Blogging, writing for online magazines, podcasting etc…these are few of the activities, that us millennials, enjoy doing as a hobby or freelancing opportunity on top of our full-time job. Others even have real small businesses along with their job. In brief, we are real busy bees. Growing and maintaining these activities often starts with social media. But have you ever thought that talking about it at your working place could also benefit your side hustle/project?
Working full-time means you spend at least 37 hours per week with the same people. It creates bonds. Lunches won’t only be about your next holiday or your weekend plans. It’s an opportunity to let people know what you do outside of work. In an office, people see you in ‘office’ mode, so they know what you are able to do in that environment but, they don’t know about you other skills outside of it. Despite spending 8 hours – if not more – with the same people, sometimes we don’t know about each other, that is why self-promotion is so important.
Self-promotion can sound shallow but if you start something with the intention of growing it, you better forget about being shy! So here are few tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way on promoting your side hustle/project at work.
Lunches are the best moment to talk about your side project
Eating at your desk is a pretty common thing in England that I don’t understand. In my country, meals are made to enjoy the food WITH people AND talk over and over. It’s a tradition I’ve kept religiously among all the nations I lived in because it creates bonds whatever the context. At school, at uni, at work, sharing a meal creates opportunities to make new friends as well as discussing your passions.
If like me, you are working in a country in which lunch break means grabbing a sandwich and zone out in front of a computer, send a kind email to invite your colleagues to have lunch with you or ask them directly. It might not work all the time but people will remember you tried to make a connection and will invite for lunch whenever they can. You shouldn’t jump on them about your project though. Just genuinely bond. It’s only when it will become a natural thing that some will start sharing what they do in their spare time and that in turn, you will be able to share what you do.
Though I said lunches are a way to promote yourself, it can only be the case when you’re a newcomer or if you’ve been really low-key about your project. In the end, we’re always eating with the same people. What I have found interesting though is that because you’ve created this habit of eating together, people take interest in what you say and you do. So if you mention you’re having a side-hustle, they will have a look, encourage you and give you ideas.
Remember some of the best businesses have started out with people working in the same office.
Ask your company to be part of your project
Some companies encourage their employees to be creative and take part to initiatives to improve the working environment. If you are working on something about sustainability, women’s rights in the office, women in tech or anything to improve the society, try talking about it with the right departments to see what could be the outcome. That way you could end up finding a mentor or winning a sponsorship if your project matches well with the values of the company.
Being the person leading such initiatives, you will instantly become known. Companies love a good internal newsletter to emphasize on their employees’ efforts to improve the business and motivate their peers that way. But not only, remember Linkedin is a great tool for companies to show off their office culture and highlight their employees. Through this net you could find someone willing to help, so be proactive at work to make your project known.
Sending an email telling about your side hustle doesn’t hurt
My coworkers know I am writing and hosting some episodes of the Glam Observer podcast and it all started because of my manager who encouraged me to send a message to our team about what I do. So from time to time I send an email with a link to our podcast or some articles I wrote. Not everyone will come and tell you something but, some will when they find something interesting or that is problem-solving. Don’t forget, in a company, you’re not the only one having a side project. If you let people know through email, some will answer you and it will create a bond.
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In my team, we frequently send links of articles we find interesting and great discussions always spark from them so don’t be shy and send that email about your side project!
featured image Zara
