Top Side Hustle Ideas for Canadians from Someone Who’s Done Them!

Cost of living in Canada is extremely high, which means many Canadian need to have side hustles to make ends meet. I was a law clerk at a law firm full time, and I was working 3 side hustles just to have some semblance of a savings account.

Having multiple streams of income also makes people feel safer. Your company can lay you off at any time. It’s happened to numerous people I know who had “safe” jobs suddenly ripped away from them.

I love working probably more than most people, so I’d done a lot of side hustles over the years – everything from proofreading to dog walking to online surveys! I’m gonna share them all with you.

I think it’s important to either have a good savings built up or have some side hustles going to ensure you always have some income coming in. Definitely don’t work yourself to the bone, but if you’re gonna spend 3 hours scrolling Instagram every day, you may as well find a way to monetize it!

1. Freelance Writing

Freelancing writing is one of my favourite side hustles, because anyone can do it as long as you can string together a sentence!

You can get hired to write articles, emails, social copy, listing for real estate, and even just to answer someone’s emails.

I’ve witnessed demand across diverse niches, from technical writing and copywriting to content creation for blogs and social media. People think AI is killing writers, but it’s only killing the $1/hr writers you might hire with 0 know-how. I myself have hired writers who have experience they can lend to a subject.

To begin, you need a portfolio that showcases your writing. 

Create samples relevant to your chosen niche or publish work on platforms like Medium to demonstrate your skills. 

Networking is crucial: join local writing groups, engage on LinkedIn, and consider platforms like Upwork or Freelancer to find your first clients. You can even contact some local small businesses and offer free services in exchange for a testimonial.

Writers can specialize in areas like health, technology, marketing, or finance, which typically offer higher earnings due to their specialized nature. In the travel space, we love hiring writers who know our niche. For example, I won’t hire a writer to write about Canada if they’ve never been here.

Earnings for freelance writers differ. 

Factors include experience, niche, and the ability to market oneself effectively. Starting out, you might earn less, but as you build your reputation and portfolio, rates can significantly increase. 

Many Canadian writers enjoy rates of $20/1,000 words and more! I made $200/1000 words with a skilled job, once I was established. 

It can be a rewarding way to earn extra cash, and for some, it becomes a full-time career generating a substantial income.

This is a great course to help you become a better freelance writer.

2. Proofreading & Editing

In today’s digital world, the written word dominates online spaces, and with this domination comes a demand for precision. 

Businesses, authors, and academics alike all seek error-free content, which places proofreading and editing services in high demand. Grammarly can only go so far!

I began my journey into this side hustle with an eye for detail and a strong grasp of grammar and style conventions. I actually took classes on it for my Masters degree later. 

All you need to do this job well is a keen eye for detail, the ability to read reasonably quickly (as you’ll get paid per word often), and a basic knowledge of grammar. Now, every client will have a specific style guide you’ll need to adapt to. So you can’t be the grammar police. You need to follow what they want.

To get started, I created a portfolio of my work to showcase my abilities. 

You can do the same by starting with small freelance jobs found on various online platforms. As you build your reputation, charge competitive rates and collect testimonials from satisfied clients. 

A side hustle in proofreading and editing not only requires sharp eyes but also tact when offering feedback, ensuring the original voice of the piece remains intact. If you’re editing work that’s going directly to a writer – and especially if that writer is the paying client – you need to be respectful in how you deliver edits. Never just say “this is bad”. Be constructive!  

Networking with others in the industry can lead to more opportunities, as can specialization in a particular field, be it academic, technical, or creative writing.

3. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking

I’ve always found pet sitting and dog walking to be a delightful side hustle. 

Bonding with pets while earning extra cash truly encompasses the joy of combining passion with profit. Honestly, I’d pay the owners for the opportunity to play with their puppies!

Beyond the enjoyment, it comes with responsibilities which include ensuring the pets’ wellbeing, adhering to the schedules set by owners, and maintaining clear communication with clients regarding their pets’ needs and any behavioral quirks.

I actually pet-sat as a way of paying for university.

To start, you need a history of caring for animals. I offered to watch some friends’ dogs for free for a day or two to get some testimonials. I’d also grown up with dogs, so my friends trusted me with their pets.

Then I created a listing on Kijiji. This is an easy way to meet clients. If I expanded, I’d also use Facebook groups to post my listings (when allowed! Not all groups allow self promotion).

You’ll want to highlight your expertise, share reviews, and start with competitive rates that you increase over time.

Word-of-mouth is powerful, so don’t hesitate to ask satisfied clients to refer your services to others. Flyers in local veterinary clinics and partnering with pet stores can also help spread the word about your services.

Lastly, keep your schedule flexible to accommodate clients’ varying needs and always carry a pet first aid kit during assignments—being prepared is a cornerstone of a successful pet care service. 

With each happy pet and satisfied owner, your reputation as a dependable caretaker will grow, rooting your side hustle firmly within the Canadian gig economy.

4. Social Media Management

One side hustle that aligns perfectly with the dynamic nature of Canadian culture and market demands is social media management. With nearly every business seeking an online presence, the demand for skilled social media managers remains high. 

I was actually a social media intern during my Masters degree, but that was an unpaid position for work experience.

This side gig involves creating content, scheduling posts, and engaging with an online community. It’s an ideal opportunity for those with a knack for understanding audience behaviors and trends.

If you have a good social media following on any app, or you know enough to grow one for someone else, this is a great job opp!

I’ve found that offering social media services opens doors to various industries. From local start-ups to established brands, everyone wants to connect with their audience effectively. 

The easiest way to connect is to share successes from your own social media campaigns. If you don’t have any yet, contact some local businesses and offer some free work in exchange for a testimonial. Often, they’ll keep you on if you show them your value!

By staying current with social media trends and algorithms, I can offer valuable services that directly impact a business’s growth and engagement with customers.

Whether it’s fostering online communities or driving brand awareness, a side hustle in social media management can be both fulfilling and lucrative.

5. VA Work

VA stands for “virtual assistant”. Basically, you’re an assistant for a business but you work remotely.

VA tasks can be anything from keeping a calendar, handling phone calls from clients, managing email, scheduling social media, to technical work that’s more specific to a niche or industry.

The most technical and specific your tasks, the more the roles typically pay. I’ve seen rates vary from $15/hour to $100/hour!

To be a VA, you need to be extremely organized, timely, and able to juggle multiple assignments at the same time.

I have a VA who has saved my life multiple times because she organizes everything for me. I would be a terrible VA cause I can’t keep anything organized and I hate managing a giant email inbox.

You can actually help automate the work by purchasing automation tools that allow you to organize systems and to automate postings. Some free tools like social media schedulers might suffice.

My VA actually sells these amazing Click Up templates that help organize businesses so they can run more smoothly.

6. Online Surveys

Looking to make some extra money online super quickly? Check out online surveys!

These are a popular way to make some extra cash by selling your data. I mean, Facebook and the like are getting it all anyway, so you may as well get paid to give brands some extra feedback!

These surveys are used as market research for companies.

Here are some sites where you can find them:

• Swagbucks
• ACOP Canada
• Branded Surveys
• Survey Junkie
• Survey Lion
• Nielsen Homescan

7. Ridesharing and Food Delivery

If you have a car, this is a great option for you.

Consider starting work for a company like Uber, DoorDash, or Truro. This will help you make the most of your vehicle.

You can get paid to drive people or food around. Or if you know you’ll be out of town for a few weeks not using your car, rent it out on Truro for someone else to use. It’s like Airbnb but for cars!

8. Testing Websites

Businesses want to know that their sites are user friendly, and many of us go blind to it after hours of creating the site.

That’s where you come in! You can help these business owners by checking their website to ensure it’s user friendly. You just need a website with a microphone, camera, and internet to check them out.

Here are some companies that pay for this:

• Checkealos
• Enroll
• Ferpection
• IntelliZoom Panel

9. Blogging

Blogging was my side hustle that became my full time job, and I love it!

There are so many niches for blogs, outside of travel: food, fitness, finance, pets, gardening, side hustles (yep, that’s a full niche!), and more!

Basically you can turn talking about whatever your passion is into a full time income. And the best part is that most of the income is passive.

I make money every month from ads and affiliates, which keeps rolling in even when I take a month off!

⭐️ If you’d like to learn how to start a profitable blog, I recommend this course I teach all about starting your blog and growing your traffic.

10. Graphic Design

Graphic design blends passion with profit in a visually-driven world. If you have a talent for creating visually appealing content, it’s time to consider graphic design as a rewarding side hustle. 

Start by assessing your skills and style. Do you excel in logo creation, website design, or perhaps digital illustrations? Each skill set opens doors to diverse opportunities.

Once you’ve pinpointed your strengths, conduct market research to identify in-demand services. Small businesses often seek logo design, while bloggers may need custom graphics. Dive into online marketplaces or use social media to gauge potential clients’ needs. 

Remember, staying updated with design trends and software advancements helps maintain a competitive edge.

Maximizing graphic design as a side hustle requires strategic planning and quality work. Create a portfolio to showcase your best pieces. This becomes your visual resume, attracting clients who appreciate your unique take on design. 

You can often find people in Facebook groups looking for design help.

Conclusion: Balancing Side Hustles with a Full Time Job

Side hustles are a great way to make money when you need some extra cash.

But we don’t want to do that to the detriment of your health.

Unfortunately the cost of living in Canada does mean that many people have to look to side hustles to feel more secure in their income, especially if they live on their own in a city like Toronto.

Try to find time to take breaks from both your main hustle and your side hustle so you avoid burn out.

You’ll also want to be sure that if your side hustle is public facing, it’s not a conflict with your job. For example, if you work at a social media agency, they typically won’t allow you to also do freelance contracting.