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If you think the online side hustle space is just for the kids, you’re potentially missing out on a significant — and relatively easy — chunk of extra income. Those of us over 50 are out here on the internet, building skills, businesses and extra revenue. There are YouTubers in their 70s and beyond, freelancers of all ages, and top influencers who make being 50+ a big part of their brand.
If you’re 50, 60 or even 80 and just starting out online, here’s my best advice as a fellow 50-something online creator.
Don’t Be Daunted by the Technology
Everything is easier than it used to be. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a learning curve. There definitely is. But so much modern technology is simple, intuitive, and fairly drag-and-drop these days. I put off building a website for my business thinking I’d need actual web design skills, and felt pretty foolish when I first started learning to use WordPress and realised how much easier it was than I’d imagined.
My advice is to pick the simplest version of everything. That’s probably WordPress for a self-hosted blog, and something like Medium or Substack if you don’t mind using someone else’s platform (which has the advantage of a built-in potential audience). It might mean using Canva rather than Photoshop, and the social media channels you’re already comfortable with rather than those the younger generation obsess over.
Outsource if You Need To
While most modern technologies can be easily learned, it’s also fine to outsource if you want to. Some of what I’ve learned has been interesting and satisfying. Some of it has been frustrating. This really applies regardless of age. If there are things you hate doing — or don’t do well — feel free to hire someone else to do them.
Many of my contemporaries outsource the parts of their business they don’t want to do to their younger family members. You can also find people to do almost anything you might need them to on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. Just be careful and go for people with lots of positive reviews, or better still personal recommendations from someone you know.
You probably have a whole set of life skills and experiences you can use in your online business, as well as some actual business or organisation knowledge. The creators I know in their 50s and beyond tend to have a much better idea of what they want to achieve than many younger side hustlers (and usually an actual business plan, no matter how simple).
What does your resume look like so far? What marketable skills do you have and what can you charge for them? Who do you know who might buy them? Many older freelancers end up doing something similar to what they’ve done in their career, or at least related to it in some way. This means that the contacts you’ve made over the years may well become your clients, customers, collaborators, or referrers.
Find Your Tribe
Finding a community of other people in your niche who are also the same sort of age can be a game-changer. Take a look around the platforms you use and find where the more mature crowd hang out. This might be an over-50 Facebook group specific to your niche, or a specialist publication such as Crow’s Feet: Life As We Age on Medium.
If, like me, you’re a freelance writer, you’ll find many specialist markets for older writers. You may also — depending on where you live — be able to find in-person groups who are supporting each other as they take on new challenges in mid-life and beyond. Platforms like Meet-Up may have groups in your area, and if they don’t you can always try starting one.
Starting something new over 50 may not be easy, but it’s often worthwhile from a financial point of view, not to mention the satisfaction and stimulation that comes with learning new skills and hitting new milestones. Feel like taking the first step today? This free, basic one-page business plan template is a good place to start.
About the Author
Karen Banes is a freelance writer specializing in entrepreneurship, parenting and lifestyle. She writes articles, website content, ebooks and the occasional award winning short story. Her work has appeared in a range of publications both online and off, including The Washington Post, Life Info Magazine, Transitions Abroad, Brave New Traveler, Natural Parenting Group, and Copia Magazine.
