Tips on creating a successful side hustle
As the workplace continues to evolve post-COVID, working a normal 9 to 5 job seems to be a thing of the past. (Sorry, Dolly.)
It may seem like everyone has a side hustle these days and according to research that’s true. Upwork reported that there has been an increase in freelancers. In 2022, 39 percent of the U.S. workforce was comprised of freelancers—up from 36 percent in 2021.
There are a lot of reasons people are choosing to freelance: higher pay, flexibility, and better work-life balance. About 77 percent of freelancers reported lower stress levels than people who work in a traditional office (Nerd Wallet).
That’s one reason local consultant Jennifer Rowland made the switch.
Before moving to Lynchburg, Rowland had a successful mental health practice in Pittsburgh. But when the pandemic hit, she started to feel burned out.
“It was overwhelming,” she said. “Suddenly we couldn’t leave our house and I no longer loved what I did. I loved helping people, but I didn’t love the business side of having a practice.”
At the end of 2021, Rowland decided to close her business and start freelancing as a career consultant and coach—which allowed her better work-life balance while still being able to continue her passion.
Nearly three years later, Rowland’s business has grown as she works with businesses to help them rebuild their culture post-COVID. But it didn’t
happen overnight.
“Freelancing is ultimately about the long game,” she said. “It can be a struggle to consistently find work. But you must keep it up and build your connections and trust.”
If you’re interested in freelancing, Rowland says start with finding your niche.
“What are you passionate about? What do you love about your current job but wish you could do more of?” Rowland said. “Once you start asking those questions, find a community of like-minded individuals who are in your industry.”
One of the first things Rowland did when she moved to Lynchburg was to join the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance.
“I wanted to connect with other coaches and consultants in the area,” she said. “People would tell me I needed to meet this coach or this consultant. I finally asked myself, ‘Why are we not getting together and talking about what each of us is doing?’”
Rowland decided to create a monthly meet-up where she and other consultants could meet to chat and share what each of them were doing.
“People start freelancing and feel like they’re on their own,” she said. “But we’re better together. When you get together with other like-minded folks, you can pick each other’s brains, encourage one another, and even make referrals.”
Rowland believes that having a community can make you more successful.
“Each of us is doing different things or reaching different industries,” she said. “And if we get a new client and it’s not a good fit, then we know who
to recommend. We want to celebrate each other’s success, not compete with one another.”
Once you find your niche, Rowland says to establish a business plan.
“What are your goals? What type of clients are you looking for? Your business plan can help you in the downtime between jobs or clients,” she said.” You can turn your attention to tasks that you usually don’t have time for like following up with connections via email or working on your website.”
It should also be a time to focus on your people skills.
“I recently spoke at an event with college students and many of them asked how to network,” she explained. “Networking takes practice. You need to have self-awareness and be able to read people. If you’re an introvert, that can be a little harder. But finding local networking events and practicing can help you feel more confident.”
Ultimately, being a successful freelancer comes down to not giving up.
“Freelancers have an entrepreneurial spirit,” she said. “You keep going. You keep sending emails and following up. You lean on your community for support. I tell people that what you consider quirks are your superpower. You have something new and different to bring to the table.”
