Should I Start A Side Hustle?

Side hustles are a great way to add some supplemental income. Whether it’s something you want to eventually develop into a career, or just a way to make some extra cash, starting a side hustle can help you accomplish your goals. 

Where do I start? 

Starting a business can be daunting. When you think about everything required to get going, it can make your head spin and overwhelm you before you even start.

A side hustle does not necessarily mean starting a new company or building something from the ground up. There are plenty of opportunities within companies that already exist for you to get your name out there and start making money. 

Fiverr

Do you feel like you have creative talents that could be offered as freelance work? Maybe you’re a good photographer, writer, or graphic designer. Creating a profile on Fiverr allows you to showcase your skill set and get hired for freelance work within your area of expertise. 

It takes about 5 minutes to set up, and from there you can showcase your portfolio, and wait for buyers to buy one of your gigs. Freelancing on Fiverr allows you to keep a flexible schedule as you have full agency over the jobs you accept. 

If you are passionate about turning your creative talents into a career someday, freelancing is a good starting point, and Fiverr makes it easy. CreativeLive also offers thousands of classes directed toward freelance and creative entrepreneurs.

Community 

In a digital world, it’s easy to forget about the value of direct community. It’s okay to do things the old fashioned way. If you are a creative, chances are you have transferable skills to the younger generation that could help them get a leg up on their own journey. 

Teach Classes 

Consider teaching classes to kids in the neighborhood. Photoshop basics, graphic design, blog writing, any freelance skill that you have, you can also teach.

If you play an instrument, think about taking on a few students. Put up flyers in the neighborhood with your photo, contact info, description of your service, and price, and see if you get any bites! A few students for a handful of hours every week could make a significant financial difference for you.

Handywork

If you’re a handy person, offer your services within your neighborhood and surrounding areas. Flyers can go a long way, but you can also set up a profile on Task Rabbit or Handy. People are always looking for extra help when it comes to jobs around the house or in the yard. 

Don’t underestimate the value of your direct community! 

E-Comm

Do you have a personal website? If you do creative work, you should definitely consider making one! 

WordPress, Shopify, and Squarespace are great resources for building simple websites that display your work, give booking opportunities, and hold space to sell items. 

If you have a tangible creative practice like photography, a website is a great way to showcase and sell your prints.

A website also helps edify you when you reach out to potential clients. It shows that you take a professional approach to your craft. It also makes it easier for people to get to know you, your work, and hire you! 

Patreon/Substack

If you write or produce a podcast, Patreon and Substack are two amazing platforms to get paid for what you do. 

These two platforms allow you to set up subscription models for your creative work. People can subscribe to your content at different tiers, and their donation amount dictates which content they will have access to. 

It’s a good idea to offer some free content. People want to get a feel for the type of work you’re producing. Once you gain an organic following, a monthly minimum donation to access weekly content is a great way to get paid for your time and effort. 

Non-Creative Side Hustles

Maybe your only goal is to generate a little extra income each month. Not all side hustles have to be creatively inspired. 

You can walk dogs on the weekend through apps like Wag or Rover. If you have a car, you can drive part time for Uber or Lyft. You can also create an account on Turo to rent your car out when you’re not using it. 

You can also sign up to deliver packages on Amazon Flex. They give you the ability to set your schedule to work as little or as much as you want to. 

If you own your house or apartment, consider renting it out on AirBnB when you’re out of town. This could potentially cover the cost of your vacation, you might even profit from it. 

Although not creative in nature, these types of side hustles can provide you with space and time to think about your creative endeavors. A less mentally taxing side hustle opens up possibilities to use that time creatively in your favor.

If you are driving for a ride-share app, walking dogs, or delivering packages, you can use that time constructively to work and think toward your passions. You can listen to podcasts, or audio books to learn while you earn money. You can talk on the phone and strategize a new business plan. Sometimes the less glamorous roles provide the most opportunity for personal development, it all comes down to mindset.

Conclusion 

Many of us have goals and aspirations that require more money in the bank than we currently have. Side Hustles are an amazing way to chip away at those goals and close the gap between where you are and where you want to be. It also provides an opportunity for you to work toward your passion. It’s not always the smartest move to quit your job to follow your dream. Turning your dream into a side hustle until it’s time to make that leap can be a better approach.

Matthew Callans