Before I dove head-first into the world of editorial to become a full-time food and travel writer, I was an entertainment publicist for TLC. After launching hit shows such as Here Comes Honey Boo Boo and My Crazy Obsession, I rose up in the company ranks quite quickly and followed a very linear, corporate-esque path to “success.”
But for a 20-something who accomplished so much in so little time, I felt like there was a significant void in my day-to-day life. Did I enjoy what I was doing? Sometimes. Did it tap into my primary interest in writing? Not so much.
So in a desperate attempt to pivot careers, I knew that I would have to take on a side hustle that could evolve into something bigger. This started as various blogging gigs for websites that ranged from entertainment to finance. I even wrote under an alias to avoid an inevitable phone call from H.R (since I was likely in violation of my company employment contract).
This commitment to change eventually morphed into the job I have today, of which I am extremely grateful. But it didn’t come without hard work, sacrifice, and lessons learned along the way. Here are five things I wish I knew before delving into taking on additional, yet more rewarding work.
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1. Exercise patience
Should this side hustle be the job you aspire to have full-time, a transition may not happen overnight. There must be a willingness and openness to know that the process takes time and you’ll likely experience setbacks along the way. In my situation, I begrudgingly accepted work that didn’t directly appeal to me or my interests. This meant copywriting for banks and healthcare companies, both of which were the keyboard tapping equivalent to watching paint dry.
That said, I knew these opportunities would allow me to hone in on my skills so that I could eventually write about the things I enjoyed and write about them well. Don’t just treat a side hustle as a gateway to an end goal. Use it as a unique chance to learn and grow as you await your first big break.
2. Surround yourself with mentors
It is important to surround yourself with people who not only inspire, but are happy to teach you the ins and outs of the industry you’re hoping to excel in. Find mentors who are not only willing to take you under their wing, but also motivate you into absorbing as much knowledge from the path they’ve already forged. This is something you can pay forward once you’ve garnered years of experience and your own career wisdom, because nothing makes the journey more worthwhile than the affirmation you receive from someone you respect and admire.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for favors
I got my first on-air TV segment by reminding an executive producer of a local show that I booked her a handful of A-level talent at TLC. A simple nudge and request can go a long way, especially because smart business professionals never want to burn bridges. Not only did she agree to put me on air, but she also allowed me to continue monthly so that I could develop this talent for communicating and become an asset to the show.
There will be times when people ask the same of you, as with the aforementioned mentorship, and it’s simply good karma to put into the universe what you expect in return. But don’t get greedy and make sure you’re entirely self-aware: There is a fine line between asking and begging and nobody appreciates the latter.
4. Establish some financial security
When I was offered my first full-time editorial gig, I took a $23,000 pay cut. This lifestyle change would not have been possible if I hadn’t spent a few years establishing a foundation of financial security. Through your side hustle, you may be required to take on projects for free, but if it’s something you’re ultra passionate about and it doesn’t *feel* like work, these temporary monetary hardships will be entirely worth it (and you’ll soon be rewarded tenfold!).
If you’re putting out an actual product, keep scale in mind. You don’t want to invest too much money too soon and find yourself in ruin if things don’t work out. This will turn the passion into a source of disdain, which defeats the entire purpose of pursuing a dream. Be smart about the money you invest and consider hiring a financial advisor to weigh in during every step of the way.
5. Take as many risks as possible
The beauty of a side hustle is that you have the opportunity to fail and sometimes fail miserably. Since it’s not your primary source of income, taking risks won’t affect your bottom line. In fact, they may just pay off well enough to make that jump from point A to point B so that you can quit your current job and have your outside work become your daily focus.
Put yourself in uncomfortable positions (such as taking a night class, accepting part-time work, asking a CEO for coffee, or writing for a bank, wink wink) that will help you develop a deeper understanding of not only your chosen career field, but the obstacles you may face along the way (and how you overcame them!). It’s better to suffer and experience defeat and frustration in the beginning phases because this will shed light on whether or not the ultimate objective is worth the struggle. You may need to change directions, put a pause altogether, or (fingers crossed) feel even more motivated to get over these temporary humps and become the best version of yourself. But you’ll never know unless you step out of your routine and challenge your norm.
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