When you’ve accumulated years of experience in your career and you’re considering a side hustle, you’ve got a couple of options, according to Kathy Kristof, who started the website SideHusl.com. You can either create your own business or tap into an existing side-hustle platform that connects folks with opportunities.
Starting your own venture might be more of a gamble, but it can really pay off. On the flip side, joining one of the many existing websites for side hustlers can provide a variety of options, including short-term contracts, hourly gigs, and even focus group projects.
“Nowadays, there are countless companies offering side gigs, covering just about every type of work imaginable. This means you can score a lucrative gig from nearly any corner of the globe,” Kristof notes. Her website meticulously reviews hundreds of side-hustle platforms, aiming to help individuals find their ideal match.
Those with relevant backgrounds typically enjoy better pay. “If you’re mid-career, you can often take on the more lucrative side gigs, which might pay between $50 to $100 an hour,” Kristof explains. These could be roles in consulting, tutoring, or freelancing, for example.
She warns that if you’re leaning toward starting your own business, it’s crucial to avoid hefty start-up costs that might jeopardize your financial health. This is especially key for those in their 30s, 40s, and 50s who need to safeguard their retirement plans.
### Embrace Your Passion
Take Douglas Frazier, for instance. He’s a magician based in New York City, who also works full-time in the business sector. His story reminds us not to focus too much on the extra income and forget what drew us to our side hustle initially.
Douglas’ passion for magic sparked in his childhood when he borrowed every magic book available at his local library. As a result, he crafted a 30-minute magic show for family celebrations and neighborhood birthday parties. “Word of mouth spread,” Douglas recalls, thinking back to when he was a young magician handing out business cards at just 12 years old. “I was young, talented, and affordable.”
Now, he performs mostly for Fortune 500 companies under the moniker “Douglas Frazier the Brand Magi.”
“It’s important to focus on the audiences and markets that excite you, otherwise it won’t be fulfilling,” he advises.
### Leverage Your Life Experience
Gail Sullivan began her career in journalism but sought a new direction that would offer more flexibility after she had her first child in 2015. On the side, she began assisting friends with home organization, employing the same methods she used in her Los Angeles home.
“I enjoyed developing systems in my home that made life easier, and soon friends asked for my help with their organizing projects,” Sullivan says. She then took up a side job, assisting a professional organizer.
This side gig eventually blossomed into Sullivan’s own company, Calm Space LA, which she continues to operate.
### Invest in Marketing
If you’re not planning to use an established side-hustle platform, it’s essential to reach out to prospective clients. “Devote energy to the business side of your side hustle. Expect to spend as much time marketing and selling your services as you do providing them,” Frazier points out.
Consider getting the word out through local TV, radio, and event listings. Even though capturing the attention of producers is challenging, a well-timed message can earn invaluable media coverage.
Sullivan also advocates for word-of-mouth and social media strategies, saying, “Many of my clients come through Facebook mom groups and similar referrals.”
### Emphasize What Makes You Unique
Sullivan found herself drawn to creating home organization systems that worked for her because she has ADHD, and these systems help manage it. “I needed my living space to be extremely organized,” she explains.
She designed meal planning schedules complete with visual aids to help with grocery planning and other regular tasks on daily, weekly, and monthly bases. Visual checklists became crucial for her task management.
Many of her clients now also have ADHD, which has helped her carve out a niche in the competitive field of home organization. “I can see the difference it makes in clients’ lives,” she shares, reflecting on the positive impact her specialized services have.
