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Is a Side Hustle Necessary for Freelance Web Designers?

Published on April 8, 2024

Do Freelance Web Designers Need a Side Hustle ?

Navigating your freelance web design journey towards greater success is no easy feat. Transitioning from just scraping by to thriving requires a blend of diligent effort and strategic planning.

Why the need for this combination? Well, drowning in projects doesn’t necessarily translate to increased revenue. Moreover, a perpetually hectic schedule isn’t sustainable and raises the risk of burnout rather than propelling you to the top.

Strategic planning is key. It’s essential to take proactive steps to evaluate your career trajectory and chart the most effective path forward. The optimal route depends on your aspirations and leveraging your unique skills and strengths.

Many designers, myself included, have explored side hustles as a means to boost income. Personally, writing has proven fruitful for me, while others may venture into selling web-related products or taking on occasional subcontracting gigs. Opportunities abound for those with talent and technical acumen.

Yet, side hustles can quickly spiral out of control and start feeling obligatory in today’s competitive landscape.

Therefore, let’s delve into the pros, cons, and potential pitfalls of expanding beyond web design. Is a side hustle a necessity? The insights that follow may help you navigate towards an answer.

Why Web Design Isn’t Always Enough

Engaging with clients can indeed be fulfilling and lucrative, but not every freelancer will find success in this avenue.

Realistically, securing well-paying projects often involves competing against agencies with greater resources and influence. Some significant clients may be hesitant to collaborate with individual freelancers.

For those unable to secure top-tier projects, the alternative typically involves working with small to medium-sized clients. While there’s value in this, it may limit one’s potential for growth.

Increasing income through higher project volume or raised rates may seem logical initially, but there’s a point of diminishing returns to consider.

Another option is to enlist assistance by hiring additional freelancers or traditional employees to handle more work. However, this requires a significant investment that not all freelancers can afford.

Hence, many of us explore alternative avenues for a financial boost.

The Benefits of a Side Hustle

Having a side hustle brings numerous benefits. Foremost among them is the opportunity to increase your income, potentially propelling you to a higher financial bracket.

The additional cash flow can significantly impact your life, whether it’s paying off bills or building up savings.

Moreover, a side hustle introduces variety into your daily workflow, preventing monotony from setting in. For instance, in my case, writing serves as a creative outlet, offering a refreshing departure from the routine tasks of project work. It not only sparks creativity but also serves as a mental reset while providing an extra income stream.

While not all side hustles offer the same sense of tranquility, they do provide a break from the usual routine and may even align with your passions.

Searching for the Right Opportunity

The ideal side hustle will be different for everyone. Still, there are common threads about finding and managing them.

Here are a few tips for getting the most out of the experience:

Start Small and Simple

When starting a side hustle, keep things simple. Look for opportunities that require minimal commitment. In some cases, you may be able to work on a temporary trial basis.

It’s a chance to ease into what you’re doing. Meanwhile, you’ll lessen the risk of becoming overwhelmed. That betters your chances of long-term success.

You can always increase your workload in the future. But it’s best to wait until you’ve found a comfort level.

Define What Success Means to You

Before signing up for a side hustle, define your expectations. That creates a goal to work toward. And you’ll be able to ensure you’re on the right path.

Consider both your desired time commitment and level of compensation. Again, it’s OK to start small in these areas. But have an ultimate goal in mind.

Perhaps you want to put away a bit of money each month. Or you want enough to pay for a vacation. It’s all about finding what makes you happy.

Think about what it will take to get there. Then, you can develop a strategy to achieve it.

Think about the Long Term Impact

A side hustle isn’t just about the here and now. There can be long-term consequences as well. You’ll want to think about them beforehand.

For example, how might it impact your web design business? Could it impede your ability to book new projects? Could it even take over as your primary gig?

There are a myriad of ways this could affect you. Therefore, ask yourself these questions. Consider the benefits and drawbacks of what a side hustle means.

Of course, none of us can predict the future. Sometimes, you’ll need to feel your way through situations as they arise.

You can think about potential scenarios, though. Doing so will help you prepare for them.

Side Hustles May Be the New Normal for Freelancers

Sustaining a full-time freelance lifestyle isn’t easy. There are only so many projects available. Recruiting new clients takes precious time. That makes moving up even more difficult.

That’s what makes a side hustle an attractive option. It’s a chance to pick up recurring revenue. Gaining extra income you can count on is a difference-maker for many of us.

We can use them to make ends meet – and accomplish other goals we’re working toward. The right opportunity can play an important role.

Is a side hustle right for you? Think about where you are in your journey – and where you want to be. It might be the answer you’ve been looking for.