5 Key Questions Before Starting A Side Hustle with Nienke Nina

“There are so many reasons why time is challenging… I want to challenge you to think about time as a bigger concept and not just the hours itself.”

Do you really want to start a podcast?

That’s the first question digital nomad entrepreneur Nienke Nina asked herself when she started the Digital Nomads Daily Podcast. The answer was yes for her, but it was a conscious decision focused on a long-term vision and an impulse because podcasting sounds cool.

So this is focused on how your new project or side hustle would actually feel and come to life and if this is something you can do in the long term. Nienke Nina did many side hustles next to her full-time remote job, but they didn’t always make her tick overtime. So before hitting record and diving in, she took a moment to sit and understand the bigger picture of starting a podcast.

You can use this question for any project.
So again, do you want to start _______

The bigger picture

The next question is about visualizing the bigger picture. Many digital nomads and freedompreneurs focus on designing their own life. So they consciously think about where they want to live, with whom they want to spend their time, and how they want to make money. The digital nomad community attracts remote workers, freelancers, solopreneurs, and people who do a bit of both — so remote employees who have a side hustle, like Nienke Nina.

See the bigger picture as a gigantic pie where your new project or channel is just one piece. Your end game is not about becoming the biggest podcaster or YouTuber. Instead, go deeper and understand how it can help you thrive. A podcast can promote your business, attract new clients and grow your network.

So ask yourself how this project nurtures your business and how it fits your current lifestyle.

Everything in business takes time

Everyone, yes everyone, has only 24 hours in the day. Running a business, any size company, takes time and time management is even more challenging for busy entrepreneurs. Nienke Nina suggests thinking about time as a bigger concept and looking at how much time you spend on things in the week, your energy levels, and how much time you have for your project. This helps you better understand how your new project can fit your life.

🔎 Analyze your current calendar
🧩 Mark all your regular activities, including me-time, social time, and work time.
📌 Find moments of free-time in your calendar
🤑 Allocate time to work on your side-hustle
🔎 If you can’t find any gaps, reevaluate your activities and create time.

You are not alone and do it all on your own.

You might not see this on someone’s social media, but many entrepreneurs don’t do it all alone. Successful entrepreneurs like Marie Forleo, Jenna Kutcher, and Gary Vee, just to name a few, all have a team.

You don’t need a large team when you start, but you can think about what tasks you can outsource. This is especially handy if you don’t have a particular skill or simply can’t find the time. Your side hustle can be a team effort. It’s not only practical thinking, but you also have an accountability partner and probably more fun working on your side hustle.

When you think about your project, think about the production process. Here are a few things you can think about outsourcing for your podcast.

👉 Finding and selecting podcast guests

👉 Podcast episode preparation

👉 Editing the podcast

👉 Publishing podcast

👉 Podcast collaborations

👉 Guest communication

👉 Researching brand partnerships

Finding your unique voice

This is the strategy and creative part of building your podcast. You want to consider what your podcast is about, who your audience is and what are the common themes of your podcast. You also want to consider the look and feel of your content, your posting schedule and where you’re going to promote it.

Over time, this can shift a little bit, which is entirely normal. What is important is that you have a clear vision of your content and stay open-minded for tweaks and new ideas.

Connect with our Nienke Nina and our guests

Your host Nienke Nina

More digital nomad tips and life advice via instagram @digitalnomadsdaily

Connect with Nienke Nina on LinkedIn @Nienke Nina Keizer

Find Nienke Nina on Instagram @nienkeninatravels

Other episodes you might like:

🎧 Episode #75: The Life Changing Benefit Of Living Abroad With Nienke Nina

🎧 Episode #73: Why Choosing To Become A Digital Nomad Freelancer with Dianni

🎧 Episode #49: 8 Freelancer Mindset Challenges to Overcome For Success With Steve