Great Side Gig Ideas for Graphic Designers

Being a graphic designer means that you have plenty of opportunities to make money outside of your regular job. Not everyone is satisfied with their current salary, and they are seeking new sources of income.

If the situation sounds familiar, then it means that you should start thinking of what your next step should be. Of course, things do not always work out the way you thought they would. If you are struggling with one method, then move on to the next one and repeat until you find what works. Here are some side hustle ideas to consider.

Idea #1 – Sell Merchandise

Starting a print on demand store might seem like a lot of work, but it does not have to be that way. You can look for a partner and turn the whole idea into a joint venture. At the same time, there is also the option of joining someone who is already running a store and is looking for new designers.

If you design your own t-shirt with quality in mind first and foremost, there is certainly a lot of money to be made. POD business has no ceiling as far as potential profits go, meaning it all comes down to how much effort you put in the venture.

You will need to work a lot on marketing the store because customers will not appear out of nowhere. SEO, social media, influencers, PPC, and any other marketing methods that you can come up with will help.

Idea #2 – Teach on the Internet

Online education is growing, and this trend will not stop any time soon. Covid-19 also had a big impact, so a lot of people have to spend their time at home. And that time is usually spent on the internet.

There is an urge to learn new skills and improve your current repertoire or even switch careers because you are unhappy with your current one.

Graphic design is one of those professions that require practice a lot. At the same time, you can teach others by providing visual aids, such as videos. As for how to make money, you can sell courses on platforms like Skillshare or Udemy. YouTube and Twitch TV could also be something to consider.

Idea #3 – Write a Book

Writing a book is not something that you think as a graphic designer, right? Well, there is a market for this niche as well. You can write something like a tutorial handbook and include illustrations. Or, if you have a more creative mindset, maybe fiction is up to your alley?

The bottom line is that a few books would help a lot with extra revenue. And thanks to self-publishing provided by Amazon, you can put your ebooks right away and not bother with all those annoying publishing agencies.

Idea #4 – Start a Blog

A blog is one of those methods that have been around for a while. You will have an advantage over other bloggers because you should be able to create an outstanding website with visuals.

Sure, the content itself is articles, and publishing them on a regular basis can be a bit too hard at times. But if you are blogging on the side, there is no need to hurry that much at first and take a slow approach. Eventually, people will come to the website and read your insights. Especially if you put some effort into optimization and advertising.

Idea #5 – Sell Old Digital Products

It is possible that you have multiple things that have accumulated over the years, but you were unable to sell them for various reasons. Perhaps the client was unhappy with the result, or maybe you did something on the side with the hopes of selling it later but ultimately forgot?

Well, if you are in need of money, then selling these old designs could be one of the best available options. The designs are stuck on your computer for no reason, so you might as well make some money out of it, right? There are plenty of marketplaces online, and if the price is right, finding a buyer should not be a problem.

Idea #6 – Attend Live Events

Attending relevant live events, such as conferences and conventions, might not be a direct way to make money (unless you are advertising something), but meeting new people could lead to a lot of opportunities. It is always good to have a network of connections, no matter what industry you are in.

Idea #7 – Look for Various Freelancing Gigs

Freelance gigs could be the perfect opportunity to make something extra on the side. Platforms like Fiverr and UpWork have more than enough gigs for various professions, and graphic design is certainly one of the most popular of the lot.

Be it social media content, logos, banners, or any other design work; you can get started so long as you have a portfolio and can persuade potential employers to hire you.