Do marketers have side hustles?

38 replies
I work closely with developers, and most of them are usually working on a project outside of their full-time job. Do marketers partake in something similar? Are there opportunities to make money doing SEO, Internet Marketing, etc. on the side?
#hustles #marketers #side
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Some do, some don't.

    I know of many professional copywriters who also have niche blogs of their own on topics that interest them.

    I know of marketers that also write fiction, cater events, plan weddings, etc. on the side.

    I also know marketers that are so absorbed in their main business they won't take the time to develop a side venture.

    Different strokes for different folks.

    Are there opportunities to make money doing SEO, Internet Marketing, etc. on the side?
    Yes, there are. You just have to find the ones, and the ways, that work for you.
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  • All I know is, my exotic dancin' career is titsed cos I chained to my frickin' desk.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Meaney
    A lot of us diversify our income streams as much as possible, so there are lots of side-hustles and projects going on.
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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by Michael Meaney View Post

      A lot of us diversify our income streams as much as possible, so there are lots of side-hustles and projects going on.
      Translation: My gig ain't cuttin' the mustard and I like to eat on a daily basis. :-)
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      • Profile picture of the author Michael Meaney
        Originally Posted by OptedIn View Post

        Translation: My gig ain't cuttin' the mustard and I like to eat on a daily basis. :-)
        It's more... when Google changes algorithm and shafts the money site, I can still eat.
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        • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
          Originally Posted by Michael Meaney View Post

          It's more... when Google changes algorithm and shafts the money site, I can still eat.
          Well, this covers one of the most basic principles of life - and business:

          "Never put all of your eggs in one basket."
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          "He not busy being born, is busy dying." - Bob Dylan • "I vibe with the light-dark point. Heavy." - Words that Bob Dylan wishes he had written.

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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    Hi doodlez75,

    John said it; it is really up to the individual.

    Some give all their attention and energy to marketing, and others give some energy to marketing and some to other streams.

    Whatever feels most fun, I'd always go with that.

    Ryan
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  • Profile picture of the author affmarketer101
    Well, yes, they can become a consultant, freelancer, making money from affliate, dropshipping. They all can be on the side.
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  • Profile picture of the author sparrow
    for me it gets boring focused on only one thing helps the mind be fertile especially if its fun, so I always have many sticks in the fire
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  • Profile picture of the author Deniafebake
    I guess it depends on the person involved in the marketing. One person might be satisfied with just marketing while another might want to have their hands in as many pies as possible. But of course there are marketers involved in other businesses. I would advice though that if those other things you want to involve yourself in aren't purely interest based, you just might fine yourself overwhelmed. You know how they say Jack of all trades, master of none.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rose Anderson
    A lot of people have full-time jobs and then start an online businesses on the side.

    I have a full-time writing business and a part-time "regular" job. Why? Health insurance. They pay 100% of the cost of my insurance and as an insulin dependent diabetic this is a huge thing. Private insurance would be costly if I could even qualify.

    Even with my writing business I diversify with the types of work I do. Along with ghostwriting I work on my own projects, as well.

    It's usually best to start with one thing and then branch out as you go along. It never hurts to have more than one income stream. As long as you don't spread yourself too thin.

    Rose
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  • Profile picture of the author GordonJ
    Originally Posted by doodlez75 View Post

    I work closely with developers, and most of them are usually working on a project outside of their full-time job. Do marketers partake in something similar? Are there opportunities to make money doing SEO, Internet Marketing, etc. on the side?
    Developers as in computer and programming developers and NOT product developers, as in a kitchen knife, right? There are opportunites to make money picking up dog poop, let alone SEO, IM, etc., on the side.

    Marketers with brick and mortar locations, and the ones that are succcessful, almost universally diversify their income. Many get into real estate, popular absentee owned businesses include car washes, laundramats and Ice Machines. All cash businesses with minimum attention to the owner.

    Online marketers normally develop LISTS of customers, and this is one of their most valuable assets, so selling other things, including other peoples products to this list might be considered a side hustle.

    If they have other marketing skills, they may sometimes rent those out, like copywriting or product research. You work closely with developers, eh? In what capacity?

    YOUR skills will help you determine whether you should divide your time or FOCUS in on the one thing to make the most money in the shortest period of time, which will then allow you to consider diversification.

    Nothing beats MONEY working for you to make more money. Spending TIME to do so, seems to many a successful marketer, to be somewhat of a waste of that time.

    GordonJ
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Originally Posted by doodlez75 View Post

    Are there opportunities to make money doing SEO, Internet Marketing, etc. on the side?

    Doodlez75,

    The thing that drew me to Internet marketing and online business is this:

    You have complete control and you can make your business into anything you want it to be. There are no real constraints. You build a business that suits your own style, time availability, talents, skills, passion, and interests. Side hustles are up to you ... and yes, many marketers choose to include them. It's your decision (unlike working for someone else)!

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    I teach interpretive dancing on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the community college.
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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

      I teach interpretive dancing on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the community college.
      Those who can't, teach. I've seen your Yelp reviews.
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      "He not busy being born, is busy dying." - Bob Dylan • "I vibe with the light-dark point. Heavy." - Words that Bob Dylan wishes he had written.

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      • Profile picture of the author yukon
        Banned
        Originally Posted by OptedIn View Post

        Those who can't, teach. I've seen your Yelp reviews.
        That's why I only accept money orders.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Originally Posted by yukon View Post

    That's why I only accept money orders.
    You can get money orders for $1.00?
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    • Profile picture of the author yukon
      Banned
      Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

      You can get money orders for $1.00?

      It's $1 to get in, $249 to get out.
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  • Profile picture of the author ctrlaltdelete
    Just like JohnMcCabe already mentioned, many do and many also don't. A lot of the filipinos I've hired on Onlinejobs often do freelance jobs to help finance their investments for their real-world businesses. A lot of them also do freelancing full-time.

    In my opinion it's always a good thing to have different sources of income should anything happen to your main work. They'll get you through the dry seasons. Besides, it never hurts to put your other skills to use.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joe the SEO
    My marketing agency currently gives us enough SEO work to not even want to diversify our focus onto side hustles. At least speaking for myself. The only thing I can say that I've been doing much more of recently, is marketing strategy with business owners. It's not SEO. But it's still under my marketing agency. It's a lot of fun for me as I'm naturally great at strategizing on the spot with people.

    If you're thinking of doing a side hustle, I strongly recommend you do it in something you really love. There's no reason you shouldn't spend that money you're making already to fund something that really feeds your soul.
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  • Profile picture of the author DURABLEOILCOM
    Originally Posted by doodlez75 View Post

    I work closely with developers, and most of them are usually working on a project outside of their full-time job. Do marketers partake in something similar? Are there opportunities to make money doing SEO, Internet Marketing, etc. on the side?
    They say in order to become wealthy you should have 7 different streams of revenue. Most Internet Marketers do dabble in other ventures to earn extra money.
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  • Profile picture of the author cearionmarie
    A larger percentage has this one. It's always a good idea to have multiple sources of income.
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  • Profile picture of the author rwizz99
    It's up to the individual and the full-time position they are in. Some people have bigger responsibilities and work much more. Also, there's the money question. If you earn enough, you probably won't be putting in time to work on something else (unless, let's say, it's something you are passionate about, like a blog). Also, if your future goals are to get rid of student loans, buy a house, and live large, you probably will find a side hustle just to get what you need. Too many variables here to give you a definite answer.
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  • Profile picture of the author myob
    Professional marketers call it "income diversification". Referring to other streams of income as "side hustles" just doesn't carry the pizazz you need while building your primary business.

    For example, when recruiting business or professional prospects into my business, my opener is something like, "Have you considered diversifying your income?" The impact of "side hustle" would be much different.
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  • Profile picture of the author michellealese
    It depends on the person. I know some Marketing professionals who have one full-time job, while other so work multiple side hustles. Blogging often seems to be a common side hustle, as well as social media coordination. However, there are a lot of paths that one can take within the field.
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  • Profile picture of the author Benjamin Ehinger
    Originally Posted by doodlez75 View Post

    I work closely with developers, and most of them are usually working on a project outside of their full-time job. Do marketers partake in something similar? Are there opportunities to make money doing SEO, Internet Marketing, etc. on the side?
    For most marketers, I am guessing, a side hustle would be called another source of income. Most of us have or are working on multiple ways to make money, whether it's the same strategy applied to different sites and niches or it's separate strategies.

    Some marketers I know make their money completely from what you'd call side hustles. They may have 5 or 6 of those going on, maybe more, instead of just one main source of income or one full time job.

    Benjamin Ehinger
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  • Profile picture of the author Adam Leech
    The family
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  • Profile picture of the author Ian Jackson
    Since it was my occupation before IM, I do seasonal work for a Formula 1 team during their "car build" (Winter) months.

    I like the variety and the opportunity to have some raucous banter, which I don't get from IMing at home :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author Brian Bozarth
    Nearly every marketer I know has a side hustle. But isn't that what makes us marketers? We love to think outside the box in creative, entrepreneurial ways. Hence the endless side hustles!!
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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by Brian Bozarth View Post

      Nearly every marketer I know has a side hustle. But isn't that what makes us marketers? We love to think outside the box in creative, entrepreneurial ways. Hence the endless side hustles!!
      How many "endless side hustles" does a successful Marketer need? I would think very few, if any. If your main hustle is working, you wouldn't have the time, nor the need, for any side hustles.
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      "He not busy being born, is busy dying." - Bob Dylan • "I vibe with the light-dark point. Heavy." - Words that Bob Dylan wishes he had written.

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      • Profile picture of the author Brian Bozarth
        True. I suppose it depends on the definition of side hustle. For me, a side hustle is the constant bombardment of ideas that I would like to explore. I suppose I use it in a more entrepreneurial way. Think of some well known entrepreneurs: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, or Richard Branson. For them, fulfillment isn't focusing on just one thing, but the joy of endless exploration!
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        • Profile picture of the author yukon
          Banned
          Originally Posted by Brian Bozarth View Post

          True. I suppose it depends on the definition of side hustle. For me, a side hustle is the constant bombardment of ideas that I would like to explore. I suppose I use it in a more entrepreneurial way. Think of some well known entrepreneurs: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, or Richard Branson. For them, fulfillment isn't focusing on just one thing, but the joy of endless exploration!

          Elon Musk is spreading himself so thin he'll end up dying from exhaustion.

          Not my idea of fun.
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        • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
          Originally Posted by Brian Bozarth View Post

          True. I suppose it depends on the definition of side hustle.
          Oh, no. Not another one of these. In reality, "side-hustle' has one universally accepted meaning and connotation.

          For me, a side hustle is the constant bombardment of ideas that I would like to explore.
          That's generally referred to as brainstorming, creative thinking, ideas generation, excogitation, mulling over, conceptualizing, rumination, putting on your thinking cap and last but not least, mental masturbation.

          I suppose I use it in a more entrepreneurial way. Think of some well known entrepreneurs: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, or Richard Branson. For them, fulfillment isn't focusing on just one thing, but the joy of endless exploration!
          That's a whole other ball of wax. Jeff Bezos runs Amazon, but I wouldn't call owning the Washington Post, a 'side-hustle' unless you want to take the term down to it's most base level. I think Jeff would be insulted by that, and I believe he'd be right to feel that way. :-)

          Cheers.
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          "He not busy being born, is busy dying." - Bob Dylan • "I vibe with the light-dark point. Heavy." - Words that Bob Dylan wishes he had written.

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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    Larry Flynt has a side hustler.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Originally Posted by doodlez75 View Post

    I work closely with developers, and most of them are usually working on a project outside of their full-time job. Do marketers partake in something similar? Are there opportunities to make money doing SEO, Internet Marketing, etc. on the side?
    Alot of people do, and that's normal. Plus, if you're selling online (or offline) and you still want to work a job for extra money/fresh air/kill boredom.... then do it. Nobody has to know, and you dont have to explain yourself to anyone about it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Yames
    Yes, I searched for startup companies which needed my services. One paid off well
    • Look for companies starting up and charge less
    • Look for marketable industries
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  • Profile picture of the author taridan
    Originally Posted by doodlez75 View Post

    I work closely with developers, and most of them are usually working on a project outside of their full-time job. Do marketers partake in something similar? Are there opportunities to make money doing SEO, Internet Marketing, etc. on the side?

    Yes of course... There are lots of side hustles..
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  • Profile picture of the author George Flm
    You can sit pretty on your derriere, basically doing what you love, and that is creating freedom.

    Side hustles I did in the past, keep churning out commissions so that motivates me for more.
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