How to Learn New Skills to Start a Side Hustle (and Earn $30/Hour or More)
KEY POINTS
- Many of the skills you need for the best-paying side hustles can be learned online.
- Platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and Skillshare can help you gain valuable side hustle skills -- or prepare you for a lucrative new full-time career.
- You can learn side hustle skills with just a few hours per week and platform membership fees of around $20-$39.99 per month.
Some of the best work-from-home side hustles require professional skills, like software developer, website designer, or graphic designer. But what if you're not already working in those career fields?
Fortunately, it's possible to learn new skills for some of the best-paying side hustles.
Here are a few ideas for how to learn the most in-demand side hustle skills -- even if you're starting from zero experience.
1. LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning offers more than 21,000 courses on all kinds of professional skills. You can search for courses that teach in-demand skills for any side hustle. For example, if you search for "freelance graphic designer," LinkedIn Learning will show you lists of courses in skills like Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and more. Want to be a web developer? LinkedIn Learning can quickly connect you to courses in JavaScript, CSS, HTML, and more.
Another benefit of LinkedIn Learning: after you learn a new skill, you can add it to your LinkedIn profile. This makes it easy to show hiring managers and freelance clients that you're ready to do the work they need.
How much it costs: You can try LinkedIn Learning for free for one month, and then it's included in the LinkedIn Premium membership ($29.99 per month; limited time offer as of June 30, 2024).
Why a Business Credit Card Could Transform Your Small Business
These business credit cards that offer a convenient and efficient way to separate personal and business expenses, simplifying accounting and tax reporting.
Additionally, business cards can provide valuable perks such as rewards points, cashback, and expense tracking tools, enhancing financial management and the potential to help save money in the long run.
Offer | Our Rating | Welcome Offer | Rewards Program | APR |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Apply Now for Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Earn $750 bonus cash back Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business |
Intro: 0% Intro APR on Purchases Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 12 months Balance Transfers: N/A Regular: 18.49% - 24.49% Variable |
![]() Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Apply Now for Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Earn up to $750 bonus cash back Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening. | Earn 5% cash back in select business categories Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn. |
Intro: 0% Intro APR on Purchases Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 12 months Balance Transfers: N/A Regular: 18.49% - 24.49% Variable |
2. Coursera
Coursera is an online career training platform where you can get access to more than 7,000 courses and Professional Certification programs. Coursera partners with major universities and companies like IBM, Microsoft, and Google.
You can use Coursera to learn new career skills in a wide range of fields that can become full-time jobs or high-paying side hustles, including:
- Digital marketer
- Front-end developer
- Full stack developer
- IT support specialist
- Project manager
- UX designer
Even if you don't have previous corporate experience or a college degree, Coursera can help you learn the skills to elevate your earning power. And you can add your Coursera certificates to your LinkedIn profile, just like LinkedIn Learning.
How much it costs: The Coursera Plus membership costs $20 per month and gives you unlimited access to more than 7,000 Coursera learning programs, and you can earn unlimited certificates. (Limited time offer as of June 30, 2024; offer valid through July 8, 2024.)
3. Skillshare
Skillshare is an online learning platform for creative skills -- like art, design, illustration, and more. If you want to learn skills for a creative side hustle as a freelance writer, animator, video editor, photographer, or UI/UX designer, Skillshare could be a great place to start.
The Skillshare platform has more than 25,000 classes (many taught by industry leaders whose names you might recognize), more than 600,000 members, and a 4.8 star rating on the App Store.
How much it costs: Skillshare doesn't list prices on its website; you have to create an account (for free) to see pricing available in your region. But according to Business Insider, as of January 2023, Skillshare cost $32 per month, or $168 with a one-time annual payment. (You also start with a free trial.)
Bottom line
Some of the best side hustles, like software developer, project manager, video editor, web developer, and graphic designer, pay $30-$60 per hour (or more). Demand for these skills is still strong, so even if you don't have a college degree or conventional corporate background, you can often get a foot in the door in these career fields by learning the needed skills online.
There are several ways to gain certifications and get credibility with hiring managers and side hustle gig clients, even if you don't have prior experience. Just by spending a few hours per week taking courses in your spare time, you can gain valuable side hustle skills that put more money in your bank account for years to come.
Our Research Expert
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
Related Articles
View All Articles