Whether you’re a student in need of extra cash, employed and looking to supplement your income, or just looking at the best ways to make money fast, a side hustle might be right for you. Also known as a second job, a job on the side or working in the ‘gig economy’, a side hustle can be a good way to make money in your spare time.
If it’s an idea you’re flirting with, you’re in good company. It’s estimated that 40% of Brits have a side-hustle of some kind. After all, there’s plenty of ways that skills can be put to good use, from summer jobs to babysitter jobs.
But before joining the flexible workforce, there are a few things to consider. Here are five key questions to ask yourself, to set you on the right path for success…
1. What’s my niche?
A side-hustle is one of the best ways to earn money without committing to a full-time job. But first of all, you need to figure out your niche. What is the one skill you can offer to add value to a client? Think about your qualifications, as well as personal interests, and figure out how these can be optimised for commercial gain. For instance, Meghan Markle took handwriting classes as a child and was able to supplement her income in later years by handwriting invitations for bespoke events.
Perhaps you used to babysit for your neighbours and enjoy being around children? Parents are often looking to find a babysitter that they can rely upon, and there’s no shortage of opportunities. The average babysitter can earn up to £60 for a five-hour shift and that doesn’t include bonuses either. If you want more tips on how to find a babysitting job, check out our guide here. Maybe you have always enjoyed organising and tidying. Plenty of people are often on the hunt for a housekeeper or cleaner who can leave their apartment or house sparkling. Small errands such as ironing, laundry, or light DIY tasks could also be included when doing cleaning jobs.
If you have no formal qualifications, there’s still plenty of ways you can earn money on the side. For instance, if you hold a driver’s license and a car, you could consider becoming an Uber driver. There are some small start-up costs involved, after which you can expect to make around £113 for an eight-hour shift. If you haven’t got access to a car, not to worry, you could deliver fast-food by bike with companies such as Uber Eats, Deliveroo or Just Eat.
2. How much time do I have?
Let’s be frank, the main reason for a side-hustle is to earn extra money. That being the case, figure out how much money you need to earn, and how many hours of your time it requires. While a second job is a good way to make money, it needs to be carefully considered to fit in around your life. If you already hold down a permanent job, think about how you can fit projects around it. The last thing you want is to jeopardise your main stream of income.
You may or may not decide to tell your employer; just make sure this isn’t in conflict with your contract, and that you’re not going beyond the 48-hour working week directive. A successful ‘hustler’ needs to be well organised, in order to plan and allocate their time accordingly, so this should be given some thought before taking on a second job.
3. Where can I find work?
So, you’ve decided on your niche, you’ve figured out a schedule of free time, all that’s left is to find work. But where to begin?
Crowdsourcing, as it’s known, is very much a response to the digital times we live in. The online world has made it even easier than before to connect with others and find part-time jobs online. Small businesses, independent clients, and global brands alike are all in need of quick fixes – and this is where you come in. Our guide to other great part-time jobs is available here.
There’s a website for every type of skill set required. It’s easy to research your chosen field online, but here are a few of the more popular ones:
- Creativepool – for the global creative industry
- Yoopies – for babysitting and other homecare jobs in your local area
- Fiverr – a marketplace offering services starting from £5
- Upwork – connects freelancers from a professional background
- Taskrabbit – for helping with odd-jobs around the house
4. How will I promote myself?
On most crowdsourcing platforms, you’ll need to include a biography about your working history and online CV. You might also decide to host a separate website showcasing your skills and online portfolio; this is also a good way to attract ‘organic traffic’, if you have the necessary skills to do so.
As with any profile, you’ll need to include a biography. This should be a brief, snappy, concise, and compelling paragraph covering your key skills and employment to date. You don’t need to list every employer or weekend job you’ve ever had, just the highlights that sell you best. Think about what your clients are looking for and how you can tailor your skills accordingly. For instance, parents that are looking to find a nanny online will often require DBS checks or First Aid skills as a prerequisite. If you have these, be sure to include them.
Additionally, think about your profile picture and what this says about you. Keep it professional – think about the sort of profile shot you would use on LinkedIn for instance.
5. What other skills can I get from a side-hustle?
Sure, a side-hustle might be one of the best ways to make money fast, but it can be much more than that.
It can extend or enhance your skillset, add to your work experience, introduce you to new ways of working, and grow your network. This about how you can use your side-hustle to your advantage so that it can be a proud achievement on your CV.
For instance, if you work in product design and want to branch out into logo design, then a side-hustle is a great way of dipping your toes into this different specialism. You can slowly build your skills and client base while earning money. At the same time, you’re also growing your CV of experience, allowing you to diversify your career full-time if you so desire.
Whatever your side-hustle idea, having a side hustle requires time-management and organisation, key skills that would be well regarded in your CV and future interviews.