Do you have a side hustle?
If not, should you have one?
At this week’s #ContentChat we explored how having a side hustle can be good for your career and how to get started. We were joined by freelance writer Wini Moranville who has made all her side hustles part of her career as a writer.
Q1: Do you have a side hustle? If so, what is it?
A1: I’m 100% freelance. Food writing = day job (freelance), but a friend needed financial writing help. That’s my side hustle #ContentChat
— Wini Moranville (@WiniMoranville) November 20, 2017
A1: My side hustle is my gluten-free baking blog https://t.co/lyDhJFhYsB #ContentChat
— Erika Heald (@SFerika) November 20, 2017
A1: Previously answered, but a good plug never hurt: @WoodworksComms (copy, ghost, digital, any writing) #ContentChat pic.twitter.com/d3tpYjxcOC
— Shawn Paul Wood (@ShawnPaulWood) November 20, 2017
A1: Not yet, but I would like to get into writing ad copy, again. I really miss doing it. #contentchat
— Jason Webb (@JasonLWebb) November 20, 2017
A1: Side hustle(S). I design web sites and illustrate on the side. Also, trying to get a few books off the ground. #ContentChat
— Scott Dawson (@scottpdawson) November 20, 2017
A1: Side hustle(S). I design web sites and illustrate on the side. Also, trying to get a few books off the ground. #ContentChat
— Scott Dawson (@scottpdawson) November 20, 2017
A1 I suppose one could say my side hustle is seeing movies (and reviewing them when I feel like it). #contentchat
— Martin Lieberman (@martinlieberman) November 20, 2017
A1: Helping M&A firms w/ due diligence
Being a board adviser for startups
Serving as the “Marketing Whisperer” for Fine Artists
All helped me connect w/ interesting folks I wouldn’t have met otherwise #ContentChat— Su Doyle (@sudoyle) November 20, 2017
A1: My side hustle became my full-time career 8 years ago. 🙂 #contentchat
— Angela Tague (@AngelaTague) November 20, 2017
Q2: What’s the reason you started your side hustle?
As our industries evolve and the career landscapes change, side hustles are often necessary to allow us to keep pursuing our original career.
A2. Thanks to Disruptive Technologies (LOL) trad food writing has started to pay less than in past years; financial writing helps make up the gap. Enjoy broadening my scope #ContentChat
— Wini Moranville (@WiniMoranville) November 20, 2017
A2: I want to start a side hustle, so it can become my main hustle. I’d love to be freelance full time. #contentchat
— Jason Webb (@JasonLWebb) November 20, 2017
Our jobs don’t always let us do all the things we love—the side hustle lets us keep a hand in.
A2: I actually *continued* it, since I was doing web design and development in college, before getting a full-time job. Writing came later, though, from blogging about running to wanting to write a full-length book #ContentChat
— Scott Dawson (@scottpdawson) November 20, 2017
A2. Exploring different industries.
Using skill sets I wasn’t using otherwise
Building a broader network.
Compensation came later. #ContentChat— Su Doyle (@sudoyle) November 20, 2017
A2: I wanted to feed my passion more than appetizers. Needed more of a buffet. #ContentChat pic.twitter.com/mDHJ2TRKbQ
— Shawn Paul Wood (@ShawnPaulWood) November 20, 2017
Yup! My side hustle immersed me in a few other tech tools that I would not have tried had I kept doing what I’ve always done. #contentchat
— Wini Moranville (@WiniMoranville) November 20, 2017
A side hustle can help you explore a new career area or build new skills.
A2: When I was diagnosed with a wheat allergy and gluten intolerance, I wanted a place to share what I learned while teaching myself to bake with gluten-free flours. It’s so different from traditional baking. #ContentChat
— Erika Heald (@SFerika) November 20, 2017
Smart CEOs will let their employees build that side hustle into their jobs.
Advice for CEOs: Pay your #digitalmarketing peeps more and integrate the side hustle. Potential problem is when somebody wants to use that to leave. #contentchat
— Christoph Trappe (@CTrappe) November 20, 2017
Q3: How does your side hustle help you hone your skills?
A side hustle allows you to explore and sharpen skills you can use in your everyday work. Here’s how.
Same skills sharpened with work in different areas.
A3. Any writing a freelance writer does sharpens and hones skills. The more you do it the better you get, throughout a life. #ContentChat
— Wini Moranville (@WiniMoranville) November 20, 2017
A3. Everything is related in some way. When I was advising Retail clients my work with IoT, AR & CX firms came in handy. #ContentChat
— Su Doyle (@sudoyle) November 20, 2017
A3: Having a side hustle encourages you to continue working and practicing your craft. The more you work at it, the better you’ll get. #ContentChat
— Express Writers (@ExpWriters) November 20, 2017
A3: It’s practice. The more you work on developing skills the better you will get at them. #ContentChat
— Jason Webb (@JasonLWebb) November 20, 2017
Many career fields evolve quickly. The Side hustle helps keep up with the latest and greatest.
A3: The technical landscape changes so quickly with web design and development. Having been in it since the mid-90s, I’ve seen a lot change. Working on the side helps me keep pace, along with some great @lynda content #ContentChat
— Scott Dawson (@scottpdawson) November 20, 2017
A3: It’s like practice. The more gigs I pick up writing, the better I can diversify my skills and strengthen my chops. #ContentChat pic.twitter.com/YJg7FzEop8
— Shawn Paul Wood (@ShawnPaulWood) November 20, 2017
A side hustle can show your expertise in action.
A3: As a marketing consultant, I work with startups to define and execute their content market strategy. The blog puts all my skills and experiences to work and is a great example of my approach. #ContentChat
— Erika Heald (@SFerika) November 20, 2017
Q4: Has your side hustle ever influenced your day job choices?
Not yet. But soon!
A4: Unfortunately, I’m not at the point where my side hustle can influence the steady gig. But I am hopeful. #contentchat pic.twitter.com/15WoABxn4v
— Shawn Paul Wood (@ShawnPaulWood) November 20, 2017
Some jobs eclipse the side hustle.
A4: For me, it’s been the other way around. Day job I took in July almost destroyed the soap business and the writing altogether. #contentchat
— A. B. England (@A_B_England) November 20, 2017
Oh yes, it sure has.
A4: Yes, but not prompting me to change jobs, per se. It’s guided my trajectory and focus while in my job. More details: https://t.co/6lt1biGpkI #ContentChat
— Scott Dawson (@scottpdawson) November 20, 2017
A4. Yes. Dilemma: Whether to take a lesser-paying food assignment (day job) over more lucrative financial work (side hustle). #ContentChat
— Wini Moranville (@WiniMoranville) November 20, 2017
My side hustles shaped my next career move.
A4: While I was still at Schwab, I had side hustles—freelance writing, digital marketing strategy, and podcasting. They helped me decide to focus my career post-Schwab on content marketing for startups. #ContentChat
— Erika Heald (@SFerika) November 20, 2017
I make sure to NOT make my side hustle the focus of my day job.
A4 For sure. I don’t ever want my hobby to become my job, because I fear I wouldn’t enjoy it as much, then. #contentchat
— Martin Lieberman (@martinlieberman) November 20, 2017
Q5: What are some potential pitfalls to side hustles?
Although a side hustle can be personally fulfilling, it’s not without its potential pitfalls.
When the side hustle pays a lot more than your day job, you have to decide where to focus.
A5: Same answer to Q4, but different way of saying it: When side hustle pays more than day job. Enduring passion versus money question. #ContentChat
— Wini Moranville (@WiniMoranville) November 20, 2017
Your love for your side hustle can cause you to feel less enchanted with your day job. And that passion can also annoy your co-workers.
A5b: I had one boss tell me my side hustles gave the impression I wasn’t committed to my FT job. I sidelined the side hustles…and found a new job. #ContentChat
— Erika Heald (@SFerika) November 20, 2017
A side hustle can become a distraction from your day job. It’s hard to find time to do all the things.
A5: Definitely distracting too much from your day job. Nights and weekends are where it’s at for me. Except early morning. I love to write before the world wakes up #ContentChat
— Scott Dawson (@scottpdawson) November 20, 2017
A5: It can be hard to balance a side hustle with a full-time job while still having a personal life. You have to learn how to manage it all. #ContentChat
— Express Writers (@ExpWriters) November 20, 2017
A5. Being stretched too thin. It stops being about synergy. Often clients all need work done at the same time. When it rains it pours! #ContentChat
— Su Doyle (@sudoyle) November 20, 2017
A5: There are quite a few challenges around side hustle:
1. Prioritize between day job and side hustle
2. Keep learning and become proficient in side hustle
3. Making sure it is hustle not a hobby#contentchat— Benny Gelbendorf (@BGelbendorf) November 20, 2017
Your side hustle can create confusion and dissonance with your personal brand.
If it takes away from your personal brand. You want to build trust not confusion. #ContentChat https://t.co/hdt0FMd55m
— Sue Duris (@SueDuris) November 20, 2017
Q6: How do you sell your employer on letting you pursue a side hustle if you are a salaried employee?
Not all employers are going to be excited about letting you pursue a side hustle even when it’s clearly non-competitive. Check your employee handbook to find out what your company’s rules are, then follow this advice:
A6: Focus on the skills you’ll hone that you can put to use for them, and make sure to express you won’t be using work time on your side hustle. #ContentChat
— Erika Heald (@SFerika) November 20, 2017
A6: Be honest, but focus in on why it’d be a benefit for them. At minimum, there should be no downside (and let’s face it, happier employees are a benefit, so there’s that) #ContentChat
— Scott Dawson (@scottpdawson) November 20, 2017
Q7: When is it time to take your side hustle full-time?
Many of us would love to take our side hustles full time. How do you know if you’re ready to do that?
A7: When it can pay the bills. Not even close at the moment! 😉 It’s currently paying emotional bills, though, for which there’s no quantifiable cost #ContentChat
— Scott Dawson (@scottpdawson) November 20, 2017
A7. Will I switch and make Financial Writing full time + food writing part time? As long as people hire me for food, prob not. #ContentChat
— Wini Moranville (@WiniMoranville) November 20, 2017
A7: When you find that your side hustle is bringing you more joy—and more upside potential—it’s time to figure out how to transform it into your focus. #ContentChat
— Erika Heald (@SFerika) November 20, 2017
A7: Ideally, you can make your side hustle full-time when it provides enough money to sustain you financially. #ContentChat
— Express Writers (@ExpWriters) November 20, 2017
Q8: What are some tools and resources for getting started with a side hustle?
Ready to start that side hustle? Here are some tips and resources you should check out.
Build your network and let them know about your side hustle.
A8: My best gigs still come from editors I’ve met in person or at least have talked to on phone. I personally don’t know any other way. #ContentChat
— Wini Moranville (@WiniMoranville) November 20, 2017
A8: Don’t forget your network. Reach out to contacts, local and online. Just be polite & respectful & never take a “no” or an, “I don’t have time,” as a personal affront. #contentchat
— A. B. England (@A_B_England) November 20, 2017
And be sure to let people know what it is you want to do. How would anyone have opened the “freelance writer” door for me until I admitted that it was something I’d like to try? #contentchat
— Wini Moranville (@WiniMoranville) November 20, 2017
A8 – develop relationships and engage, read (a huge key for writers), Attend online and offline events, to be a better #storyteller. #contentchat https://t.co/ya5JerR7nB
— Sue Duris (@SueDuris) November 20, 2017
Check out these resources to get started building your own side hustle.
A8: I write about career topics like this on https://t.co/A2uB9FLtGo. The Freelancer’s Union https://t.co/KrijPnAhVL is also a great resource. #ContentChat
— Erika Heald (@SFerika) November 20, 2017
A8: If it’s anything technical, turn to @lynda. The videos are great, and some libraries offer it for free as part of membership (for example, NYPL) #ContentChat
— Scott Dawson (@scottpdawson) November 20, 2017
A8: Research is always a good place to start, & what can’t you research these days with the internet? @Pinterest & @YouTube can be amazing research resources when used well. #contentchat
— A. B. England (@A_B_England) November 20, 2017
Attend events focused on your side hustle.
A8. I get energized by attending Meetups – many are at colleges / shared workspaces & have an eclectic mix of attendees & content. Not your usual biz networking mixer. #ContentChat
— Su Doyle (@sudoyle) November 20, 2017
Gain experience and build your portfolio with pro bono work or volunteering.
A8b think about what you’d like to do as your side hustle, and identify how you could put that into motion with some probono work for a professional association or fave nonprofit. #contentchat
— Erika Heald (@SFerika) November 20, 2017
Do you have any tips or resources for working our side hustle that we missed? Let us know in the comments!
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