Tips, Tricks and gear you will need by Joe Donoghue from Algonquin Marketing
Are you looking to bring home some extra income and are good at content creation? This side hustle is one example of many that will provide you with some extra money, create the bones of a potential full-time business, and challenge the content creator within you to be creative and have fun while supporting local businesses.
I started my business as a side hustle. During COVID, I saw an opportunity to support small local businesses that needed help gaining awareness and driving sales. I began by offering my services for free, shooting two weeks’ worth of short videos for a couple of local businesses during the lockdowns. When the videos proved successful, they asked for more! That’s when it all began. My side hustle grew into three regular clients while I was still working my full-time job as a marketer – generating a nice source of extra income when my wife was on maternity leave.
At a certain point in time, I decided to turn my side hustle into my full-time job and am now growing a small business of my own offering full marketing services.
Outside of work, I am an outdoors enthusiast who enjoys hiking, camping and canoeing. Check out my Instagram (the.outdoorcollective) and give me a follow (if you have any awesome outdoor shots, shoot me a DM – I love to feature other creators’ photos).
Looking to get started? Here is just one example of a side hustle.
Tell us about your side hustle on our social media!
The demand for engaging and high-quality content is higher than ever. Local businesses are constantly looking for ways to stand out on social media and in their advertising efforts. This is where content creators come into play. A content creator is someone who produces and curates visual content—such as photos and videos—for businesses to use on their social media platforms and marketing campaigns.
Example: Working with Local Businesses
As a content creator, I work with local businesses to help them enhance their social media presence. I collaborate closely with each business to develop a comprehensive shot plan, outlining the type of content needed to achieve their marketing goals. On the day of the shoot, I captured a variety of photos and videos using my DJI OSMOS Mobile 6, Rode Wireless Go II, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. For more polished content, I might also use a Sony Alpha A7 III mirrorless camera on a DJI RS3 gimbal – it really depends on the client’s needs and wants and the purpose of the content.
After the shoot, I edit and produce the content using CapCut or Final Cut, ensuring that each piece aligns with the business’s brand and message. Finally, I deliver the content in a well-organized Cloud folder (like Google Drive, or Drop Box), providing the business with a package of ready-to-use videos and photos for their organic social media posts.
Although I shoot content, there are a lot of options for your side-hustle. Here is a list of some ideas that require some creativity and content creation:
- Offer Blogs & SEO Services
- Learn how to build websites for small businesses
- Shoot photo & videos for clients websites and print work
- Manage a clients email campaigns
Essential Gear for Content Creation
- DJI OSMOS Mobile 6: Perfect for stabilizing smartphone video shoots. With built-in video features, I utilize this camera for quick 30-second – 20-minute videos. With a modern higher-end smartphone, I can shoot in 4K and produce high-quality social media videos in vertical format.
- Rode Wireless Go II: Ensures high-quality audio for interviews and on-the-go filming. Having this microphone combo allows me to record audio for two speakers at once. It works great in loud environments and has proven to be very reliable.
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: Offers excellent camera capabilities for both photos and videos. I’m an Apple guy. It doesn’t matter what you use as long as you’re comfortable with it!
- Sony Mirrorless Camera: Provides professional-quality footage when paired with a DJI RS3 gimbal. Some businesses want a more polished video for YouTube or their website. A proper mirrorless camera does the best job of capturing professional-looking video. This isn’t a must for your side-hustle, but it gives you extra abilities and services to offer.
- DJI RS 3 Mini: The RS3 Mini is a great companion for my mirrorless camera. It helps create super smooth and stabilized shots. I like to pan in my video and move around to keep the shots interesting, this is a great tool to help take smooth and cinematic shots!
Tips & Tricks for Starting Your Content Creation Side Hustle
- Start Small:
- Begin by offering your services to local small businesses. Offer to shoot a couple of videos for free to build your portfolio and gain experience – if they like it, and you can build a relationship, they’ll be willing to pay for more frequency, and your side hustle begins!
- Begin by offering your services to local small businesses. Offer to shoot a couple of videos for free to build your portfolio and gain experience – if they like it, and you can build a relationship, they’ll be willing to pay for more frequency, and your side hustle begins!
- Negotiate Pricing:
- Once you have a few samples, negotiate pricing that fits the business’s budget. Be transparent about your rates and what they include. I try to work within the business’s budget.
- Once you have a few samples, negotiate pricing that fits the business’s budget. Be transparent about your rates and what they include. I try to work within the business’s budget.
- Set Expectations:
- Clearly outline how often you’ll be shooting content and what the business can expect in terms of deliverables. Communication is key to maintaining a good relationship with your clients.
- Clearly outline how often you’ll be shooting content and what the business can expect in terms of deliverables. Communication is key to maintaining a good relationship with your clients.
- Follow Sole Proprietor, Income and Tax Laws:
- Ensure you keep track of your earnings and comply with all relevant tax laws. Consider consulting a business lawyer and tax professional to avoid any legal issues.
- Ensure you keep track of your earnings and comply with all relevant tax laws. Consider consulting a business lawyer and tax professional to avoid any legal issues.
Expanding Your Side Hustle: More Ways to Generate Income
Content creation isn’t limited to working with local businesses. Here are a few other ways you can turn your passion into a profitable side hustle:
- Freelance Photography and Videography:
- Offer your services for events, weddings, and portraits. Create packages that include shooting, editing, and delivering high-quality content.
- Offer your services for events, weddings, and portraits. Create packages that include shooting, editing, and delivering high-quality content.
- Social Media Management:
- Combine your content creation skills with social media strategy. Manage social media accounts for businesses, creating and posting content, engaging with followers, and tracking analytics.
- Combine your content creation skills with social media strategy. Manage social media accounts for businesses, creating and posting content, engaging with followers, and tracking analytics.
- Stock Photography and Video:
- Sell your photos and videos on stock photography websites like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock. This passive income stream allows you to earn money from content you’ve already created.
- Sell your photos and videos on stock photography websites like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock. This passive income stream allows you to earn money from content you’ve already created.
- Online Tutorials and Courses:
- Share your expertise by creating online courses or tutorials on content creation, photography, or videography. Platforms like Udemy or Teachable can help you reach a wide audience.
- Share your expertise by creating online courses or tutorials on content creation, photography, or videography. Platforms like Udemy or Teachable can help you reach a wide audience.
- Blogging and Vlogging:
- Start a blog or YouTube channel focused on your niche. Monetize through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.
Content creation is a versatile and rewarding side hustle that can turn your creative passion into a profitable venture. By leveraging your skills and building strong relationships with local businesses, you can create a sustainable and enjoyable income stream.
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