The gig economy is on the rise, and it seems like everyone and their grandma has a side hustle. How do they manage to do it? Sometimes, even a single, full-time job can be overwhelming, and it can seem impossible to find the time and energy to do something on the side.
If you’re struggling financially, an agency such as Opes Fidelio can help you set up some kind of financial protection for the rainy day.
However, freelancing on the side can be a significant source of additional income that you or your family might depend on. Luckily, side hustle doesn’t have to be a hassle. It’s all a matter of getting organized.
Not Enough Time
Many people start a side job thinking they have plenty of time for it, but they end up burnt out from the amount of work or even failing to complete the tasks on time. Having a lot of offers is a great thing, but you need to make sure you have enough time and energy to complete them.
If you don’t have enough time, you can’t help it. If you’re struggling to complete your tasks, you just have to downsize. Of course, less work means less money, but if you burn out, you’ll be incapable of doing anything for some time.
Side hustle beginners should beware of this trap and start small. No matter how much work you think you can handle, accept less for starters and see how much you can do. Effective time management is essential for your success.
Unpredictability
One of the main disadvantages of freelance work is unpredictability. You never know how much work you’ll have or how much money you’ll earn. So you can’t really depend solely on your side hustle to cover your biggest expenses.
What’s more, you never know when you’ll get an urgent job that will mess up your plans. Sure, you can turn it down, but if you’ve gone through a period of drought, you’ll cherish the opportunity to make some money.
If you want to make your side job a bit more predictable and dependable, it’s best to strive to get returning or regular clients. If you’re hired by a company that requires such services regularly, make sure to do a great job so that they come back to you for more. Having regular clients will feel a lot steadier, and you’ll be able to plan your work hours with more precision.
Picking Your Gigs
As we’ve seen, people often can’t afford to do all the gigs they’ve been offered. Newbies probably won’t have this problem, but as time goes by, you’ll get more opportunities, and you’ll have to choose between them.
This can be daunting because you need to make smart choices so as not to miss a great opportunity along the way.
The best way to choose your gigs is to think about their long-term potential. Could the client become a regular? Also, think about the gigs your knowledge and expertise are best suited for. Go for those you’re sure you can do a great job with.
If you’re a bit all over the place, it’s best to find a niche that suits you and stick to it. People always choose those specializing in their area over people who claim to do everything.
Setting Boundaries
A traditional job sets the boundaries for you. You know your work hours and what you’re supposed to achieve within that time. However, freelance work allows for much more flexibility. You can do the amount of work you want and choose your work hours, and you can work from anywhere.
The problem is, people usually want to do a lot of work as fast as possible, either because they’ll get better pay or to prove themselves to a client. Unfortunately, this mindset will leave you emotionally, mentally, and even physically drained.
If you want to avoid burnout, you need to set clear boundaries. Having boundaries won’t make your clients respect you less. In fact, if it does, you should run away from these clients. They have no respect for your time and energy.
You can set boundaries by deciding on specific times during the week you’ll work on your side hustle and sticking to them.
Getting Paid
Unfortunately, late and missed payments are problems freelancers are all too familiar with. If you want to get paid on time for the work you’ve done, you should do everything that’s in your power to help the process.
For starters, make sure to send invoices as soon as possible. What’s more, if your client is late on a payment, gently remind them of their debt periodically.
It goes without saying that you should always have some kind of a written agreement between you and your client that specifies the terms of payment. This is the best way to ensure you get what you’re due.
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