Making side-hustle money is hard for most people. You must first understand that it takes effort. But with the right attitude, a bit of focus, and a willingness to learn, there’s no reason you can’t make some extra cash. From using your skills to social media, here are some ideas.
Use All Available Tools
There are a few tools you will need to do what you want. Whether that’s physical tools for crafting or digital tools for online work, there are some you will rely on. For example, you may need project management tools to plan orders, or you may need tools such as Photoshop to create product images. Then, there are specialist tools. You may need to use SaaS tools like Block Explorer to gain insights into specific crypto analytics if you offer financial services.
Making Side-Hustle Money with Existing Skills
We all have skills. But many people aren’t aware of what they have or don’t know how to transfer them. A survey by Gallup found that 50% of people feel stuck in their current jobs. So, if you are looking to do something new, using your skills for a side hustle will help you out:
- Identify the skills you already have and how they can help you with a new venture.
- Apply your skills to activities that can make money, such as writing, teaching, or coding.
- Develop these skills further into specialist categories where there is a lot of demand.
List the skills you think you are good at. These could be technical or soft, such as communication. These will help no matter what you do, as any business owner must be good with customers. Also, think about how you can offer something new with refined skills.
Focus on a Niche to Use
Further to offering something new, this will help you beat some of the competition. However, it may not be enough. The world of the web is massive, and there will always be competitors. That’s where a niche comes in. A niche is a specific category you can cater to. It isn’t always necessary to focus on a niche, but it can be a major advantage, especially when starting out. For example, you could offer writing services for legal documents if you have the experience.
Don’t Ignore Digital Products
Digital products can provide a substantial income stream if you get it right. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking digital means effortless. It does not. Digital products are a major part of the online economy, but they are crafted with love, care, and appreciation. Customers can see a sloppy digital product a mile away and won’t buy it if it isn’t up to standard. Some popular digital products include eBooks, online courses, and artsy stuff like printables and templates.
Online Presence for Making Side-Hustle Money
An online presence will definitely be an advantage when starting a side hustle. But how can you begin? It takes almost no effort to open a social account, start a website, or use SEO. But it can be tricky to use them effectively. So, here are some small tips to get started with a side-hustle.
Get your name out there
Getting your name out there is among the most critical. It will be slow at first, but you can build a solid reputation using platforms such as LinkedIn, Fiverr, and UpWork to gain some exposure.
Blog, blog, and blog some more
Blogging is not dead! Let’s make that clear. In fact, blogging can bring in tons of organic traffic to drum up business. However, posts must be niche-relevant and targeted at a specific audience.
Use SEO keywords
Like blogging, there is a rumor that SEO is dead again! Well, try not using it and see how far that goes! On-page SEO should be used on your blog, specifically focusing on keywords.
Explore Local Needs
There are a few different types of SEO. One of the most powerful yet overlooked is local SEO. This is SEO focused on a local area rather than international SEO. Your services may be localized, such as offering consultations on web design or marketing. Therefore, you can register with Google MyBusiness to be placed within local searches. You can also supplement this by using geographic data in blog posts and stating a clear local address.
Get into Affiliate Marketing
A lot of people think that a side hustle or online work is effortless and passive. Most are not. However, you can generate passive income when you nail affiliate marketing. It requires a lot of initial work but pays off well if you get it right. Using a unique ID, you can link to products or services and get paid a percentage when someone buys through your link. The beauty of this is that many providers offer tiered sales, so you also get a commission from anyone you recruit.
Making Side-Hustle Money on Social Media
There are 4.8 billion active social media users, and every one of them is a potential customer. For online side hustles that don’t require specific locations, this can be a Godsend. But you will need to appeal to your customers first. A little blogging, you can try some of the tactics:
- Promote crafted creations, real or digital, through your social media pages.
- Post regularly and engage with other users who might share your posts.
- Use keyword research in relation to your services and products and use them in posts.
One of the best things about social media is that it’s very easy to create focused ads for promotion. However, they aren’t enough. The more you post, the more exposure you gain. You can also piggyback on social media page ranking by using keywords and other SEO methods.
Stay up-to-date with Changes
All industries change. Some change very rapidly, too. Examples are the video games market, PC hardware, and gaming trends. These all tie in together and could make for an interesting niche with multiple penetration points. However, because they change so much, you need to keep up with them. Outdated services will lose followers, web ranking, and customer respect. Put bluntly, you need to be a boss when it comes to any niche you choose as a side hustle.
Summary
You will have an easier time making side-hustle money when you use industry-standard tools and some that make business easier. However, an online presence is required to appeal to and attract customers. No one will come to you if you don’t stay current and understand the niche.