Reclaim Your Space by Swapping AirBnB for a Trivia Side Hustle

Written by

Brianna LeCompte

I still remember attending my first Trivia night back in 2013. A group of my coworkers were discussing some options for happy hour venues and when we saw that a spot down the street was hosting a Trivia Night, we decided to go for it. I was instantly hooked. When the opportunity arose to join the Last Call team, I was ecstatic. Working with a talented and creative team to spread my love of trivia across the country-what could be better! I currently manage sales and outreach in our west coast areas. Outside of work, I love to travel and am also an avid equestrian and Disney movie lover.All Posts

There’s no doubt about it, this is the era of the side hustler. In fact, 37% of Americans, and over half of millennials, have a side hustle.

One of the most popular gigs for people looking to make extra cash is renting out a room on Airbnb. And it’s no secret why. Airbnb hosts report a median income of $440 per month, which is more than double the income of rideshare drivers and ten times more than the income of Etsy sellers.

The draw of a high profit makes renting on Airbnb an attractive option for those looking to pick up a gig.

The Dark Side of Airbnb

The potential income of Airbnb hosts is a pro, but what about the cons?

First, consider that renting out a room is a lot of work. Between laundry, cleaning, communication with renters, calendar management, and repairs, becoming an Airbnb host is like being a landlord, maid, and customer service representative all at once.

Also, renting out your home comes with significant risk. Even the most well-intentioned guest can have an accident that leaves furniture broken, plumbing damaged, etc. And that doesn’t account for the flat-out thoughtless guests that leave your home a party-ravaged mess.

Finally, when renting out a room on Airbnb, your home is no longer fully yours. Some of the privacies and conveniences often taken for granted are suddenly gone. And for some people, that can cost more than any physical repairs.

Your Side Hustle Solution

So, Airbnb isn’t the side hustle nirvana it’s cracked up to be. But, as previously referenced, it is more profitable than other common gigs. Does that mean that you have to choose between dealing with the downfalls or making less money with a different side hustle? Of course not.

There is a lesser known side hustle that allows you to make exponentially more than renting on Airbnb, with none of the cons: Hosting Trivia Nights.

Trivia Nights are a popular form of entertainment at bars and restaurants across the country. By starting your own Trivia Side Hustle, you can offer a customized service which solves for the pain points bar owners often experience. Hosting Trivia is a lucrative side hustle option in an unsaturated market. And best of all, it’s fun.

Show Me the Money

As a conscientious side hustler, you probably want to know how much money you can earn hosting Trivia Nights before you read on. Your exact pricing will vary based on your location, venue size, level of customization, etc., but when hosting a weekly Trivia Night at a bar, you can reasonably expect to charge at least $200 per show. That averages out to $866 per month, about twice what the median Airbnb host will earn.

And that’s if you only host one night a week. If you choose to host multiple nights a week, your earning potential will multiply accordingly, which adds up to huge earning potential and scalability.

How do I get started?

One of the best things about hosting Trivia is the low barrier to entry. Basically, all you need to do to get started is gather the necessary equipment, find a bar (or bars) interested in your service, and put on your show.

Another helpful resource to consider is a subscription to a Trivia game service. Writing a Trivia question is far more challenging than it seems; it can take an entire day’s work to research, write, and fact-check a full show that’s both fun and accurate.

By subscribing to a Trivia question service, you can create your show in a matter of minutes instead of hours and ensure a quality experience for your players. This leaves more time for you to focus on what’s most important to you, whether that’s growing your business or enjoying your precious free time.

The Bottom Line

Whether the goal is saving for retirement, paying off debt, or just earning some extra spending money, more and more people are picking up a side hustle. Unfortunately, many of those side hustles come with a significant downfall, whether it’s lack of earning potential, loss of privacy, or large amounts of work and risk.

Don’t sacrifice your sanity for the sake of a side hustle. By hosting Trivia Nights, you can make great money in just a few hours each week, all while having fun.

It’s time to reclaim your guest room.