This transcript was generated from the episode audio and may contain minor errors.
[Music]
For our next question, let's fly over to Paris. Wouldn't that be fun to all just kind of get in a plane and head to Paris? Well, I'm not sure I can do that at the moment. I got a couple other commitments today, maybe tomorrow we can go to Paris, but at least virtually and audibly, we're gonna hear from an architect in Paris, a Parisian architect named Louis. He's looking to build more than just structures.
He's got a lot of experience, in fact, a decade of architectural experience, and at least partly inspired by our show, he's planning to venture into the realm of 3D visualization. Did I say that right? Visualization, always a tough word for me. Well, listen, I love hearing your ideas. I love knowing what you're up to, what you're thinking about, how we perhaps could be just a small boost in your direction, how we can help you with some next steps, some inspiration, perhaps some experience built on thousands of episodes, lots of case studies, lots of research around the world from people starting different businesses.
That's what we're all about, helping you and many other listeners by proxy with their side hustle ideas and their side hustle business. In Louis' case, let's see how we can stack the building blocks in his favor, for his side hustle since he is an architect. Okay, okay, quick shout out to our sponsor, and then let's hear his question. [Music]
Hello there, I'm Louis from Paris. I'm an architect by profession, and I've been practicing for over a decade.
Your podcast, which I found recommended on an architectural forum, has inspired me to consider alternate revenue streams. I'm thinking about starting a side hustle, providing high quality 3D visualization services to other architects and real estate developers. Given my knowledge of architecture and design software, how can I market my services to attract the right clientele? [Music]
Louis, good to hear from you. Sounds like your background in architecture, your proficiency with design software could set the perfect stage for offering 3D visualization services.
I really practiced saying visualization there. There is definitely a demand in that market. Because that 3D visualization provides our tangible perspective on architectural design and real estate development. But of course, we need to go from idea to offer. Okay, I wrote a lot about this in the side hustle book just because a lot of really skilled and smart people struggle in going from like, okay, I've got this skill, but they don't know how to turn it into an offer.
They don't know how to market their service. So to market your service, you need to start by defining your target audience clearly. Like you mentioned architects and real estate developers, but let's get more specific with that. And then I know I said get more specific, but you could expand to interior designers or even construction companies. So let's just try to figure out who the ideal customer, the single ideal customer might be, because it's really important to match your offer and your messaging to them.
Next, you wanna make sure you have a pretty professional portfolio that showcases your best work. Hopefully Louis has already been working on this since he's been practicing for over a decade. At least he has a lot of good work. Maybe there's a question of compiling it or putting it together. And if possible, don't just show the work, also provide some case studies and testimonials.
You know, that's gonna go a long, long way. In some ways that's more important than the work itself. The fact that people have been satisfied and you have met those needs or even exceeded their expectations. So from there, okay, you know, what actually is the offer? Like, how do you do this?
How do you put yourself out there? Networking is gonna be important, especially since you're looking for some pretty specific kinds of clients. This is not a mass market thing where you're gonna have thousands of customers and clients. You're gonna have a handful of them most likely. So definitely start reaching out, connecting on LinkedIn, getting advice from people, but also just letting them know that you are available.
And then, you know, it always starts with one client. That's why we have that first $1,000 series. So get that first client and grow from there. Referrals will be everything at a certain point, but you wanna get to that point. So, Louis, I'm cheering you on.
Listeners, if you have a question, sidehustleschool.com/questions. Let me know your ideas, what you're working on. We'll continue to feature them throughout the year, along with updates from other listeners as they launch their projects. I so enjoy working on the podcast for you. We've got a lot coming up in the fall, especially as I get off book tour here.
So continue to listen. It's all free. My name's Chris Guillebeau. This is Side Hustle School. [Music]
