A 32-year-old woman from Manchester makes up to £1,000 per month with a side hustle that “doesn’t feel like work”.
Sophie Little commissions drawings and paintings in addition to her full-time job as an art department assistant in film and TV. She completes between two to three a month, and projects vary from tattoo designs and custom portraits to “abstract imagery”.
Ms Little said: “Because I work freelance, I have the flexibility to take up art commissions when I’m not on set.
“Each commission completely varies by design, size, and style, which means the cost for each piece is completely different. Successful months can bring me upwards of £1,000, whereas quieter months tend to be around £100.
“It’s fantastic for me to be able to use my passion and hobby as a side hustle. I see the money as a complete bonus each month as I spend time doing what I really love.”
For creative and arts-related “side hustles,” Ms Little said word-of-mouth marketing “works wonders”.
She said: “As soon as you’ve been commissioned something family-orientated like a portrait or picture of a family home, people tell their friends and within days, my inbox is full of requests.
“I’d fully recommend people try a side hustle or project, particularly if it is a passion. If you are lucky enough to be paid for your passion, it kills two birds with one stone with the income and fulfilment.”
She added: “Two to three commissions per month are about normal, but depending on my art department work, sometimes I can fit in 5+. Because I love doing it, it doesn’t always feel like ‘work’ and is a huge help financially too.”
New research by Adobe Express found that 73% of people with side hustles in the UK earn up to £500 per month, with 20% earning £1,000 or more.
In terms of time management, the 1,500-person survey found that 72% of Britons are spending up to 10 hours per week on their side hustle project, whilst 18% spend 20 hours or more. Up to 64% say their side hustle is a success so far.
Regarding marketing, 35% of people say social media platforms have been their best way to share the brand, whilst 18% confirmed networking with other entrepreneurs helped grow their project.
Sharing a few tips for those interested in launching a side hustle, a spokesperson at Adobe Express said: “We’d recommend focusing on building a strong social media presence, creating content that showcases who you are and what you offer. For instance, if you’re in the creative industry making handmade goods, an Instagram Reel detailing the creative process from start to finish is bound to interest shoppers.
“Time management skills are a key ingredient for success. We’d recommend using a paper or digital planner to categorise the time you’ll be dedicating to your side hustle weekly. A clear to-do list will help you stay organised, and you’ll know exactly what needs completing by when.”
They added: “Network locally, perhaps attending free events or meet-ups for entrepreneurs in your area. Or, platforms like LinkedIn are great for virtually connecting with others in your industry.”
