For many parents, working outside of the home is not a viable choice. With the cost of childcare, working from home may be a more affordable option, and being at home with the children provides peace of mind to parents (but not peace… let’s be clear!). Here are several work from home jobs that you can start with little or no investment.
Blogging
This is not a get rich quick career by any means, but it is a work at home job that can earn you a decent living if you put the work in. The number one question I get as a blogger is “How do you make money?” and the answer isn’t a simple one. There are multiple ways to earn an income as a blogger, but the single most important thing is writing content that people want to read, and using the best SEO (search engine optimization) techniques. Some of the ways that bloggers earn money are:
- Ads such as Google Ad Network
- Affiliate marketing – earning an income from clicks or sales that originate from your blog post
- Sponsored posts – brands pay bloggers to write about their products or services
- Ambassador programs – represent a brand as a spokesperson for an agreed upon amount of time
- Social Media Marketing – advertising brands through twitter parties, facebook lives, Instagram takeovers or other social media campaigns
Catering/Food Preparation
Do you have a culinary gift? If you can meet the food and safety guidelines around food preparation and you can whip up a fabulous dish, catering may be the career for you. Alternatively, cake decorators are always in high demand. If you have a special skill in special diets, perhaps selling grain free, sugar free or dairy free items is for you. Create a website to promote your service, or advertise in local groups on social media. Food is the way to everyone’s heart, so serve up your signature dish whenever you can in order to gain word of mouth promotion.
Childcare
It takes a special person to take on a career in childcare. If you love children, have training in childhood education, first aid and early childhood development, this could be the career for you. Before launching your childcare business, review your local laws regarding ratios and home childcare, and follow them to a tee. Protect yourself with contracts, extensive documentation of each child’s day and daily reports with parents. Establish policies, schedules and menus and daily activities to ensure the best possible experience for the children in your care.
Content Creation
There are many work from home job opportunities in the content creation space. Also known as copywriters, these entrepreneurs can write blog posts, articles, white papers, press releases, product descriptions, emails and newsletters. A strong grasp on the english language and grammar, along with the ability to grab the interest of readers can help you build a career in content creation.
eBooks
We all have expertise or skill at something. Whether it is a field that you have had formal training in, a hobby that you have honed your skills at over the years, or a subject you enjoy researching … there is probably something in your skill repertoire that you can turn into an ebook. Need some inspiration? Here are a few ideas:
- short stories or a novel
- cookbook
- knitting, sewing or crocheting patterns
- life hacks
- DIY instructions
- homework pages
- puzzle book
- business guides
- photography 101
- woodworking 101
- travel guides
- colouring books
Your ebook can be self-published and sold through services like Amazon or Lulu, just be sure to review their requirements before getting started.
eCommerce
You can grow your own ecommerce site from home, using services like Shopify or Woocommerce. Sell your own products or use dropshippers to offer a large variety of items without worrying about the shipping. Shopify has partnered with Facebook and Instagram to allow users to sell directly through these social media sites, as well as on their own websites.
Freelance Writing
The ability to write cohesively is required for this job, but otherwise you are only limited by your imagination. Pitch websites, magazines, newspapers and businesses with your interest and see where your words can take you. There are countless groups online to assist freelance writers find work and hone their skills.
Home Parties
There are many different companies to choose from if you wish to do home parties as your career. While this isn’t solely a work from home job, much of the business is done from home and you have the ability to choose your own hours. Some examples of home party businesses are:
- Tupperware
- Arbonne
- Mary Kay
- Pampered Chef
- Partylite
- Scentsy
- Thirty-one
- Jamberry
- Origami Owl
- Stella and Dot
- Usborne Books
- doTERRA
- Shaklee
Online Courses
Along the same lines as creating an ebook, you can create an online course. Services like Udemy and Teachable enable experts to create and sell courses to people who need your skills. Use a mix of video, webinars and written guides to give your students the best possible learning experience.
Pet Sitting
Doggie day care is a real thing, as is pet sitting in someone else’s home and providing dog walking services. Dog whisperers everywhere can earn their income by caring for their four-legged friends. A love of animals is the most obvious qualification here, but also the ability to follow along with any training the animals are involved in, or encourage good manners and skills in the pets by providing training of your own.
Selling Handmade Items
There is no limit to the possibilities of what you could make and sell from home. Natural beauty products, clothing, jewelry, personalized items made using a Cricut machine, art and furniture are just a few ideas. Follow the latest trends online and use your own skills to come up with a product that you can make and sell on Etsy, at craft shows, from your own website or through buy and sell websites. Be sure to calculate your time into the price when figuring your profit margins, and connect with other crafters for support.
Selling Used Items
This is a great way to reduce the clutter in your home while making some money. You can also scour yard sales and second hand shops for items that you believe could make you a good deal and purchase them for resale. Used items can be sold on eBay, Craigslist, Kijiji or on the Facebook marketplace or through online buy and sell groups. You community may also have annual mom to mom sales where you can sell used items. Seek out consignment stores in your area as another option for selling your used products.
Stock Photos
If you have a decent camera and an eye for photography, you can sell stock photos through various online outlets like Getty Images. Earning a decent income can take time and will require you to regularly upload a substantial number of photos, but the passive income can serve you well in the future. Those earning a full time income through stock photo sales attest to uploading hundreds of photos each month.
Transcription
A little patience, a keen ear and the ability to type well are the skills you need to be a transcriptionist. Transcribing medical files often requires certification, but there are many other fields that requires transcription services and are happy to hire those who can show their abilities. You can find sites online to practice transcribing and get some start-up work to build your portfolio.
Virtual Assistant
Many bloggers and online professionals use Virtual Assistants to manage their businesses. These VAs can provide a variety of tasks such as responding to emails, posting on social media, sending out pitches, editing photos and whatever tasks they agree to perform upon hiring. Attention to detail, following online trends and working well independently are all important skills for virtual assistants.
Have any other recommendations for work from home jobs? Leave them in the comments!
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