This is a guest article from Stefanie! She’s trying to find ways to stretch her budget in one of the most expensive cities out there, New York City. A graduate of New York University’s drama and psychology programs at the height of the financial crisis, Stefanie discovered the world of financial planning out of necessity. Thanks for sharing your insight, Stefanie!
A couple weeks ago I shared some of the joy and the hardship that comes from my career as an actress. Today, I want to share how I earn a “living.” And by that I mean, quite literally, how I afford to live when I’m not working in “the business,” or when I’m being grossly underpaid, or when I don’t know how long it will be until I book my next gig.
In order to keep my days free for auditions and my schedule open for performance opportunities, I avoid jobs in the traditional 9-5 realm and focus on what many in the personal finance world call “side hustles.” My so-called “hustles” have ranged from being a trade show hostess at Comic Con to administering the musical theatre department at the New York Film Academy.
But my goal today isn’t to indulge you in crazy stories from my various gigs (maybe another time), but to share how I built and maintain an arsenal of side hustle options for whenever I need an income boost.
The conventional route of applying for jobs has never earned me enough to get by. Instead, my personal and life skills have served me most in making a living. Here are my top 5 recommendations to anyone trying to do the same.
1. Be a Nice Person
I could have also called this point “networking,” but there’s something inherently impersonal and limiting about that word to me. I’ve found that when you do your best to be a good person to everyone you come in contact with – in business or your personal life – opportunities follow.
In my five short years with the professional world, I’ve gotten countless jobs – in the industry and on the side – from relationships I have built with people personally and professionally. You never know where opportunities will come from. Be good, do good, and watch it come back to you.
2. Add Value
My biggest source of freelance writing work comes from people who have found or read my blog, not from the applications and proposals I send out. I do my best to contribute value in every facet of my life – online, among friends, or in a professional setting. When people see that I have some level of expertise to offer, I automatically become a resource which may lead to a future job opportunity.
3. Talk About It
I got my job at New York Film Academy two weeks after talking to friends about my unemployment benefits running out. I wasn’t asking around for jobs (though I don’t think that’s a bad idea as you’ll see in my next point). Quite simply, I talked openly about what was going on in my life.
Rather than being embarrassed or ashamed of unemployment or tight finances, being forthcoming can put you at the front of someone’s mind when an extra income opportunity arises. I get texts from friends all the time about babysitting gigs – my sittercity profile never saw that much action.
4. Ask
I have gotten side hustles from Facebook statuses – no joke! Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there or simply ask what’s out there, as you’ll never know what you might find.
5. Deliver
For goodness sake, when you get an opportunity (income, volunteer, or otherwise), work hard and put in the effort. Be prompt and professional, no matter how casual the setting. If you overdeliver, you’re practically guaranteed a future gig or recommendation.
What tactics have you used or found most valuable when looking for work or extra income opportunities? How do you make your living?
Aside from my 9 t0 5 job before, I also do freelancing and blogging. It help me to earn an extra income each month. Recently, I decided to do freelancing and blogging full time. For the first few months I can say that it was really hard not knowing if you will be successful or not. But so far, I’m doing good and I’m earning without the pressure and stress from a 9 t0 5 job. It’s a risk on my part, but so far I’m enjoying it. =)
I’m glad to hear it’s working out for you. That’s my goal someday!
I totally agree with you about being good and doing good no matter what. Countless times, opportunities came my way via that route when I least expected them. I mean, I did not plant the seed of goodness expecting anything in return. It’s just the way I was brought up but our parents surely have good reasons why they do their best to raise their kids to be good: so that it becomes a cycle.
Doing good doesn’t always come around, but it’s a good quality to have.
I think your last point is a really good one- deliver! If you do a poor job or don’t put forth the required amount of effort, word will get around!
I’m always amazed when people do a slapdash job when giving an amazing opportunity.
It did for me! That’s why I paid her to write this! 😉
These is a great list – I especially think #2, add value, is becoming more and more important. Even for those looking at traditional 9-5 employment, just a resume isn’t good enough anymore. Actively adding value related to the field you want to work in (full-time, part-time, for just one gig) is crucial.
I think these points apply to anyone in any field. Jobs are different but principles are universal.
I like #3. Between your blog and social networks we all have large personal and professional networks that can tapped when in need.
Personal and professional networks have served me so much in the past few years alone, that’s why I always try to be nice to everyone!
I’m an accountant so I haven’t had to land a job for quite some time. I really only had to intern into my current workplace and then luckily got a job on the team I interned on. The next job was through a manager I worked with, as he had an employee move on and somewhat recruited me.
I think you need to be nice no matter what career you are looking into. If you aren’t likable it makes it harder to land jobs.
Being likeable is important in ANY profession as well as your personal life.
Great tips, Stefanie. They are all so important but I agree it starts with being a nice person. Someone we not only want to help but also feel very confident in referring. There are people who have skills and do good work but are just not pleasant to be around. It’s much harder for me to refer that person. But someone who is a pleasure to work with and delivers now that is someone I will refer every day.
True. It doesn’t matter how skilled you are, if you’re not pleasant to be around, it won’t do you much good.
I love your fourth tip: ask. It really is true that you don’t get the things you don’t ask for, and just having the courage to speak up works most of the time.
Ask and ye shall receive.
I was always afraid to ask when I was younger- fearing I would be imposing, but learning to ask has served me so well.
Stefanie,
As someone who has hired you to do some work, I would say that you absolutely walk the walk. You are professional, kind, and deliver quality work. I get the feeling that when you line up side-gigs, folks are more than happy to keep you around for a bit.
-Jefferson
Thank you Jefferson 🙂 I always do my best to deliver when given the chance.
Jefferson,
Couldn’t agree more with you! Stefanie is terrific!
Sam
I have found the asking tactic to be incredibly effective as well. I think many people are afraid to make that bold move, but you never get anywhere unless you put yourself out there.
Unfortunately, being afraid gets you nowhere. That’s why I started asking.
Good tips. Like everybody always says, you don’t know until you ask. It’s definitely scary to “put yourself out there” but once you do the worst people can say is “no.” I do a few side hustles myself. One is dog walking and cat sitting, another is babysitting and of course blogging and freelance writing. As my dad always says, “Never say no to an honest day’s work.”
I’ve been amazed at the amount of VARIED income opportunities I’ve come across.
I love your point about facebook statuses and just putting things out there. Those messages can go a really long way! I connect friends for primary career jobs all the time and it’s way easier to do it for small gig things. Like giving my friends the info when there are posts in the mail room looking for volunteers and such.
Facebook is pretty magical.
Love what you said about being good and doing good, Stefanie. It really does make a world of difference. Whenever we need to hire someone for something, the “nice” people who are hard workers always immediately pop into our heads first.
I love nice people, I want to be one of them.
Ask for the order! I love that you included that point. It’s one of my go-to.
“Add value” is a truly underrated and incredibly true way to get jobs. If you put good work out there, you will be rewarded in the long run. It’s better than making an unethical play just for a quick buck.
I deeply admire you for going after your dreams, Stefanie!
Yes, I remember your “ask for the order” post.
Awesome advice. Seriously, especially #4. If people ask, the worst that can happen is hearing “no.” I’m sure as an actress, you’re used to rejection. But, the thing of it is, most peopl will be willing to help if they are able!
Rejection is part of my daily life, maybe that’s why I no longer fear asking.
It’s so important to follow through and deliver when you are given an opportunity. It’s amazing how so many young people (and not so young) I encounter that don’t follow through. Being late, not showing up at all, doing a half-assed job are all no-nos in my book. You may not be perfect at doing it but at least following the directions and showing up to work on time proves your heart is in it.