Creating a business 'for fun'. Is there such a thing?
Hi friends!
In today’s episode, I want to share some behind-the-scenes struggles I was facing when I wanted to set up a NEW business ‘for fun’.
For context, I am a creator. I love creating content, particularly self-help and mindset content. I am trained as a counsellor and I create done-for-you coaching tools which you can use or sell to your clients.
Recently, I wanted to set up a new affirmations and mindfulness business because I love it. It is driven by passion purely and I want to make some income out of it because I don’t want all my efforts creating podcast episodes to go to waste.
So I set up a YouTube channel and also a podcast of the same name. In my idealistic vision, all I have to do is pick up my mic, record my motivational episode for the day and publish it on my new podcast. And then hopefully it will gain traction and grow.
But I ran into many little roadblocks.
Number 1, I am someone who needs a script before recording any podcast epsiode because I have a tendency to go off-topic or get nervous half-way. I needed to draft a script before recording even a 7-minute episode for this new podcast. It sounds manageable. So I did it.
I also need to edit the recording. I have to delete some pauses, delete some stuttering in the podcast recording. Perhaps even add auto-captions to it. All these are extra work. And if I want to upload this podcast episode on YouTube, I would need to open up Canva and create thumbnails for it.
After that, I realised that I do need to market my new podcast somehow. Which means, I have to create YT shorts, reels and more.
And then, I would also need to have a new blog to park my new episodes to rank in SEO. I know how to do that with my current business, so it’s not anything new for me.
And then I would need an email marketing service. Because, all businesses need email marketing in some way, in my opinion. As you can see, a small business which I wanted to create for fun (and some income) needs a lot of work.
Also, my current coaching content business is a B2B business whereas my new mindfulness business is a B2C business. The approach is different. I am a one-woman show so 2 businesses was a lot to handle.
Not to mention the new expenses that I will have to incur if I want to start a new business. The blog hosting, the email marketing service and more.
What I want to share is that setting up a business for fun is not as easy as we imagine it to be. Creating free content is not free on our part.
How can we solve this? I would say a mindset shift is needed if you want to set up a business ‘for fun’.
Number 1 : Don’t place high expectations on it. If you expect or have the goal to make money from this business, it’s not ‘for fun’ anymore. It will need work and commitment. If it is truly a passion project, let it remain a passion project. Create for the sake of your love for creating.
Number 2 : If you want to launch a passion project for fun, dont let naysayers bother you. There will be people who tell you that it’s a waste of money and effort. They might say “Why are you spending $300 a year and wasting your time creating and editing podcast episodes when you are not making money or have the intention to make money?”
My argument for that is : everyone has a hobby. If your hobby is creating podcast eps and videos, so be it. Most hobbies cost money! Someone else might have cooking as a hobby. That costs money too. If you are a foodie and you love exploring new food places, that costs money too. As a creative person, if creating gives you joy and you can afford the expenses that come with it, do it for the fun of it.
All in all, if you have an idea to create a business ‘for fun’, and you are going to treat it like a fun hobby, you are probably not going to make much money for it, in my opinion.
I may eat my words in future, I don’t know. I stand corrected. But from my viewpoint and experience, a business no matter how small, needs consistency and marketing.
I don’t know what I’m going to do with my new podcast channel.
I might just treat it as a fun project, as a way to inspire listeners and not put any expectations on it. My mistake was to place monetary gain as part of my expectations when I do not have the time to commit to another business, truthfully.
Let me know your thoughts about creating a business!
Shikah