HOW CAN YOU WORK FULL-TIME AND STILL BE SELF-EMPLOYED?

When you decide to be self-employed, many opportunities open up for you even if you work full-time. For most of my life (as long as I can remember!), I have always maintained a steady side income being self-employed while  keeping up with a full-time job. So let’s discuss some of the ways you can do the same.

BECOME A BLOGGER

You can start a blog as a hobby and with time, you can generate decent income from it. There are many successful bloggers making full-time income from their home. Read my post on how I started my blog in 7 days while working full-time as a lawyer to see what to expect and how you can get started as a blogger.

I will give you a free 30 minute blog coaching if you decide to start a blog with the same course I did! 

You can write about any topic that interests you and your target audience. There are many ways to make money from your blog such as creating your own products, paid advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and so forth.

BECOME AN AFFILIATE MARKETER

I mentioned affiliate sales as one of the ways to make money from your blog but you don’t need a website or blog to get started with affiliate marketing.

Affiliate marketing is when you promote and sell another person’s products and services in exchange for a percentage of that sale.

When you sign up to sell a product or service, you are referred to as an “affiliate.” You can start by promoting and selling the affiliate programs on your social media. Basically all your work can be done online from home making this a convenient way to get started.

Sign up for the best list of affiliate programs that made me money during my first month of blogging here. 

Here’s my high paying affiliate program that you can join for free and make $60 per sale! 

SELL YOUR PRODUCTS ONLINE

Many people sell their products on reputable platforms like Amazon, eBay, Etsy, etc because this is a great way to develop a home-based business. Once you know there’s a demand for your product, you can make a consistent income selling it on any of these platforms.

The benefit is your start up cost is very low. You just have to advertise your product correctly online and this business can be started part-time from anywhere.

For example, I had a huge collection of books (an avid reader here) that I sold on Amazon and made great money. Similarly, I sold my vast jewelry collection on other sites and generated an almost 90 percent profit. This was stuff I had already used but did not need anymore.

You could also also sell your own products online on your website like I do here. I made $3700 in two months of blogging selling my own products along with affiliate marketing, etc. Read more here.

START A CHILD CARE BUSINESS

You can become a baby-sitter but take it even further. If you are a stay at home mom for example, you can start your own child care business which can be a good source of reliable income. While you are at home taking care of your own child, you can get paid for taking care of other children as well!

Many parents prefer home based child care over large day-care centers because the care can be more personalized.

If you decide to pursue this, make sure to check your state requirements for training and certification you may need in order to open this kind of business.

BECOME A PET SITTER

Just like baby-sitting, you can take care of pets. Pet sitters are in great demand!

Many people are looking for reliable pet sitters when they are going out of town. Word of mouth is a good way to get started with this business and you can also advertise in your community forums. If you love animals and are good at taking care of them then consider this business.

BUY AN EXISTING BUSINESS

If you can have the capital to purchase an existing established retail business, then this is a good option because you can buy a business that interests you or serves your expertise.

For example, my friend is a professional yoga instructor and she decided to buy an existing yoga studio but she does not work there. She has employees who handle the business while she is an absentee owner.

Similarly, if you are a great chef, you can consider buying an established restaurant or a franchise.

If you have an interest or experience in a particular niche and have the money, you can purchase an already established business, such as an outdoor lighting solutions franchise, and pay goodwill rather than starting from scratch.

Many people opt for this option when they are ready to retire because they know they can expect a profit right away instead of building a business from the ground up.

BECOME A SILENT PARTNER

If you are willing, you can become a silent partner in an established business, meaning your involvement in the business is limited to investing the money only. You don’t have to worry about the day-to-day operations of the business.

This is what I prefer because silent partnership allows me the freedom to do other things with my time while also getting a return on my investment. if you decide to become a silent partner, make sure your partnership interest is well documented and the agreement is drafted by a lawyer to protect your investment.

BECOME A TEACHER

I can personally attest to this one!  I have been teaching all my life, and if you love teaching then this can become a good source of income and side business for you. You can easily get started online and teach anything you are good at such as different languages or any courses!

There’s also a huge market out there for an English as a second language tutor, which may require a degree in English and/or other teaching certifications.

But truthfully, you don’t need any specific certification or formal education to begin teaching online, it may open more doors but it’s certainly not required to share your knowledge on a subject.

BECOME A CONSULTANT

If you have a special skill, you can offer your services as a consultant. This is highly valuable because companies often hire consultants from time to time at a fixed price to help them with their existing business. You can use your talent and skills to help others.

BECOME A FREELANCE WRITER AND/OR EDITOR

If you are an excellent writer, consider marketing your skills online to become a freelance writer and/or editor. There are many platforms available now for freelance writers such as Fiverr, Textbook broker, etc where you can sign up and get started.

This can also be a lot of fun if you love writing.

BECOME A FREELANCE GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Just like freelance writers, you can become a freelance graphic designer online and start working immediately. It’s a great way to gain experience while also earning on the side. Network and build your online portfolio so people can see your work and hire you.

INVEST IN REAL ESTATE

If you have the money, you can invest in real estate and make rental income. Nowadays you can even invest online in properties and make money. But if you are just starting, you can start small by buying a condo or townhouse and then renting it.

Make sure to check your homeowner’s association rules before purchasing to confirm you can rent out the place. You can also hire property management companies to manage your rental properties, so you don’t have to directly deal with the tenants, rent payments and property maintenance. In my experience, this is definitely a good way to supplement your income.

BECOME A TRANSLATOR

I speak multiple languages and have worked as a translator all my life. This is in great demand and you can set your own rate. Many international companies need translators.

If you are fluent in another language then you can become a translator and offer your services online or in person. Sometimes these companies have large volume of documents in another language that they would send to you to translate in English. Other times I have used my oral communication skills to translate from another language to English.

BECOME A FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER

If you are a professional photographer, you are most likely already working as a freelance photographer as well. Even if you are not a professional but you love taking pictures then consider turning your hobby into a business!

BECOME A FREELANCE MODEL

Same thing with freelance modeling, if you love getting your pictures taken and are not camera shy! then market yourself and become a freelance model. I have been doing freelance modeling all my life and there are many different options available depending on what kind of modeling you want to do (print, plus size, glamour, swimsuit, fashion, and so forth).

BECOME A PERSONAL TRAINER

I love personal trainers! If you are a good role model and are physically fit then consider becoming a personal trainer to help others achieve their weight loss/fitness goals. This kind of work can easily be done over the weekend, and it’s a great way to make side income with the flexibility of your own schedule.

VIRTUAL ASSISTANT

You can work from home as a virtual assistant and do any type of work you want to. You can use the skills you learned in your previous jobs. You just need a computer and phone to get started. Most of your work will be online and many businesses especially small home based ones need good virtual assistants all the time.

WEDDING PLANNER

I think this is a fun business if you are creative and talented. This business allows flexibility too because you can set your own hours. Many couples these days are getting married late and are too busy to plan their weddings. If you love the details of planning a dream wedding then this business is for you.

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONIST

Doctors and medical professionals need medical transcriptionists to quickly transcribe medical records. You must have a good understanding of medical terms and some training. Good thing is training can be done online. Most medical transcriptionists can work from home.

REAL ESTATE AGENT

As a real estate agent, you are also your own boss because you decide how much you want to work. Real estate agents can work part-time as an independent contractor. Your income is not limited by an hourly wage or set salary but rather based on the number of properties you sell and make commissions from.

If you are interested, research your state requirements for becoming a licensed real estate agent.

So that’s it guys, for now! Please COMMENT below and let me know your thoughts. How are you self-employed? I would love to hear from you.