The Silver Linings Group is a small, close-knit team that is hugely dedicated to making a difference for your brand. With a focus on strategic digital marketing, we help our clients reach potential customers through relationship building, providing value, and being authentic to who they are.
So you’ve been working on this “side hustle” for a while now…you’ve invested time and money into gaining the skills that you need to have an authority on the topic, but for some reason, you haven’t seen any (financial) returns on those investments yet.
Maybe you’re just starting out with the business brainstorming process but keep gaslighting yourself out of committing to actionable steps…
Maybe you’re a yoga teacher who spent thousands of dollars on getting your certification but hasn’t established a consistent teaching schedule yet…
Maybe you’re a small business owner with a brilliant idea but somehow can’t get your message out there…
Regardless of whether you’re pursuing this side hustle as a means to gain a little extra cash on the side or are trying to scale this into your full-time business, something in this equation isn’t adding up and you’re not making any money.
Well, fret not! This is actually a very common and easily fixable problem. Here are five reasons why your side hustle isn’t making money and some tips and tricks on how you can fix that.
Think about it…you wouldn’t go to a general family practitioner if you were having really specific eye pain, would you?
Present yourself as an expert and get really, really, really good at one specific skill. Then get really, really, really specific about your ideal client avatar.
Are you looking to connect with women who are interested in wellness?
Too broad. Niche down.
Are you looking to connect with new moms who are interested in wellness?
Too broad. Niche down.
Are you looking to connect with new moms who are interested in meditation for stress, overwhelm, and lack of sleep?
Much better. This is your niche.
Here’s How To Fix It:
Having a specific niche gives you a clear understanding of your ideal client avatar and how your marketing needs to align to speak to that audience. If you’re having a hard time finding your niche, check out this free 20-minute training that our CEO, Danielle Abele put together on Instagram.
Maybe you’re the type of person with a million business ideas running through your head at any given time. You see the problem and can come up with a solution immediately but never get around to taking action. Part of the problem is that you have difficulty deciding which idea to commit to and then the other part is that you have so much to do that you end up doing nothing.
Here’s How To Fix It:
When you’re just getting started with your business, intentionally set aside some time to reflect on the ideas that you have. In order for a business to be sustainable in the long term, it needs to exist at the intersection of what you’re good at, what you enjoy, and what you can monetize. Once you’ve decided on that list of ideas, do some research and check out the competition. Are there individuals who are running successful businesses with the same model? How can you add your own personal spin on it?
Next, begin to take the actions that you need to create this business. Jot them all down in order of priority and hold yourself accountable to follow through. Overwhelmed with all the tasks? Check out this Instagram post on how to break down tasks into more manageable pieces. Looking for more support and accountability? Consider joining the waitlist for our Side Hustler to CEO program. This program will give you access to weekly calls, comprehensive guides, and the accountability that you need to grow your business.
If you’re using Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok to generate leads for your business, then you’re off to a great start. The problem is…are those posts actually doing anything to help you make money in the business? Having a clear social media strategy that incorporates sales is essential to a profitable business. If you’re simply posting to post or are sharing content that helps you gain leads but are then letting those leads drop, then you’re making a huge mistake.
Here’s How To Fix It:
Create a social media strategy that prioritizes sales. It’s easy to get caught up in the likes and comments but remember, these vanity metrics actually don’t help you at all. Instead, focus on metrics like website clicks, post shares, profile visits, and post saves to help you gain an understanding of the content that resonates and converts.
For more specific tips, check these out:
Free Masterclass On Upleveling Your Instagram Presence
Three Reasons Your Social Media Strategy Isn’t Working
What To Post To Drive Sales
Content That Grows Your Community & Converts
For an in-depth audit and consultation on your social media strategy, schedule a one-on-one call with Danielle or join the waitlist for Instagram Bootcamp.
Say it with us…getting support is NOT a sign of weakness! It’s okay to not know how to do it all on your own.
Getting support from a business coach or signing up for a business coaching program is one of the best things that you can do as an entrepreneur. It helps to keep you accountable, allows you to leverage someone else’s expertise to fast-track your way to success, and gives you a clear roadmap of how to grow your business.
Here’s How To Fix It:
Whether you’re joining a free Facebook group for entrepreneurial support or working with a business coach for guidance, the first step is simply to reach out.
Support can look like a billion different things. Maybe it’s bouncing ideas off your loved ones. Maybe it’s working in tangent with another entrepreneur for accountability. Maybe it’s following through on that consultation with a business coach…
Whatever support looks like for you, take a moment to assess your needs and then reach out.
What’s our most valuable resource? Ding ding! Time.
If you’re working on a side hustle, chances are you’re a busy person. Between balancing your full-time work, juggling relationships, living life, AND building this business empire, time can run a little scarce.
Here’s How To Fix It:
Make the most of it by honing in on the tasks that really matter when it comes to moving the needle in your business and sidestepping all the busy work.
Here are some small steps that you can take to optimize your time and put systems in place that will streamline your business.
Three Things Every Business Can And Should Automate
Time Saving Tips For Entrepreneurs
Five Frameworks That Will Save You Time And Energy
This is just the tip of the iceberg! If you’re serious about taking your side hustle full-time and transforming it into a successful, profitable business, then you need more than just this blog post.
#SideHustlerToCEO is a coaching program that will take you through every detail that you need to know about creating a profitable business with a sustainable strategy and clear goals. This program will guide you through a 5-step methodology to achieve profitable, freedom, and confidence.
Sign up for the waitlist to be the first to to hear when it relaunches (coming 2022)!