Career Center Blog

So I was sitting one day thinking about different ways to make some extra cash on the side. I truly believe that people forget how to market themselves. “Gigs” as I call them, are great ways to earn some extra money doing something that comes quite natural to you. The only difficulty in getting gigs is getting hired. You have to promote yourself, and there are many ways to do so.

First, let’s start off by making a list of any and everything you could possibly do. For example, if you know are pretty good at any instrument, you could advertise yourself a private music teacher for children. Charge per half hour or hour and expand your list of clients. If you market yourself properly, you could start your own small school out of your home.

How would this work? Well first, you could go to some local schools and introduce yourself to the music department. Talk to some of the directors and give them your information. You can tell them to pass on the information to the parents of the students if they were looking for some extra lessons outside of school practice. Now when I was in school, most students did not have lessons outside of the school orchestra or band rehearsals because they were either not that serious about it, or could not afford to do so. This could be a wonderful opportunity for some parents and children.

With this option, you would need to be available outside of school hours, and the summer would be an amazing opportunity for student lessons. You could also print out flyers and post them throughout your community and in local businesses on their community boards. Another option is to post on Craigslist.  If you have access to the Community tab on MyBGSU, you could post there as well. One of the easiest ways to sell yourself is through word of mouth. Just tell everyone you know. When you meet a new person, and are engaged in conversation, bring it up. You never know unless you put it out there.

So how does all of this work translate into cash? Here’s a scenario for you: You have posted your ad as a clarinet instructor for children in every place possible and now you are starting to get several calls and emails regarding your ad. As a result of your consistent efforts posting flyers and ads, you have 15 students that are interested. So you have agreed to charge $20 for each half hour session. An hour is pretty long when working with children so keeping it to thirty minutes would be best. Your schedule now includes 15 students, once a week for a half hour each which means you are working an average of one and a half hours a day.

What does that add up to? $300….cash (or check) a week! That’s $300 a week for working seven and a half hours. If you can offer a service, to several clients a week, your potential earnings are limitless. It just depends on how much work you put into it. Money doesn’t come easy, but you can at least do something that come easy to you.