Where To Start?
My head is spinning. I’ve listened to 10 podcasts this week, and everyone says something different.
You need to get leverage and scale.
You need to get good at one thing and become the best.
You need to do 10 small things and spread the risk.
You need to get up earlier.
You need to stay up later.
How the hell am I supposed to make any sense of any of this?
I’m gonna keep it simple. First things first. I just need to make some extra cash to pay off my credit card debt. Once that’s paid, I can start worrying about ‘applying leverage.’
The term ‘side hustle’ keeps popping up, so that’s where I’ll start. I can’t take any time off work, so I will have to burn the candle at both ends for a while.
What Are Side Hustles?
Right, so a side hustle just means making extra cash outside of your everyday job. It can be anything from driving for Uber, designing logos, selling funny T’shirts online to picking up your neighbor’s dog sh*t.
It seems to be the trendy thing to be doing. It makes sense, though. Growing up, I was told never to have all my eggs in one basket. So why should I rely on one form of employment? When you look at it like that, it sounds insane!
There are tonnes of podcasts and blogs talking about them. Just this morning, I was listening to The Side Hustle Show. It makes it sound so easy. Just have an idea, post it on the internet, and then BAM! … people will start paying you.
This is where I keep getting stuck. I have no ideas. Like, literally no ideas. Last night I was sitting in the bath with a beer, trying to get into a “flow” state. It was like I’ve just forgotten how to think!
So because my brain has gone on strike, I decided to do what I do best and consult Uncle Google. But, like, wow, where to start? It’s just information overload out there.
I’ve broken down my highly scientific findings into online and offline side hustles. I’ve picked out 4 of each, which I think even a dumbass like me might be able to figure out. In the next couple of weeks, I’ll look at each one and maybe give a couple a crack.
Online Side Hustles
Okay, I won’t lie- this sings to me the most. If I can make money online without leaving the house or getting my hands dirty – I’m in!
Voice-Over Work
Initially, this was a straight-out no. Nothing makes my skin crawl more than hearing myself on a voicemail. But the more I think about it, the more I’m into it because
- I’ve got a voice
- I can record my voice
- My Mother used to say I had the voice of an Angel.
I can do all the things required. I just have to … get the work. There’s always a catch.
Sites like voices.com & voices123.com make it look straightforward. Watch this space, or should that be hear this void?
Graphic Design
I may not have a design degree, but I’m a great doodler. My desk at work is covered in little drawings that I work on when I’m stuck on a call. I’ve always thought I’d be good at creating logos for companies.
Sites like Fiverr, Upwork & 99designs are full of people wanting logos. Mind you. There’s an army of people in the Third World that I’ll be competing with. I’m unsure I can compete against someone trying to feed their 10 kids.
Affiliate Marketing
I’ve always thought that affiliate marketing was code for a pyramid scheme. But I think I’ve got it wrong. It just looks like, instead of working your ass off making your own products, you just sell someone else’s hard work.
That sounds like a fantastic idea. You can be paid up to 50% – not bad for clipping the ticket. The only problem with this one is I have no idea how to get people to buy from me on the Internet. I can sense a lot of youtube in my future.
Online Tutoring
Believe it or not, your boy knows how to play the Saxophone. Now, it’s been a while. Mrs. Browning would probably have a few things to say about my technique, BUT I’m sure I can dust off the old skills and be able to give a few lessons online.
This one might have some legs. Sites like Wyzant & TutorOcean have 1000’s of people looking for tutors. The problem is, it’s still just trading time for money. But you’ve got to start somewhere, right?
Offline Side Hustles
I’m not sure I want to get my hands dirty. But if it’s the difference between me escaping employment or being stuck at my desk being lectured by Colin that I answered the phone wrong, sign me up!
Marketplace Arbitrage
This one involves some straight-out hustling. Find someone selling something way too cheap, buy it, list it for more, and keep the difference. This sounds simple enough. But after scrolling Facebook Marketplace for an hour or so, there is so much crap to sift through.
It makes just picking up a bit of dog poo look pretty attractive. The key to this is keeping your eyes peeled for an absolute steal.
Dog Poo Pick Up
I had no idea this was even a thing. It makes sense, though. No one likes picking up dog poo. Everyone just hopes it will eventually melt into the ground. Some places charge up to $20 for a weekly visit. Just on my street, there must be at least 20 dogs. If I could sign them all up, that would be $400 weekly. I’m feeling a bit queasy just thinking about picking up all that poo. This one might be on hold.
Lawn Care
You can tell a lot about a person by looking at their lawn. Mainly how much time they have. If you see a house with a flawless green carpet, you know they have far too much time. Either that or too much money, and they’re paying someone to look after it.
That’s where I pop in. I don’t know much about lawns – but how hard could it be? Push a mower, pull weeds, and spray chemicals around.
Doordash Delivery
I always thought being a pizza delivery boy looked pretty cool. You get to drive around town, play loud music and then collect tips. Becoming a Doordash delivery driver will help me fulfill my teenage fantasy. I can’t imagine the money is very good, but you can start working immediately. This could be an excellent short-term option to help pay down some debt quickly.
There are so many options and so little time. At this rate, I’ll pick up my neighbor’s dog poo, mow their lawn, and then drop off their Thai dinner with door dash. It sounds very similar to just getting another job. Maybe I should just do that? How am I ever going to escape the 9-5 scam if the way out is working a 2nd job 5-9?
But what I have been doing hasn’t worked. I’m committed to working this through. I can find another way. I will find another way. I must find another way.