Although the term “side hustle” has been in our collective lingo since the 1950s, it wasn’t until recently that the concept of having a job on the side of a typical nine to five became a common trend. It feels like everywhere you turn, there’s another girl on Instagram becoming an influencer as her “side hustle”, or a blogger encouraging you to write in order to make some extra cash, but a side hustle can be anything!
Are you a great social media marketer? Can you draw or write calligraphy? Are you great at organizing closets? This is where the side hustle comes into play. A side hustle is a great opportunity to do something you care about while also bringing in a little bit of extra money. The truth is though, most of us don’t have the luxury to leave our day jobs in order to pursue our passions. Here are a few tips to get started on your side hustle while still keeping your nine-to-five.
1. Get clear on your vision
One of the first steps in setting a goal is getting really clear on exactly what that goal is. So you want to start a side hustle, huh? Once you get really clear on your objectives, then you will be able to make a concrete plan and move forward. Start by asking yourself these questions:
- What exactly is the product or service you want to offer?
- How are you different from the competition?
- How can you improve your product or service over time?
- How will you price what you’re offering?
- How will you market your side hustle?
- What target audience are you trying to reach?
2. Start small and have patience
Even if you think you have a really great idea, chances are, it’s going to take a while to gather some momentum. You need to be ready to be in it for the long haul. You’re probably not going to have overnight success, so be willing to start at a small level and invest the time to grow and build your business. Start by marketing your idea, service, or product to the people in your immediate circle, and then use their feedback to fine-tune what you’re selling. Over time, if your friends and family are happy with what you’ve provided, they will start to tell their friends and family, and your circle of influence will grow. You can also try joining business groups on Facebook to valuable feedback from people who’ve been where you are.
3. Make it a priority
We get it – life these days is hectic. Between your day job, trying to socialize, getting some exercise, and leaving some time for yourself to relax, it’s hard to find extra time in your day to work on other projects. That being said, in order to make your side hustle work, you’re going to need to make it a priority. Set aside a little bit of time each day, even if it’s just thirty minutes, to work towards your goals. You may have to say no to hanging out with friends, going to the movies, or going to happy hour after work, but just know that in the long run, the reward will make it all worth it.
Quitting your day job is going to take time, but if you stay focused and master these side hustle basics, you’ll be outta there!
Hear how Natalie quit her day job here!