Abby B. Wondering what are some suitable side hustles for project managers? Unsure what you can do with your expertise? Here are 13 ideas!
I used to handle so many commercial projects at my last job for a food & beverage company. It was an exciting role to begin with but it required intense focus that most people can’t keep up with. I had to manage everything from A-Z!
If that’s something you’re doing at your current job, I understand that it can be hard for you to zoom out and see what skills you’re able to use for your side hustles.
In this article, I’ll be sharing 13 suitable side hustles for project managers and recommendations of what you’ll need to start. At the end of the post, you can find more tailored options for making money online on the side as a project manager.
*This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you) if you sign up for a program or make a purchase using my link!
13 Best Side Hustles For Project Managers
1. Coach other aspiring project managers
The best way to earn side income as a professional is to monetize your knowledge. There are so many ways you can do this in today’s online world but the most straightforward one is to coach other individuals looking to be like you.
Depending on the field you’re experienced in for project management, things can be tough for beginners to learn and adapt. Help them not give up on their careers by offering personalized coaching services.
I have personally purchased coaching sessions with successful bloggers just so I can become one. Although it wasn’t cheap, I’m super grateful that I made the decision to invest in a good coach!
Similarly, you can share your services on social media platforms like YouTube, Twitter and LinkedIn. Include a link for people to contact you or book an introductory call.
You can also focus entirely on reviewing resumes and helping others ace their interviews to get their dream project management job. It’ll definitely make you a better project manager!
| What do I need to start? | – Relevant experience in the field you’re coaching for – Standard module to use when guiding coachees – Platform to promote your services |
2. Talk about project management on a personal YouTube channel
Tired of working with others and looking for something that you can do on your own? You can start your own YouTube channel and monetize your knowledge along the way.
Although it takes time for you to start making any money with YouTube, it’s a great way to build an online audience for the long run. If you don’t know where you’ll go with it, you can always pivot later!
There are many ways you can monetize your YouTube channel later on. Aside from earning from advertisements, you can make money from affiliate commissions, sponsorships and product sales.
You can also divert your YouTube traffic to other platforms like your own social accounts, have them subscribe to your email newsletters, Patreon memberships or Discord groups.
I highly suggest creating educational content that is searchable i.e. people would key it in their search bar. This way, your content can be found by new people everyday!
Interesting YouTube channels in the project management niche:
| What do I need to start? | – A camera to record – Portable microphone for better sound – A video editing software |
Read: What I spent for my vlogging gear in first 6 months
3. Build a podcast for topics you’re passionate about
Another way of making content that doesn’t involve showing your face is to record audio files for your own podcast.
It’s important to stick to a single concept and content creation strategy when starting out. This helps you plan your content better, avoid confusion and prevent quick burn out.
So, if you do want to pursue YouTube alongside starting your own podcast, I would recommend you video-recording your podcast sessions. Do as little edit as possible and upload the simple video on your YouTube channel.
Buy yourself time to master the art, you can always improve later on! You don’t know what works until you put it out there.
Podcasts can be as short as 15 minutes or as long as 3 hours but ideally, it should be about 30-40 minutes. That’s the duration it takes for most people to get to their offices if they live in big busy cities – so make your episodes easily listened to during commutes.
| What do I need to start? | – Good desk microphone – Set of quality earphones – An audio editing software |
Check out: 7+ best project management podcasts you should listen to
4. Write content for project management on your own blog
If you’re someone who loves writing and sharing written content, you can consider a side hustle in blogging. You’ll need to register for a domain name (website URL name) and setup your own self-hosted WordPress website to get started.
It’s quite an easy thing to do and does not require advanced technical knowledge. You can watch YouTube videos about it and check out my step-by-step guide to start your own blog.
Blogging is a side hustle I would recommend for introverts as it does not require you to work with anyone else. Even if you’re an extrovert and good at socializing at your full-time job, you might benefit from having a quiet side hustle.
Just like YouTube, you’ll need to put in the work and publish articles for quite awhile before you get to see any income from your blog. Your blog only generates income when there’s traffic coming in and it will take time for Google to trust you before bringing any traffic to your site.
Most people make some income after a year of blogging!
Your blog can earn you a side income passively through advertising revenue, affiliate commissions, paid sponsorships and sales of your own products.
| What do I need to start? | – A WordPress Website – Domain name & hosting – Passion to write for a specific niche |
Read: Why I invested in a blogging coach before doing anything else
Love using social media and don’t want to do the hard work of setting up a YouTube channel or a blog? You can make a good side income by growing your followers on social media apps like TikTok, Instagram and Twitter.
Aside from getting paid for product reviews and promoting brands, you can earn a substantial side income with promoting affiliate products or services.
You’ll need to sign up to affiliate marketplaces like Amazon Associates, CJ affiliate, Clickbank, Share-a-sale and Rakuten Advertising. Then go through their catalogue for a suitable product or service based on your audience.
Each product or service you want to promote as an affiliate will have different unique links for you to share. Once someone clicks on it and makes a purchase, you’ll earn a commission out of it – usually a percentage of total amount.
Generally, services and digital products have a higher commission rate compared to physical items! Some may even give you 50% out of the sale instead of a little 2%-5% (common for Amazon).
| What do I need to start? | – Affiliate products or services you can promote – Social media account with growing followers |
6. Sell your original photos or videos on stock websites
Have a passion for photography or videography? It’s time to explore it as a side hustle!
If you didn’t know, selling your own photos and videos on stock websites is a huge thing. With content creation taking a big growth in the next few years, the opportunity for individuals like you to make some side income selling stock footages is going to increase as well.
You’ll need to sign up as a contributor on stock websites (list down below) to get your photos or videos listed for sale. Once it’s live, your assets can be sold repeatedly to different buyers forever.
Content creators and large websites are the ones to buy these photos/videos online as they don’t always have relevant ones to use within their content or marketing materials.
Although it’s nice to diversify by taking all kinds of photos, it’s important to be niche-specific in the beginning. Just like I mentioned earlier in this article, it can help you plan and manage your work load better!
Stock websites you can join to start:
| What do I need to start? | – A good camera & photography skills – Basic photo editing skills – Consistency to upload photos frequently |
7. Get paid to write for other websites as a freelancer
If you fancy a side hustle in writing but don’t want to be setting up your own blog at the moment, you can practice your writing skills as a freelancer writer.
Big blogs and content websites often hire freelance writers to outsource their content writing work. This helps them to scale faster and schedule new articles everyday.
You can look for writing opportunities for project management topics by looking at sites like Upwork or LinkedIn. Alternatively, you can search for these websites on your own through Google as some may have a page for writers to apply on.
The pay rate for freelance writers depend largely on your experience for the topic you’re writing for. If a client wants to rehire you, there’s a better chance at negotiating a higher pay.
Before starting, it’s best that you equip yourself with some basic SEO writing knowledge as it’s important for online content to be search engine optimized. It’s nothing too complicated and if anything, should guide you to write within a specific framework. You can then use the same knowledge when writing for your own blog.
| What do I need to start? | – Writing skills – Good command of English or language you’re writing for – Platform to promote your services |
8. Create and sell online courses for project management
Like the idea of one-to-one coaching but want something that can make you passive income without sacrificing your time? You can create your own online courses for project management topics – sample down below.
If you’re halfway through your career, you’re probably well experienced in the field. You can share your knowledge with the mass public in the form of free YouTube videos like I’ve mentioned above, or make paid specialized courses to cater to your ideal audience.
Look back on your career journey and any trainings you’ve taken to analyze what kind of course you’re able to create for others. Then draft a module to structure the lessons and start planning content for each one.
Short courses are meant to be concise and straight to the point. Selling your courses on platforms like Udemy would allow you to update the content if needed and your buyers would get lifetime access to it.
You’re also expected to answer to any questions posted so manage your community well from the start! Once you gain more confidence, you can then offer premium coaching to anyone that’s happy with your courses.
Some sites you can host online courses on:
| What do I need to start? | – A niched course idea – Well thought out module – Tools to record your lessons e.g. screen record, microphone |
Creating courses is too much work for you? Here’s a list of digital products you can make to sell on easy platforms like Etsy. I’ve made a quick guide on how to make these products too!
9. Self-publish a project management e-book with Amazon KDP
Still looking to build passive income streams from writing? Consider writing your own e-book to self publish with either Amazon KDP, Lulu or Book Baby.
Compared to traditional publishing routes, you don’t have to wait long for your e-book to be published. Even better, although you’re creating an e-book, it can be sold as a printed copy where everything is handled by Amazon.
You’ll just keep the royalty on each sale!
Creating e-books will allow you to earn through affiliate links as it is possible to include them within the file. When a reader clicks on a link, they will be directed to the product or service you’re promoting and you’ll earn a commission from their purchase.
I would recommend writing your own e-book if you have an online audience to market to – doesn’t matter if its from YouTube, LinkedIn or Twitter. Even if you don’t make substantial sales, it is still a good way to make yourself known in the industry.
| What do I need to start? | – Book writing skills – Join an online self-publishing platform |
10. Offer freelance project management services online
If your day job isn’t too demanding and you have sufficient free time in the evening to do things on your own, you should consider offering freelance project management services.
You can look for these opportunities online on either LinkedIn, Upwork or any other websites focusing on remote jobs. Although you can work on your own, some jobs may require you to dedicate about 20-30 hours per week and attend weekly meetings to provide updates.
The type of project management jobs you can apply to varies greatly with your knowledge and experience. It’s easier to apply for the job if they’re not looking for anything technical, but there’s also greater competition to face.
Getting a freelance job is a great option for beginners looking to start an online side hustle as it provides you some structure – quite similar to a full-time job. It can be easy to lose focus on a new project you’re doing if you’re just working alone.
When I made the search on Upwork, there were more than 12,000 job listings for “project manager”!
Ways to promote your services:
- Fiverr
- Upwork
- PeoplePerHour
- Indeed
- TikTok (because anything can go viral here)
- Build your own website
| What do I need to start? | – Experience and skills for the service you want to offer – A portfolio for clients to refer to – Platform to market your services |
11. Sell digital products for project management on Etsy
A popular way to make online passive income today is to sell digital products. While stock photos and online courses are considered digital products as they don’t require any shipping, there’s a whole world of digital things you can sell – on popular platforms like Etsy.
Maybe you’ve personally purchased these but you can check out my longer list of digital products to sell on Etsy here.
Some digital products you can make as a project manager are Canva templates, Excel sheets, planners and printables. You can create a digital product listing on Etsy and have them sold indefinitely at no extra production cost.
Once a customer makes a purchase, they will immediately be prompted to download the digital file. As sellers, you’ll only need to make products once, keep them updated and respond to customers’ messages.
Some digital products you can create as a project manager:
- Project planners
- Project management spreadsheets for Excel or Sheets
- PowerPoint presentation templates
- Kanban boards
- Notion templates for project management
- Executive summary templates
- Project cost tracker
- Client tracker for project managers
| What do I need to start? | – A digital product idea – Tools to create the digital product – Platform to sell on |
Get 40 FREE listings when you sign up for an Etsy shop using my link (special for my readers!). Etsy shops are free to create and free listings will allow you to start selling 40 items in your shop without paying for anything.
12. Become a part-time pet-sitter
Do you have any experience taking care of pets? If you don’t mind doing it as a side hustle, pet-sitting can be a great way to make extra income on the side.
It’s quite straightforward to do and you’ll only need to know the basics e.g. feeding, walking and ensuring they stay calm while their owners are away.
Pet sitters can make about $15-20 per visit depending on their experience and the area they’re serving. You can make a lot more if you offer additional services aside from just pet-sitting – list down below.
It’s easier to get started as a part-timer by signing up as a pet caregiver on sites like Rover and WagWalking. Once you get good reviews and repeat customers, you can always offer these services on your own.
Services you can include with pet sitting:
- Walking
- Home boarding
- Sleepovers and night care
- Training
- Bring to vet
- Basic grooming & care
- Travel trips
| What do I need to start? | – Good skills with pets e.g. dogs, cats – Tools for the service you want to offer – Socializing to get clients |
13. Design products with print on demand to sell on Etsy
Have an interest in product design or owning your own merchandise store? You can do both with print on demand – here’s seven reasons why POD is for you.
Print on demand is free to start and only requires you to have a shop to get started. If you’re working with POD suppliers like Printify or Printful, you can integrate your seller account with your shops on Etsy, Shopify, WooCommerce and Wix.
There’s a ton other integrations (including Amazon) you can explore but these are the popular ones.
Similar to dropshipping, you don’t need to be purchasing any inventory to get started with POD. You can design all your merchandise for free and have it displayed in your shop at no cost.
You’ll only need to pay for the cost of the product once you make a sale. The difference between your selling price and the cost price is your profit to keep!
I recommend using tools like Canva or Kittl to make your product designs, export them as PNG or JPG then upload them to the products you want to sell. This includes sportswear, desk mats and even car accessories – more down below.
If you have no experience making designs, you can purchase ready ones on marketplaces like Envato Elements or Creative Fabrica.
If you’re always working at your desk, you’ll love these beautiful mouse pads in your study!
| What do I need to start? | – Basic designing skills – A laptop to work with – An initial niche and product |
Can’t decide what product to design and sell? Check out my product guides before deciding!
- Tote bags for print on demand
- Tumblers for print on demand
- Phone cases for print on demand
- Posters for print on demand
- Leggings for print on demand
- Jewelry for print on demand
- Candles for print on demand
- Doormats for print on demand
- Hoodies for print on demand
- Pet products for print on demand
- Socks for print on demand
- Pajamas for print on demand
- Blankets for print on demand
- Baby clothes for print on demand
- Wrapping paper for print on demand
- Puzzles for print on demand
- Stickers for print on demand
- Athletic wear for print on demand
- Hats for print on demand
- Journals for print on demand
- Greeting cards for print on demand
- Mugs for print on demand
11 Remote Project Manager Jobs
Here are 11 remote project manager jobs:
- Copywriter
- Project coordinator
- Virtual assistant
- Community manager
- YouTuber
- Stock photographer
- Content writer
- Editor
- Course creator
- Consultant
- Podcaster
Which Side Hustle Should I Choose?
Unsure which side hustles for project managers you should go for? Here are the top 6 things to consider when deciding which is best for you.
- How much time can you commit to it?
- Consider how much time you can set aside for your side hustle for weekdays and weekends
- What type of income are you looking for?
- Do you want to make income actively or passively while you sleep?
- What sparks interest & passion in you?
- Choose a side hustle that aligns to your personal goals and interests as it keeps you motivated
- Are you an extrovert or an introvert?
- Different side hustles requires different level of communication with the outside world, are you comfortable meeting new people every day?
- What is your current partner or friend up to that you can leverage on?
- Doing something with a friend or partner makes things easier and more manageable
- How soon do you need to make extra money?
- Not all side hustles make the same amount of money in the same pace, do you need money today or in a year’s time?
Bottom Line
It can be daunting to start anything new especially if you have a demanding day job. So let’s break it down and take things slow.
The first step to building a side hustle is to choose something you’re interested in, one you’re able to commit to in terms of time and energy.
Spare a few months to work on your side project and see if it’s something doable in the long run. If you like it, continue doing it – it’s as simple as that! Make sure it makes you money!
I will always recommend my readers to build passive income streams to not rely entirely on their full-time job.
Here are 13 best side hustles for project managers:
- Coach other aspiring project managers
- Talk about project management on a personal YouTube channel
- Build a podcast for topics you’re passionate about
- Write content for project management on your own blog
- Earn through social media by promoting affiliates
- Sell your original photos or videos on stock websites
- Get paid to write for other websites as a freelancer
- Create and sell online courses for project management
- Self-publish a project management e-book with Amazon KDP
- Offer freelance project management services online
- Sell digital products for project management on Etsy
- Become a part-time pet-sitter
- Design products with print on demand to sell on Etsy
I’m not one to brag, but blogging has changed my life. I’ve been able to earn an income passively while on a coffee date and traveling with my family. With everything, it takes time to learn and not an overnight success – to speed things up, get yourself a blogging coach before starting.
These are my blogging resources to help you out:
- Step-by-step guide how to start blogging in your free time
- Why you need a blogging coach right from the start
- Worried of exposing yourself? You can blog anonymously
Photo by George Milton
