworthy products
• Writing blog posts, social media, or email content
• Basic SEO to get your content found

Top Free Resources:

Daily Tasks:

• Find relevant and reputable products to promote
• Write or update blog, newsletter, or social posts featuring affiliate links
• Track clicks and sales using partner dashboards

Earning Overview:
Many affiliates earn anywhere from a few dollars to a few hundred per month, but top performers can make much more. Average affiliate marketing earnings (Payscale).

Further reading: How to start affiliate marketing with no money.

2. Sell Online Courses

Selling online courses is a booming business. You don’t need years of experience—just useful knowledge people want.

You can teach almost anything: productivity hacks, digital marketing basics, or niche interests like SEO for knitters.

Once you have your course created, you can sell it on popular platforms with huge audiences such as Udemy, Skillshare and Cousera.

How to Get Started:

• Outline your course topic and lessons
• Record or write your lessons with clear, simple instructions
• Use free tools like Loom or Canva for presentations

Course Ideas:

• Beginner’s guide to social media for small businesses
• How to start a personal blog
• Basic graphic design for non-designers

Further reading: How to make passive income selling courses online.

3. Virtual Assistant for Digital Marketing

Digital marketing virtual assistants help busy business owners with everyday tasks.

These roles can cover scheduling social posts, inbox management, or updating websites. It’s a good fit if you’re organised and want variety.

And, the best part is that the hours are flexible, allowing you to work around family and life commitments.

Skills Required:

• Organisation and time management
• Communicating clearly
• Knowing digital marketing basics

Free Resource:
Google Digital Garage offers foundational courses.

Daily Tasks:

• Schedule and monitor social posts
• Track simple marketing campaigns
• Respond to emails or inquiries

Further reading: How to become a virtual assistant with no experience.

4. Content Writing

Content writing means creating words that inform, persuade, or explain.

If you enjoy writing and want to work with brands, startups, or bloggers, this is a popular side hustle that you can fit in around a regular 9-5.

Check out these free online writing courses if you’re new to the industry.

Core Skills:

• Excellent written language
• Solid research to check facts or write with authority
• Editing for clarity and flow

Common Tasks:

• Write blog posts, articles, or social content
• Create product descriptions or ad copy
• Proofread and polish drafts

Further reading: 21 freelance writing websites to find paid work.

5. Sell Digital Downloads

Selling digital downloads is an evergreen digital marketing side hustle.

And the great this about this type of side hustle is that you create once and the product can be sold hudreds of times over.

This digital marketing side hustle is ideal for those who want regular passive income without doing ongoing work.

Popular Products:

• Resume and cover letter templates
• Printable planners and coloring books
• Fonts, logos, or digital art
• eBooks and mobile app tools
• Learn more with these popular digital products to sell

Tips to Start:

• Use Canva or Adobe Express to design
• Research what people buy on Etsy or Creative Market
• Optimise your listing with keywords and great images

Further reading: How to sell low content books on Amazon.

6. Social Media Management

Social media management is a strong choice if you love interacting online and understand trends.

Day to day, you’ll help brands or individuals manage their presence, post updates, and respond to followers.

This is a top freelance job to get into, as just about every business in the world has a social presence and not enough time to manage it.

Skills Needed:

• Communication and creative ideas
• Basic analytics (what works, what doesn’t)
• Understanding brand voice

Free Resources:

Typical Tasks:

• Draft, post, and schedule content across different platforms
• Reply to messages and comments to keep audiences engaged
• Analyze engagement numbers to boost results

Further reading: 13 best digital marketing jobs + companies hiring.

7. SEO Consulting

SEO consulting focuses on helping websites get found online.

When working as an SEO consultant, you’ll audit sites, suggest fixes, and monitor what brings more visitors.

If you understand SEO (search engine optimisation) and how to get more traffic to websites, this could be a top side hustle for you that pays well.

Key Skills:

• Using Google Analytics/Search Console
• Keyword research and competitor review
• Basic technical SEO (how sites “talk” to Google)

Helpful Free Resources:

Common Daily Tasks:

• Audit client sites for problems
• Research words people search
• Submit updates, monitor ranking changes

8. Email Marketing

Email marketing focuses on writing and scheduling emails that drive sales or nurture leads.

You don’t need to write long letters, just punchy, clear messages that encourage people to read and take action.

This type of role can be done working for a company,  or you can even start your own email newsletter and make money promoting affiliate products.

Skills Required:

• Writing clear, persuasive short-form content
• Organising subscriber lists
• Reading analytics to improve results

Free Learning Resources:

Usual Daily Tasks:

• Draft newsletters or promotional emails
• Manage lists and segment by interest
• Review open and click rates, adjust future emails

9. Influencer Marketing Support

Influencer marketing support roles help busy creators manage collaborations, track deals, and keep campaigns on schedule.

Day to day, you might be liaising with influencers and sponsors, managing relationships and overseeing influencer campaigns.

This type of work could be right for you if you love being on social media, have great interpersonal skills and are highly organised.

Top Skills:

• Social media research
• Professional, clear communication
• Simple campaign reporting

Learn For Free:
Check Social Media Examiner’s influencer marketing advice.

Tasks Might Include:

• Outreach to potential partners
• Managing influencer calendars and deadlines
• Tracking performance and compiling reports

10. Paid Ads Management (PPC)

Managing paid ads, sometimes called PPC (pay-per-click), involves helping businesses set up and keep an eye on ads across Google, YouTube, or social.

This type of work is in demand as many businesses need help reaching more customer and driving traffic to their websites and products.

If you have a proven track record of creating ad campaigns, or you are willing to learn, this is a freelance job that could e ideal for you.

Needed Skills:

• Basic knowledge of Google Ads or Facebook Ads Manager
• Budget tracking and ROI analysis
• Ad copywriting

Free Training:

Main Tasks:

• Set up new campaigns with clear goals
• Adjust bids and budgets
• Review and report on performance

11. Graphic Design for Social & Web

If you enjoy making images look great, entry-level graphic design gigs are perfect.

Most beginners start with Canva or Adobe Express, offering quick design solutions for posts, banners, or ads.

You can also sell graphic templates such as bundles of Pinterest pins, logos, website designs or social media templates.

Skills to Learn:

• Basic layout and font pairings
• Colour sense and image editing
• Understanding trends in web/social visuals

Free Learning Platform:

Typical Deliverables:

• Create graphics for Instagram or Facebook posts
• Design web banners or ad images
• Simple logo/brand asset creation

Further reading: 17 simple ways to make money with Canva.

12. Video Editing for Online Content

Video editing is in high demand, with brands and creators needing short social videos or YouTube clips.

You don’t need pro tools—apps like CapCut or iMovie are good for beginners and also have great free versions to get started with.

While most video editing jobs will want to hire people with experience, you can learn pretty quickly with free online tutorials.

Skills Needed:

• Basic editing cuts and sequences
• Adding subtitles and effects
• Optimising formats for each platform

Free Tutorials:
Search YouTube for beginner video editing lessons.

Daily Work Includes:

• Editing raw video for clarity and flow
• Adding music, captions, or effects
• Exporting and optimizing for TikTok, YouTube, etc.

13. Web Design and Development

Every business needs a fast and easy-to-navigate website to attract customers and promote their products.

If you know how to code or how to create simple websites with online tools, this could be a top digital marketing side hustle worth exploring.

To land your first clients, you’ll need a portfolio, so start by creating websites for friends, family and nonprofits to build up reviews.

Skills Needed:

• Basic coding or know-how of creating websites
• Understanding of design and usability
• Good communication to find and work with clients

Free Tutorials:
Check out CodeAcademy and how to build a free website on Canva.

Daily Work Includes:

• Communicating with clients
• Designing webpage layouts
• Work on website navigation and usability
• Testing websites
• Coding and creating website

How to Choose the Right Digital Marketing Side Hustle

Picking your first digital marketing side hustle can feel a bit like sorting through a menu with too many choices.

The key to success is finding what’s a good fit for your strengths, schedule, and interests.

A smart selection will help you stick with it long enough to see results—and avoid burning out or bouncing between ideas too quickly.

Assess Your Strengths and Skills

Before you pick a digital marketing side hustle, think about what you’re naturally good at and the skills you already have.

Some side hustles require writing and creativity, while others need technical skills or an eye for design.

Ask yourself:

• Do I enjoy writing or speaking on camera?
• Am I good with numbers or data?
• Do I enjoy designing graphics or editing video?
• Am I great with communication and staying organised?

A side hustle that matches your strengths is more likely to feel rewarding, not just like extra work.

Consider Your Interests and Long-Term Goals

It’s easier to stick with a side job if it connects to something you find interesting.

If you like talking about books, affiliate marketing with book partnerships could work. Fans of social media may enjoy managing pages or creating content for others.

If you’re not sure what you like, check out Reddit threads such as marketers sharing their side hustles to see how others combine side gigs with hobbies or passions.

Evaluate Your Time Commitment

Think about how much time you can realistically give each week. Some digital marketing side hustles, like content writing or virtual assistant work, let you do a little each night.

Others, such as selling courses or managing paid ads, might require more up-front learning or bigger blocks of time each week. Be honest so you don’t stretch yourself too thin.

Here’s a quick look at common time needs:

Start small before taking on more. Once you see what fits, you can add hours or try new gigs.

Start Small and Test the Waters

You don’t have to pick the “perfect” digital marketing side hustle on your first try.

Most people start, test, and pivot. Sign up for one freelance site, create a small project, or take a short online course.

Use your first efforts as experiments to see what you enjoy and what makes sense for your skills and schedule.

If you want even more ideas that are easy to launch without a big investment, explore these profitable online business ideas.

Trying multiple small gigs lets you compare, build skills, and avoid getting stuck with something that doesn’t fit.

Learn as You Go and Scale Up

Digital marketing is always changing. Free resources—including YouTube, forums, and community guides—can fill skill gaps quickly.

Keep an eye on new trends, sign up for free trials, or ask for feedback from more experienced freelancers.

When you find something that clicks, put more energy into growing your side hustle. Some people turn a few hours a week into a steady income stream, while others keep things part-time.

Remember, you don’t have to do it alone. Online groups and free communities are packed with people sharing what works and what doesn’t.

These can help you stay motivated and get past any hurdles as you scale up your side hustle.

Tips for Succeeding with Digital Marketing Side Hustles

Digital marketing side hustles give you freedom, creativity, and the chance to build real income from home.

The barrier to entry is low, but competition is real, and success rarely happens by accident.

Use these strategies to make your journey smoother and improve your chances of steady, sustainable results.

Track Your Hours and Progress

Good time management can set you apart in digital marketing side hustles. Keep a simple log, just using a spreadsheet or a time-tracking app, to see where your focus goes each week.

This helps you spot which tasks make you money versus those that fill your time without much in return. Over time, you’ll find patterns and can focus on what’s truly working.

Build a Simple Portfolio

Whether you write, design, or run ads, collecting your best work in a portfolio will help you get noticed.

You don’t need a fancy website at first—a collection of Google Drive folders or a single-page site is enough for most beginners. Include:

• A brief intro about your skills and focus
• Links or screenshots of your work (even if it’s personal or sample projects)
• Client testimonials, if you have them

This step makes it much easier to land your first paid gig or grow your client base.

Network Online Consistently

Making connections online often leads to the best gigs or advice.

Follow relevant LinkedIn groups, participate in marketing Facebook groups, or join lively Reddit discussions like those on r/digital_marketing.

Share your progress, contribute helpful answers, and support others—these small actions grow your network and can lead to real work.

Focus on One Niche at a Time

Trying to do everything at once will slow you down. Early on, pick one niche or skill to focus on that excites you and matches your strengths.

Maybe you enjoy social media content, or you’re drawn to SEO or email marketing.

Specialising (at least in the beginning) helps you build credibility and makes it easier to refine your message and client pitch.

• List your top skills and narrow them down to a single service
• Become “the go-to” person for a certain type of client or industry
• Expand to new skills or niches after you have steady results in one area

Use Free and Low-Cost Tools

There are a lot of tools out there that help you work smarter. For side hustlers, many starter tools are free or have generous trial periods.

Try these options:

• Canva or Adobe Express for quick designs
• Buffer or Later for social media scheduling
• Google Analytics for website and campaign tracking
• Grammarly for writing
• Mailchimp for email marketing (free tier)

Start with basics and upgrade only if your side hustle pays for it.

Conclusion

Digital marketing side hustles give you real ways to earn extra income while growing your skills.

With ongoing demand for digital skills, you can start small, learn as you go, and progress at your own pace.

These beginner-friendly options help you build confidence, open up long-term career paths, and put you in control of your work-from-home journey.

Pick one digital marketing side hustle that fits your strengths, and take the first step today.

The path to higher earnings often starts with a single project or gig. If you’re ready for more practical ideas, explore the make $500 a day guide for actionable ways to boost your income even further.

Your skills and effort can turn digital marketing side hustles into lasting profits and personal growth.

Thanks for reading—share your own experiences or questions in the comments below.

Want to learn more about digital marketing?

Check out these free digital marketing courses on Skillshare.

Summary

Article Name

13 Digital Marketing Side Hustles for Beginners to Boost Monthly Income

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13 Digital Marketing Side Hustles for Beginners to Boost Monthly Income.

Author

Katie Lamb

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Remote Work Rebels

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