Working 5 to 9 is the way to make a living

The famous Dolly Parton ditty may have lamented the drudgery of the 9-5 working day but a new breed of entrepreneurs are finding that the opposite is true when they get home from the office. They've been nicknamed the '5-9ers', individuals who run a business in their spare time.

The recession have seen a rise in such businesses as people look to raise some extra cash by turning their passions into a business. Technological advances and social media also means it's never been easier to start a part-time business on a seriously low budget.

I have direct experience of this new generation of entrepreneurs. Lindsay Drabwell, a friend of mine, is a 5-9er and I'm helping her out with PR. She runs DaisyChainBaby.co.uk, an ethical and Fairtrade baby products online retailer in her spare time and is doing so to great success. She's discovered a huge community of fellow 5-9ers who share advice and support online and has used free networks such as Twitter and Facebook to bring in the sales. She currently has 1,400+ followers on Twitter and 500+ fans on Facebook; not bad for a part-time entrepreneur.

A new book detailing the rise of this new phenomenon was released this week. Written by Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation and the Queen of home-business advice, Working 5 - 9: How to Start a Successful Business in Your Spare Time is set to be the bible for Britain's 5-9ers. Emma has written some useful tips for those wanting to become one:

1. Find an idea: Come up with an idea that is a) connected to your hobby/passion/skill or b) fills a gap in the market or c) is something you see someone else doing and think you can do better yourself.   
 
2. Make a plan: With your idea in mind, make a plan. It only need cover four pages or so to include your idea, how you’re going to promote the business, ways of getting your product or service to market and the financials that show a profit at the end of the day. There’s a template in the book for a basic business plan that will help you draft this.  
 
3. Promote thyself! Promote the business and watch sales roll in. Issue a press release, host an event, enter an Award and have profiles on well populated platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Your marketing will set you up as an expert in your field, and in the book I show how you can do this without spending a single penny.  
 
4. Make the most of technology: Have the business work whilst you’re at work with a website that attracts an audience and makes it clear and easy to buy. Time is your most important asset when Working 5 to 9 so make the most of it by using web based email systems, time tracking software and Sky + to ensure you catch up with all your favourite shows! 
 
5. Create space: Have space in the house that is reserved as your office/work area and adorn it with furnishings and items that increase productivity; a vision board, decent sound system, and a sturdy desk and chair. 
 
6. Tell the boss: So long as you’re not doing anything that is in competition to your day job then it is wise to tell your boss you’re earning outside office hours. In the book I outline how to go about this conversation and conclude that most employers see Working 5 to 9 as a good thing as you are gaining new skills, with the employer realising the benefits, without having to pay for the training. 
 
7. Do what you do best and outsource the rest: A strategy that applies throughout your business life, from starting up to growing into a full time venture. Stick to the activity you know best and get help from others in areas such as accounting, admin, sales, fulfilment, PR and marketing. Keep in touch with partners using free or low-cost tools such as Basecamp, Huddle, Glasscubes or Tinychat and the business will run smoothly, and profitably.