How an Introvert Can Earn Money with a Side-Hustle

Big crowds, public spaces, constant conversations – all these things are incredibly draining for me. Why? Because I’m an introvert. And if this sounds familiar, you might also be an introvert. Because of that, socializing can be a chore, whether for fun or work. That’s a reason why writing appeals to me so much. It’s a very calming, solo exercise that allows me to recharge in my own space. But writing doesn’t pay the bills right away, so I needed to find an alternative means of income that suited my particular needs. So I wanted to share some of my findings and see if you can apply some of these side-hustles that fit us introverts.

What are Introverts?

You probably hear the term “introvert” and think of yourself or someone you know that’s shy and doesn’t like to socialize much, keeping to themselves. And that’s largely accurate, but there’s a bit more to it. Because it all comes down to what takes energy from you.

A person can be shy but still be an extrovert, as being around people, and social situations will recharge them. For an introvert, those situations are exhausting. So, generally, folks like me have these tendencies:

• We’re anxious in social situations.
• We tend to spend a lot of time in our heads, thinking or daydreaming.
• Our time is usually spent alone, but when we socialize, it’s in small groups.
• We inhibit ourselves, meaning we’re reserved in most situations.

As I said, when we end up socializing, it takes a lot out of us as we struggle with confrontations, and being the center of attention sounds like the worst-case scenario (that’s why I prefer blogging and writing instead of hosting my own podcast!)

So, introverts require alone time to recharge for the next outing or interaction. However, for our purposes, introverts have a bit of a superpower ideal for working on a side-hustle: We often perform better on our own, at our pace.

Before I move on, though, remember that introversion is a spectrum, so every introvert will look and act different – we’re not all socially anxious creatives who hate people.

Some Great Side-Hustles

Now, with all that in mind, there are some great jobs an introvert can take on. Like me, your skillsets or interests may not align with all of them, but I wanted to share some that work for me and others that would be interesting for others. The important part is that you can do most of these things from the comfort of your safe space.

Blogging

So, this is obviously one I’ve taken on for my means. I thoroughly enjoy the process of writing and finding a space to share my thoughts with others, so it just makes sense! Blogging is also so easy to step into because all you need is a website, topics, and the willingness to write. You can invest in certain software pieces, but you can also write for free using Google Docs.

As you build an audience, you can start generating income through affiliating with other sites or drawing attention to other products or services you offer, as I do with my novel, Getting By, or my online course.

Freelance Writing

I covered this more thoroughly in my last blog post, but it applies as a great way to work on something you’re passionate about. It has various avenues for profit, like self-publishing or submitting to online publications, and it lets you work from home, a cafe – wherever you’d like!

Authors like me get the added benefit of regular practice and stretching their creativity this way. And again, it has a low-cost barrier of entry for tools. So long as you have a Google account, which is free, then you get access to Google Docs.

Proofreading

Some writers have a superb eye for cleaning up their work. You can put that skill to use and offer your services to other writers or businesses. Some small business owners want to write a blog and have great ideas but need help cleaning up the content.

Or authors like myself turn to proofreaders and editors to give our manuscripts a once-over, which is invaluable. If you like helping people polish their written work, this is an excellent avenue to pursue.

Book Reviewing

If, like me, you enjoy reading, this is a great excuse to keep to yourself and get paid to do it. You can join several services to become a reviewer for free and get yourself started, like on Goodreads. But sites like Reedsy have spots for professional reviewers, or you can also look into local and online publications that want reviewers.

Graphic Design

For myself, I’m not a designer – for Getting By, the self-publishing company I worked with created the cover for me. However, I used to draw regularly, and while I don’t do so much anymore, visual art still interests me. So if you love art design and have a developed talent for it, then it’s not hard to freelance as a designer.

Many people need creative assets for their businesses, and you can easily get on sites like Fiverr to put yourself out there. Plus, if you don’t have the money to invest in the bigger software applications, Canva provides an affordable alternative if you’re a starting designer.

Podcasting

Now, I’m not one to talk about myself or present things very often, so podcasting isn’t ideal for me. However, some introverts aren’t exhausted by that idea. If that’s you, then great! Podcasts have lots of potential to earn income through affiliate marketing as you build an audience.

And like blogging, it’s pretty simple to get into, though you will need a decent recording setup if you want the final product to sound its best.

Thankfully there are affordable options for technical gear and free editing software like Audacity or GarageBand you can use in your process. Building the audience is tricky, but with an exciting show and enough perseverance, anyone can work towards it.

Web Design

Again, another skill I’m not terribly proficient in. While I have some modest understanding of how my site runs and how to keep it up to date, I definitely call in some help for larger tasks.

If you’re more technically savvy than me, though, putting yourself out there as a web designer lets you work for clients with minimal in-person contact, and if you’re good at it, it can be very profitable. Once again, working through Fiverr is a good way to get yourself freelance work.

Online Course Instructing

Creating a course is one of my recent endeavors. I knew I learned a lot from my experience in self-publishing Getting By. So, I began to think that I could help others by imparting that knowledge and maybe earn some extra income on the side to help profit from my passion for writing and supporting other authors.

If you have a skillset or in-depth knowledge that you feel others can benefit from learning, like any of the ones I’ve mentioned so far, then you could create a course or webinar.

Courses especially take some work to get off the ground, but you can charge modestly for your efforts to get a solid return on the investment. Plus, if social interaction is challenging for you, you can do like I did and record your lessons rather than lecturing live.

Social Media Managing

I enjoy using Facebook and see the value in other social media platforms, but they can be hard to keep up with. Some people out there love getting on social media, though. Even some introverts!

For those people, you could apply yourself to being a social media manager if you understand the marketing strategies involved and want to help people build their following. And it’s not that socially taxing since you’re not directly interacting with people live. You can take your time and think out your responses in your own time.

House Sitting

Sometimes you don’t want to stay cooped up in your own home all the time. Thankfully, you can apply yourself to being a house sitter and sometimes have a sort of getaway.

Plus, the bonus with house sitting is combining it with any other work-from-home opportunities I’ve discussed already! Sure, you’ll need to keep things tidy, grab the mail, and maybe feed a family pet now and again, but you’d probably be doing all that at your own home anyways, with no one paying you – so why not?

Dog Walking

Another great way to get out of the house but keep to yourself is becoming a dog walker. If you’re great with animals but maybe can’t have one of your own, then this is a wonderful solution.

A few hours a day or week is all it takes to get out for some fresh air with some canine companions. And, like with house sitting, you can still work on other projects between walking appointments.

Lawn Care

There’s a particular niche available if you like gardening, as some people don’t have time to maintain their own yards but can’t afford an elaborate landscaping service.

That’s where you can step in if you like spending time outside and putting in some manual labor when the weather allows for it. You’ll need to interact with your clients, like with any of the above tasks, but essentially you can do your own thing while tending to someone’s lawn care.

My list is by no means exhaustive. Ultimately, thanks to the internet, there are many, many opportunities for introverts to find work and have complete control over their schedules and lifestyle.

If you’re interested in my work, please check out my young adult novel, Getting By. Or, if you’re an aspiring writer, my course may interest you, offering you the info you need to self-publish a story of your own. Otherwise, please reach out and connect with me, on either social media or email me at jsims@jairesims.com.