I Interview Side Hustlers for a Living. These Are the 5 Key Moves They Make to Succeed. Starting is always the hardest part, but with these 5 actionable and simple steps, you can build a profitable side hustle.
By Nicaila Matthews Okome Edited by Mark Klekas
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
For many of us, the new year symbolizes a fresh start — a time to take big leaps toward our goals. If launching your side hustle has been on your mind, 2025 is the year to make it happen. Whether it's a passion project, a long-held dream, or a new venture sparked by necessity, starting is always the hardest part. But once you take that leap, you'll wonder why you waited so long.
Here are five practical steps to help you get your side hustle off the ground this year.
1. Get clear on your vision
Before diving in, take the time to get crystal clear on what you want to achieve. Many aspiring entrepreneurs get stuck because they're juggling too many ideas or unsure where to focus. Write down everything you're considering and identify which one aligns most with your skills, passion and long-term goals.
Ask yourself:
- What problem am I solving?
- Who is my ideal customer?
- What unique value do I bring?
Once you've honed in on your idea, break it down into actionable steps for the next 12 weeks. Focus on progress, not perfection.
2. Choose your channel
Every successful side hustle starts with finding the right platform to connect with your audience. Whether it's Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok or YouTube — your channel should align with your strengths and your audience's preferences.
If you're unsure of which to choose, select the channel on which your target audience is most likely to spend time.
3. Organize your content
Content is the backbone of your side hustle — it's how you share your story, connect with your audience and build trust. Start by taking inventory of the content you already have. Check your phone's camera roll, dig through old blog posts, or revisit emails, group chats and even text messages where you've shared advice.
Create a system to organize your content ideas. Use tools like Google Docs, Notion or even a simple notebook to jot down topics, captions and visuals. As you organize your thoughts, pay attention to what resonated most with people before and expand on those themes. Note: the key to side hustle is testing. You will still have to test out these concepts, but this gives you a starting point.
4. Trust yourself and take action
Launching a side hustle comes with its fair share of self-doubt. What if no one cares? What if I fail? These thoughts are normal, but don't let them stop you. The only way to build confidence is by taking action. Start small and embrace the learning curve.
Remember, your first attempt doesn't have to be perfect. Progress comes from trying, failing and tweaking along the way. Trust that you have what it takes to figure things out, even if you don't have all the answers right now.
5. Invest in learning and growth
Once you start generating momentum, it's time to level up. Free resources like YouTube tutorials and podcasts are great for beginners, but scaling your side hustle often requires a deeper investment in education. Whether it's a course, coaching program, or a mastermind group, look for opportunities to learn from experts who've been where you want to go.
As you invest in your growth, set realistic goals and track your progress. Remember: success doesn't happen overnight, but each step you take brings you closer to your dream.
Starting your side hustle can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into actionable steps makes it achievable. By getting clear on your vision, choosing the right channel, organizing your content, trusting yourself,and investing in growth, you'll be well on your way to launching a successful side hustle this year.
To hear more about these five steps and actionable advice for starting your side hustle, check out the full podcast episode here
