When in Rome...
A crowdsourced list of remote jobs that almost anyone can do from home.
As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread, many lives are being upended, as events are canceled and businesses close, leading to widespread layoffs and loss of income for many.
Despite recent legislation that approved a $2.2 trillion stimulus package, scores of people are wondering where their next paycheck will come from. If you’re currently facing financial hardship, we want you to know we’re here for you—and we will do our best to supply you with resources and information to help during this difficult time.
While it’s totally OK not to be productive right now, it’s also a great time to start thinking about ways you can monetize your existing skills—writing, marketing, branding, etc.—to bring in money. So, in an effort to help, we’ve pulled together a crowdsourced list of seven remote jobs that may be able to help you get in on that work from home action. While the following suggestions probably won’t make you rich, they might help you stay afloat during this precarious time while you find your footing.
And as you continue to navigate these uncertain times, please know you’re in our minds and hearts. We will pull through this as a unified community.
The beauty of freelance writing is that you can do it from anywhere, anytime. That’s precisely what I’m doing for Supermaker. If you have a knack for words, start reaching out to editors at publications with ideas for stories suited to their platform and readership, as well as a link to one or two writing samples. Sites like BloggingPro and Contently are a great way to find blogs, publications, and brands that pay freelance writers. Not to mention, outlets like HelloGiggles and PopSugar are known for working with new writers all the time.
If there’s a subject you know a lot about and can teach to others, being a tutor is a really great way to make money. Parents are always looking for tutors to help their children with school work in all sorts of areas—math, english, science, foreign language, etc. That demand may be even higher now that parents all over the nation are tasked with figuring out what to do with kids whose schools have been shut down. You can find tutoring jobs by advertising your services on online tutoring platforms like Wyzant and TutorMe, or even on social media! Wondering how to confidently set your rates? Hourly pay is usually around $30 - $60, depending on where you live.
Are you the artsy type who loves to draw? You could sell your work online, just like Karen Bullard. The artist has been making a decent income selling her work online since 2018—both on Etsy, and her own site. During difficult times, art can help to cheer people up, so go on and let your imagination run free—your artistic creations could be your next source of income.
Transcribing audio into text for journalists, content creators, lawyers, and the like, is a super easy way to make money from home. All you need is a laptop, working wifi, a bit of patience, and a good ear for dialogue. All you have to do is listen to an audio file and type out what you hear. Just remember, no matter the nature of the conversation, always make sure to keep all files confidential. Many general transcribers average anywhere from $10 to $20 an hour working with companies like Rev and Transcribe Me—and $1 - $2 a minute with their own clients.
Many brands pay market research companies to put on focus groups to find out what a certain demographic thinks about their products; it helps them stay on top of consumer trends, and participants are paid to share their opinions. I’ve personally done a bunch of focus groups over the years, making upward of $200 for each one. While most focus groups typically happen in person, some companies offer them online, like FocusGroup and Inspired Opinions.
Calling all super organized people! This one’s for you. There are a plethora of business professionals looking for virtual assistants to help out with scheduling, invoicing, and provide general administrative support. If you’re a type A person who’s good at clerical work, you can make great money as a virtual assistant. You can either set up shop on your own (and let people know you're open for business), or sign up for established sites like Belay and Fancy Hands, both of which employ virtual assistants all over the world.
If you have a marketable skill, like graphic design, digital marketing or branding, big and small businesses alike will pay a premium for your expertise. Just ask Jenna Miller, who started her own branding and website design company, Absolute JEM, this year after successfully helping numerous friends launch their own brands. While it may take a little time before you start generating revenue, this idea will pay off in the long run. Create a portfolio for free on WordPress and Tumblr, and start advertising your services to brands in your niche so you can start landing clients soon.
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