Top Home-Based Job & Business Ideas for 2020: Book Overview
Are you looking for ways to work from home? Do you want to start a business without leaving your house?
Gundi Gabrielle's Top Home-Based Job & Business Ideas for 2020 offers a comprehensive guide to remote work opportunities. You'll find ideas for both employment and entrepreneurship, ranging from entry-level to advanced positions.
Let's explore some of the top home-based job and business ideas for 2020 and beyond that this book covers.
Overview of Top Home-Based Job & Business Ideas for 2020
Working from home has become increasingly popular, paving the way for an array of job opportunities and entrepreneurial ventures. In Top Home-Based Job & Business Ideas for 2020, Gundi Gabrielle explores the different options available, from remote positions in customer service and virtual assistance to building your own online business around your interests and skills.
This guide covers a wide range of possibilities, including renting out assets like your home or vehicle, monetizing hobbies like cooking or crafting, and providing local services like tours or childcare. Whether you're seeking a traditional remote job or want to become an entrepreneur, this book offers insights into the expanding world of home-based work.
Remote Job Opportunities
Working from home is becoming increasingly common, and there are many types of remote jobs available for different skill levels. Let's look at some options, from entry-level positions to those requiring more advanced qualifications.
Customer Support and Basic Tasks
If you're just starting out, customer support roles can be a great entry point. These jobs often involve managing social media interactions, engaging with audiences, and moderating content. Companies like The Social Element and ModSquad offer flexible work opportunities worldwide. You'll need a good understanding of social media platforms and strong communication skills.
Another interesting option is participating in mock jury activities. This allows you to earn money while helping lawyers prepare for real court cases. These roles are typically available to citizens of countries with similar judicial systems to the United States and often require you to live within a specific court's jurisdiction. You can find these opportunities through services like eJury and JuryTest.
For those with busy schedules, microtasking might be a good fit. These jobs involve short tasks, often just a few minutes long, like evaluating website interfaces or software. They're easy to fit into a hectic day.
Virtual support roles, including chat and customer support, are crucial for online businesses. You'll need good typing skills, effective communication, and the ability to handle multiple inquiries at once. Pay for these roles typically starts at $10 to $15 per hour.
Intermediate Skills: Transcription, Proofreading, and Virtual Assistance
If you have intermediate-level skills, there are plenty of opportunities in transcription, proofreading, and virtual assistance. Many companies are willing to hire beginners for transcription roles, which involve converting spoken content into written form. You'll need good listening skills and fast typing abilities.
Proofreading is a great option if you have a solid grasp of language rules and punctuation. Services like Scribendi and ProofreadingServices offer opportunities for freelance proofreaders to work with a variety of clients, not just in publishing.
Virtual Assistant roles can involve a wide range of tasks, from scheduling appointments to managing data. It's a step up from basic tasks and can be quite varied and interesting.
Advanced Roles: Tutoring, Test Scoring, and Research
For those with higher education credentials, there are opportunities in tutoring, evaluating educational assessments, and overseeing online research. These jobs typically require at least a bachelor's degree. You can share your expertise and offer advice through services like Just Answer, or participate in educational support and research activities through platforms like StudyPool and RWS.
Home-based Business Ideas
If you're more interested in entrepreneurship, there are many business ideas you can run from home. These span various industries and allow you to leverage your individual skills and interests while using modern digital platforms to grow and generate revenue.
Consulting and Referral Businesses
One option is to start a home-based business focused on promoting specialists and offering advisory services. For example, you could help homeowners prepare their properties for sale, which can be a profitable venture if you have design skills.
Monetizing Personal Skills and Interests
If you have specific skills or interests, like calligraphy, crafting, or writing music, you can turn these into a business. For instance, if you're a teacher, you could sell your teaching resources on platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers.
Creating Passive Income Streams
There are several ways to generate passive income online. You could start an e-commerce business using services like Shopify or self-publish books on Amazon. These platforms allow you to tap into niche markets and current trends without maintaining physical inventory, thanks to dropshipping models.
If you're into fashion, you might explore custom fashion services through platforms like StitchFix, or sell clothing directly through companies similar to Avon. The growing popularity of curated monthly boxes is also creating revenue opportunities through subscription-based packages, with platforms like Cratejoy facilitating this model.
For crafters and designers, platforms like Etsy can help you grow your customer base, while Pinterest can be used to drive traffic to your online shops.
Monetizing Your Home and Vehicle
Your home and car aren't just places to live and ways to get around - they can also be sources of income. Let's explore some innovative ways to make money with your living space and personal vehicle.
Renting Out Your Space and Vehicle
In addition to well-known platforms like Airbnb, there are many other options for renting out space in your home. These include VRBO, urban apartment centers like Wimdu, and alternatives such as FlipKey, HomeStay, VillasDirect, and OneFineStay. If you have extra outdoor space, you could rent it to RV or camper owners using services like CampSpace or RVwithMe.
Living near popular locations or venues with limited parking? You could earn money by renting out your driveway as a parking spot using services like Just Park or YourParkingSpace.
Your car can also be a source of income. Besides traditional ridesharing services, you could participate in peer-to-peer car-sharing services. GetAround, for example, offers insurance and the ability to unlock and start your vehicle remotely. TravelCar provides benefits like free airport parking. There are also worldwide platforms that allow you to rent your car to individuals.
You can even make money by renting out various household items you're not currently using. There are platforms for general rentals, as well as specific services for RVs and high-end fashion items. BoxCycle offers a specialized marketplace for used cardboard boxes, while White Mountain Biodiesel focuses on converting excess cooking oil into biodiesel.
Home-based Services
Your home can be the base for a variety of services. If you enjoy cooking, you could host unique dining events or cooking classes using platforms like Eat With, BonAppetour, and CookApp. Cookly is great for advertising your culinary workshops to food enthusiasts. You could even start culinary workshops and gastronomic tours if you're really passionate about food.
Childcare is another practical option if you're good with kids. You can connect with families through platforms like Care, SitterCity, and UrbanSitter. Personal assistance services are also valuable for managing various tasks, from event planning to pet care. These positions can pay anywhere from $25 to $150 per hour.
Pet services are in high demand, especially during holiday periods. You could offer pet boarding and daytime supervision at your home. Or, if you love cooking, you could provide travelers with authentic local cuisine experiences.
RentAFriend offers an unusual opportunity to earn money by accompanying others to events or sharing special skills. You could earn up to $50 per hour teaching dance or cooking lessons.
Lastly, you could become a "Standardized Patient" to help train medical students, or offer companionship services through RentAFriend, potentially earning up to $2,000 per week. Look for venues that can help you leverage your unique assets or skills.
Local Gig Jobs and Services
If you need money quickly and have skills ranging from basic to somewhat advanced, there are numerous freelance opportunities available. Let's explore some options for local gig jobs and services.
Specialized Tasks and Customer Interactions
Platforms like TaskRabbit connect you with various jobs, including furniture assembly and handyman tasks. These are typically task-oriented. If you're into cleaning, MaidSimple and HouseKeeper act as intermediaries, connecting cleaners with those needing cleaning services.
For those looking for unconventional work outside a traditional office setting, there are platforms offering assignments like verifying product prices in stores or taking photos of items on sale.
Mystery shopping is another interesting option. Businesses always need people to provide genuine insights based on real customer experiences. As a mystery shopper, you'll evaluate aspects like customer service quality and store aesthetics. This can be quite lucrative, with potential earnings of up to $14,000 a year. Some reputable companies in this field include Bestmark, Sinclair Customer Metrics, and Market Force. These opportunities are available both domestically and internationally.
Courier Services Using Your Car
If you have a car, there are numerous apps to help you find delivery jobs. You could help people with their shopping via Shipt or Instacart, deliver food through Doordash and UberEats, or carry out delivery duties for Postmates. Amazon also offers various roles.
If you have a large vehicle, you could help with moving tasks through platforms like GoShare or Dolly. Even if you don't have a vehicle, you can still offer assistance through Bellhops.
There's also growing demand for specialized driving services. Companies like Zum and HopSkipDrive focus on transportation services for specific groups, including children, the elderly, and those needing medical rides. These companies often offer incentives for new drivers, such as a guaranteed $1,000 for completing at least 40 trips in the first month.
Leveraging Local Knowledge
Your local knowledge can be particularly valuable when providing personalized tours or concierge services. Building relationships with local hotels could lead to recommendations for your local guiding expertise. Local guided tour services offer opportunities in this area, and platforms like Experiences allow locals to share unique insights with travelers.
RentAFriend highlights the significant demand for personalized assistance for newcomers and travelers, offering a more intimate experience than traditional tour buses. You could also explore opportunities in guiding services like Shiroube and Advlo, focusing on unique or thrilling experiences.
Monetizing Personal Interests and Hobbies
In today's digital age, it's easier than ever to turn your hobbies and interests into profitable ventures. Whether you're passionate about pets, travel, arts and crafts, or culinary experiences, there are ways to monetize your interests. Let's explore some options.
Starting an Online Business Around Your Interests
Online selling platforms benefit greatly from sites like Pinterest, which excels at turning personal hobbies into lucrative businesses, especially when these passions are effectively conveyed through imagery. Many people use Pinterest as their go-to platform for shopping, making it a crucial tool for arts and crafts enthusiasts.
Focusing on a niche market, like equine adventure tours, can establish you as the leading expert in that field. This might involve writing detailed reviews of travel packages, engaging in affiliate marketing, and potentially gaining complimentary access to various events.
Becoming a top seller on Kindle by creating content related to blogging can lead to financial gains while also boosting your reputation and expanding your readership. Photography is another option, whether it's food photography, pet photography, or real estate photography. This can be a great starting point for beginners. Leverage your local connections to attract clients and grow your offerings through word-of-mouth recommendations.
Creating and Sharing Specialized Knowledge
If you have a deep passion for a particular topic, developing educational content and programs can be rewarding. For instance, you could create a website focused on a specific travel niche, attracting people looking for insights on topics like adventure travel, family vacations, local cuisines, or regional arts and culture. Successful bloggers like Nomadic Matt demonstrate the financial potential in sharing expert knowledge through digital classes.
To enhance your content creation skills, you can use YouTube tutorials from professionals like Peter McKinnon and Think Media, or choose affordable online learning platforms like Skillshare and Udemy.
For food enthusiasts, turning their passion into profit by offering cooking guidance or selling unique recipes can result in substantial income. This is particularly effective when combined with a strong digital presence through a food blog, Instagram account, or YouTube channel. You can also earn money through competitions, creating recipe e-books, offering digital culinary and health-focused courses, and through promotional partnerships and revenue sharing with various brands.
Providing Local, In-person Services and Experiences
Locally, there's a range of in-person services and experiences you can provide related to your interests. Food lovers can use Localvore to connect nearby food producers with consumers, while platforms like Goldbelly and Etsy offer opportunities to tap into a wider digital marketplace.
Hosting dinner parties, leading cooking classes, or starting a floral design business can not only bring in income but also strengthen your community relationships. Lawn care services are always in demand, and you can organize these services through apps that connect you with local clients.
Organizing events for children often requires building connections within the community and can be quite profitable, as parents are usually willing to invest significantly in creating memorable experiences for their kids. Starting your event planning career with a modest budget can help build credibility in the industry.
There are also opportunities in community services. For example, you could start a business helping new residents integrate into the local area by connecting them with essential services. Position yourself as the community expert and develop a venture that supports others while making the most of your existing connections.
In conclusion, turning your hobbies and passions into an online sales venture or providing experiences within your community has become increasingly accessible. By leveraging available resources and platforms, you can transform your interests into financial gain. Whether it's through online businesses, sharing specialized knowledge, or providing local services, there are numerous ways to monetize your personal interests and hobbies.