There are a lot of complex income streams that are well worth the time and energy required, but sometimes you need something simple to get some extra cash coming in.
These small ventures don’t necessarily make you millions, but they can set you up with a nice foundation to build on.
And why wouldn’t you set something up regardless of size if it’s as easy as 1-2-3?
Before I send you on your way with this easy income stream, I want to first talk about what makes a side income stream promising.
You want something that’s…
- Easy
- Fun to do
- Doesn’t take a lot of your time
- Easy to set up
You can brainstorm on your own to see if you can think of anything that matches those 4 qualities, but I’d recommend starting with this super easy side income to get you started.
If you’re able to write, then you have all the skills you need to get going.
I know almost everyone can write these days, but very few people fulfill that skill to its opportunistic end. By that I mean that not many people think about the next step past writing: Calligraphy.
You might be surprised to hear how large the market is for calligraphers—it ranges from handwritten wedding invitations to logo design to font creation and plenty more.
So if you have some spare time on the weekend or in the evening, here’s the blueprint to starting your calligraphy side income:
Step 1: Obtain the materials
The materials necessary to begin calligraphy aren’t very expensive—especially considering how quickly you’ll be able to pay these small expenses off. All you need is a small collection of specialized pens and you’re good to go.
If you want, you can also choose to practice calligraphy with some of the traditional tools of the trade: wooden pens, stiff paint brushes, large feathers, etc. But I’d recommend starting with pens and finding your niche from there.
Step 2: Learn the craft your way
Two of my favorite things about calligraphy are that 1) it’s inexpensive to take up, and 2) there are a variety of ways to learn.
Calligraphy doesn’t require any sort of degree, so you won’t have to worry about taking tedious classes to pick up the skill. But if you want to learn the craft in a classroom setting, do a quick online search for the next calligraphy workshop or class near you.
Another option is to use online tutorials or online classes, and you can even use books to teach yourself if you’d like.
Step 3: Begin building your portfolio by freelancing
This part is really two separate steps, but both will be done at the same time.
Once you know the skill, it’s time to get paid for it. To do so, start joining freelance websites like Fiverr or Upwork to find people searching for calligraphy services and/or to advertise your skill.
As you gain and complete projects, your portfolio will start to organically grow. And the larger the portfolio, the more likely you’ll be to gain more paid projects faster and easier!
This is a side income stream I’d recommend to anyone who’s struggling to find a starting point. Once you get this going, you can branch out and start to build on your other skills.
