Digital marketing side hustles can be super rewarding. You'll develop new skills, make extra money and have more autonomy over your work.
“It’s an exciting time for side hustlers in digital marketing,” says Etoulia Salas-Burnett, M.S.Ed, founding executive director of the Howard University Center for Digital Business. “The shifts in AI, changing consumer expectations, and the continued importance of authentic storytelling has led to an array of new opportunities that both new and seasoned digital marketers can take advantage of.”
But before you update your email signature, it’s crucial to understand the drawbacks of starting a digital marketing agency today. “Digital marketing is an attractive side hustle because of the low startup costs, and that results in a highly competitive market," says Salas-Burnett. "As a newcomer, it can be challenging to stand out when clients have high expectations and tend to look for established portfolios."
That just means you'll need to be strategic in your side hustle selection. Take a look at the top side hustles in digital marketing to see where you might stand out. Then, see how you can use Wix Studio to build your business on your terms.
10 top side hustles in digital marketing
Below, check out 10 of the most promising areas to launch a side hustle, according to research and experts.
01. Writer
Salas-Burnett says content creation continues to be a thriving area for side hustlers, even in the age of AI. “Content creation is a fantastic option for those looking to start a side hustle,” she says. “Companies across all industries are constantly seeking fresh, engaging content for their websites, social media, blogs and marketing material.”
While AI might help with grammar checks and inspiration, companies will likely continue to rely on writers to inject humanized storytelling, she adds.
Indeed, jobs for writers and authors—both full-time and freelance—are predicted to remain on pace for average growth (about 5%) for the upcoming decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
02. Social media strategist
“Social media strategy has kept itself fresh for freelancers,” says Jessica Tacka, marketing director and founder of Meow Media DC. In a reaction to the "more is more" era of content, businesses are now understanding that quality and consistency can go further than spamming their customers, necessitating the work of skilled social media strategists and managers.
In fact, the BLS says that occupations for advertising, promotion and marketing managers (social media included) are outpacing average job growth at 8%, for both full-time and freelance jobs.
03. Generative AI consultant
“While SEO has been the gold standard for years, as more people turn to AI-powered tools for information, marketers need to understand how these models source and prioritize content,” says Salas-Burnett. “Many brands lack the in-house expertise to do this, which makes it a great side hustle opportunity. As a gen AI optimization consultant, you would ensure a brand’s content integrates well with AI platforms, often by having distinct, authoritative content on their websites and knowledge bases that these tools can draw from.”
To get started, consider attending one of the many workshops and online training courses to ensure you’re bringing up-to-date knowledge on this work, since the technology is rapidly evolving. (Read more: 10 jobs AI won't replace)
04. Video producer
Be honest: how many TikTok and Reels do you watch in a day?
“Creating concise, compelling videos can help businesses capture attention quickly and convey messages effectively, catering to the decreasing attention spans of modern consumers,” says Melinda Rodrigues, MBA, VP of programming for American Marketing Association's D.C. chapter, who formerly freelanced as a marketing consultant for 13 years.
According to the BLS, sound and video technicians pose to remain on pace with average growth over the next decade, and self-employment is one of the most common ways to conduct this work.
05. Digital ad manager
You might have a banner year by getting into digital ad optimization. “Digital ad management—particularly in PPC [pay per click] and social media advertising—is one of the most promising digital marketing side gigs today,” says Rodrigues.
The main reason? Many companies don’t have the resources to maintain this sort of work internally. “Businesses are increasingly realizing the importance of well-targeted paid ads to reach new audiences and drive sales, but effective ad management requires specialized skills that many companies don’t have in-house.”
06. Art director
It seems like there can never be enough content, right? In which case, consider a side gig directing how the visuals look and come together. Art directors, according to BLS, are mostly self-employed (big win for solopreneurs!) and are predicted to grow around 5% over the next decade.
07. Market research analyst
If you’re more left-brained, or thrive anytime number crunching enters the chat, market research might be your future side gig.
Jobs for market analysts are predicted to grow faster than average, at around 8%, over the next decade, per BLS research.
Still, it’s not all blue skies. Those who are looking to break into this field as a freelancer should keep in mind that most companies employ these workers in-house and might confront more headwinds pinning down clients as a result.
To stand out, consider using those analytics tools you’re familiar with to secure clients. “Leveraging analytical insights to understand customer preferences on a deeper level will be key for creating meaningful, tailored experiences. And, of course, generative AI is dominating in the digital marketing space,” says Salas-Burnett. “Anyone looking to start a side hustle should take advantage of AI tools to create content, segment customers and optimize campaigns efficiently.”
08. Compliance consultant
The Americans with Disabilities Act states companies need to make their materials as accessible as possible. Solopreneurs might find additional work in their niche by offering compliance updates.
“Specializing in creating content and websites accessible for people with disabilities is a valuable niche,” says Salas-Burnett. “This work involves optimizing for screen readers, ensuring proper color contrast, and providing alternative text for images. As accessibility becomes more important—legally and ethically—this skill set is likely to be in high demand.”
09. Web developer and digital designer
As companies will continue to be tasked to elevate and evolve their web presence to keep step with consumer preferences, the need for experts to refine and update web design will remain crucial. According to BLS, jobs for digital designers and web developers are anticipated to outpace average growth. Further, self-employment is the second highest venue for this work to be completed, underscoring the potential for a successful side gig in the niche, according to the BLS.
10. Ultra-specialized expert
Okay, so this isn’t a specific type of job—but it is an overarching piece of advice provided by the experts. In a crowded freelance marketplace, it remains key to refine your offerings in order to not only discover what you most enjoy, but to attract the right type of clients who will hopefully return—and give a referral.
“Digital marketing is incredibly saturated, which means you need to be smart about your unique selling proposition,” says Rodrigues. “Niche expertise or specializing in high-demand areas like in conversion rate optimization or marketing automation can help you carve out a space for yourself.”
Salas-Burnett agreed. “While being a generalist has its benefits, there’s also value in becoming an expert within a very specific niche. For example, specializing in email marketing specifically for dental practices or social media management for vegan restaurants. This level of specialization can lead to higher rates and less competition,” she says.
Sign up for Wix Studio and get started today.
.jpg)
.jpg)
