At Buffer, we’ve lengthy had teammates who’ve facet tasks along with working at Buffer. It’s fairly widespread for our staff to run their very own weblog, we’ve a number of revealed authors on the staff, and plenty of of our engineers run apps that don’t have anything to do with their common work.
Although some corporations choose that anybody on their staff not have facet tasks and actively discourage it, that has by no means been our approach at Buffer. In truth, working at Buffer means you get a free Buffer account, making it even simpler to advertise any facet tasks you is perhaps engaged on.
The advantages of facet tasks
- You may work on one thing you’re obsessed with. Possibly there’s one thing you’re significantly obsessed with and though it doesn’t appear prone to be your full-time job, you’ll be able to nonetheless really feel fulfilled and work on it as a facet undertaking. Now we have a number of teammates who work with nonprofits they’re obsessed with.
- Gaining new abilities. Engaged on new tasks provides you the possibility to be taught new abilities outdoors of your common work. I realized edit a podcast with my facet undertaking and finally it grew to become helpful in my on a regular basis work as nicely.
- 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 increase your community and construct some new and lasting relationships.
- Get a way of accomplishment outdoors of labor. Personally, I believe it’s wholesome to have one thing else in life you’re getting a way of accomplishment from along with work. This is likely one of the causes I’ve had facet tasks and hobbies for years.
The right way to find time for facet tasks
- Select one: In case you have a ton of facet undertaking concepts, this one is for you. As an alternative of beginning them unexpectedly, begin only one to see the way it goes earlier than you determine so as to add in a second and even third.
- Get pals concerned: It may be simpler to work on one thing if in case you have a number of folks pushing it ahead and it may well add some motivation to maintain going as nicely.
- Give attention to pressing, not good: Keep away from specializing in getting the whole lot finished completely and attempt to simply create or ship no matter you’re engaged on.
The 22 Facet Tasks the Buffer Group is Engaged on
Right here’s what our staff works on outdoors of labor. Hopefully you would possibly spot some cool facet undertaking concepts for your self, or take a look at a few of the issues our staff works on.
Apps
Andy: Alpenglow, F1 Calendar
- Alpenglow: An app to verify dawn, sundown and golden hour instances in addition to high quality predictions. Additionally sends out notification reminders and with Alpenglow Professional will notify you if the following forecast is wanting good in comparison with your required threshold. The app may be doing on each iOS and Android, usually featured by Apple and contains over 35+ localizations.
- F1 Calendar: Taking up the event from a couple of good friend, I rebuilt F1 Calendar as a simple strategy to verify System 1 Session instances in your timezone in addition to making the info out there by way of Calendar subscriptions. The location has been going for 14 years and has lately been expanded to function different motorsports.
Mike: Carpeta
Carpeta is a project-management instrument for inside designers, architects, and industrial designers to assist them centralize all their conversations, budgets, and information, and higher handle their time whereas managing their tasks.
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 below his personal title (previously below the alias Sophomores) from his small residence studio. He lately launched his newest album, a rock opera known 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 trade. 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 neighborhood the place Spanish-speaking ladies come collectively to observe English and discover the world of design by participating conversations and workshops.
Small Companies
Adam: Amity Flower Co
Adam and Amber are within the means of getting a small flower enterprise up and operating. They’re regulars at native markets, present flowers for events and occasions, and in addition supply flower subscriptions to small enterprise that want to have recent, stunning preparations adorning their house.
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 lovable 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 go well with 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 the moment below building and set to open in early 2024.
Podcasts & Writing
Hailley’s private weblog
Hailley has been protecting 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 gorgeous weblog about mindfully journal and monitor signs when you have got a continual sickness. She’s additionally engaged on a downloadable printable journal that will probably be out later this 12 months.
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 trade 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 probably 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: Nearly 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 needed 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 tasks? Be happy 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?
