5 Muslim-Friendly Side Hustles To Fund Your Twenties (Even If You're Still Studying)

Zara Choudhry -

With the economic rollercoaster and cost of living mania we're all experiencing here in the UK, a side hustle has evolved from a 'might-like-to-have' to an 'absolutely-gotta-have'.

Thanks to inflation, having a side income stream may not just be about following your passion anymore - it's the golden ticket to that extra disposable income.

But what if you're time is stretched, deadlines are approaching and university life is busier than ever? Whatever you might be doing right now in your twenties, trust me when I say, there's a side hustle with your name on it.

If you're fresh on the side hustle scene and looking for one that actually interests you, you're in the right place. Grab a cuppa, settle in, and prepare to meet your potential passion project that pays! 💰

1. Freelance Writing 🖊

It would be rude to start this post without fan-girling over the wonderful world of freelance writing.

Don't stress if you're thinking, "But I'm no NYT best-selling author, and I don't have a fancy writing degree". Hear us out...

There's a bustling marketplace of businesses and start-ups in constant search of writers to help bring their websites or blogs to life.

💰 Here's where it gets interesting, friends. Freelance writers can earn anywhere between a cool £85 to £200 per article. That's not just chump change - it's the kind of cash that could give your summer fund a serious glow-up! So why not turn those witty words of yours into a side hustle that's as rewarding as it is fun? 💖

Erm, How Do I Get Into Writing?

Good question. If you're not familiar with the writing scene, you'll want to do some research on the different types of freelance writing 

Then you can find a ton of companies that accept articles and pay well and send them an well-versed email! 

Look for local businesses on your high street that could seriously do with some website help and offer to write a few engaging blog posts for them!

Want some help on getting into writing or even sending a killer cold-pitch email? Reach out to us at anonymouslyzara@gmail.com and we'd be more than happy to get you started. ❤️

2. Tutoring 🎓

Remember that subject you smashed in school or university? It's time to cash in on that knowledge! You can charge anywhere between £20-£35 per hour depending on how advanced the topic is.

Don't underestimate your knack for algebra or your finesse with French - you've got the potential to be an awesome tutor. It might take a little time to find your teaching groove, but once you do, you're golden.

Places like MyTutor and FirstTutors are your stepping stones into the tutoring world.

Just ensure you've got a couple of references and your ID at hand to breeze through safety checks.

There are heaps of eager students yearning for some guidance - especially as they step into a fresh academic year. 💡

3. Creating a Niche Product and Selling on Etsy 👩🏽‍💻

Alright, calling all my creatives and visionaries out there; this one's for you:

A few years ago, I saw a ginormous gap in the market for Islamic-based greeting cards for occasions like Eid. I didn't love the designs out there so decided to get to work.

I made a beeline for Canva (a true bestie for non-designers and pros alike) and started crafting those designs. The next step? Getting them into the physical realm with the help of a local printing company.

Instead of  setting up a website from scratch, I decided to set up shop on Etsy. Let's be real, it’s a marketplace already bursting at the seams with eager buyers, making half the job done before you even start.

💡
Tapping into a niche market means you practically skyrocket in the rankings, because you’re offering something super special to a group of people who are looking exactly for what you’ve got. Talk about being in the right place at the right time! Plus, Etsy gives you a ready audience of millions, and the nitty-gritty of selling, packaging, and posting, all streamlined to the max.

So, if you’ve spotted a gap in the market and you’re buzzing with ideas, why not give it a shot? Who knows, your niche product could be the next big hit on Etsy!

Need help selling on Etsy? Here's a full breakdown on how I did it.

4. Social Media Management / Video Editing for a Small Biz 🤳🏽

Alright, let's keep it real — us Gen-Z peeps practically grew up with the social media manual built into our brains, didn't we? A lot of us will know about latest trends and what sort of content can go viral.

Now, imagine coupling that with helping small businesses in the bustling world of social media. I mean, every small business out there is virtually screaming for a Gen-Z touch to elevate their social media presence.  

You could find yourself editing reels, or perhaps managing the heartbeat of their account, making sure everything is just chef's kiss. Or, if photography is your thing, then snapping pics for their feed could be the way forward.

Plus, it's super flexible, working perfectly around your study schedule, taking just a few hours of your day. And who knows, as the business blooms with your help, those initial modest pay checks could transform into something pretty hefty.

Start by reaching out to small businesses and let them know you'd be willing to help them out!  

5. Starting Your Own Email Newsletter

I know what you're thinking – “Emails, seriously? In this age of Instagram and TikTok?” Well, you may be shocked to know, email newsletters are huge right now and a serious goldmine.

Essentially, an email newsletter is the idea of collecting a ton of people's email addresses (with consent, of course) and offering them a weekly newsletter jam-packed with all the goodies from a niche you're absolutely obsessed with.

Your niche could be anything from:

  • The world of tech
  • Faith-based content
  • Car news
  • The universe of coffee (yeah, you heard me, a newsletter all about coffee — why not?).

Okay, but where does the money come in, you ask?

Because you're speaking to a dedicated audience who have actively signed up to your newsletter, you can now sell sponsored sections to companies so they can promote their niche-related product/service to your epic crowd of people.

Depending on your mailing list, you can sell sponsored sections of your newsletter for around £150 +.

Or, as time goes by and your newsletter grows into this huge community, big companies might just come knocking at your door, ready to pay a pretty penny for your golden mailing list. Yes, you could literally sell your newsletter one day, all while doing something you adore. It's a win-win!

Wanna know more about the world of email newsletters and how to make money from one? 👇

Build and Monetise Your Email Newsletter 🚀

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