Side Hustle Book Summary - Side Hustle Book explained in key points
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Side Hustle summary

From Idea to Income in 27 days

4.1 (199 ratings)
14 mins

Brief summary

Side Hustle by Chris Guillebeau is a guidebook that teaches how to create a profitable side hustle. The author shares practical advice and action plans on how to find an idea, launch, and monetize it. A must-read for anyone that wants to increase income and gain financial freedom.

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    Side Hustle
    Summary of 6 key ideas

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    A side hustle provides a form of job freedom that absolutely anyone can attain.

    One day, a British construction manager decided to start writing reviews of fish tanks. The reviews included hyperlinks to Amazon product listings, and he knew he’d get a small commission if readers clicked through and purchased them. But the reviews were posted on an obscure website and, busy with his other day-job work, he half-forgot he’d ever written them. So he was pleasantly surprised when, several weeks later, he received a check for $350. Even now, years down the road, he’s still getting $700 a month for the same reviews. In short, he has the perfect side hustle.

    A side hustle can be defined as a profitable business venture that operates as an adjunct to other paid work or employment. No more than the bare minimum amount of time, money and effort should be invested. It shouldn't be a big deal.

    You can even think of it as a kind of job security. The days of a "job for life" are over, and a side hustle ensures several incomes from different sources. You simply won’t be held to the whims of a single employer whose loyalty to you can’t be counted on.

    Everybody needs a side hustle. It can make transitioning from your day job easier, too, if you decide to quit or are fired. Leaving may seem exhilarating in the abstract, but the reality can be difficult: you’ll lose a reliable income source and health insurance. A side hustle gives you a taste of entrepreneurship, but without all the risks of going it alone.

    There’s also no reason to feel daunted when beginning a side hustle.

    For starters, you don’t need to spend a lot of time doing it. No more than an hour a day maximum. Any more is probably a waste of time. Secondly, there’s no need to have a business degree to get going. Remember, it's your business you’re running, not someone else’s – you're the one setting the entry requirements!

    So those are the basics. But what kind of idea makes for the best side hustle?

    Want to see all full key ideas from Side Hustle?

    Key ideas in Side Hustle

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    What is Side Hustle about?

    Side Hustle (2017) explains that anyone can design and launch a profitable side project. It details how to generate an income in the short-term, with the resources you already have at your disposal, and without taking on the risk of quitting your day job.

    Side Hustle Review

    Side Hustle (2017) by Chris Guillebeau is a practical guide for anyone looking to generate extra income on the side. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • Packed with actionable strategies, it provides readers with a variety of creative and proven ways to start making money outside of their regular job.
    • With its emphasis on low start-up costs and minimal time commitment, this book is ideal for those who want to explore their entrepreneurial potential without quitting their day job.
    • It offers inspiring success stories that showcase how ordinary people have turned their hobbies and passions into profitable side businesses, keeping readers engaged and motivated.

    Best quote from Side Hustle

    A side hustle is like a hobby, with one big difference: most hobbies cost money and a side hustle makes money.

    —Chris Guillebeau
    example alt text

    Who should read Side Hustle?

    • Entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs
    • Small-business and start-up owners
    • Anyone who wants to break free of the daily grind

    About the Author

    Chris Guillebeau is an author, blogger and speaker. He wrote The $100 Startup, which was a New York Times best sellerHe also runs The Art of Non-Conformity, a blog which is among the 15,000 most visited websites in the United States. In 2013, he completed his plan to visit every country in the world.

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    Side Hustle FAQs 

    What is the main message of Side Hustle?

    The main message of Side Hustle is that anyone can start a profitable business in their spare time.

    How long does it take to read Side Hustle?

    The reading time for Side Hustle varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Side Hustle a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Side Hustle is a valuable read for anyone looking to create extra income. It provides practical tips and inspiration for starting a successful side business.

    Who is the author of Side Hustle?

    The author of Side Hustle is Chris Guillebeau.

    What to read after Side Hustle?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Side Hustle, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
    • Hustle by Neil Patel
    • How to Have a Happy Hustle by Bec Evans
    • The Startup Playbook by David S. Kidder
    • Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
    • Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan
    • Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson
    • Made You Look by Carmen Simon
    • The ONE Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
    • Building Your Money Machine with ChatGPT by Larry Wheeler