At Buffer, we’ve lengthy had teammates who’ve facet initiatives along with working at Buffer. It’s fairly frequent for our group to run their very own weblog, we’ve a number of revealed authors on the group, and lots of of our engineers run apps that don’t have anything to do with their common work.
Although some corporations favor that anybody on their group not have facet initiatives and actively discourage it, that has by no means been our method at Buffer. In reality, working at Buffer means you get a free Buffer account, making it even simpler to advertise any facet initiatives you may be engaged on.
The advantages of facet initiatives
- You possibly can work on one thing you’re keen about. Perhaps there’s one thing you’re notably keen about and though it doesn’t appear prone to be your full-time job, you possibly can nonetheless really feel fulfilled and work on it as a facet undertaking. We’ve got a number of teammates who work with nonprofits they’re keen about.
- Gaining new expertise. Engaged on new initiatives provides you the possibility to be taught new expertise outdoors of your common work. I discovered tips on how to edit a podcast with my facet undertaking and ultimately it turned helpful in my on a regular basis work as effectively.
- Make new connections. Engaged on a facet undertaking is a chance to attach with and be taught from a brand new group of individuals outdoors of your common connections. It’s a good way to develop your community and construct some new and lasting relationships.
- Get a way of accomplishment outdoors of labor. Personally, I feel it’s wholesome to have one thing else in life you’re getting a way of accomplishment from along with work. This is among the causes I’ve had facet initiatives and hobbies for years.
Easy methods to find time for facet initiatives
- Select one: When you have a ton of facet undertaking concepts, this one is for you. As a substitute of beginning them all of sudden, begin only one to see the way it goes earlier than you resolve so as to add in a second and even third.
- Get mates concerned: It may be simpler to work on one thing you probably have a number of folks pushing it ahead and it will probably add some motivation to maintain going as effectively.
- Concentrate on pressing, not excellent: Keep away from specializing in getting the whole lot executed completely and attempt to simply create or ship no matter you’re engaged on.
The 22 Facet Initiatives the Buffer Group is Engaged on
Right here’s what our group works on outdoors of labor. Hopefully you would possibly spot some cool facet undertaking concepts for your self, or take a look at among the issues our group works on.
Apps
Andy: Alpenglow, F1 Calendar
- Alpenglow: An app to test dawn, sundown and golden hour occasions in addition to high quality predictions. Additionally sends out notification reminders and with Alpenglow Professional will notify you if the following forecast is trying good in comparison with your required threshold. The app might be doing on each iOS and Android, typically featured by Apple and contains over 35+ localizations.
- F1 Calendar: Taking on the event from just a few good friend, I rebuilt F1 Calendar as a straightforward solution to test Components 1 Session occasions in your timezone in addition to making the info accessible by way of Calendar subscriptions. The location has been going for 14 years and has not too long ago been expanded to function different motorsports.
Mike: Carpeta
Carpeta is a project-management device for inside designers, architects, and industrial designers to assist them centralize all their conversations, budgets, and recordsdata, and higher handle their time whereas managing their initiatives.
Freelance
Mitra: Social media supervisor for The Used, Atreyu, and Thrice
Mitra is the social media supervisor for bands The Used, Atreyu, and Thrice. She’s been working with these bands since 2017.
Mitra: Mitra Mehvar Pictures
Mitra does reside music images, primarily for rock bands.
Music
Brandon
Brandon writes, produces & releases music underneath his personal identify (previously underneath the alias Sophomores) from his small house studio. He not too long ago launched his newest album, a rock opera referred to as THROW MYSELF INTO THE BAY.
Nonprofits
Amanda & Gabi: SheSharp
Amanda and Gabi run SheSharp: a non-profit basis based mostly in The Netherlands that makes it simpler for all ladies and non-binary folks to enter, keep, and develop within the tech business. We host occasions, facilitate mentorship programmes and provides out funding by scholarships, and a plethora of different initiatives.
Sofia: Nosotras Hablamos Design
Nosotras Hablamos Design is a group the place Spanish-speaking ladies come collectively to apply English and discover the world of design by participating conversations and workshops.
Small Companies
Adam: Amity Flower Co
Adam and Amber are within the strategy of getting a small flower enterprise up and operating. They’re regulars at native markets, present flowers for events and occasions, and likewise provide flower subscriptions to small enterprise that need to have contemporary, stunning preparations adorning their area.
Andy: Woof Warehouse
Andy works on a Shopify retailer that sells canine bandanas and equipment. He focuses totally on the tech facet of issues, customizing the shop, plugins, and branding, whereas additionally caring for and photographing the cute pups.
Nathan: Riftgate
Board recreation and interest store. Nate runs a brick and mortar retailer at 5444 S 900 E Murray UT 84107.
Mike S: Otter
Mike co-founded Otter. Primarily based in Spain, Otter helps folks make customized furnishings by connecting them to native carpenter’s that swimsuit their wants.
Sophie: The Lull Home
Sophie manages The Lull House, a villa centered on enhancing the human senses. It’s positioned on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. At present underneath building and set to open in early 2024.
Podcasts & Writing
Hailley’s private weblog
Hailley has been conserving a weblog for years and writing about distant work, private programs, and public relations.
Hailley: MakeWorkWork
Hailley co-hosts a podcast and creates sources about creating purposeful workflows full with customized Notion templates.
Jess: Pinecone Papers
Jess has a lovely weblog about tips on how to mindfully journal and monitor signs when you may have a persistent sickness. She’s additionally engaged on a downloadable printable journal that will likely be out later this yr.
Joel’s private weblog
Buffer’s CEO Joel Gascoigne retains an internet site that features articles, posts, and notes with what he is engaged on and what’s prime of thoughts for him.
Kirsti: The Nameless Marketer
The Nameless Marketer brings on business consultants to reply burning questions despatched in by (you guessed it) nameless entrepreneurs. Kirsti took over internet hosting from Nick Bennet in September 2023.
Lexi: The Burden of Pleasure
Lexi’s debut novel will likely be revealed November 1, 2023, from a brand new small press.
Mike: Constructing Higher
A weekly podcast the place we mirror on constructing higher companies and relationships contained in the hectic startup and digital enterprise world.
Nate: Virtually Heretical
A podcast by Nate (a former pastor) and his spouse Shelby (a Bible scholar). They reimagine and revisit the Bible for these deconstructing Christianity.
Phill: Nudge
The UK’s #1 advertising podcast devoted to behavioural science. Phill determined in 2018 that he wished to talk with consultants in advertising & psychology so arrange a podcast to host these discussions. Nudge has been operating for nearly 5 years with over 140 episodes revealed.
Over to You
That’s sufficient about us, we’d love to listen to from you, too! Are you engaged on any facet initiatives? Be at liberty to drop a hyperlink within the feedback! In case you are, how do you find time for them and keep motivated, are you engaged on multiple?
