According to Bankrate, a 2019 survey showed that nearly 50% of U.S. workers have a side hustle. Having a side hustle is a good way to generate another stream of income. However, the idea of having that second stream of income is much easier than actually having that second stream of income. Chalk it up to one of those things that’s easier said than done.
If you’ve already found a side hustle that is working for you, that’s great. If you’ve been wondering about branding and need some direction then you will find this helpful. You may not be planning to ever quit your day job and turn your side hustle into a full-time business. However, you should still think about branding your side hustle. Here’s why:
1. Your brand represents who you are and what you stand for.
Branding isn’t just about your brand name (if you want you can use your personal name as your brand name) or your logo (but yes, it’s a good idea to create a logo for your side hustle). Essentially, it is how your customers and clients view you and your business. You may have loads of competitors, but you can still make yourself noticeable and stand out from the crowd by branding yourself as someone who has the front lead over everyone else in the mix.
For example, if you’re a clothing designer, you may want to be known as someone who only works with top quality labels. You don’t compete based on price, that is, you’re not concerned if your competitors offer reduced prices for the same service. You know the value of your work and you’re loved by the fashion world.
2. How others view your brand determines the amount of business you will get.
The more that others associate with your brand in a positive way, the more apt they will be to do business with you. However, with that being said, the opposite is also true – if your brand is received negatively, then you’ll have to spend some time repairing your reputation and credibility or rebrand from scratch.
Obviously, if you had your pick of the two you would want people to view your brand as someone they want to be in business with. Take care of your reputation and build your brand mindfully.
Social media is one of the most prevalent communication platforms used today. It’s easy to recognize the power that social media can play when you’re creating your brand. You should keep in mind that it works both ways. A minor complaint that gets broadcast out, can jeopardize your reputation before you know it. For more information on how social media can affect your business, see our previous post, 7 Ways Social Media Can Explode the Growth of Your Online Business.
3. Your recognition, trust, and credibility are created by your branding.
You want to spread the word about your business and keep your message consistent. Your brand’s message should be the same across all the various platforms. The more that people see and engage with your brand, the more familiar they become with it. Through your brand, they get to know you and what you stand for.
They will begin to see you as an expert in your niche and you will win over their trust. You need to appreciate that trust and do all you can to deliver above what is expected. Always strive to do everything with a distinction in quality and service. You’ll be compensated with a lucrative side hustle!
#sidehustle
#branding