The term “gig economy” seems to be all the rage lately. More and more people seem to be looking for side gigs (or side hustles) to earn income. From retirees to full-time professionals looking to increase their spending power, everyone seems to be wanting to tap into this new gig economy.

What Is the Gig Economy?

The term “gig economy” refers to a market where a substantial number of workers earn their income as independent contractors instead of having traditional salaried positions with the companies for which they provide services.

There are many advantages to working as a contractor, such as flexibility, the ability to work from anywhere, and the freedom to choose your own contracts.

On the flip side, there are several notable drawbacks to consider. The most significant challenge is the difficulty of securing contract work, particularly in a crowded and competitive market.

New contractors often get lost in the myriad of opportunities. 

There are countless articles highlighting the story of a twenty-something who is earning $42,000 a month from a side gig that only cost $1 to start. The authors of these articles usually go on telling you how they can teach you to build your own online empire at the low price of $59.99.  

While “get rich quick” schemes have existed long before the internet, the allure of quick success can be hard to resist. It’s easy to get caught up in these enticing tales that promise financial freedom overnight.

How to Bring In Income as a Stay at Home Mom

As a stay-at-home mom striving to supplement your household income, you may find it challenging to sift through the vast array of online income opportunities. With so much information—and misinformation—available, distinguishing legitimate chances to earn from the countless schemes can feel like an overwhelming task.

So, how can you effectively navigate in the chaos of virtual side hustle nonsense and find genuine income opportunities that truly fit your skills and lifestyle? Here’s how.  

A 5-Step Guide to Finding the Perfect Side Gig

1. Complete a Self Assessment
2. Identify Your Transferable Skills
3. Do Your Research
4. Connect and Reach Out to People Who Can Help You Gain Experience and Obtain Contracts
5. Do a Reality Check

1. Complete a Self Assessment

Reflect on why you need a side gig.

Being a wsahm is not always easy (here’s more on being a working stay at home mom). So, if you are going to embark on the journey of working while also being a full-time mom, it’s important to know why you are doing it in the first place. 

Ask yourself why you need to find an additional source of income.  It might seem like an obvious question, but taking the time to reflect on it can reveal insights you hadn’t considered before.

While you are working on your self-assessment, remember to: 

Be Honest (Determine Your True Values, Needs, and Wants)

It’s easy to lie to ourselves or downplay our feelings. Instead of being honest, we often create elaborate scenarios that don’t reflect the true reasons behind our actions.

Why do we do this?

It’s hard to explain in just one sentence, but typically, it stems from not knowing how to let our true, authentic selves shine through.

I plan to write a post about the authentic self soon. For now, I can say that embracing your authentic self means relying on your core values and needs when making decisions. It means owning those decisions, even in the face of external pressures and expectations. 

So, when considering whether a side gig is right for you, be honest with yourself.

Are you looking to occupy your mind with something other than baby wipes? Many stay at home moms miss the intellectual stimulation that work can offer. If that resonates with you, could you find that stimulation through volunteer work? While earning extra income is nice, it may not be your primary motivation.

On the other hand, if your main goal is to earn money, take a moment to evaluate your income needs and expectations. Are you seeking to make ends meet for essentials, like groceries, or are you looking to save for something special, like a family trip to Disney World?

Whatever your answer is, it will help clarify what you really want and need.

As you reflect, don’t forget to consider your core values and natural talents. Don’t underestimate your unique hobbies. Many people are successfully earning substantial income from their passions.

Be Specific (Consider Work-Life Balance)

Although we would all want to earn 42K a month, I’m guessing that if you were solely looking to get rich, you wouldn’t be looking for part-time side hustles. 

Instead, it’s likely that you have a specific financial need you’re looking to fulfill. 

Remaining ambiguous will not help you here. Instead, be clear and precise about your goals. 

Consider statements like, “I need to earn $500 a month to save for my child’s college fund” or “I need $1000 a month to cover the increase in our mortgage and the extra monthly expenses that come with owning a second car”.  

In addition to your income goals, think about the time you are willing to invest in a side income opportunity. As a stay at home mom, any time spent away from your children will require adjustments to your family’s schedule, including childcare and household responsibilities. 

Who will take care of the children while you work on your side gig? Will you need to pay for childcare, or can a family member help out for a few hours? If neither option is available, do you need to find a side hustle that can be managed after hours, like in the evenings when your spouse is home or after the children go to bed? Considering your schedule is a crucial aspect of being a work at home mom.  Find out more about crafting a schedule that works for you as a working stay at home mom.

Write It Down (Make Your Vision a Reality)

You might be surprised by how writing down your thoughts makes them feel more tangible than just fleeting ideas that can easily be forgotten amid the daily hustle of life. Often, the whirlwind of daily life causes our thoughts to drift away. However, by putting them on paper, they become concrete and take on a life of their own.

There are numerous methods to spark your creativity and organize your plans. Techniques such as mind mapping and rapid ideation can help you visualize your next steps. Such methods can illuminate the path forward, making the abstract more accessible.

Engaging in this reflective process is vital. It serves as the bridge between dreaming and doing, turning your aspirations into achievable goals.

Once you understand the reasons for needing a side hustle, let’s explore the possibilities for what that side gig can be.

2. Identify Your Transferable Skills

If you need to earn income, you’ll want to find a side hustle that aligns with your abilities and skills.

Now for some moms, this is very easy, because they can just keep doing the job they were doing before having children, but on a more flexible schedule. 

However, for others, balancing work and being a full-time mom may require reinventing their career. To achieve this, it’s essential for them to identify their strengths and skills.

Hard skills are straightforward to determine. These are technical or specific skills related to a certain industry, such as accounting or computer coding. While these are important to recognize, they may not necessarily help you transition into a new career. Identifying your transferable skills can be much more beneficial.

Transferable skills are, as the name implies, skills that can be applied across different jobs. Here are a few examples of transferable skills:

So, how can you identify your transferable skills? It’s simple.

All your life, you’ve been acquiring skills. Not just from your previous jobs but also from various activities you’ve participated in. Consider all the skills you’ve learned in school, your volunteer work, hobbies, or involvement in sports. Even parenting has equipped you with a ton of new skills you might not even realize you possess! After all, no one knows multitasking better than a mother juggling a newborn and a toddler with a fever!

Take some time to brainstorm all your skill sets and write them down. You can use the infographic above to help you get started.

3. Do Your Research

Research plays an essential role in any career transition, even when shifting to a part-time side gig. 

Engaging in thorough research opens up a world of possibilities, helping you uncover numerous opportunities that resonate with your unique needs, skills, and aspirations. 

This comprehensive process entails sifting through a ton of job descriptions. It requires exploring various career websites, and, if necessary, consulting with a career orientation specialist. 

While many people tend to shy away from this tedious yet critical step, investing the time and effort into it will empower you to identify the best options tailored to your individual circumstances. 

If you feel overwhelmed by the amount of options available to you, I highly recommend organizing your prospects into three primary categories. This strategy not only streamlines your options but also helps eliminate irrelevant information that may distract you from your true interests. For example, during my own journey to transition my career to align with the WSAHM lifestyle, I carefully narrowed my focus to three specific categories that harmonized with my passions, skills, and desired income: writing, editing, and translation. 

Once you have narrowed your search to three categories, it’s time to investigate further and identify any gaps in your skills or knowledge that may hinder your success in your chosen field. In my case, I discovered that content writing was the most compatible with my strengths and goals. However, I soon realized that I lacked experience in content writing and a solid foundation in digital marketing. To bridge this gap,  I started writing articles in order to practice and build a portfolio. Additionally, I immersed myself in learning about digital marketing. I read as many articles as I could find, and completed several online certifications in SEO and Content Writing to boost my qualifications. 

Finally, as part of your research, it’s crucial to keep in mind the dynamics of the job market. Consider the current demand for your chosen field and evaluate the level of competition you may face. Understanding these factors will be instrumental in crafting a strategic approach to your career transition and land the right side hustle.

4. Connect and Reach Out to People Who Can Help You Gain Experience and Obtain Contracts

You might be surprised at how valuable connections can be in helping you get ahead. Once you have a clear goal, don’t hesitate to put yourself out there. Ask your connections for opportunities, even if it’s on a volunteer basis at first. This can help you get started. Your connections can include past employers, family members, friends, friends of friends, former classmates, or previous colleagues.

For instance, my first paid writing gig was through the digital marketing firm where I was employed. At that time, I was working as a virtual data entry clerk. I sent my portfolio to my boss, who then offered me the chance to write a blog post for a small local business. The client liked my work, so I was given the opportunity to write another post. My writing commitments slowly grew, as did my confidence. I reached out to more contacts and gained more contracts until I no longer needed to work in data entry. 

If you find yourself without any contacts in your desired field, don’t be discouraged. There are many ways to connect with others. Joining social groups, attending conferences or seminars, and even making cold contacts can help you build a network. Each of these interactions can pave the way for new opportunities and collaborations.

5. Do a Reality Check

Once you have established a solid and consistent plan, it’s essential to take a step back and do a reality check. 

This means carefully evaluating the specific steps required to launch your side gig and honestly assessing whether this venture aligns with your personal goals and circumstances. 

Rather than getting caught up in inspiring success stories or societal pressures to conform, focus entirely on what is best for you. Consider your skills, resources, and passion. Then determine if pursuing this side project is the most beneficial choice for your unique situation. This will help you deduce what is truly best for you and your family. 

Have a question? Leave a comment below—I’d love to hear from you! While you’re here, take a moment to explore my curated list of the best job opportunities specifically tailored for stay at home moms. You might discover some inspiring ideas that align perfectly with your skills and interests!

Talk soon, 

The Working Stay at Home Mom