How To Take Your Side Hustle From Dodge City To An Actual Legit Business

You’ve been diligently working on your side hustle for a while now and it’s going well – heck yes, good for you. We feel like proud parents, watching you go from fledgling dreamer with big ol’ goals to a genuine businessperson.

But if you think the journey is over now, oh boy, you’ve got another think coming. There’s so much more that you can get under your belt to really take it to the next level.

1. Sort out your organisation

Now this doesn’t just mean tidying up your desk (though really you should probably do that too – those things accumulate a bunch of junk that you definitely don’t need). What you need to do is ramp up your management and start thinking big – I’m talking legal, financial and day-to-day organisation.

It may be time to consult with a professional about the trajectory of your side hustle to refine your focus a little more (like consulting with a business banking expert from St.George Bank to make sure you’re on the right track). It also takes the weight off you a bit, because these small details have a huge impact and they’re usually the things you get bogged down with.

2. Get creative with your branding

If you’ve been operating out of your garage so far (and maybe the occasional store at your local markets), you’ve probably at least got a name and logo sorted for your side hustle. That’s brilliant, but we can go deeper here – and you should, if you want to stand out from the rest of the folk out there slinging their wares and skills.

This could be as simple as setting yourself up with a properly designed website. Whether you opt to get it professionally made or simply use a site like WordPress or Squarespace to DIY it, a professional website means you can reach so many more people. Get a business card made up with your name, logo and website on it and you’ll be cheerin’.

3. Network like you mean it

You know which businesses and side hustles thrive? The ones that everyone know about, talk about and above all, recommend to their mates. You’ve gotta get your name out there beyond the circle of family, friends and locals who are supporting you – take your hustle to a larger scale by going to industry events (armed with that business card of course).

At those events, you might run into someone who could connect you to someone else and then BAM, you’ve got a new partner or lead into a new market. If nothing else, it’s a good way to meet people who are experiencing the same sort of thing as you – there’s solidarity in the side hustle space, so you can share insights, tips and tricks.

4. Establish a space

Maybe you’re been working out of the corner of your spare room for a while now, and the business is booming so you’re ready to spread your suddenly much longer legs. You’re a blooming butterfly, emerging from a crampy little cocoon of the early days, and it’s time to secure a space that’s big enough to turn your side hustle into a proper fledgling company.

This doesn’t mean you’ll be leasing out penthouse office spaces anytime soon, but you might be able to convert your garage into a workspace, or even rent a room in an office building. You’ll find that it may even be easier for you to focus – being away from your regular life and everyday distractions makes it easier to dedicate time to work.

There are stacks of things you can do to up your hustle game – but really when it comes down to it, you’ve gotta have faith and back yourself. Know your worth, know what your hustle is worth, consult with the experts (advice will never go astray when you’re starting to expand – peeps like the business banking experts at St.George Bank will get you sorted) and use your creative brain wisely.

First step, expansion. Next step, domination.

Simple.

This information is general in nature and should not be relied upon for personal financial use. 

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