Looking for typing jobs from home? You’re not alone. Typing-based remote jobs are some of the most popular around. In fact, typing-heavy jobs were what got me into remote work almost a decade ago. 

I was always a fast typist. When I was eight, we got a brand new Compaq computer. I was thrilled.

I quickly expressed interest in learning to type. My ever-supportive mom bought me computer software called Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. I loved it. I honed my typing skills and always tried to get faster.

Eventually, I carried my typing skills through high school and even used them to do data entry work for a medical office during the afternoons and summer. 

It was only natural that when I decided to kick my cubicle to the curb that I would try to capitalize on my fast fingers. 

What I quickly learned was that, if you’re a fast and accurate typist, you can definitely put your fingers to work.

Typing Jobs From Home: Options Available 

Almost all remote jobs require typing skills. Since you’re not in an office, most of your communication will be done in writing. You’ll send tons of emails, instant messages, and do a lot of typing to communicate. 

But, there are those remote career paths that require a lot more typing than the average position. So, if you’ve always been a fast typist you should definitely look into these typing jobs from home. 

1. Bookkeeper 

A bookkeeper keeps daily records of money coming in and money going out. Unlike an accountant, a bookkeeper doesn’t need accreditation or a degree. Instead, they need to be accurate typists as they work to keep true financial records. 

Bookkeepers can work for a single company or outsource their services to different clients. A bookkeeping service is a great option for fast typists since the quicker you work the more you can earn. In fact, Entrepreneur named bookkeeping as one of the most profitable businesses. 

So, if you’re a fast and accurate typer, you can earn a living from home as a bookkeeper. 

2. Medical Billing and Coding 

As far as typing jobs from home, medical billing and coding is incredibly in demand. A recent CNBC report found there are far more medical billing and coding job openings than professionals to fill them. 

Needless to say, you can definitely earn a living from home typing as a medical billing and coding pro. But, keep in mind, you need some training and certification to get started. 

Medical billing and coding professionals assign specific codes to patients’ charts. These codes are used by insurance companies to issue payment for procedures and services. Because these codes become a permanent part of a patient’s medical records, certification is required as an entry level candidate. 

Fortunately, you can complete medical billing and coding training online (and in less than a year). Career Step has a comprehensive medical billing and coding program that partners with companies that hire remote workers. So, in as little as a year, you can land one of many typings jobs from home as a medical billing and coding pro. 

3. Transcription 

There are tons of opportunities to work from home in transcription. True story, my very first remote job was as a legal typist. I listened to recorded depositions and phone interviews for insurance companies. Then, I transcribed them word for word. These transcripts were typically used in lawsuits where insurance claims were involved — think car accidents, theft, fire, vandalism, etc. 

Needless to say, it was very interesting! And, it was a remote career path that perfectly played into my typing skills.

But, legal transcribing is just one of the typing jobs from home in transcription. (If you’re seriously interested in legal typing jobs, though, I highly recommend you take this free legal transcription course first!) You can also find work as a general typist and medical typist.

General Transcription 

A general transcriptionist usually transcribes audio ranging from focus groups to financial calls and even sermons or lectures. Really, there are all types of professionals and businesses that use general typists to turn recordings into written documents.

General transcriptionists typically don’t have to transcribe verbatim. Instead, they produce cleaned up transcripts that don’t have “ums” and “uhs,” false starts and stutters from speakers. 

To be a general transcriptionist, you don’t need special training. In fact, many companies will take a chance on beginners. However, to make the most of your time, you need to be a fast and accurate typist. Plus, you have to get used to typing while listening to audio and using a foot pedal. 

I highly recommend a free transcription course before you jump into transcribing head first. Doing so will give you a good overview of transcribing for a living and help you decide if it’s right for you. Did I mention it’s free?

Medical Transcription 

Medical typing jobs from home are some of the most lucrative. However, you need training to be considered. 

As a medical transcriptionist, you listen to doctor dictation and transcribe what is being said. Often, there are specific medical and anatomy terms that would be difficult to understand without proper training. 

The good news is, medical transcription and editing training can be completed online and in less than a year through Career Step. Upon graduation, you’ll be ready to take on work as a home-based typist in the medical field. 

4. Data Entry 

As a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC) specializing in remote work, I get a TON of questions about data entry work. Unfortunately, there just aren’t enough real openings to keep up with the demand.

Often, there are tons of jobs posted online looking for home-based data entry clerks. But, more often than not, these postings are scams. On occasion, there are legit data entry positions posted. However, these often pay very little — I’m talking pennies for hundreds of characters typed. 

For example, I signed up for data entry work at Virtual Bee (it’s now called SmartCrowd). Again, I was always looking for typing jobs from home that would let me earn money just for being a quick typist and it seemed like a good option. As it turns out, it wasn’t. I threw in the towel after a week of work and only earning $7.00. Yep, you read that right — a measly $7.00. 

If you’re truly interested in data entry work from home, you can check out different platforms and marketplaces that frequently post these type of jobs. Some popular options include Amazon Mechanical Turk, SigTrack, Fancy Hands, and Upwork. 

Keep in mind, the pay rate will vary quite a bit. And like the other typing jobs from home listed, the faster you can type, the more you’ll earn! 

5. Captioning 

As a captioner, you’ll sync captions to video so they show up on screen at the right time. To do this, you have to accurately type what is being said and time it just so. 

Captioners can find work captioning pre-recorded video or live broadcasts. Of course, when it comes to live broadcasts, you’ll need to type quickly enough to keep up with speech in real time, as it happens. This requires quite a bit of skill and extremely fast fingers. 

If you’re new to captioning, Rev is a good place to start. While the pay is on the lower side, you can gain experience as a beginner. From there, you can go onto higher-paid positions. 

6. Email & Chat Agents 

Any non-phone jobs are always popular among remote job seekers. That’s why email and chat agent positions are some of the most coveted positions around! Fortunately, there are a number of companies that hire email reps and chat agents to support customers. 

Typically, virtual reps will primarily handle customer inquiries via email and chat. However, there may be times when you have to take calls, so keep that in mind. 

In addition to being a fast typist, you also must have a strong grasp of grammar. You will always need to respond to customers in complete, error-free sentences. 

Apple is a well-known company that hires chat agents, but there are some less-common companies that hire email representatives. If you’re a fast typist, it’s a good idea to check them all out! 

7. Virtual Assistant

Finally, don’t forget about virtual assistant work as a source of typing jobs from home. A virtual assistant tackles a variety of tasks depending on skills and clients. For example, VAs can do graphic design, social media, email management, marketing, ecommerce, and so much more!

You can work for one of the many virtual assistant companies or start your own business as a virtual assistant. In fact, grab this FREE Guide to 275+ In-Demand VA Services for inspiration.

Typing Jobs From Home 

Think you have what it takes to successfully perform typing jobs from home? Keep in mind, you really do need to be fast and accurate to make these jobs worth your time. 

Some companies will only require a typing speed of 30 words per minute or greater. But, for transcription jobs or medical billing and coding gigs, a minimum 70 words per minute is pretty standard. 

Before getting started, test your typing speed. If you struggle to maintain a high word per minute rate or your accuracy is lacking, you can always brush up on your skills.

There are free sites you can use, like How To Type, to refine your abilities. Before you know it, you’ll be ready to tackle all the typing jobs from home. 

Happily, 

Ashlee 

P.S. This post contains affiliate links. Check out my disclosure statement to learn more.

The post Typing Jobs From Home: 6 Options For Fast Typers appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.

Freelance job ideas are all around you. If you can do it, you can freelance it. It’s true. Every single skill you have can be packaged into a money-making service business.

For example, I have freelanced as a:

• Writer
• Blogger
• Typist
• Proofreader
• Pinterest Pro
• Virtual Assistant
• Researcher

I’m no expert in these areas. However, these simple skills are time consuming so many professionals opt to outsource them. That’s where I stepped in. Believe me, if I can do it, so can you.

But, before we jump into popular freelance job ideas, let’s look at what it means to freelance.

What does freelance mean?

To freelance means you sell work or a service to clients or companies. People who freelance are often called “freelancers.” Freelancers are free (see what I did there?) to work for different companies or clients at the same time. They are not committed to a single employer. Simple, right?

Why choose freelance?

There are a lot of reasons to choose freelance work, including:

• Flexible schedule
• Job security
• Variety
• Total control & freedom
• Work-life balance
• Remote work

In a FlexJobs study, the most popular reason workers opted to freelance was freedom and flexibility. In fact, a whopping 70% of workers said freelancing offered better work-life balance.

Other reasons to choose freelance over employee include:

• No office politics
• Greater productivity
• Time and money saved
• Bad local job market
• Caregiver responsibilities
• Health or disability

As you can see, freelancing is an attractive alternative to traditional office jobs. But, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine.

Freelancer Reminders

As a freelancer, you are self-employed. With the freedom of self-employment come responsibilities you don’t have as an employee. These are considerations you need to know before freelancing. For some, they just might be deal breakers.

When you freelance you:

• Pay your own taxes
• Must find clients
• Are in charge of invoices/payments/bookkeeping
• Need to purchase health insurance
• Work on a per project or hourly rate

Essentially, you are a one-person show. You find clients, pitch your services, set rates, create contracts, and collect payments all while completing projects and managing workflow.

This way of working doesn’t work for everyone. But for people who desire complete flexibility, total control, and greater income the benefits of freelancing greatly outweigh the cons.

Freelance Job Ideas

Now you know what freelancing is (and isn’t). From here, you can pick a service to sell. Remember, your bread and butter when freelancing are your skills. The more skills you have the more money you can earn.

As you begin to brainstorm your service-based business, consider services that are in-demand.

Technically, you can sell any service (just check out these weird services on Fiverr). However, you will only earn money on services that actually sell. So, look at industries with plenty of opportunities to market skills and sell services.

15 Top Freelance Job Ideas

1. Administrative

The rise of Virtual Assistants (or VAs for short) demonstrates the value in virtual office help. Both individuals and companies know VAs increase efficiency which saves time and money.

Even better are the number of services you can offer (sell) as a VA. So, no matter what you know, you can market your knowledge to others as a virtual assistant.

2. Accounting & Finance

Remote finance roles for freelancers include tax preparation, record keeping, payment posting, and more. Many finance freelancers help clients create invoices, collect payments, and organize the flow of money coming and going.

3. Bookkeeping

According to Entrepreneur, bookkeeping is the most profitable online business. In fact, bookkeepers earn as much as $80/hour with super low overhead (operating costs). As far as freelance job ideas, this is quite lucrative. Freelance bookkeepers keep track of general finances and produce statements used by businesses to make important financial decisions.

4. Computer & IT

It’s no surprise to find Computer & IT work in a list of freelance job ideas. This industry includes such a broad array of services covering programming, design, and everything in between.

5. Customer Service

You don’t have to sit in a call center all day to work in customer service. Plenty of freelancers sell customer service skills virtually via email, chat and phone. Customer service pros answer general questions, troubleshoot issues, solve common problems, and provide support to end users.

6. Data Entry

As far as freelance job ideas, data entry is one of the most popular. Many freelancers enjoy data entry because it does not require phone work. Keep in mind, data entry is a basic skill. Pay for data entry is low.

7. Education & Training

Online education is common today. That means plenty of freelance services to sell. Tutor, essay writer, admissions rep, and curriculum creator are just some options.

8. Graphic Design

Graphic design is everywhere. Logos and business cards are popular services to sell. However, freelance graphic designers also make images, marketing materials, and visual elements used by businesses and brands.

9. Healthcare

Healthcare might not seem fit for freelance job ideas, but the popularity of virtual healthcare options has changed that. Now, freelancers can directly help healthcare workers as typists, insurance billers, payment collectors, and more.

10. Recruiting

Recruiters work with job seekers to place them in their perfect role. Since most job searches (and hiring) takes place remotely, this industry has soared in popularity for freelancers. Virtual freelance recruiters can work with multiple companies to scour social media, scout talent, and convince professionals to apply for positions.

11. Marketing

Another broad industry for freelance job ideas is marketing. A marketing professional can sell services as a social media moderator, content creator, paid ads specialist, and so much more.

12. Mortgage & Real Estate

The pandemic had a hand in changing the world of real estate. Now, almost all phases of purchasing a home and getting a mortgage is done online. You can find a home, take a virtual tour, apply for a loan, and sign closing documents as long as you have an internet connection!

That means there are plenty of freelance job ideas for real estate professionals. Some options are title researcher, notary, property description writer, database searching, and schedule coordinator.

13. Project Management

Project managers oversee a project from start to finish. Their job is to help projects come in on time and under budget. As a freelance project manager you can create a budget, schedule project milestones, coordinate meetings, and assist everyone working on a project to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible.

14. Therapy & Coaching

Online therapy is in the spotlight right now thanks, once again, to the pandemic. In-person therapy isn’t practical or available to everyone, so teletherapy has steadily increased. Of course, you need to be a mental health provider to sell traditional therapy services.

However, you can become a coach who works alongside clients to help guide them in their journey. Popular freelance coaching offerings include career coach (like me), life coach, wellness coach, finance coach, education coach, and more.

15. Writing & Editing

You don’t need to be a novelist to offer freelance services in writing and editing. Writing jobs are widely available as blogger, copywriter, grant writer, SEO writer, and ghost writer to name a few. Editors and proofreaders are also popular freelancing professionals. Authors, businesses, brands, and bloggers all need outside eyes to make sure their content is cohesive and free of errors.

Freelance Outlook

I’m a numbers nerd. Statistics and facts are my jam and I love sharing them to help remote job seekers pick the right path for them. Here are eye-opening facts for aspiring freelancers:

• 57 million Americans are part of the gig economy
• By 2027, freelancers are expected to number around 86.5 million in the US
• In 2019 outsourced services (read freelance) was a $92.5 billion market
• In 2020, 36% of workers freelanced full time
• Freelancer income increased 22% from 2019 to 2020
• 58% of freelancers reported feeling optimistic
• Half of freelancers earn the same or more than their office counterparts
• 89% of freelancers have better work-life balance
• 65% are happy with work (compared to only 55% of non-freelancers)

Clearly, freelancers are happy and thriving! You too can join this ever-growing group of remote workers by taking freelance job ideas and turning them into profitable service-based businesses.

From Freelance Job Ideas to Freelance Business Owner

Remember, it takes work to get started as a freelancer. In the beginning, you spend a lot of time pitching your services and figuring out how to navigate your new way of working.

Without guidance, it’s easy to get lost. Fortunately, you can find support to transform skills into a thriving freelance business.

Resources for Freelance Job Ideas

You don’t have to (and definitely shouldn’t) jump into freelancing alone. Below is a list of recommended resources for aspiring freelancers, like you.

Edit Republic

My friend, Phon, over at Edit Republic teaches you how to start (and scale) your own editorial business. Her free masterclass shows the steps you need to take to transform a love of reading into a freelance business.

Bookkeepers

Learn the profitable path you can take to become a bookkeeper. Bookkeepers.com offers a free workshop to learn how you can start a digital bookkeeping business — the most profitable business on the planet.

FlexJobs

I’ve used FlexJobs over the years as a source for reliable remote jobs, including freelance work. At this moment, there are 935 freelance jobs posted on this popular membership site. It’s well worth the fee to access the site. Check out my FlexJobs review to learn more about this trusted job search site.

Proofread Anywhere

Caitlin at ProofreadAnywhere started her career as a proofreader and now she teaches others how they too can proofread for profit. Her free 76-minute workshop is a great place to start when one of your freelance job ideas is proofreading.

Fully Booked VA

Gina at Fully Booked VA is an inspiring advocate for virtual assistants everywhere. She started her own VA business, scaled it, and now teaches others how to do the same. A good starting point is her in-depth post on how to become a virtual assistant.

Freelance Job Ideas for You

This is just a short list of 15 freelance job ideas in popular industries. There are plenty of other options out there. Before you freelance, do your homework.

Head over to Upwork (a large freelance marketplace) to see the Job Categories and Descriptions.

Read the book, The Freelancer’s Bible, by Sara Horowitz. And then browse Freelancers Union (also created by Sara Horowitz!). There you can find insurance, community, discounts, and tools to make freelancing simpler.

Remember, millions of people freelance full time. When you freelance, you join a community of supportive pros. It’s intimidating to change the way you work, but when you freelance you’re never actually alone.

Happily,

Ashlee

PS This post contains affiliate links. Check out my disclosure statement to learn more.

The post Freelance Job Ideas: 15 Booming Industries to Create Your Own Remote Work appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.

Living with a disability or chronic illness affects more than just a person’s health. Often, these individuals face financial and job-related challenges too. 

A 2019 study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found the unemployment rate for persons with a disability was about twice as high compared to those job seekers without a disability. In this study, an unemployed person was defined as someone who was out of work, available to work, and actively looking for work. 

So, while many individuals with a disability regularly seek out employment, they face greater challenges to enter the workforce. 

Fortunately, we can bridge this employment gap. An obvious solution is remote work.

Remote Work Offers Greater Opportunities for All 

Remote work has a lot of benefits. No daily commute means time and money saved, but for disabled persons remote work means greater accessibility. Remote jobs make it easier to get to work (no commute) and allows work to be done in a controlled environment (home). 

So, when someone is unable to easily or consistently commute or is affected by a traditional office environment, telecommuting offers an opportunity to work without the daily obstacles of a traditional office job. Plus, some remote-friendly industries provide greater flexibility, which is helpful for anyone who has good days and bad days, flare ups or exacerbations. 

It’s also important to note that today, more than ever, there is a greater awareness of the need to help disabled persons gain financial independence through meaningful employment.

As the National Library of Medicine reports, being able to work contributes to a disabled person’s sense of self worth and purpose and improves individual and family finances. 

Flexible Remote Job Options

As a career coach that specializes in remote work, I often work with individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities to help them fill skills gaps and find remote work that fits their career ideals. Tailoring a job search to each individual person allows them to fit work into their lives — and not try to mold their lives around work. 

So, what are flexible remote-friendly industries that offer a chance for anyone with the right skills to gain employment? Here are my top 10 remote roles for individuals with disabilities: 

1. Writing 

Writing jobs come in a lot of shapes. There’s copywriting, grant writing, technical writing, SEO-writing — and so much more. 

Remote writers are typically paid per word, piece or project. Often, writers are hired on a contract or freelance basis. Rates for writers vary quite a bit! 

For example, a grant writer can earn roughly $50,000 annually, according to PayScale. While blog post writers average between $0.03 to $.10 per word. Writers with a solid understanding of search engine optimization (SEO) can earn upwards of $45,000 a year according to Salary.com. 

It’s important to pick a niche when launching a career as a nonfiction writer. From there, be sure to gain training in your niche, like this free Highly Paid Freelance Writer course over at SmartBlogger. Niche-specific training and certification allows you to quickly get established in your chosen writing path.

2. Customer Service 

Customer service does not mean you have to sit in a call center all day. Today, there are opportunities to work remotely as a chat agent, email rep, or even via text. 

Some companies, like LiveOps and NexRep, even allow agents to create their own schedules. In fact, agents can schedule blocks of time to work in increments as little as 30 minutes. 

You don’t necessarily need formal training to be a competitive entry-level remote customer service agent. However, it’s always a good idea to brush up on your customer service skills when looking for a new job.

Through LinkedIn Learning, you can hone your customer service skills and receive a certificate upon completion to show prospective employers you are ready to tackle work as remote customer representative. As a bonus, you can share your new certificate directly on your LinkedIn Profile which helps strengthen your position as a candidate.

3. Medical Billing & Coding 

Medical billing and coding professionals review patients’ charts and assign industry-specific codes to medical procedures. These codes are used by insurance companies to make payments to hospitals, doctors, and clinics. 

In a CNBC Jobs Report, it found more medical billing and coding jobs exist than qualified professionals to fill them. What’s more, this is an in-demand field that’s expected to grow faster than the national average. 

Keep in mind, you will need training and certification to be a competitive entry-level candidate. The good news is, there are flexible online learning programs that prepare you for remote work in Medical Billing & Coding. CareerStep has an award-winning Medical Billing & Coding program you can complete at your own pace in as little as one year.

4. Transcription 

Transcriptionists listen to recorded audio and type out what is being said. They use a foot pedal, software, and headset to increase their speed and accuracy. 

There are quite a few different transcription opportunities for remote job seekers. The three most common are general transcription, legal transcription, and medical transcription. 

For legal transcription and medical transcription, training is highly recommended and often required. That’s because you use terminology specific to those industries. Having a good grasp of grammar, quick typing speed, and ability to proofread your own work for accuracy is a must too!

You can try your hand at general transcription or legal transcription for free over at TranscribeAnywhere.

For Medical Transcription & Editing, CareerStep offers an online option for adults.  

5. Bookkeeping & Tax Preparation 

Nobody really likes to do their taxes. That’s why an estimated 60% of taxpayers hire someone else to do their taxes for them. Tax preparers are busiest from late January to early May. However, freelancers and the self-employed need tax help year round since they make estimated tax payments every few months. 

Bookkeepers are responsible for managing the flow of cash in a business. They keep track of all money coming in and going out. Unlike an accountant, bookkeepers do not need a degree. However, aspiring remote bookkeeping professionals should learn how to use popular bookkeeping software, like QuickBooks, through a bookkeeping training program.

6. Graphic Design

Graphic designers are the creative minds behind visual images. This can include logos, magazines, websites, and more. 

Often, graphic designers create marketing materials that sell products or help build brand awareness. Typically, a graphic designer does not need a four-year degree. Instead, post-secondary training in a design-specific program is appropriate. 

Through online training, like the Fundamentals of Graphic Design at Coursera, aspiring graphic designers study the basics of design and layout as well as learn how to use popular design software like Photshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.  You even complete a project you can use in your portfolio.

7. IT & Tech Support 

Tech support pros help consumers navigate an issue from a remote location. For example, internet, cable, phone and technology companies, like Apple, all use remote representatives to help their customers troubleshoot issues and come up with resolutions.

To be successful as a remote tech support rep, you need to be tech savvy and able to communicate complex instructions in an easy-to-understand manner. 

If you’re interested in the technical side of customer support, there are two highly-recommended IT Support Certifications to check out: 

IBM Customer Engagement Specialist Professional Certificate

Google IT Support Professional Certificate 

Both programs prepare students for IT roles that are equal parts tech support and customer service.

8. Developer, Programmer, and Coder

Developers create the structure of websites, apps, games and software. They use a series of code to bring their ideas to life. 

The terms web developer, programmer and coder encompass a lot of different job titles. Some popular remote jobs in these areas include full-stack developer, DevOps, front-end developer, user experience designer, and so much more. 

To get started down this career path, it’s best to figure out which types of projects you want to work on. This will determine which type of coding language you need to learn to get hired. For example, if you want to work on apps, you would most likely need to learn Java or Swift. If you prefer gaming, Unity and Typescript are your best bets. 

You can learn more about the different coding languages, their respective jobs, and appropriate training for each over at Fullstack Academy. 

9. Virtual Assistant 

The one thing nobody can buy more of is time. So, many busy professionals opt to hire extra help to make the most of their time instead. That’s where virtual assistants come into play. 

A virtual assistant (VA), is an administrative professional who provides clerical and professional support from a remote location. VAs often help answer emails, schedule meetings, coordinate travel, and perform basic administrative functions. 

There are plenty of companies that contract with VAs to work remotely. As a VA you might work one on one with a single person, assist an entire team, or handle multiple clients at the same time. 

Familiarity with web-based applications like Google Drive is a must as well as calendar management and communication skills. 

Brush up on modern day administrative skills with the Virtual Assistant Certificate Course over at IAP Career College.

10. Copyediting, Proofreading, Fact Checking 

In a world that is content driven, there’s a high need for copy editors and proofreaders. Copy editors are typically the middleman between writers and publishers or readers. They often review and revise content and make corrections as needed. 

Book lovers and avid readers often make great copy editors. But, a solid grasp of grammar and knowledge of editing styles, like Chicago Manual of Style is a must too. My friend, Phon, offers a free masterclass that teaches the 4-Step Framework for Starting an Editorial Business. Fun fact: Phon built a career that started as a proofreader for romance novels!

I also highly recommend the free webinar provided by Proofread Anywhere. In just 76 minutes you can learn all about professional proofreading and whether it’s the right path for you.

Embrace Remote Work for All

As remote work continues to gain popularity among corporations, large and small, there is a greater need for trained remote workers to fill open positions.

For individuals with disabilities, telecommuting offers a way to work without barriers that traditional office jobs present. Even if you’ve been out of work for awhile or don’t have the right skills you can still make a plan to jumpstart your remote career.

Be sure to identify your ideals. Then identify skills gaps. From there, complete online training. Now you’re ready to work remotely! You’ve got this.

Top 10 Industries that Hire Remote Workers Right Now

Want a realistic idea of where to find real remote work right now? Grab your free copy of my updated guide to in-demand industries now hiring the most remote workers.

This guide includes bonus resources and a link to a free resume review by a professional resume writer.

Happily,

Ashlee

P.S. This post contains affiliate links. Learn more here.

The post 10 Flexible Remote Jobs for Disabled Adults appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.

Real estate assistant jobs are on the long list of administrative jobs you can easily do from home. Surprised? Don’t be! 

Thanks to technology, most admin tasks can be done remotely. This includes traditional in-office activities like calendar management, supplies ordering, and even faxing! So, this means you can be sitting in your living room or home office while helping others from all over the country (or world). 

One such profession that often benefits from virtual assistants are realtors. And, if you’ve ever thought about becoming a realtor or want to work from home helping others, this might pique your interest.

• But, you may have a few questions like: 
• What does a real estate assistant even do?
• Do I have to have experience to get started? 
• What about a passion for real estate — is that a must? 
• How much can I actually earn? 
• Where can I even find work? 

These are all great questions, and ones I’ll answer as you work to figure out if real estate assistant jobs are the right path for you. 

What Does A Real Estate Assistant Do? 

First and foremost, real estate assistants help realtors grow their business. This includes helping with: 

• Lead generation
• Calendar management 
• Social media marketing
• Administrative tasks 

Of course, the specific tasks a real estate assistant undertakes depends on the realtor they’re working with. It also depends on whether or not you attain licensing. 

Remember, you DO NOT need a license to pursue real estate assistant jobs. That’s because you can still perform many important admin tasks as an unlicensed real estate assistant that even include listing properties and assisting with closings. 

Do I Need Experience To Get Hired? 

The short answer: Nope! 

Specific experience as a real estate assistant is not needed. What is important is that you have certain skills and traits that set you up for success for real estate assistant jobs. These characteristics include: 

• Organizational skills 
• An eye for detail 
• Able to manage multiple tasks at once 
• Good at breaking things down into manageable chunks 
• Excellent, professional communicator 

Sound like you? Woohoo! You’ve got the basic building blocks needed to be a successful real estate assistant. 

Should I Have A Passion For Real Estate? 

This isn’t such a cut and dry answer. Of course, it’s a huge bonus if you do have a passion for real estate. Any time you enjoy what you’re doing, the greater your job satisfaction. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re out of luck if you don’t live and breathe real estate. 

Being indifferent about buying and selling properties is okay. As long as you genuinely enjoy helping others grow their business, you’ll be just fine. And, who knows, maybe you’ll jump in and realize the passion for real estate was actually there all along! 

What Can I Expect To Earn As A Real Estate Assistant? 

According to PayScale, the average real estate assistant job pays $14.45 per hour. Keep in mind, this is just an average hourly rate. How much you earn will depend on factors like: 

• Whether you work for yourself or for a company 
• Experience 
• Services offered 
• Licensing or certifications 

Generally speaking, real estate assistant jobs pay more when you’re self-employed versus working in an office setting for a broker or firm. This is often because you get to work for multiple clients and set your own pay rate. 

Where Can I Actually Find Real Estate Assistant Jobs? 

The obvious place to look would be on the websites and career pages of big-name brokers and agencies. These include household names like: 

• Century 21
• Remax 
• Keller Williams 
• Coldwell Banker 

You can also check large job search sites, like Indeed or ZipRecruiter. 

There are also niche job boards that focus specifically on real estate job leads. A popular one is called Select Leaders. 

Remember, the jobs posted here are likely local and employee positions. That means you’ll be expected to go into the office and will earn a predetermined hourly wage for your work. 

If you want something more flexible (who doesn’t?) that allows you to work when you want AND from the convenience of your home, then you’re going to want to strike out on your own. 

How To Create Your Own Jobs

I’m a firm believer that anyone can launch and scale a successful service-based business. As a reminder, a service-based business is often called freelancing. When you freelance, you are your own boss. Yes, you work for clients but at the end of the day, you run the show and determine how you’ll work, when, and for whom. 

And, it just so happens that real estate assistant jobs lend themselves really well to freelancing. 

That’s because there are a TON of realtors out there who could benefit from a helping hand every now and again. They don’t necessarily need a full-time, in-office assistant. Instead, they need someone from time to time to help them with the tasks they’re too busy to do. That’s where you can come in as a virtual real estate assistant. 

How Do I Become A Virtual Real Estate Assistant? 

It’s one thing to decide to launch your own service-based business as a real estate assistant. It’s a whole other ball game actually getting started. 

The good news is, you can test the waters and try your hand at freelancing pretty quickly if you’re unsure if it’s right for you. 

There are a number of freelance service sites, like Upwork, that allow you to sign up for free and start pitching your services to clients. A quick search on Upwork for real estate jobs yields dozens and dozens of results. Job opportunities range from cold callers for real estate agents to property listing writers and, of course, real estate assistant jobs. 

Keep in mind, you typically can’t earn as much when you use freelance sites. That’s because the marketplace site charges you, the freelancer, a percentage of your earnings. It can be a good way to test the waters as a new freelancer, but it can really start to eat into your profits when you’re constantly pitching to job ads and competing with tons of other freelancers. A better way to go about freelancing as a virtual real estate assistant is to strike out on your own. 

Real Estate Assistant Training 

The good news is, if you feel ready to jump all in and find real estate assistant jobs on your own, you don’t have to go it alone. 

Over at Horkey Handbook, there’s a self-paced, fully online course to help you jumpstart a real estate assistant biz, even if you have zero experience. 

By signing up for the real estate virtual assistant course, you’ll learn: 

• How to package and sell services to clients 
• Ways to find real estate agents to pitch your services to 
• Essential real estate terminology 
• New listing coordination 
• Social media marketing 
• And so, so much more 

The best part? You have lifetime access to the course and materials. That means you can continue to learn and grow for as long as you choose. 

And, since the going rate for a virtual real estate assistant is $20-$30 an hour, you can earn your investment back in just a few short hours. 

Head on over to the Real Estate Assistant Course at Horkey Handbook to learn more and get started today. You’ve got this! 

Real Estate Assistant Jobs

There you have it — how to find real estate assistant jobs, even if you’re just starting out. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to get started. You just have to actually get going.

As always, if you have any questions let me know if the comments below. You’ve got this! 

Happily, 

Ashlee 

P.S. This post contains affiliate links. Check out my disclosure statement for more information.

The post Real Estate Assistant Jobs: How To Find Virtual Work Helping Realtors appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.

It sounds like a dream job: Get paid to read books all day. For many professional proofreaders, that’s exactly what they do for a living. You can too. It just takes a little bit of leg work and some natural talent to get established.

Today, the publishing industry is a lot different than it was 10 years ago. It used to be, big-name authors and well-established writers were the only ones able to get book deals. But, that’s no longer the case. Thanks to e-books and online publishing platforms, like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, pretty much anyone with a desire to can write, publish, and sell an ebook. 

But, before a book goes to print — whether virtually or on paper — a number of steps should take place first. One of the most important of which is proofreading. 

What Is Proofreading? 

Proofreading is often the last step of the writing process. It is the phase where a book is read, word for word, with the sole purpose of spotting errors. The person doing the proofreading is called a proofreader. Their job is to find mistakes within the print. Common errors they’re looking for include: 

• Misspelled words 
• Missing punctuation
• Grammar issues
• Formatting mistakes

When a proofreader comes across any above mentioned errors, they note them using common proofreader marks. These mistakes are then corrected before the book is published. 

What Proofreading Is Not 

We know what proofreading is — reading text in search of errors involving spelling, punctuation, grammar, and format. 

Proofreading does not involve fact checking, rewriting for clarity, or identifying other readability issues. These content and flow problems are addressed during the editing process. 

Remember, proofreading is the final step in the writing process. The proofreader goes over text with a fine-tooth comb to identify typos, grammatical errors, and instances where formatting is not as it should be.

The proofreader is not tasked with rewriting chunks of text or addressing confusing passages. That is the editor’s job. 

Why Writers Pay Proofreaders 

It takes a lot of time, energy, and effort to write an ebook. And the last thing the writer wants is to send something to print that is riddled with errors. Not only is it embarrassing, but it can affect the overall sales of a book. And, at the end of the day, authors are in the book writing business to make money.

Books that are sold with common spelling mistakes or grammatical gaffes reflect poorly on the writer and can keep them from making sales both now and in the future. 

What It Takes To Be A Proofreader

If you have a knack for spotting errors and are an avid reader, you already have the makings of a professional proofreader. But to take your natural skills and turn them into a profitable job takes some work.

For starters, you’re going to need to learn the tools of the trade. This includes things like common proofreader marks, mistakes proofreaders must identify, and knowing where and how to find work. 

Get Paid to Read Books (And Other Proofreading Gigs) 

I’ve written about 16+ online editing and proofreading jobs you can do from home.This list contains a number of beginner-friendly options for those who want to try their hand at proofreading before going full time.

Keep in mind, not all jobs listed will pay you to read books. There are gigs for proofreading academic papers, marketing materials, and web content (to name a few). 

You also have the option of signing up for freelance marketplace sites, like Upwork. There, you’ll find proofreading gigs frequently posted by clients who need a fresh set of eyes on their content. Again, the types of jobs will vary from one posting to the next. Sometimes there will be offers to get paid to read books, but not always.

There is also an opportunity for you to find clients on your own. That is, you can approach ebook authors and writers with an offer to proofread their work before it gets published. You simply pitch your services to said writers and explain to them the benefit of using your proofreading services. 

It’s a lot to take in. I know. And, if you’re feeling overwhelmed as a beginner, don’t fret just yet. There are a couple of great resources out there for aspiring proofreaders, like you, who want to get paid to read books all day. 

Learn to Proofread Professionally 

First up, there’s ProofreadAnywhere. The General Proofreading And Theory Course will prepare you to proofread professionally and help you find work. The free proofreading webinar is a great place to start. In just 45 minutes, you can figure out what it takes to be a professional proofreader and whether or not it’s something you can see yourself doing. 

Another option is Art of Proofreading. This course was developed by my friend, Phon. She gets paid to read romance novels. And after years of working with publishers, she’s sharing her insider’s knowledge with you. Sign up for her free introductory lessons to gain industry insight from a professional who’s been exactly where you are! 

Proofreading Ebooks for Beginners

If you’re not ready to jump all into a proofreading career, that’s okay too. When you’re curious about professional proofreading but aren’t ready to go all in, I highly recommend reading up on the subject. 

In fact, it’s highly recommended that you conduct research before making a career change. This helps ensure you make the right decision and can tackle your new career confidently. 

An affordable resource to start researching proofreading as a profession is the book, Copyediting & Proofreading for Dummies. This book can help you improve your skills, master publishing lingo, and prepare for a full-time or freelance proofreading career. The best part? You can get it on Amazon today for under $15.

All you need is the free Amazon Kindle Reading App (you can download it on your phone, tablet, or computer) and — voila — you now you have a valuable proofreading resource right at your fingertips. 

Get Paid To Read Books As A Professional Proofreader 

There you have it — how to finally turn your bibliophile ways into a career as a professional proofreader. Don’t expect to launch a profitable proofreading career overnight. Instead, take your time and do the research! 

Sign up for the FREE PROOFREADING WEBINAR over at ProofreadAnywhere. This is a great place to start as a beginner, as you can get a feel for the profession without spending a penny. 

You’ve got this! 

Happily,

Ashlee

P.S. This post contains affiliate links. Check out my disclosure statement to learn more.

The post Get Paid To Read Books From Home appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.

Freelance writing jobs online are exactly how I got my start as a remote worker. Quick story: After years of struggling in the corporate world, I decided to quit my full-time job to go freelance. 

It was scary. 

I had never written professionally before and I had no idea where to start. But I was determined. And I used that determination to launch a freelance writing career from scratch. 

The first year was tough. Some days, I wanted to quit. But I never gave up. And, by the year’s end, I was earning more income as a freelance writer than I ever did as a corporate cubicle dweller. The best part? I was working on my own terms. I decided how much I worked, at what times, and for whom. 

Sound appealing? You’re in luck! There are plenty of freelance writing jobs online you can go after, even if you’re a beginner. If I can do it, so can you! 

Types of Freelance Writing Jobs Online 

Not all freelance writing jobs are created equal. Some writing gigs pay per word. Others are paid by piece or project. Sometimes, you’ll write for an agency that supplies you with work. You can also strike out on your own and find clients via networking or marketplace sites. 

There is no right or wrong way to establish yourself as a freelance writer. What works for you won’t work for others and vice versa. 

Writing for Content Mills 

Content mills supply bulk writing projects to large clients. For example, a global Ecommerce shop might turn to a content mill to write product descriptions for the hundreds and thousands of items they sell on their website. 

The content mill then turns around and farms the content writing out to a pool of freelance writers. Often, these writing jobs are uploaded to a database and are claimed on a first come, first served basis. There is no guarantee that work will be available to you at any given time. 

To become a paid freelance writer at a content mill you typically have to pass a writing test. Don’t worry. The test is not difficult and is only used to determine your skill level as a writer. In some cases, the stronger your test writing piece, the higher your pay rate. 

Speaking of pay, content mills don’t pay the best. Writers often earn a penny or less per word. This can make it difficult to earn a full-time wage as a content mill writer.

However, I turned to a popular content mill called Textbroker when I first started freelance writing. Although the pay was low, the experience and confidence gained were invaluable. I like to think of my time as a freelance writer for a content mill as a paid writing internship. 

Content Mills You Can Use For Freelance Writing Jobs

Even if you’re not sure about writing for content mills, I encourage you to check out a few! Read up on some of the popular ones and decide for yoruself whether it’s worth it. Remember, no two freelance writers earn a living the same way. 

Textbroker 

Freelance writers receive a rating based on their writing sample. You can work on different projects and earn more the higher your rating. Work ranges from short articles to more in-depth research pieces.Pay varies based on skill rating from 0.7 to 5 cents per word. 

Crowd Content 

You have to submit a writing sample and be accepted to write for Crowd Content. How much you earn depends on your rating level and the content you’re working on. For example, Crowd Content offers some writers up to 7.6 cents per word for custom content. As an added bonus, writers with high-quality work and fast turnaround times are often rewarded with extra pay. 

BKA Content

A writing sample is a must before joining the BKA Content team. If invited to write for them, you get to pick and choose the projects you work on. Options range from SEO articles to product descriptions. Writers are paid between 1.3 and 5 cents per word. 

Freelance Marketplace Sites for Freelance Writing Jobs

Freelance marketplaces are the middlemen between clients and freelancers. On these sites, clients post gigs they need help with and freelancers pitch them their services. Clients award the gig to the freelancer they feel is best suited to the job. 

The marketplace site provides the platform for clients and freelancers to communicate, exchange work, and submit payment. Typically, the freelancer pays a percentage of their earnings to the marketplace. 

I enjoyed my time as a freelance writer for Upwork, the largest freelance marketplace site there is. It felt like a step up from writing for content mills since I got a chance to pitch my writing services directly to clients. Granted, I didn’t get every job I pitched to but I was earning far more per project than I was with Textbroker. 

As a bonus, pitching regularly on Upwork helped my confidence grow as a writer. 

Upwork 

It’s free to join Upwork as a freelancer but you’ll pay a fee to the site for your paid projects. Their fee structure is based on money earned with a single client:

• 20% for the first $500 earned with a client 

• 10% for $500.01 to $10,000 earned 

• 5% for any amount of $10,000 

Upwork reduces fees the more you earn with a single client. This encourages freelancers to establish long-term relationships with clients. 

Freelancer 

You bid on client-posted projects on Freelancer. Projects can have an all-in fixed price or be paid hourly. 

Freelancer will take 10% of your earnings when you accept hourly gigs. Fixed-price projects also incur a 10% fee or a minimum of $5 — whichever is greater. 

You have the chance to earn more on Freelancer by joining their Preferred Freelancers program. On average, Preferred Freelancers earn $1,000 more in their first six months than their non-preferred peers! 

Guru 

Before you start working on projects as a freelance writer on Guru, you have to come to an arrangement with your client. An arrangement sets out how you’ll be paid and when. Arrangements can be by milestone, by hour, by project, or recurring. Every time you complete a job, Guru will charge you a fee. Fees vary from 4.95% to 8.95%.

Freelance Writing Job Boards 

There are a lot of niche job boards out there. For example, you can find remote-friendly jobs on my work from home jobs page. But, there are also job boards that specifically cater to certain fields or career, like freelance writing jobs. 

By browsing these niche job board sites for freelance writers, you can read ads posted by clients looking for writers. When you find something that interests you, you send over your pitch to detail why you’re the person for the job. 

Of course, you won’t get every gig you pitch to. And the amount of pay will run the gamut from pennies per word to thousands of dollars per project. Gigs can also be recurring or a one-time article. 

I turned to freelance writing job boards once I gained confidence and pitching practice from freelance marketplace sites. I also set up a freelance writer’s website to serve as a portfolio. When you get there, a freelance service site can do wonders for your career. It showcases your talents and shows social proof in one convenient location.

Contena 

Contena is a membership job search site. With your paid membership, you get access to thousands of paid writing gigs. There are also valuable resources to help you launch and grow your freelance writing career via the Contena Academy. 

FlexJobs 

FlexJobs is another membership-based niche job board that is dedicated to freelance, remote, and flexible job options. While not all jobs posted are for freelance writers, there are plenty of fresh leads here that you simply won’t find anywhere else.

Plus, it’s affordable. I recommend freelancers sign up for a yearly membership. The cost comes out to less than $5 a month! You can save even more when you use this link and promo code AFFPROMO to sign up. 

ProBlogger

ProBlogger is a 100% free job board for freelance writing jobs online. You can find everything from blogging gigs to editing jobs. While ProBlogger doesn’t have as many job as Contena or FlexJobs, it is still a valuable (free) resource to find freelance writing jobs.

Networking for Freelance Writing Jobs

It’s nice to have the option of finding ready-to-hire freelance writing jobs via content mills, freelance marketplaces, and job boards. However, you can also take it upon yourself to find new clients and gigs via networking. 

Yes, it takes a little bit of virtual leg work to find your own clients, but it’s often worth it. The money you can earn finding your own clients is often much higher than what is found on various sourced-for-you-sites. Plus, networking is free! 

If you know you want to find your own clients but aren’t sure how to go about it — don’t panic. There are online learning resources that’ll help.

Horkey Handbook 

Gina Horkey knows what she’s talking about when it comes to building a freelance biz from scratch. And that’s why she created Horkey Handbook — to help others grow their own freelance writing career as a beginner. She created an amazing and comprehensive blog post you need to check out called how to become a paid freelance writer. Use it as a guide to help you go from thinking about freelancing to actually getting paid writing clients fast.

Find Freelance Writing Jobs Online 

There you have it —  the different ways you can find freelance writing jobs online, even if you’re just starting out. Remember, there is no set way to become a paid freelance writer. You may find one path that works for you and others that don’t. And that’s okay. What is important is you get out there and take steps to actually launch a freelance writing career. You’ve got this! 

Happily, 

Ashlee 

P.S. This post contains affiliate links. Please check out my disclosure statement for more information. 

The post Where To Find Freelance Writing Jobs Online For The Clueless New Writer appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.

To make more money as a proofreader, and to do it for the long term, you need to make yourself more marketable. And you can do that by learning one particular skill that’ll up your proofreading game. In this post, I draw from my professional experience as an editor to show you how.

A Look At Traditional Proofreading

Proofreading is a surface check for typos. Proofreaders will read text looking for errors in spelling, punctuation, formatting, and basic grammar. They do not go deep into the text, rewrite, reorganize, or make judgement calls on content. 

Proofreading is also considered the easiest form of editing, and it’s become a popular way for people to work from home. It’s generally low-stress in nature, flexible, requires a short training period, and doesn’t need a lot of equipment. All you need is your computer, an internet connection, and resources. 

The proofreading industry isn’t regulated by any governing agencies, and you don’t need a special certificate, degree, membership, or accreditation to work as a proofreader. However, you do need to be properly trained in specific mechanical know-how, editorial processes, and knowledge of industry best practices. Without proper training, you will lack the knowledge and experience that’ll allow you to work on various kinds of content.

And while many people love the idea of getting paid to read and spot errors, now proofreading has become a lot more than fixing mistakes in text. 

How Proofreading Is Changing

In my long career as an editor, I’ve proofread many different types of content including books, articles, reports, and blog posts to name some examples. 

I’ve also worked on over 1600 fiction and nonfiction books for traditional publishers like HarperCollins and Harlequin. I do freelance proofreading for some of these companies, and one thing that I can tell you without a doubt, is that 95% of the books I work on require more than the traditional surface-only proofreading skills. 

It’s very rare to work on a print book or ebook requiring just a straightforward, surface-only proofread. 

Times are changing. From my own marketing process, and from teaching on my blog, I can tell you that clients now want proofreaders who can do more. In my time working with publishers and self-published writers, and businesses and entrepreneurs, I’ve learned that people want someone who can do more if necessary. 

They want proofreaders who can also do light to moderate copyediting skills, also known as “basic” copyediting.

Why You Should Learn Light Copyediting

So why is it important for you to learn some copyediting skills? Well, it’s so you can recognize and address problematic issues that could negatively impact a brand’s message or an author’s unique voice.

It’s so you can go deeper into the text if you have to. Clients want you to really care about their content and to make sure everything is on brand, cohesive, and the best it can be. And they want to know that you can fix it so it is. 

Light copyediting is sometimes referred to in the publishing world as “high-end proofreading.” Some of you may have even heard proofreading and light copyediting together as “proof-editing.” I prefer to call it “high-level proofreading.” Whatever you call it, it’s clear that you need to learn it.

How To Make More Money As A Proofreader 

If you invest in learning light copyediting skills in addition to proofreading, you not only up your skill set, but you also make yourself more marketable, you stand out from the crowd of surface-only proofreaders (and there are a lot!), and my favourite: you can make more money.

Knowing copyediting skills can make you eligible for copyediting projects and other higher-level editing jobs depending on the qualifications. You can also command a higher rate. While trained proofreaders can make as high up as $30 – $35/hour, copyeditors who just work within a light to moderate scale can make as high as $40 – $60 an hour, or sometimes even higher. 

Recently, I worked on a project for a government agency that wanted a copyedit on a report. They didn’t want a heavy copyedit that would’ve involved rearranging and rewriting text. They wanted me to do a copyedit to make sure everything was cohesive, the grammar was correct, etc. 

Basically, what they wanted was a light copyedit. They asked for a copyeditor, although the majority of the tasks were proofreading. But because there were some light copyediting tasks involved, I was able to quote them my copyeditor’s rate. It was $60 an hour, plus a hefty rush fee since the client wanted it done ASAP.

Mind you, I have many years of experience behind me, so I can command this rate, but it’s a rate that is attainable with the right set of skills and knowledge. And if you have experience in a niche like medical, engineering, or software, then you can definitely go in at a high rate.

So that’s an example of how, with just some extra training and top-notch skills, you can wear two hats and switch them around if need be. If you want to learn more about gaining proofreading and copyediting skills, then I recommend you sign up for my FREE 45-minute workshop webinar. In it, I discuss all things proofreading, content, publishing, and light copyediting.

Click here to enroll in the free workshop.

Do More So You Can Be More

I often get emails from people asking me if there really is room for more proofreaders in the world. The answer is yes. 

Think about all the websites, blogs, books, reports, guides, scripts, and magazines in the world that are created. There are over a billion websites in the digital sphere! Because of the internet and smartphones, people have become voracious consumers of content, which in turn is increasing its creation. And people want quality content. Not messy, unprofessional content.

In regards to publishing, ebooks and self-published books have become very popular, and writers are starting to realize that the quality of their books matter if they want readers to become dedicated, raving fans. No one recommends a book that’s shoddy and full of errors. 

So there’s a need for proofreaders who can clean up, refine, and help their clients come across as authoritative professionals. Not only do clients deserve more, but you do, too.

You want to stand out from the crowd. There are a lot of proofreaders out there doing the same thing across many niches. How are you going to stand out? That’s why in my course, High-Level Proofreading Pro, I teach my students not only full-stack proofreading skills, but also light to moderate copyediting.

Conclusion

I always tell people that proofreading is like fine wine. It gets better with time. Whether you want to proofread as a full-time freelance career, add on to your services, or want to do it as a side hustle to bring in extra money every month, you want to be able to meet client expectations. 

You also want to stick around for the long term, and be able to take your abilities further than the average proofreader. Why not go beyond the basics, so you can do more and be more, right?

The post How To Make More Money As A Proofreader With This One Skill appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.

Wondering how to become a freelance writer? 

I get it. Believe me. 

Some seven years ago, I wondered the exact same thing. 

You see, at the time, I was a cubicle dweller. I struggled to climb the corporate ladder. I hated office politics. And I felt drained by the 9-to-5 grind. 

That’s when I started to plot my cubicle escape. And I knew, more than anything, that I wanted to become a freelance writer. 

And, like you, my first question was simply “how to become a freelance writer.” 

As it turns out, the answer wasn’t quite so easy to come by. And, my journey from corporate world to freelance writer freedom was anything but glamorous. 

Fortunately, for you, times have changed. And, today, it’s much easier to figure out how to become a freelance writer. There are a number of people, myself included, who’ve been in your shoes (and are willing to share their wisdom with you!). 

So, without further ado, this is my no-frills, no-fuss, straightforward advice to how to become a freelance writer in three stupid simple steps. 

You Don’t Need Experience To Become A Freelance Writer 

Fact: You do not need professional writing experience to become a freelance writer. 

I promise. 

Writing is not something that requires years of formal education. Heck, it doesn’t even require previous experience. You also don’t need: 

• A college degree
• Tons of writing samples
• To have written professionally before

What it does take, however, is the passion to write. Without that inherent passion to put words to paper, you will burn out. Quickly. And that’s no fun. 

Trust me. I know. 

I never wrote professionally. And I certainly didn’t know how to become a freelancer writer. 

But, I did have the desire to learn AND a passion for writing. Sound familiar? 

Good news! You’ve got what it takes to become a freelance writer. A desire to learn and passion to write are the only prerequisites to figuring out how to become a freelance writer! 

Got it? Good! Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get started. 

Step1: Niche Down 

A newbie freelance writer benefits from having a niche. 

A niche is a specific subject, topic, genre, or industry you’ll write about. 

For example, when I decided to become a freelance writer, I opted for the legal niche. I wrote specifically for lawyers, law firms, and corporate legal departments. 

But, that’s not the only niche out there. 

There are TONS of niches you can choose to write about. 

Which niche you decide will likely depend on your knowledge, experience, and interests! 

Feeling stuck for a niche? Grab this free guide to 200+ niche ideas for a little niche inspiration. 

Why A Niche Is Helpful 

As an eager newbie, it can be easy to think a niche limits your ability to find clients. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. 

In fact, your niche will make it easier to find clients. How so? 

When you know who your potential clients are (for me it was lawyers), it’s much easier to find them. And once you find them, it’s easier to market to one specific group, instead of trying to please all niches at once. 

So, before you start worrying about things like portfolios, rates, and contracts, be sure to pick a niche. 

It’s important to note: You can absolutely have more than one niche. And, over time, your niche might change. That’s okay. But, in the very beginning, pick a niche and stick with it. You’ll find it’s much easier to become a freelance writer with a well-defined niche than without one. 

Step 2: Get Some Writing Samples 

When you pitch a potential client (more on that later), they will want to see samples of your past work. 

Now, this is where most newbie start to panic. They now start asking questions like how to become a freelance writer if I have no writing samples? 

It’s easy!

You write them. 

Remember, you’ve already picked a niche at this point. Woohoo. And, while you haven’t yet written anything as a paid freelance writer, it doesn’t mean you can’t go ahead and write them for free.

That’s what I did. 

The Power of Guest Posting

You see, I knew I wanted to write for lawyers. 

And I knew that most of the lawyers I would write for would need blog posts for their websites. So, I started looking online for legal-niche websites that accepted guest blog posts. In case you don’t know, a guest blog post is typically a one-off contribution from a non-paid contributor.

Some blogs and websites allow the general public to write guest posts that are published on their site. You likely won’t get paid for your work. But you will get a byline (a mention of your name) and a valuable link you can show off to potential clients! 

Trust me, when it comes time to pitch, these bylines and guest post links are priceless. Having several guest blogs published on well-known, reputable legal websites helped me land some of my more lucrative freelance writing jobs as a newbie.

So, before you move on. Stop! 

Think about your niche. Picture your target client. Determine what kind of content they’ll want. 

Now, hop onto Google and start searching for blogs and websites within your niche that accept guest posts.

You can also check out this awesomely detailed guide to sites that take on guest contributors!

Once you complete this step, you’ll have real world samples of your writing skills, published and ready to be viewed when a would-be client inevitably asks to see examples of your work! 

Step 3: Know Where To Look For Work 

Learning how to become a freelance writer also means learning where to find work as a freelancer. 

There are several ways to find your clients: 

• Cold emailing 
• Freelance websites 
• Content mills 
• Job search sites 

Each have their pros and cons. And, as a newbie, don’t be afraid to try them all. Chances are, you’ll find one (or more) that works best for you. For me, it was a combination of cold emailing and freelance websites. 

Cold Emailing 

When you cold email, you are asking someone to hire you out of the blue. This sounds scary. And, it can be, but it is something you should consider doing. 

You can find potential clients to cold contact on LinkedIn. If you’re not not on this mega-networking powerhouse yet, what are you waiting for? 

Use these tips to create a powerful LinkedIn Profile that gets views! 

You can also use Google to your advantage. I would google law firms and lawyers in different metropolitan areas. It was easy to find their contact information. And, in a matter of minutes, I could introduce myself, my services, and send out several pitches. 

Pros of Cold Emailing 

• You find your own clients 
• You don’t have to pay fees to anyone for work performed 

Cons of Cold Emailing 

• It’s time consuming 
• You may get less than favorable responses 

Freelance Websites 

Sites like Upwork, Guru, Freelancer, and other freelance marketplace sites exist to connect freelancers and clients. Essentially, they serve as the middleman between you and your clients. That also means these sites take a cut of your earnings. How much, you ask? It depends. 

But, expect to cough up as much as 10% of money earned. 

Unlike cold emailing, you will not have to search google or scour LinkedIn to find potential clients. Instead, you’ll find a list of active jobs posted by clients looking to hire N-O-W. 

You then send in your pitch telling the client why they should hire you over the hundreds of other freelancers. 

Sometimes, you’ll get hired. Sometimes, you won’t. 

Payments are handled through the freelance site. And clients can leave feedback to let others know how easy (or difficult) you were to work with and the quality of the work received. 

Pros of Freelance Websites 

• Thousands of jobs right at your fingertips 
• Payments are handled for you 

Cons of Freelance Websites 

• Have to pay fees on earnings 
• Competition can be fierce 

Content Mills 

Okay. I’m gonna come right out and say it: Content mills are controversial.

Some freelance writers cannot stand them. They think that these content mills cheapen the industry as a whole. 

Others don’t have too much of an issue with them. 

I fall in the latter camp. 

You see, the issue with content mills usually stems from the pay. 

Content mills get their name because they are sites clients use to mass order writing for cheap. The content mill, in turn, farms out the writing assignments to freelancers. The pay rate is often as little as $0.01 per word (or less in some instances!). 

I’ve written for a content mill called Textbroker. You can read my review here. 

For a wannabe work-from-home introvert, Textbroker helped me develop confidence in my writing. 

Yes, the pay was crap. Yes, I worked hours on some assignments making way less than minimum wage. But, I knew that going into it. And, I was okay with it because Textbroker helped me earn my first paycheck as a freelancer and showed me how to become a freelance writer with practical experience. 

Looking back, it was like a paid writing internship. I didn’t earn a lot in terms of money, but the knowledge gained was worth it. 

Pros of Content Mills 

• Gain valuable experience 
• Can start writing for pay quickly

Cons of Content Mills 

• Pay can be super low 
• Writing assignments may be boring 

Job Search Sites 

Job search sites aren’t just for full-time office jobs! You can also use them to help you figure out how to be a freelance writer. 

Indeed

It’s simple. Traditional job search sites, like Indeed, make it easy to narrow down postings to freelance-friendly options. Simple search for “freelance writer” in the “what” box and, boom, an instant list of freelance writing jobs.

Keep in mind, not all listings will be work-from-home. Keep an eye out for this as you browse through leads. 

FlexJobs

Another great option? FlexJobs! 

FlexJobs guarantees all of its job leads are 100% legit. And, for freelancers constantly looking for work, a yearly subscription can offer lots of leads to keep you busy. 

Save an extra 30% off of yearly subscription plan by using promo code: AFFPROMO 

Job Boards

Two other sites I highly recommend (that are totally free) include: 

• ProBlogger 
• Freelance Writing Jobs

Both sites are job boards specifically targeted to freelance writers, like you. Clients posts ads specifically looking for writers for hire. Browse through these sites DAILY. You never know what you’ll come across! 

Again, the method you use to find work will depend on what works for you. For me, it was a combination of content mills, job search sites, and freelance marketplaces. Once you get into it, you too will find the right combo of work to keep you flush with clients! 

How To Become A Freelance Writer: Pitch Like A Pro 

You have a niche. You know where to find work. But how do you actually get hired as a freelance writer? 

That’s where pitching comes into play. 

A pitch is your virtual elevator speech. It’s a short and concise rundown of why a client should hire you (and not Freelance Writer Jane or Joe over there). 

Effective pitching can make or break your freelance writing career. No pressure, right? 

Don’t worry. Pitching becomes second nature after awhile. And, like any freelancer, you’ll refine your pitch the longer you’ve been at it. 

But, as a newbie, here are a few quick and dirty tips to remember about pitching: 

Be Specific 

Let’s say you find an ad looking for a freelance blogger. Tell the client why you would be a great blogger. Don’t write in general terms. Tell them you write blog posts that are engaging, informative, and share-worthy. Always sell your services in terms of what the client is looking for. 

Be Confident 

Don’t act like you’re new to the freelance writing game (even if you are)! Tell the client you’d be great for the job because of XYZ.  

Be Enthusiastic 

There are a lot of jobs you’ll pitch for that aren’t exactly your ideal client. That’s okay. Always sound enthusiastic, but never desperate. Let a client know you look forward to working with them and would welcome the opportunity to discuss the project further. 

Be Proud

Link to your previous work (why it’s important to submit guest posts!). It’s infinitely better to show linked proof to work than send attachments in pitches  

Be Kind 

Nobody likes to work with a jerk, right? So, always, always be kind in your pitches. Don’t come off as short or curt. Don’t appear to be overly confident. Be genuine, polite, and kind!

How To Become a Freelance Writer Course 

Feeling overwhelmed as you work to figure out how to become a freelance writer? 

That’s okay. 

There’s no shame in asking for help! 

For an extra helping hand, I highly recommend the online course Write Your Way to Your First 1K. 

The course creator is my friend and fellow blogger, Elna Cain. She started from scratch and built a successful freelance writing career (while raising twin toddlers!). Impressive, no?  

If she can do it, so can you. She shows you how in her online course. It’s filled with actionable steps, how-to guides, and lots of real world tips you can put to use immediately.

It’s the perfect course to show you how to become a freelance writer when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Sign up today and be one step closer to earning your first 1K as a freelance writer!

Questions? Comments? Feeling Confused? Leave an SOS in the comments section below. I’m here to help. 

Happily, 

Ashlee

P.S. This post contains affiliate links. What are they? Learn more about them in my disclosure statement.  

The post How To Become A Freelance Writer (Even If You Have No Experience!) appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.

You’re not alone.

Pinterest is hugely popular. So, popular, in fact, it has grown from an invite-only place to organize thoughts to a mega visual search engine.

And it’s not just all DIY, recipes, and fashion. Businesses, bloggers (myself included), and affiliate marketers of all niches have found Pinterest to be a powerhouse of social traffic, shares, and money.

And because Pinterest is a revenue generator for millions, it also means it’s completely 100% possible to get paid to use Pinterest.

Here’s how.

Get Paid To Use Pinterest as a Virtual Assistant

You know all those bloggers, businesses, and affiliate marketers I just mentioned?

Well, they need help with their Pinterest presence. You see, Pinterest has the potential to generate a ton of revenue — when done right. And doing Pinterest right from a business standpoint requires a lot of time, energy, and effort.

That’s where you come in.

As a Pinterest Virtual Assistant, you can help others perfect their Pinterest game (and literally get paid to use Pinterest all day).

Some things a Pinterest VA might do:

• Set up a new Pinterest account
• Create boards that fit within a particular brand
• Find and approach group boards to join
• Make pins that pop using free tools like Canva
• Automate Pinterest accounts using schedulers like BoardBooster
• Find, follow, and unfollow boards and fellow pinners

Sound interesting?

Head on over to Become a Pinterest VA Today. There, you can learn the pro tips needed to launch your own successful Pinterest VA biz from scratch.

You already love Pinterest right? Why not get paid to use Pinterest? You can!

The best place to start is by following the no-fail blueprint provided by Become a Pinterest VA Today, so you can quickly go from Pinterest user to Pinterest powerhouse in a snap.

Become A Pinterest Affiliate Marketer

Another way to get paid to use Pinterest is by becoming an affiliate marketer. And it couldn’t be simpler to get going ASAP.

First things first, start a blog. (It’s much easier and more affordable than you think!).

Why start a blog?

It’s much more effective to be a blogger that uses Pinterest as a platform to promote affiliate pins than it is to simply use Pinterest to pin affiliate stuff all day every day.

You see, affiliate marketing is only effective if you promote authentically. An easy way to be an authentic promoter is to build an audience that actually trusts you and is interested in products you promote.

When you blog regularly, you start to build that loyal audience. And that translates to more money for you as an affiliate marketer. Remember, the end goal is to get paid to use Pinterest.

You can absolutely accomplish this goal by creating a smart affiliate marketing strategy that uses a combination of Pinterest and blogging.

Set Up Shop And Start Selling Buyable Pins

Are you a maker? Designer? Creator? Crafter?

It’s no secret that you can use your creativity to set up shop online. Entire platforms, like Etsy, were built to help creatives, like you, sell their handmade creations to millions of shoppers.

But did you know that you can also use Pinterest to sell your stuff?

It’s true!

Pinterest has something called “buyable pins.”

That means you can turn your designs, art, and creations into pins that users can click on and purchase — without ever having to leave Pinterest.

How cool is that?

Buyable pins make it super easy to get paid to use Pinterest! After all, people go on Pinterest for inspiration.

That is, they’re looking for decorating tips, gift ideas, fashion choices, and other visual inspo for their next project, event, or celebration.

And when someone is in the planning stage, eventually they’re looking to buy. That’s where your buyable pins come into play!

My favorite platform for turning your designs into buyable pins is Shopify. In fact, Shopify not only makes it easy to create buyable pins that help you get paid to use Pinterest — it makes it super simple to sell digital products on autopilot. Meaning you can get paid to use Pinterest and earn passive income. Talk about a win win!

Get Paid To Use Pinterest

A whopping 200 million people use Pinterest every single month! With so many active users (and more joining every day), it’s easy to see how you can actually get paid to use Pinterest.

So, whether you want to get paid to pin for others as a Pinterest Virtual Assistant or decide to try your hand as an affiliate marketer, you can earn a substantial income from Pinterest.

Some resources to check out as an aspiring pro-pinner:

Become A Pinterest VA Today 

A comprehensive, self-paced online course that’ll teach you EVERYTHING (and I do mean everything) you need to know to go from hobby pinner to professional Pinterest master.

The course and materials included is a super affordable option to help you jump-start your career as a Pinterest Virtual Assistant.

Start A Blog Tutorial 

No matter your interests, you can create a money-making blog from scratch. Once you have your blog up and running, it becomes easy to get paid to use Pinterest. In fact, once I started blogging affiliate marketing with Pinterest is how I went from $0 to $2,000+ a month in affiliate sales. If I can do it, you can too

Canva

I’ve been using Canva for years for ALL of my graphic design needs. This free online design tool makes it easy for even the most design-challenged to create irresistibly-pinnable pins!

Did I mention it’s free?

Whether you want to create buyable pins or affiliate pins to promote your partnerships, Canva is an easy-to-use tool to do just that. In fact, they have beautiful, free templates you can use to transform blog posts, affiliate products, and goods for sale into click-worthy, money-making images!

Shopify 

Ready to set up shop on your own? Give Shopify a try for free for 2 weeks. In that tme, you’ll see just how easy it is to dive into Ecommerce and create buyable pins that allow you to get paid to use Pinterest.

Questions? Comments? Concerns?

Hit me with them in the comment section below! I’m always here to help.

Happily,

Ashlee

Psst! This post contains affiliate links. They’re a way for me to earn a little extra cash by referring products and services I use and love. Learn more about affiliate links by checking out my disclosure statement. 

The post Get Paid To Use Pinterest appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.

I mean, think about it, would you really feel 100% confident buying something from a business whose website is riddled with easy-to-spot errors?

Probably not.

It sends a message of laziness, as if they can’t be bothered to double check their work before it’s sent to consumers, like you.

So, to prevent embarrassing mistakes from going to print or being published, lots of businesses, bloggers, and brands seek the help of professional proofreaders. This helps ensure that everything that’s being seen by the public is free of mistakes and leaves a professional impression long after it’s read.

And this is good news for you if you’ve always thought you have what it takes to use your grammar-guru ways to earn extra cash — from anywhere! Today, you can easily start a proofreading hustle or service business you can use to get paid to read all day every day.

What Exactly Does A Proofreader Do Anyway?

Good question.

Proofreaders concern themselves with spotting errors within text. This can include typos, spelling mistakes, grammar issues, and missing punctuation.

Proofreaders are usually the last ones to read content before it is published, whether in print or online.

Essentially, they go through copy (what you call written text) with a fine-tooth comb to ensure it is 100% error free.

What Doesn’t A Proofreader Do?

A lot of people interchange the terms editing and proofreading, even though they are two very different phases of the writing process.

When editing a text, you look at big-picture stuff. You look at the overall structure of the writing, note poor word choices, disorganized paragraphs, and suggest changes that improve the overall readability. Editors make sure the flow of writing makes sense and content is cohesive from start to finish.

Proofreaders do not concern themselves with these big-picture issues. Instead, they are handed a document AFTER an editor goes over everything. The proofreader is looking for any kind of syntax, grammar, or spelling issues that may be present. A proofreader will not make suggestions to improve the flow, structure, or readability of a text. Period.

Would I Make A Good Proofreader?

It depends. Do you read a lot? If you answered, yes, chances are you’d make a pretty good proofreader too.

Those of us who read a lot, tend to notice errors in writing a lot more easily than non-readers. Plus, heavy readers typically have a natural understanding of grammar and can better spot misspelled words.

If you find yourself reading everything from the back of your conditioner to flyers posted around town and notice seemingly small errors, you’ve got the makings of a professional proofreader.

Who Uses Proofreaders?

Anyone who writes should hire a proofreader. Notice how I use the word should? Well, that’s because not everyone who publishes content uses proofreaders, even though they should.

Take a look at some of these super embarrassing grammar and spelling mistakes that could’ve been avoided by hiring a proofreader:

Apostrophes are important, right?

I’ve never heard of Amercia before. How about you?

I’d like to meet the genious who let this go to print

Even though we text, email, and use social media to communicate less formally with one another, there are still plenty of reasons for proper spelling and complete sentences. And that’s why many people from business to brands hire proofreaders, including:

• Authors
• Copywriters
• Bloggers
• Marketers
• Students
• Web content creators
• Social Media Marketers
• Brands
• Small businesses
• Publishers

As a professional proofreader for hire, you can market your services to any number of these writers or pick a more specific niche — the choice is yours. For example, my friend Phon, made a living proofreading romance novels (cool, right?).

What If I Don’t Have Professional Proofreading Experience?

That’s okay. Truth be told, most proofreaders get started with zero prior proofreading experience.

I mean, there aren’t really any colleges or universities that offer degrees in proofreading. Sure, an English degree or something in a similar field may sort of prepared you for proofreading professionally, it’s not the same thing as getting in there and proofreading in real life.

And really, the only way to gain experience is to start small and work your way up to bigger fish.

For example, there are a number of companies that hire proofreaders. Keep in mind, many of them pay low rates. But, if you really want to try your hand at proofreading before going all in, they’re great places to start. Think of those sites as paid proofreading internships.

The more you proofread, the better you’ll get. And the more experience you gain, the better your opportunities as a proofreader for hire. We’ve all got to start somewhere, right?

Proofreading Training

If you’re really set on the idea of proofreading professionally, I highly recommend obtaining some kind of training.

While it’s not necessary to have a formal education (I started proofreading on Upwork by accident!), having a blueprint to follow can make it super easy to become a paid proofreader quickly.

And the good news is, there are a couple of affordable online options that will prepare you to tackle the world of pro proofreading even when you’re a total newbie.

My personal fave? This free 45-minute workshop over at Proofread Anywhere.

This information-packed session will help you make sense of professional proofreading. It’s hosted by proofreading powerhouse Caitlyn Pyle who knows a thing or two about starting a proofreading hustle from scratch.

By the time it’s over, you’ll be able to determine whether or not you actually have what it takes to go pro.

So go ahead and sign up for the free workshop and get started. You won’t know if you’ve got the chops until you actually try!

Get Paid To Read (It’s Possible!)

If someone asked you, “How would you like to get paid to read?” You’d probably say, “Sign me up!”

And truth be told, you really can make a living as a proofreader. The demand for perfectly polished content and professional copy is made possible by proofreaders, like you.

Remember, you don’t need professional experience or formal education to get started.

But you do need to arm yourself with the knowledge needed to start from scratch and build a career.

Think you have what it takes to go pro? Did you find any errors in this post? Let me know in the comments below!

Happily,

Ashlee

P.S. This post contains affiliate links. Learn more about my use of them by reading this disclosure statement.

The post How To Become A Proofreader (So You Can Finally Get Paid To Read All Day) appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.