5 answers
Lydia
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
3
Questions
Asked
1258 views
How can you manage multiple self-established careers at the same time?
I am very interested in majoring in the music department and know that there are not many jobs that will sustain a stable income on their own. However, I would not want to work a corporate job while managing my own music gigs. Are there other, non-music related, side hustles (like independent photography, another interest of mine) that are easier to manage but still might bring in another source of income?
Login to comment
5 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1334
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Lydia, juggling multiple self-established careers is like mixing your favorite tracks—it's all about timing, balance, and a little creative flair. If you're diving into music and want another income stream without the corporate grind, consider side gigs that flex around your music schedule. Alright, For instance, freelance photography can be a great match—think shooting gigs, album covers, or even local events. You can set aside specific days or even blocks of hours in your week for photography projects, so it doesn't interfere with your music gigs. Using digital calendars or scheduling apps can help you map out your week so that each passion gets its due time.
Another thing is to merge your interests where possible. Maybe create a social media presence that showcases both your music and photography; after all, your visual branding can boost your music career while drawing in photography clients. And don’t hesitate to outsource the boring bits—if admin tasks start eating into your creative time, consider a virtual assistant or collaborating with someone who can help manage the business side.
It might feel like you’re trying to ride two unicycles at once, but with a bit of planning and a dash of hustle, you can build a versatile career that pays the bills and keeps your creative spirit alive. Keep rocking both worlds, and most importantly, have fun with it!
Hope this helps if not do keep asking whatever you need! All the best! 😉🤗
Another thing is to merge your interests where possible. Maybe create a social media presence that showcases both your music and photography; after all, your visual branding can boost your music career while drawing in photography clients. And don’t hesitate to outsource the boring bits—if admin tasks start eating into your creative time, consider a virtual assistant or collaborating with someone who can help manage the business side.
It might feel like you’re trying to ride two unicycles at once, but with a bit of planning and a dash of hustle, you can build a versatile career that pays the bills and keeps your creative spirit alive. Keep rocking both worlds, and most importantly, have fun with it!
Hope this helps if not do keep asking whatever you need! All the best! 😉🤗
Thank you so much for this! This is really helpful - I didn't even think of how I'd be able to incorporate photography and my music career together. Again, thank you!
Lydia
Awww, Lydia! That’s so awesome to hear! Love that it helped—can’t wait to see where it takes you! 🎶📸✨ And know you are always welcome! Keep shinning! 😊
Dr H
David Ludwick
Business Owner
43
Answers
Huntington Beach, California
Updated
David’s Answer
Hi Lydia,
Balancing multiple careers can definitely be challenging, but it's possible with the right approach to time management and goal-setting. Here are some tips for managing your music career along with side hustles like photography:
1. **Time Management**: Prioritize your activities based on deadlines and importance. Use tools like calendars or task management apps to schedule time for each pursuit. Set clear work hours for your music gigs and photography so they don't overlap, and plan your breaks accordingly.
2. **Create Passive Income Streams**: For photography, you could sell prints online or license your photos to stock image websites. This way, you earn money without needing to take on constant gigs. Similarly, for music, you can release your work on platforms like Spotify or YouTube, earning royalties from streams and views.
3. **Combine Interests**: If possible, merge your photography and music careers. You could photograph live music events, collaborate with musicians for album art, or create content for music promotion. This way, you're combining passions and possibly saving time.
4. **Outsource or Delegate**: If you reach a point where you're juggling too many things, consider outsourcing parts of the side hustles that don't require your direct involvement. For example, hiring someone to handle administrative tasks or social media promotion.
5. **Set Realistic Expectations**: Understand that balancing multiple careers might mean slower growth in each one at first, but as you gain experience and refine your process, you'll be able to handle things more efficiently.
If you’re cautious about corporate jobs, you can also explore remote or freelance work in areas like graphic design, content creation, or even virtual assisting to keep your income flowing while focusing on your creative ventures. The key is flexibility and ensuring that the income-generating activities align with your passions.
Balancing multiple careers can definitely be challenging, but it's possible with the right approach to time management and goal-setting. Here are some tips for managing your music career along with side hustles like photography:
1. **Time Management**: Prioritize your activities based on deadlines and importance. Use tools like calendars or task management apps to schedule time for each pursuit. Set clear work hours for your music gigs and photography so they don't overlap, and plan your breaks accordingly.
2. **Create Passive Income Streams**: For photography, you could sell prints online or license your photos to stock image websites. This way, you earn money without needing to take on constant gigs. Similarly, for music, you can release your work on platforms like Spotify or YouTube, earning royalties from streams and views.
3. **Combine Interests**: If possible, merge your photography and music careers. You could photograph live music events, collaborate with musicians for album art, or create content for music promotion. This way, you're combining passions and possibly saving time.
4. **Outsource or Delegate**: If you reach a point where you're juggling too many things, consider outsourcing parts of the side hustles that don't require your direct involvement. For example, hiring someone to handle administrative tasks or social media promotion.
5. **Set Realistic Expectations**: Understand that balancing multiple careers might mean slower growth in each one at first, but as you gain experience and refine your process, you'll be able to handle things more efficiently.
If you’re cautious about corporate jobs, you can also explore remote or freelance work in areas like graphic design, content creation, or even virtual assisting to keep your income flowing while focusing on your creative ventures. The key is flexibility and ensuring that the income-generating activities align with your passions.
Michelle M.
Actress
2315
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Lydia !
This would be something that you will have to see about after college and based on what your circumstances are at the time. Since you've mentioned gigs, I take it that you are speaking about either being a singer or a musician. No one can really tell you how your career will be, so it's just something you'll know more about while you are in college studying music for the career. You'll get lots of information at your music department and grow to know how you should take your particular career.
For singing or being a musician as a career, you would have to consider relocating to a large metropolitan area where there is work for singers or musicians. You will need to be available 24/7 and be open to traveling to where the performances are. It will be up to you at that time to choose which side jobs to go for during times when there is not work in the music industry. Keep in mind that you will need to be available all the time because you never know when you'd need to audition or would be hired for a gig. Nothing is "easy" to manage with a performing arts career, but freelancing as a photographer which you've mentioned sounds good and possibly doable depending on your circumstances at the time.
As an actress, I worked Work Study jobs in my field through college and never thought about my first career job, to be honest with you. I had a strong drive and passion for acting so I just took it step by step. When I moved to Hollywood after graduation, I ended up getting my first career job in theater, a non-acting position. When that job ended, I was free to audition and work at a moment's notice. Try to start saving your money now. Then when I moved to New York City, I worked through temporary agencies which really worked out well.
It really helps to not overthink or over plan every minute detail of a performing arts career. It won't work out the way you plan and it'll never be the way you have worried about it. It just happens, really. Try not to make any preconceived ideas about the music industry because you still have your four year college experience to do and some very exciting things can happen. You also will start meeting some dynamic people that will become friends and contacts as well.
I understand exactly how you must feel. It's not always possible to be free 24/7 and we must support ourselves somehow, but you just might start getting work right away in music if you move to one of the music hubs like New York City, NY or Los Angeles. CA. This is way too soon to know what job to have while pursuing music. You already like photography, so think about doing that but you'd have to work your customers into your schedule. You can learn, practice and specialize in headshots for performing artists - actors, singers and musicians. Also model photography, too. Having a skill like that is great for managing your own schedule.
I hope this helps. Try not to think that far ahead because great and amazing things can happen in the performing arts world. Things you've never expected ! I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
This would be something that you will have to see about after college and based on what your circumstances are at the time. Since you've mentioned gigs, I take it that you are speaking about either being a singer or a musician. No one can really tell you how your career will be, so it's just something you'll know more about while you are in college studying music for the career. You'll get lots of information at your music department and grow to know how you should take your particular career.
For singing or being a musician as a career, you would have to consider relocating to a large metropolitan area where there is work for singers or musicians. You will need to be available 24/7 and be open to traveling to where the performances are. It will be up to you at that time to choose which side jobs to go for during times when there is not work in the music industry. Keep in mind that you will need to be available all the time because you never know when you'd need to audition or would be hired for a gig. Nothing is "easy" to manage with a performing arts career, but freelancing as a photographer which you've mentioned sounds good and possibly doable depending on your circumstances at the time.
As an actress, I worked Work Study jobs in my field through college and never thought about my first career job, to be honest with you. I had a strong drive and passion for acting so I just took it step by step. When I moved to Hollywood after graduation, I ended up getting my first career job in theater, a non-acting position. When that job ended, I was free to audition and work at a moment's notice. Try to start saving your money now. Then when I moved to New York City, I worked through temporary agencies which really worked out well.
It really helps to not overthink or over plan every minute detail of a performing arts career. It won't work out the way you plan and it'll never be the way you have worried about it. It just happens, really. Try not to make any preconceived ideas about the music industry because you still have your four year college experience to do and some very exciting things can happen. You also will start meeting some dynamic people that will become friends and contacts as well.
I understand exactly how you must feel. It's not always possible to be free 24/7 and we must support ourselves somehow, but you just might start getting work right away in music if you move to one of the music hubs like New York City, NY or Los Angeles. CA. This is way too soon to know what job to have while pursuing music. You already like photography, so think about doing that but you'd have to work your customers into your schedule. You can learn, practice and specialize in headshots for performing artists - actors, singers and musicians. Also model photography, too. Having a skill like that is great for managing your own schedule.
I hope this helps. Try not to think that far ahead because great and amazing things can happen in the performing arts world. Things you've never expected ! I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Dorian Cheah
Musician, Sound designer
2
Answers
Santa Monica, California
Updated
Dorian’s Answer
Have you considered working in audio post-production for film/TV or other media? I have worked as a sound effects editor / sound designer for quite some time and I enjoy it. My background is in music and those skills translate well to a career in post production.
I have not considered this - I have considered composing for film/TV production, but not as post-production. I will take this as another option! Thank you!
Lydia
My pleasure, Lydia. Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help. Here are some of my music and sound credits on IMDB if you have questions about any of it... https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0154740/
Dorian Cheah
Alex Fisher
A&P Mechanic and Self-Employed Musician
17
Answers
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
Alex’s Answer
Lydia, I completely understand where you're coming from. I earned a Master's degree in music, freelanced for a decade, and eventually switched careers. Even now, I still earn a good income from music freelancing. It's definitely challenging, but very possible. Starting a photography business is also achievable, though it requires dedication, just like music. If you're not working for a company or school, you'll need to handle client attraction, health insurance, and more on your own. Both fields require constant communication with clients, updating your website or portfolio, and managing your time well. I rely heavily on my Google Calendar to keep everything on track.
I got a license to fix airplanes and now work for a large company, but not in a typical office setting. My work stays at work, and I enjoy benefits like insurance and paid time off. This stability has actually made freelancing much easier. I teach music to about 25 students at private schools, perform with orchestras and musicals, and work with a church's music ministry. And yes, I still find time to enjoy life! I often get more offers than I can accept. Thanks to my corporate job, I can choose gigs that truly interest me. You mentioned not wanting a corporate job, but remember, corporate roles can vary greatly. I once thought the same, yet my current job is nothing like the "corporate" jobs I imagined. Ask yourself what aspects you want to avoid. Would being a college music professor fit that category? My corporate job has given me the stability to enhance my music skills more than when I was just getting by.
For photography or similar fields, consider starting by working for someone else. Learn the industry, then launch your own business. Get paid to learn! Note what others do well and where you can improve. They might become your competition if you start in the same area. If you choose a licensed field like real estate, home inspection, or yoga instruction, there's less competition due to the entry barrier. I agree with Dr. H that combining interests, like being a flower decorator and wedding planner, can work well. You might also consider one job for primary income and another for extra earnings.
Ultimately, it's up to you to creatively carve out your path. Find an organizational system that fits you and figure out the financial aspects from startup to success. It's a lot of work, but incredibly rewarding. There's no single solution that works for everyone. Have a vision of where you want to go, but stay open to different routes. You can do this! Good luck!
I got a license to fix airplanes and now work for a large company, but not in a typical office setting. My work stays at work, and I enjoy benefits like insurance and paid time off. This stability has actually made freelancing much easier. I teach music to about 25 students at private schools, perform with orchestras and musicals, and work with a church's music ministry. And yes, I still find time to enjoy life! I often get more offers than I can accept. Thanks to my corporate job, I can choose gigs that truly interest me. You mentioned not wanting a corporate job, but remember, corporate roles can vary greatly. I once thought the same, yet my current job is nothing like the "corporate" jobs I imagined. Ask yourself what aspects you want to avoid. Would being a college music professor fit that category? My corporate job has given me the stability to enhance my music skills more than when I was just getting by.
For photography or similar fields, consider starting by working for someone else. Learn the industry, then launch your own business. Get paid to learn! Note what others do well and where you can improve. They might become your competition if you start in the same area. If you choose a licensed field like real estate, home inspection, or yoga instruction, there's less competition due to the entry barrier. I agree with Dr. H that combining interests, like being a flower decorator and wedding planner, can work well. You might also consider one job for primary income and another for extra earnings.
Ultimately, it's up to you to creatively carve out your path. Find an organizational system that fits you and figure out the financial aspects from startup to success. It's a lot of work, but incredibly rewarding. There's no single solution that works for everyone. Have a vision of where you want to go, but stay open to different routes. You can do this! Good luck!