It’s day X of quarantine, and we’re starting to crave our normal schedule again. With the stay-at-home order due to COVID-19, some of us aren’t able to go to our regular jobs and may be struggling due to a loss of income. Whether you’re looking for a side hustle or your job is affected by the global pandemic, here are seven ways you can earn money from the safety of your home.
(Note: the following list provides tips on ways people have and can earn money. Earning amounts vary are not guaranteed).
1. Start a podcast
Starting your own podcast might sound intimidating, but all you really need is a smartphone. Pick a niche that you would like your podcast show to be about and hit record! To earn money by podcasting, you’ll need to have a sponsor. The app I recommend using for beginners is Anchor, which can be downloaded from your phone’s app store. Anchor has 100% free hosting and distribution and will match you with a sponsor regardless of your audience size, which means you can start earning money right when you start!
(Image via Brian Heater)
2. Become a virtual assistant
If you have a knack for organization and communication skills, there’s a chance you could earn a decent amount of money helping other professionals organize their lives. People and businesses often need help with social media management, website maintenance, research, data entry, customer service and more! The best way to find work as a virtual assistant is to network. Whether it’s in your personal circle or in an entrepreneurial community, you’ll get the best pay by speaking to people directly. If no one around you is looking for a virtual assistant or if you’re just starting out, you can gain experience on sites like TaskRabbit or oDesk.
(Image via Lindsay Pietroluongo)
3. Sell your gently worn clothes
Spring is the best season to clear out your closets and get a little more organized. But what will you do with the clothes you no longer wear? You could donate them, or you can make some money and sell them on sites like Poshmark or Facebook Marketplace. Some tips to sell more items are to take good-quality, well-lit photos and provide honest descriptions of the clothes. To save money (and the environment), you can also purchase clothes from sites like these, which are often much more affordable than retail stores.
(Image via Poshmark)
4. Start a YouTube channel
If you love videos, creating content for your own YouTube channel can be a great way to earn some money. Some creators are even able to earn a six-figure income by posting consistently and with a little luck from the YouTube algorithm. There’s no need to invest in a fancy camera when you’re just launching your channel. If your cell phone or computer has a camera, you can start there! Editing software can get expensive, but if you have a Mac, you can use iMovie for free. If you don’t you can use the YouTube editor.
(Image via YouTube)
5. Become an online tutor
With apps like Zoom and Skype, becoming an online tutor is easier than ever. And with most schools in California adopting online instruction, the demand for online tutoring is rising. To get started, decide what material you would like to tutor. From there, you can start offering your services to students who need it. If you have a bachelor’s degree, you can also apply to be a virtual English teacher at VIPKid.
(Image via mtsac.edu)
6. Share your skills on Skillshare
People love to learn and will pay good money to do so. Skillshare is a site where creatives, entrepreneurs and professionals can go to pass along their skills to other users. No teaching experience is needed! Simply record and publish your first class to the site and grow your following. Teachers are paid for every minute of their video watched by Premium members and for every student that they bring in through their referral link. To view the teachers’ handbook, click here.
(Image via Skillshare)
7. Freelance Writing
Freelance writing can be a flexible way to earn money from home, and anyone can do it! There is no need for a degree or any sort of formal training. While it may take some time to get work with high-paying clients, this article by Elna Cain goes into detail about getting your feet off the ground when starting out as a freelance writer.
(Image via The Write Life)
How are you staying busy during this time? Let us know by using the hashtag #CampusCropChat on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @asicpp.
