Having a side hustle is “in”, and it’s easy to see why. Who doesn’t want a little extra money in their pockets? If you’re paying off debt, saving for a family-friendly holiday, or putting away funds for a down payment on a home, finding a way to earn a bit of cash outside your extra income can be a great way to help.
If you’re like most people, you’re probably thinking, “Wow, that sounds great. Let’s do it!”
But how the hell do you start? How do you find your perfect side hustle? It might seem like a big mystery, but I promise, it’s not as difficult as it seems.
Steps to finding your perfect side hustle
Your skills
To start, assess your skills. It’s always a good idea to work with what you’ve got. Ask yourself – what are you good at? Do you have any talents or skills you could turn into a profitable side hustle?
Make a list
Make a list of all the ways you enjoy spending your time. Write down anything that comes to mind. Love making breakfast in the morning? Put it on the list. Look forward to karaoke night with your friends? Put it on the list. Do you enjoy writing emails at work? Yep, on the list. Then, consider ways to monetise!
Figure out how to monetise
Some side hustles are easy to find. If you love to write, consider freelancing or starting your own blog. Enjoy photography? If you’re good enough, you can make money shooting headshots, family portraits, or local events. If you love to craft, knit, draw, paint, or sew, create your wares and sell them on Etsy or at local craft fairs and farmer’s markets.
Other things are a bit harder, but with a little work, you might be surprised to find you can make it work. If you love to do makeup and have a bit of a flair for it, see if you can sell your services to women getting ready for their weddings or girls heading off to their senior formal. Enjoy shopping? See if you can find hidden gems in thrift stores or at garage sales. If you’ve got an eye for the right items, you can purchase them cheap and sell them for their real value, turning yourself a decent profit. Addicted to being organised? You may be able to sell your services as a professional organiser!
When you can’t find a skill to monetise
What happens you can’t find a way to turn a profit on any of the things you love? You can always learn a new skill! This truly is an option for anyone. Even if you start off with a few solid side hustle ideas, you can always learn something new to build upon a current skill or expand your repertoire. Between online courses through websites like Coursera, Udemy and Lynda, to classes offered in your community, you’ll be able to find information on lots of skills and certifications, from project management to web design. Check out your local library too. I know that mine offers free access to Lynda courses to library members.
Consider your time
Once you’ve narrowed it down and have a decent idea (or a few!) in mind, think about how much time you have to dedicate to your new income source. After all, it’s called a side hustle – you’ve got to find time for it around your job, your family, your friends, your appointments, and everything else going on in your life.
Some side hustles, like driving for a car-sharing service, offer lots of flexibility and don’t require much of a commitment. Others, however, require a lot more time and energy. If you want to start a blog or build a business, it will likely take hours – if not days – to make your plan, develop your brand, and establish a presence for yourself.
Consider your needs
Lastly, consider your needs. How badly do you need the money? If you’re strapped for cash or need a consistent side income, a stable part-time job may be a better choice. Pursuing a side hustle can be risky, and depending on what you choose to do, it might be hard to earn enough right away to really feel the impact. For some side hustles, you’ll have to consider building your personal brand, too.
With these things in mind, you’ll be well on your way to finding the side hustle that suits you best. What side hustle ideas do you have in mind? Let me know in the comments!
