How to create flexible work for yourself
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In this era, people increasingly desire flexible work arrangements. Sometimes this can involve working for yourself. But where do you begin? Here are some ways to find a flexible job or create a business after a previous 9-5. Let’s be balanced here. If the traditional working day is your preference, that’s great. Maybe you want a side-hustle. Or you could want a full career-change that allows for a sea-change or tree-change. Whichever your path, a bit (or a lot) of flexible work could be the solution.
Work from home to have flexibility in a hopefully comfortable environment. Image: Unsplash.
Freelance creative or admin work
There are lots of freelance web sites where you can set up a profile, advertise your offerings or apply for freelance jobs. You could also directly offer your services if you know someone is needing help.
Tutor (online or face-to-face)
This one comes up a lot online. It sounds simple. If you are knowledgeable and qualified enough in a topic, you could help students to learn.
Help others to learn from home. You could make a job out of tutoring or teaching online courses to anyone. Image: Unsplash, edited.
Online store
If you can sell a physical or digital product online, it could save time as much of the processing can be automated. You could sell other ethical manufacturers’ products either by storing and distributing the items yourself or through drop-shipping. If you know how to make things, why not sell them! But if you don’t want to worry about the (literally) moving parts of selling physical goods, feature digital products on your online store instead. It could be an e-book, online courses, music recordings, printable images and more.
Blog
I can’t claim to have cracked the code on this one just yet. However, blogs can make a decent income. A successful blog site should feature content people need. It should attract an audience through a variety of tactics. Finally, there should be enough monetisation streams. A simplified online store section could be included in a blog. Advertisements and affiliate links are easy to arrange. Blogging requires work. The content has to be created. If you care about a topic, share it with people who are interested. Provide value and then the site could be valued.
Youtube
Yes, I’m hiding behind the keyboard as I blog about Youtube. But it works for others. Try sharing what you cook, eat, learn or create. Share videos of conversations with mentors or leaders. Or, I guess, some people find success by sharing truly odd random things on that platform. Honestly, don’t ask me how to go viral. It’s just apparently a thing that could bring in spare change or more.
Google offers a variety of ways to generate revenue from Youtube videos. The list includes advertising revenue, monthly payments from channel memberships, merch shelf, super chat & super stickers (“Your fans pay to get their messages highlighted in chat streams.”) and Youtube Premium Revenue. You can also use Youtube as a form of affiliate advertising. The videos also could promote your offerings that are primarily elsewhere on the internet - send traffic to your online store, blog or any other online space.
Podcast
There could be some flexibility in podcasting. You could pre-record the episodes at a relatively convenient time and then release them gradually. Just consider the timeliness if a guest is promoting something through the appearance.
There is real potential in podcasts. People like to hear something as they cook and clean around the home or as they commute. You should try to find a fresh angle in your series. Do you see things from a different perspective? People might want to hear about it.
According to Foundr, there are three main ways to make money from podcasting. It is from advertising/sponsorships, selling your own products and selling others’ products. Podcast hosts talk about their sponsors before, during and after a podcast episode.
Online courses
You can create an online course in which the content is pre-recorded. You could offer support via an online group forum and email. Responses do not have to be instant for these formats. Just reply as soon as possible and set realistic expectations. But in general, an online course has the potential for enough automation. It can actually be time-efficient.
Manage an online community
Bring people together as they bond over a shared interest. You can create a space where only members can access exclusive content. This can feel similar to a course except there are no assessments and members could stay involved on an ongoing basis.
Host events
Organise your own online or face-to-face events. You could control your schedule if you are choosing the dates for your events. You would need enough PR and marketing to gather attendees. This can be affordable. Examples of occasional events include a sound bath, full moon circle, cacao ceremony, musical performance or networking night.
Teach active or hobby classes
Share your knowledge. You could teach people in a one-day workshop or a short course. What could you teach people? You don’t have to be academic. Although if you’re that way inclined, it’s all good. But there is plenty of space at the other end of the spectrum. You could teach people to grow their own food, present a speech, cook a meal, write a book, build furniture, weave a basket, paint a picture… the possibilities are endless.
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