Everyone is good at something, and it you’re looking to earn extra income while passing down your knowledge or skill to someone else, there are many opportunities for side jobs for teachers and others willing to share their skills.
Along with getting paid, you’ll be rewarded every time someone thanks you for your time, your energy, and your enthusiasm.
Decide what you’re passionate about sharing, make sure you’re a true expert, and turn that expertise into a moneymaking venture.
Here’s how:
Tutor individual students
If you’re a music major who knows how to play the piano, offer to teach for pay. Often, a side job for teachers can earn money at a higher rate per hour than one might receive at an in-school job.
The same is true for for guitar lessons, violin lessons, saxophone lessons, math lessons, reading lessons, or any other sort of lessons, really.
You could share your painting skills by offering an art class during the winter, or teach an Italian cooking class in the fall.
Whatever your expertise, there are others who’d like to learn it.
Sell teaching materials
Teachers by trade have the opportunity to use sites like teacherspayteachers.com to sell their lesson plans, worksheets or flashcards.
The prep work you use in your own classrooms can produce extra income while using less of your time than a side job for teachers.
The same principle applies outside the classroom, too. You could create a how-to for just about anything. Make a YouTube video to go along with the handbook.
Be engaged and friendly to people who are subscribing to your tutelage.
Lead online classes
In the age of technology, offering online classes can be a great way to bolster your income. If you’re a writer, consider pairing up with a writing community in your area and offering an online writing class.
There are lots of online classes out there on everything from art history to specific historical figures. People often want to learn more, but time and energy is an issue.
Creating a well-priced online class can allow people to work and learn at their own pace. And it saves gas for all, which is also a plus.
Think like a yogi
A lot of people like yoga. One of the great things about the practice is that there are opportunities just about everywhere to take a class.
In some cities, pop-up yoga classes are a big thing. Instructors can get permits from the city to utilize outdoor spaces. Then they advertise their classes online or by creating signs in well-populated areas.
Often, the organizers stay consistent about the days and times of their pop-up classes so people can drop in or commit to the entire schedule.
These kinds of classes can be a fun way to earn extra money — and not just for yoga experts. You might teach a pop-up sailing or fishing class, for example. If you’re interested in this, make sure admission is easy. A pop-up class might cost between $5 and $10 — some denomination most people have on hand.
Work a camp
Consider being a coach for a soccer camp or football camp. If you work for a local tech company, apply to be a camp counselor at a technology camp.
Kids are our future, and they’re ready to learn what you know. Take advantage of opportunities to get paid while passing down your knowledge to the most enthusiastic of us all — young people.
The bottom line
Abraham Lincoln once said that whatever you are, be a good one. Learn what you’re good at, pass it forward by teaching or tutoring, and watch others enjoy it.
Along with getting paid, you’ll be rewarded every time someone thanks you for your time, your energy and your enthusiasm.
That’s something to smile about.
