Pro Tip #1. Start with the basics.
When it comes to ensuring the best chance of success, you’ll want to get these three basics right - right from the start.
Hannah Martin is the founder of Business Mom Collective which helps success-driven moms start and grow their online business, she’s featured on the Brilliant Business Moms Podcast, Proofread Anywhere, and Work-At-Home School.
She explains...
“Do the groundwork! There are some business basics that you NEED if you want to get a successful side hustle off the ground. It can be tempting to take shortcuts but if you get these key areas wrong, you’ll just end up disappointed. Here are the three key basics:
“Research your audience. Work out who needs what you are selling and why. Tell these people why they need to solve their problem now and how you help.
“Get your pricing right. Too many entrepreneurs build businesses that will never make money because they haven’t done basic business math. Know how much it costs you to create and sell your offering and add a sufficient profit margin.
“Always be selling. If you don’t do sales, you won’t get sales. It’s as simple as that! Learn what a sales funnel is, build yours and work it consistently.”
Pro Tip #2. Challenge your beliefs.
It might surprise you to read this, but a huge part of side hustle success comes from having the right beliefs about your business and about yourself.
Featured in Being Boss, the Female Entrepreneur Association, Belong Magazine, and the Young Female Entrepreneurs podcast, Shannon DePalma is a leading financial coach for female entrepreneurs who want to get wealthy.
Her top tip?
“Change the way you think, feel, and believe about money. If you’re undercharging in your side hustle because you think no one will pay your business won’t grow. If you’re thinking rich people are jerks then you won’t become rich.
“I used to think that what I thought about money had no affect on how much money I was making. I was proven wrong when my business made close to 6 figures all because I started changing the way I thought about money.
“Ask yourself this question: Why would you not want to make a lot of money in your side hustle this year? What scary decisions or actions or things would you have to do if you make a lot of money this year?”
Pro Tip #3. Get blogging!
Even in 2021, blogging is still a fantastic way to share what you love AND earn substantial money on the side. Many bloggers earn up to four figures (and more!) a month, (find out exactly how you too can do that in The Side Hustle Toolbox 3.0).
Recognized and featured in Business Digest, Authority Magazine, Thrive Global, and HuffPost, Amira Irfan is a business lawyer, entrepreneur, and founder of Self Guru, which has generated $1 million in revenue and assisted over 30,000 entrepreneurs in less than three years.
She says...
“Blogging allows you to work from anywhere in the world while still maintaining your full-time job and setting your own working hours. It has a low startup cost, and the earning potential is limitless. When I was looking for a side hustle to supplement my income, I chose blogging, and it has provided me with a six-figure income as well as the freedom to quit my 9 to 5 job even during the pandemic!”
Pro Tip #4. Learn from the mistakes of others.
Every side hustler before you has been there...gone down a path and hit a brick wall, picked themselves up and started over again. But why should you? You can gain a massive head start from those who have been there, done it, and learned what NOT to do.
Julie Eickhoff is a voice artist and owner of The Online School for Voice Over, an Audible Approved Producer, and has narrated and produced over 120 audiobooks. Her voice has been used on projects by Samsung, Best Western, GE, ING, Prentice Hall, Pearson Learning, Nextiva, Goodwill of the Great Plains and many more.
She shares her experience...
“When I got into the business of doing voice overs, I learned everything on my own. Hours upon hours watching videos on YouTube, reading manuals, trial and error…so much time. I’ve now created the course that I wish would have been around when I was learning how to get into this business.
“Really, the fastest way to get your side hustle off the ground is to learn from the experts. Let them show you the right way first. You don’t have to repeat all the mistakes they made, just stream-line your success by relying on those who have paved the way for you.”
Pro Tip #5. Publish what you love & on the right platforms
It’s probably the easiest advice you’ll ever get to succeed...simply do what you love, add value to other people’s lives, and do a lot of it!
Named one of the top 10 experts to watch by Yahoo! Finance and featured in TIME Magazine, Thrive Global, Disrupt Magazine, and more, Lidiya Kesarovska is the founder of Let's Reach Success which helps ambitious women build an abundant, authentic online business so they can be free and fearless.
“Find what you’re really good at and most passionate about and start creating content on these topics.
“Make sure you’re creating the type of content that feels right and are using the right platforms (your main one can be a blog, podcast or YouTube channel, and your secondary one can be your favorite social media channel and the place where your dream clients are).
“Keep doing that for free, serve people without expecting anything in return. Overdeliver, answer their questions and provide solutions to their problems.
“Once you have an audience, a clear branding, feel confident and have built your expertise in the niche, you can monetize in any way that makes sense.”
Now it’s your turn
Which of these 5 top tips would you like to try first?
If you love the ideas, but want more detailed help on how to DO the things listed above…
The Side Hustle Toolbox 3.0 is the perfect place to start.
Don’t you deserve to have the chance to earn money doing what you love, (and for next to nothing)?
Leave a comment
Also in eCommerce Success Blog
What is the difference between Shopify CSV and Matrixify Products import and export?
By Veronica Jeans, Bestselling Author November 16, 2024
Shopify CSV vs Matrixify Excel: A Comprehensive Guide to Product Management
Managing product data in an e-commerce platform can be a complex task, especially when dealing with large inventories. This article compares two prominent methods for handling product data in Shopify: the native CSV system and the Matrixify Excel approach. We'll explore how these tools differ and why choosing the right one can significantly impact your workflow efficiency.
Shopify vs Matrixify Comparison
Detailed Comparison between Shopify & Matrixify Product Management & Uploads
File Format and Basic Handling
Shopify CSV
Matrixify Excel
Data Management Capabilities
1. Product Export Features
Shopify CSV
Matrixify Excel
2. Image Handling
Shopify CSV
Matrixify Excel
Advanced Features
3. Metafields Management
Shopify CSV
Matrixify Excel
4. Product Updates and Maintenance
Shopify CSV
Matrixify Excel
5. Inventory Management
Shopify CSV
Matrixify Excel
6. Template Management
Shopify CSV
Matrixify Excel
Special Features
Matrixify Exclusive Capabilities
1. HTML Code Optimization
2. Variant Management
3. Publishing Control
Best Practices and Recommendations
When to Use Shopify CSV
When to Use Matrixify Excel
While Shopify's native CSV system provides basic functionality for smaller stores, Matrixify Excel offers a more robust, flexible, and efficient solution for managing product data. The choice between the two largely depends on your store's size, complexity, and specific needs. For larger operations or those requiring detailed control over their product data, Matrixify Excel presents clear advantages in terms of functionality, efficiency, and scalability.
Remember that investing time in learning the more powerful tool can save significant time and reduce errors in the long run, especially as your store grows and your product management needs become more complex.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Questions
What's the main difference between Shopify CSV and Matrixify Excel?
The main difference is that Shopify CSV is a basic file format with limited functionality, while Matrixify Excel offers advanced features like real-time tracking, multiple sheets, and partial updates. Matrixify also allows you to work with pure Excel files instead of CSV format.
Which option is better for my store?
It depends on your store size and needs:
Use Shopify CSV if:
Use Matrixify if:
File Size & Limitations
What are the file size limitations?
Shopify CSV: 15MB maximum
Matrixify: Can handle gigabytes of data (600,000+ products)
How many products can each handle?
Shopify CSV: small catalog
Matrixify: 600,000+ products in one import
Features & Functionality
Can I update specific fields without replacing entire products?
Shopify CSV: No, you must replace the entire product
Matrixify: Yes, you can update individual fields
How do multiple images work in each system?
Shopify CSV: Requires separate rows for each image
Matrixify: All images can be in one row, separated by semicolons
Can I manage metafields?
Shopify CSV: No metafield support
Matrixify: Full metafield support with column-based management
Import/Export Process
How do I track the progress of my import?
Shopify CSV: No tracking wait for email notification
Matrixify: Real-time progress bar with estimated completion time
Can I cancel an import once it's started?
Shopify CSV: No
Matrixify: Yes, at any time during the import
Data Management
What happens to product IDs during import?
Shopify CSV: Creates new IDs, breaking collection references
Matrixify: Maintains existing IDs and references
How are variants handled?
Shopify CSV: Each variant requires a separate row
Matrixify: Can generate variants from combinations using semicolon separation
Technical Questions
How does each handle HTML in descriptions?
Shopify CSV: Leaves escaped HTML code as is
Matrixify: Automatically fixes escaped HTML code to normal HTML
Can I manage inventory across multiple locations?
Shopify CSV: Limited location support
Matrixify: Full multi-location inventory management
Best Practices
What's the recommended way to update product prices?
Shopify CSV: Must upload full product data
Matrixify: Can update prices alone using a simple price column
How should I handle large product catalogs?
Shopify CSV: Split into multiple files under 15MB
Matrixify: Can handle in single file with filtering options
Troubleshooting
What if my import fails?
Shopify CSV: Check email for basic error message
Matrixify: Detailed error reporting with specific row/column information
How do I fix broken product references?
Shopify CSV: Manually rebuild collections and references
Matrixify: No action needed references are maintained
Integration & Compatibility
Do these work with all Shopify plans?
Both work with all Shopify plans, but Matrixify requires a separate subscription.
Can I use these with other e-commerce platforms?
Shopify CSV: Shopify-specific format
Matrixify: Designed for Shopify but Excel format is more universal
Support & Resources
Where can I find documentation?
Shopify CSV: Shopify Help Center
Matrixify: Comprehensive documentation with tutorials and examples
Is there technical support available?
Shopify CSV: General Shopify support
Matrixify: Dedicated support team with Excel/import expertise
Cost & Efficiency
Which option is more time-efficient?
Matrixify is generally more time-efficient due to:
Faster processing of large files
How do they compare in terms of cost?
Shopify CSV: Free with Shopify subscription
Matrixify: Requires separate subscription but offers more features and efficiency
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