Small Business Tax Center
Small Business Ideas, Grants &
Plans to Start & Run a Business:

Small Business Grants
CyberSchmooz
Network in Cyberschmooz Community Ask Questions Questions and Answers Share Tips Small Business Ideas List Your Business Business Advice from Idea Cafe Experts Coffee Talk with Experts Starting A Business Business Plan Biz Planning | Sample Plans Small Business Ideas Idea Name Your Biz Name Plan Your Biz Plan Financing $ Starting a Business Do It! Running your Business Marketing Tips Promotional Merchandise Marketing Tips Marketing | Sales | Customers Human Resources HR | Employees | Contractors Legal Forms & Tax Information Legal | Biz Forms Managing a Business Managing | Operations
Financing Resources Financing Your Business E Commerce & Webhosting eCommerce Take Out Info Trade Publications FREE Trade Publications Business Books Biz Books Your Own Business Small Business News Small Biz News Gen X Biz Gen X Biz Work at Home Work @ Home Business Information The Fridge - Biz Info on Ice Destress Send Awards Send Awards & Greetings Yoga At Your Desk Yoga @ Your Desk Fun Guide Guide to Find FUN Online About Idea Cafe Press Idea Cafe has received Idea Cafe in the News Idea Cafe's Kudos Kudos for Idea Cafe Advertise on Idea Cafe Advertise on Idea Cafe Privacy Policy Privacy Policy Contact Idea Cafe Contact Idea Cafe Link to Idea Cafe Link to/from Idea Cafe Join Idea Cafe
Search Idea Cafe Site Directory Site Map Online directory to business resources Biz Web Guide



Expert Answers to Biz Questions

Listen in! Pick up some expert advice to a reader's question that we selected from CyberSchmooz.

color business bar

How a Side Gig Makes You More Successful at Your Day Job

 

A side gig can be an awesome way to earn some extra money and help your career. Many people make income and enjoy their hobbies in the gig economy. According to Bankrate.com, more than 44 million adults in the United States have a side hustle. Additionally, Adobe’s Future of Work study found that more than one-third of U.S. workers have more than one occupation. Here are some of the ways the right side gig can help you in your day job:

 

Better Skills

Performing a new task in real life is often more useful than the best course about the subject. At your day job, you may be used to doing the same tasks that require a certain skill set. With a side gig, you're often able to do something completely different, which builds on other skills you have but don't use as often. The additional paycheck also provides excellent motivation for you to work hard, listen to advice from mentors, and learn more so that you can eventually earn more.

A side gig also gives you plenty of time to learn what you need to know. You can start by taking care of one or two tasks for clients every month, and you can increase the time you spend as you acquire new skills, get more popular with clients, and start earning more.

 

Chances to Try New Tasks

You can try several different side gigs until you find something you enjoy. For many people, a part-time job or hobby will eventually become a full-time job. You can start small and try something new while keeping your current job. Trying out new skills gradually helps prevent imposter syndrome or feeling like you don’t deserve your position. You’ll have plenty of time to become confident with your side gig, and you can try a new one easily.

The skills you gain will help you in your day job and make asking for new responsibilities or a higher salary easier. With the extra income you get from your side hustle, you’ll have more time to find another job if you decide that your main career doesn’t make you happy.

 

Networking Ninja

A side gig is a great way to meet new people who share your interests. You can share the latest news and learn more about your industry. A longtime client could recommend you for your next day job or refer new customers. You can also learn about new opportunities through your coworkers or fellow freelancers. Building strong connections with people over time with a side gig is much more effective than attending conventions where everyone is trying to network or trying to make an elevator pitch to someone you don’t know.

 

Be Selective

If you decide to partner with an established company, make sure it is reputable. Don't rely on rumors, but do the fact checking yourself. For example, Amway pyramid scheme rumors flew around for awhile, but a quick Google search shows the company has been a world-wide leader in health and beauty products for years. Look for a side business with a flexible schedule to make balancing your responsibilities simple. You don't want your side gig to be something that drains you or that you dread.

With the right gig, you can meet new people, learn new skills, gain confidence, and find an occupation you’re passionate about.

 [DT1]Can we say this yet?

Google      

Small Business Tax CenterIdea Cafe HomeSign UpBiz Grant CenterCyberSchmoozCoffee Talk with ExpertsPeople in Biz ProfilesStarting Your BizBiz PlanningRunning Your BizFREE Trade PublicationsMarketingFinancing Your BizHuman ResourcesLegal & Biz FormsManaging Your BizeCommerceYou and Your BizGen XWork@HomeThe FridgeDe-StressSend an AwardSend an eGreetingYoga @ Your DeskWeb GuideIdea Cafe in the NewsAbout Idea CafeAdvertise on Idea CafeContact UsPrivacy PolicySite MapSmall Biz News

Copyright 1995-2024, Idea Cafe Inc. Downloads are for personal use only, not for resale to others, and may not be reprinted in any form without written permission from Idea Cafe Inc.

DISCLAIMER: We hope whatever you find on this site is helpful, but be cautioned that it may not apply to your own situation, or be totally current at any given time. Idea Cafe Inc. and all of its current and past experts, sponsors, advertisers, agents, contractors and advisors disclaim all warranties with regard to anything found anywhere on this family of websites, quoted from, or sent from Idea Cafe. and its related sites, publications and companies. We also take no responsibility for comments published by others on these pages.

TRADEMARKS: The following are Registered Trademarks or Servicemarks of DevStart, Inc.: Idea Cafe®, Online Coffee Break®, The Small Business Gathering Place®, Take out Info®, Biz Bar & Grill®, Complaint-O-Meter®, A Fun Approach to Serious Business™, CyberSchmooz™, and BizCafe™.