Ever since the pandemic introduced the concept of remote work - work done outside of a traditional office - people have been looking for ways to keep making money from home today. The appeal is obvious, as one can make enough to support oneself while on the couch, in bed, or maybe even at a surf retreat in Bali.
Thankfully, the internet has given us many tools to make money from home in today's world. With just a few clicks and some creative ideas, you can cash-in on your skills and create multiple streams of income that will allow you to live life on your own terms.
Whether you’re looking for full-time work or just want to bring in a few extra bucks, there are numerous ways to make money from home. Below we will discuss the methods on how to make money from home, as well as best practices to ensure that you make the most out of your opportunities.
We will finish by introducing your new best friend for working from home: IFTTT. IFTTT offers hundreds of useful integrations for starting your own business or working on a project remotely.
The rise of remote work
After workers started returning to a physical workspace, many elected to stay behind. Interestingly, a FlexJobs survey found 66% of U.S. employees work remotely, at least part-time, and 68% of Americans would prefer to be fully remote.
Working from home comes with several benefits. For instance, 51% of remote employees say they are more productive while working remotely, and 68% of respondents believe fewer interruptions are the top reason for increased productivity.
In addition, remote work also offers flexibility, which leads to better work-life balance. It eliminates commuting, saving time and reducing stress. Remote work can also lead to cost savings, as there's less need for spending on transportation, work clothes, and meals out.
However, it's worth noting that remote work might not be for everyone. Some people may struggle with isolation, distractions at home, or maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It's important for each individual to consider their personal circumstances and preferences when deciding if remote work is a good fit for them.
Top 5 Ways to make money from home
Freelancing
Freelancing is a flexible way of working where you are self-employed and not necessarily committed to a long-term employer. Instead, freelancers work independently for multiple clients on various projects. Popular forms of freelancing include Content Writing, Web Development, Graphic Design, Online Tutoring, and Virtual Assistant.
Getting started with freelancing involves identifying your skills, setting up a portfolio, and finding clients. You can find freelance work on various platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.
Online teaching/tutoring
Online teaching, or more commonly tutoring, is an excellent way to make money if you are an expert on a certain subject. Online education is increasingly popular, providing opportunities for teachers and tutors worldwide to cash in.
Numerous platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, Khan Academy, and VIPKid allow you to create courses or offer tutoring in various subjects. Or, you can find schools and universities that are looking for teachers to teach virtual classes.
Blogging
Blogging is a method of sharing information or experiences on the internet, via a website. It can be a hobby for some or a profitable business for others.
Starting a blog involves finding a niche, setting up a blogging platform, creating content, and promoting your blog. Fortunately, it takes very little upfront investment and is an easy project to start working on.
Once your blogs gains a considerable following, you can earn money using various sources. Monetization strategies include affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, selling products or services, and running ads through Google AdSense.
Affiliate Marketing
If you have a large following on social media, or you are a person that people will listen to, then affiliate marketing can be a good choice. Affiliate marketing involves promoting other companies' products and earning a commission for any sales made through your referral link.
To succeed in affiliate marketing, you need to choose the right products to promote, create quality content around them, and drive traffic to your affiliate links. Successful strategies include SEO, email marketing, social media promotion, and paid advertising.
Selling products online
Selling products online can be a profitable venture, whether you're selling handmade goods, digital products, or dropshipping items. You can either create your own unique products or sell existing ones. Both have their pros and cons and depend on factors such as your skills, interests, and resources.
Platforms such as Etsy, Amazon, eBay, and Shopify are popular places to sell products online. The best platform for you depends on how much commission each service takes, the user experience, and more.
Tips for successfully working from home
A. Setting up a designated workspace
One of the most important tips for successfully working from home is setting up a designated workspace. This space should be quiet, comfortable, and free from distractions. It's also crucial to set up your desk correctly and maintain good posture to avoid any physical discomfort.
B. Managing your time effectively
Effective time management is key to successful remote work. Maintain regular hours and stick to them. This helps create a work-life balance and keeps you from overworking. It's also beneficial to take clear breaks, which can help refresh your mind and increase productivity. Try to finish deadlines early or on time to keep yourself accountable.
C. Staying motivated and productive
Staying motivated and productive while working from home can be challenging. Here are some tips to help:
Dress for the day: Even though you're at home, getting dressed as if you were going to an office can help put you in a professional mindset.
Prioritize exercise: Regular exercise can enhance your mood, boost your energy levels, and improve your overall health.
Interact with other humans: Whether it's a quick chat with a colleague or a call with a friend, human interaction can help break the monotony of working alone.
Communicate proactively: Regular communication with your team can help you stay in the loop and feel connected.
Delegate tasks: If possible, delegate tasks to maintain a manageable workload.
Manage distractions: While it's important to take breaks, it's equally important to manage potential distractions at home.
The role of automation in working remotely
Automation is increasingly playing an important role in helping people work remotely. Automating mundane tasks such as emails, scheduling, and invoicing can save time and money while freeing up the workforce to focus on more complex projects. Face it; your precious brainpower should be used on the important things.
Automation also assists in streamlining communication between colleagues. Applications such as Slack, Basecamp, and Zoom allow for effective team collaboration even when everyone is in different locations. Automated notifications can alert the team of any changes or updates related to a project, ensuring everyone is on the same page at all times.
Therefore, it's clear that automation is a crucial tool for successful remote work. By freeing up time and effort, teams can stay connected, efficient, and productive no matter the location.
Working from Home with the Help of IFTTT
IFTTT (If This Then That) is our popular automation platform that enables users to create "recipes" to automate certain tasks. We replace manual processes with automated ones, making it easier to manage activities from home.
By taking advantage of the automation capabilities provided by IFTTT, you can save time and effort while working from home. This can make it easier to stay focused and productive throughout the day.
Read on to hear about our mission and our top picks for remote work automations.
What is IFTTT?
IFTTT, an acronym for "If This Then That," is our free web-based service and mobile app designed to boost productivity by automating tasks. It works by creating connections between popular apps and services, allowing them to work together seamlessly.
The basic idea behind IFTTT is to create "applets" or sets of instructions that trigger when certain conditions are met. This can be turning on the lights automatically when you enter your house, for example.
Founded in 2011, IFTTT has been used by over 25 million individuals to automate both business and home tasks, saving time and increasing efficiency. It's commonly used to connect disparate services and systems, making all products and services work well together in a way that instills user confidence. Best of all, it's free and only takes a couple of minutes to set up.
Top remote work Applets with IFTTT
Log how much time you spend at specific locations like the office or home in a spreadsheet
Try this automation to seperate your work, social, and family time in an efficient manner. Set the map on an area that you want to track and this Applet will add a row of info to a Google Drive spreadsheet each time you arrive at or leave the area.
Email me '10 Things To Know This Morning'
If you are self employed in the finance, business, or civic sector, this Applet is perfect to keep you informed about what is going on in the world. Every morning, you will emailed a concise list of the most important morning news.
Remind yourself of an upcoming Zoom meeting
Don't miss those important check-ins with the boss as you work from home. This Applet will send you a reminder before each upcoming Zoom meeting.
To enable these Applets and millions more (yes, millions), try IFTTT today for free!