While coaching and mentorship can be a rewarding sidegig, these alternatives might better align with your skills, preferences, or circumstances:
| Alternative |
Key Differences |
When It Might Be Better |
| Consulting |
- Focuses on providing expert solutions rather than facilitating client-driven growth
- Often project-based with deliverables rather than ongoing relationships
- Typically higher hourly rates ($150-500+) but less consistent work
- Requires deep technical expertise in specific domain
|
- You prefer providing direct solutions rather than guiding others to find their own answers
- You have specialized technical knowledge that commands premium rates
- You prefer project-based work with clear endpoints rather than ongoing relationships
- You want to leverage your professional expertise more directly
|
| Online Course Creation |
- One-to-many model versus one-to-one or small group coaching
- Front-loaded effort with potential passive income thereafter
- Less personalized but potentially more scalable
- Requires content creation and production skills
- Higher upfront investment in platform, production, and marketing
|
- You prefer creating once and selling repeatedly rather than delivering live services
- You enjoy content creation and have good production capabilities
- Your knowledge can be effectively taught in a structured, self-paced format
- You want to build income that's not directly tied to your time
- You prefer less direct interpersonal interaction
|
| Freelance Writing/Content Creation |
- Creates tangible content rather than facilitating personal development
- Typically lower barriers to entry with fewer certifications
- More flexible work scheduling with fewer live appointments
- Project-based compensation ($50-500+ per piece) rather than hourly/package rates
- Less emotional labor than coaching relationships
|
- You excel at written communication more than interpersonal guidance
- You prefer working independently without live client interaction
- You want to start earning quickly without certification investments
- You need maximum scheduling flexibility without fixed appointment times
- You prefer creating tangible deliverables rather than facilitating transformation
|
Finding Your Best Fit
The ideal sidegig aligns with your natural strengths and work preferences. Consider whether you thrive on interpersonal connection (coaching), problem-solving (consulting), knowledge structuring (course creation), or independent creation (content writing). Many successful entrepreneurs combine elements of multiple approaches as they grow their sidegig into a sustainable business.