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You’re a nurse and you are tired!
I get it! You love being a nurse but you’re also tired of trading time for money. So this year, you are looking to take on a side hustle. One of the first things many nurses notice in their search for the right side hustle is the impressive figures and bonus gifts from a variety of Multi-level Marketing (MLM) companies. But before you sign on the dotted line and invest your precious time, you’ll need to consider whether MLM is the best move for you. Is working for an MLM company better than starting your own business as a nurse?
In this article, I will share why nurses turn to MLM as a side hustle over starting their own business, what the best options are for nurses that want to start making money with their skills and experience and I’ll also share the easiest money-making side hustle for nurses.
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Let’s jump right into it.
MLM is a business model in which a company sells its products through a network of independent distributors, who are rewarded both for sales and for recruiting more distributors. A major downside is that the chances of making a significant profit in an MLM are very slim, and many participants end up losing money.
Why are nurses turning to MLM companies as a side hustle?
Here are some reasons why nurses choose to work for an MLM company over starting their own business:
Fear
You fear selling your own products and services because you don’t know how to do it and you feel more comfortable and safe working for someone else. You also worry that there will be too much competition in the market, which could make it hard for you to succeed.
Lack of awareness
You don’t realize the potential that comes with owning your own business or being self-employed. This leaves you disempowered, making you an easy target for MLM recruiters.
Distractions
You fell for flashy bonuses like expensive cars and designer purses. Oftentimes, these bonuses never materialize after signing up or they require a very high sales quota that requires years of hard work. But we are looking for an easy side hustle, right?
Community & Belonging
As nurses, we naturally want to feel like we’re making a difference in the world. Nothing feels better than teaming up with a community or joining a movement. But that’s exactly what MLM recruiters prey on.
Seeking Time Freedom
You want to start a side hustle to have more time, and freedom and supplement your income. MLM recruiters will promise freedom, flexibility, and control over your own schedule (which is what we all want), but they don’t mention that it will take years of hard work before you make enough money to achieve the kind of freedom you desire.
Why MLM is not the best side-hustle option for nurses
The biggest issue with MLMs is that you’re building someone else’s dream business and community. You are not the owner, so you have no real power in the company. This also means that you are following the owner’s policies and protocols, especially as it pertains to marketing and creativity.
Working in MLMs is equivalent to having an extra job as an employee who is only earning partial profits and commissions on sales. You are splitting profits with the company owner and other people who sell your products or services.
If you play your cards right, you’ll make money as an MLM employee however, if time freedom is your end goal, MLM can be a dead-end opportunity with no sustainability and longevity.
Things you can sell in your own business as a nurse
There are so many ways to make money that offer the opportunities promised by MLMs but without their drawbacks.
When it comes to starting your own business, you have the freedom to sell your own products and services. Something that’s special or meaningful for you.
You could sell digital courses, books, or eBooks. You could also offer tutorials that teach people how to do something specific (like lose 20 pounds). You can provide consulting services and coach on various topics related to your nursing skills.
Just like with MLM companies, you can offer workshops, webinars, and even in-person meet-ups to share your experience and skills while also selling your products or service.
The easiest money-making side hustle for nurses: Digital Courses
If you’re looking for a fast and easy way to make extra money, the best option is to create your own digital course. This can be done in as little as a few hours and will pay off over time in a substantial way.
A digital course is basically an online lesson plan that teaches people how to do something. For example, let’s say that you’re a surgical transplant nurse and have been successfully caring for post-kidney transplant patients for years. You can put all of your knowledge of home management and postop tips into an online course, which would then be available for people to purchase on your website.
The benefits of having your own digital course include:
- Digital Courses don’t require any physical materials or shipping costs, which means you don’t have to spend money on inventory or postage.
- No overhang or upfront cost for creating your own product or service, so you’ll start making a profit and meet your return on investment (ROI) quickly.
- You’ll build credibility as an expert in your field by sharing knowledge that only comes from your unique experience.
- Once created, you can automate your course and start earning passive income month after month.
- You have ownership and complete control over your products, and creative control over how to market them to customers.
- The best part? For every sale, you’ll keep 100% of the profits! No commission or partial profits.
The first step to creating your digital course
The first step to creating your digital course is to start with an idea that you are passionate about. If you’re not sure what that might be, ask yourself these questions:
- What do I know?
- What am I passionate about?
- What do others come to me for advice about?
- What do I enjoy talking about?
Once you’ve identified the answer to those questions, list out specific topics that would make a great course for your audience.
What’s Next?
As you can see, there are many reasons why MLM may not the best side hustle choice for nurses. However, there are so many other great opportunities for you to make money on your own terms. Are you still unsure about your money-making course topic? Get my guide, 50+ money-making course ideas for nurse entrepreneurs, for free to get started today.
