Future Proof Your Side Hustle: 5 Essential Strategies

Did you know that 40% of UK workers have a side hustle? That’s a lot of competition, but there is still room for you! As the gig economy evolves, it can be tricky to stay relevant and profitable. With all the information out there, it’s hard to know where to even start. In this guide, my goal is to give you something to go on. I’m going to give you 5 practical strategies to help you future proof your side hustle.

This post is aimed at those of you who are already up and running with your side hustle, although it is a good idea to think ahead when you’re getting started. If you don’t know where to start, why not check out the post How To Choose Your Side Hustle? For a big picture look at the gig economy, check out my post on Gig Economy Mastery.

Anyway, back to the future proofing strategies.

1. Embrace Digital Skills and Tools

Do you still do your small business accounting in a paper book with hand drawn margins? Are your diary, contacts and receipts all in a big filing cabinet behind your desk? Do you send letters to your customers letting them know when you’re closed for Christmas?

Congratulations, you might be my dad!

For the rest of us, we already use at least some digital tools that make our lives a bit easier. 

Spreadsheets, digital calendars and email all help us get things done more efficiently, but they are just tools. I’m a furniture maker among other things, and I must admit, I do love a shiny new tool. Being able to decide what tools are necessary and what are just distractions is a skill in itself. 

Master the essentials for your industry

Every field has its digital must-haves. For instance, if you’re a content creator, you’ll be familiar with tools like Canva or Adobe Creative Suite. Some platforms like AirBnb have all the tools you’ll need built in (think calendar, customer relationship management, marketing). 

Take Action: Make a list of the top 3-5 digital tools used in your industry. If you’re not sure, hop onto some industry forums or LinkedIn groups and ask around. Then, commit to mastering one tool each month.

Invest in your digital education

Don’t have time for learning? It can be tough to fit even more activity into your week, but it’s important to carve out some time.

I’ve found platforms like Coursera, Udemy and Skillshare really useful for picking up new digital skills. I’ve had yearly subscriptions for all in the past (I’m trying LinkedIn learning now). Many offer certificates upon completion, which can give your credibility a boost. Plus, you can learn at your own pace – perfect for fitting around your day job and side hustle.

Pro tip: Plan your learning time into your diary in advance. It could be a set time (like every Tuesday at 7-8pm) or after a frequent event (like in the mornings, after I’ve walked the dog) . 

Get your productivity game on point

Time is money, especially when you’re juggling a side hustle with your main job. That’s where productivity tools come in. Trello and Asana are great for keeping your projects organised, especially if you’re collaborating with others. 

In the past, I’ve been guilty of spending far too long researching the best productivity tools, that it’s actually been counterproductive. If you’re a one-person team – keep it simple. A simple diary and to-do list might be enough to get you going.

Keep your finger on the pulse

While you should be aware of the newest platforms and trends, that doesn’t mean you should be jumping from one new toy to the next. It’s important to be aware of what’s going on in your industry, but knowing the difference between a gimmick and a genuine time or money saver will keep you moving forward.

Read industry blogs and follow thought leaders on social media. Google Alerts are brilliant for getting notifications about new developments in your field. There are communities for everything now too – you’ll find like minded people on Reddit who are interested in the same things as you.

2. Diversify Your Income Streams

Diversifying doesn’t necessarily  mean doing something completely different.It could be a case of adding on a similar service to the one you already provide.

Explore complementary services or products

Offering complimentary services is a smart way to keep the cash flowing in. Let’s say you offer SEO keyword research services. Could you offer to write SEO optimised blog posts based on those keywords?

Take Action: Grab a pen and paper. Write down your main side hustle in the centre. Now, brainstorm at least 5 related services or products you could offer.

Cast your net wide with different platforms

Don’t get too cozy on just one platform. In my dog boarding business, I’ve been able to fill most of my slots over WhatsApp, as I’ve known most of them for a long time. I still had a few empty slots though, until I added my profile to rover.com, which helped me fill all those empty spaces.

For you freelancers out there, don’t just stick to Upwork or Fiverr. Try local job boards, LinkedIn, or even cold pitching. Each platform brings its own audience, increasing your chances of landing gigs.

Balancing specialisation and versatility

This is important. Being a specialist in a particular niche will more likely land you a customer than being a broad ‘does anything and everything’ type of service.

Let’s say you’re a social media manager.If you advertise yourself as ‘social media manager’, you’re competing against every single other social media manager out there. How do you stand out?

One way is to specialise. 

For example: Social Media Manager, specialising in the hair and beauty industry. 

This is a little better. Sure you’ll only get clients from the hair and beauty industry, but there’s lots of them, and you’ll appeal way more than just a ‘social media manager’.

We can take this a step further. 

How about: Social Media Manager, helping hair and beauty accounts grow from 10k to 100k followers. 

Now you’re talking. Your specialism is clear and you’re speaking directly to a specific type of client. If that’s what they’re looking for, you’re far more likely to land the gig than the description from our first example.

Test and adjust

Not every attempt at diversification will be successful. If something really isn’t working, take it as a lesson learned and move on.

The key is to start small, test the waters, and be ready to pivot if something’s not working. Keep what works, ditch what doesn’t, and always be on the lookout for new opportunities.

3.Build a Strong Personal Brand

Ever feel like you’re shouting into the void? That’s where personal branding comes in. It’s not about being the loudest, it’s about being the most memorable – for all the right reasons.

Create a consistent online presence

Remember that time you googled yourself and found that embarrassing MySpace profile from 2005? No? Just me then. Anyway, the point is, your online presence matters. A lot.

Take Action: Do an audit of your online presence. Google yourself (incognito mode if you’re brave) and see what comes up. Is it consistent? Does it represent you well? If not, it’s time for a digital spring clean.

Content is king, but value is the crown jewels

Creating content isn’t about showing off (though a bit of that doesn’t hurt). It’s about providing value to your audience. Think about the questions your clients often ask. Could you turn those into blog posts or social media content?

Pro tip: Aim for one piece of valuable content a week to begin with. It could be a blog post, a LinkedIn article, or even a helpful tweet – it depends on your industry. Consistency builds quantity over time.

Leverage social media

Social media can take over your life if you’re not careful. But used wisely, it’s a powerful tool for building your brand. You don’t need to be on every platform – pick one or two where your target audience hangs out and focus on those.

For example, if you’re an interior designer, hanging out on Pinterest would be a much better use of your time than trying to build a following on business focussed platforms like Linkedin.

Collaborate and guest post your way to visibility

Some of the biggest breaks come from collaborating with others in your niche. Guest posting on popular blogs or podcasting on industry shows can get your name out there and bring in a whole new audience. Outreach can be a slog and you’ll have to deal with your share of rejection. If you can stick with it, you’ll eventually find the right collaborators to help you both grow your reach together.

Take Action: Make a list of 5-10 influencers or businesses in your niche that you’d love to collaborate with. Then, brainstorm ideas for how you could work together. Maybe it’s a joint webinar, a guest blog post, or even a product collaboration. Don’t be shy – reach out and pitch your ideas!

4.Adapt to Changing Market Demands

Some side gig industries are as volatile as the British weather. One minute it’s sunshine and rainbows, the next it’s raining cats and dogs. Here’s how to stay dry:

Keep your ear to the ground

First things first, you’ve got to know what’s happening in your industry. Set up Google Alerts for key terms, join relevant Facebook groups or Reddit communities. Make it a habit to spend 15 minutes a day catching up on the latest trends.

Listen to your clients 

Your clients are walking, talking market research. After every job or sale, send a quick survey to your clients. Ask what they loved, what they wished you offered, and what challenges they’re facing. 

Stay flexible (but don’t bend over backwards)

Being adaptable doesn’t mean changing your entire business model every other week. It’s about making smart tweaks based on what the market wants. Use your judgement and only adapt in ways that align with your overall business goals and values.

Network like your business depends on it

Find a local meetup group for entrepreneurs or join an online community in your niche. Aim to have at least one meaningful conversation with another side hustler each week. You’d be surprised how much you can learn from each other.

5.Invest in Continuous Learning and Development

If you’re not learning, you’re standing still. At the pace things are changing (thanks AI), standing still is as good as moving backwards. Here’s how to keep up. 

Carve out time for skill enhancement

I know, I know. Between your day job, your side hustle, and trying to have a semblance of a social life, finding even more time for personal development isn’t easy. Could you listen to an industry podcast on your way to work? I like to study video courses when I’m on the toilet. Squeezing some learning time in while I’m squeezing one out (sorry – I know that gross).

Take Action: Block out specific times in your calendar for learning. Start with just 30 minutes a week if you’re stretched thin. The key is consistency, not marathon study sessions.

Get yourself to industry shindigs

Conferences and webinars aren’t just for corporate types. Look for free webinars to start with. They’re often just as informative as paid ones. When you do splash out on a conference, make sure to network. Some of the best business relationships start over lukewarm coffee in conference halls.

Join the club (professional associations, that is)

Whatever your side hustle, there’s probably an association for it. These associations often offer courses, certifications, and events. Plus, being able to put those fancy letters after your name doesn’t hurt when you’re pitching to clients.

Learn from your mistakes

Not all learning happens in classrooms or online courses. Some of the best lessons come from good old-fashioned trial and error. Keep a ‘lessons learned’ journal. After each project or client interaction, jot down what went well, what didn’t, and what you’d do differently next time. Review it regularly. I’ve got a little notepad widget on my phone for easy access. Some of the lessons learned are single line sentences, but they trigger my mind to remember the bigger themes.  

Conclusion: Future-Proof Your Side Hustle and Thrive

We’ve covered a lot here, lets recap:

1. Embrace Digital Skills and Tools: We talked about mastering industry-specific digital tools, investing in online education, and staying updated with emerging technologies. 
2. Diversify Your Income Streams: We explored how to add complementary services, use different platforms, and specialise for your target audience.
3. Build a Strong Personal Brand: We looked into creating a consistent online presence, providing value through content, and letting your authentic self shine.
4. Adapt to Changing Market Demands: We discussed the importance of staying informed about industry trends, listening to your clients, and being flexible in your approach.
5. Invest in Continuous Learning and Development: We explored various ways to keep learning, from attending industry events to getting certifications and learning from your own experiences.

Future-proofing your side hustle is an ongoing process that requires dedication, adaptability, and a healthy dose of curiosity. But trust me, it’s worth it.

Think about where you want your side hustle to be in a year, or five years. The strategies we’ve discussed aren’t just about surviving in the gig economy – they’re about thriving in it. They’re about turning your side hustle into a resilient, growing business that can weather any storm.

So, what’s your next move? Maybe it’s signing up for that digital marketing course you’ve been eyeing. Perhaps it’s finally starting that blog to showcase your expertise. Or it could be reaching out to potential collaborators in your industry.

Whatever it is, take that step today. Remember, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. The same goes for future-proofing your side hustle.