side hustle – Page 8 – Take on Life After 50

3 Steps to Creating an Information Product

Creating an information product is probably one of the easiest things to do, and can bring you the highest return.

Disclaimer: This post contains links for my products. I will receive full payment should you decide to make a purchase. The information does not guarantee financial gain simply by reading this post or my product. It takes time and effort to create an information product, but once done the possibilities of increasing your bank balance is real.

Before I get too far into the steps, you must first know what an information product is. In all honesty, this blog post is essentially an information product, because it will teach you how to do something.

An information product is designed to teach the reader/viewer/listener how to do something. It can be written, video, or audio. And the beauty of it is you create it once, and can sell it over and over again…even while you sleep.

I have been creating information products for at least three decades. When I started I didn’t even realize I was doing it. It wasn’t until up to about 10 years ago that I came across an article online (I don’t remember the title of it now) that talked about information products and marketing. It was then that the lightbulb went off, and I realized I could do that as a side hustle.

I started by writing articles online and when I realized people liked what I had to say, I took it a step further and began self-publishing my own ebooks, PDFs, print on demand books, and printable products in my Etsy shop.

My most popular articles have been on quilting, making and using weaving sticks, and how to earn money with side hustles. As much as I enjoy crafting, I enjoy helping others make the extra money they need/want for bills, vacations, or a new home.

This post will tell you what you need to do to create your own written information product.

Step 1: Come up with an idea.

This is where your brainstorming skills will come into play. Think of all of the things you like to do. Then think of all the things you are good at. Make a list of each, then pick your top 3.

Step 2: Outline your product.

Remember back in school when you had to write an essay? Your teacher probably told you to make an outline. It wasn’t because he/she wanted to give you more work (well, maybe that was part of it), but rather to help you stay on track as you wrote.

It’s quite easy to start writing about something, then stray off topic. The outline is there to keep you focused.

Step 3: Create your product.

This is the fun part. My guess is you already know a lot about your topic. If you don’t, it’s time to do some research.

You don’t have to write thousands of words, unless of course that’s what it’s going to take to get your point across. I do want to say the easier you make it for your reader the better. They’re going to want quick results, especially if they’re impatient like many people (me included).

Use words, short sentences, pictures, diagrams, and whatever else it takes to show your reader how to get from an idea to a finished product. For example, if you’re teaching someone how to make a macrame plant hanger you’ll include a materials list, cutting lengths, knot directions, and steps to make the hanger.

Since a lot of people need a visual to understand how the knots are made, take photos as you go along and insert them after the written part of each step. You could also include a video tutorial within the product, or link to it on your YouTube channel.

Conclusion:

Once your product is created, it’s time to market it. For a more in-depth look at the process of creating an information product, I have written a course which is available in my Etsy Shop (NotJustAlpacaDesigns) and priced at $19. Grab your copy today, and you can be on your way to earning passive income tomorrow.

If you like what you read you can show your support by pinning this post, sharing on social media, or buy me a coffee.

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5 Offline Side Hustles

I’ve talked about online side hustles; now it’s time to switch over to a few offline ones.

Not all side hustles need to be online. In fact, it’s better to have an offline venture or two going as well. Read through the list below and see if there’s one that fits your personality.

Disclaimer: Links within this post are either to my own products, or products I endorse. I may receive a small commission should you make a purchase through an affiliate link, at no extra cost to you. My blog is supported through commissions and sales of my products. Plus, if you like what you read you can show your support by pinning this post, sharing on social media, or buy me a coffee. Thank you for your continued support.

Farmer’s Market – Pre-COVID had people selling their wares at weekly Farmer’s Markets. Now that life is starting to get back to some sort of normal, communities are once again allowing the markets. With the holidays coming up it’s the perfect time to sell baking, homemade jams and jellies, handcrafted wood projects, knit/crocheted items, custom signs, paintings, and so much more. Contact your local Chamber of Commerce to see what events are happening in your community, including Craft markets.
Bottle Picking – This may seem like a bottom-of-the-barrel hustle to some, but it can really be quite lucrative. With so much emphasis put on recycling and cleaning up our environment, there’s no shame in doing our part. I have friends who fund little projects with the money they earn just from taking their quads out along the highways and backroads. I myself find a few cans occasionally when going out for a walk. I know if I walked a different stretch of road each time I’d find a lot more. Just this week I picked up several cans between my house and my father-in-law’s farm, which is less than a quarter mile away.
Pet Sitting – If you have a love for animals, this can be a great little side hustle for you. Pet owners spend thousands of dollars on their pets annually; and that’s not including the day-to-day necessities. Busy people are willing to pay you for spending time with their pet so they can go on vacation, or just be reassured their pets won’t be bored while they’re at work. A bored pet is a destructive pet.
House Sitting – Similar to pet sitting, but not as tiring (unless of course there’s a snowstorm). When you go on vacation don’t you feel better when you have someone checking in on your home? You can provide the same service to friends and neighbours for a small fee. It may mean cleaning the sidewalks, watering the plants, and just making sure their home looks occupied while they’re away. An unoccupied home is an easy target for criminals.
Snow Removal/Lawn Care – This is a side hustle you can do at any time of year. The tools you need will depend on the season, but chances are it’ll be either a shovel or a lawnmower. You don’t need anything fancy or expensive; just a strong back (especially when it comes to snow removal) and the desire to help others. Keep your rates competitive, do a good job, and you’ll have repeat customers no matter the season.

The 5 side hustles mentioned in this post are low-to-no-startup cost, and can easily bring in a few hundred dollars a month. Your biggest cost will be table rental with the first side hustle, as you will most likely have the tools needed for the others.

They are also not passive income earners; you will need to do the work in order to get paid. However, you’ll likely meet and make some friends along the way who will tell others about your services. And, once you have some firsthand experience you can write your own guide to doing what you do. That in turn will create some passive income for you, and you can hire a house sitter while you vacation in Hawaii.

If you like what you read you can show your support by pinning this post, sharing on social media, or buy me a coffee.

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Change is Good

Sometimes we all need a little change in our lives.

Today I changed the look of my website. If you’re a regular reader of my posts, you may have thought you were on the wrong site for a moment.

I designed the page header awhile back, and it’s the same style I use on my new Etsy Shop, TOLA50Printables. After some playing around with palettes, colours, and designs, I clued into the fact WordPress has a little button that says something to the effect of “match header colours”. If only I had known it was that easy. 😀

I like the new look. I think it’s much easier on the eyes, and the header isn’t distorted in any way. I think it’s a win-win.

I am into Week 2 of my Create 30 Products in 30 Days course and am loving it. I haven’t created more than a few products but that’s okay. I enjoy learning and creating because I can change the fonts, colours, and clipart to suit what I’m doing. And just because I start with a PLR template, it doesn’t mean I end up with a product that looks the same.

My latest creation from my 30 Products in 30 Days course.

Change is also coming for my family. My first grandbaby will be arriving in April, which is very exciting!

I’m going to have to wipe the dust off my sewing machine and make a couple of baby quilts through the winter. It’s going to be fun deciding on a pattern and colours that are suitable for either gender. My daughter doesn’t want to know until baby arrives, which, in my opinion, is the way it should be. As long as baby is healthy that’s the main thing.

That also opens up a whole new line of printables to be created. Cards, schedules, lists, and so much more. I know from being a mom that babies have their own schedules, no matter what the “experts” say. As I’m working my way through my course I’ll be coming up with baby-themed printables, for not only new moms but also for recording the milestones of pregnancy.

Babies bring changes in so many ways. My daughter is a great furbaby parent, and I know she’ll be a wonderful parent to her little human when he/she arrives. Now if only I could convince her to open up her own Etsy Shop so she can work from home and raise her own babies.

As I close this post I ask you this: What is your sole reason for wanting to start a side hustle? Is it for extra cash, to support yourself and family, to go on vacation, or something else?

Comment below or if you prefer, answer via the contact form.

If you like what you read you can show your support by pinning this post, sharing on social media, or buy me a coffee.

Tag: side hustle