Lately the topic of side hustles has been popping more often into my random media feed on Google. You know, the one that pops articles on how to clean your kitchen more efficiently and five tools to revolutionize your home office.
I’m sort of fascinated by the idea of side hustles because I wonder what kind of work people think can be carved out this way, and why they wouldn’t just be doing it as a regular job.
Lately, I’ve seen that many of the lists include freelance writer and editor – to which I think,
hey! Your hustle is your side hustle is my hustle.
Now, I’ve been a writer for long enough to know that everyone thinks they have a writer inside them. Because it’s a skill that we all learned in high school, people think that really they could do my job, it’s just that they have chosen not to. But guess what, there’s more to it if you want to do it professionally. Even new students in my classes seem a bit surprised that there’s so much to learn.
I guess what offends me to an extent is that the articles suggest that anyone can pick up the skill and suddenly go pro. Now, I like gardening in my spare time, but I’m not about to approach people as a landscape designer.
Or I know that I need some yoga teacher training before I just set out my shingle.
The point is that you can become a writer, but not just by picking up a pen. I’ve written many articles over the years that have helped me become not only quicker and more efficient but more skilled. I’ve read lots of books about writing, been mentored by editors and moved
So why would you want to compete with me?
Okay, fine if you do. But just put in the same amount of effort as I did to take it seriously as a professional. Read books. Take seminars and courses. Volunteer for your local community newsletter. In doing so, you can gain the skills you need to take this seriously.
Yet another plea is that if you are going to enter this world and compete with me, but do it as a side hustle, please just don’t undercut the people who are trying to make a full-time living.
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