Courtesy of Ryan.
- Ryan, who reviews side hustles on his TikTok, talked to Insider about his findings.
- One that he said is pretty simple to try out is iVueit, a property inspection app.
- He said retail and grocery delivery could be good for those with busy schedules.
Ryan doesn't have the same relationship with side hustles as most gig workers.
While side hustle work can be a way to make ends meet alongside other jobs and busy schedules, Ryan's motivation for testing them out is to share his experience on his TikTok, which has over 140,000 followers.
He wants to cut through the noise to help people understand which side hustles actually work, are relatively easy to start, and can make money. For this reason, he's become good at quickly spotting a promising job that won't require too much commitment, so he doesn't make a ton of money off his ventures. Instead, he tests them, makes a call, and tends to move on to the next experiment.
"I think we are all feeling the squeeze right now from inflation and dollars aren't stretching as far as possible," Ryan, whose last name is withheld for privacy, said. "So I think there's a lot of people looking out there."
To see if a side hustle is worth it, Ryan said people should find ones that fit their lifestyle and take the "least amount of time with the most amount of impact and revenue."
Insider previously talked to Ryan about how he got started in reviewing side hustles and which ones he would or wouldn't recommend others try. As Ryan has continued to share his thoughts on side hustles in videos since then, Insider followed up with him to see if he had any updated recommendations.
Below are a few of the side hustles Ryan told Insider about in the new interview.
iVueit
If you want a side hustle to work around your employment schedule, Ryan recommends trying property inspection app iVueit. According to the iVueit website, a "Vuer" has a set time limit to complete an assignment, which the person can choose from a map on the app.
The assignments can require going to a property to take photos or answering survey questions related to the property. According to the website, clients can send "property requests including name, address, and project description."
Clients, and what they need, can vary. For instance, the iVueit website says the service can be for "retailers, contractors, and service aggregators who need to verify current conditions, work order completion, asset management and more." Meanwhile for insurance work, it says for "agencies who need on-demand photo validation for underwriting purposes or to assess risks in real-time."
When Ryan tried it, he did an assignment at a Best Buy location, where he made $20 for minimal work. He simply introduced himself, showed the app, and took some photos.
Ryan believes this is one he can probably do around commuting for his day job. He said this is a side hustle that seems relatively simple to try.
Delivery apps like the Spark Driver app
Ryan noted joining the Spark Driver app as another potential side hustle if you're looking for an easy one to start trying. Information online notes "you can shop or deliver for customers of Walmart and other businesses" with the platform.
Ryan said it's different from food delivery apps like Uber Eats.
"I've found that food delivery apps can be challenging, requiring immediate time commitments and creating a sense of rushing," Ryan said. "This did not fit my lifestyle."
Ryan disclosed to Insider that he has done sponsored work for the platform. That was after he assessed whether it worked, he said.
The size of the order helps determine how much you get paid for a trip, a video said. There are other perks, given its reward program.
Ryan earned around $14 on one trip and almost $20 on another.
People interested in Spark Driver should know there are certain criteria to be eligible to be a driver on the platform. That includes but is not limited to being at least 18 years old, holding a valid driver's license, and having auto insurance.
Ryan thinks that like iVueit, being a driver with the Spark Driver app can be something that fits around your schedule.
"In my view, individuals willing to dedicate specific time blocks are better suited for food delivery, while those seeking a side hustle that can seamlessly integrate with their daily routines should explore grocery or retail delivery options," Ryan said.
Amazon Influencer Program
Ryan has also made some money from the Amazon Influencer Program, which includes noting stuff you recommend on your Amazon page. This is one of the side hustles he was surprised works.
"Content creation can range from a part-time passion to a full-time career," an Amazon spokesperson told Insider.
"There are several ways creators can earn, including linking to qualifying products, promoting Amazon services like Prime video and Amazon Music, curating shoppable photo and video content and livestreaming and recommending products through Amazon Live," an Amazon spokesperson said.
Ryan said he did a video of a product and that it got on the product's page. He said he got commission from that, noting he made some earnings "just from uploading these videos that passively get watched while during the purchase journey."
He has made $16.45 from his influencer page, which he wants to double down on and try out more.
People interested in this program should know that they have to have one of the following, per an Amazon spokesperson: a YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook account.
"Once you sign up, we will review your submission details and determine whether you qualify for the program," a spokesperson said. "We look at many factors when assessing applicants, including content, engagement rate and following size."
User-generated content
Ryan previously told Insider about his success making user-generated content or UGC, using a platform called JoinBrands. He said this is still a pursuit he would recommend given it's "a pretty low lift side hustle."
"I recommend user-generated content as a side hustle because it offers a win-win scenario," Ryan said. "You not only receive products for free but also get paid for relatively straightforward tasks. This side hustle is ideal for individuals who are comfortable in front of a camera or possess some creative photography skills."
He made $78 for one product review he did, and he kept the product after. He earned $15 for UGC of a tree stand and earned $60 for making a video about a bike lock. Documentation shared with Insider shows Ryan has nearly $1,500 in total earnings on JoinBrands.
"We allow creators to take jobs with brands instantly," Ian Sells, cofounder of JoinBrands, told Insider. "We have a marketplace full of basically jobs which are posted by brands, and then the creators can select or apply to jobs."
Sells said once the creator is chosen, they can get the product and then will make the content before getting paid on the JoinBrands platform.
"The great thing about JoinBrands is anybody with a cell phone can join and make money, but it is up to the brands to choose what creator they want to choose," Sells said.
Sells said JoinBrands can be a good side hustle because brands are interested in all different kinds of people to make user-generated content.
"That means that anybody with a phone could potentially get a job on our platform," Sells said. "All you need is a good camera and be able to take presentable photos or videos and be able to talk about it on camera."
While the requirements for getting started in user-generated content can vary, Sells said for JoinBrands you give some information about yourself do a test job of a product "so we can make sure that you can take a good picture or make a good video, you can follow instructions," before getting certified and connecting with brands.
Have you made money from side hustles? What have you used this money for? Reach out to this reporter to share, at mhoff@insider.com.