Guest post by Sarah Bull
While the recession has been rough on everyone, women, in particular, are feeling the pressure. From losing work to lockdown (with kids) at home, many women face unique challenges. Whether you need an outlet or an extra (or sole) source of income to help you bounce back, finding ways to earn money at home is the perfect option.
Here are four ideas to help you earn money at home through these unprecedented times.
Find Project-Based Work with Freelancing
As NPR reports, women have been disproportionately affected by job loss due to the coronavirus. However, regardless of whether you were laid off from a job or you’ve been out of the professional realm for years, freelancing might be an excellent solution.
When it comes to freelancing, there are plenty of ways to start finding clients and earn money at home
You can work part-time or full-time, whatever works with your schedule, and you can onboard multiple clients as necessary to boost your income. Look to job boards where you can offer services such as accounting, content writing, marketing or even as a Microsoft Word professional. When it comes to freelancing, there are plenty of ways to start finding clients and earn money at home.
If you have trouble reworking your experience into a different industry, consider getting outside help. Working with a career expert can help you improve your odds of securing work through coaching, reviewing and improving your resume and helping you tweak your professional profile.
Go Virtual with Admin Support
Many women who hold (or formerly held) administrative positions find that virtual assisting is an excellent segue into working from home. Of course, you do need to develop a specific skillset to be successful as a virtual assistant. For example, a virtual assistant needs to be resourceful, communicative and reliable, regardless of their niche or client base. Being flexible, organized, and prompt are also key skills.
In addition, you’ll need to learn to navigate a range of web-based tools to serve your clients and manage your time. A reliable internet connection and either a laptop or desktop computer is a necessity as well, but your equipment doesn’t necessarily need to be fancy when you’re first starting. As you earn a reliable income, you may consider splurging on upgrades.
Open Your Home for Daycare Services
Watching another family’s children can be a great way to earn an income from home. Many moms have been in lockdown with kids who are itching to play with others, and offering childcare could be beneficial all-around (depending on local coronavirus restrictions, of course). Especially for moms who must return to work, finding reliable childcare is challenging and stressful—so your availability could help them get back to the office. In addition, because many essential workers have children, the need for childcare will only increase as society reopens.
While you don’t always need a license or any certification to provide childcare, some areas have caregiver-to-child ratio rules—so you may need an assistant if you want to care for additional kids. You’ll also need to regularly deep clean your home and follow your area’s childcare guidelines, of course. It also helps to prepare with supplies like disposable thermometers and gloves for diaper changes.
Start an Online Store (or Make Something You Love)
Selling a product is an excellent way to earn money at home during the recession. The great thing about retail is that you can sell anything you want—whether you’re making or sourcing it from someone else.
If you’re a crafter, creating a product to sell might be the perfect fit. When selling homemade items, you can either develop a website or choose an online platform that suits your needs. For example, many people sell homemade goods on sites like Etsy, Artfire, or even Hyena Cart.
Conversely, if you’re sourcing a product elsewhere, you can either store your inventory at home or use a dropshipping model to fulfill orders. While you can create a website that stands alone, it’s also an option to use platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento, and more.
As a woman who’s out of work for whatever reason during the recession, you’re likely under a ton of stress. If you have kids at home, or other loved ones relying on you, it’s even more challenging to figure out a plan. Fortunately, starting to work from home can help alleviate financial stress—and maybe even open more doors for your future career.
Sarah Bull runs Economy Mom, a blog that helps moms earn money from home
