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As you all know, I started side hustling late last year. It was always a goal of mine to get paid to write, so it was really thrilling when I applied for a freelance writer position and was accepted!
But I want to know: why are you side hustling? Or, if you’re not side hustling yet, what makes you want to start a side hustle?
Starting a side hustle certainly has its ups and downs, but if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. There are few people who want to commit to starting their own side hustle and put in the hours necessary to get a good return, but if you’re one of them, the reward is worth the effort!
Here are a few reasons I, and people I know, started side hustling. Share your reasons why you side hustle (or want to get started!) with me in the comments!
Multiple Revenue Sources
Some people start side hustling to generate multiple revenue streams. Harry, from YourPFPro.com, has a site called The RideShare Guy, where he chronicles his work as a rideshare driver. While Harry works as an engineer for his full-time job, he also has a side hustle driving for Uber and Lyft.
For people who work a full-time job and side hustle on the side, there is a lot more planning that has to go into your side hustle. Personally, I have to set aside time in the mornings, after work, and almost the entire weekend to work on my side hustle. It definitely cuts into time spent with friends, but it’s worth it if you enjoy the work. Just be prepared to work a little more than you thought you would to get your side hustle off the ground!
Necessity
As opposed to working a side hustle for extra money, some people start side hustling out of necessity. A large number of millennials graduated at that totally perfect time: The Recession! Hooray… Due to baby boomers returning to work, and a depressed job market, some people (not just millennials) turned to freelance work to help make ends meet.
Whether you’ve suffered a job loss, are underemployed, or recently moved to a new place where you don’t have any connections, starting your own side hustle can help you make ends meet. Depending on your side hustle, you may be able to start making money right away. If you can write, websites like Fiverr.com, Elance.com, and Textbroker.com can get you started right away writing content in a variety of subjects. Or, you can consider these other low-investment business ideas.
By getting creative and hustling, you can market yourself on Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, and around blogs. Establish yourself as a trustworthy and reliable writer, and eventually you can raise your rates and become pickier in who you choose to write for.
Diversify Skills
Many people decide to side hustle to branch out from their regular job or improve their hobby skills. Look at all the crafters on Etsy: many of those people crafted as a hobby first, and then made the transition to selling their crafts on Etsy. For some, it’s an incredibly lucrative business that allowed them to leave their jobs, or to stay at home with their kids.
Ruth from Living Well Spending Less initially started her very successful blog to hold herself accountable for her money decisions. In a few years, Ruth has taken her blog to incredible heights, wrote a best-selling book about blogging, and is in constant demand for her coaching services.
While Ruth may not have started her blog hoping to improve her writing and marketing skills, she ended up diversifying her talents greatly. In addition to writing and marketing, Ruth is a coach and an inspiration to thousands of people. Beyond diversifying her income, Ruth has created a very successful brand.
Freedom!
Ultimately, some people start side hustles in order to make enough money to support themselves outside of a typical 9-to-5 job. Cat from Budget Blonde is able to work at home and raise her twins while running her freelancing and coaching business. While she started off with her blog, Budget Blonde, it has now morphed into something that allows her to work from home, make good money, and stay home with her kiddos.
Even if you don’t have kids at home – doesn’t making your own schedule and making money doing what you love sound too good to be true? For some, side hustles stay just that – side gigs. However, if you have the drive to learn, save up some emergency money for tough times when you can’t find work, and above all else, hustle your butt off, it is possible to make an income from your side hustle.
If you’re just starting out, you likely won’t make a ton of money in the beginning. While you’ll want to pick a side hustle that has the potential of generating some money, don’t focus on the money in the beginning. Work on building a portfolio of work – which sometimes means offering your services for free. It’s not forever! Once you build up a portfolio and, best yet, testimonials from people satisfied by your work, you can start charging and marketing your side hustle more aggressively.
What advice do you have for those looking to start their own side hustle? If you side hustle, what made you begin? If you’re thinking of starting your own side gigs, what are your reasons for starting? I’d love to hear why others got started!
I started side hustling to supplement my video freelance income. The best way to start I think is to just ask friends if they need any kind of help! Babysitting, dog sitting, etc. Usually that gets the ball rolling. I think everyone needs a side hustle whether they are working full time or not. It’s just nice to have some kind of money back up plan in case something happens with your job.
I totally agree – if people have time and want to, I think side hustling is an awesome way to supplement income and have a secondary source of income to fall back on if they lose their jobs. Sometimes people just need to take off work too, to care for loved ones or newborns. With a side hustle, someone doesn’t have to completely lose their income. Thanks for your ideas too – anything that you like doing and people will pay you to do totally counts as a side hustle!
I started freelance writing about 1.5 years ago. My main reason was to add an additional income stream. And then it became all about freedom because I wanted to leave my job. I was definitely discouraged in the beginning since I wasn’t making much (if anything) the first few months. But I stuck with it and eventually started making more around month 3 or 4. Having a blog definitely helped!
I’m so glad to know that if you stick with it, it will pay off! Sometimes, when business is slow, it’s easy to get discouraged. 1.5 years?! It seems like time is flying by!
I love side hustling! Although it’s tough to work on the side with a 9-5 job, it can be done when scheduled properly. The little side income can help beef up savings and cover for other unexpected expenses. It can also be a fallback job in case you get laid off.
Absolutely true! It can be tough with a 9-to-5, but possible if you schedule well and maximize your time. It’s great if you’re thinking of branching out and starting a business with your side hustle – the money you bring in side hustling can be seed money for your business! Thanks for your suggestions 🙂
I started my side hustle (writing) unintentionally and agree that it does take up some. It’s a job and I treat it like a job so I set aside time to write. Also even though a side hustle brings in additional income, I find that I need to spend some money to attract clients. That’s the cost of business.
Very true – marketing yourself and making yourself stand out from the competition often helps get better, bigger clients. A lot of people think clients will come to them – not true! Thanks for sharing your strategies, Barry!
I have major anxiety issues with leaving my now one year old so I can go to work all day, so getting extra income will definitely help my family. I’ve been thinking about this since I was pregnant and I’ve done a few side things but I do believe it is time for me to step up and make a difference in my family’s income. I know it will take time but I am definitely willing to put in the time if it means staying with my baby! 🙂
Its Simple. I need the extra cash to add to my stash.
Right now I’m not where I want to be in life and some extra money will help me get to that place if I work it to my advantage. I have the time..
i started side hustling years ago with a Pure Romance business. Well it turns out that business style wasn’t for me. I have since side hustles in a few others ways to supplement mine and my finances incomes and to help get us out of debt, and jump start our homestead lifestyle dreams. I side hustle chicken eggs, organic garden starts, pure bred farm pups, rabbits, you name it I probably have it. I also work my own DoTERRA business since I love sharing natural remedies. Indefinetly I wanted more freedom. I’m a stay at home mom but at times that can make you crazy, hence my reasons for starting my homestead blog. Maybe one day the blog will become my side hustle? I hope.
Quincy in Central Oregon
I am 71 breast cancer survivor, finding it impossible to get a job to be able to survive!! Social security does NOT meet my needs. I want, no NEED , more money. not for extras but to make ends meet. Any help, advice welcome.
I need to side hustle to make extra cash becaise I am the care giver for my 90yr old grandmother and she has no life insurance. I want to make extra cash so that I will be able to give her a proper bu rial
Thanks so much for your comment, Bridgette. I hope you’re able to start something quickly!
I have just started a blog, I don’t really have a direction yet, but I enjoy writing very much. I have not tried any side hustles yet. I have been unable to work for a couple of years and I had hoped to go back to my previous employment but that will not happen now, so I need to find a way to augment our income. I will be looking for something I can do from home since I am partially disabled and would require assistance for anything I did outside the home. Anything you can recommend will be much appreciated.
Hi Barb, a work from home side hustle is a great option for those who need to stay at home for whatever reason (disability, children, etc.) There are a few things you could do, including freelance writing, editing, graphic design, or you can sign up for marketing research companies that send you online surveys. Sometimes they send you products to test out in your home, which you then get paid to review and you can keep them. If you make things, you could open an Etsy shop and sell your items from your home, too. Feel free to reach out on other posts around this site to see if others have ideas, or feel free to send me an email!
I want to start side hustling because I need more money to support my family of four. My husband is disabled and I provide the only income. We have fallen pretty deeply into debt and I want to get out of it and provide some stability for my family and better mental and physical health care for my husband. I’d also love to be able to afford to pay someone to help out as I often travel for work
Laura, this is why starting a side hustle is so great. It provides income (or additional income, on top of your regular job), it allows you time to work from home (depending on your side gig), and helps you pay for things you really need. I wish you the best of luck – reach out if you ever have questions! You can comment here to see if others have suggestions, or email me.
Years of employment challenges has left us not debt free. I am determined to whittle down this debt to feel financial freedom. I’m so excited to learn from those that have been successful.
I wish you the best of luck, Shannon! I’m working on paying down my debt too, especially by side hustling, so I’m happy to share everything I’ve learned. Email me if you ever have more questions!
I side hustle to supplement a single income as a mother to three teenagers who will all be attending college. I’m trying to safe for future tuition fees and hopefully a vacation for all of us next December.
Dawn, that’s awesome! College is definitely expensive, and fees add up. I wish you the best of luck! Also, side hustling is a great way to pay for vacations – it’s one of my favorite rewards for hustling all year! 🙂
Single mom wanting to supplement a barebones income 🙂
Side hustle is good tool to help me generate finances to cover some debt.
I NEED to side hustle for several reasons, but the main one being my family just moved to Georgia and I need to help hubby make ends meet. I also prefer working for myself.
Working for yourself is definitely a huge perk 🙂
My wife and I want financial freedom.
I do side hustle because I’m a mother of 5 who is barley making it living pay check to pay check. I can’t even save or take my kids on trips I dream of taking them on. I can’t be home . when they get home from school to help with homework and attend school functions. I have so many skills and talent but it seems as if once I start I get side tracked ugh …..