Hi friend,
Every January, people make the same promise to themselves: This is the year I’ll finally start my own thing.
And then, by mid-February… life happens.
Your dream quietly fades away between:
- Work deadlines
- Weekend naps that turn into existential naps
- The myth that you need to have it all figured out before you begin
If that’s you, this week’s issue comes bearing good news for you.
There actually is an easy place to start your side hustle, right now.
LinkedIn.
Why is it easier, you may ask?
Take it from someone who’s tried multiple platforms over the years.
LinkedIn is hands down the easiest one to grow on.
And no, LinkedIn has not paid me to say this. (Although, feel free to sponsor SHS, LinkedIn!)
When I started posting back in 2021, I didn’t have a website, branding, or anything fancy. Just a profile, an idea, and the courage to show up. I stayed consistent and the rest is history….
That’s why I say LinkedIn is the easiest platform to start your 2026 side hustle:
1 / The Audience is Already in a Business Mindset
Every other platform fights for attention. People open Instagram to relax, X to gossip/news, and YouTube to escape.
But on LinkedIn? People log in for work.
They’re already thinking about
- career growth
- opportunities
- collaborations
That’s the mindset your side hustle needs.
You don’t have to convince anyone to care about professional growth. They already do.
2 / You Don’t Need to Build an Audience From Scratch
Starting on any other platform will have you chasing trends. Hoping the algorithm notices you.
LinkedIn is different because your network is your starting audience.
Your colleagues, ex-classmates, friends, and even managers: these people already know your credibility.
That’s why your first few posts can get traction fast.
On LinkedIn, familiarity goes a long way.
3 / Organic Reach is Still Generous (Yes, Really)
Unlike Instagram or X, LinkedIn hasn’t fully paywalled its reach yet.
You can post something thoughtful and truly valuable today and reach thousands of people, without ads or followers.
That’s rare in 2026.
This kind of window won’t stay open forever.
4 / All You Need is a Profile and Courage to Post
When you’re starting, you don’t need any fancy tools, a professional website, or a five-step funnel.
You just need your LinkedIn profile and something valuable to say.
Start small, write about:
- What you’re learning
- The problems you’ve solved
- What’s working for you in your field
That one post might just land you a client, a collaborator, or a community.
To be honest…
It took me much longer to grow on Medium and X.
Both platforms demanded time, consistency, and a lot of patience before I saw any return.
I wrote hundreds of articles on Medium before getting 10K followers!
But I saw massive (and relatively quick) growth providing the same value on LinkedIn. The ROI on your time is insane.
So, here’s what you can do TODAY to bank on this information:
List down 3 things you can help people with.
- Pick one and turn it into a short LinkedIn post with a useful tip.
- End with: “If this resonates, send me a DM.”
- Bonus: Comment on 10 posts from people you’d want to work with.
Start here. Start now.
Because the shortcut isn’t some secret strategy to your first $100. It’s starting where the barriers are lowest and the upside is highest.
And right now, that’s LinkedIn.
By the end of 2026, you could have:
- A body of work that positions you as an expert
- A network that opens doors without cold DMs
- A steady stream of clients or collaborators who found you
All from showing up once a week.
So, consider this your sign.
Write and publish that one post this weekend.
It might just open a door you didn’t even know existed.
Love,
N