The Secret Side Hustles No One Talks About: How I Went from Jobless to Earning Real Money!

Whether you're at home with some free time, a student looking for pocket money, a job-seeker with certificates but no luck, a school dropout, or a stay-at-home mom or dad, this blog is for you. Never lose hope; keep trying every way possible to reach your goals. Believe me, I’ve been where you are. I taught myself to be a social media manager and marketer, and while it's still challenging, I’m grateful to be close to where I want to be.

Here are five jobs you can do from home, whether as a side hustle or a full-time gig.

Also, if you’re more of a viewer than a reader, check out this content on my YouTube Channel

1. Freelancing

"Freelancing…what is that?"

Freelancing is offering your skills to clients on a project or task basis without being a full-time employee. Google defines freelancing as a type of self-employment where a person works independently for multiple clients.

For example, let’s say you’re good at accounting. You could freelance for a small business that needs help with its accounts, agree on payment, and handle everything from home.

2. Middleman

Most of us know this one or may have done it without realizing it! If you’re good at networking, upselling, and marketing, this could be for you.

When I started in social media management, I used to be a middleman, connecting clients to service providers. I’d negotiate prices with both sides and take a commission for facilitating the transaction.

In business terms, a middleman connects a buyer and seller. It’s a bit like being a broker, and you earn a commission from either the buyer, the seller, or both.

Example: A client needs branding for their office, so you find a designer and negotiate a rate. You mark up the price when presenting it to the client, earning your commission.

I’ll share more about trust techniques for middleman roles in upcoming blogs.

3. Social Media Marketing

Besides managing social media, I also handle advertising for clients. If you know how to run ads, do audience research, and manage sales, social media marketing could be a good fit for you.

Essentially, you’ll help businesses design, run, and manage their ad campaigns on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. It’s relatively easy to learn, and with consistent practice, you can earn quite well.

4. Coaching

Coaching takes time to establish, especially if you’re not well-known. But, as Google puts it, a coaching business provides personalized guidance to help people achieve their goals. You’d be surprised! Everyone has something they’re good at that they could teach.

Example: If you're good at football, cooking, accounting, or even parenting, you can coach others on it, all from home. This role is about sharing your expertise to help others.

5. Influencer

Do you feel like your life could be a movie? If you enjoy sharing your lifestyle online, this might be the way to go. You could be a fitness, beauty, lifestyle, educational, or parenting influencer.

An influencer has the power to promote products or services on social media, persuading people to buy.

For example, if you have a strong online following, a brand like Mo Dewji or Coca-Cola might approach you to promote their products. You’d sign a contract and get paid for each post.

“It always seems impossible until it's done.” -Nelson Mandela.

Working from home sounds amazing, but it isn’t always easy. You need discipline and consistency. You might work for free at the beginning, and there will be slow months. But once you land that first client, things will start to fall into place.

Treat your first few clients like royalty. Deliver exceptional service because they’ll open doors for you, and this is where you start building your portfolio.

Stay tuned for more blogs... I post once a week on my blog (Monday) on TikTok and Instagram every Monday to Friday and on YouTube every Friday. I also offer free consultations on Zoom, so feel free to email me if you’re interested or have any questions.

Next up: "How I Built My Freelance Career with No Money or Experience."

See you on the next one!

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