Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.
Last Updated on January 20, 2024 by Work In My Pajamas
We could all use a little extra cash. Whether you want the extra money to pay off debt, to pay bills, or you just want a little extra spending money, you have tons of side hustle choices.
That doesn’t mean they are all guaranteed to be successful.
Starting a side hustle can take a lot of time. You don’t want it to have all been for nothing!
Whether you’ve started a side hustle already or you’re getting ready to, it is important that you follow these five rules of side hustle success.
In This Post:
1. Do PR the Right Way
In order for your side hustle to be successful, people have to know it exists. That means doing PR, but that doesn’t mean you should spend a bunch of money on your PR efforts.
One idea is to start a blog. The more you blog, the more traffic you can get to your site. Strive to post at least 16 times a month, and you could seriously boost your income.
Other free PR ideas include:
- Supporting a cause
- Creating an outreach list
- Applying for awards
- Attending local events
2. Don’t Go into Debt
It isn’t uncommon for businesses and startups to go into debt. There’s a lot of talk out there about good debt and bad debt, and for some businesses, debt is the norm. That’s not the case with startups. All debt is bad.
Businesses can take years to become profitable. As a one-person side hustle, you don’t have that kind of time. After all, the whole point of starting a side hustle is to make money, and you want to start making it as soon as possible!
That’s why it’s important to start a side hustle that doesn’t require any startup cash. If it does require a little bit to get started, make sure you have the funds in your bank account or your savings account.
3. Don’t Let Your Full-Time Job Fall Through the Cracks
Once you get your side hustle off the ground, it’s easy to get enveloped in it. You may start to daydream of quitting your full-time job and doing your side hustle full-time instead. Or, you may start sneaking in side hustle work when you’re still on the clock for your employer.
Both situations are dangerous.
There are a lot of benefits of working for a company full-time. Your side hustle probably isn’t going to fund your retirement, it won’t provide you with health insurance, and it can make taxes extremely difficult.
Make sure you continue to focus on your full-time job. That way you don’t end up getting fired as you try and build your side hustle from the ground-up.
4. Create a Side Hustle Schedule
Getting a side hustle up and running can take a lot of work, but it is important to remember that it isn’t supposed to be your full-time gig. It’s not a good idea to have a full-time job and a full-time side gig. Not if you want to maintain your health and your sanity.
That’s why it’s important to create a side hustle schedule. Look for ways to add a few more hours to your day, and dedicate that time to your side hustle. That way, you aren’t up all night working on your side hustle before you have to go into work the next morning.
Another benefit of creating a schedule is that you won’t be tempted to work on your side hustle while you’re in the office, and you won’t feel guilty about not working on it when you’re spending time with friends on a Friday night.
5. Enjoy It
Having the extra money from a side hustle is nice, but it shouldn’t be entirely what it’s about. With a full-time job, the last thing you want to do is choose a side hustle that feels like a chore.
Instead, choose an option that fits your lifestyle. If you enjoy it, your side hustle will feel like “me time,” which means you won’t feel drained when you drag yourself into work. Not to mention, a side hustle you’re passionate about is more likely to be successful!
The gig economy has made it easier than ever to make a little extra cash. Instead of looking for a better paying job, consider starting a side hustle! Just make sure you follow the rules on this list. They will help you create a side hustle that is just as lucrative as it is enjoyable.
