The Side Gig I Started in College Became My Full-Time Career: 5 Ways I Made It Happen — And You Can, Too

Some side gigs that begin when you’re in college are intended to help pay for tuition, books or other expenses. Over time, you may realize that your side gig is more lucrative and worthwhile than work in the field you’re studying. That and your passion could turn you into an entrepreneur. Of course, like those before you, you’ll benefit greatly from considering the advice that others have given for a successful change from a side gig to a full-time career.

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Here are five tips for turning your side gig into a full-time career.

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Take It Slow

It’s understandable you might be itching to get things done as fast as possible. Because I began my side gig during college, turning it into my full-time job took years. You should take advantage of the downtime from your other responsibilities to hone your craft. Ultimately, if your monthly earnings aren’t enough at first, you shouldn’t let that discourage you. Michelle Schroeder-Gardner began a blog that overtook her full-time financial analyst job, according to Discover . While it grew to see her earn over $1 million per year, the process took several years.

Have an Emergency Fund

Because it’s likely your initial earnings won’t be enough for you to rely on entirely, putting some money aside in an emergency fund is a good idea. Schroeder-Gardner says doing so can help you with your ongoing expenses and any hurdles. Perhaps you realize you must purchase a new program to keep going. The fund will make it possible.

Network and Spread the Word

Alex Frost created a successful writing business based on years of writing during undergraduate and graduate studies, according to Reader’s Digest . Networking is one of her key suggestions. Making people aware of your gig opens the door to greater revenue opportunities. If your side gig is online, you can network easily through various platforms, like LinkedIn. You’ll expand your portfolio by engaging with different clients, which is important as a fledgling entrepreneur.

Be Confident

It’s generally recommended to charge lower for your services because starting fresh means you have little to no established value. While matching your prices with other lesser-known competitors might make sense, charging a premium rate isn’t always a bad idea. There’s a common perception that cheaper options trade quality for affordability, meaning a higher price model could make your services appear better. Frost recommends knowing the value you bring and standing by it.

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Observe Your Competitors

Take digital art creation as an example – you’ll be selling your unique designs, but it’s incredibly helpful to understand how others in your expertise are operating. You can learn tools of the trade and how to optimize your own gig. Obviously, you don’t want to copy the business strategy of another outright, but it makes sense to understand how the market works for your specific services. Jill DeConti initially worked in finance before focusing entirely on her travel blog. She recommends plenty of research to have a complete grasp of the industry and the necessary skills so that you can function as smoothly as possible.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : The Side Gig I Started in College Became My Full-Time Career: 5 Ways I Made It Happen — And You Can, Too