How to turn your creative side hustle into a full-time career

Having a side hustle that allows you to explore your creative passions can be a great way to bring in passive income, but what happens when it takes off and you're left considering making your side an entree? We know it can be daunting, beginning your creative side hustle alongside a 9-5, but we know that it is possible and possible for you. Let's look at the key steps you need to take to get into the best mindset and develop your plan for success​.

• Put in the work

​Turning your creative side hustle into a full-time career takes time and effort, so the first step is being willing to put in the work to make it happen. You need to prepare yourself to invest time, energy and resources into building your dream into a reality. This means thinking long-term, being patient with yourself as you work towards your long-term and short-term goals, and not giving up when things get difficult (more on that in step two). It's unlikely that you'll be able to quit your 9-5 overnight, but staying committed to your long-term goal of being your own boss will help you to persevere even when progress is slow. Be sure to celebrate your successes along the way, even the small ones, and use these wins as motivation to keep pushing forward. 

• Start with a clear plan

The next best step to turning your creative side hustle into a full-time career is to develop a clear plan of what you want to achieve and the steps you need to take to get there.Take your time to research your market, identify your target audience, and develop a strategy for how you'll grow your business over time. Further breaking this growth strategy into a list of actionable steps complete with specific goals, a timeline, and a list of actions will help keep you accountable and focused on the long-term goals when you're building your business. It's important to remember that while creating an ideal outline of what growth looks like, this plan will change as you meet your goals; progress looks a little different for everyone, and the ability to be agile in your growth mindset is important for long-term success.

• Be honest about your finances

When making the change from a side hustle to a full-time career, it's crucial to take an honest look at your finances to ensure you’re prepared for the transition. This means clearly understanding your current income and expenses and developing a plan to support yourself as you build your creative business. Consider the costs of starting your business, as you've identified in step one. What are the financial implications of getting your creative business off the ground? This can cover everything from equipment needed to get you started, software needs you've identified, or marketing efforts you know will get your name out there. 

• Seek out support through networking and mentorship

Building a creative business can be a lonely experience, but it doesn't have to be. Seeking out support through networking and collaborating with other creatives on the same path as you is important to keep you focused and inspired. Additionally, finding a mentor can make the world of difference when navigating new areas. Be curious! You may have a sense of where you want to get to, but there are so many aspects of a creative career that you won’t yet know about, a mentor can help you dodge common speedbumps or pitfalls. Similarly, joining a community of like-minded creatives can give you a sense of belonging and support as you navigate the ups and downs of building your own business. Voltage Revolution exists, for this reason, to connect, support and inspire creatives through community events and mentorship opportunities. If you still need to, consider joining a supportive community of creatives by signing up here.

• Build your brand and online presence

We live in a digital world, with most of our interactions taking place online. Making a strong brand presence in this world is more important than ever. Think of your online presence as a way of building trust with your clients, who, much like yourself, will do a quick digital investigation on a brand or creator who piques their interest. Start by building a website or online portfolio and expanding into a social presence to build your brand presence and show off your cultivated persona. Your website should highlight your work or services, and your social presence should be an extension of this and a way to connect with clients and collaborators. The easiest way of building brand recognition is to ensure your look and feel are extended from your website to your social presence. Think of your logo, brand colours and persona when creating both. How will these translate across your website and social profiles? How will you engage your found community on your social profiles? Ensure your brand is consistent across all channels to build trust with your audience and establish your business as a credible authority in your niche.

Going out on your own can be filled with many conflicting emotions, but having faith in your talents and contribution to the creative industry will help embolden those first steps. Work through the key points outlined above to increase your chances of success and make sustainable decisions for your future. Join our Voltage Revolution community for more tips on how you can evolve your creative career.