Ever wondered how your side hustle could positively impact your primary career? Side hustles are not just about earning extra income; they can also bring unexpected benefits to your main job. From sparking creativitys to honing skills and expanding your professional network, the advantages are numerous. Here’s how diverse side gigs can enhance your main career in unexpected ways!
The Rising Trend of Side Hustles
In today’s dynamic work environment, side hustles have become more popular than ever. According to a recent survey by Self, over 45% of working Americans have a side gig. These extra endeavors range from freelancing and consulting to creative projects and entrepreneurial ventures. The appeal lies not only in the potential for additional income but also in the opportunities for personal growth, skill development, and professional networking.
For many, a side hustle is a passioned projec—a way to pursue interests that might not be fully explored in their primary career. It’s also a safety net, providing financial security and flexibility. Whether you’re looking to build new skills, expand your professional network, or simply explore a hobby, a side hustle can be a powerful tool for personal and professional development.
8 Insights from Experts on Side Hustles
1. Photography Enhances Marketing Creativity
Balancing a busy marketing career with a passion for photography might seem challenging, but the two can complement each other beautifully. Photography fuels creativity, offering fresh perspectives for marketing campaigns. Plus, high-quality visuals can boost social media engagement, grabbing clients' attention effortlessly. And, it provides a relaxing outlet away from the daily grind.
"I love photography as a side hustle. It may seem random, but it helps me with my main job in a few ways. First, it keeps me creative. Creating fresh photo ideas helps me approach marketing campaigns with a new perspective. Second, social media is a big part of marketing, and photography gives me a steady stream of high-quality content to share. People love catchy visuals, and good photos can grab the attention of our clients. Plus, it's just relaxing to be behind the camera sometimes!"
Shane McEvoy, MD, Flycast Media
2. Beta Reading Sharpens Writing Skills
Beta reading novels as a side gig can be incredibly rewarding. It not only brings in extra income but also sharpens editing skills. By diving into different genres and styles, you can keep your creative juices flowing, which is invaluable for any writing or marketing professional.
"I beta-read people's novels as a side hustle. It brings in an extra $200-$300 a month, and since I'm a fast reader, it doesn't consume too much of my time. You do need to be skilled at offering constructive criticism, but if you're a good reader, adapting to beta reading isn't too difficult.
I started by setting up on Fiverr, taking cues from how others advertised their beta-reading services and mirroring their approach. It took a few weeks to land my first order, but a great initial review helped me gain more traction, and soon enough, the orders began to roll in.
I charge $300 for manuscripts over 50,000 words, which is actually on the lower end compared to what some charge. I provide in-line comments and a 2-3 page report. Sometimes, authors have specific questions or concerns they want addressed. Being a full-time writer and director, I manage only about 3-4 projects a month since Fiverr takes a 20% cut, although buyers often tip as well.
This hustle complements my main career as an editor and writer. Beta reading sharpens my skills and exposes me to industries beyond marketing, broadening my opportunities and enhancing my learning from other writers and professionals in various fields."
Precious Abacan, Marketing Director, Softlist
3. Educational Business Fosters Teacher Growth
Starting an educational business to help teachers find affordable ways to advance their careers can be a game-changer. It allows you to bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas back to your classroom. Managing a business expands your network and keeps you continually learning, benefiting both your students and your professional growth.
"My main career is as a high school teacher. Like many teachers, I embraced the culture of having a side hustle to help increase my income. As an educator, I had a firsthand view of what it required to increase my salary through the process of getting a master's degree and continuing my education beyond that first step. While in the process of taking my own classes, I realized that there had to be a better way to do this. So, I started my own company with the help of a fellow educator to help other teachers find a more affordable way to move over on the pay scale, while also being upfront about the amount of work required for the classes. This is how Midwest Teachers Institute was born.
This has helped me in so many ways throughout my teaching career (which I’m still doing, in case you were wondering). First and foremost, it has greatly increased my abilities as a teacher. Managing a company that brings in teachers from a wide variety of expertise areas, I get to learn about their topics as I help them bring their own courses to life. These are things that I can then infuse into my own classes. It forces me to constantly learn, to stay fresh, and to look for other perspectives.
Another benefit is that it fills a void that my main career lacks. The content that I teach, consumer economics, tends to be a little static overall. Let’s face it, the benefits of the modern banking system don’t change that much from year to year. Running my side hustle allows me an outlet for some of the creativity, the need to build, that doesn’t get used as much when you teach the same class five times a day for a semester, then repeat it all the second semester. I’m looking to create new products, build new degrees and courses, and improve our SEO by putting out articles on a variety of topics.
Lastly, it allows me to greatly expand the network of people beyond the walls of my school. As we expand into new areas, such as workshops and conferences, I’m meeting experts who have the same desire, the same passion, to improve education for everyone. It presents new challenges, and in a way, keeps me from mentally growing old. I feel alive when the spark is lit for something new, and that spark often rekindles the passion for the things that I’m doing in my classroom."
Shawn Bean, President, Midwest Teachers Institute
4. Mentoring Benefits Legal Expertise
Mentoring young professionals can keep you updated on the latest theories and practices in your field. This side gig fosters a sense of community and professional growth. Seeing mentees flourish brings a sense of satisfaction and injects fresh perspectives into your practice.
"My side hustle is mentoring young law students and newly-practicing attorneys. This endeavor not only enriches my main career as a trial attorney by keeping me abreast of the latest legal theories and practices, but it also fosters a sense of community and professional growth. Mentoring allows me to impart the invaluable knowledge and skills I've honed over the years, creating a positive ripple effect in the legal profession. It's immensely rewarding to see my mentees flourish and contribute to the field with fresh perspectives and renewed passion."
Andrew Pickett, Founder and Lead Trial Attorney, Andrew Pickett Law
5. Gardening Blog Boosts E-Commerce Insights
Running a blog related to your industry can be a treasure trove of benefits. It keeps you in tune with customer needs, sharpens your writing skills, and keeps you abreast of industry trends. A blog can also become a modest income stream, proving that a side hustle can directly complement and enhance your main job. Plus, it’s a fantastic creative outlet that strengthens your credibility in the industry.
"As an e-commerce business owner, I've found that my side hustle actually complements my main career quite well. I run a small gardening blog on the side, which ties in nicely with our outdoor product line.
This blog has become a valuable asset in several ways:
1. It helps me better understand our customers' needs and challenges.
2. It's improved my writing skills, which translates to better product descriptions and marketing copy.
3. It keeps me up-to-date with gardening trends, informing our product selection.
4. It's become a modest additional income stream.
The blog also serves as a creative outlet, allowing me to share my passion for outdoor spaces beyond just selling products. It's helped establish me as a thought leader in the industry, which indirectly benefits our main business.
Balancing both can be challenging, especially with two dogs to care for, but I find the synergy between the blog and our e-commerce operation makes it worthwhile. It's all about finding ways to make your interests work together and contribute to your overall success."
Jonas Murphy, Fulfillment Manager, Pond Fountain Depot
6. Freelance Writing Expands Content Expertise
Freelance writing is more than just a side gig. It’s a way to keep your skills razor-sharp and stay ahead of industry trends. Freelance projects expose you to diverse topics and emerging trends, which you can incorporate into your full-time role. This continuous learning and adaptability make you a more effective and innovative content creator.
"As a content specialist, my side-hustle involves freelance writing and content strategy consultation. This complements my main career by allowing me to broaden my expertise in diverse industries, keep my skills sharp, and explore creative avenues that might be different from my primary role. Through freelance projects, I gain insights into emerging trends and user engagement tactics that I can apply to my full-time work, enriching the content I produce and enhancing my overall effectiveness as a content creator."
Rehana Aslam, Content Specialist, Magic Scoop
7. Consulting Keeps Legal Skills Current
Consulting for businesses on legal strategies as a side hustle allows you to stay on the cutting edge of issues facing innovative companies. This work complements your main roles by improving your skills in emerging areas of law and business. Consulting projects connect you with inspiring professionals and push you to find creative solutions to complex problems, enriching your primary career.
"As a patent attorney and CEO of a legal tech startup, my side hustle involves consulting for digital businesses on their IP and legal strategies. This work complements my roles by allowing me to stay on the cutting edge of issues facing innovative companies.
For example, I recently helped a SaaS client overhaul their Terms of Service to comply with GDPR. By revising their agreement to clearly outline data use and privacy policies, I reduced their risk of facing regulatory fines. The new terms also gave them a competitive advantage in the EU market.
On a personal level, these consulting projects improve my skills in emerging areas of law and business. They connect me with inspiring founders and push me to find creative solutions to complex, real-world problems. The extra income also gives me more freedom to invest in my own companies and support causes I care about."
Christopher Lyle, Owner, KickSaaS Legal
8. Affiliate Marketing Offers Lucrative Side Income
Affiliate Marketing is one of the most lucrative income opportunities online. With just a couple of hours a day, it can provide a steady income stream. While it requires effort, the rewards can be significant. This side hustle can give you financial freedom and the flexibility to invest in your main career or personal interests.
"You can start affiliate marketing with 2 hours per day. It's one of the most lucrative income opportunities on the internet. That doesn't mean it's easy or won't require some effort. However, for the time invested, it provides a steady income stream when done correctly."
Loretta Kilday, DebtCC Spokesperson, Debt Consolidation Care
Embracing a side hustle is not just about extra income; it’s about leveraging new skills, staying creative, and broadening your professional horizons. Each of these side gigs offers unique benefits that can enhance your main career, from creative stimulation to skill sharpening and financial gains. So, if you’ve been considerings a side hustle, now is the time to dive in. You might find it’s the key to unlocking new opportunities and personal growth in your primary career.
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