Technological advances have made working from home a growing trend even before the pandemic. But after the past year, more and more people are choosing to skip the commute and find ways to earn a living from home.
According to an estimate issued by the freelance platform Upwork, over 36 million people in the United States alone will be working from home full time by 2025. Are you ready to join them? Here are some of the most lucrative work-from-home ideas.
Affiliate Marketer
Homeworkers can create a relatively passive income stream through affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketers earn a percentage by promoting their favorite products in blog articles, social media accounts, or even through personal recommendations. You can start by checking if the makers of the products you currently use have affiliate programs.
A second option is to apply to affiliate networking platforms like Awin, Flexoffers, and ShareASale. As the hemp industry continues to boom, you’ll find a nearly limitless number of CBD companies looking for affiliate partners. The site THCAffiliates is a fantastic place to find hemp and CBD-oriented companies to promote.
Highlights:
- Average Earnings: $65,000/year
- Skills Required: basic writing, marketing
- Resources Needed: computer, social media following
- Pros: relatively passive income
- Cons: variable income
Freelance Writer/Editor
If you have strong English skills and writing or editing experience, you may consider becoming a freelance writer, proofreader, or editor. One of the biggest advantages of freelance writing is that you can learn as you earn.
Content mills like Textbroker and Verblio make excellent places to refine your copywriting and SEO skills while generating side income. Once you build a small portfolio, you can try your luck on more lucrative pitch-based platforms like Scripted, Upwork, and Fiverr. Freelance writers can also find work on job boards or through social media networks.
Highlights:
- Average Earnings: $63,000/year
- Skills Required: writing, editing, English
- Resources Needed: portfolio of writing samples
- Pros: ability to set your own hours
- Cons: deadlines, inconsistent income
Graphic Designer
Every business needs graphic designers to create logos, brochures, and other promotional items. If you have artistic skills and can learn to use programs like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, you’re well on your way to starting a freelance graphic design business.
Budding graphic designers who don’t have the cash to invest in professional graphic design software can get started with subscription services like CanvaPro. Another way to capitalize on your design skills is by opening a print-on-demand store on a site like Printful, Zazzle, or Printify.
Highlights:
- Average Earnings: around $50,000/year
- Skills Required: arts, computer
- Resources Needed: portfolio of artwork
- Pros: plenty of work available
- Cons: need to build a portfolio, variable income
Reseller
Do you have extra space in a spare room or garage? Why not start a reselling business? If you have an eye for quality, you can turn a tidy profit by buying collectibles at estate sales, flea markets, or auctions and posting your treasures on sites like eBay, Whatnot, and Craigslist.
International travelers can also import items gathered from craft markets and wholesalers abroad. Guatemala, Thailand, and India are ideal places to find inexpensive items you can sell for a hefty markup.
Highlights:
- Average Earnings: variable
- Skills Required: research, marketing
- Resources Needed: vehicle, storage space
- Pros: potentially large profit margins
- Cons: initial investment to buy items
Online Teacher
These days, there are so many ways you can share your skills or find online opportunities with your teaching experience. One of the quickest routes is to earn a TEFL certificate and teach online English classes. Additionally, traditional high schools and universities are starting to hire more adjunct faculty to teach online courses.
If you’re more independently motivated, you can even earn extra cash producing instructional videos on Skillshare, Thinkific, or Patreon.
Highlights:
- Average Earnings: $40,000/year
- Skills Required: ability to teach others, possible credentials
- Resources Needed: computer, reliable internet connection
- Pros: share your knowledge, meet new people
- Cons: variable income, may need to conform to odd hours for TEFL
Virtual Assistant
Becoming a virtual assistant is one of the fastest ways to turn your current job skills into a work-from-home business. Small businesses and corporations are increasingly turning to freelance VAs to complete a wide range of tasks, including data entry, accounting, sending emails, customer service, and managing social media accounts.
Highlights:
- Average Earnings: around $18/hour
- Skills Required: organizational
- Resources Needed: computer, reliable internet connection
- Pros: easy entry, can use current CV
- Cons: may need to adapt to clients’ schedules
