5 Side Jobs for Beginners | Compare low-risk and easy-to-start methods

[Summary]

It is important to choose a side job that is low risk and can be continued rather than ``earning a lot in a short period of time''.

Especially for beginners,

• Initial cost is low
• Easy to balance with main job
• skills accumulate
• You can try it small
• Easy to check taxes and work regulations

If you focus on these five points, you will be less likely to fail.

In this article, we will compare side jobs that are easy to start even for beginners, and organize who is suitable for them, points to note, and the order in which to start.

conclusion

If you are a beginner and want to start a side job, it is better not to try to make a lot of money from the beginning.

First of all,

Start small and see if you can keep it up.

That is important.

Side jobs are more likely to fail if they charge for expensive schools or teaching materials from the beginning, or if they take on so many projects that it interferes with their main job.

The first goal is not to ``earn 100,000 yen a month,'' but it is also sufficient to gain ``experience in making 10,000 yen from 1,000 yen a month on your own.''

Important ideas when choosing a side job

There are two main types of side jobs.

Beginners are likely to get frustrated if they focus only on the asset type from the beginning.

We recommend:

1. Earn a small income through labor or skills
2. Find your specialty
3. Accumulate communication through blogs and SNS

This is the order.

Things to check before you start

Before starting a side job, you should check the following three things.

1. Work rules

If you are a company employee, first check the work regulations of your workplace.

Side jobs and side jobs are becoming more common, but they may be restricted if there are problems such as interfering with the main job, information leaks, competition, or long working hours.

2. Physical strength and time

A side job is not something you use up your free time, but it is also something that can easily cut into your rest time.

A side job that cuts into your sleep time is likely to have a negative impact on both your main job and your household finances in the long run.

3. Tax

If you receive income from a side job, you will need to check your taxes.

Even if you are a salaried employee, if your income from supplementary income other than your salary exceeds 200,000 yen, you may be required to file a final tax return.

It is also important to note that side jobs are not measured in terms of sales, but in terms of income, which is calculated by subtracting necessary expenses from sales.

Recommendation 1: Web writing

Web writing is a side job of writing articles.

The job details are below.

• Blog article
• Product review
• Explanatory article
• SEO articles
• Transcription of interview articles

suitable person

• It's not hard to write
• I like research work
• Can be improved steadily
• I want to start at home

Benefits

• Initial cost is low
• Easy to get started if you have a computer
• Achievements accumulate
• Good compatibility with AI utilization

Disadvantages

• Initially, the unit price is low
• Corrective action will be required
• Delivery date management is required

How to get started for beginners

At first, it's a good idea to decide on one area of expertise.

Examples include household budget management, beginners in investing, gadgets, childcare, changing jobs, and travel.

It is easier to maintain a career if you have the mindset that ``I can research and write about this field,'' rather than someone who can write about anything.

Recommendation 2: Video editing

Video editing is a side job that is in demand for YouTube, TikTok, short videos, etc.

The job details are below.

• cut edit
• Add caption
• BGM/sound effects
• Thumbnail creation
• short video editing

suitable person

• I like working on PC
• I like watching videos
• Detailed work is not a pain
• Improvements can be made repeatedly

Benefits

• Demand is easy to understand
• Skills remain visible
• May lead to ongoing projects

Disadvantages

• Needs learning time first
• Computer performance may be required
• It may take time to make corrections

How to get started for beginners

Start by creating your own practice videos using free or low-cost editing software.

There is no need to suddenly buy expensive equipment.

Before taking on a project, it will be easier to explain your skills if you create a few sample videos of 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Recommendation 3: Flea market/sales of unnecessary items

The easiest way for beginners to start is selling unwanted items.

Even if you just sell things you don't use at home,

• Ability to see market prices
• ability to take photos
• Ability to write explanations
• Experience in packaging and shipping
• Dealing with price negotiations

will be learned.

Benefits

• Almost no initial cost required
• Easy to start right away
• It also helps organize your home
• Understand the basics of merchandise sales

Disadvantages

• Difficult to continue when unnecessary items run out
• It takes time to pack and ship
• When you start purchasing, there is an inventory risk

Points to note

It is dangerous for beginners to suddenly purchase in large quantities.

There is a risk of unsold items, storage space, returns, and price declines.

It's a good idea to first try it out with just the unnecessary items you have at home and gain "selling experience."

Recommendation 4: Skill sales

Skill sales is a side job that turns your strengths into small products.

An example is below.

• design
• illustration
• Material creation
• Consultation
• language
• programming
• Consultation on household finance management

important ideas

What is more important when selling skills is ``can you solve the customer's problems?'' rather than ``advanced skills.''

For example, even if the design is not professional-grade,

• Make company materials easier to read
• Create SNS icons
• organize household budget
• Teach beginners how to use tools

There is a demand for it in such a form.

Benefits

• Make use of your strengths
• Easy to increase unit price
• Achievement leads to next job

Disadvantages

• First track record required
• Expectations need to be adjusted
• Making the scope of delivery ambiguous can easily lead to trouble.

Recommendation 5: Blog/SNS transmission

Blogging and posting on SNS are not side jobs that will make you earn money quickly.

Over the long term, however, it can become closer to an asset-like side business.

Features

Content created in the past is accumulated.

For example,

• Explanatory article
• Experience story
• comparison article
• know-how
• failure story

can be read over time.

Benefits

• organize your knowledge
• It also serves as a work accomplishment.
• Easy to combine with other side jobs

Disadvantages

• It takes time to monetize
• difficult to continue
• At the beginning, there is little reaction

How to get started for beginners

At first, don't rush to make money, choose a theme that you can continue with.

My recommendation is to share what you have already learned.

It's easier to follow if you write about your own experiences, such as side jobs, household budget management, investments, qualifications, job changes, gadgets, and improving your lifestyle.

Recommended order for beginners

The starting order changes depending on your purpose.

I want to make an income right away

• Sale of unnecessary items
• Web writing
• video editing

I want to grow it in the long term

• Blog
• SNS transmission
• skill sales

I want to make use of it in my main job.

• Web writing
• Material creation
• video editing
• Communication activities

You can start with just one.

If you start multiple things at the same time, it's easy to end up half-finished with all of them.

common mistakes

Particular attention should be paid to advertisements such as ``Easy monthly income of ¥0,000''.

Side jobs are low-risk if you start small, but if you charge high fees or rush to purchase inventory, the risks quickly increase.

Tips for continuing your side job

1. Decide how much time you have each week

At first, you can spend 3 to 5 hours a week.

It is more important to continue without straining than to do it every day.

2. Track experience rather than income

Even if the income is small at first, the experience remains.

If you record it, it will be easy to use for the next project or call.

3. Don't disrupt your core business

Income from one's main job is the foundation of the household budget.

If you're so tired from your side job that your main job is undervalued, you'll be missing the point.

Summary

Continuing your side job is most important.

For beginners, it is best to start with something that has low initial costs, is easy to balance with your day job, and allows you to build up your skills.

As a first step,

• Sale of unnecessary items
• Web writing
• Small home-based projects

are easier to start with.

On the other hand, you need to be careful about stories about expensive schools, bulk purchasing, and having fun making money.

A side job is not a magic trick that will instantly change your life.

By trying it out small and finding something you can continue doing, you can gradually increase your income and skills.

Reference materials

• Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare “Side jobs/side jobs and working conditions”
• National Tax Agency "When salaried workers earn supplementary income through online auctions, etc."
• National Tax Agency "Miscellaneous Income"