The do’s and don’ts of a side hustle

In the age of tech and internet, people are finding newer and more creative ways to showcase their talents to the rest of the world, and some are even finding ways to make profit out of it. Today we talk about side-gigs or side-hustles, which are part-time entrepreneurial ventures or freelancing gigs by people who already have a full-time job. It is a great way to earn money on the side by doing something you love, while still having the safety net of your full-time job.

THE DO'S

Find your strengths

Understand what you're good at and try to see if that can be made into a profitable side-hustle. If you're a good writer or have great graphic design skills, look for content writing or illustration opportunities. If you enjoy coding and IT, then you might enjoy setting up a side hustle as a website developer or app tester. Or maybe it is art or a new product you want to make and sell. Promote yourself on various freelance, professional sites and/or social media platforms, and be on the lookout for new opportunities.

Commit to extensive research

Carry out market research first; see if there is a demand for the product or service you want to sell. Assess the competition and business landscape, and see how you can best stand out. Figure out how to price your product or service and gather a really good idea of the supply chain if you plan on launching and selling a new product.

THE DON'TS

Don't deviate from your full-time job performance

Make sure your work doesn't have any policies against side-gigs, and also make sure your side-hustle doesn't affect or conflict with your actual job.

Don't waste time

Having excellent time management skills is key if you want to balance and excel in both. Learn to optimise your time.

Don't expect overnight success

All things take time, so don't let initial setbacks discourage you. Set realistic goals, and find out the best ways to reach them.

Tashfia Mamun is a final year business student and an avid dog lover. Reach her at tashfia.mamun@gmail.com.