Julian's 2025 Side Hustle Stack

My 2025 Side Hustle Stack: How I Automate for Income, Not Headaches

Alright, fellow indie hackers and digital solopreneurs, let's cut to the chase. I'm Julian Ward, and if you've been around buildwithnotion.com for a minute, you know I'm all about building income streams that don't demand every waking minute. We're talking about automation, no-code magic, and smart systems. I've personally scaled a few side hustles past the $2K/month mark, not by grinding 24/7, but by meticulously curating a stack of tools Julian uses for side hustles that do the heavy lifting.

This isn't some guru-level "secret sauce" pitch. This is a practical, behind-the-scenes look at the actual software and services that power my operations in 2025. We'll dive into the workflow I've honed, the automation I've implemented, and some crucial best practices to keep you from drowning in subscriptions. My goal? To show you how to set up your own lean, mean, income-generating machine.

Ready to see what's in the toolbox? Let's get to it.

The Core Philosophy: Automate, Don't Manual-Operate

Before we even list a single tool, let's nail down the mindset. My entire approach to side hustles revolves around this: if a task is repetitive, predictable, and doesn't absolutely require my unique creative input, it needs to be automated. Period. My time is best spent strategizing, creating high-value content, and building genuine connections, not copy-pasting data or sending reminder emails.

This philosophy is especially critical in 2025, where the landscape of digital business moves at warp speed. Leveraging the right tools Julian uses for side hustles isn't just about efficiency; it's about scalability and mental well-being.

My 2025 Go-To Side Hustle Toolkit

Okay, let's unpack the virtual toolbox. These are the workhorses that keep my various side hustles ticking over, generating that sweet, sweet semi-passive income.

The Brain: Notion & Associated Workflows

You probably guessed this one. My entire operation, from content planning to project management, lives inside Notion. It's the ultimate central dashboard for all my ventures.

Project & Content Management with Notion

Notion isn't just a note-taking app; it's a flexible workspace that adapts to your needs. I've built custom templates for:

• Content Calendar: Tracking blog posts, social media updates, and newsletter ideas. Each idea becomes a database entry with status, publish date, and links to drafts.
• Product Development Tracker: From ideation to launch, managing the steps for new digital products.
• Client CRM: For my occasional consulting gigs, keeping track of leads, proposals, and project progress.

This centralized dashboard is where I start every day, getting an instant overview of what needs attention. It's truly indispensable. If you're looking to level up your Notion game, check out my guide on mastering Notion dashboards.

Complementary Tools for Notion

While Notion is the core, a few tools enhance its power:

• Save to Notion (Browser Extension): Instantly clip articles, links, or snippets into specific Notion databases for later reference or content ideas.
• Notion Web Clipper (Mobile): Same idea, but for on-the-go capture.
• Super.so (for public pages): Turns Notion pages into clean, custom-domain websites. This is how I host some of my product landing pages and resources without needing a full CMS.

The Communication Hub: Email & Audience Building

Building an email list is non-negotiable for long-term side hustle success. It's your direct line to your audience, unmediated by algorithms.

My Email Marketing Stack

• ConvertKit (for creators): This is my go-to for email list management. Its automation features are powerful yet intuitive, allowing me to set up sequences for new subscribers, product launches, and content upgrades. The visual automation builder makes setting up complex workflows a breeze.
• MailerLite (budget-friendly alternative): For earlier stage hustles or if you're just starting, MailerLite offers fantastic features at a lower price point. I've used it extensively in the past.

I deeply integrate my email list with Notion – for example, new subscribers can trigger an entry in a Notion database, allowing me to track growth and engagement metrics right in my main dashboard. Learn more about growing your email list with Notion.

The Content Factory: Production & Distribution Tools

Creating valuable content is how I attract and nurture my audience. These content tools help me produce and distribute effectively.

Writing & Planning

• Copy.ai / Jasper (AI writing assistant): For brainstorming ideas, drafting outlines, or overcoming writer's block. I'm always transparent about AI use; it's a co-pilot, not a replacement for original thought and voice.
• Grammarly Premium: Non-negotiable for ensuring clear, error-free writing across all my content, from blog posts to email newsletters.
• Canva Pro: For quick social media graphics, lead magnet covers, and presentation slides. Its brand kit feature keeps everything looking consistent.

Scheduling & Distribution

• Buffer / HootSuite (Social Media Scheduling): I use these to schedule social media posts across platforms, ensuring a consistent presence without constantly being tied to my phone. This is pure automation at its best for content distribution.
• Trellis (SEO/Keyword Research): Before I even write a word, I use Trellis to identify high-potential keywords and understand search intent. This ensures my content is optimized to rank.

My Notion content calendar feeds directly into my social media scheduling, further streamlining my entire publishing workflow.

The Money Makers: Payment & Product Delivery

Once you've built an audience and created a product, you need a way to sell it.

• Gumroad / Lemon Squeezy (Digital Product Sales): For selling digital products like Notion templates, e-books, or mini-courses, these platforms handle payments, VAT, and delivery, making it incredibly simple to set up shop.
• Stripe / PayPal: For any direct invoicing or custom payment needs.

Workflow & Automation: Connecting the Dots

This is where the magic truly happens. Having great individual tools Julian uses for side hustles is one thing; making them talk to each other is another. This is the heart of building automated income streams.

My Automation Stacks (No-Code Edition)

I'm a big proponent of no-code automation. You don't need to be a developer to create powerful integrations.

• Make (formerly Integromat) / Zapier: These are the unsung heroes of my side hustles. They act as the glue between all my different applications.

  • Example 1: New Subscriber Automation: When someone signs up for my email list (ConvertKit), Make automatically creates a new entry in my "Audience Growth" Notion database, adding their email and the source of signup. This keeps my Notion dashboard updated with real-time growth metrics.
  • Example 2: Content Repurposing: Once a blog post goes live on buildwithnotion.com, a Make workflow triggers a notification in a specific Slack channel, creates a draft social media post in Buffer, and adds a task to my Notion content database to create a short video summary.
  • Example 3: Sales Notification: When a product sells on Gumroad, a Make scenario sends me a celebratory notification in Slack and updates a sales tracker in Notion.

These seemingly small automations save hours every week, freeing me up to focus on growth and creation.

Setting Up Your Side Hustle Dashboard for Success

Beyond just linking tools, it’s about having a central point of truth. My Notion dashboard isn't just a list of tasks; it's a dynamic hub where I can monitor the health of all my side hustles.

• Integrated Metrics: By linking email list tools, sales platforms, and content calendars via Make/Zapier, my Notion dashboard displays key metrics like subscriber growth, daily sales, and content output. This gives me a holistic view without jumping between a dozen apps.
• Goal Tracking: I set quarterly and annual goals directly within Notion and tie them to progress bars that update based on data from my integrated tools. This is key for staying motivated and focused.

For a deeper dive into crafting such a system, check out my guide on building a Notion business dashboard.

Best Practices for Tool Adoption (and Avoiding Tool Overload)

It's easy to get caught in the "shiny new tool" syndrome. Trust me, I've been there. Here are some best practices I swear by to ensure your tool stack actually helps, rather than hinders, your progress.

Julian's Rules of Engagement

1. Define the Problem First: Before signing up for any new tool, clearly articulate the problem you're trying to solve or the workflow you want to improve. Don't adopt a tool just because it looks cool.
2. Start Small, Scale Smart: Begin with the absolute essentials. As your side hustle grows and its needs become clearer, then strategically add tools. You don't need a full SaaS arsenal on day one.
3. Prioritize Integrations: When evaluating tools, always check their integration capabilities. How well do they play with Notion, your email list provider, or your automation platform (Make/Zapier)? Seamless integration is crucial for effective automation.
4. Audit Annually (or Bi-Annually): At least once a year (my next audit is scheduled for late 2025), I review every tool I'm paying for. Is it still serving its purpose? Are there redundancies? Can I consolidate? Unused subscriptions are silent profit killers.
5. Learn the Core Features: Don't just scratch the surface. Take the time to master the key features of your essential tools Julian uses for side hustles. Often, a new tool isn't needed; you just haven't unlocked the full potential of what you already have.

Conclusion: Build Your Own Automated Income Engine

There you have it – the definitive list of tools Julian uses for side hustles that have been instrumental in building multiple $2K/month income streams for me. This isn't about buying every fancy SaaS subscription; it's about strategically selecting and integrating the right instruments to create powerful workflows and robust automation.

In 2025, the barrier to entry for digital solopreneurs is lower than ever, thanks to these incredible no-code tools. My advice? Start small, get crystal clear on your workflow, and then incrementally build out your automation. Your future self, with more free time and a healthier bank account, will thank you.

What tools are powering your side hustles? I'd love to hear about your favorites in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the most crucial tool for starting a side hustle in 2025?

For me, it's hands down Notion. It acts as the central dashboard for all planning, content management, and tracking across various side hustles. Its flexibility means it can adapt as your hustle evolves, making it an indispensable foundation.

How do I avoid getting overwhelmed by too many tools?

It's a common trap! My best practices include: only adopting tools that solve a clear, defined problem; starting with minimal tools and expanding strategically; prioritizing tools with strong integration capabilities; and conducting regular audits (at least once a year) to cut down on unused or redundant subscriptions. Focus on mastering the core features of your essential tools before adding more.