So, you’re setting out on your own — freshly arrived among the ranks of the self-employed.
You have just one question: what the heck am I going to do now?
Join the club. Plenty of newly liberated workers choose self-employment as part of a broader career change strategy — often stepping away from the office before they have a clear sense of what they plan to do next.
That’s perfectly fine. The market for work-at-home jobs is booming, meaning it’s a seller’s market for self-employed talent.
These seven at-home opportunities are tailor-made for those seeking a foot in the door of self-employment. As time goes on, you might choose to dive headfirst into one or two of these specialties, keep a few as part of a diversified side income strategy, or change focus and choose a self-employed path that aligns more closely with your previous career.
The sky’s the limit, and the choice is yours.
1. Tutoring
Think you know more than a high school student? About one or two subjects, you probably do — or, at least, you can call up that knowledge from the depths. With a reliable Internet connection and high-res laptop camera, you can impart your wisdom from just about anywhere, including the comfort of your own home.
According to remote tutoring provider Chegg, top tutors can earn $1,000 or more per month, assuming a starting rate of $20 per hour. That’s a solid wage in anyone’s book, and doubly so for tutors with limited experience.
2. Fundraising Distribution
Want to raise funds for the causes you care about most and earn reliable income for your trouble? Consider working as a fundraising distributor, selling high-profit fundraising products that, in turn, raise proceeds for school groups, community organizations, and charities. According to the experts from ABC Fundraising, organized fundraising distributors working full-time can earn $5,000 per month or more — an impressive take for doing what you love.
3. Writing and Editing
You don’t have to be capable of turning out the next great American novel to make a living in work-at-home writing and editing. Chances are good that you’ve done your share of writing in previous roles; chances are even better that there’s a viable freelance market for writers in your specialty. Technical writing is particularly lucrative if you’ve got the chops.
4. Property Management
This isn’t technically “at home” work — unless you’re managing your mother-in-law suite on the side, you’ll need to leave home from time to time. But you can do quite a bit from your home office too, from collecting rent to dispatching handymen.
5. Website and App Testing
Yes, website and app testing is indeed a paying job. According to UserTesting, a prominent website testing company, testers earn $10 for a typical project — more if the job requires extra time or effort.
6. Customer or Tech Support
All you need to work as an at-home customer contact or tech support professional is a headset, a videochat interface, a fast Internet connection, and deep reserves of patience. You’ll need specialized training too, of course, but that literally comes with the job. Expect to earn $15 per hour or more — and say goodbye to the long, lonely commute to the call center on the edge of town.
7. Medical Transcription
It’s no secret that the American healthcare system is complicated as all get-out. That’s a drag for patients, to be sure, but it’s great news for work-at-home medical transcriptionists, whose work ensures accurate billing and ordering.
What’s Your Work-at-Home Angle?
Don’t see a work-at-home opportunity that strikes your fancy here? Don’t worry: this is the very tip of the iceberg. In this brave new economy, more jobs than ever can be done remotely, without ever setting foot in an office or meeting colleagues face to face.
We no longer have to imagine the possibilities of decentralized work. We’re living them every day. Won’t you join us?
Samantha Acuna is a writer based in San Francisco, CA. Her work has been featured in The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, and Yahoo Small Business.
Compare our packages
Our customized packages meet the compliance, filing speed, and support needs of your new business in one place.
starter
Basic
Covers all your required filings with the state, accuracy guaranteed.
+ state fees
Process in 7-10 business days*
pro
Most Popular
Everything to start and protect your LLC and keep it compliant year-round.
Processes in 1 business day*
premium
Best Value
Get additional tools and expert support to start and grow your business online
*Processing times are based on receiving complete information. ZenBusiness processing times do not include Secretary of State processing times, which can vary.
**SPECIAL OFFER – Starter includes one optional free year of Worry-Free Compliance (renews at $199/yr).
Compare our formation plans in detail here.
Ready to Start Your Business?
Related Articles
6 Life Hacks For People Who Work From Home
by Team ZenBusiness, on October 28, 2024
105 Side Business Ideas for Full-Time Workers
by Team ZenBusiness, on October 08, 2024
6 Things That Make Working From Home Easier
5 Awesome Tips For Being Successfully Self-Employed
Businesses You Can Start with No Money
by Team ZenBusiness, on December 10, 2024
What Work Can I Do from Home?
by Team ZenBusiness, on November 15, 2024
5 Home Additions Every Self-Employed Person Should Make
9 Awesome Google Chrome Extensions For The Self-Employed
Get Your Home Based Biz