Setting up a successful side hustle online is such an exciting thing! The current state of our economy proves that having multiple sources of income is a must. Well… it’s been proven, but now it’s just a more blaring reminder.
The Internet has become a “millionaire maker”. But the magic is not just in the medium (which is all the Internet is). It’s in the successful pairing of the marketer and the medium.
The secret is out… all over the Internet. There is not just one way to earn extra income online. There is a multitude of ways.
The trick is to find the way that best suits you, your goals, and your business.
At the same time, there are some basics… you know, the fundamentals… that will work all the time; year after year.
The problem is that most people want to skip the fundamentals. They keep looking for the next “big thing” and as a result leave money… and their opportunities for a successful side hustle online on the table.
Whether you’re looking to build an online empire or just earn some extra cash to pay off your car or mortgage, it’s possible.
Now, I’m no Internet superstar… by any means. But I have learned some basic fundamentals that are solid and they work. I do them consistently and therefore I consistently earn extra income. Is it millions… nope, not yet.
Well, then what’s the point?
Well for me, the point is I have the freedom to manage my own time, work when and how I want, spend time with my family, and do whatever else I choose to do. That’s what’s important to me. And time freedom is at the top of my must-have list. You gotta know what’s important to you. Now figuring that out is beyond the scope of this particular post.
BUT… if you already know that you want to explore this wonderful medium called the Internet and build a legitimate business (maybe a side hustle?)… more specifically, if you want to do it by leveraging your ideas, knowledge, and expertise…
Then there are some important things to consider – 6 Crucial Steps to a Successful Side Hustle Online
1. Do your research and “use what you got”
Ideally, you want to take something you are already skilled at or some expertise that you have and build your online business around it.
One of the best ways to capitalize on that is by offering a service online. Another way, the one that I prefer, is to offer what’s in your head. Huh? Yep… you do that by creating Information Products (ebooks, audios, webinars, etc.).
Associated expenses can be extremely low and it’s not difficult to do. So do the research. Find out if there is a viable market for what you want to offer.2
2. As much as possible, have a passion for what you pick
This should be easy enough. We’re talking about taking something you’re already good at and building a business around it. It might be hard to find others interested in what you care so much about, but you’d be surprised at how many weird niches there are in the online world. Just be prepared to tweak your idea a bit if necessary.
3. Don’t get tricked by schemes
There are so many ways to get rich? Do you think so by any chance? No, not really, there are. But all you need is one. The problem with the Internet is that you have so many new methods, strategies, and million-dollar payday makers coming at you that it’s easy to get distracted.
So, find one plan… set up one business model… have one mentor… start with one. Put your head down and dig in… Make that a success and then add the new shiny stuff.
Don’t get distracted by something new every week. You’ll look up a year later in the same exact spot you were when you started. Once you get the fundamental tactics down, run with them. It won’t be new tactics that’ll cause you to succeed… It’ll be the action and effort you put into actually doing the tactics you already know.
4. Follow a proven model for success
Find a mentor… Someone who’s successfully done what you’re looking to do. And then do what they tell you to do or copy what they do. It is actually as simple as that.
Who you can follow as your business mentor can be anyone that you want to resemble and reflect the proven way of success in your side hustle business. So it’s a side hustle now, but it isn’t abnormal to become a full-time business or mega giant successful business just starting from a small side hustle online one day.
5. Be ready to put in the time
Anybody who sells you a wolf ticket saying you can have a successful business while barely working is lying. I’ve been an entrepreneur for a long time. (I started selling socks online when I was 18)
Having a successful business or even a side hustle online takes time and hard work. Now, once you have systems in place and you have things automated and are delegating responsibilities, you may not have to do as much, but don’t be fooled… There will always be some type of work involved.
Different stages of business require different levels of work but you never escape it. The key is to do something you enjoy so that the work is more fulfilling. And when you have the means, outsource what’s not enjoyable or what’s not the best use of your time.
But don’t be fooled. be ready to put in the work. If you’re not ready to work, then you’re not ready for the financial freedom, successful side hustles online, or whatever it may be that you say you want.
6. Be patient with the process
Whenever you’re building something significant, it takes time. Everything has a process. So be patient.
It will probably need you to lay the right foundation and try to enjoy the process. Just like any local business, an online business takes time to build, market, get traffic, find the right customers…
it’s not an overnight process. No matter how much you think someone is an overnight success, trust, there are some hours of preparation and hard work that you don’t see.
Don’t give up too soon. It’s important to be patient.
