Set It and Forget It (But Still Get Creative!): A Beginner's Guide to Automating Your Side Hustle

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By Shelly Leroux · July 10, 2024

Set It and Forget It (But Still Get Creative!): A Beginner's Guide to Automating Your Side Hustle

Let's face it, side hustling is a beautiful dance between passion and practicality. You're pouring your heart and creativity into something you love, but there just aren't enough hours in the day to handle every single task. Enter the magic word: automation.

Now, before you envision robots taking over your Etsy shop (although, wouldn't that be a fun story for another day?), automation for side hustlers isn't about replacing your creative spark. It's about freeing up your precious time and mental space to focus on what truly matters – the innovative ideas that make your side hustle shine.

Think of it like this: you're the conductor of an orchestra. You have all the instruments (your skills and talents) at your disposal, but you need a strong, reliable rhythm section (automated tasks) to allow you to truly conduct a masterpiece.

So, where do you even begin with automation? Don't worry, we've got you covered. Here's a beginner's guide to automating your side hustle, giving you back the time and brainpower to fuel your creative fire:

1. Identify Your Repetitive Tasks:

The first step is like weeding your garden – you gotta identify the repetitive tasks that are sucking the life (and time) out of your hustle. Is it constantly replying to similar customer inquiries? Maybe it's scheduling social media posts, or sending out invoices after each sale. These are prime candidates for automation.

2. Embrace the Power of Apps:

There's an app for (almost) everything these days, and automation is no exception. Look for tools that can handle those repetitive tasks you identified. Here are some popular options:

• Email Marketing: Services like Mailchimp or Constant Contact allow you to create pre-written email sequences that automatically go out to new subscribers or customers.

• Social Media Scheduling: Tools like Hootsuite or Buffer let you schedule your social media posts in advance, freeing you up from the daily grind.

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Platforms like Zoho or HubSpot can automate basic customer service tasks like sending follow-up emails or appointment reminders.

• Invoicing and Accounting: Tools like Freshbooks or Wave can automate sending invoices and generating basic financial reports, saving you from spreadsheet nightmares.

3. The Magic of "If This, Then That" (IFTTT):

Don't be intimidated by the fancy name. IFTTT (If This Then That) is a free service that connects different apps and online services. Think of it like a bridge allowing your tools to communicate with each other. For example, you could set up an IFTTT recipe that automatically creates a new Trello card (a project management tool) every time you receive a new customer order on your Etsy shop.

4. Automate Your Content Creation (But Not Your Creativity):

This is where things get interesting. While automation can't replace your unique voice and content ideas, it can definitely streamline the process. Tools like Canva offer pre-designed templates for social media graphics, saving you design time. Similarly, scheduling platforms like Buffer can suggest relevant content to share based on your interests and industry.

5. Don't Forget the Power of Batching:

Batching is a productivity powerhouse that goes hand-in-hand with automation. Once you've identified tasks that can't be fully automated, dedicate specific times to tackle them in bulk. For example, schedule a "Social Media Saturday" where you create and schedule all your social media posts for the week.

Remember: Automation is a tool, not a replacement for your hustle. The key is to find the balance that works for you. By automating the mundane and repetitive, you free up your time and energy to focus on what truly matters – the creative spark that makes your side hustle stand out. So, go forth, automate, and get ready to unleash your creative genius!