If you read many stories about entrepreneurship, you’ve probably noticed that most entrepreneurs have more than one stream of income. Mostly by design, business owners go to great lengths to make sure they have money coming in from all directions – or, as some might say, “making sure their eggs aren’t all in one basket.”
The reason behind this is simple: Entrepreneurship isn’t easy, and income streams dry up all the time. By having money coming in from multiple sources, entrepreneurs can make sure the money never stops rolling in.
Money rolling in from all over the place sounds great, right? Unfortunately, it’s hard enough for some people to figure out how to create a single income stream, let alone more than one.
I felt the same way when I started learning about money a long time ago. I clearly remember reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad for the first time, then thinking how awesome it would be to become wealthy one day.
While the author of that book is often criticized these days (for good reason), it still helped me a great deal, Not only was Rich Dad, Poor Dad a great read, but it opened my eyes to how I could get money working for me, not against me.
My Multi-Level Marketing Mistake
Unfortunately, it took a while for the real lessons to sink in. I was probably 20 or 21 when I read Rich Dad, Poor Dad the first time, which means I wasn’t exactly sure who I was yet. I knew I wanted to work hard and make money, but I wasn’t sure how. This made me a prime candidate for multi-level marketing pitches, and the dream of “getting rich quick.”
If you’re unsure what multi-level marketing is, it’s a term used to describe any business model that rewards people for sales and recruiting others to work beneath them. Think: It Works, Advocare, Beach Body, and all the other annoying sales pitches that clog your Facebook feed.
Since I was young and impressionable, I tried two or three of these companies before giving up. I made some money selling, of course, but not nearly enough to justify the money I spent on products and the time I invested.
On the flipside, however, the experience helped me quite a bit. Even though I knew I wasn’t cut out for multi-level marketing, I did begin to recognize that I wanted more out of life than just selling stuff to make a buck. I learned I wanted to help people, and that I wanted my profits to be the byproduct of my success.
Where multi-level marketing forced me to put profits over people, I wanted to do things differently; I wanted to build a business that helped people first, and made profits last.
How I Created Multiple Streams of Income
My foray into multi-level marketing was embarrassing, but also valuable in terms of life lessons I learned. I became a financial advisor shortly after that, mostly because I felt the career met my main criteria of helping people and creating an impact. However, it wasn’t always easy.
Income Stream #1: Becoming a Financial Advisor
During my first year as a financial advisor, I got a small base salary. After that, it was up to me to figure out how to find and retain new clients. Fortunately, I quickly learned how to market myself, meet new people, and set myself up for success. And over time, I made the connections I needed to grow my base of clients, earn a real income, and produce the type of results my clients wanted.
Anyone who is self-employed knows how hard it is to get out there and “eat what you kill. “I did have a big firm backing me, so that definitely helped, but it was still up to me to go out and find new clients. And really, this is why financial advisors have one of the largest failure rates of any profession. Meeting people and acquiring new clients is hard – especially when you’re first starting out.
Income Stream #2: Blogging
My second stream of income didn’t come into play until years later. After six years of work as a financial advisor, I started this blog. It was 2008, and I was ready to grow my business and educate people on basic financial matters. With the internet taking over, I knew the world-wide web was the place to be.
While I didn’t really plan on earning money with Good Financial Cents at first, I quickly realized how much income potential blogging has. Not only could I use my blog to educate people on their finances, but I could earn money on the side as well.
Once I started blogging and connecting with other bloggers in the personal finance space, I saw how much potential was out there. And honestly, how much money some bloggers were making really shocked me. I distinctly remember one blogger telling me his website was making $30,000 per month….and this was 2009! To say this blew my mind is an understatement of epic proportions.
Regardless, it took me around 18 months to start turning a profit online. It started with around $100 per month, then grew to $200 per month. Then it kept growing and growing until, eventually, the money I earned online surpassed what I earned in my regular, 9-5 job. That was last year, and my online income is still growing. Believe it or not, it all came from starting this simple, yet effective, blog.
Income Stream #3: My Life Insurance Website
In addition to my financial practice and this website, I’ve cultivated other income streams over the years. My other website, LifeInsurancebyJeff.com, for example, earns a side income while helping people choose the right insurance for their needs.
A lot of people don’t even know about my life insurance business, but it’s a huge part of my success. Like my other big projects, however, I started it to help people. Over the years, I’ve seen so many people who are uninsured or underinsured. For whatever reason, they don’t understand the importance of life insurance. Worse, they don’t understand how affordable it is for the average family.
A lot of people also dramatically underestimate their needs. They think a $250,000 term policy is enough to cover their family. Heck, some people think $50,000 is enough, when really, they should have a whole lot more because they have a high income or a lot of debt.
Unfortunately, it can be financially devastating when a spouse – and especially a primary breadwinner – loses their life while their family is still young. LifeInsurancebyJeff.com was created to help people realize just how much coverage they need, then to steer them toward companies that offer quality life insurance policies for a price they can afford.
Income Stream #4: Investing
When it comes to earning extra income, let’s not forget about the most obvious income stream I have – investing. While everyone who invests for extra income does it differently, most people rely on mutual funds, ETFs, or dividend investing.
As for me, I love investing in lending marketplaces like Lending Club and Prosper. Each of these provides side income in the form of dividends, interest, and even capital gains paid out at the end of the year.
While investing for side income can work out well, most of my personal investments are tied up in our retirement accounts.
For starters, I have a 401(k) through my business. I also have a Roth IRA, although I can’t add to it anymore due to income requirements. I also have taxable investment accounts, but I would much rather invest via our retirement accounts to avoid paying extra income taxes whenever possible.
Income Stream #5: Real Estate
Another income stream I’m currently pursuing is real estate. Why? Because I love real estate, and it’s helping me diversify my portfolio even further.
The thing is, I’m not talking about buying brick-and-mortar buildings. I tried that many years ago with my father-in-law, and with devastating results. We tried to buy a duplex once, and the deal fell apart after we realized we weren’t really prepared for the purchase. I secretly wanted to become a landlord, but at the same time, I knew it wasn’t for me.
Fortunately, I found a way to invest in real estate that doesn’t require searching for properties or becoming a landlord. This past year, I took out my first real estate note. Basically, I bought a real estate note invested across multiple properties. This lets me earn a flat interest rate in return – in this case, 7%. So, I don’t have to own the property or care for it myself. Instead, I invested cash and own a percentage of several properties without all the work.
If you’re considering real estate for your portfolio, let me give you some advice: Don’t jump in without a ton of research. It’s not as easy as they make it look on shows like Flip or Flop. There’s a lot that goes into becoming a successful landlord or flipping houses for a profit. Plus, a lot can go wrong and your mistakes can eat up your profits quickly.
Income Stream #6: Media Deals
My sixth income stream is one I just added two years ago – scoring awesome media deals. This is something I never really imagined happening years ago, but works out rather well today.
And really, media deals are a great fit. I already love doing YouTube videos and interviews and putting myself out there. With media deals, I can use my video skills and personality to represent big financial brands and help them market their products.
As long as it’s something I believe it and support, it’s a win – win. Companies I’ve been approached by in the last two years include John Hancock, Credit Karma, Discover, Capital One, MasterCard, and GM, just to name a few. It’s been so fun helping these awesome companies create their own marketing plans, whether through video or other online media.
Last year was my best year ever in terms of media deals, but it looks like I have a few locked up for 2017 already. Considering one of them might pay me more than I earned last year, I’m stoked!
But the important thing to remember here is that it all started with this blog. I didn’t really know what I was doing when I started, but I kept plugging away.
Over time, all the YouTube videos I made taught me how to present myself better on screen. I didn’t know how it would pay off at the time, but I’m so glad I followed my instincts and kept going anyway.
Income Stream #7: Creating a Course
Last year, I also launched an online course for financial advisors – The Online Advisor Growth Formula. Last year alone, this resource brought in more than $100,000 in revenue. I’m especially proud of this accomplishment because it took me a few years to build up the courage to get started.
Fortunately, a good friend helped me hone in on the idea for my course a few years ago. I wasn’t sure what I should create a course on, but he reminded me that a ton of financial advisors struggle to market themselves online. Right away, I knew it was true.
Why? Because so many financial advisors have talked to me over the years and many have asked if they could pay me for consulting. Why not create a course they could buy instead?
So, that’s exactly what I did. I created video tutorials showing advisors how to market their businesses online, then formatted them into a single course financial advisors could purchase. And guess what; it worked!
The bottom line is, it’s smart to have multiple income streams no matter who you are. Why? Because the more ways you can earn money without compromising your integrity, the better off you’ll be. And if you’re self-employed, having multiple income streams is almost essential. Not only will you enjoy a higher income, but you won’t go broke if one stream ends out of the blue.
Want Multiple Streams of Income? Check Out These Ideas
If you’re tired of getting a single paycheck every week, now is the perfect time to pursue multiple income streams of your own. Whether you want to become an entrepreneur or not, having more than one income stream is always a good idea.
Maybe you need extra money to pay down debt. Or, perhaps you want to save up to buy a new home. Whatever your goals, having more money can help you get there faster. And, who knows? Your “side hustle” may even become your full-time job one day.
Ready for more income? Check out these extra income ideas that work:
#1: Start a blog.
Although I didn’t earn any money with Good Financial Cents for the first 18 months, the time I invested was totally worth it. While it takes time to earn money blogging, the payoff can be huge if you’re patient and hard-working.
I have made well over $1 million dollars blogging over the years, yet my advice for anyone considering this path hasn’t changed. If you’re interested in starting a blog as a side hustle, the best thing you can do is get started. Don’t overthink it, and don’t let your doubts get in the way. {Related: How I Earned $1,097,757 Blogging}
#2: Take paid surveys.
Recently, I shared a post on the many ways you can earn money with paid surveys. You see, various companies will actually pay you to sit down at your computer and answer survey questions from the comfort of your own home.
Signing up is easy, and you can complete these surveys at any time of the day or night. Check out companies like Harris Poll Online, E-Poll Market Research, Inbox Dollars, and American Consumer Opinion to get started. Trust me; you won’t be disappointed.
#3: Become a freelance writer.
If you love to write, it’s not that hard to start freelancing on the side from home. With websites like Contently, Upwork.com, Freelancer.com, and LinkedIn ProFinder, you can create an online profile and bid on new jobs as they are posted.
While most writers start at around $50 per article, it’s not that hard to earn more money over time if you put in the work. Like any other hustle on this list, however, your first step is just getting started. {Related: How I Earn a Living as an Online Writer, and How You Could, Too}
#4: Market your online skills on Fiverr.
If you have digital skills, marketing them on Fiverr is a solid first move towards having multiple income streams. If you can design webpages, write copy, design mailers and client products, or perform other web-based tasks, it’s easy to create a Fiverr profile and get started.
While jobs start at $5 (hence the name), you can upsell your clients by offering more work or value-added services that cost more money. A lot of people also use Fiverr to build their initial client base, then move on to create their own digital business from there.
#5: Become a virtual assistant.
Virtual assistants perform a wide range of tasks for online entrepreneurs who need help. Depending on the job, duties can include anything from responding to emails to managing social media, creating word documents, or answering online inquiries.
While pay varies a lot, you can easily earn $20 per hour or more as a virtual assistant if you find the right type of clients. Generally speaking, you can find VA jobs on websites like Freelancer.com and Upwork.com.
#6: Start a home-based business.
In my post on home-based business ideas that are easy to start, I highlight a number of business opportunities with low start-up costs and plenty of potential.
The type of business you should start depends on your passion and existing skill set. If you love baking, for example, you could consider starting a home-based cake or brownie business. Love to sew? Spend your free time creating the perfect crafts, then turn around and sell them with your own Etsy store. Love dogs? Consider watching dogs out of your own home and marketing your services on a website like Rover.com.
Whatever your skills are, there are at least a few home-based business ideas that would work.
#7: Investing for smart returns.
While I always suggest investing for the long haul, some low-risk investments come with higher returns than you might expect. Lending Club, for example, has repeatedly helped me earn returns of 10% or more. Prosper is another company that lets you invest cash into loans and earn a hefty payout over time.
If you’re more interested in real estate, consider a company like Fundrise to earn extra cash. With Fundrise, you’re buying notes with real estate as the underlying investment. In 2015, the company posted average returns for investors of 13%.
If you choose to invest as a side hustle, make sure you understand what you’re getting into. You could earn money for sure, but you could also lose money. Make sure you read the fine print and understand the risks before you invest your hard-earned dollars.
#8: Create an online course.
I mentioned earlier how I created an online course for financial advisors who want to take their business online. Since I’m a financial advisor who also blogs, this made a lot of sense for me.
Depending on your skill set, you could also consider creating a course. With a platform like Teachable.com, you can create an online course on nearly any topic and charge as much as you want.
Don’t think your skill warrants its own course? Think again. Right now, Teachable offers courses on anything from becoming a Rockstar to creating web-based cartoons, digital scrapbooking, painting, and “The Foundations of Card Magic.”
Trust me; if you know how to do it, someone wants to learn it.
#9: Drive for Uber.
Driving for Uber might be the ultimate way to earn more money and create multiple income streams. Not only can you work as much as you want, but you can work whatever hours you desire as well.
To get started, you’ll need to pass a background check and have a valid driver’s license and auto insurance. You also need a car that’s in good shape and reasonably new. Check out this post to learn more about how to drive for Uber.
#10: Buy and sell on eBay.
If you have a knack for finding bargains, you may be able to turn those bargains into profits. A lot of people do just that, buying items at a discount then reselling for huge profits.
If you’re into antiques, for example, you could check out garage sales for hidden deals then capitalize on your knowledge to turn a profit. Perhaps you’re into video games, specific brands of clothing, or something else. Whatever it is, with a little research, it’s possible to turn your knowledge into cash with an eBay store. Best of all, you can sell from the comfort of your own home.
The Bottom Line
These are just a few of the ways you could start earning extra income in the next twelve months. Obviously, a ton of other opportunities are available depending on where you live, your level of skill, and your income goals.
Just remember that, like anything else, padding your income takes time. You’re not going to get rich overnight with any of these gigs, just like you won’t with multi-level marketing business.
Money doesn’t grow on trees, but it does tend to multiply when you work hard. And with multiple streams of income, you’ll have your money working hard for you.
Related:
Do you have more than one income stream? How many streams do you have?
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