HOW TO BECOME SELF EMPLOYED
IN A POST-PANDEMIC SOCIETY

Granted, there’s very little good that’s come from COVID-19. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some bright spots. One of these, according to Zen Business, is that many companies are offering non-government grants to small business owners. Further, since more and more people are choosing to stay home, online shopping, — which was already popular — has skyrocketed. This means that self employed jobs from home have the potential to become cash cows, but you have to be smart and intentional with your actions moving forward.

For starters, you’ll want to draft a business plan. Included in this document should be all pertinent information plus a few supplemental ideas to help you come up with alternate revenue streams or operational processes should COVID-19 interfere with your new business.

Once you have a plan of action together and know what you want to do, you’ll have a better grasp of how to become self employed. Your next step is to handle any potential legal issues. Depending on what you do, you may be required to obtain a permit or get explicit permission from your local codes department. For example, if you are a photographer and have people coming into a home studio, city ordinances may require that you file for a license to bring commercial traffic into a residential area.

Next, set up your home office. No business can operate successfully without the right tools and equipment. Wired columnist Julian Chokkattu goes into finer detail on this subject, and he explains that a great computer and desk along with a comfortable office chair and a good monitor are essential to staying productive.

A quick summary to get ready for a home based business is:

1. Draft your business plan.
2. Handle any potential legal issues.
3. Set up your home office.

When you think about how to become self employed, you may not consider that you alone are the one responsible for your successes and failures. Instead of showing up at a job each morning and having a set of responsibilities, you are the one that defines responsibilities, and you also have to create opportunities. In other words, you have to be the boss, the salesman, and the marketing manager, as well as all points in between.

Finding prospective customers starts online. Entrepreneur’s suggestions emphasize advertising and networking. Determine who your ideal customer is, and then show up where they are. For example, if you sell custom horror T-shirts, reach out to genre influencers on Instagram.

Social media is a powerful tool, but it is not the only thing you’ll need to maintain your business. An aesthetically pleasing and functional website is also crucial. Your website should showcase your business, offer online purchase capabilities, and feature your contact information. Customers also want usable content, such as how-to videos, blog posts, and infographics.

Whether you are trying to find self employed jobs from home or want to know how to become self employed, you have to have the passion, drive, and determination to accept your successes and failures. But you also have to focus on the practical aspects, such as knowing where your resources are and setting up a functional home office. In doing so, put yourself in a position to achieve success and you may never have to go back to a salaried position again.

End of contributed article