Start a Side Hustle Using Your Skills as a Writer

Do you need to make extra money while developing your writing career? Consider ideas from real-life people earning real extra income. You can, of course, find ways to make money with your writing, even as an aspiring author. Joanna Penn has a great book on How to Make a Living with Your Writing.

For now, though, we’ll look at other side hustle options. These are NOT get-rich-quick ideas. These are not side hustles that make you an overnight millionaire. So if that’s what you’re looking for, you’ll need to look elsewhere. Also, these side hustles do not require you to beg for thousands of dollars from angel investors. In most cases, they do require the investment of your time and effort.

Take Advantage of Your Skills

Because writers tend to be good observers in life, it might be easier for them to spot an opportunity. In our fast-paced world, those who learn quickly have a great advantage. Take advantage of your observation skills. Take the time to look around. What side hustle can see that could work for you?

Writers are also well known for working alone. That’s mostly true when we’re writing. However, in other areas of our lives, it can be different. Consider creating a side hustle with a group of like-minded friends. In 100 Side Hustles, Chris Guillebeau tells a story of a group of friends who have a joint side hustle of selling hammocks. What side hustle could you do with a group of friends?

Consider Your Other Skills

In addition to writing, think of your other skills. Or what new skills could you learn by watching YouTube videos? YouTube guru, Marissa Romero, says she did just that. She watched YouTube videos as a way to learn how to make money online. Now she helps others by successfully teaching what she has learned.

What are your other skills, or skills you could learn, to help you create a side hustle?

Start a Tiny Business

Aside from using your skills to develop your writing business, you could develop a tiny business as a side hustle. Consider The Magic of Tiny Business. It could help you earn extra cash and grow your writing business. The two businesses can work in tandem.  Writing could help your side hustle grow and your side business could help your writing business grow. Also, much like writing as a business, a side hustle business can be started with little or no money.  Chris Guillebeau shows how in The $100 Startup. Or see Almost Free Money.

Right now are you thinking: “But I’m not an entrepreneur. I can’t even spell entrepreneur.” Consider the reality. The basic characteristics of entrepreneurs match those of writers. Entrepreneurs, as with writers (most of the time) are self-motivated.  Entrepreneurs like writers are problem-solvers. They’re flexible. They have a passion for helping people. Entrepreneurs take risks. If writers didn’t take risks putting words out into the world, we would stop writing.

Do the characteristics of an entrepreneur describe you as an aspiring author? Of course, at times, we all slip in some areas. Now and then, for instance, we might need a little help with self-motivation. We’ve all been there. One tip to help get motivated: try creating a realistic deadline for the writing project. (You’ll find more tips in other Kick *ss Writer’s Guide blogs).

Reseller

If your skills assessment leads you into reselling as a side hustle, you’ll need to follow the oldest money-making advice: “Buy low, sell high.” To help you do this, you’ll also need to apply one of your writing skills. That is, you’ll need to research. Check out the products you want to sell to find out if people are buying them. You don’t want to end up with a closet or garage full of items you bought at a low price, only to discover no one wants to buy them. You don’t want to buy low but sell even lower. Research is critical. Use your research skills.

Whatever side hustle you decide to start, set a start date. Block off time on your calendar. Set a time for tomorrow or the next day. But don’t put it off too long.  Take the risk. Take action.

Don’t wait. Start today!

How can we help? To let us know, please fill out our contact form. Happy writing!