Growing up, I always had a job. It all started with making manuals at my dad’s manufacturing company for just $4 an hour. As I got older, I took on more responsibility, like boarding horses at our family farm and doing some training. Then came jobs at a gas station, a drug store, and several roles during university. I’ve always had some kind of extra work going on.
Each job had its perks. At the drug store, I could buy anything at cost. One of my university jobs let me work from home. But the best side job I’ve found is staff writing.
Michelle has shared how she makes extra income on this blog before, and she’s great at it. While I’m not as talented as her, I’ve landed a staff writing job, and I love it.
Staff Writing is The Best Part-Time Job
Looking back at all my part-time jobs, staff writing is by far the best. I get to choose my own hours. If I work best in the morning, I write in the morning. If I want to write posts a month ahead, I can do that too. I can earn money while sitting next to my fiancé on the couch, which is perfect since I always want to spend more time with him.
I can also work as much or as little as I want. Right now, I’m happy with my workload, but if I want to take on more or less in the future, I can adjust how many writing jobs I accept. This job offers a flexible income that regular part-time jobs usually don’t.
Another great thing is writing for a blog that focuses on different topics from my own. There are subjects I wouldn’t cover on my blog, but I can explore them on other blogs. This keeps me interested and prevents me from getting stuck in a rut.
I Can Indulge My Inner People Pleaser
Staff writing for a blog means I’m here to make the blog owner’s life easier. Making that my priority is very rewarding. Whether it’s writing about specific topics or quickly responding to comments, staff writing brings a sense of accomplishment that I didn’t get from working at the drug store.
Knowing What You’re Worth
The only tricky part of staff writing is setting rates. Unlike waitressing or other part-time jobs, staff writers set their own rates. Knowing what to charge can be tough. I focus less on what others charge and more on what makes it worth it for me.
Negotiating fees or raising rates can be challenging. In those situations, I follow the same steps I’d take when asking for a raise: I outline the value I provide, explain the skills I’ve added that justify higher wages, and stay firm and reasonable.
At the end of the day, when I come home from work tired, the last thing I want is to head out to a part-time job. I want to be home with my dog, my cat, and my fiancé. Staff writing lets me do that and earn money too. That alone makes this side hustle priceless.
What’s your side hustle? Do you staff write?
If you want to earn money as a writer, I recommend checking out my friend Cat Alford’s course, Get Paid to Write for Blogs. She’s written for many large sites and is very successful. Now, she’s sharing her tips so you can become a full-time writer as well.