The Best Time to Start Your SideGig and What to Expect in the First Four Weeks

Benjemen Elengovan -

Hey Gigsters,

This week, we’re discussing two important topics: when is the best time to start your side hustle and what you can expect in the first four weeks. Whether you're thinking about launching your side hustle or you've already begun planning, understanding timing and the early stages can make a big difference in your success.

When Is the Best Time to Start a SideGig?

The truth is, there’s no perfect time to start a side hustle. But there are key signs and conditions that might indicate you’re ready to make the leap:

1. When You’ve Identified a Clear Goal

Before starting your side hustle, it’s crucial to have a clear goal. Do you want to earn extra income, develop new skills, or transition into full-time entrepreneurship? Knowing why you want to start helps keep you motivated and focused, even when things get tough.

2. When You Have a Manageable Schedule

If you’re juggling multiple responsibilities—like a full-time job, family, or other commitments—finding the right balance is key. Look at your current schedule and find pockets of time (mornings, evenings, weekends) where you can dedicate a few hours each week to your side hustle. It is crucial to start when you know you have time to give it the attention it deserves.

3. When You’re Financially Stable

Starting a side gig often requires some initial investment, even if it's minimal. Make sure your finances are stable enough to cover any upfront costs (e.g., setting up a website, marketing materials) without putting unnecessary stress on yourself. Financial stability also gives you more freedom to experiment and grow at your own pace.

The best time to start is now. While conditions might not feel "perfect," taking the first step is the hardest part. Once you start, you’ll gain momentum and find ways to manage as you go.

What to Expect in the First Four Weeks

The first four weeks of launching your side hustle are all about laying the groundwork. It’s an exciting time, but it’s also when you’ll encounter challenges. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

Week 1: Ideation and Planning

This is the week to brainstorm, research, and validate your idea. Start by identifying your skills, passions, and the problems you want to solve. Use tools like Google Trends or AnswerThePublic to understand market demand.

  • Action: Define your side hustle idea and set clear goals.
  • Challenge: Overthinking. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to create the perfect idea. Focus on progress, not perfection.

Week 2: Building Your Foundation

With your idea validated, it’s time to set up the basics—your website, social media profiles, and branding. If you’re offering a service, you’ll need to outline your offerings clearly.

  • Action: Build a simple website and create your social media presence.
  • Challenge: Fear of putting yourself out there. It’s normal to feel vulnerable when you start promoting your side hustle, but remember, everyone starts somewhere.

Week 3: Marketing and Outreach

By week three, it’s time to start attracting attention. You’ll want to create content (blog posts, videos, social media updates) that highlights the value of your product or service. This is also the time to begin networking and reaching out to potential customers.

  • Action: Create and share valuable content and reach out to potential clients or customers.
  • Challenge: Getting noticed. I want you to know that building an audience takes time, so be patient and consistent with your outreach efforts.

Week 4: Launch and Iterate

By week four, you should be ready to launch! This doesn’t have to be a grand event—it could be as simple as posting your first service on a freelancing platform or announcing your new business on social media. The key is to get started, gather feedback, and iterate based on what you learn.

  • Action: Officially launch your side hustle. Share your offering with your network and invite feedback.
  • Challenge: Impatience. Success doesn’t happen overnight, so be ready to learn from early feedback and adjust as needed.

The best time to start a side hustle is when you feel motivated and ready to commit a little time each week to building something of your own. And the first four weeks? They’re all about laying a solid foundation and staying flexible. Expect a mix of excitement and challenges, but with the right mindset, you’ll gain valuable momentum and insight into your new venture.

Want to launch your SideGig in 4 weeks?

Come and join our community-driven SideGig Accelerator program, where you will get all the help and support you need to identify and launch a revenue-generating SideGig in four weeks.

Click here to join now - SideGig Community

Let’s Chat: When do you feel is the best time to start a side hustle? Have you experienced any of these early-week challenges? Share your thoughts and stories with the SideGig community!

Stay motivated, stay consistent, and keep hustling smart!

See you in the next edition.

Benji