Starting a business as a student can provide valuable experience and income while in school. With the new year approaching, now is the perfect time for students to start thinking about business ideas to pursue in 2024.
Whether you want to start a simple side hustle or build a company from the ground up, there are many opportunities for young entrepreneurs to leverage their skills. In this blog post, I will share 30 of the best business ideas for students to consider launching in 2024.
These ideas range from online businesses you can run from your dorm room to service-based ventures perfect for ambitious self-starters. I’ll provide an overview of each business along with tips to get you up and running next year. Every idea can be started small and has the potential to grow into something much bigger down the road.
If you’re a driven student looking to start a business in 2024, read on for inspiration and actionable steps to turn your idea into reality.
Here are 30 of the best business ideas for students for 2024 along with tips on how to get each business off the ground:
1. Selling Used Textbooks
Selling used textbooks is a great business idea for students as it requires little upfront investment and there is always demand for affordable textbooks. The way it works is you buy used textbooks at the end of each semester when students are looking to sell back their books.
Checkbook buyback programs on campus or purchase directly from students. Then resell the textbooks at the start of next semester when students are shopping for books.
You can sell locally by posting flyers on campus bulletin boards and social media. For a wider reach, list the textbooks on sites like Amazon, Chegg, or specialized textbook exchange platforms. When listing each book, make sure to note the ISBN, edition, condition, and your asking price.
Take clear photos so buyers can see what they’re getting. The key to making good profits is buying low and selling high while providing students an alternative to overpriced college bookstores. It’s an easy business to scale up over time as well.
2. Tutoring Services
Offering tutoring services is a great business idea for students to earn income while helping others learn. To get started, think about which school subjects you excel in and feel comfortable tutoring others in.
Make flyers advertising your tutoring services and post them on campus bulletin boards. Reach out to classmates directly and let them know you are available for private or small group tutoring sessions. You can also create a profile on online tutoring platforms to connect with students looking for help.
When scheduling sessions, be flexible to meet in the library, campus coffee shop, or online. Set competitive hourly rates but offer discounted packages for multiple sessions. Make sure to bring any materials you may need. Patience is key as you will be explaining concepts in multiple ways. Having tutoring experience can further skills in communication, time management, and problem-solving.
3. Resume and Cover Letter Writing
Helping other students perfect their resumes and cover letters is a great way to make money by leveraging your writing skills. Familiarize yourself with what makes an effective, impactful resume and cover letter by reviewing samples and guides online.
Reach out to career counselors on campus to inquire if they need assistance with resume reviews or know of any job application workshops you could partner with. Make flyers advertising your resume and cover letter writing services and highlighting your experience.
Offer to review students’ current materials and provide feedback and optimization suggestions. Additionally, you can provide complete writing services by having clients fill out a questionnaire about their experience, skills, and goals and crafting their documents from scratch.
Determine competitive rates for resume edits and cover letter writing starting at around $25-50 per document. Having a strong resume and cover letter writing experience on your materials will further validate you as a consultant.
4. Virtual Assistant Services
Offering virtual assistant services allows students to earn income remotely by supporting busy professionals. Begin by outlining the types of tasks you can help with, such as email management, calendar organization, travel coordination, research projects, data entry, event planning, and more.
Create a profile on sites like Fiverr or Upwork to connect with clients in need of part-time or project-based assistance. When starting, offer discounted hourly rates, such as $15-25/hr, to build your portfolio and get initial reviews.
Be responsive, meet deadlines, and communicate clearly to showcase your reliability. Invest in productivity software that allows you to organize tasks and collaborate effectively. Expand your services over time and increase rates as you build experience. Virtual assisting is a flexible opportunity to hone business skills while accommodating a student schedule.
5. Freelance Writing
Sell your writing skills to media outlets, blogs, companies, authors, and others looking for content. Build a portfolio of your work and create a profile on freelance writing platforms.
Freelance writing is an excellent way for students to earn income by leveraging their writing abilities. Start by determining what you enjoy writing about and build a portfolio of written pieces, like articles, blog posts, and essays.
Create a profile on popular freelance platforms such as Fiverr, Upwork, and Flexjobs to connect with clients in need of writers. Reach out to local businesses, authors, and publications pitching your services as an affordable and enthusiastic writer.
Offer to write pieces for free at first to gain experience and referrals. Set competitive per-word or per-project rates, starting around 5-10 cents per word as a beginner. Communicate clearly with clients about their needs and expectations.
Expand your skills in different writing formats and industries over time. Freelance writing enables students to build a flexible income source while sharpening their writing expertise.
6. Transcription Services
Transcription involves converting audio content into written documents and offers a great remote work opportunity for detail-oriented students. Start by gaining experience transcribing short recordings to build speed and accuracy.
Invest in a comfortable headset and foot pedal to optimize efficiency. Create profiles on transcription job boards like GoTranscript, Rev, and TranscribeMe to find clients in need of general, legal, medical, or academic transcriptions. When starting, target smaller, shorter projects to build your portfolio.
Ensure you understand client instructions, like formatting and confidentiality. Work in a quiet environment and proofread completed documents thoroughly before delivery.
Expand your niche over time and increase rates, which typically range from $0.50-$2.00+ per audio minute as the experience grows. Transcription allows students to leverage organizational and data entry skills for steady remote income.
7. Graphic Design Services
Leveraging design skills to provide graphic design services is a great way for creative students to earn income. Start by determining your design strengths and interests – whether that’s logos, digital illustrations, info-graphics, branding materials, marketing assets, or more.
Build up a strong portfolio of student work and pro bono design projects to showcase your abilities. Create profiles on freelance marketplaces like Fiverr and Upwork to connect with small business owners, authors, bloggers, and others seeking affordable design work.
Offer discounted rates as a student starting, around $15-$30 per project, and raise rates as you build reviews. Communicate clearly with clients and ask questions to understand their brand and goals. Learn Photoshop, InDesign, and other programs to expand your technical skills. Freelance graphic design is flexible for students and can turn into a lucrative career.
8. Resume Screening
Review resumes and provide feedback/optimization recommendations. Many companies hire students to help screen incoming resumes and applications for job openings. As a student, this can be a great opportunity to make some pocket money.
9. Jewelry Making
Jewelry-making can be a lucrative and creative venture. To earn money through this craft, one can start by designing and crafting unique pieces using various materials like beads, gemstones, metals, and wire.
Once you have a collection of jewelry, consider selling your creations online through platforms like Etsy, or at local craft fairs and markets. Building a strong online presence through social media and a personal website can help attract customers.
You can also offer customized pieces or jewelry repair services to expand your clientele. With dedication, craftsmanship, and marketing skills, jewelry-making can become a profitable and fulfilling business.
10. App or Website Development
Earning money through app or website development as a student is not only feasible but also a valuable learning experience. First, focus on building your coding skills by learning programming languages like Python, JavaScript, or HTML/CSS.
You can then offer your services to local businesses or individuals looking for a website or app development. Freelancing platforms like Upwork or Fiverr are great places to find potential clients.
Additionally, consider creating your apps or websites and monetizing them through advertisements, subscriptions, or selling digital products. Collaborating with classmates or entering coding competitions can also open up opportunities. With dedication and continuous learning, you can turn your passion for app and website development into a source of income while still being a student.
11. Photography Services
Market photography services to students and families (e.g. graduation, engagement, family portraits). Start by building a photography portfolio. Running a photography services business as a student can be both rewarding and financially sustainable.
Photography plays a vital role in capturing and preserving precious moments, making it an essential service. To get started, invest in a good camera and practice your photography skills. Offer services such as portrait photography, event coverage, or even product photography to potential clients.
Create an online portfolio to showcase your work and promote your business through social media and word-of-mouth. Collaborate with local businesses, clubs, or event organizers to gain more exposure and clients.
Providing high-quality, meaningful photographs can help people cherish their memories, making your photography services valuable to the community while generating income to support your student life.
12. Voiceover Work
Record custom voiceover samples and list them on freelance sites for purchase. There is demand for explainer video voiceovers, audiobook narration, and more.
Starting a voiceover business as a student can be an exciting and financially rewarding journey. Voiceover work is essential in various media, from commercials and audiobooks to animation, as it breathes life into scripts.
To kickstart your journey, focus on honing your vocal skills and invest in a quality microphone and recording setup. Build a portfolio that showcases your versatility and unique talents. You can discover voiceover opportunities on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork, or by connecting with local individuals or businesses in need of voice talent.
Utilize social media to promote your services and reach out to content creators, advertisers, and production companies. As a student, voiceover work offers a flexible source of income while allowing you to lend your distinct voice to a diverse range of projects, making your contributions highly valued in the audio and media industry.
13. Property Management
Manage rental properties for landlords – listing vacancies, screening tenants, collecting rent, maintenance, etc. Works well if you have connections to real estate owners.
14. Rideshare Driving
Drive for a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft in your free time. This offers flexible hours and cash income. Just meet the age and vehicle requirements.
15. Event Planning
Organize events on or off campus like tournaments, conferences, networking events, parties, and more. Handle logistics and promotions.
16. Online Reselling
Buy items from yard sales, thrift stores, or wholesale suppliers and resell them online through platforms like eBay and Amazon for a profit.
17. Dropshipping Business
Sell products through an online store without holding inventory. When an order comes in, the supplier ships the product directly to the customer.
18. Affiliate Marketing
Earn commission promoting other companies’ products or services on your website or social platforms through affiliate programs.
19. Food Delivery
Deliver food orders from local restaurants. Sign up for delivery platforms like GrubHub, DoorDash, and Uber Eats, or offer services independently.
20. Virtual Bookkeeping
Provide bookkeeping services like data entry, invoicing, payroll help, and financial tracking for clients remotely.
21. Social Media Management
Manage companies’ social media accounts including posting content, monitoring engagement, running ads, etc. Many hire social media interns.
22. Selling Handmade Crafts
Make and sell crafts online or at fairs. Consider products like candles, soaps, jewelry, baked goods, artwork, clothing, and more.
23. Peer-to-Peer Payment Processing
Offer payment processing services through apps like Venmo or PayPal for individuals and businesses for a transaction fee.
24. House/Pet Sitting
Look after houses or pets while owners are away. Use websites like Rover or Care.com to find clients. Ideal if you love animals.
25. Teaching Music Lessons
Offer private or group lessons in instruments like guitar, piano, voice, etc. Post flyers or list services on lesson marketplaces like Take Lessons.
26. Babysitting/Nanny Services
Provide childcare for parents in your community. Register with sites like Care.com or Sitter City to find childcare jobs.
27. Car Detailing
Offer car cleaning and detailing services where you come to the customer’s location. Market to car dealerships, auto shops, and individuals.
28. Running Errands
Provide personal assistant services like grocery shopping, dry cleaning drop-off/pickup, prescription pickup, and other errands for busy clients.
29. Power Washing Services
Offer exterior power washing services to homes and businesses to restore their appearance. Market to homeowners and property managers.
Conclusion
Starting a business while in school takes motivation and time management skills. But it can give you hands-on experience, and extra income, and set you up for future success. Consider your skills, interests, and market demand to pick the best idea and take the first steps to get started! Let me know if you would like me to expand on any of these business ideas.