by Elena Stewart 

A staggering 63 percent of Americans admit to living paycheck to paycheck, so it’s no surprise that approximately one in three of them are working a side hustle to make ends meet. Many of them elect to do so through artistic endeavors, which not only helps pad your bank account, but as Forbes points out, that creative outlet offers the added benefit of boosting your mental and physical well-being.

If you dabble in artistic pursuits as a hobby, it may be time to consider pursuing a side gig. But before stretching a canvas, joining a jam session or throwing clay after your nine-to-five job, make sure you approach a second job the right way so you can ensure that it’s profitable. Vector Logos presents some ideas to help artists, graphic designers, and other creatives get their side gigs off the ground.

Secrets of performance

For starters, you need to figure out what you’re going to offer, whether that’s a service or a product. Some artistic gigs include, but are not limited to, animator, art teacher, graphic designer, makeup artist, industrial designer, fashion designer, motion graphics designer, painter, sculptor, jewelry designer, cake decorator, and illustrator. Getting going is easy these days, thanks to the internet. There are job platforms like Upwork which help you to market talents like graphic design services, where you can connect with clients, frame project details, and set your own freelance graphic design rates.

Do It Your Way

Whichever path you choose, Mic suggests thinking about how you can make your offering different. Before diving into your project, make sure you craft a detailed budget that includes all of your costs — from materials to home office to vehicle if applicable — so you can ensure you’ll actually be turning a profit from your gig.

It’s also crucial that you find a balance between your day job and side gig without feeling burned out or compromising one for the other — remember, for now, you need that nine-to-five job. You can’t risk losing a steady job, especially if you have a family or a pile of debt to pay down. Focus on one job at a time so you’re putting in 100 percent effort. Use a day planner or app to keep track of your schedule, make to-do lists, and set boundaries for both jobs. It’s also important to make time for self-care such as proper rest, exercise, healthy meals (try cooking them ahead and freezing to save time), and social time with friends and family.

The Perfect Creative Environment

Make sure you have the proper home workspace so that your side gig feels like a profitable job, not just a hobby. Choose a distraction-free space that’s either an independent room or at the very least is sectioned off by some form of partition. Find an organizational system that works best for you, but don’t neglect this detail as it’s liable to save you from having a few headaches.

A comfortable place to work will prevent stress on your neck and back, and with the right design you gain the added benefit of raising the value of your home. Since you already have an artistic eye, you should have no problem figuring out ways to decorate your workspace in order to feel inspired and focused while also being aesthetically pleasing.

If all goes well, there may come a time when you can turn your side gig into a full-time business — but just make sure you’re in the right place financially before giving your notice. If this is your goal, save — don’t spend — the profits from your side job so you can put together an emergency fund and support startup costs. This is also a good time to reconfigure your budget (to include all your financial responsibilities) to reflect the fact that you’re no longer generating a second income stream.

Is it time to take your creative talents to the next level? It can be scary to put your abilities out there, but it can also benefit you in important ways. Not only is it a meaningful chance to express yourself, but you can gain a much-needed income boost.

Vector Logos can help you find exclusive, ready-made graphics for your business logo. Check out our different designs today.

Photo Credit: Pexels