Side hustles have long been America’s favorite way to make extra cash. Now, Gen Z is taking action. Two-thirds, 59% of Gen Zers say they are currently busy, according to a May 2022 Zapier survey of 2,032 adults. On average, they spend 10.5 hours per week on hustles.
If you are one of this young generation and are considering taking up your own hustle, there is no end to what opportunities you can do. You can try some affiliate marketing on social media channels, for example, food delivery or secret shopping.
Another area to consider is virtual assistance, which includes a variety of activities. “Whatever your core skill, you can get paid to help people with that skill,” says Jen Glantz, founder of Bridesmaid for Hire and creator of the Monday Pick-Me-Up and Odd Jobs newsletters.
Here’s what virtual help entails, how much you’ll need and where you can find gigs.
‘Maybe you’re great at Excel’
The term “virtual assistant” is a catch-all for many different types of work.
Scheduling, event planning, social media management, research, “Maybe you’re really good at Excel or you’re good at Google Docs or you’re good at Photoshop or you’re really good at organization,” Glantz said.
Check out virtual assistant profiles on sites like Fiverr and Upwork to see what kind of services they offer, then consider what skills you have to offer yourself. Remember, just because you don’t see these skills listed, doesn’t mean you can’t offer them.
Try sites like Belay, Robert Half or Fiverr
When it comes to how to find virtual assistant work, there are many options.
- Site like Belly helps connect virtual assistants with employers who need their services. You’ll apply on the site and they’ll put you in touch with potential employers who pay between $18 and $21 an hour, according to the company. Remember, they’d rather you work a nine-to-five window.
- Job search sites like Robert Half, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter and Monster list contract or part-time virtual assistant positions. You can filter by remote gigs, if you’re looking for, and see how long each project can take. Gigs at Robert Half can pay up to $30 an hour.
- Freelance platforms like Fiverr and Upwork allows you to create packages or pages based on the type of skills you are targeting. The employer then finds you accordingly. Virtual assistants on Fiverr charge up to $250 per package.
- Social media platforms like Facebook a group of features dedicated to virtual assistants, specifically. Employers will post showings and anyone interested can get in touch. The I Need a Virtual Assistant group recently saw postings for Canva experts and bilingual Spanish/English speakers.
How much time you put into your virtual assistant hustle is ultimately up to you. Find available shows, see what you want and consider whether it fits your schedule.
Ultimately, the more specialized your skills are, the more you will need to create. Creating email campaigns, creating WordPress sites, managing online subscriptions – these are all special skills. For a custom role, “you’re often talking at least $100 [per hour] and up,” Angelique Rewers, founder of BoldHaus, a consulting firm that helps small businesses find corporate clients, previously told CNBC Make It.
Look at:
3 side hustles expected to start in 2023 – one paying up to $100 an hour
4 side hustles for introverts: Some can bring in tens of thousands of dollars
9 desirable side hustles you can do from home—and how much they pay
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