5 side... okay fine, maybe, main... hustles as you start your writing journey and where to find them
Because rent is always due... literally every month.
Whether you're working on a novel, screenplay, or building your freelancing portfolio, you might be quickly realizing that “following your passion” doesn't always / ever pay the bills. I started taking my writing seriously in 2020 and since then it’s been exciting, terrifying, and unprofitable—for now.
In 2020, I was exiting my personal assistant gig and focusing on my marketing jobs, then in 2022 I got onto the Blacklist. Then there was a strike and a major constriction but what has been able to keep me in the game is my “day job” which is my “side hustle” although it takes up most of my time. I don’t mind that because I know what my end goal is and to get there, I need to pay my rent.
That’s where the side hustle comes in. But not just any side hustle — because working a job that drains your creative energy is counterproductive. You want something that supports your dream, not something that crushes your soul completely.
If you work in the film industry, you already know it’s a gig economy. Even my day job of marketing is gig-to-gig work because I never entered the studio system on a salaried job. I am contracted by certain companies for longer periods of time and doing quick in and out’s for others. Some months are great, some are… not so great and then come April of every year, I owe A LOT in taxes.
So, let’s get into it. Here are five side gigs that pair surprisingly well with a creative lifestyle. It takes a while to get going on many of these and they definitely aren’t glamorous and while I personally think mixing and matching, diversifying your skill set is the way to go, some people do niche in on just one.
I also know how draining applying to jobs are but it’s a lot of luck and timing to get your first in. I think if you are getting 1-5 responses for every 50-100 resume submissions. You’re doing just fine in this market. If you bunch that up into submitting 5-10 a day it doesn’t feel quite as daunting. And personally, I think being able to pay your bills and having one less thing to stress on, allows your creativity to flow more freely.
1. Freelance Writing Gigs
Whilst many businesses and folks are running to AI tools - many are still in need of copywriters! You can write:
Product reviews
Social media posts
Email newsletters
Blog posts
Tip - keep everything you’ve ever written!! These can be used as samples for when you’re just starting out. Offer to do a few free posts to show your expertise.
Where to look for these gigs:
My first suggestion is to always RESEARCH! Make a list of 100 small companies in your hometown whose social media channels or websites you’ve noticed could be improved. Email them with suggestions on ways you could improve their social media or web presence and see if you pique anyone’s interest.
Websites:
Upwork - my personal favorite, once I had done a few small businesses around my town, i set up my profile here and was able to start taking in about 2-3 clients a week. It was really hard to get my first few clients so don’t give up!
LinkedIn - look for contract positions or reach out to companies
Otta - this kind of conglomerates different bigger jobs but it’s very user-intuitive!
Freelancer - a classic, similar to fiverr in the set up process.
Braintrust - a newbie on the block but a lot of tech type companies are using it.
Fiverr - this is definitely a place where if you can create an impressive showcase of your work along with a lot of templated work, you can almost make a very seamless stream of new client coming in.
I don’t love indeed it just gives me too many sketch vibes lol
Social Media: Local facebook groups for businesses and small business owners
IRL: Commerce groups
Bonus - this type of job can really allow you to practice your craft and also free yourself from the obsession with perfection. When you’ve got multiple due dates, you can’t be perfect for every single project and you’ll discover your 75% often looks like 100%.
2. Virtual Assistant Gigs
If you don’t mind scheduling and organizing and then a lot of at-random tasks like finding lost passwords and calling companies on behalf of someone else, this is a great gig. Make sure you understand excel sheets, the google suite, outlook, and enjoy long chats with customer service reps.
Tip - make sure your resume shines in all of these areas - showcasing that you love make other people’s lives easier.
Where to look for these gigs:
Online: Upwork, linkedin, Flexjobs
This reddit post is a MECCA of information too.
Research: find an industry you like or are interested in (NOT ENTERTAINMENT, these people all have very real, very underpaid assistants already) research a few mid-tier companies and start ups. Email or message on Linkedin some of the higher-ups. Ask if there is any work they need help with, outsourced and tell them you’ll do it on a trial basis to show you know what you’re doing.
3. Secretary x Assistant x Front Desk Gigs
These are not glamorous but if you end up with a nice boss, oftentimes you can sneak in work on your passion projects on the clock. Think wide on these, not just entertainment — hair salons, med spas, car dealerships, dentist, doctor, lawyers, small businesses, construction companies, realtors. Almost every company across all industries, who have a “store front” tend to have someone managing their front desk.
Where to look for these gigs:
Online: Linkedin, entertainmentcareers, Ziprecruiter
Research: 100 local businesses and email them to keep your resume on file!
3. Hospitality
The classic go-to when people think of “starving artist” but if you have experience working in restaurants or retail back home, this is a good place to start. You’re not going to get rich… unless you go the bottle service route but at some of the nicer restaurants, you can have a decent take home.
Where to look for these gigs:
Online: Check out local restaurants websites, email and ask. Check out chain restaurants too. I also am in a good amount of LOCAL CITY GIRLS GROUPS on facebook where they post about these types of jobs quite often!
Referrals: Ask your friends who are working at restaurants if they’ve heard of any openings. The hospitality industry is pretty tight.
4. Tutoring/Teaching
You need a bachelors degree and a training course but this can be a great route and pretty flexible.. please actually like children, though. The training takes about 6 weeks and I think it’s currently around $200 per day when you’re subbing in LA.
3. The Marketing “umbrella”
The biggie. This one does have a threshold of entry. You’ve gotta have (IMO) a tangible skill that you can showcase to people, whether it’s another company’s social media page where you can show your ability to grow an audience or a reel of your editing skills. A portfolio of logo designs, whathaveyouu! You want to have proof that you can deliver on what you’re promising.
Tips: if you don’t have a portfolio, make mock-ups for companies you’d love to work with that way when you reach out, you can show them your vision.
I’ve got a little guide and examples on cold-emails as well!
Where to look for these gigs:
Research: My favorite one, the same as the writing gigs, research a few local companies or maybe even some dream production companies and give them a brief breakdown of the work you do and ask them to keep you in mind.
Online: the usual suspects! I had good success on upwork when I was starting out.
Upwork - my personal favorite, once I had done a few small businesses around my town, i set up my profile here and was able to start taking in about 2-3 clients a week. It was really hard to get my first few clients so don’t give up!
LinkedIn - look for contract positions or reach out to companies
Otta - this kind of conglomerates different bigger jobs but it’s very user-intuitive!
Freelancer - a classic, similar to fiverr in the set up process.
Braintrust - a newbie on the block but a lot of tech type companies are using it.
Fiverr - this is definitely a place where if you can create an impressive showcase of your work along with a lot of templated work, you can almost make a very seamless stream of new client coming in.
I don’t love indeed it just gives me too many sketch vibes lol
Referrals: Once you’ve got a client under your belt who is happy, make sure to ask them if they know of anyone else who could use your services.
What else am I missing? Comment below and let me know and as always stay delulu… with a plan!
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