Updated: Aug 14, 2017, 01.09 PM IST
As work culture changes and people’s priorities shift, the 9 to 5 job is slowly losing its appeal.If you are looking for an alternative, there are plenty of opportunities to help you work from home. Here are a few options to consider.
SET YOUR OWN SCHEDULE
If a flexible schedule is what you want, freelancing could be your best bet. One of the most popular options is that of content writing. There is a huge demand for wellresearched and clean write-ups for online consumption that can attract attention and traffic on the site. If you have sound grammar, an engaging writing style and are interested in researching diverse topics, this is the job for you.
Another option is to take up translation work for businesses, scholars and authors. Enlist on freelance job sites Upwork or Fiverr. While being fluent in English and one or two Indian languages might serve you well, taking a language course can add significantly to your earning potential.
What you can earn
Experienced content writers can earn Rs 20,000-25,000 per month. Translators earn Rs 1 to Rs 5 per word, up to Rs 10 for niche languages.
LEVERAGE YOUR SKILLS
If you have some understanding of coding and Web design, you can work from home as a Web developer. Web development is usually outsourced by companies and is, therefore, an area where finding work should not be a problem. But there is also plenty of competition. It’s important to find your niche, build a good reputation and keep your pricing reasonable.
What you can earn
Each project can fetch you between Rs 20,000 and Rs 1 lakh.
TEACH A CLASS ONLINE
If you have tutoring experience or are an expert in a particular subject, you can earn by tutoring people online. Sign up on websites like MyPrivateTutor. com or BharatTutors.com as an online tutor, create a profile, list the subjects or classes you want to teach, your experience and qualifications, etc.
Once your details are checked and approved, you will have to take an online test or give a telephonic interview in order to be selected. If academic tutoring is not your cup of tea, portals like Udemy let you have your own virtual classroom to teach practically anything.
What you can earn
Beginners can make around Rs 200 an hour, which can increase to Rs 500 as you gain experience.
UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY
Creating original content can help you rake in a lot of money. Over the past decade, blog monetisation has gained momentum. To monetise your blog, you can sign up for Google Adsense, which will allot you ads to place on your blog. After this, it’s a waiting game to see if your account is approved. If it is, you can continue to receive ad placements and earn a steady, if not large, income from it. Adsense pays on the basis of clicks and views that the ads receive.
Another interesting area is making YouTube videos. Choose a subject that you want to make videos on and get started, but make sure it’s a topic that will interest a lot of people. You have to create a You-Tube channel, which works on a similar model as a blog. As you make your channel popular and the number of subscribers grows, so will your earning potential. From brand endorsements to event coverage, YouTube offers a host of different earning opportunities once you gain popularity.
What you can earn
Both Youtube and Adsense pay on the basis of clicks and views that the ads receive.
WORK REMOTELY WITH YOUR CLIENTS
Entrepreneurs, professionals and small teams often need assistance with various administrative tasks. These could include scheduling meetings, creating business documents such as PowerPoint presentations and Excel sheets, managing blogs and websites, etc. Virtual assistants (VAs) work remotely with such clients, managing these aspects.
Becoming a VA can entail some degree of training or briefing, depending on your qualifications. However, if you have good communication skills and are capable of using applications like MS Office, you can just sign up on sites such as Elance.com and Zirtual.com to find work as a VA.
What you can earn
You can earn anywhere between Rs 500 and Rs 4,000 per hour.
THE FREELANCER’S CHECKLIST
Here’s what you should keep in mind when you start working independently from home, on a project basis:
* Always use a contract outlining what you have to deliver, as well as when, how and what you will get paid.
* Ask for an advance and follow up on payments regularly. Self-motivate by having a fixed work schedule.
* Keep your network strong to find work easily when you need it.
* Ask for references when taking on a new client or job.
* Have a portfolio or profile up on social media for potential clients to see.
* Be transparent about your capabilities with your client or employer.
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