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Going from two salaries down to one can be a challenge. But, for many moms, the harder challenge is leaving your little one at daycare all day. To help simultaneously provide an income and spend time with their children, many moms are turning to at-home work. Working from home allows moms to balance the financial needs of working with their desire to be the primary caregiver for their children.
Writing is a great work-at-home job for moms looking to earn some money from home. If you enjoy writing, you can use your skills to create an income. Writing is versatile, and there are many possible ways to turn your words into a steady cash flow. Here are 10 options for you to consider.
1. Blogging
Blogging is a great way to get started as a writer and make money online. Since it’s your own space on the web, you are in control of your own deadlines. You can work whenever you have time, even if it’s late at night. There are no set working hours — you just have to meet your deadlines.
Since the blog is yours to control, you’re also not relying on someone else to send you work. When you have free time, you can devote some of it to creating content or marketing your blog. If you can’t work one day because of family obligations, you don’t have to stress.
It also gives you total freedom over your content, so you can write about stuff you are really passionate about and feel confident about. Blogging really allows your personal voice to shine. People are coming to your blog not only to read your content but also to hear what YOU have to say. Your voice matters and the experience and personality you bring to the table is what will separate you from every other blog out there.
This could be a great way to stay afloat with what’s going on in your previous career, or it could be about being a stay at home mom or raising kids. You have a total blank slate.
What do you enjoy writing about? Do you want to remain current in your former industry? Research it and create your blog centered around that theme. Are you having a hard time adjusting to life as a stay-at-home-mom? Use that as a theme for your blog. The options really are limitless. You can create your blog about anything you’d like.
2. Translating
Do you speak and write in more than one language? If you’re bilingual and have the ability to translate documents from one language to another, you can earn money through translation work. Since not everyone can accurately translate information, this is considered a specialized skill. This means it can pay well.
There are a variety of jobs available. You can find full-time translation jobs that require set hours. You can also offer your services as a freelance translator, which would increase your flexibility. Part-time translation work is also frequently available. If you’re looking for a translating job, remember to check out FlexJobs.
Make sure to read the requirements carefully. Some companies will require you to be fluent in the language, while others will just require a certain amount of knowledge. This might be met through college courses. Either way, be prepared to take a test to prove your language skills since some companies will require this.
- Cactus Global
- Certified Languages
- iResponsive
- Multilingual Connections
3. Freelance Writer
Today, companies need an online presence. If they don’t have a website, it’s almost as if they don’t exist. This is great news for freelance writers! After all, every website needs content. And not everyone enjoys writing as much as you do.
As a freelance writer, you can decide what services to offer. Do you enjoy creating basic content for websites, such as the “About Us” page? You can specialize in creating the text for basic websites. Are blog posts more your style? Active blogs help companies draw readers and potential customers. Many companies hire freelance writers to create blog posts on a recurring basis. If you get a few clients like that, you’ll have a steady income you can depend on.
Your writing skills aren’t limited to the web either. Companies still send out flyers, brochures, and postcards. Everything that goes out in the mail needs to be written first.
The abundance of written material means you get to decide what kind of content to create and who you want to create it for. If you’re thinking of starting a freelance writing career, be sure to check out these additional resources:
4. Editor
Do you notice every typo as you read emails, blog posts, or even social media feeds? If you have an eye for grammar, you might make a great editor. Many companies want to ensure they’re publishing professional quality content. This means they need an editor to help polish it.
You can work for a company as an editor from home, or create your own business offering freelance editing services. Often, you’ll be paid by the piece so make sure you set your rates accordingly.
As you’re looking for work, decide what kind of editor you want to be. There are many different types of editing jobs available. For instance, some help more with the flow of words and ensure the organization makes sense. Others simply proofread the text, looking for grammatical and punctuation errors without making changes to the style or structure. If there’s a certain kind of editing you excel at, market yourself in that area.
- Hello Essay
- Kibin
- Polished Paper
- Proofreading Pal
5. Data Entry
If you’re able to type quickly and accurately, a work at home data entry position can be a great fit. In this role, you ensure that data is entered correctly into the file you’re working on. This maintains accurate records for your client.
Since this role requires high attention to detail, it typically requires fewer distractions than some of the other jobs listed. It might be a great one to work on after the kids are in bed, when the house is quiet.
If you’re looking for a work-from-home data entry position, check to see if there are any available on FlexJobs.
- Axion
- AccuTran Global
- DionData Solutions
6. Tutoring
Most stay-at-home moms practice tutoring every day as they help their own students with homework. If you excel in a certain subject, you can earn extra cash helping others learn through tutoring.
You can find local or online tutoring opportunities. Be sure to read the requirements listed before applying. Some companies will require you to hold valid teaching credentials. Others will simply want a bachelor’s degree in any field. You can also find positions available where you can prove your ability to tutor a subject through a test. Typically, the higher your level of education in a field, the more money you can make.
In addition to tutoring students in grades K-12, you can also find work tutoring college students. Many need help editing their essays or figuring out how to cite their sources. If you enjoy reading and writing academic content, this can be a good fit.
- Cambly
- Rosetta Stone
- Chegg
- Connections Academy
- Kaplan
7. Write Reviews
Reviews help consumers learn about products. In fact, many potential buyers check reviews before making a purchase. If you enjoy sharing your experiences with others, review writing can be a fun way to earn some extra money.
While many companies will prefer to pay in product or vouchers, some do offer cash. Just make sure the terms of the agreement are clearly spelled out before you do any work. Find out what kind of posts they are looking for, how many pictures they want to see, and all the details.
As a review writer, you need to be honest. People want to know what you think, not what the company thinks. If there are any downsides to the product, be sure to mention those as well as the things you love. This balanced approach helps your review stand out to people reading it. It’s not just another glowing review. They learn they can trust you to tell the truth, even if it’s not what you expected.
Also, if you’re writing reviews on your blog, make sure the products are a good fit for your ideal audience. Otherwise, you risk losing readers and losing the traction you’ve gained.
8. Complete Surveys
Your opinion matters! Companies want to know what you think and are willing to pay you for this information. When you complete surveys, you help shape the production and marketing of products. Sharing specific information about what you like and don’t like with companies allows them to make changes based on what they learn.
Not all survey sites are the same, so make sure you read the fine print. You need to know that you’ll actually be paid for your time without having to wait months to reach a payment threshold.
9. Ghostwriter
While many freelance writers get a byline (their name is attributed to the piece), not everyone does. Ghostwriters write content under another person’s name. They get no credit for the job, and can’t tell anyone they were the ones to do the writing. In most cases, these ghostwriters can’t even list the content on their portfolio. Many books by famous people were actually written by someone else.
As a ghostwriter, you won’t get tons of glory. No one will associate your name with the pieces you write. However, ghostwriting gigs often pay more because of this. Clients know that this piece won’t benefit you, and often adjust their rates accordingly.
If you don’t mind someone else claiming your work as their own, ghostwriting can be a great fit. You can create many different types of content as a ghostwriter. You can decide if you want to specialize in one type of writing or provide a variety of services. Blog posts, ebooks, and courses are just three of the many things you can write for someone else.
10. Write Your TV Ideas
What would you like to see on television? There’s so much bad TV on now, you probably have plenty of ideas to make it better.
While writing an entire screenplay might not be in store for you as a busy mom, you can write down your ideas and submit them for consideration. If the producers think you’re onto something, they will pay you for that initial idea.
You don’t have to invest anything in the production, or even figure out how it will turn out in the end. The production company takes care of all of that. All you need to do is write up your idea, and submit it to a company like Juma TV. Sharing ideas for television likely won’t make you a ton of money. But, it’s a fun way to get a little extra cash flow, and know that you’re doing your part to improve what’s on the screen.
Staying home with your kids is likely the most rewarding job in the world. You’ll be there for the firsts, and build plenty of memories with your children. But, staying at home doesn’t pay well. If finances are tight, you can use your writing skills to earn money in any of the jobs listed above.
If you are looking for additional freelance job listings, be sure to check out the Freelance Writer’s Den. This site’s job board features legit freelance writing gigs. You won’t have to waste your time sifting through scams or looking for red flags.