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Get the Side Hustle You Need to Pay for Your Wedding Day
Weddings are expensive, and there's no way around it. From the dress to the venue, One Fab Day notes that everything seems to cost a pretty penny. If you're struggling to make ends meet and save up for your special day, a side gig may be the answer. Working a side hustle can be a great way to earn extra cash and help pay for your wedding expenses. But where do you begin? In this article from Chad Populis Photography, we'll provide you with some tips on how to find and manage a side gig to help you earn more money for your dream wedding.
Find the Right Side Gig
The first step in finding a side gig is to assess your skills. Think about what you're good at and what you enjoy doing. Are you a great writer, photographer, or decorator? Do you have a talent for graphic design, web development, or social media management? If you’re a stickler for cleaning and can do it efficiently, cleaning houses is a flexible way to make some cash, and you can use safe and natural cleaning products to keep costs down. Write down a list of your skills and explore how you can translate them into a side hustle.
There are countless options when it comes to side hustles. You could become a freelance writer, wedding photographer, or event planner. If you're handy, you might flip houses, and it might even segue to a full-time career. For this, you’ll want to first ascertain the housing market in the area with houses you want to flip by searching real estate websites. You’ll want to find properties that you can invest in and make a profit, so have a price range in mind. As one example, homes in New Orleans are selling for a median price of $350,000.
If your career involves starting a full-time business, you’ll need to complete a few important steps early on, such as drafting a well-conceived business plan and deciding how to structure your business. Operating as an LLC is a popular option, as it provides tax advantages and limited liability, among other benefits. Learn what’s required to start an LLC in Louisiana, and consider having a formation service do the upfront work for you.
Research different side hustles, read reviews, and talk to people who are already doing them. Consider how much time and effort each option requires, as well as the potential income you could earn.
Create a Portfolio to Showcase Your Talents
Once you've identified your strengths and chosen a side hustle, it's important to build a portfolio. This is especially relevant for creative or freelance work, where potential clients want to see your previous projects or samples of your work. If you're starting a photography business, for example, build a website or social media page to showcase your previous work. If you're going to write or design, create a portfolio of your best work to showcase your skills to potential clients.
Save Your Files as PDFs
Digitizing all documents related to your side gig is a smart idea that can save you time and effort in the long run. One of the best ways to do this is by converting them to PDF format. Saving your files as PDFs offers several benefits. They’re easily shareable and secure and preserve the original formatting of the document. By digitizing your documents, you also reduce the risk of losing or misplacing important paperwork.
Go Above and Beyond for Your Side Gig Customers
Providing excellent customer service is key to success in any side gig. Whether you're driving someone to their destination or creating a custom wedding invitation, your customers need to feel valued and heard. Respond promptly to any questions or concerns, and go the extra mile when possible. This will help you stand out from the competition and lead to more referrals and repeat business.
Be Tax-Ready
One mistake many first-time side hustlers make is forgetting to set aside money for taxes. Most side hustles are considered self-employment income, which can result in higher tax rates and additional self-employment taxes. Consult with a tax professional to determine how much you should be setting aside for taxes.
Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Finally, it's important to maintain a healthy work-life balance when working a side gig. Set boundaries and schedule time for self-care and relaxation. Aim to work on your side hustle during downtime or outside of your regular work hours. BetterUp points out that maintaining a healthy work-life balance will lead to greater productivity and happiness in all areas of your life.
In conclusion, finding and managing a side gig can be a great way to earn extra cash for your wedding. Assess your skills and explore various side hustle options. Build a portfolio and digitize all documents related to your side gig. Provide excellent customer service and set aside money for taxes. Finally, maintain a healthy work-life balance while working on your side hustle. With time and effort, a side gig can be an excellent way to supplement your income and help you save up for the wedding of your dreams.