5 Businesses Law Students can Venture into Pt. 1

Photo by Good Faces on Unsplash

Student life is expensive with debit alerts flying left and right. Sadly, that's not where the struggle ends, keeping your grades up and not letting your mental health plummet are things you have to cope with. Well, let's try to solve one of those problems. You can start a small business (or as it's popularly known as a side hustle). It could be a business that you could do as a student or maybe one that you could continue beyond the confines of school.

Juggling law and business won't be easy but many of these startup ideas require little or no capital. Without further ado, here are some businesses you could try.

1. Tutoring:

Becoming a tutor is a classic and cost-effective idea that does not require any capital. If you're confident in your knowledge of the courses you take and those you've taken already, why not be a tutor?

Tips and factors to consider

1. Target market: You should consider your possible students; who do you plan to teach? Your level limits the scope you could teach. It would be beneficial to teach your peers as that ensures that you have to know your courses.
2. Marketing your business: Online, especially via social media, is a good place to start. You could also offer referral rewards to people who can do word-of-mouth marketing for you.
3. Schedule: You have to make sure that the time works for you and your students. Know the timetable of the levels you plan to teach and plan accordingly. Make sure it doesn't take away from your ability to focus as a student.
4. Location: When people pay for a service, they expect a certain level of comfort. Starting out, your venue may not be fixed but make sure it won't be difficult to locate. Somewhere quiet and conducive is best.
5. Be disciplined and clear with your schedule: If you are offering private tutorials, make sure it is by appointment only and keep strict “office hours”.

2. Freelance writing

Everyone desires financial freedom, sure! However, if you are like me, you probably desire to be able to work at ease while in your comfort zone. Well, freelancing will allow that comfort. Not only that, it is something that could be a side hustle you continue beyond the confines of the university.

Things to consider

1. The range is very wide: You could write essays, fiction, articles, or poetry. It's best to focus on your interests.
2. Post what you write and have a solid repertoire of works: You could have a blog, submit your essays to competitions, or post on your LinkedIn profile. This is a good way to give potential clients a preview and make them aware of what you are capable of.
3. Make a Fiverr or Upwork account: These are good places to get jobs. Be aware that you might not make a lot at the start. However, that would change over time.
4. Create a balance: Writing takes a lot out of you so don't forget to take time off to concentrate on school. You could work more at the beginning of the semester but ultimately your main job is being a student.

3. Social media influencer

The pleasures of fame are varied but a definite benefit is money. Who wouldn't want to get credit alerts while doing something they like? If you're a social butterfly who loves to entertain others, this is the hustle for you! However, be aware there is nothing free in life and like all the other business ideas, you need to be ready to put in the effort.

Things to consider

1. Choose your area of specialization: What are your strengths? What interests you? What type of content do you want to make? When you're starting out, you should also focus on a social media platform that interests you. It could be Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Tiktok or even Pinterest. These are more common but honestly, it simply depends on what you want and can do.
2. Decide on a niche and know your target audience: Rather than pandering to everyone, have a specific group. If, for instance, your niche is “art”, you have no business trying to appeal to football fans. Figure out what your niche is and focus on appealing to an audience with similar interests.
3. Be consistent: You have to have a schedule. People are forgetful and need to be reminded of your existence. You're a student, you don't have to post every day but letting your audience know that you won't disappear is important.
4. Social skills: Build connections and interact with others. Establish friendly relations with other content creators, your fans, and businesses. Make sure you interact with them. Have a wide contact list and share your links everywhere. Don't be shy.
5. Generating income: Social media influencers make money through referral contests, running adverts, and being brand ambassadors.

4. Voiceover services

Have you ever been complimented for having a nice voice? Or have you had people go, “Wow!”, reeling from awe, when they heard you speak? It could even be as simple as you being interested in acting but not wanting to be in the spotlight. This might be the side hustle you did know about but is perfect for you.

Things to consider

1. You need to have sufficient interest: You probably think having a good voice is enough. Yes, it's a talent that will put you ahead but it wouldn't help if you're not truly interested.
2. Get resources: The internet is a place rich with information. Voices on YouTube is well recommended(Voices.com) and Mission Audition podcast.
3. Get feedback: Reach out to friends while you learn by sending them your practice recordings. Get feedback and constructive criticisms from them.
4. Auditions: After sufficient improvement, you should be confident enough to do auditions, create an account on Fiverr, Upwork, apply to Audible, and put your audio files out. Jobs can come through referrals as well.
5. Essentials: You will need a laptop, a microphone (these cost 15k to 200k, depending on what you can afford), a stand, and earphones are okay in the beginning. For editing, Audacity, a free software, is adequate but you can move on to Adobe Audition if you wish.
6. Balance: With proper time management, working as a voiceover artist should not disrupt your studies. Daytime for schoolwork and night for voiceover work. Spiderman did it, you can too!
7. Quiet environment: Recording is best done in a quiet environment. If you stay in a hostel, night is probably the best time. You should ensure that no background noise disturbs you and always edit the raw file. With training, you should learn to detect sound quality.

5. Photography

Many professions started as a hobby. Taking pictures of interesting things and people may be just that for you but you could make it something more.

Things to consider

1. Cost: It might be on the more expensive side but photography, in the long run, is worth it. Buy an entry-level camera and slowly buy your way up. It's important to know the basics such as; composition, lighting, etc. Use the internet to get a lot of information.
2. Consistency: Take great pictures, post them on social media, and consistently let your followers know that you're available for hire. Focus on producing lots of content and growing your community. The more eyes you have on your pictures, the more business opportunities come your way.
3. Always try to improve: Never be satisfied with your current skill level or experience. Get to know more experienced photographers and learn from them.

Being a student entrepreneur is far from easy. You might think you're crazy to even consider it but it would certainly be a fulfilling endeavor. These are tips that would be helpful in any business you do choose to go into, irrespective of which you decide on. Get a mentor, don't be ignorant, and go ahead to chill with the big boys with your own cash.