The Internet is rife with success stories of reaping the benefits of making a living from home, be it through a homebased job or a small business.
Among its perks include having a more flexible schedule, spending more time with family and/or hobbies, less exposure to the hassle of public transportation, and saving up on eating out or buying gas.
There are a number of ways where you can make a living from your humble abode.
You will most likely be banking on skills and utilities that you already have, as well as some cash for capital. If you’re considering working from home or starting a business or maybe both, check the following list and see what would work for you.
Let’s find the answer to the dreaded question “What should I do for a living?”
Freelance Jobs
You can find an abundance of things to do for a living online. There are lots of potential employees looking for talent outside their organization.
They will assign you a project that you can work on while actively collaborating with them online.
If you have the skills and the resources, get online and start seeking these jobs out:
1. Editorial Services
Got excellent writing and editing skills?
Then you’re in a good position to sell your talents online. Editorial services would usually only need a working computer and some Internet connection.
There are tons of people willing to hire freelancers. At Odesk, for example, there is huge demand for writers who can produce quality articles, product reviews, web copy, and other kinds of written content.
2. Graphic Design / Video Editing
Did you know that 90% of information that enters the brain is optical in nature, and that images are processed by the brain 60,000 times faster than text? This is what makes visual content a staple in marketing. Captivating imagery is easy to appreciate, making more people respond to them better.
Professionals who know how to create visuals would always be in demand. Are you an expert with Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, or other image editing tool?
As a practitioner in the field, you are most probably familiar with the kinds of materials you might be producing, such as infographs and videos.
You should definitely look for freelance work online on these sites for designers.
3. Website Developer
In this day and age, having a website is already close to becoming a necessity for businesses of all sizes.
Considering the commercial benefits a website provides, business owners would definitely need people who know how to build them.
This is why web developers are extremely in demand and well-paid. They are the ones responsible for tailoring websites according to the business’ needs.
Got a knack for coding from writing custom scripts to building a website from scratch?
The world needs talented people like you. Check out this list of freelance sites for web developers. You’re bound to get a number of projects that would fit your skill level and expertise.
4. Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant can do a myriad of administrative work, including managing emails and social networking sites, booking reservations, and blog commenting. If you’re good at organizing and enjoy juggling a variety of tasks, you can try being a virtual assistant.
5. Live Chat Operator
The use of live chat has been a growing trend for customer service purposes. It is especially important for e-commerce sites since a live chat operator can fill in the need for a virtual salesman that most online stores lack.
These people are the key in producing sales, since they can ease customer concerns (especially with high involvement products) by answering their queries.
If you have good typing speed, loves multitasking, and having conversations, you should give this a shot. One of the places to look for freelance live chat operator positions is People Per Hour.
Home-based Businesses
All businesses had their humble beginnings before making it big. If you’re the savvy business-minded type who wants to be his or her own boss, you can start small from the comforts of your home.
6. Affiliate Marketing
Have you ever thought about blogging being more than just a hobby? You’re in luck since people can actually make money from it.
If you’ve been writing quality content about your chosen niche for some time, you’re bound to have some loyal readers.
This is because the information you provide them is of significant value, which makes you earn your audience’s trust. If you have been generating and maintaining steady traffic for some time, not only will you get the opportunity to earn from ad placements but from affiliate marketing as well.
Affiliate marketing involves promoting products on behalf of another firm, and earns commission with every referral that resulted in a conversion, be it a sale or a click.
Your blog provides good opportunities for partner brands as it would be a logical place to promote relevant products. Mixing product promotions with your content won’t make it look like hard sell, provided that you and your partners belong to the same niche.
7. Network Marketing
What most people don’t understand about this practice is that it’s a legitimate business.
Network marketing or otherwise known as multi-level marketing (MLM) involves people generating commissions from the products they sell and from the people they recruit to the system.
Other people view it badly since it seems to be similar with pyramid schemes, but in reality, there’s a fine line that separates them:
- There’s only minimal entrance fee in MLM
- Legit MLM will tell you all about the company before you sign up
- Even new recruits can earn more than their recruiters do in a real MLM business
- MLM makes money by selling tangible products, not from fees from new recruits
- MLM companies are legal
- MLM takes time; it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme
This model is used by many businesses since they get to save on costs. Instead of spending big on huge marketing campaigns, companies who use MLM instead rewards their distributors by giving them commission.
Great examples of firms that utilize this method are Herbalife, Nu Skin, Avon and Melaleuca. All these firms are involved in promoting wellness by selling products that are intended for nutrition, weight management, and skin-care.
They have millions of distributors worldwide who sell their goods either through direct selling or by using social media and a website. Health and wellness products are a popular niche since these are always in demand.
You can look for various MLM directories online and check their credibility.
Also, there are distributors out there who help their merchants with their business by providing them with websites and other tools. If you’re the entrepreneur type who’s unafraid of risks, MLM could be your big breakthrough.
8. Catering
Are you the go-to-person of your friends whenever preparing dinner is an absolute pain for them?
If you’re the type who loves to cook and are dreaming of having your own restaurant someday, you can take the first step by setting up your own catering service.
To start off, you will need appliances that are most likely already in your house like a stove, an oven, or a rice cooker.
Among the other things that you’d be spending capital on are packaging and raw materials like meat, grains, vegetables and spices. Spread the word about your new business by telling your friends about it, and by leveraging your online social networks.
This could get you potential clients since catering service fees from established settlements are usually more expensive. Just make sure to deliver on your promise to serve quality meals as your reputation depends on it.
9. Sell Your Craft
Making arts and crafts is always a fulfilling hobby since practically anything you make is your masterpiece.
If you have a knack for creating greeting cards, soaps, candles, glasses out of beer bottles, or any other novelty item, accessory and ornament, you can make money if you can sell it to the right people.
For example, the whole year is bound to be filled with celebrations like birthdays and weddings.
It is customary for events like these to give attendees a token. This is where you come in, since these tokens would usually take the form of a finely crafted ornament or a well-designed card expressing appreciation.
You’ll be using your capital depending on the craft you’ll be making. If you’re making candles, for example, essential materials you need are wax, strings, some molders, and some additives for the scent.
Use your friends and social networks as leverage to let people know that you would happily supply them with crafts. You can also go to Etsy, which is a virtual marketplace where people can buy and sell unique goods.
10. Growing Produce
If you’re living in a big home with lots of free space in the yard and have a green thumb, you should consider growing and selling produce. You will be investing in farming essentials like seeds, fertilizer, and some gardening tools.
You can grow vegetables and fruit that are in season, and then sell it to a dealer at your local market or at the grocery store.
Not only are you going to make some extra cash with this, but you’d be able to provide yourself and your family with food that you’ve grown yourself.
How to Choose What To Do For A Living: Step-by-step Guide
Determining a fulfilling career path is a deeply personal and often complex journey. It requires introspection, exploration, and sometimes guidance from others. Here’s an in-depth look at the steps you can take:
Step 1. Map Your Aspirations: Identify and Articulate Your Lifelong Dreams and Objectives
Spend time reflecting on what truly matters to you.
What are your core values? What legacy do you want to leave behind? This could involve writing down your dreams, visualizing your ideal life, and setting both short-term and long-term goals.
Consider aspects like work-life balance, the impact you want to have on the world, and the kind of work environment that suits you best.
Step 2. Explore Your Passions: Delve into Hobbies and Subjects That Captivate Your Interest
Your hobbies and interests can be a great indicator of what career you might enjoy. If you love writing, consider careers in journalism, content creation, or publishing. If you’re fascinated by technology, explore fields like software development or IT. Don’t overlook any hobby, no matter how trivial it seems – every interest can lead to potential career paths.
Step 3. Revisit Childhood Inspirations: Recall the Aspirations and Activities That Excited You in Your Younger Years
Often, our childhood interests and activities hold clues to our innate passions and talents.
Think back to what you loved doing as a child or what you dreamt of becoming when you grew up. These memories can reveal a lot about your natural inclinations and potential career paths that align with them.
Step 4. Engage in Career Exploration Assessments: Utilize Professional Tools to Analyze Your Aptitudes and Preferences
Career assessments can provide valuable insights into your personality, skills, and interests.
Tools like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the Holland Code (RIASEC), or the StrengthsFinder can help you understand yourself better and suggest careers that might be a good fit.
These assessments are often available online, sometimes for free or through career counseling centers.
Step 5. Gather Insights from Your Network: Seek Opinions and Advice from Friends, Family, and Colleagues
Sometimes, those around us can see our strengths and talents more clearly than we can. Ask friends, family members, and colleagues what they think you’re good at or what career they can see you thriving in. They might offer perspectives or suggestions you hadn’t considered.
Step 6. Consult Career Experts: Consider Getting Guidance from Career Counselors or Mentors
If you’re struggling to find direction, it might be helpful to speak with a career counselor or mentor. They can offer professional advice, help you navigate career options, and provide resources for further exploration.
Mentors, in particular, can share their personal experiences and guide you through the early stages of your career journey.
Remember, finding the right thing to do for a living is a process that may involve trial and error.
It’s okay to change directions or reconsider your options as you learn more about yourself and the professional world. The key is to remain open to new experiences and continuously strive for personal and professional growth.
Final Thoughts
Now you know the answer to the question “What should I do for a living?”
Many people are on the lookout for ways of breaking away from their 9-to-5 treadmill, and making a living at home presents itself as a great solution. You’d be investing in utility, your networks, and your skills in order to prosper in this new lifestyle.
In the end, the chance to be your own boss and to be control of your time is always a worthy venture.