I've Tried Dozens of Side Hustles. Here's How to Find the Right Fit to Boost Your Income

There are hundred of side hustles hustles out there, from freelance writing to DoorDashing. 

Since high school, I've tried more than 20 different ways to earn extra income. Some side gigs were duds, like that one time I spent hours filling out online surveys, only to walk away with a measly $20. Others paid well, like when I earned $100 an hour as a freelance web developer. 

Now I'm working a full-time job and still juggling side hustles. But I'm focused on using my expertise to simplify my schedule. That tactic keeps my side hustle income flowing without causing burnout. Over time, my side hustles have helped me pay off $40,000 in debt. And my passion for side hustles has even helped me turn into a side-hustle expert and launch my own helpful side gig resources, I Like to Dabble. 

After much trial and error, I've figured out what works and what doesn't when it comes to making the most money. Here's what I recommend based on my own experience. 

Choose a side hustle that fits 

Your lifestyle is the most important factor when choosing a side gig. If you prefer to work from home, you might choose something similar to your remote job.

For example, while working as a web engineer by day, I also worked as a freelance web developer at night and on the weekends. I was essentially doing the same thing but for different clients, and I could still work remotely as long as I met deadlines and client expectations.

On the other hand, if you have a lifestyle where you're always on the move, you might take on extra work delivering groceries, takeout or packages. It pays to have a side hustle that seamlessly fits into your day-to-day life without becoming a burden. 

Look for long-term clients for retainer work

One of the biggest impacts on my side hustle income was seeking out long-term clients who needed my services for ongoing projects and retainer work. If you package your services correctly, these tend to pay better than one-off gigs. 

For example, I could write one basic blog article for $300, or I could put together a content management package for $3,000 a month that includes three monthly articles, images, references, keyword optimization and regular content updates. 

I've found that one-off gigs can be tough to negotiate for a higher amount. However, single-project assignments may still be helpful for making extra cash quickly and boosting your experience. 

Raise your side gig rates when the time is right

I was paid $25 for my first freelance article. The blog offered a small amount for guest posts, but I didn't know I could negotiate that rate. 

Once I realized how long projects took me and the market rate, I looked up common verbiage that would help me raise my rates, like freelancer negotiation scripts and example emails. Slowly, I increased my rate with each new client until I got more comfortable negotiating.

With existing clients, however, it's not a good idea to spring a new rate on them out of the blue. Be ready to discuss your financial needs thoughtfully when there's a new cycle or year, or when the workload or scope changes.

Be mindful of your client's budget and terms in your contract. For example, are you allowed to request a rate increase at any time or do you need to wait until a certain date? If you're firm on your decision to raise rates, give them enough notice before the increase goes into effect and be prepared for them to pull back on assignments.

Before determining and negotiating your rate, answer the following questions: 

• Given your workload and expertise, how long does the task take you? 
• How could that time change as you become more familiar with the task?
• Are you including pricing for your products and services? 
• Have you included how much you'll have to pay in taxes for the amount? 

Balance your side hustle to avoid burnout

Between my full-time job and side hustles, I worked close to 80 hours some weeks, which quickly led to burnout. I could no longer say "yes" to every opportunity and had to be more selective. No matter how attractive the pay was, it wasn't worth the mental stress, strained relationships and exhaustion.

It took me a while to find a good balance. I had to let some side hustles go to make room for higher-paying gigs and clients. But sometimes quitting can be a good way to declutter your life and grow your side hustle with more intention.

Try these side hustle resources to get started

To get started with a side hustle, look to free online resources like blogs, podcasts, books and online creators who are sharing their experiences. I created a free side hustle quiz that helps you decide what kind of gig to choose, including free resources based on your match.

Other resources:

• The Side Hustle Show: A podcast that interviews different side hustlers about their experience and earnings, including debunking side hustles that aren't worth it.
• Udemy or Coursera: Use these sites to find courses to help you ramp up your side hustle.
• Lunafi or Quickbooks: Apps for staying on top of your side hustle finances and taxes.
• A CNET Money tax guide I wrote to help during tax season if you're new to side hustles.