7 Proven Side Hustles for Middle Aged Beginners with No Experience
There are several side hustles for middle aged beginners that require no experience. These options include affiliate marketing, freelance writing, selling digital products, and more.
Maybe you’ve thought about starting a side hustle but have become stuck on what to do. I’ve been there as well. When you’re in your mid 40s or mid 50s, it can feel like the common side hustles are aimed at 25-year-olds.
Remember that being middle age is a strength. We have decades of lived experience. Whatever we choose to do, we have the reliability and focus to get it done. Below, I’ll share 7 side hustles that are suited for beginners in their 40s and 50s. You won’t have to worry about having experience or tech skills.
A beginner-friendly hustle should have a low barrier to entry, be flexible, and require no upfront investment. I’ll also share my all time favorite side hustle that I still do today.
One of the side hustles on this list is what I recommend most for middle-aged beginners. You can see it and access free training on the homepage.
Why middle age is actually a great time to start a side hustle
You have assets younger people don’t
Being middle age is an advantage. We have years of professional and life experience. Both of which build instant credibility in any niche. Patience, discipline, and follow through are essential when it comes to building income online and most middle age people have that.
What “no experience” actually means here
These side hustles do not require experience to do them. However, your life experience will be beneficial. There will be a learning curve but most are short and easy to learn. Any software, platforms, or tools needed are often built for non-technical users.
Related: Middle-Aged People Earning Extra Income Online
Hustle #1 – Affiliate marketing
What it is
You’ve likely done affiliate marketing already. The only difference is that you didn’t make any money from it. An example would be recommending a good dentist to a friend. Your friend becomes a patient of that dentist. The dentist makes money but you didn’t.
With affiliate marketing, you recommend a product or service and when someone you’ve referred buys the product, you make a commission. Many companies have an affiliate program to include Amazon. Affiliate products can be either physical or digital.
What makes affiliate marketing beginner-friendly:
- You don’t need to create a product
- No inventory or shipping anything
- Zero customer service
- Work anywhere with an internet connection
- 100% online
- Easy to learn
Why it’s perfect for middle-aged beginners
Becoming an affiliate is a matter of signing up to an affiliate program for a product that you like. You then recommend the product by creating content on platforms like a blog, Instagram (or other social media), Pinterest, or YouTube.
You can do it on your schedule so it’s ideal if you are working a full-time or part-time job. As you build momentum, affiliate marketing can become semi-passive. That means you’re not trading hours for dollars.
How to get started
Start with choosing a niche that you like and care about. For example, I have a family member who is passionate about cooking and another who is passionate about cars. Both of those niches have tons of products with affiliate programs that can be recommended to their target audience.
When you have decided on your niche, the next step is to create content that answers your audience’s questions You can do this on social media, create a YouTube channel, or blog.
Finally, apply to affiliate programs for products that you use and like. Recommend these products as solutions for your audience’s issues.
This is the side hustle I recommend most for middle-aged beginners. Visit the homepage to see the free training that walks you through getting started. No experience needed.
Deep dive: How to Earn From Home in Your 50s Without Any Tech Skills or Experience and 7 Legitimate Ways to Earn From Home in Your 50s
Hustle #2 – Freelance writing
What it is
If you like to write, freelance writing is one of the side hustles for middle aged beginners that is ideal. Many individuals or small businesses are seeking freelance writers to create their content. You can write blog posts, email newsletters, product descriptions, or web copy.
You can work with multiple clients and around your own schedule. Create your profile on freelance sites like Upwork or Fiverr.
Why it’s perfect for middle-aged beginners
You likely have the basic skills to get started. If you can write a clear email, you can write content for other people. Freelance writers are in high demand and no portfolio is needed to land your first client.
Realistic starting income
- $15–$50/hour; specialty niches (finance, health, legal) pay $75–$150/hour
Hustle #3 – Virtual assistant (VA)
What it is
Out of all the side hustles listed, you may likely get the most steady income from being a virtual assistant. VAs are always in demand by entrepreneurs and small business owners. As a virtual assistant you would provide remote admin support such as email management, scheduling, research, data entry, and social media posting.
Why it’s perfect for middle-aged beginners
You may already possess office and organizational skills from your current or previous jobs. No certifications or formal experience is required. Due to the high demand, you’d likely be able to create a steady side income.
Realistic starting income
- $20–$40/hour; specialized VAs (bookkeeping, tech, legal) earn significantly more
See also: Side Hustles for People in Their 50s
Hustle #4 – Selling digital products
What it is
I have experience with creating and selling my own digital product. I created an ebook in the coffee niche and sold it on my own website. You can package up your knowledge into an ebook, guides, templates, or printables. You can sell your digital product on platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, Payhip, or your website. The advantage of selling digital products is that you create them once and sell them over and over again.
Why it’s perfect for middle-aged beginners
You likely already have information or a skill that people would pay for. For example, maybe you learned how to improve your credit score in a short amount of time. You could create a simple PDF file explaining how you did it.
With digital products, there is nothing to ship, no inventory to carry, and no customer returns to deal with. Software like Canva makes it easy to create your digital product. Generate a steady traffic source and you’ve created a passive income stream.
Realistic starting income
- $100–$2,000+/month depending on niche, pricing, and traffic
Hustle #5 – Print-on-demand
What it is
This is another side hustle that I have experience with. Print-on-demand is creating a design or text to print onto t-shirts, mugs, hats, bag,s and more. The most popular print-on-demand product is t-shirts.
You can create designs yourself using Canva or outsource the designs to a graphic artist. Upload the designs to platform like TeePublic, Redbubble, or Merch by Amazon. The shirts are then printed and shipped only when ordered. You make a percentage of each sale. There is nothing for you to ship and no inventory for you to keep.
Why it’s perfect for middle-aged beginners
Print-on-demand is beginner-friendly due to it having zero upfront cost and no inventory risk. You can design for free on Canva and this model is completely passive once the designs are uploaded. Pinterest is ideal for driving traffic to your t-shirts designs.
Realistic starting income
- $100–$1,000+/month with a solid catalog; grows with volume
Looking for one clear starting point instead of juggling multiple hustles? The homepage outlines the path I recommend most and there’s free training to go with it.
Hustle #6 – Online tutoring or coaching
What it is
Many middle aged people have turned to coaching or creating online tutorials that teach about a specific subject, skill, or life experience. It is one of the most ideal side hustles for middle aged beginners because it is based on the knowledge you already have. Creating online tutorials makes it even easier since they are self-paced. Otherwise, you would need to schedule one-on-one coaching via Zoom.
Why it’s perfect for middle-aged beginners
This strategy is ideal because you are teaching or providing coaching for a topic you area already knowledgeable about. You can set your own schedule and rates. Getting started is easy with platforms like Zoom, Teachable, or Skool.
Realistic starting income
- $25–$75/hour; coaching packages can earn $500–$2,000+ per client
Hustle #7 – Social media management
What it is
There are many small businesses and entrepreneurs that need social media management. Managing social media accounts is time consuming and something that business owners are happy to outsource. Your job would be to schedule posts, write captions, respond to comments, and track basic analytics.
Why it’s perfect for middle-aged beginners
If you are using social media on a regular basis, you are already meeting a bulk of the qualifications needed. Small businesses are seeking qualified individuals to manage their social media presence. There are free tools to such as Buffer and Canva to automate posting and help with design.
Realistic starting income
- $300–$1,000/month per client; manage 3–5 clients for a solid part-time income
Related: How to Build Online Income With a Full-Time Job in Your 40s and 50s
Frequently asked questions about side hustles for beginners
What is the easiest side hustle to start with no experience?
The two side hustles with the lowest barriers to entry and no upfront cost, inventory, or client work are affiliate marketing and print-on-demand.
How much can a middle-aged beginner realistically earn from a side hustle?
Many beginners can earn between $200-$800 a month within 3-6 months with consistent effort. Depending on the strategy, it is possible to scale up to $2,000-$5,000 a month within a year. This is all based on various factors and not a guarantee that any income will be made.
Do I need to quit my job to start a side hustle?
No and it isn’t recommended to quit a job to start a side hustle. Most side hustles are designed to be done part-time. Many people continue working their full time jobs until their side income can replace it.
Which side hustle has the highest income potential?
Affiliate marketing has high income potential, especially when promoting high-ticket offers. There is no income cap based on hours worked. There is unlimited income potential with affiliate markting.
Also read: Earning an Extra Few Hundred Dollars a Month Online in Your 50s
Pick one and start
I hope you’ve found these side hustles helpful. They are all considered beginner-friendly and easily accessible. No prior experience is required. When you’re deciding on a side hustle, there is no perfect time to start. The best option is to pick one and get started.
The person who picks one side hustle and sticks with it for 90 days will outperform the person who researches for 6 months. Take action and stay consistent!
Ready to pick your first side hustle and get moving? Visit the homepage to see the option we recommend for middle-aged beginners, along with free training to help you take your first steps today.
