By Casey Musarra
Many of us have gotten accustomed to video calls as the “new normal” for work-from-home life, which means only needing to look presentable from the waist up—a.k.a. not having to put on pants. If you want to be able to work in your underwear (or loungewear/sweatpants), there are plenty of options that allow you to WFH.
Remote work ideas for a pandemic (and post-pandemic) world
All these job opportunities can fall under the WFH umbrella, either as full-time work or as a side hustle if you’re looking to make some extra money for savings or paying down debt. Plugging in extra payments into a loan payoff calculator can help you determine how much faster you’ll be debt free and see how much you can save on interest. Here’s a look at some remote work opportunities that could fit your lifestyle and skillset.
Content creation and processing
We’re not just saying this because it’s literally what we’re doing right now. OK, maybe that’s part of it. From content writing and editing/proofreading to blogging and transcription, there are plenty of opportunities in the content world that can be done from home.
Salaries and wages for these jobs can vary widely depending on where you’re based, your level of experience, and other factors. Some writing jobs will pay per article, while others will pay per word or by the hour. (It’s a sweet gig, trust me! <- paid to say that.)
Consulting
Consulting is like the “if you can’t do, teach” of the corporate world. It’s usually a role that’s designed for people who have done the job, had success, and can share that success with others. Consulting work can be a good option for retirees or those who are semi-retired, as you can generally make your own hours.
The average consultant salary in the U.S. is nearly $70,000/year, according to Indeed, but many of the top companies in consulting pay six figures.
Product reviewing/survey taking
Reviewing products online is a way to make money for something you might do anyway. Some companies will employ product testers to try out new items they’re releasing and share their feedback. These gigs can make as much as $500 per product review. If these are products you’re genuinely interested in anyway, it’s really a win-win.
Taking surveys online also can add some extra dough to your wallet. You’re not going to get rich this way, but some companies will pay you as much as $50 for each survey you take. These aren’t big-time commitments either, so if you manage to find some of the better paying ones, this could be a nice boost. Most companies will pay you via check, mobile payment service (PayPal or Venmo), or gift card.
Social media management
If you already spend way too much time on your phone (thanks for the reminder, Apple Screen Time) scrolling through Instagram, you may be able to monetize your social media habit.
Now that everyone and their mom (literally) has a social media presence, there are lots of opportunities to get work in the social media world. For companies and influencers to have success expanding their social reach, they typically need to have someone completely dedicated to managing their social channels.
There’s a lot more to social media management than posting a photo with a few cute hashtags. If you’re able to provide and develop a more dedicated social strategy, you can make yourself indispensable.
Casey Musarra is a reformed sports journalist tackling a new game of financial services writing. Previous bylines include Newsday and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Mike Francesa once called her a “great girl.”
