Hi everyone—I’m Lauren from L Bee and the Money Tree, filling in for Michelle. I know substitute teachers don’t always get a warm welcome, so let’s talk about something many people find useful and interesting: building a side hustle.
I’m not a professional blogger by trade. Money Tree was the first self-hosted site I ever created, so I learned most things through trial and error. The blog does generate a modest side income, but it isn’t enough to replace my full-time job—no all-day yoga pants here.
Blogging has still changed my life in meaningful ways. It helped me land my current role as a content and social media manager for a software company and sharpen skills that I now use as part of my main income stream. By combining blog work with my day job, I’ve built a strong portfolio of digital copy, a solid resume, and real-world experience. Those assets turned into a side hustle as a freelance writer and SEO specialist.
If you don’t work in online content or marketing, SEO might sound unfamiliar. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization—it’s the practice of improving content so search engines can find and rank it more effectively. Many factors influence SEO, but the core is writing clear, natural, helpful content that people want to read. Poorly written copy undermines credibility, and that’s where I add value: I make content sound professional and accessible while optimizing it for search.
I work primarily in three ways:
- I edit and optimize copy clients have already written.
- I write custom 500–600 word pieces targeted to specific keywords clients provide.
- I research keyword opportunities and strategy for small business owners and startups.
If a project requires research, original writing, and optimization, I typically charge around $50 per hour. For editing and SEO optimization of existing text, I charge about $35 per hour. I don’t earn thousands overnight, but over time this work can be a reliable source of supplemental income.
For anyone interested in starting an SEO or writing side hustle, networking is invaluable. Most of my clients come through personal connections. For example, a friend who’s a graphic designer often refers clients to me when they need SEO or copy work. Helping friends leads to steady referrals. I also willingly help fellow bloggers for free at times—those relationships can open doors you didn’t expect.
Job boards such as Craigslist and other freelance marketplaces can be good places to find one-off SEO or copywriting gigs, since many small businesses prefer single projects rather than ongoing contracts. If you’re serious about this path, having a blog or portfolio of published work makes a big difference—clients want to see examples that prove your skills.
This is a concise overview of my side hustle approach. There are plenty of resources online to learn more about blogging and SEO. I’m not earning at the highest levels I admire, but I value the control and flexibility that come with building my own opportunities and being ready to take on more work when needed.
My advice: start a blog if you enjoy writing and want to learn. Don’t do it solely to make money—chasing income as the only goal usually leads to frustration. But if your blog or hobby produces some extra income along the way, that’s a welcome bonus.