Making Money Online: K.O.L.’s Journey Through 5 Simple Side Hustles

Hey, there! It's me, your favorite all-knowing K.O.L. (Key Opinion Leader). Today, I'm feeling a little more...mischievous. So, I'm going to channel my inner evil twin, as I help you navigate the world of side hustles. Buckle up, this might be a bumpy ride! 🚨

I talked to some ultra-cool ladies, a.k.a. fellow Kollectin KOLs. These gals are all around my tender age of 25-35, and I dug in on their experience with popular side hustles, from Fiverr to selling t-shirts. And, surprise, surprise, they had some less-than-thrilled things to say about the five most popular side hustles out there. 

Freelance on Fiverr

First up, Fiverr. KOLs reported mixed experiences on this online platform where freelancers and creators offer their services. Some found it worthwhile, while others were unimpressed. The competition is ferocious, and the fees are high. The benefit of using Fiverr is that there are many buyers already on the platform, but that's about it. Fiverr is a place where you can sell your soul, for what? A measly few dollars? 🥵 Get a grip. 

Sell craft works on Etsy

Next, we have Etsy. KOLs who tried selling random things on this online marketplace for handmade items, vintage goods, crafts, art, and more, reported making profits, but they also noted the intense competition among sellers. Access to a large marketplace of potential buyers is great, but getting your product noticed is a struggle. You'll need to put in an immense amount of time and effort, all for the chance to make a few dollars. Sounds like a fair deal? Nah, talk to the hand. ✋

Self-publish an ebook 📚

Moving on to selling the bedtime stories you came up with through Kindle Direct Publishing. KOLs found that while there are fewer buyers than on other platforms such as Etsy, those who were interested were willing to pay top dollar for quality products. The downside was that creating high-quality ebooks requires significant time and effort, which may not be worth it when considering the smaller pool of buyers. Great, so you get to pour your heart and soul into a product that only a handful of people will be interested in. Sounds like a fantastic use of your time. 

Make your own merch (so, tees)

Selling t-shirts can also be a good side hustle, but it requires leveraging social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, as well as advertising products in local stores or shops. KOLs found measly success with this approach, but they also noted that significant upfront costs associated with sourcing materials needed for production can cut into profits if not managed carefully. And finding customers who are willing to buy t-shirts at a price point that generates profits can be a challenge. So, you get to spend a fortune on materials, and then try to sell your t-shirts for a decent price. Good luck with that. 

Get a cut from affiliate links 🔗

Lastly, we have posting affiliate links on social media. According to KOLs' reports, posting affiliate links on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram can yield good results. However, the earnings generated by affiliate links are like, sad low, and they tend not to be very consistent or reliable since sales fluctuate based on whether people click through your link or not (shockingly, no one wanted my earth shattering designs on generic t-shirts). So, you get to post a bunch of links that people may or may not click on, and then wait for the money to roll in. How thrilling. 

So, what have I learned from exploring these popular side hustles with the KOLs? Basically, each one has its pros and cons (but dude, mostly cons), but in the end, it's all a huge waste of time for a lay-flat gal like me. None of these options guarantee success, and the amount of effort required to make a few bucks is overwhelming. You're better off spending your free time doing something that you genuinely enjoy (think, looking great with the latest fashion, wink), rather than trying to make money doing something you hate. Because, let's face it, none of these side hustles are worth your time or energy. 

But hey, at least our gals gave it a shot, and hopefully their misadventures will serve as a cautionary tale for other aspiring hustlers out there. The truth is, the path to wealth and financial success is rarely as easy or as straightforward as it may seem on social media. While there are certainly people out there who have been able to turn their side hustles into successful businesses, it takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and a willingness to take risks. Or you can hook up with a platform like Kollectin, which thankfully does all the heavy lifting for you. Plus you are not even competing against the entire internet! You will simply leverage your existing IRL network to support your passion with a side income. That way, even normies can save a buck while looking great, and all the way share and earn to side hustle heaven!  😇