Insight

• Promise Amajuoyi
• 2 Min Read

Can You Really Make Money 🤑💰 From Side Hustle? (Here Is The Truth)

Can You Really Make Money from a Side Hustle? (Here’s the Truth)

Side hustles are everywhere. Scroll through Instagram or TikTok and you’ll see people claiming they made $10k in a month flipping shoes, doing dropshipping, or selling digital products.

But here’s the big question:

Can the average person really make money from a side hustle? Or is it just hype?

As someone who recently tried side hustling from scratch, I’ll share exactly what I found—the wins, the losses, and what you really need to know before diving in.

1. What Even Is a Side Hustle?

A side hustle is any small business, gig, or income stream you do outside of your main job or school to earn extra money. Think:

Freelancing (writing, design, video editing)

Selling products online (handmade, digital, dropshipping)

Offering a service (hair, makeup, fitness coaching, etc.)

Affiliate marketing or content creation

Teaching a skill online

It’s meant to be flexible, low-risk, and a way to either build freedom or fight financial pressure.

2. So... Can You Actually Make Money?

Short answer: Yes, but it depends.

I made around $127 in my first two weeks offering simple services using free tools (like Canva and Google Docs).

Not life-changing—but it proved something:

You don’t need to be an expert or have a ton of money to start.

The people who really make money do one of three things:

Solve a real problem (like creating logos for new businesses)

Offer a skill people already pay for (like editing, tutoring, etc.)

Stay consistent and keep improving, even when it’s slow at first

3. Common Side Hustle Traps (Watch Out!)

Let’s keep it real. Not every hustle works out. Here are 3 red flags:

"Get Rich Quick" Gurus: If someone is selling you a course promising fast money without effort—run.

Shiny Object Syndrome: Jumping from hustle to hustle without learning any skill deeply will keep you broke.

Undercharging or Working for Free: Exposure doesn’t pay bills. Know your worth—even if you’re new.

4. What Worked Best for Me

I focused on freelancing with no-code tools—offering simple services like:

Making business flyers on Canva

Writing basic website content

Setting up Linktree or simple websites using Carrd

I found clients through:

WhatsApp status

Facebook groups

Asking friends if they knew someone who needed help

Most people overthink starting. You don’t need perfection—just a basic offer and one person to say “yes.”

5. Final Verdict: Worth It or Nah?

Yes, side hustles can make you money—especially if:

You’re patient and treat it like a real project

You’re willing to learn and improve one small skill at a time

You avoid scams and focus on value

No, it won’t always be fast. But if you stay consistent, the money will come—and so will freedom.

Want to Start? Here’s My 3-Step Starter Plan:

1. Pick a skill (even something basic like writing or design)

2. Offer it simply—make a 1-page portfolio or sample

3. Tell people—post on WhatsApp, Facebook, or DM 5 friends

Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Start messy. Learn fast.

Your Turn: Have you tried a side hustle before?

What worked—or didn’t work—for you?

Drop a comment and let’s share tips!