Thinking of Starting a Side Hustle in Bangladesh? Read This Before You Begin

Every day, thousands of people in Bangladesh type “best side hustle ideas” into Google, hoping to find a magic shortcut.

Some dream of quitting their 9-to-5 jobs. Others just want a little extra income to cover rent or family expenses. A few are students trying to pay for their own tuition.

But here’s the truth no one talks about: A side hustle isn’t just about extra money. It’s about freedom, learning real-world skills, and building something of your own — even if it starts as a tiny project in your bedroom.

I’ve worked with over 200 clients across 30+ industries and mentored thousands of Bangladeshi students to start their first online income streams. In this article, I’ll break down everything you need to know — the good, the bad and the realistic — about starting a side hustle in Bangladesh.

The State of Side Hustle in Bangladesh

• Unemployment is high. As of 2024, youth unemployment in Bangladesh is over 10%. Many graduates wait years to get a “proper job!”
• Average salary is low. Entry-level jobs often pay 15,000–25,000 BDT/month (~$135–$225), which barely covers living costs in cities like Dhaka.
• Internet penetration is rising fast. With 130M+ internet users and 40M social media users, opportunities for digital side hustles have never been better.
• Freelancing is booming. Bangladesh is already the second-largest freelance workforce in the world, with over 650,000 registered freelancers earning money online.

Starting a side hustle now isn’t just smart — it’s becoming necessary.

What Exactly Is a Side Hustle?

A side hustle is any income-generating activity you do outside your main job, studies or responsibilities.

It’s not a part-time job at a store or call center where you trade time for hourly pay.

A true side hustle has:

1. Flexibility: You control when and where you work.
2. Scalability: Over time, it can grow into something bigger (even a full-time business).
3. Ownership: You’re building skills, assets or income streams you control.

Examples:

• Selling templates, ebooks, or small digital products online.
• Freelancing skills like writing, design, or social media management.
• Starting a small ecommerce shop on Facebook or Daraz.
• Offering photography, tutoring, or local services in your city.

3 Most Common Mistakes New Side Hustlers Make

Let’s save you from wasting months of effort!

1) Jumping into trends without skills

Many people see a friend make money from Amazon FBA, dropshipping or crypto and dive in blindly. Reality: Without skills or a unique advantage, you’ll likely burn cash.

2) Thinking too big too soon

Side hustles should start small. Most success stories begin as tiny experiments, not full companies.

3) Quitting too early

A side hustle is a long-term play. It often takes 3–6 months to see meaningful results. Patience is a hidden skill.

The Mindset Shift You Need First

(MUST FOR 90%+ Bangladeshis!)

Before we talk about the ideas, let’s learn how to think like a side hustler.

Start with learning, not earning. Your first goal isn’t making millions; it’s gaining skills and confidence.

Treat it like a business, even if it’s tiny. Keep records, track your income and expenses and take it seriously.

Be patient and experiment. Your first idea may fail — and that’s okay. Each attempt teaches you something.

How Much Money Can You Realistically Make?

Let’s break this down based on different hustle types in Bangladesh:

Side Hustle Type	Beginner Income (3–6 months)	Intermediate Income (1–2 years)	Notes
Freelancing (writing, design, dev)	10,000–30,000 BDT/month	50,000–150,000+ BDT/month	Top freelancers earn $3k+/mo
Digital products (ebooks, templates)	5,000–20,000 BDT/month	50,000+ BDT/month	Scales well once built
Social media/content creation	5,000-50,000 BDT (ads, collabs)	50,000–150,000+ BDT/month	Takes time to grow audience
Ecommerce/reselling	10,000–40,000 BDT/month	50,000–200,000+ BDT/month	Needs upfront investment
Local services (tutoring, photos)	5,000–25,000 BDT/month	50,000+ BDT/month	Easy to start locally

Best Side Hustle Ideas for Bangladesh

Here are 6 proven categories that work well in Bangladesh:

1) Freelancing on Global Platforms

If you have or can learn a skill (writing, design, coding, video editing), you can start freelancing on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork or Freelancer.

• Investment: Laptop, internet.
• Skill learning time: 2–6 months.
• Bangladesh is a global freelancing hub; competition is tough but doable with good portfolios.

2) Selling Digital Products

If you like creating, this is for you. Examples:

• Canva templates
• Ebook guides (cooking, language, design tips)
• Printable planners

You build once, sell forever. Perfect for people who love design, writing, or teaching.

3) Small E-commerce Store

Start selling on Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, or Daraz.
Start with simple products (stationery, gifts, phone accessories) and scale gradually. Use cash-on-delivery — it’s preferred by Bangladeshi buyers.

4) Tutoring or Coaching

If you’re good at English, Math, or coding, start online tutoring.
Parents pay well for reliable tutors. You can charge 500–1,000 BDT/hour for school subjects.

5) Social Media Management

Businesses need help running Facebook pages, Instagram ads, and content calendars.
If you can write captions, design simple posts, and understand boosting, this can be a quick entry point.

6) Photography & Videography (Weekend Hustle)

If you have a decent camera or phone, shoot birthdays, weddings, and small events.
One weekend shoot can earn 5,000–20,000 BDT.

Starter Checklist

Here’s a starter checklist to set yourself up for success:

1. One clear skill or product.
   Don’t do everything at once; start small.
2. Basic branding.
   • A simple Facebook page or LinekdIn profile.
   • A clean portfolio (Google Drive or Behance).
3. Payment methods.
   • For global clients: Payoneer, Wise or Skrill.
   • For local: bKash, Nagad, Rocket, Pi Banking App.
4. Learning plan.
   Spend the first 3 months learning and building.
5. Time block.
   Commit 10–15 hours/week to your hustle.

The Biggest Side Hustle Advantage: Skills for Life

Even if your hustle doesn’t make you rich overnight, the skills you gain are priceless:

• Negotiation
• Marketing & branding
• Money management
• Time management
• Problem-solving

These skills make you 10x more valuable in any job or business.

If you’re serious about financial independence, here’s your challenge:

• Pick one side hustle idea today.
• Spend 3 months learning and building.
• Make your first 10,000 BDT online or offline.

That first money changes everything. It proves you can earn from your skills, not just your job.

And as I’ve always said:

“The more you learn, the more you earn.”