This week, I want to dive into offering microservices. It might sound fancy, but it’s basically just a way to offer specialised, small-scale services—like designing logos, managing social media, or writing copy—without all the hassle of running a full-blown business.
I’ve used them as both a customer and a business, and I think they are an awesome opportunity for earning extra cash. So let me break it down!
What Exactly Are Microservices?
Microservices are all about focusing on a specific skill or service that you’re able to offer. Instead of trying to be a jack-of-all-trades, you home in on one thing like logo design, social media management, or copywriting, and offer that as your service.
The cool thing? It’s really scalable. You can start small, just taking on a few clients here and there, and if you want, you can grow it into a full-time gig. Plus, you get to work on what you love, set your own hours, and skip the stress of running a big operation.
Why Microservices Could Be a Great Fit 👍
There are a ton of reasons why jumping into microservices makes sense, especially if you’re looking for a side hustle that’s flexible and profitable. Here’s why it might be right up your alley:
Low Costs, Big Potential
One of the best things about microservices is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get started. As long as you’ve got a computer and an internet connection, you’re pretty much good to go. No need for fancy offices or huge marketing budgets — just your skills and a bit of hustle!
Everyone Needs Specialised Skills
Businesses, big and small, are always on the lookout for people who can do things like design a killer logo, manage their social media, or write compelling copy. That’s where you come in. There’s a steady demand for these kinds of services, so if you’ve got the skills, there’s definitely a market out there for you.
Work When and Where You Want
One of the biggest perks of offering microservices is the flexibility. You can work from home, at a coffee shop, or even while traveling. And since you set your own hours, it can fit around your full-time job or other commitments.
Niche Down and Stand Out
By focusing on a specific service, you can become the go-to expert in your niche. This not only makes it easier to attract clients but also allows you to charge more as you build a reputation for being the best at what you do.
Room to Grow
You can start small, but there’s a lot of potential to scale. As you gain more experience and clients, you can expand your services, raise your rates, or even hire help if you need to!
My Personal Experience With Microservices
I’ve used microservices a fair bit over the years, in terms of both buying and selling services.
As a client, I’ve paid experts for a few different projects, such as:
- Creating a website for my business.
- SEO for my website.
- Creating a business logo.
Overall, I felt they were pretty good for getting the small jobs done where I didn’t have the skills or time to do it myself.
I’ve also made a bit of money selling my services on sites like Upwork and Fivver, this included:
- Engineering-related jobs.
- Social media management.
- Facebook banner design.
- Writing articles for a gaming website.
Apart from the engineering work, I was pretty much a beginner for the other three niches but I did a good job and most importantly, I got paid! It showed me that this is great way to earn some extra cash, with a great potential to scale.
What Kind of Microservices Could You Offer ❔
If you’re wondering what exactly you could offer as a microservice, here are some ideas that are really popular right now:
- Logo Design
Every business needs a logo, and they’re willing to pay for something that looks professional and unique. If you’re into graphic design, this could be a fun and profitable service to offer. Plus, tools like Canva and Adobe Illustrator can help you create some amazing designs.
- Social Media Management
Businesses need to be active on social media, but not everyone has the time or know-how to manage it. That’s where you come in. You can help them build their online presence, create content, and engage with their audience. You could start with one platform such as Facebook or Instagram, and expand as you go.
- Copywriting
Good copy is in high demand—whether it’s for websites, blogs, or marketing emails. If you love writing and have a knack for crafting compelling messages, copywriting could be your thing. Tools like Grammarly and Hemingway can help you polish your work and make it even better.
- SEO Services
If you know your way around search engine optimization, businesses will pay you to help them rank higher on Google. You could offer services like keyword research, content optimisation, and strategy. Tools like SEMrush and Moz are great for this.
- Email Marketing
Email is still one of the most effective ways to reach customers. If you’re good at creating email campaigns that get results, this could be a great service to offer. Platforms like Mailchimp and ConvertKit make it easy to manage and automate these campaigns.
- Website Maintenance
Lots of small businesses have websites, but they don’t always have the time or skills to keep them updated. If you know your way around WordPress or similar platforms, you could offer website maintenance as a service.
- Virtual Assistance
If you’re organised and love helping others get things done, virtual assistance could be a perfect fit. You’d handle tasks like scheduling, email management, and data entry, all from the comfort of your own home.
- Graphic Design for Social Media
Social media posts need to stand out, and businesses are always looking for eye-catching visuals. If you’ve got an eye for design, you could create custom graphics for social media. Again, Canva is a great free tool for this.
- Content Editing and Proofreading
Not everyone’s a natural writer, and that’s where you come in. You could offer editing and proofreading services to help businesses ensure their content is polished and professional.
- Online Course Creation
If you’re an expert in something, why not help others share their knowledge? You could assist in creating online courses, from writing the content to designing the materials and even recording videos.
How to Get Started with Microservices 💷
Alright, so you’re interested—what’s next? Here’s how you can get started offering your own microservices:
Figure Out Your Skills and Niche
Start by thinking about what you’re good at and what you enjoy doing. Maybe you’re a whiz at graphic design, or you’ve got a way with words. Narrowing down your niche will help you stand out and attract the right clients. If you can’t think of a specific skill, you could always check out Upwork or Fiverr and see what kind of services that people are after. If you see something that you like, you could then try and learn the skill it before applying for the job.
Resource: If you want to brush up on your skills or learn something new, check out Skillshare or Coursera. They’ve got tons of courses that could help you level up. YouTube is also a great free resource for learning a new skill.
Set Up Your Online Presence
You’ll need a professional online presence to showcase your services. This could be a simple website or a profile on freelancing sites like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer. Be sure to include examples of your work, client testimonials, and a clear description of what you offer.
Resource: If you need a website, platforms like Squarespace or Wix make it easy to get started. For visual work, Behance or Dribbble are great for creating an online portfolio.
Start Small and Build Your Portfolio
Don’t worry about landing big clients right away. Start small, take on a few projects, and use them to build your portfolio. Offering your services at a lower rate initially can help you attract clients and get those all-important testimonials and reviews.
Resource: You could join online communities like Reddit’s r/freelance subreddit, LinkedIn groups, or Facebook groups where you can connect with potential clients and other freelancers.
Network and Market Your Services
Getting the word out is key. Use social media to promote your services, connect with potential clients, and showcase your work. Networking—both online and in-person—can lead to some great opportunities.
Resource: Tools like Hootsuite and Buffer can help you schedule and manage your social media posts, making it easier to stay active and engaged.
Deliver Quality and Build Relationships
Focus on delivering great work and making your clients happy. Good relationships lead to repeat business and referrals, which are gold when you’re building a microservice business.
Resource: Tools like HubSpot or Zoho CRM can help you keep track of your clients, follow up on leads, and make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
Scale Up Over Time
As you gain more experience, you might want to expand your offerings, increase your rates, or even hire someone to help you out. The beauty of microservices is that you can grow at your own pace.
Resource: Project management tools like Trello or Asana can help you stay organized and manage your workload as you scale up.
Resources to Help You Get Started
Here are some resources that can help you hit the ground running:
- Skillshare and Coursera: These sites are great for learning or improving skills that you can offer as a service.
- Squarespace and Wix: Easy-to-use website builders for creating a professional online presence.
- Upwork and Fiverr: these are the most popular freelancing platforms where you can find clients and start offering your services.
- Hootsuite and Buffer: Social media management tools to help you promote your services.
- Grammarly, ProWritingAid, and Hemingway App: Tools to help you offer top-notch copywriting, editing, and proofreading services.
- Teachable and Thinkific: Platforms for creating and selling online courses if you decide to offer course creation services.
- HubSpot and Zoho CRM: Tools for managing client relationships and keeping track of your business growth.
- Trello, Asana, and Monday.com: Project management tools to keep you organized as you take on more clients.
The Future of Microservices 📈
Microservices aren’t just a trend—they’re a flexible and scalable way to turn your skills into a profitable side hustle (or even a full-time business if that’s where you want to go). As more businesses realise how valuable specialised services are, the demand is only going to grow.
So, whether you’re looking to make some extra cash on the side, transition into freelancing, or build a full-fledged business, microservices could be the perfect path. And the best part? You get to work on what you love, set your own hours, and grow at your own pace.
If you’re thinking about giving this a shot or have any questions about getting started, hit me up! I’d love to help you out and brainstorm some ideas with you.