Struggling Financially and Seeking Focus

I’m trying to eliminate $10,000 in debt that I accumulated due to unexpected emergencies like home repairs, rising car expenses, and grocery costs. As a single mom with a mortgage, I’m looking for ways to earn an extra $500 to $1,000 a month.

I currently work as a senior digital designer at a SaaS marketing agency, and while I love my job, I’m stressed about the lack of career advancement. I’ve been there for five years and my self-confidence is low. I’ve been taking on a few side projects, but many people want free work. I tried using Upwork, but I’m not confident in my portfolio despite my experience with digital display ads and email templates.

I have a decent understanding of digital marketing, but I’m unsure what to do next. I’d like to start a branding agency and create digital materials, but I feel I need more marketing skills. I want to find work that feels natural, like when I found my current job. Everything just developed naturally back then.

I’ve been through something similar. My advice is to invest time in research. Spend a week researching how people are making money in this field. Look into negative feedback to get a complete picture. Create a new YouTube account and start searching for what you want to know; it’ll help filter out time-wasting videos. I hope this helps.

@Quin
That sounds like a good idea. I’ll continue researching and might discuss this with some friends who can help.

Dolph said:
@Quin
That sounds like a good idea. I’ll continue researching and might discuss this with some friends who can help.

Hi, I know I’m just a stranger, but I’d love to hear more about your plans once you have them. I have some skills I can offer. I faced a similar situation where I found my career by chance, but then I was suddenly laid off with no warning. I’m having trouble focusing since then and want to get back into things. If you’re interested in chatting, feel free to message me!

@Lian
Yes, I’d love to connect. I have a lot of insights about career direction and resources, but deciding for myself is challenging. What are your skills?

Dolph said:
@Lian
Yes, I’d love to connect. I have a lot of insights about career direction and resources, but deciding for myself is challenging. What are your skills?

Most recently, I was doing software product management, but I’ve also worked in project management. I’m a quick learner and can do various things.

I don’t know much about email design, but have you thought about advertising on YouTube, Instagram, etc.? Creating some standout designs might attract clients.

WilliamMia said:
I don’t know much about email design, but have you thought about advertising on YouTube, Instagram, etc.? Creating some standout designs might attract clients.

That’s okay! I appreciate the suggestion. I’m researching and preparing to launch my own freelance/branding website to advertise my services. But I need money soon; I’m currently scraping by on cereal and eggs and don’t get paid for another week.

It might be difficult with a child, but a weekend job could provide a more reliable source of extra income in the short term. The issue with design and branding is that the market is very saturated, making it tough to find work. Have you thought about looking for a new job? That’s a common way to get a raise and improve your career prospects.

@River
I have my child every other week and we don’t work Fridays at my company. I’ve also talked to my manager about taking on projects as a contractor from our clients. I know the market is saturated, but there must be an opportunity somewhere.

A friend of mine starts and manages Etsy stores for individuals looking for extra income. He doesn’t charge anything and handles everything from start to finish. Since you can only have one store under your name, this way he can sell different products. If you’re interested, I could connect you with him.

@Ridge
Yes, I’m curious! I’d like to know more. Thanks!

Dolph said:
@Ridge
Yes, I’m curious! I’d like to know more. Thanks!

I sent you a message.

Can you perform market research? You could participate in focus studies, product testing, and advertisements. You essentially get paid to test products during different stages of development if you fit the target demographics. It requires effort but can yield over $500 a month. Check out r/OnlineIncomeHustle for more opportunities!

@Ciel
Does this involve downloading apps and playing games? I’m not interested in that.

Dolph said:
@Ciel
Does this involve downloading apps and playing games? I’m not interested in that.

You’ll need to create an account with the platform and fill out a detailed questionnaire about your demographics. They’ll match you with companies based on this information. The process can take time, but my goal is to complete at least four studies a month for an extra $1,000.

You’ll need a platform like Teams or Zoom for interviews, and the focus groups pay the most. My best experience was a $700 in-person study about weight loss. It’s all about effort; more effort means more chances of getting accepted.

@Ciel
Can you consider working for a digital marketing agency to learn the skills and processes before starting your own business?