For people who value productivity, there’s nothing worse than being awake late at night and having nothing to show for it. But with a side hustle, night owls and insomniacs can use those late hours to increase their bank balances.
While plenty of side hustle ideas are best suited for daylight hours, there are several options for people who prefer night work. Some are home based and can be done quietly, even while your partner is sleeping a few rooms away. Others let you interact with other late-night luminaries and after-hour aficionados. Choosing the best option really comes down to your interests.
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Ride share driving
You’re not the only person who’s not asleep—and many of those who aren’t could use a lift. Driving for Lyft, Uber, or some other rideshare service at late hours should guarantee some interesting stories for your next party. And, since you can set your own schedule, you can opt to offer rides when sleep eludes you. The income isn’t bad, either, averaging just over $21 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter.
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Remote customer service work
Late-night online shoppers need assistance and, in some cases, companies don’t offer agents to answer questions during those times. If you’re going to be awake anyway, you can help those would-be buyers and the company they’re browsing by taking a late-night shift. Check sites like LinkedIn to find companies looking for freelance help.
E-commerce
Some people find their artistic muscles are strongest in the wee hours. Whether you enjoy painting, playing with a 3D printer, making jewelry, or some other expressive endeavor, there could be a market out there of people who are interested in paying for your goods. Etsy is one of the go-to spots to set up a store to sell those wares. There’s competition, but there’s also a huge built-in customer base. Listing an item costs 20 cents and there’s a 6.5 percent transaction fee on the sale price. Etsy can also help advertise your goods beyond its site, for another cut of the sale price.
English tutoring
Whether you’re a teacher or just happen speak a second language, late evening in the U.S. can be prime time for people in other parts of the world, which makes it a perfect window to help them with their English language skills as a side hustle. Check out sites like Wyzant to find clients. On Wyzant, you set your hourly rate and collect 75 percent of that for each lesson. Top tutors, the site says, earn more than $50,000 per year.
Bartending at events
There’s not a lot of demand for freelance bartenders in the middle of the day, but as the evening draws near and parties run late, there’s a need for drink mixers who won’t need to take a nap. Picking up a bartending license can be done for under $125 and you’ll learn how to pour responsibly and make drinks beyond the ones you might concoct at home. (And if you’re especially creative, you can try your hand at mixology, creating drinks of your own.) Whether you’re working a private event with a catering company or pouring at a private party, you’ll earn both a base salary and tips. Look on sites like Indeed, Craigslist and ShiftGig for leads on openings.
Elder care
Want to spend your late-night hours hearing stories of yesteryear? There’s a growing demand for people who are interested in preparing meals, running errands, and more for seniors. And since regular sleep becomes more challenging as we age, you’re likely to have someone to keep you company as you fill your duties. Sites like Care.com can help you find places in need of assistance. You’ll need to pass a background check, but you can earn anywhere from $15 to $50 per hour, depending on what you do.
Freelance copywriting
There are thousands of listings for copywriters on sites like Indeed and LinkedIn—and the hours you choose to write are entirely up to you. If you can turn around late-night, high-quality writing in a short period of time, you’ll quickly find demand for your services. The top niche areas for writers, as of last year, are digital marketing, SaaS/e-commerce, and health/lifestyle.