There was a time when making a good living while working from home was a pipe dream. There have always been a lucky few that managed to make that dream come true, but for most of us, the options were few and not very enticing. As the capabilities of the internet and computers grew, so did the dreams of the entrepreneur. Today’s business often hires people to work remotely. Today’s business owner is just as likely to work out of their home where overhead is low, ROI is high, as they are any shop. Their world is arranged around what is most important to them.
Work-at-home Jobs That Pay Well
Of course, some jobs jump out as easy to work from home, like childcare. But, are there jobs that you have not thought of? Here is a quick list of jobs you can work from home with little overhead and your skill:
- Realtor
You will need your realtor license and a place to keep your files and appointments. You will need a good program as you will need to conduct virtual home shows. This is a business that requires little investment so the returns are high. You also have the benefit of a few good tax write-offs.
- Social Media Manager
There are a lot of social media accounts out there. People tend to gravitate toward accounts that their friends follow. You need someone to keep the postings current and keep you up-to-date on anything that could be a potential problem or a great lead.
- Barber or Hair Stylist
This is a profession that follows you. You are a pro with a license and your clientele will follow you. This home business requires a few quality investments, but most of the tools you will have from your training. You will need a quality chair. Buy a Keller Barber Chair because it will last long. Since you will have clients on your property, protect yourself with insurance and check with your town about business license requirements.
You can combine this business with selling products. By contacting good shampoo distributors and getting your products at a commercial rate, you can sell them at a profit. You can open lines of anything that you enjoy. The investment in this business may be a bit higher initially, but your return should begin very quickly, allowing you to recover swiftly.
- Writer
Tech writer. This would be writing technical instructions and product guides for companies. Tech writing has a wide range in the engineering and product data fields.
Copywriter, blogger, articles, white pages, and descriptions. This type of writing is usually done, submitted, and published online. It is very lucrative. There are many sites that buy this writing. A freelance writer that charges a fair rate can make a good living.
- Teacher/Tutor
It has never been so easy to have one-on-one attention with a teacher. Having an after-school tutor for your child doesn’t require driving or frustration. With so many ways to pay online, there are more tutors than ever.
Running Things Smoothly
So, you have decided to take the plunge. You know what you are going to do. You have sent out some feelers and you have a few things lined up. You have a place in your home where you are going to work. You have bought a comfortable chair and a coffee mug that reads “You’ve got this!” So, let’s get started.
Time Tracking
It is important to track how much time you put into your business. This helps you determine what your per-hour value is. It also shows you how much time you are wasting. Track each job. Note anything you had to outsource. This tells you how much money you actually made. Include invoicing in this section. There are many free programs that you can try. Be sure you have everything backed up. When you find a program that works well with your jobs, grab it.
Web Design, Online Marketing, IT
There are many “build it yourself” websites. Some people have a talent for creating them. They can make them look professional. But some sites are difficult to maneuver. You do not want a website that crashes or freezes. You do not want one that looks like a cookie-cutter site with the same artwork that is seen on many sites in your type of work. So, it might be worth it to hire someone with some website skills that will give you a top-drawer site. Remember, your website is often the first time your client will see your brand. This is your chance to impress them.
Online marketing is important. When done correctly, it can bring you clients, reviews, and sales. When done incorrectly it can cost you. Working with a marketing firm will help you get started. It is their job to understand Google’s rules, SEO optimization, keywords, and how to get your company into a favorable position. Letting a professional do what they do, will give you a lot more customers so you can do what you do.
What the Future Holds
More than 60% of large corporations have remote workers, yet more than half do not have remote worker policies. It seems that those in positions of hiring are not convinced that working at home is what is best for the company. There are still people who assume you are not dedicated if you are not waiting with card in hand to punch the clock at 8:00 AM on the dot. They believe you are not serious if you are not elbow-deep in files at your desk. It is a costly misconception.
Allowing remote workers lowers overhead. It lowers the need for space. There is less need for computers, phones, heating, air conditioning, water, and all those little necessities we provide to house an adult person for nine hours per day. We have less risk of an employee coming into the office sick and infecting others. We have less risk of a person being hurt while on our property and bringing legal action against us. When a person is working from home, they are responsible for their own health and well-being. As long as they are turning in their work on time and correctly, this is a win-win for all people involved.
While all work-at-home businesses are not fail-proof, as technology grows, they are more accepted and more common. People are learning to succeed. There is little doubt that commerce is going to embrace this practice. Big business should get on board. If they expect to lead us, they probably need to catch up.
