Side jobs are trending all over social media. From the intrusive broadcast messages and group invites on mobile-messaging app, Whatsapp, to enticing pictures on Instagram cajoling buyers and the “Hi, I sell shoes, bags, and affordable wrist watches. Kindly Retweet, my customers may be on your TL” on Twitter, people are trying to reach more people, create value and make more money.
The trend is a true reflection of people’s need to make extra income given the rising cost of living today.
To join the team of those widening their avenue to make money, here are some of the side jobs you might want to consider based on what industry experts say and what research shows.
Programming (N500, 000-N1m monthly)
You do not need to be a geek today to write codes. If you have the passion, the time and the creativity to solve problems, then this might be a rewarding side job for you.
“Programming is quite vast and is a growing space in Nigeria today,” Kehinde (not real name), a programmer with close to two years of experience told BusinessDay correspondent.
Web development, Web design, applications development and software programming are some of the aspects one could venture in.
“There are tons of languages out there to learn. Whether Python, Ruby, Php or Java, you could get tutorials online from Youtube, Udemy and the likes or pay for offline tutoring at tech centres,” he added.
The average monthly wage of programmers range between N500, 000 and N1million “if you know your stuff and are able to negotiate well”
For starters, Kehinde advises you give free gigs and jobs to build a reputation and clients’ and gain referrals subsequently.
It takes four to six hours of daily practice for two months to garner marketable skills and the jobs might require collaborating with other programmers at times. A good laptop is essential.
Graphics (N50, 000-N250, 000 monthly)
One interesting thing about graphic design is that it can afford one the opportunity to relieve oneself of work-related stress.
“Graphics can be classified alone the non-motion and the animations,” Tobi (not real name), a graphics artist in a major media house said.
Non-motion graphics or visuals involve the creation of posters, flyers and the likes while animation concerns creating interactive tools and cartoons.
Tobi says the skills can be self-taught and there are loads of tutorial videos and PDF materials online. “It takes two-three hours of daily practice to brush off the rough edges and social media is a good place to get referrals,” he said.
Softwares that are essential for graphics include Corel draw, Photoshop, Inkscape, Adobe Indesign, Cinema 4D, Graphics Image Manipulation Program (GIMP), Adobe Dreamweaver among others.
The average monthly wage of graphic artists range between “N50, 000-N200, 000 for non-motion graphic artists and N100,000-N250,000 for motion artists,” Tobi said. Remuneration can exceed top limits depending on the level of professionalism, software used, job requirement, the status of client and certain other factors.
Photography (N250, 000-N1m/Month)
Taking pictures can be more rewarding than a hundred likes, retweet and comments on your online profile.
David, a professionally trained photographer with 6 years of experience, says the industry is currently booming as people now place a high value on quality pictures and video contents that can help them immortalise landmark events in their lives.
“Whether it is events coverage, photojournalism, model and fashion photography, studio works or any aspect, passion is key,” he said.
David says the best way to pick up photography skills might be to work with an established photographer or enrol for a professional course. A professional camera costs an average of N250, 000 and it takes about 3-6 months to get past the basics of photography.
“Ability to use Photoshop is a complementary skill might be and the average monthly income can be around N250, 000 although really good guys can rake above N1 million,” he added.
Tutorials (depends on negotiation)
Another great way to cash in on your skills is in providing knowledge. Whether online or offline you can make a lot of money from teaching language, hard or soft skills, or a subject like Economics or Mathematics.
Ruth, a tax consultant during the week teaches French to a high-school on Lagos Island. “I charge the parents N3000 per hour and I take the kid for six hours every weekend.”
There are quite a number of online platforms to sell one’s tutorial videos and the pay is quite dependent on the number of subscribers who pay to access your content.
Makeovers (N100, 000 monthly)
Although the makeover business is currently very competitive, the average makeover artiste grosses N100, 000 minimum per month especially if the artist is able to secure two wedding contracts in the month,” Blessing, a makeover artiste told BusinessDay.
“It takes a lot of work to build a reputation but offering free makeovers to your circle of friends is a good form of advertisement- then leverage social media too,” she said.
The initial investment would require the procurement of standard make-up kits for which the cost varies, depending on the extent of purchase and brand.
“There are many ways to start. You could learn online, have a friend teach you or go for professional classes,” Blessing added.
Confectionaries and small chops (depends on variables)
If your baking skill is top-notch and you need to show off whilst making money, confectioneries and small chops might be just what need as a side job.
Although Williams, a working professional and a baker points out that there might need to employ extra hands and the trend today is most bakers delve into other aspects of the business like selling baking materials to stay profitable.
“I cannot give you an estimate because it is hard to say for everyone else in the industry. Maybe N100, 000, maybe less. If you are a big player it can be up to N1 million.” She said.
Variables that affect revenue include the location of business and type of clients, rate of sales, and the number of hands employed.
Taxi (not obtained)
The rise of ride-hailing apps has seen the likes of Uber and Taxify replace yellow cabs. Millennials-a rising demographic group with spending power-consider these new ways of moving about more conveniently and have enabled the industry to become buoyant.
If you own a vehicle and a driver’s license then you can apply to drive for any ride-hailing company although you would have to share revenue on an agreed upon basis with the e-hailing platform.
Other side jobs worth researching about include: Dropshipping, Fitness instructor, Blogging, Events planning, SEO consulting and social media management-although is much longer.
