This post is for you if you are looking for a path out of the 9-5! I’m sharing 5 side hustles you can start from home that can take you from part-time freelancer to full blown entrepreneur status.
What’s up guys! It’s Alex. I’m glad you clicked over to this post. It’s one that I have wanted to create for a while, and after reading many of your comments and questions lately, I decided now was the perfect time…
Today I’m rewinding it back a few years to talk a bit about how my entrepreneurial journey started, plus share some ideas on how you too can start making money on your own from home.
But first, tell me if this has ever happened to you. You’re at work, and you head out to a nearby cafe on your lunch break and you see people everywhere on their laptops, working away with their headphones in and a fresh tea steeping…
And you’re like – what do these people do!? Don’t they have a job. I know that latte is at least $4. LOL.
I know when I quit my job at Mindvalley, one of the world’s leading publishers of personal growth programs online, and decided to move to Vancouver, that was my goal. I was just starting my copywriting and consulting business and all I wanted was to be ONE OF THOSE JOBLESS PEOPLE who could work from anywhere.
I would pack up my backpack every morning, and trot on down to my local cafe to set up for the day. I didn’t have many clients at the time, but would sit and work for HOURS writing and studying the science and psychology of copywriting, fueled by endless caffeine, of course… And it was pure bliss.
I could go home for the holidays early and work in front of the fireplace. I would travel the world and sip on an Aperol Spritz in a piazza in Italy while tapping away on my keyboard. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t always a breeze, in fact building your own business is tough work, but I enjoyed it every single day because I had freedom.
Fast forward to today, and I have an amazing home office with a team of incredible writers and freelancers working for me. I get to travel all over the world first class, for both business and pleasure, I speak at high-level business events and masterminds… And it all started with me sitting in a corner of a cafe, jamming on a side hustle that I loved and one that I felt aligned with my skills, personality and passion.
So, whether you’ve got a full time 9-5 that leaves you lifeless, or you’re a new parent who wants to make money AND stay at home with your child, or you’re a creative soul who is bursting at the seams to build something of your own, even if it means spending your weekends learning and investing in yourself, you’re in the right place.
There are plenty of freelancing side hustles you can start with nothing more than a laptop, to give you the freedom, variety and money you’re craving…
And it’s becoming easier and easier as businesses around the world go digital.
The best part is, you do not need to be a social influencer have celebrity status to make this a reality, lol. Seriously, mad props to those of you who have crushed the Instagram game but this isn’t about that. I’ve built my businesses outside of social networks, and while I do use them as part of my business, they aren’t what make my business. Even my YouTube channel I think of as a medium to connect with my audience and fuel my business, rather than rely solely on it.
And the truth is, there are literally hundreds of part-time gigs you can find online through sites like Upwork, Fiverr and Hubstaff, but in this video, I’ve narrowed my picks down to my top five.
These five side hustles are for the creatives, the strategic thinkers, and the operational-geniuses of you who are looking to make some money from home learn AND learn valuable skills every entrepreneur needs to be successful in the long run.
Ok, Starting off with my favorite, number one…
#1: Copywriting
Now, disclaimer here… I am 100000% biased because this is how I got started. I truly think that copywriting is the best freelancing business around…
For those of you who aren’t familiar with copywriting, just think of it as words written for the purpose of business or making sales. So Facebook ads, social media posts, emails, promotional campaigns, website copy, and sales pages are all considered copywriting and is needed by every single business on the planet – in every single language on the planet.
Copywriting, really, is the most important aspect of marketing for any business, and with the right fit of client and brand, it can be a flexible, creative, and fun pursuit…
I learned about copywriting during my time working at Mindvalley and it was there I saw what a highly sought-after skillset it was
Heads up though, copywriting is not for everybody or something that you can pick up overnight. It’s one of those hustles that requires time to develop your technique.
But that isn’t bad news. It’s what makes this the highest-paying side hustle on this list! As you’ll hear me say a lot, the right phrase pays! So, as long as you have a passion for writing and marketing, empathy, and a flair for words, copywriting is a trainable skill that you can build with experience and training…
You start with creative writing, then simply layer on the tactics, the strategies, the conversion principles, the psychological triggers, and all the other secrets that turn written sentences into sales.
And that is what I’m here for. You happen to be on a blog dedicated to teaching the foundational concepts and techniques of good copywriting. So if you’re looking to start or scale your business with copywriting join my newsletter so you don’t miss any more articles from me.
Alright, now here is another side hustle you may want to consider…
#2: Project Management
Project Management is such an important role in every business. Project managers are the left-brain organizational taskmasters who are responsible for ensuring that projects are completed on time and on budget.
They are often the ones in charge of coordinating teams of writers, designers and developers, delegating tasks, managing a project’s workflow, and monitoring and tracking deadlines and deliverables.
This side hustle is great if you’re someone who likes working with systems and processes, is great with interpersonal communication, and has an eye for seeing details without missing the big picture.
And thanks to apps like Asana and Slack, it’s becoming even easier to manage teams and projects from anywhere in the world! I have a project manager from the Philippines who is currently traveling around Europe. Last time we chatted she was in Georgia! I also just hired another project manager who is Canadian but lives in Bali.
Like copywriting, it does take experience to really rock this role, but if you’re organized and productive, this may be the side hustle for you. Plenty of companies are looking for trainable project managers who fit these qualities. And, as long as you stay on track and on time, you can do it from anywhere.
And, if you’re just starting out as a copywriter, taking on the role of a project manager in an organization can be an excellent way to get your foot in the door and add value while learning copywriting on the side.
Project management is also a great value-added service to include in your copy projects. I did this with a lot of my clients when I was just getting started.
Ok, moving along to number 3 on the list…
#3: Affiliate Marketing
If you’re not familiar with affiliate marketing, it’s the concept of promoting other people’s products or services in exchange for a commission for every sale or successful referral you make. This could range from memberships and subscriptions to software and online courses to physical products and goods.
So, If you have access to a large list or network or are Interested in learning how to drive traffic or master paid advertising, affiliate marketing has the potential to earn you some great cash. Especially if you find the right product to promote to your audience.
Affiliate marketing is it also a great way to test your copywriting skills and get immediate feedback and data before approaching new potential clients.
The amount of money you make depends, of course, on how many products you’re able to sell, and how much your commission is. For example, Shopify pays $2,000 for every merchant you refer! That’s pretty sweet.
Clickbank is also a great marketplace to search for products you can sell on behalf of vendors around the world. You simply sign up for an affiliate link and start promoting to earn commissions.
Ok, moving right along. Number four on my list of side hustles to make money from home is…
#4: Virtual Assistant
There’s a growing demand for virtual assistants or VAs from business owners around the world who need help on various projects, and to grow and maintain their brands.
Being a VA is a great place to start earning money from home and enables you to specialize and grow in countless areas, depending on the client you work for.
It can involve tasks such as calendar and inbox management, bookkeeping, transcription, compiling meeting notes, research, proofreading and other administrative tasks.
Most VAs charge by the hour, so it’s an easy gig to do on the side of a regular JOB. If you’re unable to be on standby and jump on immediate requests, though, be sure to communicate this with the client so that you can focus on scheduled tasks and weekly to-do lists.
And the final side hustle on my list is…
#5: Community Management
If you’re a great communicator and a natural people person, community management might just be the perfect side hustle for you to start earning moolah from home!
Community management can range anywhere from customer service, like managing customer requests via email, phone, live chat and inside customer membership areas.
It can also involve social media management and engaging with audiences via social comments, private DMs on FB and IG and responding to questions and feedback on blog posts.
While it may seem simple, businesses around the world are heavily investing in customer service and community management as audiences take to multiple channels to interact with the brands they follow!
As Omni-channel, multi-touch marketing is on the rise, more and more companies will be looking for personable team members to represent their brands across-the-board.
And, for the record, this is EXACTLY how I got started. My very first role at Mindvalley was Customer Service, answering customer emails for a new program they had just launched.
Although I didn’t stay in that role long, as I very quickly worked my way up over the 3.5 years I was at the company to Creative Director. However, this was the perfect way to get my foot in the door and learn the ropes! And look at me now, mom!
The most important thing I want you to take away from this blog is that none of these things are magic money buttons. They require dedication and commitment, and you have to PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE to get clients. Always remember to be honest about where you’re at, share your passion for growth and lead with value!
To get started, check out my post 4 ways to get clients!
Thanks for reading. And remember to also check out my Youtube Channel guys! I’ll be back next week with another post. Ciao for now!
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