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(from left) Uncle Majic, hip-hop magician; Newball, virtual-reality DJENTERTAIN/SCARE CHILDREN.
Uncle Majic, 27, the local hip-hop magician whose ads are in heavy rotation on late-night TV, has entertained for the offspring of celebrities like Wendy Williams and Russell Simmons. “I started very small, handing out flyers at local schools,” he says. “The first year, I performed at 40 schools—that’s 40,000 kids. And how many do you think are having birthday parties?” Uncle M. adds that while being a magician takes skills, “anyone can be a clown—just put on an outfit, blow up some balloons and you can make $200 an hour.” Or consider donning a red nose and working for Majic himself (718-892-0760, hiphopmagician.com). His only requirement: “that you don’t have a criminal record.”
Prerequisites: Goofiness, magic tricksBecome a virtual-reality mogul.
How’s this for meta? In Second Life (secondlife.com), you can start a business and earn virtual Linden dollars, which can be traded for actual U.S. currency. Leo Newball Jr., a 27-year-old who lives in Brooklyn, is a Second Life DJ—he creates music for virtual parties and events. Newball charges $25 to $50 an hour; in a given month, he makes between $200 and $800 while parked in front of his computer (virtual dollars can be exchanged for U.S. currency for a small fee through the SL LindeX Exchange). Nearly any type of business can fly on Second Life—from selling clothes for avatars to virtual real estate.
Prerequisites: Internet accessMODEL YOUR PARTS.
Have pretty hands or knockout gams? Put them to work as a parts model, where your body parts or facial features can earn between
Prerequisites: What did you say? Sorry—we got distracted by your beautiful hands.PEN CALLIGRAPHY.
New York’s Society of Scribes (212-452-0139, societyofscribes.org) offers a one-day “Introduction to the Art of Calligraphy” class for $265. Professional calligraphers charge upwards of $4 an envelope, so you can charge at least $1.50 and make your money back in no time. If a wedding has 200 invitees, that’s $300—more if they also want R.S.V.P. or place cards.
Prerequisites: Patience, artfulnessSELL YOUR HAIR.
Okay, so it’s a Les Miz–style desperate measure. But if you’ve got the tresses and the desire to chop ’em off, why not make a little cash while you’re at it? You post photos and a description on The Hair Trader (thehairtrader.com), then wig and extensions makers bid on your locks. Recent sales include 25 inches of black hair that went for $800 and 16 inches of never-dyed blond hair that went for $600. Cosette never had it that good.
Prerequisites: Good health, drug-free lifestyle (for serious!), long hairMODEL YOUR HAIR.
Recently, hair-care giant Matrix cast three women from ads on Craigslist for a new hair-color DVD; each walked away with $900. And Nick Arrojo’s salon, of What Not to Wear fame, advertised there too. “We do advanced education for stylists and teach them new types of cuts,” says Ellen Marth of Arrojo Education. “All we need is someone open to cutting off a few inches.” Compensation: $100 plus products worth $250.
Prerequisites: Nice hairSELL THAT SO-LAST-YEAR BLING.
We’re a little weirded out by those Cash4Gold commercials (mail them our jewelry? who are we, Bernie Madoff?). Take the gold you no longer wear to KLIM Jewelry (66 W 47th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves; 212-382-1406, klimjewelry.com), where you’ll make $20 in cash per pennyweight (about 1.6 grams). Event planner Dana Lowenfish got $1,000 for a handful of broken chains, two earrings and an old nameplate. “Gold is at its highest value ever,” she says. “Get cash for jewelry you’ll never miss.”
Prerequisites: None, though guidos could really clean upSELL YOUR JUNK. YOUR EXPENSIVE JUNK.
Doyle New York (175 E 87th St between Third and Lexington Aves; 212-427-2730, doylenewyork.com) holds free appraisals of jewelry, art and household items every Friday from 9:30 to 11:30am. “The most successful thing is jewelry,” says client-services rep Allison Wertheimer. “Also, silverware is doing really well right now, as is glass.” Doyle will either buy your stuff on the spot or accept it on consignment.
Prerequisites: JunkBE A PART-TIME PERSONAL STYLIST.
“Fewer people want to spend a lot shopping,” says pro stylist Angela Hastings. “They want to make the most of what they have.” Hastings, who creates looks for magazines like Spin, People, Entertainment Weekly and Self, started earning good money on the side six years ago when she helped a friend of a friend with her look. “Personal styling is more about reality, and editorial styling is about fantasy,” she says. “I like doing both.” Hastings starts by giving clients a questionnaire to figure out exactly what they want, then she digs through their closets with them to edit down their wardrobe. She won’t divulge her pricing, but others advertising on Craigslist charge $300 to more than $1,000 a day.
Prerequisites: Fashion sense, a convincingly bitchy attitudeSCOUT FOR MODELS.
Keep your eyes peeled for very tall, very beautiful men and women—and with the right find, you can become a scout. Snap some good shots of your subject, scour agency websites to figure out their preferences (each has a different aesthetic), then call their scouting director. Kirsten Morehouse of Bryan Bantry Inc. has paid as much as $2,000 to someone who brought a model to her attention this way. “But it could be up to the $50,000 for the next Gisele,” she says.
Prerequisites: Eyes, camera, luckClose bars, collect left-behind items, sell them.Be a fit model.
If you’re an exact size 4 or the perfect size 8, fashion designers need you to try on their designs and give feedback on what does and doesn’t work for your shape. The pay is great—between $750 and $1,500 a day—but you need an agent. Model Service Agency (570 Seventh Ave at 41st St; 212-944-8896, modelserviceagency.com) is the gold standard and holds open casting calls (show up at 10am on Tuesdays). Mary-Evi McNenny, a 49-year-old Upper East Sider, has worked as a fit model for Bloomingdale’s, Dana Buchman and Bill Blass—and she admits it’s not easy. “You cannot lose or gain weight. Just a few pounds and things won’t fit the same,” she says. “I weigh myself every day. When I go on vacation, I bring a scale in my carry-on bag.”
Prerequisites: the right body typeSell celebrity autographs.
You’re in New York, for crap’s sake. All you need is a stakeout near the Waverly Inn, a writing surface (no, not your ass—try head shots) and a great puppy-dog face. A signed Madge LP album cover can sell for $750, Donald Trump’s John Hancock can fetch about $150, and all four cast members of Sex and the City (like we’ll ever see them all together again) can get about $400 on eBay and from autograph dealers. For a database of registered dealers, visit the Universal Autograph Collectors Club’s website (uacc.org).
Prerequisites: persuasiveness that doesn’t bleed into stalkerlinessBe a part-time life coach.
To get certified as a life coach, you have to graduate from a training program, log ten hours with a mentor and then 100 hours working with clients pro bono. But according to the International Coach Federation (coachfederation.org), which also provides information on local training programs, only 52 percent of clients expect their coaches to be credentialed—that’s 48 percent who don’t care so much. Warwick Busfield, a 53-year-old financial analyst in midtown, became interested in life coaching three years ago when a friend suggested he’d be a natural. He decided to forgo the certification process and found his first clients on Craigslist. Now people come to him by referral. “You need to be able to read messages people are giving you that they’re not actually saying,” he says. “A guy will come to you and say, ‘I can’t make a decision about my career.’ Turns out he can’t make decisions at all.” Busfield charges $200 an hour. Not so hard to make a decision about that one, now is it?
Prerequisites: willingness to listen to other people’s problems, ideas for solving themFind side jobs that pay...
Time Out New York / Issue 695 : Jan 22–28, 2009
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Great pleasure for all of us 300 million people Barick employed temporarily by sitting on our azs waiting for an unemployment check with a million dollars a piece of tax and intrest. Hope someone has enough sense to temporarily(or for that matter permanently) do away with patent laws like China does so we can make things and sell them here instead of paying to ship them from say China.
I m being taking pics , nice photos all thia year long and to find awebsite where soemone can see them will be nice. I also think is great to do some extra money for something that u do for fun,,
They PAID you to write this nonsense? I am a voiceover agent, and the concept that any set of tonsils can waltz into an agency and get a job that pays thousands and thousands is so ridiculous, you lose ALL credibility. There are unions for pros, but it takes a lot of work, focus, energy and TALENT to become a pro. Just reading words for money is NOT what a voiceover artist does. You are reckless and should apologize for this worthless twaddle.
While the concept of this article is certainly timely, and many of the suggestions are valuable, a bit of ethical concern would be in order: - marriage for hire? Unethical and illegal - phone sex? - ticket scalper? There is a special circle in Dante's inferno for these profiteers.
It's very funny to compare the experience and skill required to become a wedding photographer to that involved in becoming a heart surgeon! Almost fell off my chair laughing.
Thanks for the mention!
Definitely enjoyed the article--fits right in line with the motivation for the site some friends and I started, www.myJambi.com. We all have a lot of skills and talents and ways to make money on the side but no easy way to get the word out and build up a reputation online to make the most of them.
I surprised that of the 100 suggestions in the article how many people are so hung up on the idea of a couple deciding to shoot weddings for a good rate. Did anyone actually check out their website? They both have BFAs in photography and experience as professional photographers. I think this suggestion is not so much about taking advantage of people getting married as it is saying "hey, if you have experience and knowledge in a field, maybe there are many ways to use it?"
This article was very helpful. I wish some of the readers would stop bashing it. We are living in very tough economic times and people need alternative ways of earning money. Thanks for the information.
I am the Drawing Resource Center Coordinator at Pratt Institute. Part of my job is to schedule the life models for classes. My models are professionals often with training in Art, Dance, Movement, Yoga and Performance. Modeling is not as easy as it might appear. You must not only be comforatable in your body, but you must be able to do a variety of poses both short and long. This is not a job for someone looking for an easy way to make money. Most model work long hours with no benefits.
"Easy side jobs that pay" - you forgot "be a hack writer" while you tossed together one insane idea (become a wedding photographer over night) with one illegal idea (married for money), one stupid not-really-an-idea-idea (Knicks game shot), and a few ideas that you can waste time on and still never get a cent (grants, ghost writing aps...) There are ways to make easy side money - pscyhological testing is a good one. I suggest you (author) start there.
I'm unable to see the whole article. According to the article in the magazine it refered to timeoutnewyork.com/makemoney for more ideas online. Can you please send me a link so I can view the whole article.
I love Margot Miller! She's so inspiring and has such great style. Go Go Margot!!!
I can only access the comments, cannot get to the actual article. Trying to send it to my actor/ graphic artist son in Bklyn.
From the DOE website, FYI: "The New York City Department of Education is currently updating its substitute teaching application process. At this time, no new applications will be accepted without a signed nomination form from the hiring school principal or designee. Please check back in January 2009 for the revised application process. "
hello! i'm margot miller as seen in the photograph on this site! the article didn't mention my website or store so i just wanted to put it here- hope you'll stop by! www.margotmiller.com margotmiller.etsy.com icedgrandesoylatte.blogspot.com
I am amazed that so many people are commenting on this photographer and the state of the photo industry. Did any notice there is a gorgeous, nude model in this article too? The hip hop magician is pretty interesting too!
While I agree that it is not necessary to pay a lot of money for actor headshots, you gave some incorrect advice. Not many casting directors or agents want to see a black and white headshot anymore. They're considered highly archaic.
While I agree that it is not necessary to pay a lot of money for actor headshots, you gave some incorrect advice. Not many casting directors or agents want to see a black and white headshot anymore. They're considered highly archaic.
Boy it seems we have a bunch of grumpy old farts here. I say go for it..... I've seen these so called "Pros" when I was looking to get married they are overpriced and their egos match it. I think they all are out of touch with reality. Brides want simple fun pictures of their wedding day. Insurance is easy to get, tax is easy to do. Don't let a bunch of old farts prevent you from making some money on the side. Donna.
As someone with a photography background, who's hiring a wedding photographer, I totally agree with Time Out. I mean, maybe back in the day (5 years ago) paying someone $3,000 was a good idea. Because shooting on film incurred costs and you didn't know until everything was developed, if the shots were exposed correctly. Compare that to now - I mean how much are you going to pay someone to press a button on an auto focus, auto exposure digital camera with a flash? What else are they doing?
What the author does not reveal is, that if a survey were done of all the wedding boards, like the Knot, Bridal Insider, etc, regarding wedding photographer horror stories related by brides, I am willing to bet it is with the novice, part time, photographer that such nightmares are being experienced for the vast majority of them. Thanks to this article, the precious memories of many unsuspecting brides and grooms are at risk. There is only chance to get it right. Hire a seasoned pro
This article is just a publicity stunt by these photographers at the expense of the photography community. The reality is that it's more complicated and more expensive than you make it out to be. It fails to mention that the couple, at least according to their website, both have college Degrees in Photography and years of professional photography experience. No mention about equipment or insurance cost. I would not trust photographers who disrespect their profession for cheap publicity.
I've been a member of the professional photo community since I came to New York almost 20 years ago. Time Out New York's cavalier attitude towards putting working photographers out of business is reprehensible, and your publication owes an apology to every struggling business person you've slighted. Photography is a craft and a skill, and these days the profit margins are razor thin. So what is TONY's moneymaking advice for us when our bread and butter is taken away? Snarky writer? Shame on you.
Focus Groups are great - you get paid at least $100 cash for 2 hours! www.probemarket.com in NY is great, they do focus groups all around teh country and online and telephone studies and they are legit.....i made more than $300 from them last month
Great piece!...Not the typical freelance/part-time job profile...Got me inspired....Think the other comments were taking the advice a wee bit personally. Cheers to Kate and the editors...'bout to go get my side hustle on.
Um so my college daughter has wasted the last 5 years of her life studying photography? And she is over $16,000 in debt in school loans?? Not to mention her equipment investment. I suggest maybe "Be a writer - just sit down at the keyboard and type". Obviously, it doesn't take an education, talent or experience for that.
Pssshhh!!!! I know too many photographers and too many egos. I did the wedding photog thing and got paid $500 in O - HIO! Did I ever take a single course in photog? NOPE! Did I pick up a camera and shoot? YEP! Were they awesome photos? YES! Do I have a big ego and think I'm God's gift to man because I know how to up my shutter and down my aperture? NOPE! Don't listen to these insecure bleepedy bleeps ... great article ... great idea. Grab a camera and shoot!!!! HOW else would you start? Idiots!
Why didn't you include hairstylist? For the price of a pair of scissors anyone could cut hair. Why get yanked for $100 when I will cut it for $50? As for marrying someone for a green card THAT IS illegal. If illegal is OK then we could also start selling dope.
WOW! If it's that easy to become a wedding photographer, every 16 year old should pick up a camera and make $3,000 for a mere 8 hours of work. ...That's so much better than making minimum wage at McDonalds, right? Better yet, an 18 year old should marry someone from another country so they can rake in $100k. That's easier than shooting a wedding. LOL Good stuff, c
Are you kidding me? Just pick up a camera and "be a photographer?" Wow, I think next week I'll pick up a big sharp knife and be a heart surgeon! First of all, you're completely undermining the skill that it takes to be a professional photographer ; not just a WEDDING photographer but a photographer at all. Education? Knowledge? Apparently according to you guys all you need is a credit card and Hopstop directions to B&H. I guess you don't need insurance or to pay tax either...
Being a photographer is a lot more than a couple of consumer grade cameras with flash. It's technical skills, back up equipment, it's personality, it's sound business practices - things like liability insurance, contracts and paying taxes. It's having a network you can rely on when you find the shellfish you ate last night prevents you from shooting a wedding. These are people's once in a lifetimes, not an "easy side job" to make a quick buck!