Best Side-Money Making Gigs on Craigslist

If you’re like most people, the idea of generating supplemental revenue for your household balance sheet is not a bad idea. Getting a second job is a very common way to make a little extra cash to help with bills, save money to reach your goals faster or pay off any outstanding debt. A good way to find these little side gigs is through Craigslist.org, the bulletin board of the internet.

Craigslist is made up of classified ads ranging in just about any and every category. You can post public messages in personal ads, look for housing, search for jobs and so on. One of the best uses for Craigslist, however, is for finding part-time or one-time jobs that pay decent money. Some jobs even offer a way to make residual income or opportunities to create passive income streams, which continue to pay you money based on performance but don’t require any additional work.

Craigslist Gigs

Not to be confused with the “Jobs” category, which is for people looking for full-time employment or contract jobs, the “Gigs” category lets you put your skills to use during the after-hours when you’re not on the clock during your day job.

Listed gigs range from manual labor jobs and fieldwork like set production or event promotion. You could also find jobs that can be done from the comfort of your own home, like written or creative work. If you don’t want to work outside but want more interaction with people, there are also gigs like being a pet sitter or household assistant.

What to Look for on Craigslist

The good thing about Craigslist is that anyone from anywhere can post on it. By the same token, the bad thing about Craigslist is that anyone from anywhere can post on it. So if you find a listing that may be too good to be true or sounds sketchy, make sure you do some research before showing up for the job.

Depending on what your preferences are, your list of criteria may differ from other people. If money is your top priority, ignore any jobs that only offer "great experience" or "exposure." While that may be great for some people trying to get their foot in the door, that's not why you're here.

Another tip is to find multiple jobs that are similar so you can get a good idea of the going rate for that type of job. You can then compare the compensation, requirements and other details to figure out which one is best worth your time.

Best Gigs on Craigslist

Here are some of the most common ways people make money on the side through jobs listed on Craigslist. Some jobs larger in scope may pay very well but could demand more of your time and effort. Other jobs could pay less but maybe just a one-time thing or very simplistic in nature so they can be completed at a higher volume to earn more money.

1. Writing and Editing Gigs

One of the easiest ways to make money on Craigslist is through writing or editing work. Whether you’re producing articles, posting on blogs, writing a script, editing college essays, translating copy or providing technical content, the best part is that you don’t need to leave your house to earn some decent dough. It’s a little harder to find paying jobs for content work though, because a lot of upstart publications tend to offer exposure and bylines in lieu of cash. On the other hand, some places offer the opportunity for revenue sharing, which is ideal for earning passive income.

2. Creative and Design Work

Just like writing jobs, video editing and web design jobs can be done from home. However, other jobs in this category, like photographers, set designers or fashion stylists, may need you to be on location. Most jobs won’t list a pay rate, so you’ll have to provide your ballpark figure and negotiate with the person who listed the ad if they get back to you.

3. Technology and Computer Jobs

One area for lucrative side gigs, if you’re computer savvy enough to qualify, is providing your technical expertise to businesses and individuals in need. If you can find some ads looking for an IT or database management consultant, you could make pretty good money and maybe even start that up as a side business. Unlike the previous categories, these jobs typically pay well because they require technical expertise and cannot be compensated through other means like exposure or experience.

4. Talent and Event Listings

If you have time on your hands and the skills required, talent jobs like modeling, acting, singing and playing musical instruments may be a good way to make some money on the side. You’ll most likely be working on photo shoots, film sets or public events. Like writing gigs, the promise of exposure often comes in lieu of actual payment. On the other hand, some event jobs require you to promote products or raise money for a fundraiser. Some of these jobs pay a flat rate, while others offer a commission and residual revenue.

5. Crew, Labor and Domestic Work

For those who aren’t afraid to do a little manual labor for their extra income, you can find decent pay offering your time and services. Since this is actual physical labor, there are no bones about what you want out of the job. In some cases, you can make around $600 for a weekend’s worth of hard work. Some of the crew work overlaps with event jobs, but that’s common on Craigslist. Also, if you have the time and the heart, you can provide your services as a caregiver or babysitter for domestic gigs.

Since Craigslist ads are separated geographically, be aware that different cities will vary in demand for certain job types and pay rates. Keep that in mind as you peruse for some of your own potential side gigs, but always remember that safety should come before earning potential.