174: 10 Real Remote Side Hustles To Make Money From Home

If you’ve been searching for remote side hustles but keep running into unrealistic promises of passive income and overnight success, this episode takes a different approach.

Here Joan shares 10 real remote side hustles to make money from home, based on actual examples from her first hand experience and past Side Hustle Hero guests. These are practical ways to make money from home that fit around full-time jobs, family life, and real schedules, without shortcuts or hype.

The side hustles are presented in no particular order and cover a mix of service-based work, creative income, digital products, and client-based roles. You’ll also hear honest discussion about income ranges, startup costs, and what it actually takes to sustain each option.

Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it!

Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things.

10 Real Remote Side Hustles You Can Run from Home

If you’ve been thinking about starting a side hustle, you’ve likely noticed how overwhelming the search for ideas can be. One scroll through the internet and suddenly you’re knee-deep in promises of six-figure "passive income" schemes that claim you’ll only need to work a few minutes a week. It sounds great until you realize most of it isn’t real life.

That’s why I wanted to share ten real remote side hustles that people are genuinely running from home. These are businesses built around practical skills, realistic effort, and results that can grow over time. Each one can fit alongside a full-time job or family life, and they all start with something you already have: your interests, experience, or curiosity.

1. Community-Based Subscription Boxes

If you love supporting your local community, consider curating a subscription box that features products from nearby businesses such as candles, coffee, stationery, snacks, or small gifts. Instead of competing with big-name subscription services, this approach builds on something far more unique: community pride.

In episode 26, “Subscription Box Service: From Idea to Launch,” I spoke with Anna Cook, who shared how she turned her travel blog into no less than 5 income streams, including a neighborhood-based subscription box. Most community boxes sell for $40 to $75 each, and profits come from wholesale pricing or small business sponsorships. It’s a model that connects local makers with loyal supporters while generating recurring revenue from home.

2. Home-Based Baking or Cottage Food Business

If friends keep telling you, “You should sell this,” it might be time to listen. Depending on local laws, many people start small by selling baked goods, sauces, or other specialty foods made from their home kitchen.

Liz Burchard grew Tutu’s Tortilla Chips into a brand now carried in 70 stores, all while working full-time. Melissa Mills in What It Takes To Build A Multi-Million Dollar Company From Scratch, explains how she started her line of cashew dips with just $500 and a blender, and today it’s a seven-figure business. Both stories show how local, focused food products can turn into serious income.

3. Copywriting for Businesses

If you’re naturally good with words, copywriting, (which is writing content that sells), is a valuable home-based skill. Businesses need emails, sales pages, and product descriptions that persuade customers to take action.

In episode 86, “Write Your Way to $2,000 a Month,” copywriter Nikki Kraus explains how beginners can learn specific writing frameworks that lead to real income. You don’t need a degree, just curiosity, clarity, and a willingness to practice.

4. Online Course Creation

Turning your knowledge into an online course is a way to earn income without constantly trading time for money. The key is to focus on solving one clear problem.

In episode 166, “How to Make Your Online Course Sell,” Dan Henry and I discussed how successful courses guide people from stuck to confident by tackling a specific challenge. Once built, courses can generate revenue again and again, especially when paired with a podcast, email list, or social media presence.

5. Audio or Video Editing Services

As podcasting and online video continue to grow, demand for skilled editors is climbing fast. Tools like Descript can help, but as I mention in the show, great editing still requires human judgment ... knowing when to tweak and when to leave things alone. Editors often charge per project or per episode, making it an ideal recurring-income side hustle that can be done entirely from home.

6. Selling Printables Online

Digital downloads such as planners, templates, and checklists can bring in passive income with almost no overhead. In episode 161, “From Idea to $100K: How to Sell Printables on Etsy and Shopify,” Becky Beach shares how she validates demand using Etsy research tools before creating new products. Her top seller, the Final Wishes Planner, continues to earn because it solves a real need, not just a trendy one.

7. Handmade Crafts or Art Commissions

Turning creativity into cash means balancing passion with market demand. In episode 170, “Stop Undervaluing Your Work,” artist Miriam Schulman dives into how to price art sustainably. Many makers also boost income through paid workshops, as Chloe Winstanley did in episode 107, “How to Host Profitable Craft Workshops.” She began with no upfront cash, proving creativity and teaching can pair beautifully.

8. Digital Marketing Consulting

If you understand why some marketing connects and some doesn’t, you can help businesses improve their results. Digital marketing consultants audit websites, emails, and social media strategies to clarify messaging and increase sales. Rates range from a few hundred dollars for a one-time audit to $1,000 to $3,000 per month for ongoing retainers. The focus isn’t on mastering every marketing platform but on understanding how clear messaging and calls to action drive real results, all of which can be done from home.

9. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking

For animal lovers, pet sitting or walking can be an easy way to earn extra income. In episode 73, “Paws, Profits and Tails of Pet Sitting,” Lucy Slater explains how she uses the Rover app to connect with clients and earn $90 Cdn a night while working remotely in her main job. With reliable service and repeat customers, this side hustle can add up quickly.

10. Virtual Assistant Work

Providing online administrative help, like managing calendars, inboxes, or projects, remains one of the most accessible ways to start working from home. In episode 155, “How to Start as a Virtual Assistant,” Laura Nicole Jennings shares practical first steps, while in episode 27, “Scaling for Fun and Profit,” Sandra Booker shows how experienced professionals can evolve into high-level virtual business managers commanding premium rates.

Key Takeaway

Each of these remote side hustles proves that real, sustainable income comes from offering genuine value, not hype. Whether you prefer creating, teaching, writing, or organizing, there’s a way to turn what you already know into income you can earn from home.

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!