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Hey IT Pros,

I saw a Facebook post this morning asking about part-time positions and side-gigs for IT people.

I’ve had a side-gig throughout my career, so I thought I’d be well informed enough to help you brainstorm and show what’s worked for me.

Why Start a Side-gig?

I could argue for and against a sidegig. Some people would say to put all of your efforts into your job and you’d come out more ahead than focusing on two things. I think that’s kinda nonsense.

Side-gigs are cool because:

• You can make some extra money

• Doing things you enjoy

• Provide Flexibility in case your main gig ever gets cut (it can happen 😭)

I’m not here to tell you to hustle 24/7 and to go all-in on the grindset and other “hustle-porn”. Just hopefully provide some ideas and things I’ve seen work.

Side Gig #1 - General IT Freelancing

This probably makes the most sense for IT pros. Find a client who is a business or even residential and provide a service for them in exchange for cash. If you’re reading this newsletter, you’re probably well equipped to do this.

You can find clients by:

• Word of Mouth

  • This just means telling people what you do and hoping they’ll have a friend, uncle, aunt, brother, whatever who needs help.

• Advertising and posting on local Facebook groups, Craigslist, Linkedin

• Networking Around Local Events in your area

• Looking at sites like Upwork and others for remote work

Some ideas for services you could provide:

• Web Design and Web Hosting(hosted on Digital Ocean of course)

• Writing Code for Clients

• Security Camera Installation

• Network and Wireless Access Installation

• Teaching People how to use Software or Computers

• Desktop “tune up” and virus cleanup / anti-virus install

To start this, I’d buy a domain for $10, make a super simple website with wordpress hosted on Digital Ocean or Carrd that advertises my services that has a phone number or email listed.

I’d use the marketing channels I listed above combined with making content that educates people to get traffic and interest to my business.

Side Gig #2 - Flip Stuff or Sell Stuff (Laptops?)

Facebook marketplace is a great platform to sell random stuff lying around the house or even things you’ve picked up and held onto that are worth more than you bought them for.

This one is pretty easy, just take a photo, post the item and deal with potential customers who message you.

Maybe you buy decommissioned laptops from IT organizations and clean them and resell on Facebook or Craigslist for a profit?

I had this gig in High School and made a few hundred bucks at least.

Side Gig #3 - Start a Newsletter

You’re probably groaning as you read this, but, newsletters can be very profitable! There are a variety of topics you could write about: IT, Local News or Businesses in Your Area, Hobbies You’re Into, the list goes on.

Newsletters can make money via sponsorships, advertisements or selling your own info products (Just check out the ad below 😜)

This is an IT Support Group runs it’s newsletter on Beehiiv, which is free up until you have a certain amount of subscribers.

I love the platform because it has an ad platform built inside of it. So once you get some readers, you can start to get offers for advertisements and get paid per open or click on a link.

Side Gig #4 - Start a Website and Sell it or Place Ads

Websites that get traffic have the ability to make some revenue via ads, just the same as newsletters. Websites that are profitable can be sold completely for a profit.

About a year ago, I made a goofy website that made custom Rick Roll links and started getting a ton of traffic to it. I was able to eventually list the site on MicroAcquire.com and sell it for around $1000. Not retirement money, but I’m not complaining!

For this side gig, I’d learn how to:

• Drive traffic to websites via SEO

• Learn to use keyword research tools to see what people are searching for

• Build websites that:

  • have content about a specific niche

  • help users get something done, like a mortgage calculator or other tool

  • have the ability to go viral

This “side gig” is totally not immediate and takes some time, research and learning to do properly. That said, it can be very profitable, if done right!

What’s Your Side Gig?

How about you?

Have you run a side-gig? What was it? Reply back and let us know, we’ll feature the best ones on our newsletter :-)

Happy Saturday and check out our sponsor below, Codeium

-Stetson

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