For some, deciding what sort of side hustle to step into is the hardest part. You have some free time on your hands, you’d like to make a little extra money, but don’t quite know what to do or how to do it. The choices are virtually limitless, although it’ll help if you have at least a vague interest in the direction you head. You may decide to go down the freelance route, a popular option with writers, coding specialists, and designers. On Upwork, you’ll find thousands of potential job opportunities for freelancers all looking to make a side buck. You may go down a different route, such as setting up a DIY brand, or craft business. Whichever you choose, know that it’ll take a little bit of time to get set up, and for people to learn about your offering. 

Becoming more productive once your side hustle is up and running is what will separate you from thousands of similar people looking to do the same. Learn to improve your marketing, whether that be on social media, word of mouth, or physical advertising methods. You’ll start to see potential customer numbers increase as more people start to discover you. Being successful also requires great time management. Make regular use of a scheduling tool, even if it’s just a simple to-do list, to ensure that you’re more productive in the time you set aside for this project. Finally, it sounds simple but ensures you use a solid calendar app too. Any important meetings or deadlines missed will negatively affect your reputation.  

As well as ensuring your business brings in as much custom as possible, you must also work productively at the backend of the operation, too. Business admin may sound like a glorified way of saying “keep your paperwork straight”, but it’s incredibly important that you get your head around it early. This includes filing your taxes at the appropriate times, ensuring that all your expenses are accounted for accurately, and generally looking after the running of your side hustle. If you didn’t before, you’ll certainly feel like an independent adult from the experience! Whether you’re entering into the project as a hobby or as a genuine way of paying the bills, remember that working smarter is always better than working harder!