Whether it be the search for the apparently elusive work-life balance, a wish to save money on childcare, a desire not to be told what to do by someone less able than you, or the inability to land a job when employment is tightening - or hundreds of other reasons, more and more people are staying at home.
So how can you commercialise being at home?
Here are five ways to do so.
1. Become a virtual assistant
Some people have a bit too much on their plates to handle it all on their own.
That’s when a ‘virtual personal assistant’ comes in handy. This role is typically similar to a traditional administrative assistant. Expect to screen e-mail, arrange travel, make appointments and phone calls on behalf of your boss, manage their calendar, and take care of any other random administrative tasks that might come up. It's a service especially valuable to older male bosses who are used to an assistant, and are semi-retired in a consulting-type role and still need assistant.
There are many websites where you can find roles like this, including Indeed and Elance. Be prepared to present a resume that displays organisational strengths and cold-calling experience and proves your ability to handle these types of tasks efficiently. *These websites are also good for other types of skills and experience).
2. Make the most of e-commerce
You know about eBay and Amazon. But how about Etsy? We’ve mentioned it before.
Etsy is the world’s most vibrant handmade marketplace, along with a community of 15 million buyers and creative businesses. Their marketplace is full of the best handmade and vintage good, as well as supplies for making your own.
3. Participate in a focus group
Get on your computer and search for companies that conduct paid focus groups. In most cases, all you need to get involved is to place your name on a list and wait to be called. You can make a quick $50-$100 dollars just for answering an hour’s worth of questions about a product or service - and potentially more if the gig calls for hitting the stores as a mystery shopper.
4. Host parties
Getting paid to throw a party? Sounds fantastic! If you’re outgoing, love to shop and know a lot of people, this may be right up your alley. Try representing a line of products, like Avon or Aussie success story, Mary Kay, Lorraine Lea Linen or Envious Handbags.
They’ll send you everything you need to get started, and then its up to you to organise a get-together for friends and acquaintances who love to shop! There is strong earning potential, plus you have the ability to set your own hours.
5. Become a writer
Many websites need part-time writers. This doesn’t mean you need to be a professional novelist or journalist.
If you really want to, you can start your own blog, but not everyone can get money from sharing their life, inner thoughts and opinions across the world wide web.
There are sites that pay people to write reviews for restaurants, shops, parks etc. To find out who’s available, check out ProBlogger. It has listings of sites that are willing to pay semi-professional writers for online content on all kinds of interesting topics. Every website has a different application process, so organise your clips and writing samples ahead of time - then log on and get paid.
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Motherpedia also has some openings for part-time sales executives - ideally suited to working from home. To find out more, please email us for an information package at [email protected]
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