5 must-try side projects for designpreneurs

This week’s 96mins will walk you through 5 side projects that help grow your online presence and diversify your income outside client work. It’s easy to overlook the power of using our knowledge and skills to bring more attention to ourselves. Want more eyeballs on your skills? Start building side projects.

Directories, design challenges, YouTube, templates, speaking gigs, and community engagement. They're not just portfolio fillers – they're client magnets.

Cam's directory Handheld Design nets 20,000 monthly views. Ramish pulls in 5-figures selling Framer templates. I landed a Google contract thanks to my reputation coaching junior designers.

The proof is in the projects.

In a hurry? Here's the TL;DR on the 5 side projects we'll cover:

1. Directories

2. Design Challenges

3. YouTube

4. Templates & Resources

5. Community Engagement

Directories

Directories are a surefire way to borrow attention and amplify the work of others. Between Cam and I, we've built two different kinds:

1. Handheld Design showcases the best mobile app design, pulling in 20,000 monthly views. Cam shares others' work, creates viral social posts, and attracts leads.

2. Sites Explained teaches design and marketing teams UX techniques. By sharing our knowledge, we position ourselves as experts and attract clients.

🟢 Borrow attention, create viral content, compounds very well, position yourself as an expert
🔴 Requires consistent marketing, curation, can be challenging to automate, and updates.

Tips:

1. Choose a niche you're passionate about

2. Curate the best examples & educate, or entertain

3. Create a user-friendly website

4. Share and promote consistently

Design Challenges

We talk about it all the time, but it bears repeating: putting content and yourself out there is the easiest way to get noticed. Painfully true, but highly effective.

Design challenges are usually online and don't require any upfront payment to get started. They sharpen your skills publicly and leverage attention.

Need some challenges to get started? Check out Adham's recommendations:

🟢 Free exposure, hone skills, connect with potential clients
🔴 Time-consuming, hypothetical projects, exposure doesn't always equal paid work

Tips:

1. Choose challenges that align with your skills

2. Document and share your progress

3. Engage with other participants

4. Showcase your work and learnings

YouTube

YouTube is an incredible way to demonstrate your work, expertise, and personality.

One of the benefits of growing a following is the ability to monetize your audience. YouTube is the perfect launchpad for creating supplementary income.

Here are a few content ideas to get you started:

1. Educational content. Think tutorials, design reviews, or concept explainers. Check out channels like Juxtopposed & Leaner Angst for inspiration.

2. Portfolio showcase. Walk viewers through your work, explaining your decision-making process, wins, and losses. UX Tshili & Femke Design are great examples.

3. Industry commentary. Leverage the news and work of others to offer your perspective on the current state of design. Samuel Fabayo & Kerev Design are worth checking out.

🟢 Demonstrate expertise, grow a following, drive traffic
🔴 Time-intensive, slow growth, requires on-camera comfort

Tips:

1. Define your niche and audience

2. Invest in decent equipment

3. Plan and script engaging videos

4. Optimize for search and promote on other channels

Templates & Resources

Templates for tools like Framer and Shopify are a huge opportunity for designers. They reduce the unpredictable income that can come from being reliant on client work. Get paid while you sleep.

Take Ramish’s story for example. He went from being an accountant to a full-time designpreneur. Since learning design, he's built a thriving side business selling Framer templates while working contracts and freelance gigs. His templates also provide him with client work.

🟢 Passive income, establishes expertise, attracts clients
🔴 Significant upfront effort, ongoing marketing, customer support

Tips:

1. Identify a specific pain point

2. Create a high-quality solution

3. Market with compelling visuals and copy

4. Leverage your network and existing audience

Community Engagement

Contributing to design communities through mentorship, collaboration, and resource sharing is a straightforward way to boost opportunities.

While building Love Circular, I landed a $10,000+ contract opportunity for a Google-commissioned project because of my reputation for coaching junior designers.

I'm not the world's best designer - far from it. However, I understand that having a strong brand is more valuable than design skills when it comes to creating opportunities.

The more you involve yourself in the community, the more people will become your evangelists.

🟢 Build relationships, establish trust, gain visibility
🔴 Time-consuming, delayed results, balancing with client work

Tips:

1. Participate in online forums and groups

2. Attend meetups and events

3. Offer mentorship and resources

4. Collaborate on projects and initiatives

All of these side projects build visibility, credibility, and relationships that translate into client opportunities.

Pick one or two that align with your strengths and start putting yourself out there. The more you build, share, and connect, the more opportunities will come your way.

Want more support on your designpreneur journey? Join our Freelance Designer Academy waitlist for in-depth resources, community, and coaching.