Hey there, Solopreneurs.

How’s it going, everyone? Welcome to K.I.S.S., the newsletter built by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs.

(And, of course - Aspiring ones are especially welcome!)

Business Ain’t Always Booming!

Let’s face it, folks: Not every month is going to be record-breaking.

If you’re like me, doing contract-based client work, you never know when a certain industry or big-ticket contract will go down the fiscal gutter.

Even though my business doesn’t always make a ton of money, my pockets are typically quite full. Why? Because I’m ALWAYS looking for a place to make an extra dollar.

(And no, I don’t totally bust my ass in the process.)

Let’s break down the top five side hustles I suggest for online business owners.

#1: UGC

Short-form video is here to stay, so you can either hop on the train or get left behind!

UGC, or “user-generated content,” are basically advertisements that are posed as genuine thoughts from a content creator/average person.

The official definition, though, is: “User-generated content (UGC) is any content—text, videos, images, reviews, etc.—created by people rather than brands.”

The most awesome parts? You don’t need an audience, and your face doesn’t even have to be in it.

I could go on extensively, but I think that this video from Sidewalker Daily is great:

#2: Focus Groups / Research Studies

This one is right below a lot of people’s noses.

I have participated, just this year, in like 30-40 research studies.

The best part? They’ve never taken more than a few hours of my time, and they range from $75-$100 per hour.

Naturally, your question is: “Where the hell do you find these?”

My advice, especially if you live in or near any major city, is to start local.

Go on Facebook, or literally just google “focus group [city name],” and some should pop up.

The qualifications aren’t usually rigid, and candidly, they can be quite fun (especially if you’re opinionated like me!)

#3: (Legitimate) Survey Platforms

Now, now, I know what you’re thinking. Yes, MANY survey platforms are far more trouble than they’re worth. However, I’ve found one that I genuinely love and have made several hundred dollars from this year alone: DScout.

A few caveats:

• You must be comfortable being on camera/taking videos of yourself talking.

• You must have a webcam that works for certain surveys.

• You must be able to use the app, as that’s where most of the stuff happens.

#4: Brand Deals (Leveraging Your Platform)

As an entrepreneur, you’re (hopefully) already creating content.

During months when work is slowing down, this is your golden opportunity to ramp up your content creation. No client traction? No problem (mostly lol)!

Start leaning into your creator persona and utilize your platform to partner with brands that would pay top-dollar to get a front-row seat to your audience.

The more niche your personal brand is, the better.

For instance, I recently partnered with the Pittsburgh Zoo to advertise their Halloween event:

(P.S. Have an online audience but don’t know how to leverage it to brands? Reply to this email with the word “brand,” and I’ll reach out to you with some free pitch templates!)

#5: Part-Time Service Job

There are certainly some who look down upon having a part-time role while having a business. To them, I say this: I never have to worry about my rent being paid!

Working just two days a week on the side ensures me that, even during a horrible month, my most basic expenses are covered.

It’s also a great way to break through some of the inevitable isolation that comes with solopreneurship.

Basically, don’t knock it ‘till you try it.

(Plus, for me, it’s an infinite free latte glitch.)

That’s All, Folks 👋

That’s all for this week’s edition - I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Hopefully, as we enter the holiday season, you can use one or more of these gigs to give your income a bit of a boost! Let me know if you tried any of these, and if so, how they’ve worked out for you.

If you have any further questions about today’s topic, or any general insights/inquiries, don’t be afraid to shoot me a message on LinkedIn or simply reply to this email!

Until next time - Remember to keep things simple!