Side Hustle Pro Tips: How To Start A Side Hustle In 10 Easy Steps

Your quickest route to a successful side hustle is utilizing the skills you already have. Whether it's graphic design, writing, coding, or teaching, applying your current expertise means you can hit the ground running without needing to learn something completely new.

If you have skills that can easily be applied to your side hustle, use them! Of course, however, if you’re looking to completely pivot in what you currently do, then you may have a steep learning curve in the beginning.

The power of daily dedication cannot be overstated, especially when you’re in the early phases of a business. Commit to working on your side hustle every day, even if it's just for five minutes.

Treat your side hustle like an important meeting that you cannot miss - you are your own boss, and that means you need to get strict with yourself sometimes! That means that even on the nights you really want to sit and watch TV, just ticking a few quick tasks off your side hustle to-do list will make all the difference.

Finding a niche with less competition can be a game-changer if your number one goal is to generate income quickly. Targeting an under-utilized niche ultimately allows your side hustle to stand out more easily and can lead to quicker traction in the market.

This applies whether you’re setting up a physical store, selling services such as freelance writing, or doing something a little more unconventional.

If you’re not sure what you want to do, try researching potential niches thoroughly to identify areas you might be interested in with high demand but low supply, setting the stage for your very own unique offering!

An under-saturated niche is key, but ultimately, your passion for the subject is what will sustain you during challenging times.

Choose a side hustle that excites you, something you can envision working on even after a long day at your primary job. While generating an income should be a key concern, if you don’t love what you’re building then it simply will not last.

If possible, you’ll choose a combination of the three things listed above: an existing skill, an undersaturated niche, and something you’re passionate about. My first ever side hustle was as a freelance writer, which suited my skills perfectly as a full-time content writer. It was something I loved to do, too - the next step was to find a niche that I could carve out a space of my own.

You're not alone in your side hustle journey. Many have trod this path before and will have valuable insights to share. This could be for free, via social media or blog posts, or you might choose to look into taking a paid course.

Which avenue you choose to go down depends on your current situation. Free education may mean you have a longer journey in building your side hustle as you trial and error different things, whereas paying for a course means a higher financial investment but a quicker path to the “right” way to do things.

Before diving too deep into the day-to-day running of your side hustle, ensure your infrastructure is solid. This means setting up a business bank account, registering for self-assessment, establishing your online presence through a website and social channels, and preparing a portfolio if necessary (for example, if you’re going to be freelancing as a writer or graphic designer).

These foundations not only professionalize your hustle but also streamline your operations and financial management from the get-go - so you can focus on building your business on solid foundations.

In the dynamic world of side hustles, it's easy to get sidetracked by new ideas and trends. Try to block out any distractions from others - shiny object syndrome is real, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing new projects all the time without actually focusing on one thing!

Focus is key. Commit to your chosen path and resist the temptation to pivot at every new opportunity, even if others seem to have had greater success doing something a slightly different way. Don’t be rigid if you have to adapt as your business grows, but maintaining your focus will help you build depth and expertise in your niche, which is invaluable for long-term success.

A good way to do this is to simply choose your side hustle strategy and then keep your head down. It can be easy to get sucked into scrolling through endless accounts of people doing similar things to you and be tempted to adapt your plan to match theirs. A louder voice doesn’t always equal an authoritative voice - have trust in yourself and get the work done.

Sharing your side hustle with friends and family can be daunting, but their support is invaluable in those early stages.

Being open about your endeavors can be one of the best ways to open new doors for your side hustle - whether that’s being recommended to new clients by your friends, having the opportunity to build up your portfolio through work experience from people in your network with established businesses, or simply getting a few extra follows on your social media channels.

Some of my first ever clients were friends of friends, who passed on my contact details through word of mouth. It can be intimidating to put yourself out there, but connections via your existing network can be so key.

Sometimes, having a side hustle can be a real slog. In the beginning especially, you’ll be putting a lot in and wondering just what, exactly, you’re getting out of it. Keep telling yourself: you're making these sacrifices today - be it financially, time, socially, whatever - so that next year you'll be in a far better position.

The initial stages of a side hustle often demand significant sacrifices in terms of time, money, and social life. Remind yourself that these short-term investments are building blocks for your future.

Time will pass anyway, and the worst thing that can happen is you fail. So just start! Procrastination is the enemy of progress. Remember, the perfect time seldom arrives, so embrace your side hustle journey and begin.

Take that first step, no matter how small. Each action you take builds momentum, and even if you encounter failure, it's an invaluable part of the learning process.