If you’re good at something, never do it for free…or at least that’s what they say. In truth, making money off of things you enjoy doing is really fun and rewarding. There’s nothing like enjoying your work and coming home with a paycheck at the same time. If you’ve got a marketable skill, then you can totally make some cash off your passion.
Knowing how to start a money making venture is always tricky. But we’ve got some simple guidelines to get you off the ground. Start out with these three steps, and soon you’ll see how quickly your side hustle will take off.
Get Certified
When people come to a business they want a certain guarantee of quality. That’s why people don’t hire a hobbyist; their work doesn’t come with a guarantee. However, if you have a certification in your field, you’ll quickly be able to alleviate their worries about the quality you can bring to the table.
Having certifications in your field, like a contractors license, even allows you to charge more for your work. That initial investment into a design certificate or license from a contractors institute can seem daunting, but you’ll reap the benefits from that certification almost immediately.
Getting your certification is surprisingly simple with guides and classes for every certification. Anyone can prepare for an exam with these resources and pass on the first try.
Set Up An Online Store
Next, if you want your side business to succeed, and you’re selling tangible goods, you need to have an online store. Online stores can be more beneficial than physical locations because you can reach a broader customer base. This is true whether you have something you can ship across the world, or you are providing a service limited to your local area.
Online stores give customers a certain sense of accessibility. Plus, when you have a store online it’s easy for customers to find you. Having an online shop also gives customers a way to immediately understand what your pricing model is. An online store can also help make your brand feel young, accessible, and easy to understand.
Lastly, when you own an online store, it’s really easy to keep track of your expenses. Online stores keep a digital footprint of everything you’ve ever done with your sales. The level of tracking built into an online store takes the headache out of bookkeeping.
Make Your Social Media Shine
Finally, you need to have a good strong social media presence. Having a social media presence today is paramount. A strong online identity is the modern equivalent of a traditional marketing campaign with billboards, commercials, and print ads.
Social media is an affordable and an easy way to create a brand identity. Whether you’re a roofing company, or you have an artsy Etsy store, social media helps remind people that you exist. It’s also a great way to get the word out about any new products, sales, and any other news you have without requiring too much manpower on your part.
In The End
All in all, turning your passion into money making venture isn’t always the easiest thing. Once you get started you’ll see where your strengths lie. When you feel like you are official, and you have the social media to back that up, you’ll see your business take off.
The great thing about hobbies turned hustles is you can make your own schedule and decide what work to take on. When you feel that freedom, you’ll never want to go back to your 9-5, or days of juggling part time jobs again.
