7 Fun Side Hustles That Will Fund Your World Travel
And turn passions into profits…
My first foray into starting and growing an online business was 6 months of trying literally every business model I could find. (You can still see some of those early-day videos on YouTube, if you fancy a giggle.)
One of my scariest (now funniest) moments, was a time I couldn't figure out how to end a webinar and had hundreds of people watching me panic-click buttons (while whispering the odd expletive) for 10 minutes.
Those were the days of wild west internet marketing - JV partnerships, solo ads, Warrior Forum products (remember those?), and every other scheme promising overnight riches.
Some worked, most spectacularly didn't.
But eventually, through all that enthusiastic fumbling around, I discovered that successful online businesses, regardless of the model, all followed the same basic formula.
1. Start with Who - identify the specific person you want to help. Not "everyone interested in fitness," but "Dads over 40 who want to get fit without spending hours in the gym"
2. Define What - pinpoint their exact problem. What keeps them awake at night? What frustrates them daily?
3. Solve Problems for Free - create valuable content that helps solve these problems. Show up consistently with genuine solutions.
4. Offer Paid Solutions - once you've proven your value, create deeper solutions based on what your audience actually needs (not what you think they need).
This formula still works today, whether you're teaching knitting or coaching CEOs. The key is consistency and genuine value.
With that in mind, here are seven side hustles that if you follow the above model, can fund your travel dreams.
1. Online Courses: The Evergreen Money Maker
I launched my first big course in April 2011, (from my Mum's living room while visiting), and made $117,000 in seven days.
While those results aren't typical, they show what's possible when you’ve built up a significant amount of trust with your audience.
Today, it's easier than ever to create and sell courses:
Platforms like Leap by Thinkific handle all the tech
Stan.Store lets you start selling instantly
Udemy gives you access to an existing audience
The key is to focus on solving one specific problem really well.
My first successful course taught complete beginners how to use Facebook for business. Nothing fancy - just clear, actionable solutions for a real problem.
Action Steps:
Choose who you want to help (who)
Choose one skill you could teach them (what)
Create a free mini-course to test interest (value)
Build an audience through helpful content
Launch to an engaged audience
2. E-commerce: From Simple to Scalable
My journey into e-commerce started with Amazon FBA, quickly scaling to seven figures, (selling kitchen products of all things which was ironic given my cooking skills!)
But today, you don't need huge inventory or complicated systems to start. Modern platforms have made it possible to launch a store in hours.
The simplest way to start is with Print on Demand through Etsy. No inventory, no upfront costs, just designs and ideas.
The key is to create designs that speak to a specific audience - dog lovers, travel enthusiasts, or niche hobbyists. When someone orders, the product is printed and shipped automatically.
For those ready to scale, Shopify makes it easy to create a professional store. Add print-on-demand services like Printful or Printify, and you've got a full e-commerce business you can run from anywhere with WiFi.
Action Steps:
Choose a specific niche audience (who)
Create 5-10 unique designs (what)
Set up an Etsy shop
Create great content on your social media platform of choice (value)
Test and refine based on sales
3. Blogging and Newsletters: The Modern Way
The blogging landscape has changed dramatically in the last couple of years.
After watching Google algorithms decimate years of hard work, I've learned not to put all my eggs in one basket. Which is why I love how platforms like Substack have transformed content creation.
Modern blogging combines newsletter delivery with content creation. Your readers get your posts directly in their inbox, building a closer connection. The platform handles subscriptions, payments, and delivery, while you focus on creating value.
In fact this is No’s 1, 2 & 3 in a nutshell!
The key is consistency and voice. Share your unique perspectives, experiences, and insights. Build a loyal audience first, then monetize through subscriptions, digital products, or sponsored content.
Action Steps:
Pick your core topic(s) (who)
Write consistently (what)
Review what resonates (and double down) (value)
Build your email list from day one
4. Coaching and Masterminds: High-Value Connection
Technology has transformed coaching. With tools like Zoom, StreamYard & Google Meets, you can create professional coaching experiences from anywhere.
Plus, social media makes it easier than ever to demonstrate your expertise and attract clients.
The beautiful part about coaching is the ability to start small and scale. Begin with one-on-one sessions, then expand to group programs or masterminds as your confidence grows.
Action Steps:
Define your coaching niche (who)
Create a simple coaching package (what)
Set up your basic tech stack
Start sharing expertise on social media (value)
5. Membership Communities: Building Lasting Value
Membership sites might look slick now, but I remember wrestling with huge clunky platforms like Membergate back in the day (there’s a blast from the past!)
Today’s platforms like Skool and Circle have transformed how we build and nurture communities.
The financial power of memberships lies in recurring revenue. Create a space where people want to stay, learn, and connect month after month. The key is in cultivating genuine connections while providing consistent value through tutorials, resources, or exclusive content.
Action Steps:
Choose your community focus (who)
Set up on a modern platform (what)
Create a content and engagement plan (value)
Launch with founding members
6. Authority Building: Your Expertise, Your Rules
Building authority has never been more accessible. Through podcasting, publishing books, YouTube channels, or social media presence, you can establish yourself as an expert in your chosen field.
The beauty of authority building is its compound effect. Each piece of content builds on the last, creating multiple income streams through speaking engagements, coaching opportunities, course sales, and brand partnerships.
Action Steps:
Choose the person you want to help (who)
Choose your primary platform
Create cornerstone content (value)
Repurpose across platforms
Build your signature offer (what)
7. Freelancing: Skills That Travel
For those with marketable skills, platforms like Upwork and Fiverr have opened global opportunities. Whether you're a writer, designer, developer, or virtual assistant, you can trade your skills for income from anywhere in the world.
The key to successful freelancing is specialization. Rather than being a general virtual assistant, become the go-to person for podcast management or course launches. Specialists can command higher rates and attract better clients.
Action Steps:
Identify your core service (who)
Create a compelling portfolio (what)
Set up on major platforms
Start with competitive rates (value)
The Reality of Successful Side Hustles
Every business model I've shared follows the same formula we discussed at the start.
The platforms and tactics might change, but success always comes down to understanding your audience and solving real problems.
I've tried them all - some more successfully than others! But each experiment taught me that the secret isn't finding the 'perfect' model, but choosing one that aligns with your skills and interests, then focusing on providing genuine value to a specific audience.
Start with one model that feels right for you. Focus on serving your audience well. The income will follow, and with it, the freedom to work from anywhere in the world.
Action Step: Pick one model and take your first step this week. As someone who spent months overcomplicating everything in the beginning, trust me - starting simple is often the smartest strategy.
Remember, a small start today beats a perfect plan tomorrow.
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