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Starting multiple side hustles, bad idea?

Idea threads

Mr Scales

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Hi all,

New here and looking to start a side-hustle. I’m thinking of getting into either copywriting, or web-dev, maybe even helping businesses with marketing plans, but would appreciate some opinions if possible.

I work for a small, local business, and have been asked to help out with the company’s business development, so I’m looking at building skills that will benefit both me and my employer.

I have a half-decent understanding of marketing in general, and have written a marketing plan for my work. My knowledge is mostly on a macro level, and I don’t have much experience getting my hands dirty with implementing tactics yet.

I write fairly well, and have done small amounts of copywriting - I wrote the copy for the web page and some cold emails. These were nothing amazing but I feel like it's something I could get into.

I have also begun dabbling in building websites in Wordpress recently. I’m a total beginner and don’t know any coding, but I’ve created a basic new website for one of the niches we serve, and I’m also putting together a site for a family member. I enjoyed doing this more than I thought I would.

I will be needing to pick up the basics of seo and ppc soon as well. My aim is to become a t-shaped marketer, with a basic knowledge of a handful of subjects and one specialisation, but I’m not sure what that specialisation will be yet. This will help me in my current job, and also my future goals.

When it comes to picking a side hustle, I’m not sure what to go for.

My main question is this, is it best to just pick one and focus solely on that, or would it be beneficial to have a couple on the go, and then decide on one to focus on after a bit of experience? For example try to pick up some copywriting gigs, and maybe do some web-design or something as well if I can learn how and get the work, then focus on one after seeing what suits me best, or am I just biting off more than I chew that way? If the former is the better route, any tips on deciding? Not sure where best to put my time and focus. TBH I don’t want to make a big deal out of deciding, better just to start something because I could always switch later I guess, but I would prefer to not waste time and be on track from the start.

I appreciate any advice, and good to meet you.
 
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Ravens_Shadow

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I always advocate monogamy in business. Focus on one thing and become really good at that.
 

Raja

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I always advocate monogamy in business. Focus on one thing and become really good at that.
OP I am not as experienced as him but I would like to expand on ravens_shadow's suggestion, you should do both, test which one is working, and go with the winner.

since sales are the most important thing in business I would challenge you to try to get sales for both of your businesses in the span of the next 15-20 days, and then go with one with more sales.

no need to develop the product, you can hire other people to fulfill it at no profit or even a loss and you'll have a good enough idea of on which business to focus.
 

MJ DeMarco

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As a "side hustle" I think you can experiment and see what works best, but eventually, you want to focus and go monogamous on one thing to maximize earning potential in that area.
 
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Mr Scales

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Thanks for the input everyone. I haven't made my mind up yet but you've definitely given me food for thought. Either way I think I'll just jump in and get started with something just to get going, and adjust from there.
 

CruxisKnight

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Stick to one thing only long enough til you know if it works for you or not before moving on to the next thing. The trick is in knowing when is long enough. Could be months or years
 
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WJK

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I have always had a main business and then side gigs. A lot of times the side gigs dovetail or are offshoots of that main business. One supports the other(s) in one way or another. It's also a way to build up different skills that I'm working on at the moment. The best way to quickly learn anything is to explore it by using those skills. And yes, I quit stuff that doesn't work. BUT, I learn something from each and every attempt. Some of those skills become critical for later gigs.
 

Marigold

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I have always had a main business and then side gigs. A lot of times the side gigs dovetail or are offshoots of that main business. One supports the other(s) in one way or another. It's also a way to build up different skills that I'm working on at the moment. The best way to quickly learn anything is to explore it by using those skills. And yes, I quit stuff that doesn't work. BUT, I learn something from each and every attempt. Some of those skills become critical for later gigs.
Absolutely THIS!

I think you have to kiss a lot of frogs to hone in on your passions. I had 10 websites before the one I've stuck at for a few years now and I'm still REALLY into it. I don't think everything that came before was a waste of time/money, because it helped me get to where I am now with the skills and experiences I learned along the way!
 
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CruxisKnight

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Absolutely THIS!

I think you have to kiss a lot of frogs to hone in on your passions. I had 10 websites before the one I've stuck at for a few years now and I'm still REALLY into it. I don't think everything that came before was a waste of time/money, because it helped me get to where I am now with the skills and experiences I learned along the way!
I too had different websites when I was just starting and learning. They were really ugly sites and I considered them experimental but with each new site I got better and better til eventually I made a site that was profitable. Then you repeat the process to make more profitable sites
 

WJK

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Absolutely THIS!

I think you have to kiss a lot of frogs to hone in on your passions. I had 10 websites before the one I've stuck at for a few years now and I'm still REALLY into it. I don't think everything that came before was a waste of time/money, because it helped me get to where I am now with the skills and experiences I learned along the way!
I not only kissed those "frogs" -- I spent a lot of time and money hunting them down. Then I carefully fed and loved on them -- all the while hoping each one was my prince in a "froggy" form. You never know how a good idea is going to work out until you give it your best efforts. The only shortcut I know of to that learning curve is to group similar and related projects that can be operated at the same time. A lot of times, it becomes a testing program to see which alternative works the best. Then you know which "frogs" to keep and which ones to throw back.
 

Marigold

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I not only kissed those "frogs" -- I spent a lot of time and money hunting them down. Then I carefully fed and loved on them -- all the while hoping each one was my prince in a "froggy" form. You never know how a good idea is going to work out until you give it your best efforts. The only shortcut I know of to that learning curve is to group similar and related projects that can be operated at the same time. A lot of times, it becomes a testing program to see which alternative works the best. Then you know which "frogs" to keep and which ones to throw back.
Absolutely!

My latest 'frog' would never have been conceived if I hadn't discovered a problem that needed fixing from my existing enterprise. Call it a pivot if you will. It's actually a glorious unfolding when we don't try to have it all figured out from the get-go.
 
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Mr Scales

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That's helpful advice, folks. Thanks everyone for contributing.
 

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