When it comes to starting and growing a side hustle, having access to the best side hustle strategies is one of the things that will allow you to make decisions quickly.
Just getting started? Find out where you should be focusing your time and forget about the rest…
Ready to grow, baby grow? Find out what your next steps are to take your side hustle to the next level…
Time to throw in the towel on your day job and go full-time in your side biz? Learn what strategies matter most…
15 Top Side Hustle Strategies
Let's start at the beginning. Below you'll find the best side hustle strategies for just getting started in your side hustle. Then as you move through the blog post, you'll discover strategies for growing your side hustle as well as what to do when you decide to call it quits in your day job and go all in on your side biz.
I'm excited to see how things pan out for you in the next 90 days.
Starting a Side Hustle
Strategy #1: Choose a profitable idea
This is one of the biggest mistakes I see new business and blog owners make — not making sure that their idea is going to be profitable.
If you don't know if your idea is going to make you money, how can you plan for world domination?!
It also helps if you've got an idea or skill that you can start your side hustle with, but if you don't, then you definitely need a bit of help.
Don't skip this step. Having an idea and then validating it is key to your successful side business helping YOU achieve your income dreams and goals.
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ACTION STEPS:
Join: The Side Hustle 7-Day Challenge
Read: How to Start a Side Hustle and Make an Extra $1000 in 30 Days
Read: 5 Side Hustle Businesses You Could Start Today
Read: How to Start a Side Hustle With Zero Funds
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Strategy #2: Choose the right business model
I feel that a lot of us want to start a business because we have to or because we want a different life and we do so without really thinking things through and looking at the types of business models available and figuring out what will work for us.
There are many options, and often the fastest (and easiest?!) path to earning some cash is through providing services, like starting your side hustle as a freelancer, consultant, copywriter, virtual assistant etc.
But if you don't want to be swapping your day job or another ‘trading time for money' situation, then a service-based business probably isn't the right option for you (although I'd recommend it's where you start).
If you'd rather work from home, out of a co-working space or even your local cafe and then scale the hours you work based on YOUR needs, not the needs of a client, then you'll need to decide if you want active or residual income or a mix of both.
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ACTION STEPS:
Read: 5 Ways to Determine the Type of Side Business You Want to Run
Read: How These Business Owners Picked the Right Side Hustle
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Strategy #3: Create your website
Make life a little easier on yourself and get your website set up as soon as possible.
Why?
Because then you can start building your email list, which is one of the most important things you can do when getting started with your side hustle.
But you can't exactly build a list if you don't have an online home to send people too, right?
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ACTION STEPS:
Read: How to Setup Your WordPress Website (includes tutorial videos)
Watch: How to Setup Your Squarespace Website
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Strategy #4: Figure out pricing
Now you need to figure out what amount you're going to charge for your side hustle. Easier said than done it might seem…
But once you understand the simple formula behind pricing your products or services, it makes life a lot easier.
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ACTION STEPS:
Read: The Ultimate #1 Formula for Pricing Your Products or Services (includes free rate calculator spreadsheet!)
Read: 7 Important Things to Keep in Mind When Pricing Your Offer
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Growing a Side Hustle
Strategy #5: Create your goal card
I'm not a fan of business plans… I've never created one for my own business because my business doesn't really ‘fit' the standard business plan.
Instead, I like to have a goal card for each year instead. This sets your intentions, financial targets, timeline, and the value you'll deliver.
I find doing this is a much better way of laying out the bones of my business for the year and makes me accountable.
Grab the FREE Goal Card template and read about how to use it here: https://hustleandgroove.com/one-page-business-plan
Strategy #6: Create your vision, mission, and values
This is where things start to get a bit more ‘businessy' but not so much that this is hard to do.
This is just a one-pager that allows you to keep your vision, mission, and values front and center, so that you know who you're serving and why.
Grab your FREE template and read about how to use it here: https://hustleandgroove.com/setting-vision-mission-and-values
Strategy #7: Grow your email list
If you haven't already, you need to be capturing emails and building your email list. Why?
Because you own your email list! This means that you don't have to pay for advertising your latest product or service if you've got an engaged list of people who love what you produce.
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ACTION STEPS:
Read: Why do I Need an Email List (and how to get started)
Read: 10 Ways to Build Your Email List
Read: How to Find Ideas for Your Best Lead Magnet (that convert!)
Read: How to Create Lead Magnets Using Canva (video tutorial and cheat sheet included)
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Strategy #8: Master your schedule
If you want to grow your business, then you need to get a handle on your schedule. This doesn't mean you need to fill every hour of every day, it just means you need to know when you're working and when you're not.
You need to stick to deadlines and ensure that you're not dropping the ball when it comes to managing your client projects.
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ACTION STEPS:
Read: 7 Powerful Tips to Help Manage Your Schedule (without going insane!)
Read: 5 Time Management Strategies That Will Save You Money
Read: How to Create an Evening Routine for Better Success
Read: The Ultimate Guide for Creating a Successful Morning Routine
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Strategy #9: Automate tasks
Automation is one of my favourite strategies to help you grow your side business, because it frees up more of your time so you can focus on doing the things that make you the most money.
I also love automation because you don't have to deal with people like when you hire a Virtual Assistant or outsource.
And while there's nothing wrong with having a VA and outsourcing, there are times where you just don't want to deal with people, and this is where automation comes in.
Things you should consider automating:
- Social media posts
- Sharing blog posts
- Email sequences
- Todo lists
Those are just a few of the things you can automate with tools like IFTTT and Zaiper, both of which I use.
ACTION STEPS:
Check out the following ‘recipes' or ‘applets' to help automate areas within your business:
– IFTTT: Tweet Instagram Photos to Your Twitter feed
– IFTTT: Automatically Tweet's What You Favorite in Pocket
– IFTTT: Tweet's Your WordPress Blog Posts
– IFTTT: Sync iOS Contacts to a Google Spreadsheet
– IFTTT: Track your Side Hustle Hours in Google Spreadsheet
– Zapier: Add new Teachable Customers to a ConvertKit Sequence (search for this)
– Zapier: Add ConvertKit Subscribers to a Google Spreadsheet (search for this)
– Zapier: Create Trello Cards from New Gmail Emails (search for this)
– Zapier: Create new Trello Cards from Typeform Entries (search for this)
– Zapier: Create Trello Cards from New Evernote notes (search for this)
– Zapier: Add New Todoist Tasks to Google Calendar as Events (search for this)
– Zapier: Backup Evernote Notes to Dropbox (search for this)
– Zapier: Tweet Posts from a Facebook Page (search for this)
Zapier provides you with multi-app zaps. When you log into Zapier, you'll be provided with a list of apps and all you have to do is choose the ones you use and then Zapier will provide you with a list of all the zaps they currently have in place!
Read: How to Use CoSchedule to Manage Your Blog Calendar and Social Media Scheduling
Go All In on Your Side Biz
Strategy #10: Create a strategic plan
Before you can escape your J.O.B. you need to have a strategic plan of how your business is going to run once you're full-time.
This strategic plan is high-level only — don't worry about all the nitty-gritty details yet, that's for the next step!
Watch the FREE video tutorial and learn about how to use it here: https://hustleandgroove.com/simple-strategic-plan
Strategy #11: Create a 90-day plan
Take what you've written down in your strategic plan and then map out the first 90-days with all the nitty-gritty details of how you're going to achieve those goals.
You're going to work in 90-day stretches because things can change quickly and you need to have the ability to pivot. By sticking to 90-day plans rather than a yearly plan, you'll be able to adjust quickly and change tack as needed.
Grab your FREE 90-Day Plan template and read about how to use it here: https://hustleandgroove.com/the-90-day-plan
Strategy #12: Pick a date!
Now that you've got your strategic plan in place and your first 90-days mapped out for when you go full-time, you need to pick an exit date!
There are a couple of things that you'll also need to consider in conjunction with picking an exit date:
#1: How much money do you need in your emergency cash fund? Aim for at least 3 months worth.
#2: Do you have a dedicated home office at home? If not, where will you work?
When I decided on my exit date, I gave myself a good 6 months to get things in place and build up my client base so that I could at least cover the bills.
Pick a date and work backward from there.
Read: Why You Need an Emergency Cash Fund
Strategy #13: Grow your team
It's time — time to hire some peeps to help you run your business. While automation is awesome, there will come a time where you just need another pair of eyes on all that you're doing.
At the very least, a virtual assistant is on the cards. And don't worry, you can start off with just 5 hours a month if that's all you need. But get the help now, while you're still in your J.O.B. and then scale their hours the closer you get to your exit date!
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ACTION STEPS:
Read: 7 Ways to Outsource Work When You're a Control Freak!
Read: How to Outsource Tasks to a VA
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Strategy #14: Continue growing your email list
It's time to increase your list building strategies. No matter what stage you are at in your business, list building remains your #1 strategy to get new people interested in what you're doing.
Without email subscribers, your business will die.
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ACTION STEPS:
Read: Small Website Tweaks You Can Make to Increase Email Subscribers
Read: How to Write Awesome Email Subject Lines That Get Opened
Read: How to Setup Automated Email Sequences for Your Blog
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Strategy #15: Get the right tools
To ensure your side business continues to grow and expand once you go full-time, you need to make sure you've got the right tools in place.
And you don't need a ton of tools, you just need the right ones that work for you and your business.
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ACTION STEPS:
Read: The 6 Business Tools I Use to Run My Business
Read: The Resources I Use Daily in My Business
Read: The Best Work Productivity Apps & Tools For a Successful Online Business
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Use these side hustle strategies wisely and implement them at the appropriate time in your business. These are ALL the side hustle strategies I've used to create the life that I love and a sustainable business that truly makes a difference in peoples lives.
77 replies to "15 Top Side Hustle Strategies to Master Your Business"
This was such good information! I just started my blog and am thinking about starting a small photography business in the near future, so this is really useful information for me to think of!
I’m glad you found it helpful Alexandra! Good luck on both fronts 🙂
Well articulated and informative points you made there worth bookmarking for offline reading.
Thanks Gideon, I try 😉
These are some great tips to all you need to do to try and get the perfect strategies in motion for making a successful business.
Thanks for commenting Sarah.
I’m still in the early planning stages and currently doing research as to whether my ideas would be profitable. This post certainly gives me a lot to consider and will be a great reference!
I’m glad you found it helpful Jen 🙂
The article is very informative and helpful. I don’t have a business yet but this will come handy. I like how detailed this post is.
You can do it Hannah!
I think launching your business is all about preparation and that’s what make it successful. Finding a profitable idea means finding a need that customers have and providing a solution in the end. automating everything saves so much time
I completely agree with you. Preparation is key.
I love making lists!
This blog is perfect! It explains step by step. I always think if you’re going to execute an idea you always need to make a list.
I tend to make lists; sometimes they can seem negative because I just want to get things done! But this is perfect! It helps me apply it not to just running my own business but in life as well.
Agree Miranda, lists are great, but you need to execute as well, otherwise, the lists are just lists.
I’d like to start my own business one day. So this article was quite helpful. What’s that old saying? Follow your dreams or you will spend the rest of your life working for someone who did.
Exactly, love that saying!
This is so helpful! I am keeping this all in mind for sure. I might start a side hustle one day.
I love side hustles, they are the best way to test ideas and see if you even enjoy it.
Creating an e-mail list is the most underrated thing in the world of blogging and e-commerce. I am still baffled by how many people are missing out on traffic by not having a newsletter or automated system that lets readers know that there is new content. It’s crazy.
I agree Gloria, but it’s because when you’re getting started, you aren’t thinking about an email list, you’re thinking about everything else you need to do!
An amazing article. I want to start a business with a friend, in a wedding department. I have to admit that this article was really helpful, full of information. Thank you so much for sharing it.
Good luck Cristina!
These are all great tips for a business. I love the idea of creating a goal card every year so you can clearly see where you are going and how to get there.
It’s one of my fav things to do each year Paula, so I’ve got a visual representation of what I’m shooting for and can refer to daily.
I actually have a side job myself: photography! So rewarding to have that bit of extra income!
It really is Jessica, congrats!
Mastering a schedule is vital. I was far more productive when I organized my time.
I couldn’t agree more Angela. As I say to my hubby, if it’s not in the schedule, it’s not gonna happen!
These are the perfect points for mastering ones business. I love the idea about creating a goal card. It helps in keeping a tab of where we are headed to and in which direction. Cheers!!
Thanks, goal cards are awesome, glad you found it helpful 🙂
starting a business or a blog is not always an easy thing, but we can become successful only if we make good plans, I really love the steps you have put down, they are great.
I completely agree Reginald, thanks for your comments!
Wow these are some really great tips for a a successful business. Thanks for sharing your knowledge
You’re welcome Aareeba
I like these key points, very helpful to keep my freelance business. Thank you for these tips and I will bookmarked it.
You’re so welcome Blair 🙂
These are all really great tips! I love the goal card idea, what a new and fun way to keep you focused! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Nicole, I love the goal card idea too, helps to keep me visually inspired.
Hi Lise.
Thanks for this awesome self explanatory article.
I’m definitely going to look into working on my email list.
Again thanks for this.
You’re so welcome Seun 🙂
Great information! Thanks for the great ideas, I can’t wait to apply these to grow my Etsy shop when I reopen!(:
I’m glad you enjoyed them Kaitlin. Good luck with your Etsy shop reopen!
Thanks for all the tips. I feel like building my email list is the most difficult part.
Hi Jaye, yes, building an email list can be daunting, but it’s about consistency. Doing something every day to build your list is key.
This is a very well thought out guide. Happily, I’ve done many of these things…but now I just need to GROW!
Thanks Rochelle, glad you enjoyed it.
I love how many people are pursuing side hustles these days! There’s nothing better than taking something you’re really passionate about and making money off it. These are some great tips!
Thanks Indya, I agree. Side Hustles are the way of the future 🙂
My now full time gig was once my side hustle. These are wonderful tips.
Congrats on making the transition, Jenny!
Creating a goal card sounds like something I should try. It helps you work towards your goal harder when you write it down.
It absolutely does! I love goal cards 🙂
I like to think of my blog as my side hustle but must admit I didn’t use any of these strategies but something to think about.
Everyone has a different process Anosa, as long as you’re happy with where your blog is at, I say keep doing what you’re doing 🙂
Creating goals are so vital to our overall success. Strategy #11 creating a 90 day plan is something I’ve done for so long without even thinking about. Great information thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome Jay, thanks for commenting
Research goes a long way in whether or not a business is successful. Goal cards sound really satisfying, like crossing line items off with a red pen!
Goal cards are awesome, makes sticking to them a lot easier too!
So many good actions to take. I am excited to learn about IFTTT and Zaiper.
You’ll love them Jen, they make life so much easier!
This was filled to the brim with great information! Thanks for even linking further resources in order to take action for certain steps. Love the idea of a side hustle, and will start thinking and see if it’s for me.
I’m glad it was helpful Sondra, hopefully, you’ll see what idea is going to work for you.
Great information and ideas when beginning a side hustle. My blogging goal is to hire a VA next year that can help me accomplish even bigger goals. I’m reaching for the stars!
You’ll do it!
You posted so much good information that I would need days to digest it all. I love having a side hustle, something where I can make quick money on the side. Thank you for the ideas to enhance my side ventures.
You’re so welcome Dona 🙂
All of these are great tips! I need to get going on my email list. It’s something I never really thought about doing before, but it would make a lot of sense as I grow.
Oh my Alania, yes, do you the email list NOW. So, so important. In fact, this is even more important that writing blog posts!!
Your list is very extensive. It just proves how much hard work goes into a financial gain.
Agree. Hard work pays off though 🙂
This is very helpful and informative. I am planning to entermthr business worldmand I’m nervous. Thanks for the tips.
Some good pointers here to start your own business. I would never spend too much on the website. I would prefer getting one rented on a monthly basis until I am sure of the business and where it is heading !!!
Absolutely, you don’t need to spend a ton on a website, but renting one isn’t always a good option either. You can build your own with sites like Squarespace for less than $20 a month and it looks amazing and professional 🙂
These are great strategies. Very detailed and a great plan to help get your side hustle moving.
Marie
Ladies Make Money Online
Thanks Marie, appreciate your comment and kind words 🙂
I can’t get past the “choose a profitable idea” part…
Hi Amy, what part of it can’t you get past… is it more you can’t figure out what a profitable idea is? If that’s the case, check out the free Side Hustle 7-Day Challenge, as that will get you sorted. You can find that here: https://hustleandgroove.com/side-hustle-7-day-challenge