Side Hustles & Expectations
Hey Friends
This blog write up is going to be focused on side hustles and their reality vs a few myths. Side hustles are super doable for so many of you but the glamor of it on Pinterest or Studio Vlogs is just not the same. It’s not a get rich quick scheme. It’s not an easy, passive income either. Side hustles are GREAT and I love making digitally printable items – it’s pretty passive. I keep meaning to make a course, but it’s not easy or just for anyone. The digital stuff, yes it’s passive, pretty easy since I have the background, but if you are coming into this thinking I will make a ton of money by making downloads, I just want to share my experience and what I see around. I’m doing this as I do want to do a course for making your own printables – and have been checking out ones around the web to see what I should focus on – and I just want to set expectations properly.
I see myself as a realist – not pessimistic and am mostly optimistic, so I hope this isn’t a downer – you can do this. Even if you just want to make items for yourself, I think learning basic skills to do this is really fun and useful! You can also use these skills to make anything – marketing, social media, etc! Same skills.
First reality, you don’t make a ton of money passively.
No. I can say from my digital shop, doing minimal work a year – this year I’ve made a ton of improvements but in 2018 and 2019 I really didn’t do much – I made from $200 – 400 a year. This is not much, mind you, it’s great because I didn’t do anything really those two years. I fell out of it and was more focused on life stuff. But just to give you an idea. Passive means you don’t do much, but if you want to make more you are going to have to spend some time sharing your items, showing them off, and more.
This year, I am on track to make $500 from a mostly passive standpoint. I have made more inserts this year and I am focusing on my print stuff now, as I want to launch a notebook and planner system. My print shop has made $400 from JUL to SEP which is great! I am super excited about that. I am also playing with the algorithm to see how Etsy shows stuff – more about that here. I am doing this because it is a passion of mine. I love planning and making more own inserts – I did it because I wanted a better system and now I am thrilled other people use it too.
It’s complicated though, as there are so many out there who use different methods of tracking and working – this is going to be a bit of a tangent. I think so many people are looking for a quick fix to their productivity and they think that the next insert or this method will be it – and it’s internal really. Productivity isn’t just the tools you buy or make, it’s having the internal motivation to do the thing. I’ve spent so much of my Marketing time trying to get real estate agents, insurance agents, and other clients to understand that – it’s not the method, it’s not the add – it’s CONSISTENCY! I am a huge believer in building systems that work *for* you and routines because that is what is going to get it done. Not a one-off ad on Facebook, or a new weekly insert. Okay, end that tangent….do the things.
So, while I love my little shop and I hope to grow the heck out of it with inserts – blank and more, covers and tabs, decorated vellum, and more! A side hustle is best when you enjoy it or are passionate about it. This way, it doesn’t feel like work. That is why that studio vlog you watched looks so inviting, that person is seriously living their dream getting paid to draw, or bake, or DIY on video. That’s the dream, to do something passionately you really enjoy.
If you are thinking yes. I want to do that. Start small. Don’t quit your day job on a dime. Start with what makes you happy and work there, see how it feels. There are a ton of negatives (in the USA at least) for working for yourself, but if you want to do it, go for it. I didn’t mean to end up here, but I did and it’s working out OK so far. I’m skeptical though.
Some side hustles you can start pretty easily with:
Cutting machine (such as Cameo)
- Big Flowers for wall decor
- Party Supplies
- Planner stickers
- Paperclips
- Felt creations
- Vinyl decorations such as car decals, cups, shirts, and more!
3d Printer (such as the Ender)
- Cookie cutters
- Molds for resin
- Random necklaces and jewelry
- Specific parts (specifically for machines, hugely popular)
- If you learn to make the files, you can sell the files
Embroidery machine
- Paperclips
- Shirts, hats, and more – locally
- AMAZING art pieces
- Still can sell the files
If you pair it with a cutting machine, think of the cute shirts!
Laser cutting
- Resin Moulds
- Jewelry
- Custom cutting services for locals & online
- AMAZING cut cards
Just some ideas, it takes a bit of investment, each of the machines is anywhere from $200 – $4000 (laser cutters are expensive, and embroidery machines too) but those are goals you can set and work with.
I super want a laser machine, oh, and a CNC Machine! Didn’t even mention that one, you can do so many really cool wood projects. If you are looking for a side hustle – look for a hobby instead. I think you’ll find yourself more satisfied and you can work towards selling the items when you master it as you learn. I didn’t even touch on Realtors, Insurance agents, and other contractor work (such as Marketing!). Or blogging. Or web/app development. There are just so many options! Truly.
There is so much more to side hustles than just what to do, so I want to continue talking about this. Marketing is seriously 80% of most jobs and if you are doing it alone, it can be hard to figure out where to get clients from. Marketing yourself is really hard for most people – me included – as it’s hard to speak about yourself and sell it.
What I want to get across: If you want to do it, DO it.
Even if you only ever breakeven. Just don’t quit your day job or expect to get rich quick. Put the right expectations in there so you feel positive as you work on your skills. No one is a master in a day and if you feel like a failure from day 2 you are going to quit before you give it a proper chance.
Good luck and do what makes you happy.
Life is too short not too.