I wanted to start off this week's blog post with a little wake-up call:
It's 2018, people! Stop being ashamed of your hustle, and grow with it!
Multiple streams of income are vital to success with our generation. You know that old saying, 'Don't put all your eggs in one basket'? Why would you put all your time into just one job? What if you lose that job? Get sick? Have to move?
What if you just don't wanna be that paycheck-to-paycheck person? Make your money work for you by investing it (and your time) in something other than Netflix in the evening.
1.Etsy
It's not just for knitting and crocheted items! Etsy is an online market that can be used to sell most anything you can create, with unique niche markets and a user-friendly platform. Selling graphic and digital art is in full swing, where you can market for personal and business clients! Take a look at my friend Erika's page for an example on how to think outside the box with this one.
2.Helping out with the kids
Did you know we're in a childcare crisis? Most parents pay through the nose, giving up over half of one paycheck, for childcare. Combine that with available openings, time constraints, and lack of certified or experienced workers, and you've got yourself a situation of 'See a need, Fill a need'. Before/After school hours, evenings, and overnights are also in high demand. Do a little research on the average hourly rate per child in your area to set your price range, and invest in a CPR certification. If you really love kids, consider taking early childhood development courses at your local community colleges to boost your certifications and credibility.
Have a Bachelor's degree, but ended up in a dead-end job? Look into your state qualifications for being a substitute teacher! Most school districts have a high demand for substitutes, and pay a decent daily wage, too! You can pick your own days and grade levels to work. You'll need a certification exam and a background check before moving forward here. However, I would say this is an excellent way to have a flexible schedule if you have school age children.
3.Ebooks
Call me crazy, but if you're a creative type, and have a way with words, why wouldn't you write and sell short stories? An inexpensive price tag on a short story can bring people's attention, while giving you a passive stream of income. Write once, wait for the purchases, go on with your life. Our friends at Amazon already have a platform in place, so get writing!
4.Direct Sales & Multi-Level Marketing Companies
There are endless possibilities with Direct Sales and MLM companies, from clothes to makeup, to security systems and media streaming services. If you want to invest a little bit of money (business kits usually range between $10-$100 dollars, depending on the company) in building a business as a reputable Independent Representative, this is your corner. This is definitely the business for those extroverts and social butterflies! Make sure you choose a product that you like, and are comfortable with the commission set up. And remember, it's only a pyramid scheme if there is no product or service given!
5.Blogging
Written journals, or blogs, are a fantastic way to write short clips of information for an audience. If you've had an itch to start with content creation, but have no idea how to reach your audience, blogging can be your answer! Have a set schedule for your posts, and pick your platform:
-Blogger is easily navigated, and can have ads implemented automatically by Google,
-Wordpress is more customizable but with a steeper learning curve,
-Tumblr is a photo and GIF journal,
-Steemit is a combination of Facebook and Wordpress, where you're tipped for your writing, and can keep an eye on the writing trends via your 'Feed'.
Video blogs, known as Vlogs, are similar, but spoken, and found on platforms like Dtube, Youtube, and even Facebook. Blogging and Vlogging can lead to different areas of social media management as well, giving you a wide range of skills, and a broader audience.
What have you done as a side hustle? Leave a comment below, and spread the HUSTLE flow!
