If you're sensing an emptiness or a craving for change, trust me, I've been there. I'm no self-help guru, but I went through a significant breakdown in 2012 that oddly turned out to be a turning point in my life.
It nudged me toward self-improvement, eventually leading me to embark on this journey in social media.
So, if you've been toying with the idea of diving into a side hustle or simply yearning for a different path, this story is worth your time.
Why I Ventured into Social Media and My Triumphs and Stumbles
Before the Fun Dad Dean page, I tried my hand at various side gigs.
My first venture was a golf-focused page called Golfers HQ, which managed to gather around 30k Facebook followers.
However, my passion for golf waned, and despite the initial success, the project eventually fizzled out.
I've also dipped my toes into the waters of Forex, dropshipping, Amazon FBA, eBay – you name it, I've given it a shot, and, more often than not, it didn't go as planned or didn't hold my interest long enough.
But then, something finally clicked. I decided to hop onto TikTok and started passionately sharing my thoughts on parenting. Despite my initially lackluster videos, I managed to attract a small following, and I committed to posting one video daily.
During the first year or two, those around me questioned my sanity (even my wife who now has her own page). My brother received messages from his friends asking, "What on earth is your brother doing?"
But my determination to explore a side gig and my passion for parenting pushed me to disregard the skepticism and keep creating content.
I Felt Like a Right Idiot at the Start
The first 200 videos were nerve-wracking experiences, and hitting the 'publish' button used to send shivers down my spine. Interestingly, the catastrophic outcomes I'd feared never materialized.
With time, I grew more comfortable with my content creation endeavors and eventually ventured into Instagram, a platform I had previously shied away from due to my fear of judgment from acquaintances.
TikTok had felt like a safe haven because everyone I knew considered it a platform for kids. However, Instagram took off, and I reached 100k followers within just six months.
I still can’t believe how this has even happened to be honest with you, so thank you for your support :)
The Benefits of Side Gigs (Even the Failed Ones)
Engaging in side gigs, even those that didn't pan out, helped fill a void in my life that had persisted for far too long. They injected excitement into my daily routine and provided me with more motivation to jump out of bed each morning.
Challenges
However, it hasn't all been smooth sailing. The path to generating any income took considerably longer than I had initially envisioned, dispelling the promises of those gurus who claim you can rake it in within three months.
Brace yourself for judgment from others, as support primarily comes from strangers rather than close friends and family.
Furthermore, there's an ongoing pressure in the world of social media to churn out content consistently. Fortunately, I still derive genuine enjoyment from this process!
And the pro’s far exceed the cons for me!
Conclusion
In closing, let me reiterate that I'm no guru. The experiences I've shared are personal anecdotes. We all derive fulfillment in different ways, and not everyone needs a side gig.
However, if you're yearning for something more in life, perhaps exploring the possibilities of a side gig is worth considering. It has completely changed mine.
This journey has also led to something new, something exciting. I've recently launched new collections at Fun Dad Dean Shop, and I want to share them with you.
As a valued reader, you can get a special 10% discount on these collections by using the code FUNDAD10 at checkout.
Thank you for reading and as always i’d love to hear from you, so feel free to email me at dean@fundaddean.com (I respond to every email).