10 Side Hustles to Steer Clear of in 2025

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      Do you believe that all side hustles are worthwhile? Think again.

      Some gigs that were profitable just a year or two ago are now struggling to survive.

      AI technology is advancing, competition is intensifying, and the online landscape is constantly evolving.

      If you plan to earn extra money in 2025, you need to be strategic about how you allocate your time.

      In this guide, we’ll examine 10 fading side hustles and highlight what you should focus on to stay ahead and actually earn money.

      Let’s dive in!

      1. Basic Freelance Writing

      AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude can generate blog posts, product descriptions, and basic email copy in mere seconds.

      It’s no surprise then that companies are looking to reduce expenses by opting out of hiring freelance writers for generic tasks.

      However, there’s a silver lining: generic writing is easily replaceable—exceptional writing is not.

      Concentrate on storytelling, niche expertise, or personal insights.

      You can establish yourself as an editor or strategist who collaborates with AI instead of competing against it.

      Originality, voice, and lived experiences are now highly valued.

      2. Data Entry Jobs

      Let’s face it—data entry has never been particularly exciting.

      It used to provide a dependable way to earn some money from home, but that’s no longer the case.

      AI tools and optical character recognition (OCR) are far more adept at performing repetitive tasks efficiently and cost-effectively.

      The shift here is to transition from data entry to data analysis.

      Acquire skills in tools like Excel or Google Data Studio.

      Businesses are in need of assistance to interpret the vast amounts of data they collect—and they will pay handsomely for it.

      Average salaries for analysts exceed $90k annually!

      In fact, being a data analyst is included in our list of 21 in-demand freelance skills.

      3. Simple Graphic Design

      AI-powered design applications like Canva’s Magic Design and Adobe Firefly enable anyone to create logos, social media posts, or YouTube thumbnails in an instant.

      While these tools are beneficial, they are also saturating the market for entry-level freelance designers.

      Instead, focus on specialized areas such as custom branding, UI/UX, or motion graphics.

      These fields still demand a personal touch and strategic thinking.

      If you possess a keen design sense and understand what a brand should convey, there remains significant earning potential.

      Discover how to leverage AI for creating truly unique designs and find remote graphic design jobs quickly.

      4. Low Effort Drop Shipping

      The ideal scenario: manage an online store without holding inventory, sell products, and let someone else handle shipping.

      The reality: numerous sellers are marketing identical products from the same suppliers—often at the same or lower prices.

      A more fruitful approach? Develop your own product.

      Admittedly, it requires more initial effort, but it grants you control over branding, quality, and pricing.

      Identify what’s currently successful, devise a way to enhance it, and target a specific audience.

      For inspiration, look at Frontline Optics, a sunglasses brand designed for first responders that began as a side hustle.

      If you already have a solid digital product idea, explore how to market and sell it here.

      5. Basic Transcription Services

      Transcription once presented a straightforward opportunity: listen, type, and get paid.

      However, AI can now accurately transcribe an hour-long audio file within minutes.

      Unless the audio presents unique challenges, the demand for human transcriptionists has diminished.

      Nevertheless, specialized transcription services still command higher pay.

      Transcription for legal, medical, or heavily accented content requires more precision than AI can achieve.

      If you wish to continue in this field, consider specializing in one of those areas.

      6. Simple Voiceover Work

      Voice AI technology such as ElevenLabs and Descript is advancing rapidly.

      Many businesses are replacing human voice actors with AI-generated voices, particularly for brief, disposable content.

      However, voiceover work is not irrelevant.

      Concentrate on character performances, audiobooks, or brand voiceovers, where human subtleties are essential.

      In most storytelling roles, personality and emotion will always surpass robots—and that's where your strength lies.

      If you aspire to make a career in this field, it’s still attainable. Learn how to become a professional voiceover artist here.

      7. Selling Generic Print-on-Demand Designs

      We still appreciate POD (print on demand) for its potential for passive income.

      However, let’s be honest—uploading generic t-shirt designs and crossing your fingers no