From January 2007 to September 2015–close to 9 years–I had a second job as the Health Guide at a mental health website. I wrote news articles about hot topics in recovery and answered questions in the Q&A forum. At that time I was in the vanguard writing about things no one else thought to write about. Just like I’m doing today.
I recommend getting a second job or having a side income stream. Rather than selling your soul to earn the big bucks at a job you hate or that doesn’t fit your personality.
Below this blog entry I’ll offer links to websites that can help you create a side hustle.
You can read the Kimberly Palmer book The Economy of You where she talks about going into business for yourself part-time in addition to a day job or full-time if you’re able.
See also the Chris Guillebeau book: Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days.
Buy the Patrick G. Riley guide: The One-Page Business Proposal. I own this book and have used it myself. One page is all you need to pitch your service.
In coming blog entries I’ll talk about other ways to earn extra money.
Here I’ll end with one caveat for creative folk:
You often won’t get paid to write an article for a website. HealthCentral paid me when I was the Health Guide. I call the use of free mental labor an “intellectual sweatshop.”
Here’s a list of websites that can help you:
Writers Editors and other Creatives can search for work at MediaBistro.
Entrepreneurs of all stripes can find help at the Small Business Administraion.
SCORE or the Service Corps of Retired Executives I have used years ago with video chat help.
Shopify is a way to sell your product(s).
Guru is the place to find and hire freelancers. I found my local web designer here.
WorkingAssets 