8
STARTING A SIDE HUSTLE: 3 IDEAS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE While making ends meet might be a key driver in the meteoric rise of the side hustle, it is by no means the only reason.
THE side hustle has a firm place in our pandemic-era lexicon, but it has, in fact, been around a lot longer than you might think. The phrase was first used during the recession of the 1950s, when people had to find additional ways to supplement their income in order to make ends meet. So it stands to reason that as the world enters another recession, the side hustle has regained our collective attention. And the numbers clearly demonstrate the rising interest in alternative revenue streams: a recent survey reported that as many as one in three South Africans earn income from an extra job, while social media platform Twitter recently revealed a staggering 295% rise in the number of mentions of “side hustle” on its platform. And while making ends meet might be a key driver in the meteoric rise of the side hustle, it is by no means the only reason, says Litha Maqungo, social media and communications specialist at Metropolitan GetUp, a funeral and disability cover division of Metropolitan. “Another contributor is access: thanks to the acceleration of the digital economy, it is easier than ever to start a business or leverage your talents for monetary gain, and the opportunities are now but a mouse-click away.” The other – and arguably most significant – factor is personal fulfilment, something we may not always get from our eight-to-five job that pays the bills, says Maqungo. A 2020 report in the Harvard Business Review found that 73% of those surveyed began a side hustle to enhance their overall satisfaction in life, stating: “Side hustles empowered individuals so that they felt they were the agent in charge of their work, which led to being emotionally and cognitively invested in the side hustle.”
Whether it’s funds, fun or fulfilment you’re after, if you’re thinking about starting a side hustle but don’t know where to begin, Maqungo shares three potential avenues that you might want to consider.
1. BLOG YOURSELF A BUSINESS
Influencing is big business, but be warned, establishing the kind of following that leads to financial gain doesn’t simply happen overnight. “It takes dedication, creativity, authenticity, and most importantly, passion, says Maqungo. “Those who’ve started the most successful blogs or social accounts – more common these days than long-form blogging – have typically done so through finding their unique voice, which resonated with a likeminded audience. Once you have established your niche, Maqungo suggests that you start reaching out to brands that you personally love, and which connect with you and your lifestyle. “Find out who the right person is to speak to at the company, and then pop them a brief but friendly introduction email, giving them an overview of your platform and highlighting the value it could offer their brand. “More and more brands are looking to work with micro-influencers, as they are considered credible and trustworthy within their communities. So don’t think that you need to have thousands of followers to spark a brand’s interest,” she says.
2. HUSTLE YOURSELF INTO HOSPITALITY
The hospitality industry was one of those that were hardest hit by the pandemic, with eateries and bars all across the world forced to close their doors. Yet, it is also anticipated to be one of the quickest sectors to
