What we do for a living makes up for a major portion of our day and our life eventually. For many, jobs are the main source of income that supports our bills and the lifestyle we want to live.
But sometimes, one line of income may not be enough. That’s why many people prefer to pick up side hustles, apart from their regular full-time jobs, to earn a little extra money on the side.
Some people also do it as a hobby because they are so passionate about it and try to make it a source of some cash.
However, starting a side hustle can be quite a process that not everyone feels ready for. If you have wanted to begin with something new, here are some steps to start your side hustle that you must know. These steps and tips may make it easier for you to achieve your side-hustle goals.
10 Steps to start your side hustle
1. Take your pick.
There are a million things you can do as a side hustle. You need to list the one you feel interested in and take your pick keeping in mind factors such as – how much time you can give to your side hustle, how much money it will bring in, and if you can manage it with your full-time job.
2. Know the legalities.
If you have a full-time job at a company, you are likely to be bound by a contract. Make sure that what you are picking for a side hustle does not lead to a breach of that contract, as you can end up in legal trouble later.
Related: 8 Important Steps To Achieve Your Dreams
3. Start with a business plan.
If your side hustle involves selling a product or providing a service, start preparing a plan for it. Make sure you do this on your day-offs or plan it outside your work hours. It is called ‘side-hustle’ for a reason. You do not want it to interfere with your full-time job, at least not already.
4. Connect with people in the industry.
You can look for people who had a similar journey as yours and connect with them. Networking is a crucial aspect of any profession. It is vital to connect with the right people and ask the right questions to begin your side hustle and ace it!
5. Manage your time right.
For most people, the biggest problem with starting a side hustle is managing their time. With a full-time job, social life, family life, and the time you need for yourself, you can find yourself at a loss of hours to work on your side hustle.
Plan ahead, and manage your time well. Make sure you know what needs to be done when so you do not end up overwhelmed by so much on your plate.
6. Do not give up on it too soon.
Side hustles are given less time, and you need to understand that it can take time to grow. Do not expect it to reap fruits too soon. If you do that, you might give up on it too soon. Understand that it will take time to build, but it will be worth it in the end.
Related: 5 Things I would tell my Younger Self About Being an Entrepreneur
7. Know your market.
When you begin a side hustle, knowing the market or industry you are entering is important. The more research you put into it, the clearer the picture will be. Take your time to test the waters before you set out sailing.
8. Do A Complete Product research.
If your side hustle involves a product or service, you need to be sure about what you are offering and how you want to market it. Product research is one of the key steps of starting a side hustle. You can read about similar products in the market and read case studies for a better idea.
9. Start small.
It is always recommended to start small when you are starting a side hustle. It requires less investment in terms of time and money and gives you time and room to grow slowly. For instance, if you wish to start a restaurant eventually, you can start with a cloud kitchen that delivers just one dish in your neighborhood.
10. Make the most of every opportunity.
When you want to begin a side hustle or are trying to grow your side hustle, you need to make the most of every opportunity. While burning yourself out is not the best idea, and you must aim to strike a balance between work and personal life, sometimes, going out of the way to crack a deal or grab an opportunity may be more important than you think.
Bottom line
Nobody says that a side hustle is going to be a bed of roses, but it definitely is worth it. For whatever reasons you wish to start a side hustle, doing it right is important. Take it step by step, and you are likely to find yourself excelling at your side hustle.
