2020 was a year to be written into history books.
People died from a virus one could not see with the naked eye, while loved ones could not even come close.
Industry shut down, with no warning.
Educational institutions shut down.
Businesses shuttered up.
People lost jobs in the millions.
Salaries stopped flowing.
Incomes dried up.
Homelessness increased.
School dropouts multiplied.
A Covid-19 baby bust happened.
Nutritional levels dipped.
There were historic moments too when numbers of women in the workforce outnumbered men.
Finding One’s Feet
Photo by Dawid Zawiła on Unsplash
In such unprecedented times, one had to think out of the box. 2021 for many, has been about reinventing oneself to make ends meet. Like Albert Alexander got his break which led to stability for him and his family in a place he had not imagined, others too have to look out of the box. Technology has helped people move forward by adding a tech sheen to existing skill sets. Although the initial learning curve might feel steep, people have been moving into digital spaces at great speed.
Here are four tech-driven ideas which can be explored for income generation:
Freelance Writing
As more businesses go digital, content writers are in demand. There are a variety of requirements from super technical, to humorous and light writing. Small and mid-sized businesses too need to cross the digital divide to survive, and they come in a variety. From beauty to tires, there is a wide variety of writing that is needed. A computer, internet connection, digital flashcards to make notes, and a digital word processor will come in real handy. As an associate field, there will be a requirement for editors too. By Googling with the right keywords like ‘content, remote, freelance, etc.’, people can find the jobs that suit them.
Amazon’s Mechanical Turk(MTurk)
This is a marketplace where business representatives come and post repetitive jobs that can be done online when a large number of workers are required. Frequently they may seem mundane and boring, but they are ‘doable’, easy to get. and pay immediately. Jobs are paid based on their complexity; pick suitable ones.
Online Tutoring
When classes went online, and teachers and their resources got stretched thin, there was an increase in the requirement of tutors for every age group. As parents get busy with jobs, they frequently depended on online tutors to help their kids stay abreast of school work. Again, such jobs can be found by looking for ‘remote tutoring jobs’ on the internet.
Virtual Assistant
When small businesses are trying to build a digital footprint, they need to invest heavily in digital tools, leaving them with little in the budget for an administrative assistant. Here steps in the virtual assistant. Business owners need help in the everyday running of an office/business, and they are looking to hire virtual assistants who can work remotely with a computer, internet connection, and a phone. All that is required is an organized person with some common sense. Duties can vary and depend on the salary that the business can afford. At its simplest, it would mean handling appointments, and at the other end of the spectrum might actually involve running a full-fledged blog and preparing slide shows. This is also a great opportunity to learn additional skills on the job.
Stay Smart
Finding a suitable job might take time, but persevere. In the process remember that there are people out to scam you. So be careful about opportunities that might seem too good to be true.
Do remember:
- Keep your eyes open
- Run it by people you trust
- Do not reveal information more than is required
- Once you settle in, keep a tab on the hours you put in; let there be no ambiguity
- If some terms are unclear, ask again, until you get it right
Things you will Need
If you opt for these remote jobs, you will need a stable phone and an internet connection. A quiet place for calls along with a desk would be great. Most importantly, you will need an extra dollop of calmness and an ‘I got this’ attitude.
Wrapping Up
As our cities have opened up post-vaccination drives, situations have eased a bit. In spite of this, it serves everyone well, to see the larger picture and find work in the digital world. It might seem daunting at first, but with some help from friends and other well-wishers, it is doable.
Always remember that the Sun has to rise after every dark night.
Credit for Featured Image: Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash