While publications and even blogs are paying less these days, resulting in even more emphasis on content writing/provision, yet another stream of income for writers is gaining momentum. Known as the side hustle, it was a hot topic at this year’s conference, and the source of this lucre can be as varied as writing genres themselves.
Along with speaking on and penning one of many articles on the subject, “Mr. Side Hustle” aka longtime member Damon Brown is also the author of The Bite-Sized Entrepreneur, in which he relates how he created two successful apps and gives step-by-step information on how to turn your clever idea into a profitable reality. The follow-up, The Productive Bite-Sized Entrepreneur offers up practical methods to maximize your time without burning yourself out. “I never intended to be an entrepreneur,” he has said. “But when I came up with first app, So Quotable, I was getting ready to propose to my now-wife.” By the time it was scheduled to launch “I had bought my first home and we had our first kid.” Then “a colleague helping out on the tech side bailed,” and he also found himself learning programming language “with one hand while rocking my newborn in my other, spare arm.” Yet it has paid off, not only monetarily but also in terms of advancing his platform and overall career.
Member Lauren Starkey came up with a lucrative and fulfilling side hustle directly related to her writing specialty. While her background was in educational publishing—she began her career working with the American Reading Program for the Oxford English Dictionary—when she first struck out on her own as a freelancer, “I was approached by Kaplan and McGraw-Hill to write test prep.” As she slowly built her business, she became the National College Admissions Examiner for examiner.com which, although it paid hardly anything, helped build her brand. Since the early 2000s, she has penned several books on the subject, including Write Your Way into College, two volumes covering the SAT and college application essays.
So when she saw a gap in test prep, she jumped into it. “There were, and in many places still are, only two practical alternatives for admission test preparation: expensive, lengthy programs and voluminous books that kids have neither the time nor inclination to open.” So she created SAT Bootcamp, a four-hour workshop for high school students initially held at various community centers near her home in Essex, Vermont. Since its inception in 2006, it has expanded throughout the state and region, and Lauren is now being contacted by high schools to present it to classes. She’s also considering creating a webinar and growing geographically. “It’s good to know that if something happened to a major writing client, I could turn my attention to this” without an interruption in income.
But writers also take side jobs which are often unrelated to the person’s area of expertise. Although like many journalists, member Suzanne Boles teaches writing for publication and copywriting (at Western University Continuing Studies) on a regular basis, she also offers an Airbnb to students and tourists visiting her home town of London, Ontario, Canada. “I purchased a three-story condominium after my husband passed away in 2013,” she remarks. “Since I work alone, I thought it might be interesting to rent out the downstairs which has its own private suite.” Rather than taking on the responsibility of a permanent tenant and all the hassle that might entail, she opted for the Airbnb route, which allowed her the freedom to pick and choose the times she wanted visitors. “This turned out so much better than I expected,” she continues. Along with a relatively easy way of supplementing her income, “Each of us does our own thing and if they want to get together for a meal or walk into town, all the better.” Not to mention the almost 50 positive reviews since she started in 2015, making her an Airbnb Superhost. “So far it’s been a win-win for everybody.”
Another option, the microjob, offers a quick burst of cash. These are basically one-offs and could involve work outside the home—mystery shopping or helping out a caterer—to computer-based jobs, like tagging photos or offering one’s services on a website like Fiverr. They are on an as-needed basis and may pay less, depending on what you’ll be doing, so it’s best to check the reliability of the company before taking it on. Still they can help fill in the cash flow gaps and fairly easily, especially if it’s related to a skill you already have.
Regardless of the type or duration of the outside gig, planning is essential. “It can become overwhelming if everything hits at once,” admits Lauren, who has faced converging writing deadlines and icy winter drives to do her presentations. “The key is to try to plan in advance.”
There are non-monetary rewards as well. “I’ve met many wonderful and fascinating people; some have come for return visits and have begun to feel like family,” says Suzanne.
Adds Lauren: “It is gratifying to know that I can help these students and still do my creative work.”
Tune in to hear Damon Brown talk about ‘Profitable Side Hustles for Freelance Writers’ in Shop Talk on July 12th. Register here.