Regrettably, during this global crisis, many of us do not have the luxury of choosing to work remotely, we MUST work remotely. For those who do not have careers that are transferrable to a remote role, these times will be even harder.
I have been deeply involved in emerging technologies, resilient careers and the future of work. I expected the shift to freelance, remote and flexible work and have been committed to the idea that it is, inevitable. As an entrepreneur, I poured my heart and soul into an educational platform to tackle these predictions. I was, I am, invested. So, as I write, I am sad, I am worried, I am scared and I am disappointed that I did not prepare for or anticipate the magnitude and severity of the Covid-19 catalyst. I focused solely on the future of work and did not prepare for the ‘Now of Work’.
The Band-Aid has been ripped off and whichever way you cut it, unemployment will be a direct consequence of COVID-19 and remote work will become ‘normal’ for at least a little while. Making money online will become a skill in itself. I know there isn’t a lot I can do for the thousands now unemployed but what I can do is offer just a few ideas on how to make ends meet.
Below is a list of 54 remote work opportunities and direct links to jobs. I hope it helps even a little to lessen the load.
- Online courses
Of course this is number 1. I meet passionate and incredibly talented people so often and I always ask them to share their skills with the rest of the world. Online courses do take time and planning before making money but coupled with another job on this list you can make it work. You can begin building your online course on Thinkific.
- Virtual home school tutor
Over the next few weeks, Teachers will still be in contact with students in any way they can to ensure students don’t fall behind. This is going to be an incredibly difficult job and there is no doubt students will require addition support. There are a few virtual tutor sites in Australia but Tutornova is a good start.
- Airtasker
Airtasker is a great way to pick up remote jobs on offer from clients who need small or large jobs done. Airtasker.com is an online platform and mobile app allowing consumers to outsource their tasks to other everyday Australians who are looking to earn some extra cash.
- Upwork (com)
Upwork is a global freelancing platform where businesses and professionals connect and collaborate remotely. I am a regular at Upwork for my podcast editing and I’m pretty delighted with the platform. I highly recommend taking a read of this guide to getting started on Upwork.
- Make hand sanitizer for refills
This is particularly timely for COVID-19 and this is what I am doing at the moment. The recipes are all of 3 ingredients and definitely do the trick. My tip is to draw up a spreadsheet, work out the cost of the bulk items and define clearly the costs associated compared to profits.
- Start a YouTube channel
There is no time like the present to become an influencer on a topic other than the Corona Virus. Begin making video’s regularly, and although the money is not instant you may be able to couple with another job on this list.
- Become a researcher Indeed
This is a bit of a dream job. You get paid to learn and absorb all the new research before passing it on to your employer. If you are you already an expert researcher or a curious cat, this job is for you. Companies like AskWonder employ hundreds of researchers worldwide all year round.
- Mark University papers Indeed
Writing university papers is still a regular feature in my life and I can admit, it is definitely the more painful chunk of daily schedule. Having said that, I certainly wouldn’t mind marking papers for extra income.
- Design social media content (on Canva)
There are so many small businesses (and larger businesses) needing social media content and creating it has never been easier. Head to Canva and start dabbling. Create a portfolio with examples and start connecting with small businesses to offer your services. You can begin with Fiverr or upwork.
- Podcast Producer (Cashflow Podcasting)
If you are experienced in coaching, marketing, writing, editing audio, project management or start-ups there is a job for you in podcasting.
- Become a virtual assistant (LinkedIn)
A virtual assistant is usually self-employed and provides professional administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients remotely. Communication skills are essential. If you are good with deadlines, managing tasks, time management and organising – then this is for you.
- Take 1000 photos and sell them on internet (Shutterstock)
This is a great gig as a side hustle and should be combined with another role on this list. This can make you money but will unlikely sustain your lifestyle. Here is a great guide on how to make money from your photos. (Link)
- Host an online conference on (Virtual Conference.com)
Are you a leader in your industry? Do you have the connections and the talent pool to deliver quality presentations one after the other? There are about to be thousands of professionals itching for conferences. Why not host your own? VirtualConferece.com is a great platform to start with.
- Online surveys (Swagbucks)
This is a small side hustle but can earn you a whole bunch of cash and gift cards if you do it right. A great guide I found was from The Thrifty Issue which lists Australia’s most trustworthy survey sites.
- Cold caller (Indeed)
Cold calling can be daunting and it is definitely not for everyone. My advice is to at least try it. Many roles aren’t actually stone cold calling. Most roles include connecting with clients, updating customer billing, phone surveys and following leads – so warm calling in a way.
- Domain name re-seller (Reseller Club)
As a domain name reseller, you will act as a third-party offering domain name registration services through a registrar. It means you buy a domain name at a low cost and then sell it at higher pricing to earn profit. Reseller Club, in the link above, is reputable network of over 75,000 resellers.
- Ghost-writer (Acad Write)
An average ghost-writer can earn between $20,000 and $50,000 per project. The higher end is attainable if the client is a celebrity. As a beginner you’ll likely be starting at $5000 but my advice is to begin creating small snippets of your work, write online via medium and begin marketing yourself as a ghost-writer on LinkedIn. Depending on the topic and length of the book, the average completion time is six months. You can also head to Writers Access who regularly have remote positions for the keen writing buff.
- Film critic (Taste Of Cinema)
Being a film critic does mean you have to watch a lot of movies. Considering the millions of people about to Netflix and chill during Covid19, it might just pay to start taking notes and submitting your honest opinion.
- Drop Shipping (Shopify)
The growth of Shopify has seen drop shipping become so easy that anyone can start an online store for as little as $20. Drop shipping means you don’t have to have products stored in your own home or facility, instead you can choose your products and they are shipped directly from the manufacturer. Amazon is also another great place to start your drop shipping career. My tip, sell things that people need as Covid-19 could deplete household budgets.
- Supermarket work (Woolworths)
This one isn’t remote but during a pandemic, supermarkets, chemists and hospitals will remain open. These jobs may not be what you are used to but they may help keep money coming in while you ride the Covid-19 wave.
- Proof-reader (Scribendi)
Professional proof-reading doesn’t require a specific degree but a pre-requisite is usually having at least one tertiary qualification. That perfectionist streak and attention to detail may just come in handy.
- Online community manager (manage forums and Facebook groups) (Glass Door)
Online Community Managers are brand evangelists, content developers, leaders, mediators, advocates and analysts all in one. The role is ever-changing considering online communities can be active 24/7. You will need to be on your toes and be 100% community minded.
- Customer support (Upwork)
If you already have experience in customer support/service either through retail or via a call centre, this job will suit you perfectly. The best customer support person is guaranteed to deliver customer satisfaction, creating a feeling of connection with every customer they come in contact with.
- Law enforcement transcriber (Auscript)
Legal transcriptionists, may or may not have experience in the legal industry but often it is preferred. Your job will be to listen to dictated recordings made by attorneys, paralegals, and other legal professionals before transcribing them into legal documents.
- Online Event Manager (team meetings inc. board meetings etc) (Virtual Vocations)
Managing events doesn’t just mean you plan weddings, coordinate events or plan conferences. An event coordinator manages both small and large events from board meetings, staff meetings, company events and conferences. Being an online coordinator takes your role into the digital realm. If you are an organised and thorough leader, this job will be right up your alley.
- Blogger (Blue Host)
Ironic really, but I read a great blog recently on how to make money blogging. I could list all the ways to monetise a blog but I would suggest the above blog to cover your bases. Blogging is similar to podcasting. There are so many and you need to find your niche. Find a topic that isn’t saturated and aim to become a leading wordsmith in that field.
- Zapier (Zapier)
Zapier is completely virtual and they are always hiring. They have NO offices, so you simply need to go to their careers page to see if there is anything you can offer.
- Chat agent or Expert Advisor (Just Answer)
There are millions of chat bots on the internet who are talking to us right now. There are also the same number of humans on the other end of the chat machine. A chat agent is just like a customer service agent but excels with written word.
- Data entry (co)
There is no doubt AI is going to take over most of these jobs but during this global crisis, humans are still the backbone of our economy. Data entry requires precision, attention to detail and superhero speed typing abilities.
- Translator / Interpreter (translationz)
To be a translator you will be required to convert written word from one language to another. An interpreter on the other hand, is someone who translates orally.
- Affiliate marketing (Awin)
Affiliate marketing is a mine field but once you know how to place your affiliate links in valuable online content, you will be fine. Affiliate marketing goes alongside blogging, podcasting and other online content. If you head to my podcast you will find the books I refer to in my podcast are online and for sale on my website as well as in the podcast itself. I highly recommend AWIN who are a trusted and worldwide host to thousands of retailers waiting for you to become their affiliate.
- E-commerce Store Owner with Amazon (Amazon)
This is a very simple business to setup but does have a monthly fee. In their own words Amazon make it simple “You sell it, we ship it.”
- Film and Post Instructional Videos (Indeed)
Instructional videos include training, tutorials, explainers and presentations. This industry has seen a boom over the past year and with it comes an opportunity for experts to showcase their skills and abilities. Techsmith have made a great guide for anyone wanting to dabble in the industry.
- Grant Writer (Indeed)
First thing is first, grant writing is an art form and in the current financial climate you will need the skills to write a killer proposal. This course from nonprofitready.org is free for non-profits and is a great start to learning the ins and outs of the grant writing game.
- Product Reviewer (Home Tester Club)
I love the Aussie Mum website, it is full of evergreen content that I continually revisit for the gold. In this article by Aussie Mum, you will find some handy tips for adding product reviews to your side hustle.
- Short Tasks (Amazon Mechanical Turk)
I love short tasks, who doesn’t? A short task is an assignment that can be completed in a short amount of time. The tasks can include writing, editing, transcription, watching a video and research. The work at home woman website has a great list of short task sites to get you started.
- Voice Acting (com)
Some people just have the voice for radio, audio books, movies and podcasting. If that is you, then why not use your voice to bring in a little extra moolah.
- Private investigator (Net)
First of all, it is pretty easy to get the low down on anyone just by googling their name. But there are loads more skills you need to collect and should first consider doing a course. You will also need a license. The Australian Security Academy offers a brilliant course to get you started and licensed.
- Brand ambassador (net)
A company chooses a brand ambassador to be the “face” of the brand. This person represents the company and in this case does so online.
- Internet analyst (Appen)
At Appen, the internet analyst jobs are either a Search Engine Evaluator or a Social Media Evaluator. The only concern with Appen is that yes you will be sent a project but it may take a couple of weeks for them to get back to you so you can start work.
- Investment analyst net
For those with a background in finance, this could be your golden ticket.
- Recruitment interviewer / talent acquisition (No Desk)
As an online recruiter, your job includes reviewing candidate’s job experiences, negotiating salaries, and placing candidates in agreeable employment positions. If you have experience in HR or recruitment, this is an amazing opportunity.
- Customer happiness lead net
This is probably the most self-explanatory role in the list and AavaLabs says it best “Your main mission is to keep our customers happy by following up our policies and procedures. Making sure that when their question or problem has been resolved, they go with a feeling of happiness and a fantastic support received.”
- Social media Evaluator (Appen)
Social media evaluators have the rare opportunity of providing feedback to a variety of companies on news feeds, ads, and search results. Your opinion counts and your employers need to know if their message is resonating with their audience.
- Librarian (Indeed)
Libraries are NOT dead. Well, not the digital kind anyway. The age old librarian look has been replaced with a stay at home mum, in pajamas, avoiding Covid-19.
- Online content administrator (Remote Marketing Jobs)
This role does require skills and confidence in website maintenance and some development.
- Online Team Lead (Flex Jobs)
If you are a proven leader and can set team goals, identify & communicate with stakeholders, facilitate technical discussions, escalate challenges and ensure the overall quality of team output, then this is your gig.
- Online lecturer / university tutor (LinkedIn)
Online educators have a strong education background, a degree under their belt and are confident in public speaking.
- Resume writer (CV Saviour)
Writing a CV, especially if it is not your own is an art form. To successfully join others in this industry you need to have a little bit of experience (a portfolio) of resumes you have written.
- Autobiography writer (Writers for Hire)
Everyone has a story to tell but some of us don’t have the skills to express them in written form. An autobiography writer knows how to listen and ask the right questions – the kind of questions that bring out the history and the heart of the person whose life is being recorded.
- Peer Reviewer of articles (Enago)
If research is your thing and you love an academic read, this one is for you. Your job will be to investigate every element of a research paper, such as soundness of study design, reporting of method, ethical soundness, and data analysis.
- Transcriber (com)
YouTubers, podcasters, universities, courts and authors are always looking for transcribers. Written content adds to the video and audio content that our creators have already poured hours into.
- Market researcher Indeed
If you have a degree in business, marketing, psychology or commerce then this might float your boat. Market researchers collect and evaluate data to aid in marketing to determine the demand for a particular product or service.
- Academic Editor (Scribbr)
Unfortunately, I didn’t have Scribbr’s essay editors improve the language, structure and clarity of this article but you could have! Scribbr has editors all over the world and you could join them.
Useful links to help find remote work:
Remote Global: https://remoteglobal.com/
Indeed Remote Work: https://www.indeed.com/l-Remote-jobs.html
Appen remote work: https://appen.com/careers/
Pointer remote: https://www.pointerremoteroles.com.au/jobs/
Amazon remote: https://www.amazon.jobs/en/locations/virtual-locations
Glass Door remote: https://www.glassdoor.com.au/Job/remote-jobs-SRCH_IL.0,6_IS11047.htm
Flex Jobs: https://www.flexjobs.com/international/Australia-telecommuting-jobs
How to find remote work: https://skillcrush.com/blog/sites-finding-remote-work/