Money-Making Ideas for Stay-Home Parents
by Gwen Payne
Image via Pexels
It used to be difficult for stay-home parents to earn money. Nowadays, though, there are countless online opportunities to help make ends meet. If you’re a stay-at-home parent looking for work, Holistic Home Office has some tips and resources to help you get started.
Online Opportunities
Stay-home parents have traditionally been at a disadvantage for work. Being a stay-home parent has its unique challenges; many parents compare it to a full-time job—minus the salary. While staying home with kids is demanding, there are flexible online work opportunities for parents who need to earn extra cash.
Speaking of the internet, a good way to give yourself an advantage over the competition is by going back to school for a degree that will directly benefit your business. For instance, pursuing a degree in accounting is a great way to stay up-to-date on changes in the field, and thanks to the flexibility of online programs, you can learn at your own pace and implement your lessons in real time.
Freelance Work
One great way to work without the commitment of a part- or full-time job is freelancing. Freelancing can work for a number of different professions—writing, editing, proofreading, and web development are all great skills that can translate to freelance work. To find clients, sign up for online job boards where you can set your rates and choose your clients.
Along with job boards, networking is key for being successful as a freelancer. Launch a website that can help you market your own brand, and write a plan of action. Find out what the competition is doing, and do it better. Freelancers also benefit from mentoring, so lean on your network and see if you can find someone in your industry who is willing to lend some advice.
Starting a Business
If freelancing is too sporadic for you and you have a background in sales, you might consider starting an e-commerce business. The e-commerce industry has been consistently growing, which makes it a relatively safe choice for starting a business. However, getting started is not without its challenges, so be sure to follow some guidelines. Entrepreneur suggests that one key to getting started is to launch quickly; the longer you wait, the slower your progress will be. If you want to get started selling products quickly, you should consider dropshipping, which allows you to sell products while someone else handles the physical inventory.
As you consider what you might sell, do some research, and identify a high-potential product. You can check resources such as Google Trends or Amazon Best Sellers lists to get ideas. It’s wise to choose a product you have a genuine interest in because you’ll be spending quite a bit of time thinking about and marketing it.
When you’ve determined what you want to sell, reach out to several potential manufacturers, and try to choose one that has great communication practices. Once you know your product and your manufacturer, choose a brand name, and establish your online presence by securing a domain and building a website. Determine your fulfillment and shipping logistics, and set revenue goals to keep yourself on track.
Remember to spend some time marketing your business, and Mouseflow recommends keeping in mind a few guidelines: keep your content original, optimize your website layout, and take advantage of social media to reach new customers.
Set Up Your Workspace
When you’re ready to start working online, be sure to set yourself up for success with a dedicated workspace at home. If you don’t have an extra room that you can convert into an office, try to set up somewhere in your home that is free of distractions.
Along with a dedicated workspace, you’ll need a solid internet connection. Even if you live in a rural area, you can still get fast, reliable WiFi. Do some research to see what your options are, and choose an internet plan that can support both your online work and personal needs.
Being a stay-home parent is challenging, but finding ways to make extra money online doesn’t have to be. Use this advice to get the ball rolling on your freelance career or your e-commerce business, and remember to network as much as possible to help you find clients and get advice. Set yourself up with a dedicated workspace and strong internet connection, and you’ll be earning extra income before you know it.
Holistic Home Office shares ideas about creating a home office based cottage industry, owning your own means of production, expressing your creativity, adding value to society, and having fun while making the world a better place. Feel free to browse our archives!