Top 9 Free Side Hustles to Start in The UK 2024

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Looking for a side hustle that has no upfront costs? Here, we take a look at the top 10 free side hustles to start in the UK in 2024.

Despite having zero costs, these side hustle ideas could easily turn into six-figure revenue streams with the right time and effort. Starting a side hustle in 2024 is one of the best ways to increase your monthly income and take steps towards becoming financially free.

Also read: How to use your side hustle to build wealth

Free side hustles are popular in the UK because they are relatively risk-free and have huge profit margins. Sounds good? Here are the best free side hustles to start in 2024.

Top 9 Free Side Hustles to Try in 2024

Here is an overview of the best free side hustles to consider in the UK. Scroll down to find out more about each money-making opportunity.

1. Pinterest affiliate marketing: The best free side hustle for beginners that can be done from your phone. No startup costs and huge profit potential.

2. Faceless YouTube: Top free side hustle for talented content creators who want to make passive income in 2024. Make money on YouTube without showing your face.

3. Sell clothes on Depop: Sign up to Depop for free and sell clothes from your own wardrobe. Best free side hustle to make money quickly in the UK.

4. Become a UGC creator: Use your phone to make promotional content for brands. New free side hustle idea that is very well-paid in the UK.

5. Sell digital products on Etsy: Unique free side hustle idea in the UK that could become a six-figure business.

6. Print-on-demand: Start your own e-commerce business for free in the UK and make passive income in 2024.

7. Rent out your car: Best free side hustle for car-owners who live in busy cities. Earn up to £600 per month without spending a penny.

8. Pet sitting: Make money for free by looking after other people’s pets. The best free side hustle for UK people who love animals.

9. Sell your photos: Lucrative free side hustle for talented photographers in the UK.

Top 9 Free Side Hustles Explained

In the following section, we take a closer look at the top 10 free side hustles to start in the UK 2024 including how they work and how to get started. Read through each mini-review carefully before deciding which free side hustle idea is the best for you.

1. Pinterest affiliate marketing - The best free side hustle for beginners that can be done on your phone

Pinterest affiliate marketing is one of the best free side hustles to start in 2024 because it is easy to start and can be done from your phone. Making money from Pinterest affiliate marketing involves posting images on Pinterest with direct links to products or services. Every time that someone clicks a link and makes a purchase, you receive a commission.

Pinterest is a visual search engine which means that you do not need to have a huge following to get views or clicks. Instead, successful pins have keyword-optimized descriptions and an aesthetic image that appeals to platform users.

A good idea is to promote products that photograph well such as makeup products, home decor, or clothing. Pinterest users use the platform to search for daily inspiration and gravitate toward products that are aesthetically pleasing.

How to start Pinterest affiliate marketing in the UK:

1. Create a Pinterest account. Choose a name that relates to your niche (clothing, beauty, lifestyle ect…) and use an engaging profile image. Use keywords in your bio to attract the right users to your profile.

2. Sign up to an affiliate program. Choose an affiliate program that offers products in your chosen niche. Check out our list of the best affiliate programs for beginners to find the best option for you.

3. Create pinnable images and post them with your links. It takes time to build up traffic on Pinterest. Try posting at least 5 times each day for several weeks to start getting clicks on your pins.

The process of starting Pinterest affiliate marketing is easy. However, many people struggle with persistence and give up before making any money. It is normal for this side hustle to take several weeks before making any money. Create a daily posting schedule, interact with other accounts and optimize your profile to speed up the process of making sales through your links.

The amount of money that you could earn through this free side hustle idea will depend on the price of the products that you promote as well as the commission structure of the affiliate program. For example, if you promote a product that costs £50 and receive a 10% commission for each sale, you will make £5 per sale.

To optimize your earnings, focus on high-ticket affiliate products and try to find programs that offer a substantial commission structure. Some affiliate programs offer up to 75% to their affiliates!

2. Faceless YouTube -Top free side hustle for talented content creators

It is no secret that YouTubers can make millions per year by posting videos online. But, what if you don’t want your face all over the internet? Faceless YouTube is an excellent free side hustle idea that involves building a successful YouTube channel without showing your face.

Popular faceless YouTube channel ideas include mediation soundtracks, ASMR videos, tutorials, educational animation, and unboxing videos. Each of these types of videos allow creators to post engaging content without needing to reveal their identity and make money from YouTube without showing your face.

How do faceless YouTubers make money?

Faceless YouTube videos can be monetized through ad revenue, affiliate marketing, and sponsorships. The amount of money that you could earn each month will vary depending on engagement and traffic, with high-traffic videos bringing in more revenue than low-traffic ones.

It may take several months to build the amount of traffic needed to start making any income from faceless YouTube. However, the initial effort is certainly worth it with some of the most successful faceless YouTube channels making millions per year.

How to start a faceless YouTube channel for free:

1. Choose your niche/channel category. Choose a niche that genuinely interests you and can easily be covered without showing your face. To start this side hustle for free, find a video idea that does not require any specialist equipment or props.

2. Create faceless YouTube videos. To be successful on YouTube, you need to post multiple times per week. It i a good idea to start the content creation process early so that you have videos available to post.

3. Set up your YouTube channel. Register with your personal details, channel name, and other required information. Make sure to use an engaging profile picture and banner that reflects your channel.

4. Upload videos 3x per week. As mentioned above, you need to upload videos multiple times each week to be successful. Write video descriptions that include keywords and create eye-catching thumbnail images.

5. Stay active. To grow your channel, you need to show up every day. Comment on other videos and reply to comments that are left on your own.

There is a lot of money to be made with YouTube, as long as you upload regularly and make high-quality content.

3. Sell clothes on Depop - Best free side hustle to make money quickly in the UK

So far, the free side hustles that we have mentioned take time to become profitable. But, what if you need extra money now? One of the best free ways to make money quickly in the UK is to sell clothes on Depop.

Depop is a social resale app that allows anyone to sign up and sell their unwanted clothing to a global customer base. The app has amassed over 30 million registered users worldwide which makes it one of the best platforms to sell your old clothes.

Depop is completely free to use and most users are surprised at how much cash they can make by selling a few unwanted clothing items. If you price your items competitively, it is possible to make your first sale within hours of signing up to the platform.

Depop is a social app which means that sellers and buyers can interact by following and messaging each other. To be successful, interact with other users as much as possible by messaging potential customers with offers or following other sellers.

Here’s how to start selling clothes on Depop for free in the UK:

1. Create an account. To create a Depop account, simply download the app and register with your email address. Then, upload a profile picture and write a short bio that reflects the types of items that you plan to sell.

2. Take pictures of your clothes. Pictures are the most important aspect of successfully selling on Depop. You should never upload pictures that are misleading. However, it is a good idea to use lighting, placement, and props to make your item stand out on the search results page.

3. Upload items to your Depop shop. Upload the images to your shop along with a detailed description. The more information that you can provide about the item, the faster it will sell. Use keywords but don’t be misleading.

4. Stay active on your account and interact with other users. To increase your chances of successfully selling clothes, log in to your account every day and interact with other users. If someone likes your item, you could message them an exclusive offer, for example.

Selling clothes on Depop is a free side hustle that could be started by literally anyone in the UK. In fact, Depop is one of the best side hustles for teens because the minimum age requirement is just 13 years.

4. Become a UGC creator - New free side hustle idea that is very well-paid in the UK

A UGC Creator is a content creator who creates promotional content for brands as part of a wider marketing campaign. Unlike traditional influencer marketing, UGC content is posted directly to the brand’s social media instead of on the creator’s platform. This means that you do not need a huge following to get paid to create content which makes it one of the best free side hustles for social media creators in 2024.

Anyone can become a UGC creator by signing up with an agency or reaching out to brands directly. Although you do not need to have a huge social media following, it helps to have a public social media page that showcases your skills.

The average earnings per post for a UGC creator in the UK range between £50 and £2000. At the lower end of the scale is content created for platforms such as Facebook or LinkedIn. The higher-paying gigs come from creating content for platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.

Here’s how to become a UGC creator in the UK:

1. Practice your skills. Become an expert content creator by practicing with various social media platforms. You don’t need any special equipment, just your phone will do. Work out what type of content you are best at creating and find a profitable niche.

2. Create a social media page. Create a social media page to show off your content creation skills. This will act as your portfolio.

3. Sign up to an agency. Agencies make it easy to find UGC creation jobs by connecting creators with brands.

4. Get paid to create content. It shouldn’t take long after joining an agency to find your first paid UGC opportunity. Ask clients to leave reviews to increase your chances of finding further jobs.

UGC is a very new type of social media marketing that has grown in popularity over recent years thanks to TikTok trends. Creators can earn a lot of money from the comfort of their own homes and even leave their full-time jobs for UGC.

Perhaps the most appealing aspect of this free side hustle is that it provides social media users with a way to earn money in a similar way to influencers, without needing millions of followers. Furthermore, user-generated content is supposed to be amateur, which means that anyone can create it.

Also read: 15 best side hustles for artists in the UK

5. Sell digital products on Etsy - Unique free side hustle idea in the UK

Looking for an eCommerce side hustle that is free to start and requires very little maintenance? Selling digital products on Etsy is a great way to make extra money for free in the UK 2024. This side hustle involves creating digital products and selling them to customers on your own Etsy shop.

Etsy is a popular eCommerce platform for people to sell handmade, thrifted, or vintage products to customers. Selling through Etsy means that you do not have to worry about creating an ecommerce website from scratch and you can harness the platform’s already established audience of over 80 million users worldwide.

It is possible to sell a variety of products on Etsy however, digital products are a great option for beginners looking for a profitable free side hustle. Digital products are sold as downloadable files which can be used by customers after they have purchased them. You do not need to worry about storage or shipping when selling digital products on Etsy in 2024.

Furthermore, it is possible to create high-quality digital products for free using tools such as Canva, Photoshop or even Microsoft Office.

Read: How to create Etsy printables using Canva

Popular examples of digital products to sell on Etsy include revision guides, planners, templates and photo editing presets. In fact, there are hundreds of potential digital products that you could create for free using just your laptop in 2024.

Here’s how to start a digital products business:

1. Choose your niche. Search around to see what’s already out there and find potential gaps in the market for products that don’t exist or existing products that could be improved.

2. Create digital products. Once you have found a niche and a profitable product, create the product using free software. Take time to create the perfect product that provides customers with everything that they need.

3. Set up an Etsy shop. Choose a shop name that reflects your small business and write a good store description. Also set up a payment method and verify this.

4. List your products. List your digital products on your Etsy shop with keyword-optimized descriptions. Convert the products into PDF files at this stage of the process.

5. Use Pinterest for free advertising. Platforms such as Pinterest can be used to drive traffic to your new Etsy shop and speed up the process of making your first sale.

6. Upload regularly. Upload new products regularly or refresh old listings to stay relevant on the platform.

Selling digital products on Etsy is a great way to make passive income in the UK without spending any money to set up the small business. Expect to wait around 2 weeks before making your first sale.

6. Print-on-demand - Start your own e-commerce business for free in the UK

Print-on-demand is an eCommerce business model that makes it possible to start your own clothing and accessories line without needing to store inventory or take care of fulfillment. The process involves creating designs, uploading the designs onto products, and selling these products through an online store. When a product is purchased, it is made and shipped by a print-on-demand supplier.

It is possible to start a successful print on demand business for free in the UK by taking advantage of free trials that are offered by platforms such as Shopify. To start making money with print on demand you need a design tool, an eCommerce store and a print on demand supplier.

One of the best ways to start a print on demand side hustle for free is to use Pinterest and TikTok for free social media marketing. Create designs that are trendy and aesthetic. Then, post images and videos of your designs on each of the platforms alongside links to your eCommerce store.

Some of the best print on demand products to sell in 2024 include graphic t-shirts, mugs and tote bags. These items are versatile and will never go out of trend. To be successful, use popular brands for inspiration and also take a look at what is trending on social media.

How to start a print on demand side hustle for free:

1. Choose a niche. Take time researching profitable niche ideas and developing a brand. Establish your target audience as well as potential marketing strategies.

2. Create your designs. Use free tools such as Canva to create aesthetic designs that will photograph well for social media.

3. Create a Shopify store. Create a Shopify store for free using the free trial. Create a store logo and colour palette for branding.

4. Integrate your store with Printify. Printify is a print on demand supplier that can be integrated with your Shopify store to automate the fulfillment process.

5. Upload your designs onto products. Use Printify to upload your designs onto products that you want to sell. Take time to get the design 100% right.

6. List your products. List the products on your Shopify store with optimized product descriptions. Try listing a few designs at the same time to make your store seem professional and reliable.

7. Use social media to market your products. Order samples of your designs and create social media content. A good idea is to create a social media account for your brand so that you can start building brand identity.

Print on demand is’nt an instant money maker but it is possible to make five figures per month eventually with this business model. Reaching this kind of success requires daily social media posts, engaging with potential customers and regularly updating your store

7. Rent out your car - Best free side hustle for car-owners who live in busy cities

If you own a car and live in a city you could be sitting on an extra £650 per month. Renting out your car is a fairly untapped but very profitable free side hustle idea to try in the UK in 2024. This side hustle involves renting out your car to tourists or visitors who need to get around while they visit. To do this, sign up with a car rental company and set your availability.

In the UK, it is possible to make up to £650 per month by renting out your car. Of course, luxury or new cars are more profitable and the money that you make will vary depending on the number of days that your car can be rented for. This is a great free side hustle idea for car owners who can easily walk or cycle to work.

When you rent out your car, the company will provide insurance to protect you against any damage. You will also be given virtual security keys that unlock your car via a box under the dash. These keys are stored in the app and are deleted after each hire.

To rent out your car in the UK, it must meet eligibility criteria. Most car rental companies will only accept cars that are less than 13 years old and have driven less than 100,000 miles. If your car meets this criteria, the process of renting out your car and making extra cash is the UK is easy.

How to rent out your car in the UK in 2024:

1. Check your car. Take your car for a service to check that it is road-worthy and safe to rent out. Also, check that your car meets the rental eligibility requirements.

2. List your car. The next step is to sign up to a rental platform and list your car. Provide your availability and any other information that is required.

3. Accept bookings. Accept bookings from customers and update your availability so that it is relevant. When you accept a booking, you will need to make sure that your car is ready to be rented and meet the renter for the hand-over.

Renting out your car is a great way to turn your vehicle into an asset. What’s more, it’s completely free to start!

8. Pet sitting - Make money for free by looking after other people’s pets

Did you know that you can get paid to play with cute pets? One of the best free side hustles to start if you love animals in the UK is pet sitting. This involves getting paid to look after pets whilst their owners are busy. Pet sitters in the UK earn an average of £30 per hour but these rates can be higher if you offer overnight or specialist care services.

Pet sitting is completely free to start. All you need to do is sign up for a pet sitting platform, create a profile, and apply for jobs. There is a healthy demand for pet sitters in the UK which means that it doesn’t take long to find your first customer. However, this side hustle works best in cities with large populations of pet owners.

Read: How to become a pet sitter in the UK

Pet sitting can involve anything from sitting in owner’s homes and watching over pets to taking them on walks or to vet appointments. As a sitter, you can set availability to fit your lifestyle and decide which jobs to apply for. The flexibility of pet sitting makes it a popular side hustle for nurses and other busy professionals.

How to become a pet sitter in the UK for free:

1. Apply to a pet sitting platform. There are many UK pet sitting platforms to choose from in 2024. Before applying, research the platform’s fee structure, payments, and eligibility requirements.

2. Create a profile. Create a sitter profile that showcases your love for animals and experience in looking after pets. Include images of you with animals that will increase your reliability and trustworthiness to owners.

3. Apply to jobs. Some platforms require you to apply for jobs while others allow pet owners to reach out to you directly. It may take a few days before you land your first pet sitting gig.

9. Sell your photos - Lucrative free side hustle for talented photographers in the UK

It is possible to make extra money each month by selling photos online in the UK. This free side hustle involves listing your photos as stock images and making money every time that they are purchased. If you have a talent for photography, this could be a very lucrative side job in 2024.

Stock image websites such as Shutterstock allow photographers to sign up and list their photos on the platform as stock images. Contributors are paid a set price for each photo and can also sign up to work with brands directly on campaigns.

To make money selling photos online, take images that are versatile and generic. This is a good way to make money consistently. Also, make sure to take a variety if different images and build a substantial portfolio to establish yourself as a good photographer on the platform that you choose to use.

You should try to upload new images every day and take as many pictures as possible. This will increase your chances of making sales.

To start selling your photos online:

1. Sign up to a stock image platform. If you’re a beginner, choose a platform with low eligibility requirements and easy payouts.

2. Take generic/ easy-to-use photos. Avoid taking photos that are too context specific. Take photos that can be used for a variety of purposes.

3. Upload your images to the stock image platform. Upload images in a high resolution so that they are good quality. Use keywords in descriptions so that they appear in relevant searches.

4. Upload regularly. Try to stay active and upload new photos regularly. The more photos that you post, the higher your chances will be of making money.

Conclusion

In this article, we have covered the 9 best side hustles that you can start for free in the UK. These side hustles are ideal for beginners who are on a budget. We recommend researching the various options before deciding which one is best for you.

Also read: How to make money with ChatGPT

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