How to Turn Your Side Hustle Into Your Job + My Freelance Journey

AD – This is a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My freelance business all started with my blog. It was my side hustle and, from there, I got my first freelance writing clients.

Over the past 3+ years, it’s snowballed. I’ve been able to leave my part-time job and focus on freelancing full-time. So, how did I turn my side hustle into my job? Let’s take a look.

How I turned my side hustle into my job – my freelance journey

I first started my blog at 17. I wanted a space to discuss my favourite books – and it was great to connect with fellow bloggers, writers and readers.

After University, I started making a little money from sponsored posts and link insertions on my blog. I used my site to showcase my writing and practice my skills.

I always knew I wanted to write for a living, but I wasn’t exactly sure what that looked like. The job market was tough during the pandemic – and I couldn’t find a role that worked for me.

So, I started looking for marketing and writing gigs. I wrote guest posts for other bloggers and published a few articles in online magazines. I applied for job postings on sites like Upwork and started working with an agency on regular blog and web content.

During that time, I worked part-time to make some money and get out of the house. However, I continued to work on my writing on the side. After about a year, I gave up my job to focus on freelancing full-time.

I’m still building up to where I want to be, but it’s all a journey. I managed to build up my side hustle and turn it into a viable career, and you can too!

My tips to turn your side hustle into your job

So, if you’re asking yourself “How can I turn my side hustle into my job?”, look no further. I’ve put together 5 tips using my experiences.

1. Use your time wisely

Everyone will have different time constraints. For me, I was in a privileged position. I had low overheads and responsibilities – and I only worked part-time. This gave me time to focus on my side hustle until I was ready to turn it into my job.

Consider how much time you can commit to your side hustle. Do you work part-time? Do you have free time at the weekend? What do your evenings look like?

Put aside time to work on your side hustle – and be smart about how you use it. It’s no good working day and night if you’re not achieving what you need. It’s all about working smarter, not harder, as they say.

If you want your side hustle to become your job, see it as such. Be serious about how you use your time and carve out space in your diary to spend on it. This can help you stick to your plans and reach your goals.

For more tips on managing your time, check out my ebook ‘The Art of Balance.’

2. Be sensible

I’m a dreamer and an idealist – but if you’re thinking of giving up your job to pursue your side hustle, you need to be realistic.

Many experts recommend having at least 3 months of living expenses in the bank before you even think about quitting your job.

If you’ve been doing your side hustle for a while, you’ll know a bit about your industry, but you should be prepared for things to change at a moment’s notice.

If you have big overheads or responsibilities, make sure to take your time before making the leap. Remember – there’s nothing wrong with keeping your side hustle a side hustle.

Consider your options and be realistic about exactly what you need.

3. Connect with professionals in your industry

One of the biggest mistakes I made in year 1 of freelancing full-time was working alone. I didn’t connect with any professionals in my industry – and my career suffered because of it.

Now, I regularly work with other freelancers and seek their advice. I go to networking events to meet other businesses (both in my industry and outside of it).

Connecting with people who also do your side hustle can help you get invaluable advice and support. They can help you through any challenges – and they can tell you about any new opportunities in the field.

Whether you want to get into translation or you’re busy creating your own craft products, don’t alienate yourself from a very useful network of professionals.

4. Plan ahead

Turning your side hustle into your full-time job is all about planning ahead. I recommend building up your side hustle into a viable income stream before making it your job.

Everyone is different. You might have certain goals you want to achieve before you leave your current role – or you might use your gut to decide what’s right for you.

If you’re deciding whether to do something like freelancing, you need to consider all your options. What happens if work goes quiet? What happens if something changes in your life?

Plan ahead to make sure you’re fully prepared to take your side hustle full-time. This might mean speaking to your clients or saving up a chunk of money while you plan your next steps.

5. Look after yourself

Whatever you do, turning your side hustle into your job can be tricky. It might take up a lot of your time, especially if you’re working in another job while you do it.

Always remember to look after yourself. Give yourself time off and build a healthy work/life balance that works for you. You’re going to put in long hours, but that shouldn’t be at the expense of your mental or physical health.

This work/life balance will also come in handy when you give up your job. If you want to be a freelancer or business owner, find useful tools to avoid burnout and always prioritise your mental wellbeing.

Do you have a side hustle? How did you start your freelance career? Do you have any tips to turn a side hustle into a job?

Happy reading x