This piece has been written by a guest writer, Gwen Payne.
As young adults, we’ve all been conditioned to follow the same path as our parents, which is to work a 40-hour-per-week job and then retire with the pension in place. But times are changing, and the things that worked for generations past don’t necessarily fit into our 21st-century, 20-something lifestyle.
Something we have an opportunity to do that our parents could never have imagined is to work from home, starting from the beginning of our career. Whether you wish to travel while working, living that nomad lifestyle, or you’ve started your family and want to spend more time with the kids than the traditional way of working allows, the following tips can help you get started.
Defining your goals
Before you quit your day job to pursue a remote position, it’s prudent to define your goals to yourself. Do you want a more flexible schedule? Would you like to spend more time with your family, or is your goal to work while travelling? These are all excellent benefits associated with remote work, but, as Vox points out, there are definite downsides, too. If you do not want to be in your workplace 24/7 or are a social butterfly, you may be better off in an office a few days a week at the very least.
Best work-at-home jobs
For the most part, anything that you could do from a work cubicle, you can do from home. If you hope to work from home full time, one option is seeking out traditional employment with a non-traditional arrangement. Many companies offer remote positions doing anything from software development to call centre to marketing or internet research - especially at the moment, with the COVID rules in place. You may also find a full or part-time job answering telephones, processing medical claims, or working as a virtual assistant. Don’t be afraid to change your career.
Starting your own business
Another option is starting your own business: if you have experience as a bookkeeper, for example, or recently graduated with a degree in accounting, you could start your own business helping local business owners manage their money. If you’re an artist or photographer, you can even sell these skills, although it may be necessary to leave the house on occasion for a photoshoot or to paint a mural. Perhaps you can babysit, take care of other people’s animals, or do other domestic duties that your office-inducted neighbours may not have time to do.
Promoting yourself
Whether you’re working from home as a freelancer, or starting your own business, you’re going to have to learn how to promote yourself and your skills!
Starting a podcast is a great example of how to do just this, and it’s an excellent way to connect with your customers while marketing yourself in your best light. A podcast can also increase the number of email subscribers – a crucial component to marketing – while also allowing your personality to shine through. Keep in mind that to set yourself up for success, you’ll want to master a few key steps, like establishing a schedule and format for your program.
You’ll also need to become super social media savvy, and Small Business Trends stresses the use of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other platforms to get your name and mission out into the public.
At the end of the day, working at home is one of the best ways to achieve the ever-crucial life/professional balance. And there are many opportunities that you can take advantage of that your parents never could. So, whether you want to start your own business or hold a traditional nine-to-five, but from home, there has never been a better time to jump headfirst into the work-at-home world!
Gwen Payne is a stay-at-home mom with an entrepreneurial spirit. Over the years, she has mastered raising her two daughters while side hustling to success through small ventures based on her passions -- from dog walking to writing to eCommerce. With Invisiblemoms.com, she hopes to show other stay-at-home parents how they can achieve their business-owning dreams.