Today, freelancing is more appealing to many than spending years climbing a corporate ladder for a fixed salary. This shift is fueled by the explosion of the digital world and the endless income opportunities waiting to be discovered online.
As a freelancer, you own your time, your income potential is uncapped, and you can pivot whenever you like without the fear of being laid off. If this sounds like the life you’re looking for, it’s time to carve out your own path.
Whether as a main income stream or a side hustle, I’ve found 13 freelance opportunities you can start right now, regardless of your degree. Best of all? They are built to stay profitable at least through 2030.
Let’s dive in!
1. Write an e-book on your area of expertise
We all have that one topic we know better than most. Whether it’s a professional coding language, houseplant care, or budget travel hacks.
Today, people are more willing than ever to pay for curated information that solves a problem or speeds up their learning curve. With so much noise online, readers prefer trusting an expert’s proven roadmap over fact-checking endless random articles.
For instance, you can find a Japan travel itinerary anywhere online. But a mini e-book from someone who has actually lived the experience? That’s gold.
When I say e-book, I’m not talking about a 500 page novel. Focused, practical 30-50 page guides that promise a specific result often outsell thick books. Plus, thanks to platforms like Amazon Kindle, you don't even need a publisher to get started.
Who is it best for?
- Experts or those with deep experience in a specific niche
- People who can organize and explain their knowledge clearly
- Anyone who enjoys research and content structuring
How does it turn into making money?
- Reach a global audience by publishing on the Amazon Kindle Store.
- Sell directly to your followers using platforms like Ruul or Gumroad.
- Offer your e-book as a "lead magnet" to sell high-ticket consulting or courses.
- Turn book chapters into articles to drive organic traffic to your sales page.
- Set up an affiliate program so others can earn commissions by selling your book.
Difficulty score: 7/10
Structuring your knowledge into a modular format and making it useful for the reader is the real challenge. Since you’re not writing a literary masterpiece, don’t stress too much about perfect grammar.
How to start?
Google Docs or Notion is all you need to start writing an e-book. Spend your first week outlining the book's structure. What question will you answer for your readers? What will your headings be? Otherwise, you'll struggle, and your topics will become scattered.
After the draft, write just 500 words every day. Avoid technical terms and use language as if you were chatting with the reader. Finally, design a professional cover in Canva and upload the product to the platform by exporting it in PDF or ePub format.
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Selling digital products like e-books is a breeze with Ruul Space. You don’t have to sweat things like VAT or sales tax compliance, especially for your global clients.
Plus, you get to skip those high platform fees and long wait times for your money. 🤑
We handle the invoicing for you after every sale and only take a 5% cut. Your earnings hit your Ruul wallet instantly. You can move them to your bank account or Wise wallet within a day, or even INSTANTLY via crypto.
Go ahead, check it out, and sign up today.
2. Create anything subscription-based
When people say subscription, everyone thinks of software and the like, sure, that's included, but subscription sales aren't limited to these anymore.
Almost anything can be turned into a subscription. Pretty much all services, newsletters, courses, communities, and content.
But you have to prove you’re offering something different here. For instance, you can't just say you'll guide everyone on topic X in a community and then vanish. People need to get something tangible when they pay you monthly.
If you ask me, the best part of this model is the stable income.
You aren't selling something huge. You're selling something with a small fee that they can drop whenever they want. Even if it's just a dollar, finding 1,000 people means $1,000 monthly, or $4,000 in earnings with a weekly subscription.
➔ Detailed guide on subscriptions: How to sell subscriptions?
With Ruul, you can sell like Netflix without being Netflix.
You can make subscription sales on Ruul, whether for SaaS or for memberships.
- We manage all sales.
- We ensure VAT compliance.
- We offer a subscription panel.
- We provide analytics.
- We issue the invoices.
Plus, you aren't limited locally; you can operate in 190 countries. We deliver your payouts to your bank account in at most 1 day, or at lightning speed with crypto payments.
Check out the subscription model now.
Who is it best for?
- People who want to build a regular and predictable income stream
- People who want to automate their freelance services
- People with the expertise to offer continuous guidance or content to an audience
- People who love building long-term bonds with clients
- Entrepreneurs who want to automate processes and scale
How does it turn into making money?
- Offer your special analyses or strategies with a weekly/monthly subscription.
- Tie freelance services like "4 graphic designs a month" to a subscription.
- Charge a monthly entry fee by providing expert support in a Discord or Slack group.
- Sell monthly access to a simple tool that solves a small problem (SaaS).
- Publish in-depth guides or videos exclusively for subscribers.
Difficulty score: 9/10
While managing payments and such is super easy now with platforms like Ruul, the real challenge is ensuring "consistency." You have to make people say, "I'm glad I'm here and I'm going to stay" every month so they don't cancel that subscription.
How to start?
Start with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) before trying to build a perfect system. Spend your first week identifying a small problem people need regularly. Don't offer everything at once, so you can offer a Pro plan later.
Get your first 10-20 members in as "founding members" with a special discount. Shape the value you offer with their feedback and build trust by absolutely delivering the content or service you promised every week/month.
3. Turn your social media power into collaborations
If you love sharing your life, career, travels, memories, food, and outfits with the world, the Influencer path fits you perfectly. As you know, thousands of people, whether they have huge followings or not, make serious money this way.
But let me be real with you: lots of followers don't guarantee cash. You get better collaboration offers if you pick a specific niche.
For instance, if you create content in fashion and beauty, cosmetic, and clothing brands put you on their radar much faster.
Who is it best for?
- People who want to turn social media into an opportunity
- People who aren't camera-shy
- People who are open to sharing their lives
- People who can stick to collaboration contracts
How does it turn into making money?
- Establish brand collaborations.
- Share affiliate marketing links.
- Build your own brand.
- Create a private subscription group.
- Prepare digital guides.
- Host paid live streams.
- Organize events and workshops.
Difficulty score: 8/10
Easy for some, hard for others. It really depends on your talent and getting used to it. If you shoot videos for a year without quitting, it definitely gets easier than day one. You can even try the popular “1 video for 365 days” challenge on Instagram.
How to start?
An Instagram profile, a phone with a good camera, and an influencer ring light (or just natural light) are enough to start.
Dedicate your first week to prep and shooting random videos. Just try, even if they look terrible. Once you get the hang of it, post your first video without overthinking it.
4. Sell AI-powered micro-service packages
Micro services have always existed and have become even more widespread with Fiverr Gig sales. Now, AI-powered services are becoming more common. Furthermore, you don't need to be a top expert in any field to use this method of earning money.
Just saying this is enough:
"I design AI-powered podcast covers suitable for your brand's tone of voice for you," or "I prepare professional AI model shoots for your e-commerce products."
You can also sell "Gigs" that appeal to people's emotions, like "I design a portrait of your dog (AI-powered)."
But demand constantly shifts. Operations like "removing objects from photos," which were popular for a while, are now built-in phone features. So, you have to focus on niches with high added value that haven't become "ordinary" yet.
Who is it best for?
- People who love using AI tools (Midjourney, ChatGPT, Canva, etc.)
- People who prefer the "quick work, quick cash" model
- People who follow internet trends and understand what's in demand
- People who can work focused at the computer for short periods
How does it turn into making money?
- Open a "Gig" on global platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.
- Prepare special "trial packages" for small businesses.
- Package your service like a "product" (like 5 professional profile photos) and sell it at a fixed price.
Difficulty score: 4/10
Offering AI-powered services is simple, but it requires finding new AI tools and foreseeing what others haven't discovered yet. You need to highlight your service in the right market with the right keywords, or you get lost in the algorithm.
Also, competition is tough in this area. You must find niches where you can make a difference with AI, things phones or simple apps can't do yet. This way, you easily generate side income without needing years of expertise in a subject.
How to start?
Dedicate your first week to market research.
Check out the best-selling "AI" categories on Fiverr:
- Why are people buying?
- What did they leave out?
Once you answer these questions, you create your own difference. Then, keep up your research on platforms to always be ready for new products.
5. Build a niche community on your blog
If you are willing to build a community by sharing your knowledge, you can step into blogging, the other branch of being an influencer. Here, you must influence people through writing and gather a niche readership in a specific field (this is the key to making money).
A loyal readership is willing to buy your recommendations.
For example,
- AI tools attract interest on an artificial intelligence blog.
- Design software gets attention on designer blogs.
Your community is a marketing opportunity for outside companies and entrepreneurs. This way, you can talk about their products on your blog and earn a share of the sales.
Who is it best for?
- Those who can write better than artificial intelligence
- Those with strong storytelling skills
- Those who can manage a community
- Those with at least a basic knowledge of marketing
How does it turn into making money?
- Join advertising networks. (Google AdSense, etc.)
- Produce sponsored content. (Brand collaborations)
- Start a paid subscription. (Exclusive content area)
- Collect donations/support. (Patreon or BuyMeACoffee)
- Get newsletter ads. (Email sponsorships)
Difficulty score: 7/10
It is difficult for someone who has never written before. Do not immediately rely on AI; it is not enough on its own because the human touch is vital. Additionally, if you don't write for a week, your skills can quickly become rusty and your readers will begin to forget you.
How to start?
A computer keyboard is enough. At first, you probably won't find your own "voice." To feel comfortable, write without the pressure of having to publish. This will make it easier for your own voice and tone to emerge naturally.
Afterwards, either set up a site where you get your own domain name or start with simple profiles on platforms like WordPress, Substack, or Medium. Since this usually doesn't involve costs like domains and hosting, it is an easier way to begin.
6. Start a podcast and get collaborations
“I’m camera-shy, and my writing is bad.” Is that you? Then podcast production, where you don't have to do either, might be for you.
If you have information worth sharing in social circles, this is the place for you.
Granted, podcasts aren't new, but they are newer than YouTube or blogs, and no category has reached saturation yet. Visibility is easier in the short term.
From what I’ve seen, most podcasters gain a loyal audience in their early stages and quickly start receiving collaboration offers.
If you are a podcast listener, you probably hear ads in the intros. Since these ads are pre-recorded, they don't require extra effort. However, in the future, you may need to read the ads naturally yourself.
Who is it best for?
- Those who can influence people with their voice
- Those who love telling stories or teaching people
- Those open to reading ad scripts when necessary
How does it turn into making money?
- Take mid-roll ads.
- Record sponsored episodes.
- Market your own products.
- Organize live podcast events.
- Turn your episode transcripts into books.
- Connect your podcasts to YouTube and earn revenue.
- Offer corporate podcast production services.
Difficulty score: 6/10
Even if you are talkative among friends, you might freeze up the moment you hit the record button; it's normal. But in my opinion, the hardest part is figuring out the recording and editing process. Use AI tools that simplify this process (otherwise, you might get bored).
How to start?
A phone microphone is better than most cheap microphones. It is also easy to enhance sound quality using AI tools. Record "blank" podcasts during the first week. Then, choose a topic you won't get stuck on while talking and hit the record button (in a quiet environment).
You can go to Spotify for Creators to create a channel. You will need to determine a channel name and create a creative visual for your podcast (this is easy on Canva). Then, upload your podcast from your Spotify account at monthly or weekly intervals.
7. Manage social media accounts for small businesses
Today, both your neighborhood bakery and a ceramic studio know the power of Instagram and TikTok. However, because they are busy running their daily operations, they cannot find the time to deal with trending videos, hashtags, or responding to comments.
Your role here is to build a bridge between the business and the customer. If you can showcase the "behind the scenes" of a coffee shop or the work of a local carpenter in an entertaining and useful way, you will become an indispensable partner.
Who is it best for?
- People with high aesthetic sensibilities
- Those who follow social media trends daily
- People with basic photo/video editing skills
- Those who are good at communication and networking
- Organized individuals who can manage a content calendar
How does it turn into making money?
- Charge a monthly management fee per client
- Offer content creation packages (e.g., 10 Reels per month).
- Provide social media consulting or "audit" services.
- Manage local meta ads (Instagram/Facebook ads).
- Offer community management (replying to DMs and comments).
- Set up and optimize professional business profiles.
Difficulty score: 5/10
Who finds using social media difficult? Posting is the easiest part. The real challenge is managing client expectations and remaining consistent. Small business owners can be perfectionists regarding their brands, so you need to be patient and prove your worth.
How to start?
During the first week, choose a local business you truly like. Create 3 sample Reels or posts for this business for free to demonstrate what you can do. When a business owner sees their own product looking great on screen, selling the service becomes much easier.
Use Canva for graphics and CapCut for video editing. Once you find your first paying client, automate your posts using a scheduling tool like Buffer or Meta Business Suite so that you don't have to be online 24/7.
8. Get a profit share with affiliate marketing
You recommend a product to your community or social circle, and when they buy through you, you get a commission from the brand. You don't own the product, you don't own the brand, and you don't handle shipping or returns; you just own the profit share.
You can do affiliate marketing on blogs, YouTube videos, Instagram, or TikTok. But the physical or digital product must perfectly match your audience.
Recommending "cat litter" in a cat owners' group or "marketing software" in a marketers' group brings you spot-on results.
My advice, don't recommend everything just to make money. As you can see, people want to trust. When partnering with a product, ask yourself: “Is it quality? Is it healthy? Is it safe? Is it worth the money?”
I see that people become very eager to buy when they trust.
Who is it best for?
- People with followers or a community in a specific area
- People known among friends as the one who "knows where to buy what"
- People who love reviewing products and giving advice
- People who want a share of sales without dealing with technical details
- Content creators (YouTubers, Bloggers, Influencers)
How does it turn into making money?
- Join Amazon Associates or local marketplace programs.
- Join high-commission partnership programs from SaaS companies.
- Add links to your blog posts or YouTube descriptions.
- Post "link above" stories on your Instagram.
- Give niche product recommendations in your newsletters.
Difficulty score: 6/10
Finding a partnership program isn't hard. If you have potential, every brand wants to work with you. But the real challenge is selling "real benefit" without smelling like an "ad" and making actual profit. Since building this bond of trust takes time.
How to start?
A single sales space is enough. Look at your resources. LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok. Where do you have a niche audience? Then check out suitable affiliate programs, try the product yourself, and market it by talking about the features you actually liked.
Don't expect huge money until you build trust. Don't just share links every day. Provide informative content on your niche, and once you've earned their interest and trust, share your affiliate links periodically.
9. Narrate audiobooks and voice-over projects
Has anyone ever told you that you have a "radio voice" or a "cartoon voice"?
Then you should consider narrating audiobooks. People are shifting away from physical books and toward audiobooks. This is a growing field where pleasant voices are in high demand.
The audiobook narration industry doesn't just consist of professional actors with expensive studios. Today, authors (especially independent authors on platforms like Amazon) are looking for freelance voices who can bring their words to life.
Who is it best for?
- People with a clear and fluent speaking voice
- Those who can stay focused for long reading sessions
- People with high patience (editing audio takes time!)
- Those who enjoy acting and storytelling
- Individuals who don't mind spending hours in a quiet room
How does it turn into making money?
- Earn a flat fee per finished hour (PFH).
- Share royalties with the author (a percentage of every sale).
- Offer voice-over services for YouTube automation channels.
- Narrate short stories for meditation or sleep apps.
- Provide voice-overs for corporate training videos and e-learning modules.
Difficulty score: 7/10
The fun part is reading; the hard part is reading for hours on end. You will also need to edit out stomach growls and heavy breaths from the recording. However, keep in mind that if the editing task belongs to you, it will directly increase your fee.
How to start?
You don't need a professional vocal booth right away. A quiet closet full of clothes is actually a perfect "budget studio" because the clothes absorb the echo.
Best of all, you almost don't need to start with a portfolio. Record 15-minute segments of a book in the public domain (like Alice in Wonderland). Listen to yourself critically. Learn the basics of "noise reduction" and "compression" using free software like Audacity.
Your portfolio is ready.
10. Sell print-on-demand products (POD)
The simplest e-commerce model had to be on this list. This is called print on demand (POD). It is a system that allows you to make sales without ever touching physical products and without dealing with shipping or packaging.
You only produce the designs to be printed on the products. You have unlimited freedom with Midjourney, or you can create manual designs in Canva or through drawing apps. When a sale occurs? The supplier prepares and delivers the product. Zero effort.
Who is it best for?
- Those interested in design but who do not want to take inventory risks
- Solo entrepreneurs looking to start e-commerce
- Those who can generate visuals using AI tools (Midjourney, Canva, etc.)
- Those who can discover niche areas on platforms like Etsy
How does it turn into making money?
- Sell design products on Etsy (easy start), Shopify, or Amazon.
- Achieve high profit margins by focusing on niche areas.
- Design custom "merch" (promotional products) for companies or communities.
- Offer your own branded products to your existing blog or social media audience.
Difficulty score: 5/10
Setting up the store is the simplest part. The startup cost consists only of tools and the store opening. As you can imagine, creating designs is limited only by your imagination. Midjourney is powerful and high-quality enough to create anything you can imagine.
The hardest part is identifying niche gaps among thousands of competitive products. The second challenge is developing SEO, keyword, and advertising strategies tailored to your marketplace's dynamics to reach the right people with your products.
How to start?
First, find what you are going to sell. Let's say mugs. Then, find the style and theme. Mugs specific to dog breeds (like "Funny bulldog-printed mug"). Next, generate designs in Midjourney, then use ready-made mug mockups to showcase your products.
Then, decide on a platform and analytical tools. If you plan to sell on Etsy, tools like eRank or EverBee are essential for understanding what sells. Also, create a Printify account for the supplier. Connect it to your Etsy store and upload your first design.
11. Sell stock photos/videos
Stock photography may not be your main source of income, but it can occasionally cover your phone bill. The photos you take can be used on a news site, in an advertising poster, or even in a company presentation. They purchase them from you (through a platform).
You don't sell them just once. They can purchase the image you upload multiple times. Some companies even send surprise balances to your account once you exceed a certain threshold. I've heard that Adobe is more generous than others in this regard.
Take photos that serve a purpose rather than creating artistic masterpieces. Focus on specific, commercially valuable subjects such as “people working in an office,” “healthy eating,” or “a local festival.” Rest assured, this is better than randomness.
Who is it best for?
- Those who never put their phone or camera down
- Anyone with a basic grasp of lighting and composition
- Patient creators who can maintain a consistent upload schedule
- Detail-oriented individuals who excel at digital archiving and tagging
How does it turn into making money?
- Upload your content to major platforms like Adobe Stock and Shutterstock.
- Earn a commission every single time your photo is downloaded.
- Boost your earnings by selling video clips (4K or HD) for higher unit prices.
- Provide content for mobile advertisers by shooting vertical footage.
- Capture "editorial" shots that carry high news and trending value.
Difficulty score: 3/10
Getting started is very easy. All you need to do is create an Adobe Contributor account to upload stock photos. The only challenge is that they only accept high-quality images on the site. And you usually need to upload hundreds of them consistently.
How to start?
Most people start with just a smartphone. Spend your first week capturing everyday objects or street life from different angles. Curating high-quality shots from your existing archives is also a great way to begin.
Next, set up a contributor account on Adobe Stock or Shutterstock. Use Lightroom or simple mobile editing tools to give your colors a bit more life, then upload your first 10 photos to trigger the approval process.
12. Go live and collect gifts
Remember that person who went viral just for sleeping on a livestream? 😂 They still received tons of gifts because it was entertaining.
You don't have to sleep, though. Going live while doing something you’re passionate about is a great way to collect donations and build a community.
Whether you're painting, playing music, or cooking, chatting with your audience is a solid start. However, playing trending games, doing "mukbangs," or hosting "get ready with me" makeup sessions still bring in the highest viewership.
Who is it best for?
- Extroverted and talkative personalities
- Those who are comfortable spending long hours in front of the camera
- People with a quick sense of humor and adaptability
- Creators who can build and manage a loyal community
- Disciplined individuals who can stick to a regular streaming schedule
How does it turn into making money?
- Collect in-stream gifts and stickers (like TikTok Gifts).
- Set up a monthly paid subscription model.
- Secure brand partnerships and sponsorships during your streams.
- Receive support through donation platforms (like Patreon or Ko-fi).
- Promote and sell your own physical or digital products live.
Difficulty score: 8/10
Technically, going live is a breeze, but overcoming the feeling of "talking to a void" and keeping those first 10 viewers engaged is the real challenge. You’ll need to keep your energy high and stay consistent, even when the viewer count is sitting at zero or one.
How to start?
A stable internet connection and a phone with a decent front camera are all you need to start. Spend your first week observing popular streamers on your chosen platform—pay attention to how they talk and engage with their audience.
Next, pick a catchy title ("Learn a new language with me" or "Daily Chat") and just go live.
Make sure your background is tidy, and your face is well-lit. For your first few streams, you can invite your friends to kickstart the conversation; this helps newcomers warm up to the broadcast and get to know you faster.
13. Rent out your spare rooms or property
A vacant room or a countryside cottage is essentially sleeping capital. Many people hesitate, thinking, "I'm always there, how can I rent it out?" or "Who would want to stay in my spare room?" There are countless travelers out there looking for exactly what you have.
You can rent out rooms even for a single day. Alternatively, when you’re away, renting out your entire home can effectively fund your own vacation. Of course, this depends on how comfortable you are sharing your space, so it’s not for everyone.
Who is it best for?
- Those with extra space in their home
- People who enjoy meeting new people and experiencing different cultures
- Individuals who are meticulous about cleanliness and order
- Aspiring "superhosts" who enjoy hospitality
- Those with a basic eye for decor and photography
How does it turn into making money?
- Charge nightly accommodation fees.
- Cover extra costs by adding a cleaning fee.
- Increase occupancy rates by offering discounts for long-term stays.
- Boost your income by offering add-on services like breakfast or local tours.
Difficulty score: 4/10
Listing your space and taking bookings is simple. The real effort goes into keeping the place spotless and chasing high ratings. After your first 5–10 positive reviews, the platform will boost your visibility, and the business will practically run itself.
The other challenge is calendar management. If a booking comes in while you're actually using the space, you'll be forced to cancel. To avoid this, make sure you master the booking tools on platforms like Airbnb before you even host your first guest.
How to start?
Before investing anything, look at your space through a guest's eyes. Spend your first week deep-cleaning the room or house and adding small touches (like fresh flowers or crisp linens) to make it camera-ready.
Take clear, wide-angle photos in natural light. Then, create a "Host" profile on platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com. Use punchy keywords in your title like "Central Location," "High-speed Wi-Fi," or "Peaceful Balcony."
For your first few bookings, set your price slightly below the market average to quickly build positive reviews.
Collect your freelance earnings with Ruul!
Getting paid securely is just as important as earning the money itself. Ruul was built by independent freelancers who wanted to make this process seamless.
Sell whatever you want:
We’ll handle the entire process by invoicing for everything at just a 5% fee.
This way, you can focus purely on growing your business and making money.
Questions like "Can I sell in this country?" or "What about sales tax?" are things of the past.
Sign up now and join the thousands of happy freelancers in our community!
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I really earn money freelancing without a degree?
You absolutely can. In 2026, skills are becoming far more significant than formal diplomas. In every new professional environment I enter, I personally witness that specialized skills are prioritized over degrees when it comes to freelancing success.
2. What is the easiest way to start earning passive income?
Digital products such as e-books or Print-on-Demand (POD) are the types of ventures anyone can launch today (though "accessible" doesn't necessarily mean "effortless"). The key is to discover what you can produce easily and consistently without burning out.
3. How can I get paid by global clients without the paperwork?
Tax stress and delays are discouraging. With Ruul, you can invoice global clients or sell digital products instantly. Ruul handles VAT and compliance for a flat 5% fee, leaving the bureaucracy behind.
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