Dean Burgess
There’s no question the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted women. Not only have women struggled with various issues at home and with their health, but the economic impact has been severe. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment among women has risen 2.9% more than it has among men.
Whether you have recently lost your job, been furloughed, lost a source of income in any other way, or you’re simply chasing your dreams, there are practical ways that you can bounce back. And you don’t even have to leave your home!
Check out these online money-making ideas from Smart Girl Brand.
1. Writing
If you have passion and skills for writing, you have many options to put them to use and earn an income. For instance, you could become a copywriter, which is a massive industry that’s ripe with opportunity. Essentially, being a copywriter means that you would be creating marketing messages for other businesses and individuals. And no matter where you live, you can get paid in U.S. dollars.
You can also make money by starting a blog. If you have expertise in a particular industry or niche, you can share information and advice in your blog. “How to” is the most searched phrase on Google. And if you can write your advice about your industry in an interesting, informative style, you can quickly build a reputation for yourself.
If you have always wanted to write a book, there’s never been a better time. Long gone are the days when you have to shop your fiction or nonfiction manuscript to a print publisher. These days, anyone can publish an ebook, and there are many different platforms to choose from. Moreover, if you prefer to edit the content of other writers, you can earn an income by becoming a proofreader.
If you choose to turn your writing hobby into a business, or want to start a business in any other field, make sure you know what you’re getting into. A lot goes into opening and managing a business, and without the necessary skills, it will be hard to set the stage for success.
Returning to school for a business degree is an excellent way to prepare for the future. Whether you study business management, marketing, or any other business field, earning a degree will help you strengthen your business acumen. And if you choose an online program, you will have more flexibility to fit in other important aspects of your life.
2. Transcribing
This job still requires writing, but it involves using a different part of your brain. If you simply love to type, you might enjoy transcribing. You can either build your business independently or work through a freelance agency like Rev.com.
In short, transcribing involves typing out an audio file as fast and as accurately as you can. You don’t get paid by the hour but rather by the project. So, if you type at the average rate of 75 to 100 words per minute, you can make a decent living from your time spent transcribing.
3. Podcasting
Podcasting falls within the same lines of writing. There are many different types of podcasts you can start from your home, and you can build a successful podcast with nothing more than a microphone, a laptop, and free recording software.
If you have a knack for writing marketing messages, you could launch a podcast to promote products or services for businesses (even your own). Or, if you are an expert in your industry, you could start a podcast that provides advice and explains how to be successful in the industry. A short, weekly podcast can grow quickly if you do it well and promote it diligently.
4. Narrating
You don’t have to be Morgan Freeman or Alec Baldwin to narrate content (though that helps). The rise of audiobooks is eminent, and its increasing popularity as a form of entertainment shows no signs of slowing down in the years to come. If you think you would be interested in becoming an audiobook narrator, sign up on a freelance site like Book Riot to find clients.
5. Teaching
Since the pandemic hit, online school has become a normal part of life for students across the country. And there are many schools looking for qualified, passionate teachers to fill vacancies. See if there are any schools—either locally or in other parts of the country—that are looking for online teachers in your area of expertise. Also, consider becoming a tutor, as online tutoring has also become commonplace.
If you want to take it up a notch, you can even create your own online course. There are many platforms that allow you to upload and sell courses; so whether you want to teach educational or how-to content, starting a course can help you supplement your income.
6. Consulting
Consultancy is one of the most common freelance fields in the world. Essentially, if you have expertise in a particular niche or area of business, organizations and individuals will pay you good money to provide them advice and help them solve problems. You can sign up on online job boards to find clients or start your own business. Just make sure you stay up to date on current industry trends so that you can provide relevant solutions to your clients.
7. ECommerce
Finally, online shopping is where it’s at. And there are so many things you can sell through an eCommerce store. Maybe there are health and wellness products that you believe in wholeheartedly and want others to experience. Maybe you have a homestead and enjoy growing your own produce or bottling honey. Perhaps you create textiles or other types of crafts as a hobby.
Consider opening an eCommerce store to make money from your passion. If you have a small enough inventory, you can sell products directly from your house. Moreover, you can get into the dropshipping business, which means that you sell products from another business, and the products ship directly from the supplier to the consumer.
If you’re one of the many women who have been profoundly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, you can turn the tide by making money online. Consider the ideas above, and keep looking for other ways to supplement your income without leaving the house. In no time, you can be adding fulfillment to your life while also creating a more stable financial situation for your family.
Article written by Dean Burgess