So, the time has come. You’ve perhaps managed to muster up the courage to quit that office job you hate. Or maybe you’re looking for work for the first time and dream of doing it from where you’re happiest – your own home.
Working without leaving the house might seem like an unattainable dream for you, but it’s becoming a reality for more and more people around the globe.
Does the prospect of working without leaving the comfort of your own living room interest you, but you’re not sure where to begin?
Fear not – in this article; I’ll be giving you ten ideas on how to start making money working from home.
1. Start a Website or Blog
It is estimated that a large majority of internet users read blogs. There’s a chance you do it yourself. But has the thought of creating your very own blog ever crossed your mind?
Thanks to platforms like WordPress, Wix, and SquareSpace, your blog might be one or two clicks away! All of these websites allow you to create your very own blog in a free, simple, and easy way.
According to blogger Katy Cowen, founder of Creative Boom, it’s important to pick a topic you love to write about – your content will be way better!
Keep at it, be patient, and you’ll see that soon enough, the offers and the money will start pouring in.
2.Write and Sell eBooks
Speaking of writing… Have you ever dreamt of writing your own book but felt intimidated by the prospects of navigating the publishing world?
Luckily, in the digital age, you can write and sell ebooks without ever needing an agent or a publisher.
If you’ve got a novel on your hands but are unsure where to begin, start online.
A quick Google search will lead you to organizations such as Romance Writers of America (RWA), who are always willing to help and support self-publishers like you.
Besides, the internet will grant you access to readily available editors, cover artists, and designers. The only thing you need to worry about is writing that book!
3. Become a Virtual Friend Online
If you’re already spending your days chatting online with friends and family, you might want to look into how you can turn a profit from this. No, really.
It might seem hard to believe, but it is now possible to make $20 to $50 per hour just for being someone’s friend. And no need to leave the house for coffee dates – you’re expected to do it all virtually!
If making money from becoming someone’s virtual friend looks like something you’d like to do, websites like FriendPC and RentAFriend.com are something you might want to look into.
Create an account (don’t forget to read carefully through the terms and conditions) and start making friends – and money!
4. Start a Shopify or Etsy Store
If you’re one of those crafty types who loves building furniture, making jewelry, or sewing clothes, I have good news for you.
Now that we’re in the age of the internet, you no longer have to wait for the next garage sale to sell your goods!
Thanks to websites like Shopify or Etsy, setting up shop has never been so easy. If you think you could turn a profit from selling your products, opening an account on either of these websites should be your top priority.
You can also make use of social media to market your products to more and more people. If you make the best of all these platforms, you’ll find your own market in no time – and you’ll become an expert seller!
5. Create an Online Course
Do you speak fluent Japanese? Are you a master baker? People often go on the internet to learn, and everyone has something to teach – including you. But how?
You might think classes belong in the classroom, but the world disagrees – online classes are trendier than ever. From the comfort of your living room, you might find that you’re a natural-born teacher!
If you think you have a special skill you would like to share with others, take a look at websites like Thinkific or Articulate, where you can begin crafting your own online course for free.
Just make sure you’re ready to deal with all the homework…
6. Become a Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant is much like a regular assistant, except your help is expected on-line and not in the office. This means you would be working remotely – thus, fulfilling your wish to work from inside your own house.
As a virtual assistant, you’ll face tasks such as social media management and digital marketing.
If you’re also tech-savvy on top of possessing superior communication and organizational skills, this might be the perfect job for you!
If you’re motivated to become someone’s virtual assistant, websites like FlexJobs, Fiverr and Upwork are great places to start looking for potential clients.
Know your assets, network, and sell your skills, and you’ll become one in no time!
7. Affiliate Marketing
What if you could go to sleep, wake up the next morning and find that your bank account had grown overnight?
It might sound like a dream, but thanks to a little something called passive income, you could be close to making this your reality.
One of the ways to make this happen is by getting into affiliate marketing.
This means that you can get a job promoting other people’s products, and if people end up buying it because of your savvy marketing, you earn a commission.
If affiliate marketing is something you could see yourself doing, start by looking into affiliate marketing programs like CJ Affiliate or Shareasale.
If you’re motivated enough, you’ll start building up a network of clients in no time – so start looking!
8. Start a YouTube Channel
For many, watching YouTube has taken over watching television; according to statistics, 30 billion people log on the platform every day to watch everything from fitness routines to cute cat videos.
But what if it were you behind the screen?
The good thing about YouTube (and what made it so popular in the first place) is that almost anyone can create their own channel and begin uploading their own content to the platform for free.
According to YouTuber Timothy Linetsky, it’s important to make sure you’re creating something unique: “learn from the success of other people on the internet, but, at the end of the day, you have to carve your own trail.”
If you’re ready to put your efforts into recording, editing, and uploading, big money might be in your stars!
And don’t worry about video quality. YouTubers like multi-millionaire Jenna Marbles started with their grainy webcams too.
9. Become a Podcaster
Podcasts have officially become mainstream over the past few years. Once pretty niche, now they’re on everyone’s minds; at least 75% of Americans are familiar with the term, and half of them are listeners.
Do you think you have what it takes to become the host of the hottest new podcast in town?
Luckily, in this day and age, becoming a professional podcaster is easy, not very expensive, and can end up turning more than a profit.
After deciding what topic you want to focus on, make sure you spend some time looking into the microphone you’ll be using; Podcast Insights recommends the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB for beginners.
Once your mic is set, you’re ready!
Platforms like BuzzSprout, Podbean, and Simplecast can be great places to host your show. Make sure you’re always attracting new listeners, either by inviting guests to come on your podcast or promoting it on social media.
10. Social Media Management
Do you spend most of your free time scrolling on Twitter? Are you always up to date with the latest Instagram trends?
If you’re a social media expert, you might want to look into turning this hobby into a job you can do from home!
As a social media manager, you will be doing a lot of what you’re already doing on your own – but for money. Your client may also ask you to schedule posts, reply to fans, and run ads.
Think you have what it takes to become someone’s social media manager? Then start networking, online and offline, and you might soon be making a buck doing what you love most.
Summary
In short, if what you long for is to stay home and make money all the same, hopefully, this list goes to show that there is a way to make this dream reality.
Working remotely is becoming the new normal for many – and you could join this list very soon!
Beware that the jobs mentioned above take just as much time and work, if not more, than your regular 9 to 5.
So, whether you’ve decided to set your goals on becoming a famous YouTuber or to open up your on-line shop, remember; without effort, nothing can be gained!
So keep at it, don’t give up and, soon enough, you’ll be setting up your own home office.
