Cody Berman, a 27-year-old entrepreneur, has tried multiple side hustles since his college years at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. These ventures included building online businesses, tutoring, yard work, working at a Christmas tree farm, editing podcasts and videos, affiliate marketing, and freelance writing, among others. Berman refers to himself as a "dabbler by trade."
Currently, Berman generates income by selling digital products, such as online courses and printables on platforms like Etsy. He is also involved in real estate, renting out both long-term properties and short-term housing in New England. In total, his side hustles earned him nearly $700,000 in 2022.
Through his experience, Berman has gained some insights into finding profitable side hustles. One approach is to focus on a skill that is in high demand. For example, if you possess web design skills, you can offer your services to local businesses that don't have their own website. Highlight the potential growth and improved customer retention that a website can bring to its business. Look for gaps in their current operations and propose solutions. Web designers on platforms like Upwork are charging up to $125 per hour.
Berman also recommends investing time in creating digital hustles, such as YouTube channels, blogs, e-books, or online stores on platforms like Etsy or Shopify. When he started his Etsy journey in 2018, Berman designed Valentine's Day products like love coupons. Although not all of his products were successful, a few gained popularity, earning him significant income during Valentine's Day week. It's important to note that building a successful digital product business requires time, and it's not a get-rich-quick scheme. However, the advantage of digital products is that they can generate income continuously without requiring additional work after the initial creation. As you create new products, the old ones remain available for sale, leading to greater potential for long-term profitability. Overall, Berman believes that digital products offer a higher upside potential compared to side hustles where you get paid for one-time work.