4 Part-Time Work From Home Jobs For 2023 (And How to Get Started)
Flexible working hours, the ability to choose clients and projects, working from anywhere in the world. Freelance work can provide all of these benefits.
Only thinking about it makes us want to leave our full-time job and start working independently.
However, there is always the other side – freelancing can also mean greater uncertainty, difficulty acquiring the first clients, and worse financial stability.
Apparently, this doesn't mean that much, as freelancer numbers are constantly growing. According to the Passport Photo Online Freelance Study, there are now 70M+ freelance workers in the US.
The most popular industries for sole proprietors were programming, marketing, IT, and business consulting. Despite the pandemic and crisis, freelancers in the US earn an average of $6,269 per month, and 30% of them work entirely remotely.
Online work has been made possible by technology and our ever-increasing connectivity.
Now we can check in with the office 24/7 thanks to smartphones, tablets, and laptops, while cloud systems and collaboration tools like Slack allow us to work with colleagues and clients around the world.
So, are you tired of the daily commute to work? Do you want to spend more time at home with your family and have the flexibility to work around your schedule? If yes, then part-time work-from-home jobs might be the perfect solution for you.
Part-time virtual assistant
A virtual assistant is an assistant who works remotely, deals with tasks agreed upon with her clients, and does not see them daily. Often a virtual assistant lives in another city or even a different part of the world.
They can typically deal with administrative tasks related to running an online business, social media, or other tasks agreed upon by both parties. The concept of a virtual assistant can cover many different ways of working, and their choice depends on personal preferences.
No two virtual assistants work the same way, and most of them deal with several clients at a time.
If you want to start working in this profession, first analyze your skills and interests, and then choose a specialization. Whether it's administrative support or more advanced tasks, an executive assistant for hire can be a great option for businesses seeking personalized, high-level assistance.
A virtual assistant should be highly communicative, discreet, conscientious, accurate, and speak perfect English. The work itself has the specificity of working as a freelancer.
That is why it is often the case that a virtual assistant runs her own company, so several traits are essential. Such a system of work requires that the person is responsible and able to manage their own business.
Moreover, a virtual assistant must have high interpersonal skills to attract new customers, but no special studies are needed.
Some online courses that are easily found are helpful but still not mandatory. Remember that as a virtual assistant, you must have your own computer to work, and various paid software might be needed.
Next, create a strong resume that presents your skills and experience. Customizing your resume for each job you're applying for is essential rather than creating just a generic one. Highlighting the skills and knowledge that are most relevant to the position will give you the highest chances.
When looking for virtual assistant jobs, check platforms such as Upwork, FlexJobs, and Remote.co. Be careful when looking, as there're many scams out there. Some red flags are job advertisements that require payment in advance or promise high pay for very little work.
Always do your research on the company or person offering the job to make sure they are legitimate. Reaching out to potential customers, always be professional, concise, and polite. Explain why you are a good fit for their organization, how you can help them, and provide examples of your previous works.
Freelance copywriter
If you have a way with words and a passion for writing, copywriting can be a fulfilling and lucrative career choice.
As a freelance writer, you'll be free to work from anywhere, set your schedule, and choose the projects you want to work on. However, starting out can be overwhelming, especially if you need help determining where to begin.
To write well, you need to read a lot. That's why every copywriter should be well-read and not limit themselves to a specific literary genre or books by a particular author. Go beyond the boundaries and try something different.
Visit other bloggers, read magazines, and listen to audiobooks. Reading is incredibly linguistically developing and an excellent exercise for imagination, so I always say there is no good writing without reading.
Next, build a portfolio, e.g., a collection of your best writing samples that showcase your skills and expertise. It's a resume for copywriters that helps clients evaluate your writing style and see if you're the right fit for their projects. Be sure to include various writing samples that showcase your versatility as a copywriter, such as blog posts, social media copy, e-mail campaigns, product descriptions, and more.
If you are starting out and don't have any client work to showcase, you can create samples on your own, without a specific client or project in mind. It can be a great way to attract clients and land your first copywriting gig. Ensure your portfolio is well-designed, easy to navigate, and features your best work.
Ready? Now you have to find your first clients! Joining online freelance communities and job platforms is a very effective way to market yourself. There are numerous online free and paid job boards like Upwork, Fiverr, Guru and Remote.co that connect freelancers with clients looking for their services. Complete your profile with a professional photo, a brief bio, and examples of your work.
The more active you are on these platforms, the higher your chances of finding new clients and building a network of contacts. You can also reach out to potential clients directly. Research and compile a list of companies or businesses that could benefit from your services and send them an e-mail or message introducing yourself and your work.
Personalize your message and highlight why your copywriting services would be valuable to their business. You can also use social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook groups to connect with potential clients and other professionals in your industry.
Online tutor
In the era of universal access to the Internet, online tutoring is becoming an increasingly popular form of learning. Contrary to popular opinion, this isn't a solution only for learning foreign languages. With the use of appropriate tools, online classes can be conducted in virtually any subject.
Online learning is also an excellent solution for busy people who don't want to spend extra time commuting to a tutor. Sometimes in small towns, it is difficult to find a tutor in a specific subject and at a given level of proficiency. That is why the online tutoring market has been developing intensively for several years.
To start this job, you should have excellent communication skills, subject matter expertise, a great amount of patience, and the ability to explain difficult concepts simply. Having a strong and reliable internet connection is also a must.
There are many online tutoring platforms that you can use to find jobs, such as Chegg, TutorMe, and Skooli. Some of these platforms may require a teaching degree or certification, while others may only require a strong knowledge of the subject matter. You can also try finding students in relevant Facebook Groups.
For long-distance communication, you can choose paid or free platforms. The most popular solution is Skype, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet.
In addition to the possibility of a voice call, you can also use a video call and share your own computer desktop. Also, remember that such learning does not mean you have to spend time with the student in front of the computer. All of these can be installed on smartphones or tablets.
Each lesson should consist of 3 main parts. Firstly, repetitions of the already processed material. You can take advantage of quick quizzes prepared in various programs when teaching online. Kahoot and Quizlet will be great for quickly testing already-acquired knowledge.
In the main part of the lesson, you should cover new topics. Sharing the desktop will make it easy to show graphics or videos, which can be a great addition. Sound files, animations, and all this can be sent to the student so that the lessons are exciting and fun.
At the end of the class, you can give some homework. If you have already prepared material on your computer, you can share it on Google Drive or add the file to the cloud.
In this way, nothing will be lost, and there is no risk that the student will miss something or make a mistake while taking notes. Sending a complete lesson summary will also allow the learner to easily and quickly review the material.
Social media manager
The social media manager is responsible for communication between the company and clients using all available social media. This job combines project management tasks with photo and video marketing activities, copywriting, and elements of customer service.
It would seem that the job consists only of publishing posts on various social networks. Nothing could be more wrong. The social media manager's tasks include preparing entire strategies so that the company's presence in social media is consistent.
For this, it is necessary to know about the needs that a given product/service satisfies, the brand's potential customers, their behavior, and the way they operate.
Basic knowledge is necessary not only in PR or internet marketing but also in sociology and psychology. A social media manager should perfectly navigate social media, know their functions, keep up with news, and have the skills and features necessary for this position.
They usually follow the ever-developing social media and focus on continuous learning. That includes monitoring algorithm updates and changes to platform policies that may impact social media strategies. Some of the key features needed for this job are strong communication skills and creativity.
To stand out in a crowded social media landscape, you'll need to develop innovative ideas and unique campaigns that will capture your audience's attention.
Social media has a very dynamic life of its own. A social media manager must efficiently and effectively respond to comments, provide detailed answers, be prepared for stress, and not succumb to emotions.
When responding to rude comments, you should remain classy and calm, not be provoked, and not engage in pointless discussions.
To get a social media manager job, you should have strong profiles on popular portals. Your social media are usually used as a business card, which the recruiter will surely get acquainted with before hiring.
You can also create a portfolio (consisting even of spec works) showcasing your previous works and approach potential clients or businesses that may need social media management services.
Completed majors in journalism, marketing, sociology, or computer science may prove helpful, however, they are not mandatory. With the right skills and determination, you can build a successful career as a social media manager and help businesses and individuals grow their online presence.
Time to get started!
Congratulations! You're now armed with a great amount of knowledge to start your freelance copywriting journey. Remember, starting a freelance career can be challenging but also incredibly rewarding.
Be patient, persistent, and keep working on improving your skills. Market yourself and always provide excellent service to your clients. As you gain more experience, your rates will increase, and you'll be able to be pickier and choose only interesting projects. The freelance market can be rewarding and exciting, so take the chance and go for it.
For some more knowledge on this topic, be sure to check out our How to Become a Successful Freelancer guide. Hope this article has helped you, and if you have any questions regarding freelance platforms or freelancing in general, feel free to reach out!
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Author's bio:
Aleksandra Staromiejska is a travel, food, and wellness passionate who has visited 50+ countries on four continents. She is a freelance copywriter and a Digital PR Specialist at PhotoAiD. After spending a couple of months in Thailand and climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, she is getting ready for another adventure – spending four months in Argentina and Chile.
