In your profile, I see "food geeking".

Also, since you're a Mahalo guide.... I'm going to guess that you're into the web and enjoy it.

So, Philipy's idea, "Start a specialist online store in some foodie niche" is a good one. It's the sort of thing that I was thinking.

Traditionally, the best side-projects (read the ones that make you money and you enjoy) are built on the things you actually love.

So, short of quick "walk dogs for people" ideas, you'll need to think deeply about what you love and how you can apply your skills to it.

I too am a "food geek" and through traveling have come to enjoy cuisine almost as an art. Here are some of my ideas along this line:

1)
Develop a local restaurant review product. Quite simply, develop a bit of marketing material (brochure, a tiny website, etc) and promote yourself to local restaurants. Tell them that you'll write professional reviews for them ALL over the web. After 3 restaurants, earn some restaurants about how you "increased business by 20%" and build.

2)
Do you happen to have a DSLR camera? If so, food photos can be used in portfolios of aspiring Chefs, in restaurant promotional material and of course in menu's. Talk directly to Chef's about this one - offer your first 2 clients free shots for your own promotional use and maybe a free lunch after you're done shooting.

3)
Niche local review websites can make money. If you know your local cuisine, write reviews on them. In every city there is a dedicated core of foodies who desperately need to know what's good where. Cater to this need by directing them only to the best meals at the best places.

I would setup a site like http://www.teefury.com/ for food. Every Thursday, I would highlight 1 meal at 1 restaurant. A single outstanding photo with a clear thoughtful review, location, directions, chef information, backstory, etc. All the stuff Foodies crave.

Restaurants will pay (a small) fee to be highlighted. Maybe start at $20. Even with one additional cover, this will break even. Then, as statistics can be proven, increase your rate.

Produce small window stickers highlithing the fact that the resturaunt was featured to give the place a badge of honor and a community identifier.

Ask restaurant owners for a small patron discount to break through traffic plateaus.

CONCLUSION

Do you see where I'm going with this, Carrie? I don't know anything about you. What I do know (from your profile) is that you're into food and like to write. This same thought process takes creativity but could be applied to any of your skills and interests.

The only rules with this sort of thing: Don't get greedy. Don't let it effect your full time paycheck. Don't get married to an idea until it starts to make money.

Hope this helps!

Permalink | Report