If you’re interested in finding a new way to make a living, or even just a little bit of extra cash on the side, there are all kinds of opportunities available. And you don’t have to be an accountant, an IT specialist, or a lawyer.
In fact, some of the most lucrative gigs out there can be done by people who aren’t necessarily specialists in their field they’re just savvy and willing to work hard. Here are 17 freelance careers you might want to consider if you’re ready for a change:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Freelancing offers many benefits, including increased flexibility and the ability to work from anywhere. |
| There are many different types of freelance jobs available, from web development to social media management. |
| To succeed as a freelancer, it’s important to have a strong portfolio and online presence. |
| Setting your freelance rates can be a tricky process, but it’s important to consider factors like your experience and the complexity of the project. |
| Finding freelance work requires a combination of networking, online job boards, and self-promotion. |
1. Transcriptionist
Transcriptionists listen to audio or video recordings and type them into text. They typically work in the legal industry, transcribing interviews and depositions. They can also be hired by lawyers, medical professionals, and insurance companies to transcribe audio files that pertain to their cases.
Transcribers are usually paid per hour or at a flat rate for large jobs. This career comes with some challenges: transcriptionists must have a good grasp of English grammar as well as good listening skills (so they can accurately transcribe what they hear).
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2. Court Reporter
Court reporters are responsible for recording the proceedings of a court case. They take a verbatim record of what is said during court proceedings and ensure that it is transcribed accurately into text.
Court reporters must be very accurate in their work, and they must have excellent communication skills so that they can interact well with other people involved in the case. Because there’s often an urgent need to produce transcripts quickly, court reporters need to be able to work quickly and accurately as well.
3. Captioner
Captioners are the people who listen to audio and write the written text that appears on television or video content. They record everything that’s said, including background noise, laughter, and other sounds you may not even notice when watching TV.
The captioner needs to accurately transcribe the audio and add punctuation, formatting, and other elements to convey what is being said in a way that makes sense for your viewers.
A typical day could include writing captions for an interview show or news program, with each transcript taking anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours depending on how many speakers there are at any given time.
Captioners also ensure accuracy by listening back over everything they’ve transcribed; if they make a mistake or accidentally skip over something important during transcription (which can happen easily when working quickly), they’ll have to go back through what they’ve done until they’re satisfied with it before moving forward again with more work
4. Scopist
If you like the idea of helping people, but prefer to work in a less-structured environment, consider becoming a scopist. Scopists are responsible for transcribing court proceedings or depositions. They take down what is said and type it into an official record so that everyone can refer back to it later.
What does this job pay? The hourly rate varies depending on the complexity of the case being transcribed and how much experience one has as a scopist. Typically, though, one can expect somewhere between $25 per hour (for more junior scopists) up to $45 per hour (for seasoned veterans).
Will this job help me meet my financial goals? Yes! Scopists generally work part-time on freelance contracts rather than full-time roles at one company so they have more flexibility with their schedules.
And while there may be huge spikes in workload during certain periods (such as during trial season), most scopists can pick up extra work when needed by freelancing on websites like Upwork or Freelancer making it possible for them to earn extra money throughout the year without putting themselves under too much stress!
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5. Medical Coder
Medical coders are responsible for assigning codes to hospital bills and ensuring that the hospital is being reimbursed for the services it provides. These coders are a critical part of the healthcare system, helping ensure that providers get paid for their work.
As you might imagine, there’s a lot of demand for medical coders, so if you have this skill set, you should be able to find plenty of opportunities in your area.
6. Amazon Mechanical Turk Worker
Amazon Mechanical Turk is a platform for businesses to outsource small tasks that are often too complex for computers or require human judgment.
In some ways, it’s like being a worker at an online marketplace. You’ll be uploading gig listings that appeal to you and bidding on jobs other people have posted. When you get hired, the company will pay you through Amazon Payments (or whatever method they choose).
And there are plenty of opportunities there are currently more than one million active workers registered on Amazon Mechanical Turk!
But unlike the rest of us who go shopping on eBay or Etsy and consider this our part-time gig, Turkers are doing actual work with real companies in exchange for real money. So if you’re looking for something new but don’t want to leave your day job just yet, this could be exactly what you’re looking for!
7. Data Entry Clerk
Data entry clerks are responsible for entering data into a computer system, using programs such as Excel or Access. This can be done in person, remotely over the internet, or through various other means.
Data entry clerks usually have at least a high school diploma or GED and are proficient in typing speeds of 60 words per minute. They should also understand basic computer functions such as how to use spreadsheets and word processing software.
Data Entry Clerks earn an average of $14 per hour, with some positions paying a little more than that depending on experience level and specific responsibilities associated with each job description (more on this below).
There are several ways to get started as a data entry clerk: You could apply directly through an online job board like Indeed or Monster; search the classifieds section of your local newspaper; look for “Data Entry” jobs on Craigslist; network with friends who might know someone looking for help…the list goes on!
It’s also important to look into what kind of benefits come with this type of work before accepting any position offer since these positions tend not to include health insurance coverage which means you’ll need separate coverage if possible–and even then there may be gaps between plans (especially if they’re tied specifically towards certain groups like teachers etc.)
8. Test Scorer
Test scoring is a job that pays well. Yes, you’ll be scoring tests and not taking them, but it can still play very well. Test scorer jobs are easy to learn and the positions are not as stressful as they sound (or maybe even look). Test scorers work for companies that provide testing services for schools across the country and even overseas.
There are several ways to get started in this industry depending on where you live: online training courses offered by organizations like Kaplan Testing Prep; local classes at community colleges or adult education programs; or by spending time working with a mentor who has experience scoring tests.
The flexibility of this career makes it an option for people living in rural areas where there aren’t many other opportunities available! Most importantly though, test scoring is fun!
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9. Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants, or VAs, can help with a huge variety of administrative tasks. They’re often hired to manage client calendars and schedules, run errands like picking up lunch and dropping off dry cleaning, or edit documents and perform research for their clients.
Virtual assistants can work remotely from home even if you prefer to leave the house every day and interact with people! There are plenty of virtual assistant jobs that involve working from home and communicating with clients via email or phone calls.
10. Web Researcher
Web researchers are in charge of finding answers to questions that people don’t know they need to ask. They collect information on the internet and analyze it, so their clients can make better decisions.
Web research is a broad term encompassing several different types of work. Some web researchers use their skills to monitor trends in technology or culture, while others focus on specific industries like finance or marketing. A person who works as a web researcher may also be known as an online research analyst or an internet researcher.
When you search for information about something online, there’s a good chance you’ll find some results from paid advertisements but there’s a lot more out there than just ads!
To find everything else, there are tools called “search engines” that index pages across the web and make them easy to find through keyword searches like yours. Search engines include Google (the most popular) and Bing/MSN (which doesn’t have its website but can still be accessed directly).
There are many different kinds of web research jobs available depending on what kind of tasks your employer needs to be completed:
Content analysis involves looking at tons of articles and videos across multiple sites and then summarizing what’s being said about them all in one place; this type of work often involves trying to predict how media coverage will affect stock prices too!
Other content-related jobs include writing blog posts about trending topics (like this one!) so readers can learn more about those things without having to do any searching themselves; analyzing data from surveys conducted by marketers who want insight into consumer behavior;
Helping businesses figure out how best to reach consumers through social media channels like Facebook Messenger could mean huge savings over traditional advertising methods such as TV commercials which cost millions per second!
11. Social Media Manager Or Virtual Social Media Manager
Social Media Manager or Virtual Social Media Manager
Social media managers are responsible for managing social media accounts and campaigns. They create and curate content, monitor audience engagement, manage analytics, and can play a significant role in the strategy development process.
In addition to being a go-to resource for all things social media, they often act as the first point of contact between companies and customers even before customer service representatives are involved.
12. Search Engine Evaluator/Rater/Assessor (Google, Bing, And others)
If you have a knack for writing and researching and can handle a little pressure, search engine evaluators are the perfect role for you. As part of your job, you will be asked to evaluate different web pages on behalf of companies like Google, Bing, and Yahoo! (and many others).
You’ll be using test versions of these sites to conduct experiments on how users interact with them you might be rating the speed of how long it takes a page to load or if there are any errors present during your visit.
The best thing about this career is that it’s not just limited to one company there are plenty more who need evaluators like you! If being an independent contractor who gets paid per hour sounds good right now, then this might be right up your alley.
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13. App Tester Or Game Tester
App Tester or Game Tester: Do you love apps? Are you constantly on your phone, downloading new games and trying them out? If so, this might be a great career option for you. You get paid to play games in your free time!
App testers test the functionality of applications before they hit the market. They make sure that an application’s features work correctly and that there are no glitches or bugs that need to be fixed before release. As an app tester, you’ll use different devices (phones/tablets) to test different types of applications and make sure they run smoothly across all platforms.
You can choose whether or not to work with paid or free apps—and either way, it’s a good idea to build up some experience first by testing other people’s apps before heading into business for yourself as an independent contractor.
14. Copyeditor/Proofreader Or Translator (Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Etc.)
If you’re a native Spanish speaker, this is the perfect opportunity to work from home. You can find translation jobs online and apply for them right now, or reach out to your local language school. According to one source, the average salary for a translator or proofreader is around $50/hr., while some freelance translators make as much as $1 million per year!
The best part about working as a translator is that you have complete control over your schedule and workload you don’t have to depend on anyone else for work (unless the other party has something against deadlines).
You can decide how many hours you want to work each week, where and when those hours will happen (usually between 8 AM – 7 PM), and whether or not they’ll be consecutive days or spread out over time (i.e., Monday through Thursday).
Being self-employed means that there are no more strict rules about breaks during lunchtime; instead of having everyone take their lunch break at noon every day like clockwork because that’s what management says has always been done before him/her that would be silly!
15. Blogger Or Content Writer (Ghost Writer)
A ghostwriter is someone who creates original content for others, while they remain anonymous. Bloggers and content writers are both types of ghostwriters. Bloggers write blogs (which can be written in the first person or third person).
Content writers create blog posts that help companies with their SEO (search engine optimization) so the company’s website will appear higher on Google search results when people look for it.
Ghostwriting is often a freelance career chosen by those who want to make money from their words but don’t have time to write full-time.
It’s also an excellent way to establish yourself as a professional writer since you get more experience than if you were only writing one post per month or less per client and you’ll likely find yourself getting even more clients once your work has been published!
It’s also possible to become a blogger or content writer without having any prior experience at all; however, most people start by working with other bloggers/writers until they feel confident enough about themselves before doing so independently.
Starting a freelance web development business while working full-time may seem daunting, but it’s definitely doable. Check out our guide on how you can start a freelance web development business while working full-time for advice on balancing your day job with your side hustle.
16. SEO Specialist
If you’re interested in the world of SEO, or if you’re looking for a career change, becoming a specialist or manager could be a great option. You can work from home or remotely for companies that need help with their websites. You can also start your own business and grow it over time.
17. There Is A Lot Of Demand For Freelance Workers
You probably haven’t considered that you could earn money by freelancing for an online company. You might think that your only option would be to start your own business and become an entrepreneur, but that doesn’t have to be the case.
There are plenty of ways you can make money as a freelance worker without having to deal with the hassles of owning a business.
Freelancing is a great way to work on your schedule and earn extra cash on the side while doing so! You can choose when you want to work, how much time you want to spend working each day, and what projects interest you most.
Conclusion
We hope that this list has brought to light some of the lesser-known opportunities for freelancers. As we’ve seen, there are so many ways to earn a living from your passion and skills. Whether you’re interested in old-school professions or new ones, we hope that you now feel empowered to pick out a career path that works for you.
There is no shortage of options and while it may take some digging and research, the right freelance opportunity is out there!
Further Reading
If you’re interested in learning more about freelancing, check out these helpful resources:
The Benefits of Freelancing: Why You Should Consider Going Independent: This article explores the advantages of freelancing, from increased flexibility to higher earning potential.
The 15 Best Freelance Jobs: Opportunities, Pros, and Cons: If you’re not sure what type of freelance work you want to pursue, this article provides an overview of the top 15 freelance jobs to consider.
17 Tips for Those Who Have Just Become a Freelancer: This blog post offers practical advice for new freelancers, from setting rates to finding clients.
FAQs
What is freelancing?
Freelancing refers to working as an independent contractor or self-employed individual, rather than as an employee of a company. Freelancers typically work on a project basis for multiple clients, rather than having a single employer.
What are the benefits of freelancing?
Freelancing offers many benefits, including increased flexibility, the ability to work from anywhere, higher earning potential, and the opportunity to pursue work that you’re passionate about.
What types of freelance jobs are available?
There are many different types of freelance jobs available, including web development, writing, graphic design, social media management, and more. The best freelance jobs will depend on your skills and interests.
How do I find freelance work?
There are many different ways to find freelance work, including through online job boards, networking, and social media. It’s also important to have a strong portfolio and online presence to showcase your skills.
How do I set my freelance rates?
Setting your freelance rates can be a tricky process. It’s important to consider factors like your experience, the complexity of the project, and the going rate for similar work in your industry. Researching industry standards and talking to other freelancers can also be helpful.
What Are The Best Freelance Careers?
Freelancing is a great way to make money doing work you love, but it can be hard to know where to start. There are so many different types of freelance careers, and some of them aren’t even considered “real” jobs! We’ve put together a list of 19 freelance careers that you might not have considered and we’re sure you’ll find something on this list that piques your interest.
How Do I Become A Freelancer?
You may already be able to answer this one for yourself: if you’re looking for more flexibility in your career path or want to try out different types of jobs with minimal risk, then freelancing may be an excellent option for you.
But if you don’t already have any experience as a freelancer, there are still plenty of ways to get started.
The first step is simply getting clear on what kind of work you want to do and then figuring out how much money it’s worth! Once you know how much money things cost, then it becomes easier than ever to determine how much money they should pay (and how much money will come back into your pocket).
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.