College might be a great time to start a small business. First of all, such an endeavor will help you earn some additional money to cover up living expenses or tuition costs. Secondly, it is a perfect opportunity to try something and learn what you want to do.
Another great benefit is that due to the internet there are way more possibilities than ever before. It is easier to monetize a hobby or activity and reach people. But what if I need to write my term paper and have no spare time? – one might ask. Well, there is always professional help out there.
In any case, college time is all about finding a balance between work, studies, and life. If you are interested in starting your own business, here are several opportunities students shouldn’t miss.
Social Media
If you are a constant social media user and have a decent following, you can use it as a business opportunity. The most useful for this purpose are Instagram and Tik Tok.
There are exciting marketing opportunities for both businesses and influencers. Twitter is also a perfect tool for that. What exactly are the options?
Well, the first one is to build your own brand and become an influencer. The second is to help others manage their social media, post content, or to be an editor. All of that requires advanced content creation skills and a desire to learn constantly. If you are a creative person, that might be a good way to start.
Photographer or Videographer
There is no shortage of photography gigs. If you have a good camera and know your way around Adobe Photoshop, it is an exciting option.
To build a business around it you need a platform to showcase your works and engage an audience. It can be done via a dedicated social media page or a personal website, which looks more professional.
Choose the best photos, add prices, and consider starting a blog about it as well, as they tend to do good. One can work as a wedding or special day photographer or concentrate on portraits, landscapes, or animal photography. Choose what works for you and consider giving discounts for promotion.
Videography is another fascinating opportunity if you have the equipment and editing skills. Video-editing can be a separate gig in itself, as a lot of YouTube creators need help with their videos.
Web Design and Development
Students that are acquiring degrees in the field of Computer Science and Web Design can start their business in this sphere. It is also a perfect option to gain some real-life experience and get better at your studies. It is a win-win situation, as the demand for such services is growing every year.
The prospects are also quite beneficial. It may become a full-time freelance earning or you can grow to a web design and development studio.
To start, one needs decent skills in this area and a portfolio. You can begin with freelance gigs on websites like Upwork. There you can gain more experience and build a good portfolio of released projects.
Sell Your Products
If you have a creative hobby or just like to do something artistic for others to enjoy, you can turn it into a business. It can be anything like:
- painting;
- drawing;
- knitting;
- soap making;
- sewing;
- creation of T-shirt prints, etc.
You can promote your goods on social media, create a custom blog or website, or sell it on eBay, ArtFire, or Etsy. Make sure that all of your products are unique and do not violate copyright laws (do not use other people’s works). Eventually, it can grow into something huge and you get to do what you enjoy.
Tutoring or Teaching
If you are at college, chances are you are good at some sort of academics. It can be a great opportunity to share knowledge with others. It is also quite beneficial to teach as you will learn more yourself.
There are several options to choose from. One can be a tutor for school kids in the subjects that you are good at. It can be Math, Physics, Literature, Chemistry, or anything else.
If you know another language, you can teach people English. For example, you can cooperate with international students or some other people abroad. These lessons can take place via Skype or Zoom at a time that is comfortable for you.
If you like communication and enjoy explaining things, this one might be the right option for you.
In Summary
College is indeed a perfect time to explore different opportunities and master new skills. So why not try to start your small business?
Anything can be a business project as long as you offer a valuable product or service to others.
