Hustle, Baby Hustle! How to Start a Side Hustle that Works for You
They say money can’t buy you happiness. But it’s easier to have a breakdown when you don’t need to think about your roommate hearing you sobbing. That’s a luxury you get when you can afford to live alone! Sure, you could try to set money aside monthly to buy lottery tickets and pray to hit the jackpot. But since the odds of that happening are 1 in 300 million, why not try to start a side hustle instead?
To help you get started, here are some tips to find out how you can find another source of income.
1. Determine Which of your Skills and Interests are Profitable
The first step in starting a side hustle is determining which of your skills and interests are profitable. Since working on a side hustle will eat up your free time, consider doing something that you love doing, and it will not feel like work. By identifying what you love and what you’re good at, you’d find a side hustle that’s fulfilling and will bring in the money, ka-ching!
2. Do your Research
After discovering which of your skills and interests are money-making, research which skills are in demand and where you can sell your services, aka where the potential clients are. For example, if you are good at making logos, reach out to entrepreneurs and small business owners since they are the ones who are likely in need of your services.
3. Manage your Expectations
You’ve seen content creators saying how doing this side hustle has helped them turn their lives around just by working on their phones for three hours a day. There might be some truth to their posts, but it might not work for you the same way. Profitable content creators are rare, and it becomes a grind: you always need to “feed the beast.”
4. Create a Flexible Schedule
One of the advantages of having a side hustle is the flexibility it offers. Since you’ll likely be juggling a side hustle with a full-time job and other commitments, you must manage your time wisely. Dedicate a specific time of the week to work on it. Instead of stalking your ex on social media or binge-watching any shows on Netflix, focus on your side hustle. Of course, don’t forget to spend time with your family and friends and pursue other interests to avoid burning out.
5. Take Advantage of Online Platforms
Numerous online platforms can help you land a new client or promote your services. Take advantage of these!
Freelancer websites: Websites like Fiverr and Upwork connect freelancers to clients looking to hire.
E-Commerce sites: If you have a product to sell be it physical or digital, you can sell it on Etsy, Ebay or Shopify.
Social media: Use social media to build your following, engage with potential clients and showcase your products.
Starting a side hustle can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know how to start. But once you have gotten the hang of it and of course, the extra money comes rolling in, you’d regret why you started late. Happy hustling!
