Hey everyone, it’s Lauren from L Bee and the Money Tree, stepping in for Michelle today. I know having a “substitute teacher” can be hit or miss, so I thought we’d chat about a popular topic: developing a side hustle.
I’m not a professional blogger. In fact, Moneytree was my first self-hosted blog and website, and it took a lot of trial and error to get it right. I earn a modest side income from the blog, but not enough to quit my day job and lounge in yoga pants all day.
Blogging has significantly improved my life. It helped me land my current job as a content and social media manager for a software company and honed a skill set that’s now my main source of income. By merging my blog work with my job, I’ve built a strong portfolio of digital copy, a solid resume, and plenty of relevant experience. These assets have led to a side hustle as a freelance writer and SEO specialist.
If you’re not familiar with SEO, it stands for Search Engine Optimization. It’s about making your content easily findable by search engines. The key is to write in a way that doesn’t sound robotic. Poor copy can make people take you less seriously, which is where I come in.
I work in three main ways:
1. Clients send me their existing copy, and I fix and optimize it.
2. They provide keywords, and I write 5-600 words specifically for each keyword.
3. I research the best keywords for their business, mostly working with small business owners and start-ups.
If I handle the research, writing, and optimization, I make about $50 an hour. For just SEO copy or optimizing existing content, I charge $35 an hour. It’s not thousands of dollars, but it can be quite lucrative.
If you’re looking to build a side hustle in SEO or any field, leverage your networks. Most of my clients come from referrals. A good friend who’s a graphic designer sends her clients my way for SEO/copy needs. Friends helping friends! I also help bloggers for free because you never know what opportunities might come from it.
You can also check job boards like Craigslist. Many people want SEO as a one-time service rather than hiring someone part-time. Having a blog showcasing your work can attract clients, so if you’re considering a side hustle as an SEO specialist or freelance writer, start a blog to hone your skills and draw attention.
This is a basic overview of my side hustle. There are plenty of online resources if you want to learn more about blogging or SEO. While I’m not at Michelle’s level of side income, I’m happy being in control of my own destiny and taking on more work if needed.
Blogging is amazing, but don’t do it just to make money—you’ll likely fail. However, a little extra income on the side is never a bad thing.
What side hustles do you have? Has a hobby of yours turned into a side hustle?