How My 27-Year-Old Peers Are Finding Success

Many news outlets have portrayed my generation as a bunch of lazy, entitled brats who live in their parents’ basements, but I couldn’t disagree more. 

Sure, millennials and Gen-Zers are killing everything from parking lots to mayonnaise, but we’re also killing poverty, homelessness and even brutal commutes. 

In fact, the latest study from Upwork shows that almost half of people working remotely in the U.S. are millennials like me and we’re helping to transform the way work is done around the world. 

Here’s a look at how our generation is making it work (pun intended) when it comes to careers that don’t require office space or even a commute plus some tips for getting started with your work-from-home job.

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Takeaways
1. Embrace Diverse Expertise: Freelancers should leverage their diverse skills and expertise to open doors to better job opportunities.
2. Master Freelance Proposals: Crafting persuasive freelance proposals is crucial for winning clients and securing more projects.
3. Understand How Freelancing Works: Get insights into the freelancing world, its requirements, and how to kickstart your freelancing journey.
4. Explore Tech Freelancing Opportunities: Tech-savvy freelancers have a wealth of opportunities waiting for them in the tech industry.
5. Impact of Freelancers on the Global Economy: Freelancers are reshaping the workforce and driving significant changes in the global economy.

Get A Steady Job

I know that it may seem like a big step to take, but if you’re serious about your career and finding success as a freelancer, it’s important to remember that there is no shame in taking the safe route. Get a steady job while continuing to work on your projects on the side. 

Use your extra time during the day or week (or whenever) to write articles and posts for your website. You’d be surprised at how quickly those little bits add up!

Do not be afraid of asking for help with this part of your business I’m going to suggest you ask for help right now: email me at [email protected] and let me know what kinds of things would benefit from being written about here on my blog so we can collaborate!

Finding success as a freelance writer goes beyond honing your skills in a single niche. Embrace your diverse expertise and discover how it can open doors to better opportunities. Explore our guide on getting the best jobs with diverse expertise to enhance your freelancing career.

Find Part-Time Work

Find part-time work through websites like Upwork and Fiverr. These sites allow you to do short-term freelance jobs for clients at a relatively low hourly rate, but they can be great for building up your portfolio of skills, experience, and references.

Find part-time work in your field. Try searching for local job openings in the industry you’re interested in working in, or try posting your ad on Craigslist or Indeed if you don’t want to rely on an online platform alone.

Find part-time work outside of your field. Many people who are employed full-time take on side gigs that are completely unrelated to their main career path such as teaching piano lessons or tutoring students one-on-one because they want extra income without having to quit their job altogether just yet!

Find part-time work through friends and family members (or even strangers!). This might seem like an unlikely resource at first glance, but many skilled professionals especially those who specialize in creative pursuits are willing.

And able to offer their expertise by providing services over long distances via email correspondence only; this helps keep costs down while allowing both parties involved more freedom from location constraints!

Work From Home

Want to work in your pajamas? You can do that. Want to work in your underwear with a bowl of ice cream and Netflix? You can be that person, too. 

This generation is all about carving out their paths and not being tied down by the traditional 9-to-5 model or office space, so freelancing is a great way for Gen Zers to avoid these constraints while still producing quality work.

Crafting persuasive freelance proposals is an essential skill for winning clients. Learn the art of proposal writing and secure more projects with our comprehensive guide on freelance proposals. Master the techniques and boost your chances of landing your dream freelance gigs.

Work Remotely In Another City, State, Or Country

Remote work is becoming more common as online freelancing becomes more popular. It can be a great way to save money and travel while you’re getting established as a freelancer working from home. 

If you don’t have the means to move at first, try looking for jobs with flexible hours so that you can still hire a babysitter when necessary.

Get creative with how you stay connected with coworkers and clients who aren’t in your physical vicinity. 

You’ll need reliable internet access to effectively communicate with them on projects and if they’re not local, this will be especially important! 

Consider asking your employer if they’ll help pay for a hotspot and/or cell phone plan so that you have access whenever possible (this might not always be an option though). 

Other options include using Google Hangouts or Skype for video calls; using Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp for messaging; using Slack for team communication through text messages; 

Or posting regular updates on Twitter about what’s going on at work without actually having any coworkers nearby who can respond immediately.

Do Things For Free

During a job search, it can be easy to forget that your skills and talents are valuable outside of an employer-employee relationship. Freelancing is not only a way to make money but also a great way to build up your skill set, network, and brand.

For example, I have been using my writing skills for years now to help others with their content marketing needs on platforms like Hubspot and Pronoun. 

If you’re not sure where else you could apply your knowledge or expertise, try Googling “free work from home jobs” or “how can I get paid for answering questions?” 

There are plenty of websites that provide these opportunities they may not pay much per task completed but once again the purpose here is to practice and build up those freelance chops!

The bottom line here is don’t be afraid to ask people out there if they need help with anything they owe unpaid bills or don’t have enough time themselves so maybe they could use some extra hands around town! 

Asking someone specifically what kind of support they need rather than just offering all together will make them feel like they’re being listened to which makes them more likely willing to accept it instead of just saying no because they’re too busy right now.

Wondering how to kickstart your freelancing journey? Uncover the truth about freelancing, the requirements, and how to get started with our informative guide on how freelancing actually works. Set yourself up for success and pave the way to a fulfilling freelance career.

Be A Babysitter Or Nanny For Someone You Know

Be a babysitter or nanny for someone you know. This is a great way to get experience and make some money at the same time. 

You can use the same tips I mentioned above, but make sure that you’re comfortable with the family. It’s important to be on time and prepared when working in this capacity because of how much responsibility you are given!

Get a part-time job at a restaurant or coffee shop. Working at a restaurant is one of my favorite ways to make some cash while also doing something that is fun and social! 

There are many restaurants in every city so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find one near where you live. If there aren’t any restaurants nearby, other businesses like coffee shops are still great options for making money quickly without needing any previous experience!

Sell Stuff On The Internet

Another way you can make money on the internet is by selling your stuff. This is one of the oldest ways to earn extra cash and it’s still going strong. 

You can sell your items on eBay, Amazon, Craigslist, and Etsy just to name a few places. Or use Facebook Marketplace or Instagram to sell things!

Go To Gigs And Shows

If you want to make money, go to gigs and shows. You can get free tickets that are worth $30 or more from music festivals and events in your area. 

Tickets for these events can be sold on eBay or Craigslist or StubHub at a premium sometimes $80-$100 for a single ticket! Even if you don’t have any extra time to sell them yourself, sites like Ticketmaster will do it for you (for a fee of course).

You could also take this opportunity to network with other freelancers who have connections with bands and venues; this could open up opportunities for freelance work down the road as well!

Be On Call For Emergency Work At Someone’s House

As a freelancer, you must always be prepared for a new job. The most successful freelancers are available at all times and ready to take on new work immediately. 

So if you’re like me, who has managed to develop relationships with multiple plumbers, electricians, landscapers, and handymen (as well as painters), this is an excellent way to keep busy when your inbox is light.

There are no guarantees with this type of work clients will often contact you directly via text or email but if you have strong relationships with these companies or individuals already established then it can be very lucrative. 

It’s also important that you respond quickly and professionally because each opportunity may only last a few days or hours before it comes back up again later on in the future!

Tech-savvy freelancers have a world of opportunities waiting for them. If you’re in the tech industry and seeking freelance gigs, explore our list of the best jobs for freelancers in tech to find projects that align with your skills and passions.

Deliver Food Or Groceries

If you’re a Millennial, or if you’ve been around the block a time or two, there’s a good chance that you’re already familiar with this gig. But for those unfamiliar with it, delivering food and groceries is a great way to make some extra cash.

It’s not just about pizza delivery anymore; these days there are all sorts of businesses that offer delivery services. Restaurants and grocery stores often hire part-time employees to deliver food on their behalf. 

This can be lucrative because restaurants typically have higher margins than they’d get if they were selling directly to customers (i.e., without employing someone else), which means they can afford to pay more per hour in wages than most other employers would be able to offer. 

Other businesses might just need someone who has access to an automobile and doesn’t mind driving around town making deliveries bakeries are especially good opportunities for this kind of freelance work because they have lots of products that need transporting!

House Or Pet Sit For People Who Are Out Of Town

While this might not be your first thought when you think about freelancing, it’s a great way to earn some money and give back to the community at the same time. 

For example, if you want to make extra cash during summer break from college but still get experience in your field, consider becoming an Airbnb host who will visit each property once a week for cleaning and maintenance duties. 

You’ll need to do some verifying that everything is in order before any guests arrive (no pressure!), but after that point, your presence won’t be required until check-out day comes around again!

Prune And Mow Lawns

If you’re looking for a way to make some cash and you have a lawn mower, there are plenty of people in your area who could use the services of yard care professionals.

Mow lawns for people who are out of town. Maybe your neighbor is going on vacation, or their parents will be visiting from out of state. In either case, they may be willing to pay someone else to take care of their lawn while they’re away.

Mow lawns for people who are elderly or disabled. Many older folks don’t have the strength or mobility required to maintain their landscaping and even if they do have the physical ability.

They may not have time or energy left over after working all day (or dealing with other life responsibilities). If this sounds like something that could fit into your schedule, offer up your services!

Mow lawns for people who work full-time jobs but still need help maintaining their landscaping during weekends and evenings. 

This type of customer could be an ideal fit for you if you’re looking for steady work on weekends and evenings but want an easy gig where you can knock out multiple clients per week without having to worry about marketing yourself as much as other businesses do (think Uber drivers).

Do Seasonal Work Like Tree Thinning Or Grueling Hot-Weather Painting Jobs

You should also take advantage of seasonal work. If you live in a place that has a distinct winter and summer, then you should consider working during the off-season. 

I worked as an arborist for three summers, and it was by far my most profitable employment ever because I was able to charge more for tree thinning (which occurs in spring and fall) than for painting houses (which happens in the summer).

Become A Tutor In Your Area Of Expertise

If you can hone in on a skill that is both teachable and learnable, then you will be much more likely to find success as a tutor.

If you’re an expert in something, chances are that others wish they knew all the things about it that you do. 

But remember: there’s no such thing as “knowing too much” when it comes to teaching people how to do something well. I encourage my students not only to ask questions but also to answer them so they understand how things work together (or don’t) while they’re learning this new skill.

Maintain A Home That Needs Handyman Skills

The second way to stand out as a freelancer is to keep a home that needs handyman skills. As you’ve probably heard by now, there are too many people out there doing the same thing and not enough room for all of them. 

The only way to make your business more unique and thus more attractive is to offer services that no one else can provide.

Doing odd jobs around the house can take many forms: landscaping, plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, painting, and roofing are just some examples of what you might do as part of this type of business model. 

Don’t forget about flooring either! If you’re looking for tips on how to start your own home maintenance company in your spare time (or full-time!), check out our blog post on how we did it here: How To Start A Handyman Business From Home!

The rise of freelancers is reshaping the workforce landscape. Discover the profound impact of freelancers on the global economy and how they’re disrupting the world. Learn how this new wave of independent workers is shaping the future of work.

Conclusion

If you’re nearing the end of your education and don’t know what to do next, or you’re in your late twenties and still trying to figure out how to make it on your own, this is for you. 

While freelancing isn’t the only available option, it might suit some people more than others. 

If you feel like freelancing might be a good fit for you, there are many different ways to pursue it from picking up a new skill online for free or making things with your hands at home.

Up to finding full-time employment through an agency as well as working remotely from another country. Either way – hope this helps!

Further Reading

Seven Life Milestones to Meet by Age 27: Discover important milestones to achieve by the age of 27, guiding you towards personal and professional growth.

How to Make New Friends as an Adult: Taking the Lonely Leap of Faith: Learn practical tips and insights on making new friends as an adult, overcoming social challenges and building meaningful connections.

30 People Who Became Highly Successful After Age 40: Draw inspiration from stories of individuals who achieved remarkable success after the age of 40, proving that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams.

FAQs

What are the key life milestones to achieve by age 27?

Life milestones by age 27 may include completing education, starting a career, establishing financial independence, and forming meaningful relationships.

How can I make new friends as an adult?

Making new friends as an adult requires stepping out of your comfort zone, joining social groups or activities, and being open to new experiences and connections.

Can success be achieved after age 40?

Yes, success can be achieved at any age. Many individuals have attained significant accomplishments and breakthroughs after turning 40.

What should I do if I haven’t met certain milestones by age 27?

If you haven’t reached specific milestones by age 27, remember that everyone’s journey is different. Focus on setting achievable goals and making progress at your own pace.

How can I stay motivated on my path to success?

Staying motivated involves setting clear goals, staying persistent in the face of challenges, seeking support from mentors or peers, and celebrating small victories along the way.