We hear about side hustles all the time, but have you ever wondered what people are actually doing to make money on the side?

I’m a big fan of research because it’s data-driven and objective. When it comes to side hustles the two biggest questions are: how many are doing them and what are they doing? Perhaps the biggest question is: how much are they making?

CareerBuilder recently released research on side hustles that I thought was insightful. Today I want to talk about the most popular side hustles according to research.

Let’s take a look at the list.

The Most Popular Side Hustles According to Research

 
Below are notable side hustles per CareerBuilder Research:

• Survey taker

• Babysitter

• Chef/baker

• Dog walker

• Blogger

• House sitter

• DJ

• Bartender

 
What stands out to me when I read this list is the general lack of “technology-based” side hustles. Survey taker and blogger are really the only pure “technology-based” side hustles on the list.

I wasn’t surprised to see survey taker mentioned, as it’s long been a way to make a (little) extra money on the side.

I was happy to see blogging on the list, especially with blogging being one of the most mentioned and talked about side hustles. Depending on the niche of the blog, bloggers can work anytime, anywhere.

While dog walking and house sitting may seem like “old school” side hustles, I think it makes sense. Technology, specifically sites like Rover.com, have made it easier than ever before to become a dog walker and/or a dog sitter. You don’t necessarily have to go out and attract clients, as the website does some of the work for you.

We have a rental apartment and our renter’s side hustle is dog sitting and house sitting. It’s something that is easy to do on top of a 9-5, and once you have regular clients it’s easy to continue the side hustle without having to constantly land clients.

I think the demand for dog walking and house sitting will only increase over time. More and more people are opting to have dogs instead of kids, or at least are delaying children and are, in turn, adopting dogs. I also am convinced that social media is a boon for the security industry, as people like to post real-time, including while on vacations. A house sitter adds an additional layer of security.

The other side hustles listed are also “old school” in the sense they have been around for a long time. Bartending will always be in demand, and the demand is typically nights and weekends. Same goes for DJS. And while we may think of babysitting as something 20-somethings and 30-somethings don’t do, there is probably more people doing this as a side hustle than we realize.

How Side Hustles are Changing

 
Side hustles are, for the most part, about supply and demand. The list that CareerBuilder put out makes sense: there is constant, if not growing, demand for these services.

But how will side hustles change over the next few years? Or even the next ten years?

I think we’ll always see the location-based side hustles that are popular today, but as we saw from both blogging and taking surveys making the list, the world of side hustles will continue to evolve. Virtually everyone is, at minimum, intrigued by the idea of a location independent option for making extra money in their spare time.

12 Income Streams You Can Create By Starting a Blog

As someone who has blogged for nearly a decade and run Young Adult Money for more than six years, I have seen more and more content out there, and the quality does seem to be increasing. With that being said there seems to be a nearly unlimited demand from businesses and consumers for content, so those who “cut their teeth” blogging are going to be well positioned to work on content full-time, consult on content marketing, or some other upside from the huge demand for content.

Here’s a few other examples of side hustles I think will become more prominent over the next few years:

• Freelance Writer

• Graphic Designer

• Photographer/Videographer

• Social Media Manager

• Virtual Assistant

• Uber/Lyft Driver

• Programmer

The first few that I listed above go along with the content theme. They also are side hustles that give the individual performing the service a large degree of freedom. You could argue a videographer/photographer have less freedom, but they ultimately have say over what type of work they do, how often they work, and where they work. I don’t foresee demand slowing down for freelance writers, graphic designers, photographers, videographers, and social media managers anytime soon.

Virtual assistants are going to be in higher and higher demand as the economy becomes more digital-based. We already have millions and millions of people going into jobs where they sit on computers all day. If business owners took advantage of the huge savings they can realize from a mobile workforce, virtual assistants will be swept up in the wave. I also think the rise of freelancers and contractors will inevitably lead to demand for virtual assistants.

While all the talk is on automated driving, the reality is that automated driving is still years down the road. There is actually a huge shortage of Uber and Lyft drivers, and Uber is actively recruiting drivers as we speak. This demand goes beyond traditional Uber drivers and includes things like UberEats, which is really looking to staff up drivers. As there is more and more demand for Uber and Lyft, prices and convenience of being a driver will cause people to consider taking it on as a side hustle.

Finally, I think programming will continue to rise in popularity as a side hustle. While many programmers only work their 9-5, there is a whole subset of full-time programmers who are working on an app idea, or partnering with others on business ideas. The demand for programmers won’t slow down anytime soon, and I think programming will be an extremely popular side hustle the next 5-10 years, and beyond.

Since I started blogging a little over ten years ago I have consistently made more than $10,000+ a year while working a full-time job.

It’s been a perfect side hustle to diversify my 9-5 income, but it’s become more than that. It’s led to getting a book deal and writin books, interviews on local and national television, and becoming an expert in something that is totally different than what I do for my full-time job. It’s something that I can work on from anywhere, which is important to me.

The extra money I’ve made has not only allowed my wife and I to make progress on our student loan debt, build an emergency fund, travel, and make some major house renovations.

None of this would have been possible if I didn’t make the leap and start a blog.

In short, blogging has had a huge impact on my life – both financially and otherwise. I am not the only one with a story like this. There are many people who are consistently making thousands of dollars a month from their blogs, or who even make enough money to quit their job.

Because I’ve been a blogger for over ten years I’ve been able to see some of these remarkable stories play out. From creating a side income – whose impact shouldn’t be understated – to seeing people build a brand and business from nothing to a six figures, it’s incredible the opportunities out there for those willing to put in the effort.

The one thing all these successful bloggers have in common is this: they started a blog. Without taking this critical first step it’s impossible to make money blogging. It’s easy to think about “someday” starting a blog, but honestly the sooner you start one the better. By starting a blog today you are already far ahead of the millions of people who have the idea of blogging but have not (and may never) take the critical first step of starting a blog.

There are free blog options such as “Blogger,” and many people make the mistake of starting a blog on one of these free platforms. The problem with free hosting options is that advertisers do not like them. They like the self-hosted blogs and do not take the blogs on free hosting seriously.

I’ve seen many bloggers go through the headache of transitioning from a free hosting platform to a paid, self-hosted one like Bluehost and some have spent an entire weekend going through the process and working out bugs. Don’t make that mistake! The process can be so complicated that I completely abandoned one of my Blogger blogs instead of go through the headache of transitioning to Bluehost.

I have started a number of websites over the past 10+ years and helped many others get started. Since switching to Bluehost for web hosting I have always recommended them to people who are looking to start a blog. They are highly rated, offer affordable pricing, and make starting a WordPress blog extremely easy with their 1-click WordPress installation.

If you want to start a blog that makes money you are going to want to start one on Bluehost. Bluehost offers many advantages, including:

• Affordable – by using my link you get hosting for just $2.95 per month, which is less than $36 a year.

• Free Domain Name – you will get a free domain name when you sign up for hosting on Bluehost using my link

• Extremely Easy WordPress Installation – Bluehost has a “one-click” WordPress installation

• 24/7 Tech Support – Bluehost tech support is available 24/7 and has been outstanding every time I’ve used them

• Attractive to Advertisers – having a self-hosted blog is attractive to advertisers and will make it easier to make money blogging

• 30-Day Money Back Guarantee – if you cancel within 30 days you receive a full refund on your hosting service

• Extended Money Back Guarantee – if you cancel after 30 days you receive a prorated refund for the remainder of your hosting term

As you can see there are a ton of benefits of using BlueHost to start your blog. With their money-back guarantee there is very little risk of starting a blog through BlueHost, and so much potential for making money blogging.

1) Choose a Hosting Option

 
Once you have gone to BlueHost you will see the various hosting options. I highly recommend using the “Starter” package. Even though there are two higher-priced packages, there is nothing in the higher-priced packages that you need.

Keep in mind that this option is very affordable for self-hosting a website and comes with a money-back guarantee. If you decide within 30 days blogging isn’t for you, you can get your full payment refunded. Even at 10, 11, or however many months in, if you decide you don’t want Bluehost web hosting you will get refunded for any months you paid for but haven’t used yet.

You can also always upgrade to the other accounts if you reach any of the space limits from the basic account.

2) Choose a Free Domain Name

 
When you sign up for Bluehost using my link you get a free domain name. This is an ~$15 value if you had bought the domain name.

Once you click on the Starter package in the previous step you will be brought to a screen where you enter the domain name you want.

I will be the first to admit it’s not easy to choose a domain name. I got lucky by finding Young Adult Money, as many domains with “money” in it are already taken. But even Young Adult Money isn’t a perfect domain name.

It’s easy to overthink a domain name, but in all honesty the value of your blog will not be in the name but in the content you put out. There are many hugely successful blogs out there with obscure domain names.

It will almost for sure take a few attempts to find a domain name that isn’t already taken. Think of something unique (or not unique – i.e. Young Adult Money haha) and once you find one that is not taken, grab it. Just think of something that sounds good to you and you are good to go!

Once you have a free domain, you simply need to complete your registration and you officially have a blog! I would choose none of the extras on the last screen as they are just going to increase the cost of starting a blog.

The only one that I would consider is the $0.50 a month for “Domain Privacy Protection.” It’s not necessary, but it does shield and protect your information as a website owner.

Note: you can skip the section below and go straight to “Install WordPress” if you are registering a free domain name.

Already have a domain name?

If you already have a domain name that you bought on a site like GoDaddy, it’s easy to connect your domain name to Bluehost. Instead of registering a new domain, just choose the second option on the page and enter the domain you would like to be linked to your Bluehost hosting.

Here are the directions for connecting your GoDaddy domain to Bluehost:

To modify, add, or delete name servers (DNS) for your domain(s):

• Log in to the GoDaddy.com Account Manager.

• Select Manage Domains from the Domain Names drop-down menu or the Manage Your Account list.

• Select the domain name you wish to modify using the checkboxes and then click Set Name Servers.

• Enter your updated name server information in the spaces provided under the blue Name Servers heading on the right side of your page and click Save Changes at the bottom. Your entries should look like this:
  ns1.bluehost.com
  ns2.bluehost.com

This can all be done within the cpanel once you have purchased hosting. If you run into issues do not hesitate to email me. When I first got BlueHost I already had a domain, so I’ve personally gone through these steps a few times.

3) Install WordPress

 
Once you have signed up for an account, login to your Bluehost account and go to hosting -> cpanel.

Once on this page, scroll down to website builders and find the Install WordPress icon.

Once you click the Install WordPress icon, you simply need to click install and choose the domain you are installing WordPress to. You will then set up your login information.

To log into your WordPress blog, go to your domain name and add /wp-admin to the end of the domain. This will pull up the user and password fields that allow you to log into WordPress.

Just like that you have a living breathing WordPress blog. Congrats!

Remember, if you have ANY questions at all do not hesitate to ask. I am happy to help you with any blogging questions just as I’ve helped many others set up a blog.

Blogging Tips for New Bloggers

 
As I said earlier, I have over 10 years of blogging experience and have made thousands of dollars blogging. I do not say that to brag, but to make it clear that I can attest to the fact that it is possible to make money blogging. If I can do it, you can too.

Here are area few tips I have for new bloggers:

• Commit to 6 Months – While I don’t have a statistic to prove this, a common quote that floats around the blogosphere is “most bloggers quit within the first six months.” When you start your blog, consider making a a deal with yourself to blog for at least six months. If you still want to quit, you can, but at least you gave yourself a decent amount of time to build up content and truly give blogging a try.

  If you are hesitant about starting a blog on Bluehost because of the potential that you won’t like blogging, remember that they offer a refund for unused months that you already paid for. Even if you decide to quit after 3, 6, or any number of months you will get a refund for the remaining months you already paid for. There is very little risk in giving Bluehost – and blogging – a try.

• Connect with other Bloggers – The biggest mistake new bloggers make is thinking that traffic will simply appear. The reality is that getting ranked in search engines is difficult for established blogs and unlikely for brand new blogs. The best way to get some initial traffic and links to your site is by commenting on other blogs in your niche. This is extremely important for new bloggers!

• Plan ahead whenever possible – Many established bloggers do not write their posts on the fly. Instead, they plan their posts. This helps in situations where something unavoidable – an illness, a late night at the office, etc. makes it difficult to write a post the night before it goes live. Consider using an editorial calendar to plan posts in advance.

While this isn’t a comprehensive list of all the tips I would give to new bloggers, it should provide a good start for those who are looking to start a blog. Remember, it’s more important to actually start your blog than to have it be perfect from day one.

If you have any questions about Bluehost or blogging, do not hesitate to send me an email. I have been blogging for years and have helped many people start a blog, so I’m happy to help you as well.

We’ve learned a lot about COVID during that time, but at the same time we are still far from having certainty about many things.

I’ve personally accepted the fact that social distancing and mask-wearing will be needed through 2020, and very likely into early 2021.

In Minnesota our winters can be brutal. The warm Summer and crisp Fall we have are great times to get outside.

It’s also easier to social distance outside. My wife and I have had a few bonfires at our house, each time with just a couple guests.

But once it starts snowing things will be more difficult. People will be stuck inside, more or less, where there are less opportunities to (safely) spend time with friends and family.

Which is what made me think of this question:

Should you start a blog during COVID?

I think it’s a question to seriously consider, especially if you’ve thought for years “I should start a blog.”

First I find it extremely important to say that you don’t have to be productive during COVID.

Especially in the United States, we have a cult-like obsession with productivity. I am 100% guilty of this.

While I do spend a fair amount of my free time watching “trashy” reality TV and binging Netflix, I have trouble simply being unproductive. It’s a big reason why I started my blog, and have since leveraged it to publish two books and give speeches. It feels great doing something meaningful in your spare time.

But we are in a pandemic right now.

Whether we recognize it or not, a majority of people will have some negative impact on their mental health from the pandemic. You may have lost your job and have no idea when you will get another one – especially if you work in an industry that requires live events. You may have lost a loved one. Or you may feel isolated and alone.

So don’t feel bad if you aren’t productive right now. As each week and month passes, I am more convinced that an attitude of “we just need to get through this” is warranted.

A couple posts we’ve pulled together that you may want to check out are 10 Affordable Ways To Practice Self Care During COVID and Ways to Feel in Control During Uncertain Times.

But for some people, pouring their time and energy into something productive can be beneficial. For me, I have dedicated this Summer to tackling as many outdoor projects as possible. It’s been a great distraction. In the Fall and Winter, though, I plan on pouring more of my energy into my blog.

Starting a Blog During COVID

 
A few things we know about COVID include:

• We need to socially distance, and large gatherings should be put on hold until we have a vaccine or herd immunity

• We are spending a lot more time at home

• COVID could continue for at least six months, if not a year or longer

• Once COVID is “over,” there will be a ton of things packing our calendars such as events, concerts, gatherings, and travel

Besides the not insignificant fact that COVID is a pandemic…for many it may create some capacity to finally start a blog they have been thinking about for years.

When it comes to blogging, I’ve been very transparent about the fact that it should be treated as a long-term endeavor. Some things to think about:

• It can take a long time for a blog to get off the ground
   
  It can take months and months of writing content before you have even a small amount of traffic. It may even take years.
   
  That’s why I often tell people they should start a blog as soon as possible. Everyone underestimates how long it can take before you get social media and – more importantly – Google traffic. The sooner you start the better.

• Blogging has a learning curve
   
  Contrary to what some people think, blogging isn’t easy. It takes time and effort to learn what works and what doesn’t, and that includes both structure of a blog posts and the topics themselves.
   
  There is a lot of ancillary activities beyond writing, too. When I first started I poured a lot of time into social media and networking with other personal finance bloggers. This took hours and hours of effort, but it was necessary to get the blog established.
   
  At the beginning you will likely go the DIY route with graphics and design (likely tweaking a free WordPress theme), and that takes time. If you get frustrated by this you can pay someone to do it or use it as motivation to continue to create content so one day you have the income from your blog to pay someone to do it for you.

While blogging may not be easy, it certainly is rewarding. Here are a few reasons I think it makes so much sense to start a blog:

• Blogging is one of the best side income streams
   
  If your goal is side income right now, it may be easier to simply deliver things through an app than to start a blog. But if you are thinking long-term, blogging makes so much sense as a side income source.
   
  Blogging is 100% on your own terms. You can put as much or as little effort into it. You can do it from anywhere in the world. You can do it whenever you want to, whether that is at nights, during a lunch break, or first thing in the morning. There is nothing quite like it from a side income perspective.
   
  This leads me to my next point…

• Blogging has a ton of upside and can lead to other opportunities
   
  While you can stop at creating written content on your blog, there are so many other opportunities that can come out of it.
   
  Using myself as an example, blogging has allowed me to publish two books, give speeches and webinars, make media appearances including TV, radio, and podcasts, and has allowed me to meet some amazing people who I truly can call friends. Finally, I built the marketing skills necessary to pivot into a content marketing role at my company (though I ultimately decided to stay in corporate finance).
   
  None of this would be possible if I hadn’t started blogging over ten years ago, or started YoungAdultMoney.com over eight years ago.
   
  You can leverage your blog to get a publishing deal for a book, build a large instagram following, launch a podcast, create an online product or course, get paid speaking gigs…the possibilities are truly endless.

One of my favorite things that has come out of my blog is a live interview on the New York Stock Exchange on Cheddar’s morning show.

 

 
A lot of people start a blog and then quit after a few weeks or a couple months. If you start a blog, I recommend committing to giving it a go for six months. If you can get past that six month point, you are much more likely to stick with it – especially when life gets busier after COVID passes.

Remember – you don’t have to be productive during COVID. But if you have an idea for a blog, this may be one of the best times to get started and give it a try.

Ready to start a blog? Below are a few steps to take. I’m excited for you!

How to Start a Blog in a Few Simple Steps

 
There are a number of free blog options such as Blogger and Wix. Many have made the mistake of starting a blog on one of these free platforms.

I’ve seen many (too many) bloggers go through the headache of transitioning from a free hosting platform to a paid, self-hosted one like Bluehost and some have spent an entire weekend going through the process and working out bugs. It’s a stressful, time-consuming, and many times costly process (you really need a developer to help with the transition or you avoid botching it). Don’t make this mistake.

The process can be so complicated that I completely abandoned one of my early Blogger blogs instead of go through the headache of transitioning to a paid hosting service.

If you want to start a blog that makes money and that you plan on sticking with longer than a couple months you are going to want to start one on Bluehost, using their simple WordPress installation. Bluehost offers many benefits, including:

• Affordable – By using my link – any link on this blog post – you get hosting for just $2.95 per month, which is less than $36 a year

• Free Domain Name – You will get a free domain name when you sign up for hosting on Bluehost using my link (if you already bought one with another service like GoDaddy you can use that domain on Bluehost as well)

• Extremely Easy WordPress Installation – Bluehost has an easy “one-click” WordPress installation

• 24/7 Tech Support – Bluehost tech support is available 24/7

• Attractive to Advertisers – Having a self-hosted blog is attractive to advertisers and will make it easier to make money blogging

• 30-Day Money Back Guarantee – If you cancel within 30 days you receive a full refund on your hosting service

There are many benefits of using BlueHost to start your blog. With their 30-day money-back guarantee there is very little risk of starting a blog with BlueHost.

1) Choose a Hosting Option

 
Once you have gone to BlueHost you will see the various hosting options. I highly recommend going with the “basic” package. Even though there are a few higher-priced packages, there is nothing in the higher-priced packages that you need if you are just starting out, and Bluehost would be happy to upgrade you to the higher-priced packages if you want.

2) Choose a Free Domain Name

 
When you sign up for Bluehost using my link you get a free domain name. This is an approximately $15 value if you had bought the domain name.

Note: You can skip the section below and go straight to “Install WordPress” if you are registering a free domain name.

I will be the first to admit it’s not easy to choose a domain name. It took me a while to find YoungAdultMoney.com, as many domains with “money” in it are already taken.

It’s easy to overthink a domain name, but the value of your blog will not be in the name but in the content you create. There are many hugely successful blogs out there with super obscure names.

Once you have a free domain, you simply need to complete your registration and you officially have a blog!

A quick tip – I would choose none of the extras on the last screen as they are just going to increase the cost of starting a blog.

Already have a domain name?

If you already have a domain name that you bought on a site like GoDaddy, it’s easy to connect your domain name to Bluehost. Instead of registering a new domain, just choose the second option on the page and enter the domain you would like to be linked to your Bluehost hosting.

Here are the directions for changing your nameservers within GoDaddy. Here are the bluehost nameservers you will want to replace the default GoDaddy nameserves with. You can always reach out to 24/7 support with Bluehost if you run into issues.

3) Install WordPress

 
Bluehost makes WordPress installation super easy. It’s called “one-click WordPress installation.”

They continue to refine the process of adding a WordPress blog, so it likely will be intuitive of what you need to do once you are registered. But, worst case scenario, you can always follow these directions:

Go to the “My Sites” tab:

If you don’t see your site to the right, click Add Site:

Select Use WordPress:

How do you log into your WordPress site? Simply go to your domain name and add /wp-admin to the end of the URL. This will pull up the user and password fields that allow you to log into WordPress, as well as reset your password.

Just like that you have a blog. Congratulatoins!

If you have any questions at all do not hesitate to ask. I am happy to help.

But on a positive note, there has never been a better time to learn about and discover a new hobby. Even if you can’t do all of these hobbies yet because, you know, #socialdistancing and all, you can learn about them and commit to doing it when the quarantine is over.

Here are 20+ ideas for hobbies to fill your time.

Outdoor Hobbies

 
1) Running or Walking
 
What’s not to love about getting outdoors and seeing your local neighborhood? Fortunately for us, too, walking or running is a socially distant activity. Simply leave room when encountering others on the side walk.

Best of all, all you need to get started is some comfortable clothes and tennis shoes, making it one cheap hobby.

 
2) Gardening
 
Gardening is a great hobby – it allows you to get outdoors, it’s great exercise, it’s affordable, and you can learn something about each plant.

And if you don’t have a garden, it’s not a problem. You can start enjoy gardening by planting a few house plants and keeping them in your apartment.

 
3) Hiking
 
If you are craving an escape from the city or suburbs, then hiking is an excellent hobby. There are tons of state parks that offer hiking trails, no matter if you are a novice or expert hiker.

If you’re just getting into hiking, start with some gentle trails. As you get more into it, you may want to consider buying some basic hiking gear, such as boots, safety supplies, and a backpack.

 
4) Geocaching
 
Do you like scavenger hunts? Then you will love geocaching.

There are millions of geocaches hidden around the world. A geocache is basically a small box of inexpensive treasures. You can download a geocaching app and use GPS to find geocaches near you. Happy searching!

 
5) Camping
 
Camping is the perfect summertime hobby. For those looking to disconnect and get away to nature, you really can’t go wrong.

The best thing about camping is it can be as comfortable or rugged as you like. If you aren’t so sure about sleeping on the ground, you can always look at renting a camper or staying in a cabin. Or, if you’re truly ready to embrace the outdoors, you can load up your belongings in a backpack and sling a hammock in the woods.

 
6) Canoeing or Kayaking
 
Whether you live near a river or a lake, you can take advantage of canoeing or kayaking.

For around $50, you can rent a canoe for the afternoon and get in a killer workout while enjoying the peace of the water.

Hobbies that Can Make Money

 
7) Blogging
 
Of course, we had to mention blogging! Blogging is truly a fun way to make money. You get to write about a topic that matters to you, you can share your insight and knowledge, and you get to meet a ton of people all over the world.

Starting a blog is easy – you can follow this guide to get started.

 
Related:

• 7 Years of Blogging as a Side Hustle – Should You Start a Blog?

• How to Make Money Blogging

 
8) Writing
 
Onto my personal favorite hobby – writing.

Freelance writing is the perfect hobby (in my not so humble opinion!) It allows you to work with clients to create informational and engaging content, all from the comfort of your own home.

Freelance writing is near and dear to me, as it allowed me to pay off all of my student loans. Not too bad for something I truly enjoy doing.

It’s also worth noting that you can write as a hobby without the intention of making money doing it. There is nothing wrong with keeping a journal, writing stories, or even blogging simply because you like to do it.

 
9) Selling Printables
 
Printables are a file you create for others to purchase. Once someone purchases it, they simply download the file and print it off in their own home.

Not only are printables fun to sell, but they are super fun to create. You can use really any program, including free ones like Canva, to create downloadable printables on your computer.

 
10) Flipping Furniture
 
Flipping furniture might sound like an arduous task, but it can be a pretty simple way to make money if you do it right.

To flip furniture, you score sites like Craigslist and Facebook to find beat up old furniture for a steal. You then bring it home, fix it up, repaint it, and make it look new. Then, you resell it for a much higher cost than you bought it for.

 
11) Coding
 
Learning how to code is fun, and sites like Codeacademy will teach you how to code for free.

Once you become a skilled coder, you can find online coding gigs and earn money from home.

Hobbies that Educate You

 
12) Take a Course
 
Thanks to the internet, you can learn just about anything. Take a course through sites like Udemy, or simply watch how-to videos on YouTube.

 
13) Learn an Instrument
 
There’s such a wide variety of instruments that you aren’t limited in what you can learn. From piano to guitar and from trumpet to drums, you can teach yourself on any instrument that interests you.

YouTube is a great resource for free lessons while you are stuck at home. And if you don’t have any instruments, you can search your local Facebook Marketplace to find a cheap and used one.

 
14) Reading
 
Even if your local library is closed due to COVID, you can still find plenty of ways to read books.

First, check out your library’s website. They often have free subscriptions to apps like Libby, which gives you unrestricted access to thousands of audio books and e-books. Some libraries are also offering curbside, no-contact, pickup. Finally you can always buy books on Amazon, like DC’s Student Loan Solution.

Artistic Hobbies

 
15) Coloring
 
People who haven’t tried it might roll their eyes at adult coloring books, but coloring can be a great way for adults to relax and release stress. In fact, some of the best-selling books on Amazon are adult coloring books. There are some that may surprise or shock you, such as the best-selling Calm the F*ck Down coloring book.

 
16) Photography
 
Photography is a fascinating hobby to learn. Not only do you get to learn about taking the perfect photo, but you can learn how to master editing software.

Don’t have a fancy camera? No problem. Nowadays, many people do photography right from their smartphones.

 
17) Crocheting
 
Crocheting requires minimal materials, and is an easy hobby to start. All you need is a hook, some yarn, and a little patience. Start with learning something simple, like a scarf, and you can then work your way up to more advanced items.

Food and Beverage Hobbies

 
18) Cooking and Baking
 
Since you are likely eating most of your meals at home anyway due to quarantine, why not start learning how to cook or bake?

Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated. Start off with some simple recipes, and master the technique. You’ll be on your way to becoming a gourmet chef in no time.

 
19) Mixology
 
Interested in beer, wine, and spirits? Practice mixing up the perfect cocktail at home.

For recipes and inspiration, check out Liquor.com. This website will help you pick and choose your spirits, plus walk you through how to create some pretty tasty drinks.

More Popular Hobby Ideas

 
20) Traveling
 
Though traveling is limited during quarantine, that doesn’t mean you should stop planning your travels.

Create a list of every place you want to go, and start researching! Now is a great time to plan your upcoming trips.

 
Related:

• Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards

• Here’s How Much It Cost Us for an 11-Day Trip to Thailand and Vietnam

• Chase Ultimate Rewards: Our Simple Guide to Maximizing Your Points

 
21) Volunteering
 
What better hobby than to serve others?

Find a cause you care about and volunteer your time. Whether you want to help at the food bank, local schools, animal shelters, or something else, there are thousands of opportunities to volunteer.

 
22) Home Projects
 
If you rent or have an apartment or condo you may be limited in this hobby, but if you own a home why not spend your free time fixing up your house? You can start small by painting or taking on other low-pressure house projects, but the sky is the limit.

 
What did we miss? What is your hobby?

Today I want to share tips for those who are considering starting a blog while working full-time. As I mention in my recent post 7 Years of Blogging as a Side Hustle – Should You Start a Blog? blogging can be a great side hustle. If I had decided against starting a blog over seven years ago, my life would look a lot different today.

With that being said, blogging – like any side hustle – can take a lot of time. The problem is that once you account for your 9-5 job there isn’t a ton of free time. It’s not easy to consistently carve out time for a blog week-after-week. If you are motivated to start a blog and build a brand, you can overcome these time constraints. After all, thousands of other bloggers have done it – why not you?

Commit to Six Months Before You Start Blogging

 
Before starting Young Adult Money I had started a few other blogs including a political blog and a group blog focused on music, as well as a couple other short-lived projects. I spent a solid year deciding whether or not to start another blog because I didn’t want it to be another blog that I ended up abandoning.

Because blogging burnout can hit relatively quickly, I recommend new bloggers commit to at least six months of blogging. If you can get past blogger burnout and get into a rhythm, you have a good chance of sticking with the blog for the long-haul. Way too would-be bloggers, myself included, abandoned a blog after just a few months.

Use a Calendar to Carve Out Time to Work on Your Blog

 
There is no way I would have been able to run a blog, let alone write a book, while working full-time unless I used a calendar. If you aren’t in the habit of using a calendar, you will want to start. If you want to be a successful blogger it’s vital that you know exactly where your time is going. I even put in “drive time” in my calendar so I don’t forget about all the time that I need to set aside just to get to and from places.

The real benefit of keeping a calendar is carving out specific time for blog work. I carve out one-to-three hour chunks to sit down and work on my blog, typically after work a couple days a week and some time on the weekend. Especially when I was writing my book it was so important that I have that time carved out.

Remember: Writing Blog Posts Is Only Part of the Work

 
Many new bloggers are shocked at how much time it takes to do all the “extra” stuff that comes with blogging. Between working on your blog design, growing your email list, promoting your content, and everything else, writing content ends up only being a portion of the time commitment that blogging requires.

It’s important to think about your blog as a brand, especially in today’s world. Ultimately you will likely branch out of solely producing written content. You don’t have to start a podcast, or start putting weekly videos on YouTube, but you may end up writing a book, being a podcast guest, or produce social media content to a greater extent down the road. It’s exciting to see your blog and brand grow to this level, but it does take more time.

Start by focusing on consistently publishing blog content, but keep in mind that there is an endless number of other things you can do to grow your blog and brand that you may want to carve out time for in the future.

Write Down Topics and Ideas as Soon as You Think of Them

 
The one thing I miss about the very early days of my blog was the huge list of topic ideas I had. After all, I was starting from scratch so I had a ton of topics that I wanted to hit on. Over time that wears off.

To keep a strong pipeline of ideas I suggest writing down ideas as soon as you think of them. For me, that means jotting them down in a notebook. For you that could mean typing them in your phone. Whatever works. This will keep a healthy list of ideas that you can refer back to when it comes time to write your next post.

If you want to take this a step further, start outlining blog posts ahead of time. For me, if I have a blog topic picked and a general outline complete, I can write the post relatively quickly. And with a 9-5 and a tight schedule, being able to write a post quickly is a big benefit (just make sure quality doesn’t suffer).

Use an Editorial Calendar

 
Not only do I suggest keeping a list of your topic ideas, I also recommend that you use an editorial calendar. An editorial calendar is simply a calendar that you use to plan out future content.

I can tell you from experience that having the next few weeks of blog post topics laid out on a calendar can be really helpful. Even if you never get ahead more than a week, having the topics on the calendar makes you subconsciously start thinking about what the posts will look like for upcoming topics.

You can grab a free copy of my editorial calendar template here.

___________________________________________________

 
Blogging while working full-time isn’t easy, but if you stay motivated, get into a rhythm (i.e. planning content ahead of time using an editorial calendar, constantly write down new ideas, etc.), and are intentional about setting aside time for your blog, you absolutely can succeed.

If you have any specific questions or just want to drop a line, please reach out. I would love to hear from you. Knowing other bloggers who also were working full-time while blogging was really helpful when I first getting started – and is still helpful today.

Getting Your Blog Set Up

 
There are free blog options such as “Blogger,” and many people make the mistake of starting a blog on one of these free platforms. I’ve seen many (too many) bloggers go through the headache of transitioning from a free hosting platform to a paid, self-hosted one like Bluehost and some have spent an entire weekend going through the process and working out bugs. Don’t make that mistake!

The process can be so complicated that I completely abandoned one of my Blogger blogs instead of go through the headache of transitioning to Bluehost.

If you want to start a blog that makes money you are going to want to start one on Bluehost. Bluehost offers many benefits, including:

• Affordable – By using my link you get hosting for just $2.95 per month, which is less than $36 a year.

• Free Domain Name – You will get a free domain name when you sign up for hosting on Bluehost using my link

• Extremely Easy WordPress Installation – Bluehost has a “one-click” WordPress installation

• 24/7 Tech Support – Bluehost tech support is available 24/7 and has been outstanding every time I’ve used them

• Attractive to Advertisers – Having a self-hosted blog is attractive to advertisers and will make it easier to make money blogging

• 30-Day Money Back Guarantee – If you cancel within 30 days you receive a full refund on your hosting service

• Extended Money Back Guarantee – If you cancel after 30 days you receive a prorated refund for the remainder of your hosting term

As you can see there are many benefits of using BlueHost to start your blog. With their money-back guarantee there is very little risk of starting a blog through BlueHost.

And I should. I’ve been blogging as a side hustle for 7 years.

Young Adult Money was started in 2012 and has been going strong ever since. It’s led to two published books, many media interviews, and countless friendships and businesses relationships, and many opportunities that would have never materialized had I not started my blog 7 years ago.

If you’re wondering whether or not you should start a blog, my short answer is “yes.” While it’s not always the case, many people have had their lives changed by blogging. You won’t necessarily make a million a year through blogging (though I personally know some who do), but there is a ton of upside that comes with having a blog.

I’ll start by talking about the benefits of having a blog. I’ll also go over a few simple steps for starting your blog, as well as some tips for those getting started.

The Benefits of Having a Blog

 
I’m all about chasing upside. And blogging has a lot of upside.

Blogging can result in:

• Side Hustle Income – You can make extra money above and beyond your 9-5 through blogging. It’s always a good idea to diversify your income, but there aren’t always good opportunities. Blogging is an opportunity.

• Quitting Your Job – It’s entirely possible that blogging can lead to you quitting your job. This isn’t the case with everyone, obviously, but thousands and thousands of people have started a blog and eventually quit to run their website full-time.

• Learning and Developing New Skills – Writing skills, speaking skills, general content creation skills, social media marketing…the list goes on. Not to mention you will very likely become a subject matter expert in whatever you choose for your blog topic.

• Making New Connections – One of the most valuable things you can gain from blogging is friendships and connections. You will inevitably meet many people who you otherwise never would have crossed paths with. This can result in business opportunities and lifelong friendships.

I could go on and on, but you get the point: simply by having a blog you expose yourself to upside.

One of the unexpected benefits of blogging is that it can help you with your day job, even if your blog is completely unrelated. In my own life, I was able to push myself out of my comfort zone with my blog, mainly through public speaking opportunities that I’ve taken advantage of. These experiences, plus the fact that I am not reliant on my 9-5 as a sole source of income, has made me a better employee.

Making money on my blog has been a huge benefit. Between book sales, sponsorships, and affiliate income, I’ve been able to build up a decent side income. It wasn’t always that way, though, and it’s important to keep in mind that I’ve been blogging for seven years and have learned throughout the process.

My primary advice to people who are considering blogging is to start NOW. The sooner you start, the sooner you can learn the ins and outs of blogging. You’ll learn what works and what doesn’t. And the older your site the more valuable it is on search engines.

Time flies, and you can easily waste a few years thinking about starting a blog. During that time you could have started and built up a successful blog that generates you income. Who knows, you could have even written your first book! You also could have given it a shot and realized it’s not for you. Regardless the key point is to take action and not wait.

The one thing all these successful bloggers have in common is this: they all started a blog.

How to Start a Blog in a Few Simple Steps

 
There are free blog options such as “Blogger,” and many people make the mistake of starting a blog on one of these free platforms. I’ve seen many (too many) bloggers go through the headache of transitioning from a free hosting platform to a paid, self-hosted one like Bluehost and some have spent an entire weekend going through the process and working out bugs. Don’t make that mistake!

The process can be so complicated that I completely abandoned one of my Blogger blogs instead of go through the headache of transitioning to Bluehost.

If you want to start a blog that makes money you are going to want to start one on Bluehost. Bluehost offers many benefits, including:

• Affordable – By using my link you get hosting for just $2.95 per month, which is less than $36 a year.

• Free Domain Name – You will get a free domain name when you sign up for hosting on Bluehost using my link

• Extremely Easy WordPress Installation – Bluehost has a “one-click” WordPress installation

• 24/7 Tech Support – Bluehost tech support is available 24/7 and has been outstanding every time I’ve used them

• Attractive to Advertisers – Having a self-hosted blog is attractive to advertisers and will make it easier to make money blogging

• 30-Day Money Back Guarantee – If you cancel within 30 days you receive a full refund on your hosting service

• Extended Money Back Guarantee – If you cancel after 30 days you receive a prorated refund for the remainder of your hosting term

As you can see there are many benefits of using BlueHost to start your blog. With their money-back guarantee there is very little risk of starting a blog through BlueHost.

1) Choose a Hosting Option

 
Once you have gone to BlueHost you will see the various hosting options. I highly recommend going with the “basic” package. Even though there are two higher-priced packages, there is nothing in the higher-priced packages that you need if you are just starting out, and Bluehost would be happy to upgrade you to the higher-priced packages if you want.

Keep in mind that this option is very affordable for self-hosting a website and comes with a money-back guarantee. If you decide within 30 days blogging isn’t for you, you can get your full payment refunded. Even at 10, 11, or however many months in, if you decide you don’t want Bluehost web hosting you will get refunded for any months you paid for but haven’t used yet.

2) Choose a Free Domain Name

 
When you sign up for Bluehost using my link you get a free domain name. This is an ~$15 value if you had bought the domain name.

Once you click on the basic package in the previous step you will be brought to a screen where you enter the domain name you want.

I will be the first to admit it’s not easy to choose a domain name. I got lucky by finding YoungAdultMoney.com, as many domains with “money” in it are already taken. But you know as well as me that obscure names can work really well.

It’s easy to overthink a domain name, but in all honesty the value of your blog will not be in the name but in the content you put out. There are many hugely successful blogs out there with (very) obscure domain names.

Once you have a free domain, you simply need to complete your registration and you officially have a blog! I would choose none of the extras on the last screen as they are just going to increase the cost of starting a blog.

Note: You can skip the section below and go straight to “Install WordPress” if you are registering a free domain name.

Already have a domain name?

If you already have a domain name that you bought on a site like GoDaddy, it’s easy to connect your domain name to Bluehost. Instead of registering a new domain, just choose the second option on the page and enter the domain you would like to be linked to your Bluehost hosting.

Here are the directions for changing your nameservers within GoDaddy. Here are the bluehost nameservers you will want to replace the default GoDaddy nameserves with. You can always reach out to 24/7 support with bluehost if you run into issues.

3) Install WordPress

 
Bluehost makes WordPress installation super easy. It’s actually called “one-click WordPress installation.”

Once you have signed up for an account, login to your Bluehost account and go to hosting -> cpanel.

Once on this page, scroll down to website builders and find the Install WordPress icon.

Once you click the Install WordPress icon, you simply need to click install and choose the domain you are installing WordPress to. You will then set up your login information.

To log into your WordPress blog, go to your domain name and add /wp-admin to the end of the domain. This will pull up the user and password fields that allow you to log into WordPress.

Just like that you have a living breathing WordPress blog. Congrats!

Remember, if you have ANY questions at all do not hesitate to ask. I am happy to help you with any blogging questions just as I’ve helped many others set up a blog.

Tips for Those Who are Starting a Blog

 
Congratulations if you’ve decided to take the plunge into blogging! You never know where it will take you, so you should be excited.

I want to share a few tips I’ve learned over the years that will help you get started on the right foot, and perhaps will help you avoid some of the mistakes that many new bloggers make.

• Commit to Sticking With Blogging for a Set Amount of Time
   
  Blogging takes work, and it’s not for everyone. It can feel especially difficult in the beginning, though the excitement of doing something new can help offset that feeling.
   
  This is exactly why I recommend committing to your blog for a set amount of time. That may mean three months, six months, or even a year. Sticking with a blog is key. Every successful blogger could have quit after a week or two, but they stuck it out.

  You may find that blogging isn’t for you, and that’s okay as well! But commit to sticking with the blog for three months minimum, because it does take some time to get used to running a blog.

• Publishing Content is Only the Beginning
   
  Most people who start blogging are caught off guard by all the “extra” stuff that comes with blogging. This may include conducting research, web design, graphic design, commenting on other blogs, networking with other bloggers, planning and managing social media accounts, managing your email list…the list goes on.
   
  Keep in mind that actually writing and publishing content is only one piece of being a blogger. You can outsource some of these things, but most new bloggers like to keep expenditures low until they know they are going to stick with blogging.

• Plan Content with an Editorial Calendar
   
  One of the best things I’ve done from a planning perspective with my blog is making use of an editorial calendar. An editorial calendar is a way to plan your content in advance, something that many bloggers do.
   
  I created a free editorial calendar in Google Sheets for other bloggers and content managers. Some of the biggest brands have downloaded this editorial calendar, which I think validates how useful it is.

• Think about Long-Term Goals
   
  Part of the fun of blogging is you have no idea where it will take you. I have seen people leverage their blog for a profitable freelance writing career, publish books, or pivot into new careers like social media managers or content managers. The upside is truly limitless.
   
  With that in mind, it is useful to reflect on your long-term goals. Do you want to gain freelance writing clients? Or do you want to publish a book? Is your goal to quit your job or to simply build a side income stream? Where do you want blogging to take you?
   
  Having some bigger goals in mind can provide you with the motivation to “stick it out.” Blogging can be difficult at times because there is always more content to create and more you can do to build your brand. In those times where you may want to quit, remind yourself what you are working towards!

Remember, the first step is simple: get started! There is a learning curve with blogging and it does take some trial-and-error. The sooner you get started, the sooner you can learn the tricks of the trade.

Kristin Wong is a freelance writer and journalist who moved to Los Angeles in 2010 to pursue a writing career. Since then, she’s written for Fox Digital, MSN Living, Glamour magazine, and now regularly contributes to the New York Times. Kristin knows the freelance writing industry inside and out – and she’s sharing everything she knows in her writing course, Come Write With Us. You can enroll here to work with her. Get in quick, because the doors close on January 15. And if you’ve ever wondered how to make money as a writer with no experience, Kristin is sharing a few tips with us today!

It’s a question I get all the time: How do I get writing gigs when I have zero experience? It’s a chicken-and-egg problem, really. You need experience to get bylines, but how do you get experience without bylines?

When I’m asked this question, I consider two things: What worked for me early in my career, and what I would do NOW if I had to start from scratch. Here’s my answer — three things to keep in mind if you want to start a freelance writing career (or side hustle) without zero experience.

Focus on ideas, not inexperience.

 
When you pitch story ideas to editors, blogs, or publications, don’t focus on your lack of experience. Just come up with a great idea, then get right to your pitch. Let’s say you want to write about travel. You have a unique idea about discount travel.

Your pitch might look like this:

“Hi [Editor],
 
Travel is more accessible for people than ever, but it’s also more uncomfortable than ever.
 
Airlines have ‘unbundled’ flight prices, making tickets cheaper, but unfortunately, this also means less legroom in front of you. During a recent (and highly uncomfortable) trip on Spirit Airlines, I brainstormed a few ways to make discount travel more comfortable, and I thought it would make for a useful blog post: How to Travel on Cheap Airlines Without Losing Your Mind. Is this something you would be interested in covering?”

 
Sure, if you have bylines, it helps to mention them. But if you don’t, there’s no need to point it out. Editors and blog managers care less about where people have written and more about really great ideas – because that’s what their readers are after.

If you do lack experience, the person you’re pitching may want to see the post first. Consider writing it before you pitch, then ask if you can send them the full story so they can check it out.

Search for Gigs Strategically

 
Most writers look for work really inefficiently. Early in my career, I spent months competing for gigs with hundreds of other writers on Upwork. I never landed a single one. Big media companies would post gigs on popular job boards, and I’d spend HOURS perfecting my resume and applying. Later in my career, an editor told me most large publications only post jobs publicly to seem impartial – they almost always already have an internal hire in mind.

Sheesh – I wish I knew this before I wasted my time! Of course, this isn’t to say all job postings are bunk, but there are better ways to find gigs.

For example, search Twitter for “hiring a freelance writer” and you’ll see real Tweets from editors, startups, and companies who really are actively searching for writers. Or search “pitch me” and find editors who are open to pitches. Connect with these folks and see what kind of stories they’re looking for, what kind of topics seem to interest them. Finding work is not a numbers game. It’s a game of strategy.

Share your portfolio everywhere!

 
The majority of credible writers I know have platforms, whether it’s their own website, a simple Tumblr blog, an account at Medium. When you lack experience, a platform or some kind of online writing portfolio is necessary to establish your credibility as a writer.

Early in my career, I wrote a reported piece on a Colombian photographer I really admired. The piece wasn’t published anywhere, but I uploaded it to my website and used it as a writing clip to get gigs. When I pitched editors or applied for gigs, no one knew this wasn’t a published piece, nor did they care. It just gave them a clear sense of my writing style and made me look credible.

And put your writing out there! Add your blog or website to your email signature, social media profiles, and so on. Include a “work with me” page on your site, too.

One final piece of advice: Don’t be afraid of criticism. In fact, learn to love it. Ask for feedback from friends, loved ones, editors, and peers.

Yes, criticism about your writing can be tough to take, especially early on in your career when you don’t have much experience as a professional writer (we’ve all been there!). But I’ve met many writers who are resistant to feedback and often defensive about it. I hate to say it, but none of those writers ever get published or get very far with their writing at all. The most successful writers I know learn to not only take feedback and criticism well, but they also see it for what it truly is: free writing advice.

DC here – I want to give a quick endorsement of Kristin. She is an incredible writer and has been freelancing full-time for nearly a decade. Long story short she knows what she’s doing! You can enroll in her course by clicking the graphic below. She is only taking people through January 15th, since it’s a six-week course where you will have live interactions with Kristin.