by Ashleigh Kluck

Whether you’re looking to stretch your creative muscles, connect with others who know more than their ABCs, or earn a legit income for your family, a work-from-home job can be a positive outlet for you as a new mom.

Today, there’s ample opportunity to make a REAL income at home. Each of the following jobs has a flexible schedule, so you can work when the baby is napping, playing, or in the middle of the night if need be. They are also considered freelance positions and don’t require you to be “on” for long periods during the day. According to Upwork, 59 million Americans freelanced in the year 2020. And even more, 48% of freelancers report being caregivers, and 76% of those caregivers say freelancing gives them more flexibility to be available for their families.

All of this to say: freelancing is a viable option for new moms looking to work from home.

I also want to mention before we dive into this list that starting your own business means you’ll be responsible for self-employment tax, keeping up with your deductions, and all the stuff only a professional tax consultant can help you out with.

#1: Digital Marketing or Social Media Manager

I’ve been in digital marketing for the past five years, working as a Social Media Manager and Copywriter for a wide variety of brands. As more businesses recognize the need for an expert to manage their social presence, more opportunities for Social Media Managers become available. In this role as a freelancer, you get to choose the services you offer, which could include anything from content creation to copywriting to graphic design. There are SO many courses available on social media management, and a quick Google search will reveal some reputable sources.

#2: Influencer or Brand Content Creator

Remember when people used to make fun of influencers for taking pics of themselves in public? Today, those same creators are making a big impact (and big money). Although, it’s not as simple as taking a few cute photos and posting them to Instagram—you have to consistently produce and post content, engage with your audience, pitch to brands, and negotiate deals. Not to mention, most of these collaborations require legally binding documents. All that to say, if you’re not afraid to get in front of the camera, and you have a niche your audience is invested in, I say go for it. Google will be your best friend when it comes to educating yourself on influencer marketing and best practices.

#3: Copywriter

If you share my love for the written word, then a job as a copywriter could be just what you’re looking for. The best part is the job title “copywriter” is broad enough that you can really niche down and become a specialist in whatever area you want to focus on. This could be social media captions, blogs, YouTube transcripts, website copy, e-books, email marketing, and more! There are a number of copywriting courses available, and if you’re new to sales copy, I recommend starting with a few highly-rated courses on Skillshare or Udemy.

#4: Virtual Assistant

This is similar to a social media manager, but instead of being responsible for creating content and posting to social profiles, you’re managing the administrative tasks for a business owner or brand. This could look like managing an inbox, scheduling appointments, organizing files, and  more. Fiverr, Creatively and Upwork are all great places to start looking for business owners who need a virtual assistant. Don’t forget about your personal network as well. Some of your best clients could come from those referrals.

As stay at home moms, we know our time during the day is limited and the responsibilities are endless (along with the laundry). But with a little bit of research and hard work, you can create a freelance, work-from-home gig that suits your family’s income needs, as well as your schedule and creative mojo.

Ashleigh Kluck is the owner of Volt Station Media, offering DIY & Done-For-You Email Marketing for online coaches and e-commerce brands. Her expertise lies in crafting launch campaigns and nurture sequences that cut through the noise to sell high-value products and services. She’s also the host of the “Mamahood Is A Trip” podcast, where she shares all the wild, wonderful, and “why is this wet?!” moments of motherhood, all while traveling full-time in an RV with her husband Jake and their daughter, Oakleigh.