A Stay-At-Home-Parent’s Guide to Earning Money from Home
a guest post by Leslie of wellparents.com
Being a stay-at-home parent gives you the opportunity to spend plenty of quality time with your little one. However, you may be worried that you'll miss out on money or lose momentum in your career when you aren't in the office. Don't stress. There are many ways you can earn cash and advance your professional prospects while working from home.
Choose a job that fits your lifestyle
If you've got a child at home, a job like driving for Uber isn't ideal for you. Scope out gigs that are compatible with a stay-at-home parent's lifestyle. Examples include online teaching, ecommerce, social media management, and blogging. When choosing a path, consider what skills and resources you already have at your disposal. For example, if you have a teaching degree, online tutoring makes sense.
Look for freelance work in the right places
Once you've decided what type of job you want to pursue, start searching for opportunities. The internet makes it easier than ever to connect with potential clients all over the world. Platforms like Fiverr are a great place to get started. You can create a personalized profile and portfolio showcasing your skills, and let clients come to you. You can also scour jobs on these platforms and submit proposals to try and win a gig.
Consider setting up your own business
If you've always dreamed of becoming a business owner, now is the perfect time to do it. You can start your own company from home. Begin by drafting a business plan. This document should include a description of your company, a market analysis, a business structure, a marketing and sales plan, and financial projections. Once your business plan is complete, you can use it to get funding. If you’re not sure where to go after this, there are guides online that can show you how to set up a new company.
Create a space that's dedicated to work
When you're working from home, it can be tempting to simply slouch on the couch or camp out at the kitchen table with your laptop—especially when you have kids to care for! However, setting up a dedicated workspace will allow you to focus on your job and improve productivity. To get started, set up an ergonomic work surface and invest in a comfortable chair. Also, make sure your workspace is well lit to boost productivity.
Invest in tech tools to make your at-home job easier
Technology can help make your business operations more streamlined, saving you time and stress. This leaves you more hours in the day to focus on your child. Business automation services are a great example. By automating critical processes, you can improve your workflow and minimize bottlenecks. Automation professionals can audit your work processes, ensuring clarity and simplicity.
Network to improve your earnings
When working from hope, it can be easy to go into "hermit" mode. Try to break out of this habit by networking as much as possible. This is a great way to find new clients and grow your business. Scotiabank provides a guide to networking online if you're not able to leave the house because of the kids. For example, social media like LinkedIn is a great place to exchange ideas and meet people virtually.
Know when to ask for support
Many small business owners like to keep tight control over operations, doing as much as they can themselves. This can increase your risk of burnout, especially if you're also caring for a child. Get comfortable outsourcing tasks. There are a few odd jobs that entrepreneurs frequently outsource, such as accounting, marketing, and IT management. If you aren't an expert in these areas, it's usually best to leave it to a pro.
Juggling kids and a job while working from home isn't always easy. We hope these suggestions will allow you to make money while keeping family a priority.
find more content from Leslie at wellparents.com