Blogger: Rachelle Gardner
I’m a literary agent, but I have a side hustle as an online educator teaching a course for writers at Author School. These days, lots of people have “side hustles” including those who are full-time parents and others who work a job full time. Side hustles are a perfect way for writers to make more money and expand their influence. For authors who dream of “quitting their day job,” a side hustle in addition to income from writing can make the difference.
The great thing about side hustles is that they can be anything you dream up — anything that serves a purpose in the world and provides value people will pay for. It’s only limited by your own imagination. And it’s driven by your own expertise, interests, and skillset.
Recently at the Books & Such client retreat, I sat around a table with several writers and we brainstormed potential side hustles for each of them. They’re all published authors, and they all wish to increase their income so they don’t have to get a “day job.” We had a lot of fun digging in to each one’s interests and skills, in addition to their book topics, to come up with side hustles that would not only make them some extra money but also help build their brand.
One author lives on a farm, writes kids’ books about animals, and is familiar with YouTube. We dreamed up a YouTube channel in which she would create videos teaching kids about working with the animals. We know kids watch YouTube, and this author has ready access to the animals, so this idea was a great fit.
Another author is an accomplished public speaker, and she told us she spends a great deal of time answering questions and helping novice speakers figure out how to launch a speaking career. She seemed a natural to open a business as a speaking coach, offering packages at various price-points, to coach people in getting their speaking business started.
A writer who has 20+ years experience as a homeschooler and a leader in the homeschooling movement was excited about the prospect of creating online courses for homeschooling parents.
Each of these side hustles is directly related to the authors’ book topics, but that doesn’t have to be the case. A side hustle can be anything. It can be hard to think of what kind of side hustle might work for you, so I highly recommend Chris Guillebeau’s daily podcast, Side Hustle School. It’s only about 8 minutes long, and every day he shares a story of one person and the side hustle they developed. Some recent interesting side hustles he profiled:
- A person suffering back pain invents a unique laptop stand that solves the problem.
- A marketing executive creates branded candy hearts for businesses.
- An IT manager helps people set up their WordPress websites.
- An expat coaches families on how to settle in another country.
- A scientist has a blog and YouTube channel helping college students with Organic Chemistry.
If you want to read about a whole bunch of side hustles in one place, the new book 100 Side Hustles illustrates the unlimited variety of business ideas, and will spur your imagination.
What do you think? Could a side hustle be right for you? Let us know if you already have one, or if you’re thinking of starting one.
There may be good sidelines for me
when I’m not actually scrivening.
I could plan your garden, plant a tree,
or hew to what’s more frightening.
Perchance start a war, depose a king,
teach a course in picking locks;
or, since my main goal is bling,
liberate Fort Knox.
The beauty of this living arc
of life is that, if I do survive
I’ll have really jumped the shark
and my writing will thus thrive.
Life circles back upon itself;
more story ideas for the shelf!
I’ve been considering what might work for me as a side hustle. I usually need someone else to bounce ideas off of; I’m not that creative at thinking outside the box. 🙂 I appreciate this post and the resource you’ve shared here, Rachelle!
Thanks Rachelle Gardner this is an encouraging word. My side hustle is writing for caregivers, since I am one. My main subject is posting about the craft of writing. I’ve worried about these two different lines for different audiences. I guess it’s all in the way I handle it. Your feedback is welcome.
Deborah, could you provide a reference or link to your writing for caregivers? My wife is one, as I have extremely terminal cancer.
I teach writing courses part time through the Institute of Children’s Literature.
I’m an audiobook narrator and have narrated and/or produced more than a 100 titles over the last 4 years, including many for Books & Such authors. It’s a great side hustle for someone with digital audio equipment and knowledge, a home studio (or access to one), and good reading/speaking skills. The learning curve can be pretty steep if you come into it without any experience, but it is the side hustle that has allowed me to work in this industry full time.
Interesting side job, Becky. Can you give a ink to a few you’ve done?
Hi, Mary Kay. Out of respect for Books & Such, I don’t want to post what might feel like a promo link here, but you can find most of my audiobooks if you search for my name on Audible.com, Amazon, or iTunes. Cheers!
Interesting. My husband and I started a cancer support group at our church years ago. I had just gone through breast cancer diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Starting the group helped us to be blessed while helping others. No pay involved and that was fine with us. The group was to support others.
Wonderful and thoughtful work, Melissa! Supporting and caring for others is a blessing and a privilege, even though exhausting at times. Thank you!
Hope you and your husband are cancer free now. Hugs.
Great encouragement, Rachelle. I started two side hustles that have both turned into something more forefront than I expected: The Rubart Writing Academy my son Taylor and I are running, and audio book narrating. (I’ve voiced seven of my own books, but never anyone else’s till three years ago.) So you never know when a side hustle will surprise you in an extremely rewarding way. Jim