Tag: anything

If your nine-to-five is not your dream career and/or you are not earning the kind of money you want to make, then consider getting a side hustle.

For extra money

There are several ways to make extra money without burning out. You could sell your old textbooks on Amazon, or sell just about anything on eBay or iOffer. You can baby-sit your neighbors kids, walk dogs, or do some free lance writing. If you enjoy parties and/or weddings, look into becoming a wedding or event planner on the side. You could be a research assistant, a secret shopper, or conduct online surveys for extra cash. Become a class instructor at your gym or teach a class at the community college (my brother-in-law easily obtained a side gig with the University of Phoenix.) Check Craig’s List in your city for several part-time, work from home, easy and very manageable money making hustles. However, beware of scams on Craig’s List and don’t ever pay anyone upfront for a job or give them any accounts information.

Launching your dream career

If you already have a side hustle that is your passion, consider taking it to the next level and making it your dream career. Whether it’s writing, web-designing, event planning, fashion, or throwing parties it can become your main money making gig if you take your vision to the next level. Start with creating a plan. Definitely do not quit your day job until you have an exit strategy. Write down the goals you must accomplish before you quit your full-time job, whether it’s a specific amount of money your side hustle must generate or a certain number of clients you must have. Next, write down the steps required for achieving those goals. Talk it over with colleagues or people who are already doing what you want to do. You might even want to invest in a book about how to start your own business. If you are getting a regular paycheck, then invest all the profits from your side hustle into the business. Buy supplies, create marketing materials, and put the rest in the bank.

In order to maximize your time and energy, shift your priorities and think of your full-time job as the gig on the side. When you switch your perspective you will be able to focus most of your energy on growing your new business. Use your vacation days to meet with potential clients, or get ahead with your planning. Success takes sacrifice, the Bahamas will still be there next year. If your days don’t seem long enough, consider getting up early or staying up late to work on your side hustle. During your lunch hour you can return client calls on your cell phone or do some research. Be careful using your full-time job’s computer, phone, or fax machine. Remain professional by keeping your jobs as separate as possible.

To boost your clientele, work on marketing your business. Be sure to bring up your endeavors with your friends and family. Even if you don’t think they have a need for your product, they most certainly will know someone (who knows someone who knows someone) who would be interested. Spread the word! A key element of hustling is networking, so use your professional networking skills to advance your side hustle. Whatever you do, don’t give up. I know several people, including my wedding photographer, who have turned their side hustle into a successful dream career. YouTube and Facebook were both side hustles at one point…and look at them now. The proof is in the passion and persistence. You can do it.

If you are a female YBP who knows how to make some extra cash on the side, you should submit the details of your business to Essence Magazine’s: Side Hustle column. You could get a free plug in one of the best Magazine publications for African American Women. And for those of you looking for a Side Hustle, pick up a copy of Essence today. You might find a way to cash in on your skills. Recently Essence has profiled many women who have walked away from their corporate jobs to pursue their side hustle full time.