Making "Work-from-Home" Work for You as a Woman
Guest Article Written by Christopher Haymon
Women have been disproportionately impacted by the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the fact that women typically shoulder the bulk of childcare and domestic responsibilities, those displaced due to closures and layoffs have found themselves looking for work, or trying to juggle working from home with taking care of kids and being at-home teachers. Fortunately, there are alternatives that can help you get your life and your career back on track.
Stay Adaptable
Fortunately, women are adaptable, savvy, and adept at juggling multiple competing priorities. If you’re working from home, establish a set schedule and ask your employer for flexibility if you've got young kids in tow. If you’re looking to supplement income due to reduced work hours, look at gig jobs that allow you to work on your own schedule. Redbook notes that some of the most popular gigs include driving rideshare, food delivery, shopping order fulfillment, and freelance work associated with your areas of professional expertise.
As you adapt to your working life, it’s easy to lose sight of the importance of self-care. Be sure to take some time out for yourself, even as your working hours may grow. Treat yourself to warm bubble baths after the working day is over, or take that brisk walk around the block at mid-day.
Or perhaps take a break from working from home by working out of a coffee shop, or remote working at a co-working space — the world is your oyster, and it’s always refreshing to spice up the work week with a change of scenery.
Grow Online
Fortunately, technology has created a multitude of pathways to earn money online. This allows working parents the opportunity to work from home and balance professional and family responsibilities. According to Money Under 30, you might find steady remote work in your field of interest, or work in an independent contractor capacity, doing project-based jobs like taking surveys. If you have a specialized skill set, consider advertising your services on job boards and promoting your availability through your professional, personal, and social networks.
Start a Business and Grow Your Venture
You may find you enjoy the freedom and income potential that comes with being your own boss and decide to make it official. First things first: You’ll need to register your business, which is essentially making your venture a legal entity. By incorporating, you benefit from limited liability, and it’ll be easier to access funds.
Next, as Sprout Social points out, marketing your new company is essential to its success. Devise a strategy in conjunction with developing a business plan, and start with establishing an online presence. This includes a website, social media accounts, and some downloadable and professionally designed pieces of marketing collateral that describe your products and services. You’ll want to identify your target demographic and find creative ways to reach them. Hiring an independent marketing pro is advisable to help you devise a strategy and start driving business to your door.
Fortunately, there are a variety of free and low-cost tools online to boost your marketing efforts. For instance, if you want to create an eye-catching brochure that showcases your services or products, an online brochure design maker allows you to customize pre-made templates by adding your own images, copy, and design elements.
Create a Productive Workspace
Design a home office that maximizes productivity. Keep your space organized and free of clutter. Adding some mood-boosting indoor plants can improve your focus as well. Purchase an ergonomic desk and chair to keep you comfortable while you work long hours. Also, place your office in a spot where lots of natural light can enter.
Ask for Help
Whether you need specialized services, like web design or videography, or an extra set of hands for housework and childcare, don’t shy away from hiring help as needed. Getting a business set up and successfully established takes considerable time and effort. Hiring out for key services will allow you to focus on the tasks that only you can do, like customer cultivation, or meeting with new clients. Always ask for referrals before hiring someone, and make sure their responsibilities are fully defined in writing.
Get Involved
Get your business into the public by joining business and industry associations, volunteering, and supporting community projects. Attend business networking events, and ask friends, family, and former colleagues to help spread the word. Once you get established, ask for customer testimonials to help bolster your reputation. You might also participate in trade shows, offer special discounts and giveaways, and always strive to provide exceptional levels of service.
While women have been significantly impacted by the pandemic, women are also incredibly resilient, creative, and motivated. Find the opportunity that looks like the best fit for you and make it your own!
