Table of Contents show

You’ve done it. You’ve decided to start building side hustles from home. Congrats! That’s the first step to building a successful side hustle and an additional revenue stream, and we’re so happy for you! But…..now what? What is the next step? How do you build it? How does it become successful? This can feel like a daunting task. Especially if you’ve never started a business or side gig before. But don’t worry. You can totally do it! And guess what? We’re here to help.

You’re likely in good company. “According to a 2022 survey from Side Hustle, 45 percent of working Americans have a side hustle or added an additional income stream” (Coursera). In the current unpredictable economy, side hustles can help alleviate inflation-induced financial stress (Forbes). Read on for tips on how to start a side gig and how to transform a side hustle into a successful business. 

Here are 8 ways to build your side hustle into a successful business: 

1. You’ve probably already done this, but it’s uber important so we’re going to say it again….find the right one.

Man Walking Dogs For A Side Hustle

There’s no sense in building a side hustle if it’s not the right one for you and not something you’ll enjoy. You need to be passionate about this side gig if you’re going to be putting in extra hours of work on nights and weekends! Whether it’s the product you’re selling, the service you’re offering, or the clients you’re consulting with, you definitely need to love your side hustle. It should excite you. There are TONS of side hustles out there. And you could even create your own! No matter what, make sure it’s something you want to be doing. (If you’re a SAHM, check out this blog for even more tips on success!)

It is worth considering what you’re already interested in and seeing where there is a need. Can you capitalize on an opportunity? Learning how to fill this void will allow you to increase the value of your skill (Forbes). There are countless ways to potentially leverage your existing skills. Are you a graphic designer? Do you have experience with product/service marketing or copywriting and editing? Do you have exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills? Expertise and passion in these areas could open doors to graphic design side hustles, becoming a virtual assistant, or crafting a successful blog among other side gigs.

Are you currently working? If so, it’s best to keep your day job, even though It will be exhausting in the beginning. This will help alleviate financial stress while you build a customer base for your side hustle. The addition of a small business side hustle in your life has the potential to increase your overall satisfaction and job performance at your full-time job. You may find that you develop a balance between the two, along with your life.

PRO TIP: You should also find something that can be purchased or used pretty quickly. It’s not going to be the best side gig or successful side hustle if you have to wait three years for the product or prototype to be finished. So find something that you can offer to customers relatively right away.

2. Be different. Be yourself!

Woman Painting Pottery

Side hustles are all about doing something you love and usually offering something that is unique to you. Think: Passion Project. Are you an amazing driver? Consider rideshare! Can you make AMAZING cupcakes? Consider a baking gig! That’s the best thing about side gigs. They aim to suit the person who is side-gigging.

On that note, you have an opportunity to differentiate yourself. It’s no secret that there are lots of rideshare drivers and side gig bakers out there. But maybe you do trivia with all of your riders while you’re doing your driving side gig. Or maybe you offer all riders a map of the local area! Going the baking route? Maybe you focus and master mini cupcakes that are only decorated with fruit! These are just ideas and examples to help build a successful side hustle, but you get the concept. Ultimately, find something about your side hustle that makes you stand out.

3. Utilize your network and community to build a successful side hustle.

Women Supporting Each Other

Once you’ve launched your side gig, or even as you’re building out the business, announce it to the world. The world will usually be your friends, family and immediate network. It’s important to get the word out about your new venture so people can start spreading the word on your behalf. Your business will not survive without clients and it is never too soon to build out a customer base. You can also utilize your network for more specific needs. Is your uncle a CPA? Ask him a few questions about best practices in accounting! Know someone who can make you some branded marketing material? Hit them up! Your friends, family, and immediate network will likely be happy to support your new business.

Articles related to building a successful side hustle:

4. Focus on sweat equity versus monetary investment.

Man And Wife Working Together

Trust us and heed this advice! You may be tempted to spend lots of money at the beginning of launching your new side hustle. Inventory, supplies, marketing material, etc. may all be tempting, but it’s best to focus on building your business with sweat equity versus monetary investment. At the very beginning of your business’s life, you’ll learn a lot. You’ll learn what sells best, what service is most popular, and what customers do and don’t like. Once you learn more and start generating revenue, then you can begin to make smarter financial investments back into the business. But for now, focus on time and energy!

Especially in this uncertain economic time, it is best to spend as little money as possible in the beginning. Using good ol’ sweat equity has the potential to provide you with more than just more money—satisfaction. According to The Harvard Business Review, there are several key features, outside of income earning potential, that will predict the overall enrichment and engagement your new side hustle will provide. Overall autonomy is key. You’ll have the freedom and independence to control your schedule and make decisions. In addition, side jobs that allow you the opportunity to see tasks through from beginning to end have the potential to provide the most satisfaction.

5. It’s all about customer service and customer experience at the beginning (and always!).

Woman Providing Customer Service For Side Hustle

The best way to get repeat business? Happy customers who come back for more AND refer their friends! At the beginning (and forever), make sure your customer service is top notch and your customer has the best experience possible. This will generate repeat business, positive reviews, and referrals. And the best part? It’s free! You don’t have to spend money providing a great customer experience. Do great work and be pleasant to work with! This is a sure way to build a sustainable business.

6. Give yourself the time to build a successful side hustle.

Wrist Watch On Mans Arm

It’s imperative that you dedicate specific hours of the day or week to focus on and build a successful side hustle. It may only be 5 hours a week, one hour each weeknight after the kids are in bed. Or maybe you go to a coffee shop on a Saturday morning and spend 3 hours focused on your business. Whatever you decide, make sure you schedule in specific time to work on your new venture. It will pay off in the end!

Do yourself a favor and take the time to write a business plan. It does not have to be elaborate, but writing your goals down on paper will help serve as a roadmap for your business. Understanding the competition, and potential customers, and determining initial products/services will go a long way toward your overall success.    

7. Find free technology and resources!

Woman Video Recording Herself To Build A Successful Side Hustle

We are fortunate enough to live in a time where technology is plentiful and a lot of times, free! Building best practices at the start of your business are ideal. And you can find TONS of free tools on the interwebs to help you do that. Here are some of our faves:

  • The Google Suite: From Gmail to Google Docs and spreadsheets and more! This is truly an amazing tool for small businesses. And mostly free. Woot! Consider setting up a Google My Business Page for your side hustle. It will help drive customers in your direction.
  • Zoom: Need a way to do demos or consult with customers? Zoom is amazing. It’s been super popular lately because of COVID-19 but if you ask many businesses around the globe, they’ve used Zoom long before the coronavirus. There are free plans too!
  • Zoho: CRMs (Customer Relationship Management) are invaluable if you have a customer-facing side gig. These are tools that help you organize contacts, send communication, follow up, and more. Zoho has a free option that we’ve heard is super helpful.
  • Facebook: The good ol’ book of faces. Obviously, it’s free to use. And for businesses, it’s imperative that you have a presence on Facebook. Customers can find you, review you, and follow you! There are ways to advertise on Facebook for a cost, but for now, just focus on building your followers (for free!).
  • Instagram: Another social media must-have. Instagram is free to use as well. It’s pretty much an assumption that all businesses are on Instagram. Your customers will be looking for you there. Maybe your side gig is a consulting business? Have an Instagram so you can brand yourself as a top-notch consultant.

The internet is full of advice and information about starting a side hustle; albeit not all of it is good advice. The good definitely outweighs the bad, however. There are free business courses, marketing courses, and more. Below are just a handful of resources:

  • Coursera: Coursera offers a range of learning opportunities by partnering with more than 250 universities and companies. Coursera has options that range from hands-on projects and courses to certificates and degree programs.  It offers a more affordable and flexible learning avenue than traditional colleges and universities.
  • LinkedIn: LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network that offers video courses taught by industry experts. These courses fall into three main categories: software, creativity, and business skills.  
  • Masterclass: Masterclass is an online subscription platform that launched in 2015. With a monthly subscription starting at $15 a month, you gain access to over 180 classes taught by industry experts.  These experts include well-known instructors such as Simone Biles, Gordon Ramsay, and Neil deGrasse Tyson.  

8. Slow and steady wins the race.

Woman Working A Side Hustle At Night

It’s a tale as old as time but it’s totally accurate when it comes to starting a new side hustle or building a new business. Going slow and steady and focusing on creating a sustainable business that can last a long time and ultimately provides ongoing revenue for your family….that’s #goals if we don’t say so ourselves! You don’t have to go at a snail’s pace by any means. But the message here is that you don’t want to rush things or go so fast that you crash and burn. Ultimately, you’re aiming for long-term sustainability and that takes some time to build. So allow yourself the time to do so!

What do you think? Feeling better about building a successful side hustle? We hope so! Are you a seasoned entrepreneur? Share your tips below.