The 4 Best Digital Marketing Side Hustle Ideas in 2023

Whether you're a tech-savvy enthusiast, a social media guru, or a creative content expert, there's a digital marketing side hustle that is right for you. 

In this article, we will unveil the top four innovative and lucrative digital marketing side hustle ideas that are reshaping the industry and empowering individuals to carve their own path to success.

From capitalizing on emerging social media trends to tapping into the immense potential email marketing and affiliate marketing, these side hustles offer a gateway to not only financial growth but also personal fulfillment.

Why start a side hustle?

Starting a side hustle can be an excellent decision for several compelling reasons. 

First and foremost, it offers an opportunity to supplement your income and provide that much-needed financial boost to achieve your goals, whether it's paying off debts, saving for a home, or investing for a secure future. 

Additionally, having a side hustle diversifies your income streams, safeguarding you from over-reliance on a single source of income and making you more resilient in the face of unexpected financial challenges.

At the same time, starting a side hustle enables you to develop a diverse skill set. Wearing multiple hats equips you with valuable expertise and makes you more versatile and valuable in the job market.

The experience gained through managing a side hustle can also serve as a stepping stone to entrepreneurship. It acts as a testing ground where you can refine your ideas, learn the intricacies of running a business, and make informed decisions without diving headfirst into a full-fledged startup.

Benefits of digital marketing 

Starting a digital marketing side hustle can offer numerous benefits that make it an appealing venture for individuals looking to supplement their income or explore entrepreneurial opportunities. Here are some of the most important benefits:

• Low Startup Costs: Digital marketing side hustles often require minimal upfront investment. You can start with just a computer, internet connection, and basic software tools for creating and managing campaigns.

• Flexibility: As a side hustle, you can set your own schedule and work on your digital marketing projects during your free time. This flexibility allows you to balance your side hustle with your full-time job, studies, or other commitments.

• Income Diversification: Relying solely on a single source of income can be risky. A digital marketing side hustle provides an additional stream of revenue, which can be especially beneficial during economic uncertainties.

• Remote Work Possibilities: Most digital marketing tasks can be performed online, which means you can work from anywhere with an internet connection. This opens up opportunities for remote work and allows you to cater to clients from different locations.

Remember, while the benefits can be substantial, starting and running a successful digital marketing side hustle requires dedication, hard work, and a continuous commitment to learning and adapting to the ever-changing digital landscape.

Drawbacks of digital marketing side hustles

While a side hustle in the digital marketing space seems like an attractive route to take, there are some drawbacks to consider before jumping in head first.

It’s time-consuming

Effective digital marketing requires a significant amount of time and effort. Managing social media accounts, creating content, conducting market research, and analyzing data can be time-consuming, especially if you're juggling it alongside a full-time job or other responsibilities.

It’s highly competitive

The digital marketing space is very competitive, and standing out from the crowd can be challenging. With numerous individuals and agencies offering similar services, finding clients and building a reputation can take time and dedication.

A constantly changing landscape

Digital marketing is continually evolving, with new platforms, algorithms, and trends emerging regularly. Staying up-to-date with the latest changes and best practices can be overwhelming and may require ongoing learning and adaptability.

Inconsistent income

Side hustles, including digital marketing gigs, often come with fluctuating income. Projects may not always be steady, leading to uncertain financial stability. Securing a reliable stream of clients and income can be challenging, especially in the beginning.

Client management

Dealing with clients can be rewarding, but it can also be demanding. Some clients may have unrealistic expectations or be difficult to work with, leading to potential stress and conflicts.

The 4 best digital marketing side hustles

There are plenty of digital marketing business ideas to choose from, but some of the side hustles are more advantageous due to reduced competition and learning curves. Here is our list of the top four digital marketing side hustles you can get started with this year.

Affiliate marketing and SEO

Pros:

• Easily scalable

• Potential for passive income

• No product fulfillment or manufacturing

• No customer service issues

• No refunds or chargebacks on products you sell

Cons:

• Can be highly competitive

• Takes a long time to see results

• Low income when starting out

• Specialized knowledge in SEO is required

Affiliate marketing and SEO can be an exceptional side hustle due to their combined potential to generate passive income and with their relatively low upfront costs. 

With affiliate marketing, you act as a mediator between consumers and products, promoting items you believe in, and earning a commission for each sale made through your unique affiliate link. This means you don't need to create or handle the products yourself, minimizing overhead expenses. 

Additionally, SEO, or search engine optimization, plays a crucial role in driving organic traffic to your affiliate website or blog. By optimizing your content to rank higher on search engine results, you attract more visitors who are genuinely interested in the products you're promoting. 

The beauty of these side hustles lies in their scalability; as your website gains authority and traffic, your earning potential grows without requiring a significant increase in time or investment. 

As you invest time and effort upfront, your affiliate marketing and SEO efforts can gradually build momentum and create a sustainable stream of passive income, ultimately helping you achieve financial goals and a sense of fulfillment.

Read more: The 3 Best Affiliate Marketing Niches

Social media management

Pros:

• Flexible schedule

• Low startup costs

• Networking opportunities

• Remote work

Cons:

• Time-intensive

• Must meet client expectations

• Handling negative comments and feedback

• Time management skills are crucial

Social media management can be a rewarding and lucrative side hustle for several reasons.

Flexibility

One of the most significant benefits of social media management is its flexibility. As a side hustle, you can work on managing social media accounts during your free time, allowing you to balance it with your primary job or other commitments.

High demand

Social media has become an integral part of businesses' marketing strategies. However, not all companies have the time or expertise to manage their social media effectively. This creates a high demand for social media managers who can help businesses improve their online presence and engagement.

Skill development opportunities 

Managing social media involves various skills, including content creation, analytics, and understanding the target audience. As you gain experience, you can enhance your skills and knowledge, which can be valuable in other aspects of your personal and professional life.

Drawbacks of social media management

Social media management can be a great career for those with patience and great time management skills. However, there are some downsides to consider.

Brutal competition

Social media management doesn’t require any licenses, certifications, or specialized skills. This means that landing clients as a new social media manager may prove to be very challenging. You’ll need a clear value proposition and a defined go-to market strategy if you want to separate yourself from the competition.

Meeting client expectations

As a social media manager, you’re representing someone else’s brand to the world. Business owners may be very particular in how they want their social media profiles to be managed, and it can be hard to keep up with their expectations.

Negative comments and feedback

With “cancel culture” in full-swing in today’s society, one wrong Tweet or post can attract severe negative attention to your brand or company. 

For example, take the Balenciaga controversy that unfolded in November of 2022. The brand executed a marketing campaign showing inappropriate photos of children on their Instagram account and was forced to issue an apology. 

Social media managers must be aware that bad judgment can lead to intense backlash and consequences.

Email marketing

Pros:

• Less competitive than other side hustles

• Potential for great scalability

• You’ll learn analytics and other valuable skills

• Requires niche expertise

Cons:

• Slow growth initially

• Compliance and regulation concerns

• Unsubscriptions to email lists are frequent

• Email deliverability can be difficult to rectify

Email marketing can be a fantastic digital marketing side hustle due to several key advantages it offers. As a side hustle, it allows individuals to earn extra income while maintaining flexibility and control over their time. 

Here are some reasons why email marketing can be a great side hustle:

• High return on investment (ROI): Compared to other marketing channels, email marketing has one of the highest ROI rates. The cost per email sent is relatively low, and if executed effectively, email campaigns can generate significant returns for clients, making your services highly valuable.

• Easy to learn: Getting started with email marketing doesn't require extensive technical knowledge or experience. Basic familiarity with email platforms and some marketing know-how can be enough to begin crafting effective campaigns.

• Scalability: As you gain experience and build your client base, you can scale your email marketing side hustle by taking on more clients or expanding your services to include more advanced email marketing strategies.

• Demand for email marketing services: Email remains a crucial communication channel for businesses, and many companies seek professional assistance to optimize their email marketing efforts. The demand for skilled email marketers is likely to continue to grow.

• Flexibility in working hours: As a side hustle, you can manage your email marketing tasks during your free time. This allows you to maintain your regular job or other commitments while still earning extra income.

Remember, like any side hustle, success in email marketing requires dedication, continuous learning, and the ability to deliver tangible results for your clients.

Read more: Email Marketing Course Review

Freelance copywriting

Pros:

• Good earning potential with experience

• Work with brands you support

• Gain experience and build a portfolio

• Ability to work from anywhere

Cons:

• Intense competition

• Potential for low earnings

• Difficulty acquiring clients

• No potential for passive income

• May be hard to differentiate yourself

Starting a freelance business offers a compelling opportunity as a side hustle for several reasons. 

The potential for financial gains is an enticing aspect of freelance copywriting. With dedication and consistent effort, you can build a solid client base and a steady stream of income that complements your main job. 

As you gain experience and a reputation for delivering high-quality work, you can gradually increase your rates and boost your earnings.

Freelancing in this field also fosters entrepreneurial spirit. As you navigate client relationships, negotiate contracts, and manage deadlines, you'll acquire invaluable business acumen that can be applied in various aspects of your life.

On the flip side, freelance copywriting is one of the most competitive niches to excel in. Just like social media management, most people in the copywriting industry don’t have fancy college degrees in English or special certifications, which means the barriers to entry are very low.

With low barriers to entry also comes the potential for low earnings. Those without extensive copywriting experience or portfolio may struggle to acquire clients, as they are competing with experienced copywriting firms and freelancers looking for the same thing.

Read more: Freelance Copywriting Niches Perfect for Beginners

The bottom line

Digital marketing side hustles present a promising avenue for individuals seeking to supplement their income and explore the vast world of online opportunities. 

With a minimal initial investment and a wealth of resources available, aspiring marketers can harness their creativity and expertise to carve a niche for themselves in this dynamic industry.