How do I stay productive during Covid 19 lockdown? This is a question whose answer most of us have been desperately been searching for. Now that practicing social distancing has become quite the norm, it seems like a huge switch from our regular routine. Those of us who were quite fond of the hustling bustling busy routine has now been forced into sitting in a corner. Everyone’s bound to get bored in the four walls inside their house. How much virtual content can one consume through Netflix and TikTok? There should be a way to make these monotonous hours a bit more lively. Specifically, those students that were busy with their academic endeavors, would now need something to make things a bit less jarring.
Stop fretting, because there’s still a whole lot you can do to make this Covid 19 lockdown a bit more productive. Amazingly enough, you can even earn a hefty amount while performing these activities. So, without waiting any further let’s take a look at some of the most amazing work ideas for students who are stuck inside their house during the lockdown.
Start A Podcast or A YouTube Channel
You could be the next Pewdiepie! No seriously, it’s not as difficult as it seems if your content appeals to the wide majority of people. Whether you’re into daily vlogs, mukbangs, makeup tutorials you can cash out your passion. Making a YouTube channel is pretty easy. It requires little to no effort because if you have a google account, you already have a YouTube account. After reaching the total watch hours and subscribers suggested by the YouTube partner program you can apply for monetization. Once your account gets approved, you’ll be on your way to make big bucks with each video you post. Apart from earning via your AdSense account, you can also entertain sponsorships on your channel.
Another slightly difficult but equally popular means of side hustling is starting a podcast. According to a recent survey around 51% of the general US, population listens to podcasts. Some popular podcast hosting platforms include; Apple iTunes,Spotify, Youtube, Podbean, Buzzsprout, Libsyn, and Simplecast. You can monetize each episode and earn petty well. The statistics are talking the talk. So, buddy, it’s time for you to hit sign up and start your journey!
Create Your Own Blog
Creating your own blog might be one of the most interesting ways to earn money. Not only would you be putting your creative forces into work, but you’ll also be able to monetize it. WordPress simplifies the whole process of blog creation quite well. You can easily create your own blog them customize it according to the overall theme and niche. You can post articles depending upon what your area of expertise is. Currently, the pet industry and agriculture seem to be in a boom. So, why not experiment with that niche? Make sure that the sort of content you’re posting is also SEO optimized. In this way, your site/blog will be able to rank higher than other similar handles on the interwebs.
There are multiple ways to earn through your blog or website. Yet, one of the most popular means of monetization include advertisements or using affiliate resources. Google AdSense remains top of the list when it comes to displaying ads on one’s site. Keep your web analytics in check and you’ll soon be able to build a dedicated following of your own!
Try Your Hand At Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing can be a goldmine for those who want to make a quick buck during the lockdown. There’s a wide range of companies that have affiliate programs but Amazon in particular takes the cake. Your choice also depends on the niche you prefer and are actually good at. For instance; some content creators are more into the tech niche. So, they’ll most probably work for an affiliate program that’s more relevant to that. Amazon generates billions every year solely based on its affiliate program. As an affiliate, you will be acting as a mediator between Amazon and its targeted audience. All you have to do is sign up for their affiliate program on their official website.
Once you get accepted it’s up to you whether you want to use your blog or YouTube channel to push the sales. For every product, you will be given a specific URL. Later on, you will receive a particular amount of commission with every sale generated through that URL. Some of the most popular affiliate marketing programs include;
Virtual assistants as the name indicates, work remotely. So, during the lockdown, you probably wouldn’t want to interact with clients 1 on 1. On average virtual assistants can earn up to $15 per hour. Furthermore, virtual assistants provide their services for up to 20 hours per week. Therefore, becoming a virtual assistant is a great source of earning. The basic criteria for this remote opportunity are to have optimal decision-making skills, quick wit, and basic word processing skills. As a virtual assistant, you’ll be responsible for providing administrative services to your client. These services may include;
Making important calls to customers
Replying to essential emails
Scheduling meetings with clients
Managing social media handles
Scheduling flights and making travel arrangements
Organizing and creating spreadsheets
Recognize Your Craft’s Worth
If you’re really into arts and crafts sites like Etsy can help you monetize your creations. Handmade pastel jewelry seems to be in big demand nowadays and creative individuals are taking full advantage of this situation. Some popular products that can be sold on your very own online store could be printed t-shirts, homemade cards, pottery, low-budget purses, etc.
A large majority of people love supporting local artists instead of spending money on big corporations. This is also a huge advantage for you as a creator. Apart from creating new products, you can also flip your old items on Etsy. So, go through your wardrobe and find those clothing items you don’t really need anymore. If they’re still in a good state, you can set up an online shop for thrifting purposes. You can also make good use out of your graphic designing skills by customizing stickers or creating digital paintings for sale.
Make Audio Transcription A Side Hustle
Audio transcription seems like a trend that’s been picking up the pace for a while. The only reason behind this seems to be the sudden rise in the production of online video-related content. It’s a job that pays well and requires optimum effort. The only requirements are a good vocabulary and impressive listening skills. Although speech-to-text software can get the job done pretty quickly, some clients still only rely on manual efforts by a dedicated workforce. Some beginner-friendly websites for transcribers include; Scribie, Transcribe Me, and GoTranscript. After making an account on these mediums you can choose the languages of your choice and then state your level of affluence. On average, transcribers can generate up to $20 per audio hour. So, while you’re studying from home, choosing audio transcription as a side hustle doesn’t sound like a bad idea. Apart from the websites stated above, Fiverr and Freelancer are also abundant with clients looking for some amazing audio transcribers. So, don’t forget to post and update your gigs!
Freelancing’s The Way To Go
Platforms like Upwork, PeoplePerHour, Fiverr, and Freelancer have made working from home pretty damn easy for anyone. Now, you can create a gig and sell any skill for a hefty price. That’s the advantage of being a freelancer. You don’t have to go through the usual 9 hours shift but you can still create a decent amount by the end of the month. Content writing, graphic designing, proofreading, website creation, copywriting are among the leading skills that can be profitable on these platforms. Some platforms pay per hour meanwhile others pay per word. So, you’ll first have to establish a rate for your work and set up a gig accordingly. This is a great way to find clients at the beginning of your career as a freelancer. Who knows, you might even be able to find long-term work with some clients through these resources. Remember to sharpen your skills over time and don’t let anything affect the quality of your work. The better your portfolio appears, the better ranking you’ll have.
Online Tutoring Services
There’s a noteworthy abundance of platforms that connect teachers to the wide majority of students that need some extra guidance for their curriculum. Specifically during the lockdown, many parents might be looking for online tutors. That’s because they can’t cater to their child’s academic needs. So, this lockdown seems like the right time to stick a foot in the world of online coaching services. These particular ways of earning are; great communicative skills, confidence, and impressive knowledge of particular academic subjects. Some popular platforms for online tutors include; udemy, Chegg, GuruQ, Yup, Skillshare.
With the abundance of video calling platforms like Zoom and Skype you can communicate with anyone even while you’re miles apart. So, why should you only use them for basic interactions? Why not use these mediums as amazing sources of income. You can decide your rate as per coaching hours. Furthermore, you don’t have to minimize your services to only academic subjects. If you’re good at music, acting or any other co-curricular activities you can also give paid courses for them.
Monetize Your Passion For Photography
Yes, you can earn quick cash by selling photographs. The most important thing here is to find the right place to sell these photographs. As a beginner, you’ll most probably find some buyers on Fiverr and other freelancing platforms willing to buy some photos for their blogs and websites. The prices for these photographs depend upon the nature of these pictures. For example; stock photographs related to travel and tourism are usually in much higher demand than other categories. Popular places to sell your photographs can be;
Your own website: Create a photo gallery on a basic WordPress site with a relevant plug-in.
Stock photo Marketplaces such as; Shutterstock, Crestock, Fotomoto, Alamy, Etsy, Adobe Stock, etc.
Take Online Surveys
If you love wasting time on taking casual Buzzfeed pop quizzes, you’re definitely going to love this one! You probably won’t earn much through this strategy but something’s better than nothing. It’s a pretty easy-going moneymaking strategy that you can take part in while binge-watching your favorite TV show. Online surveys can help you earn a figure between the ranges of £0.7 to £ 9. Some popular sites that pay a decent amount to beginners for taking surveys include;
The most essential thing to note here is that these tasks will most definitely take an edge off the grimness this pandemic has placed on us. Diverting your attention towards something more positive and productive will surely make you feel much more put together. It’s absolutely essential to stay a little bit busy but don’t over-exhaust yourself. Furthermore, at the beginning stages of most of these endeavors, you might feel like you’re not succeeding. But, fear not because everything will start falling into place after a while. Don’t lose hope on that new blog or Youtube channel because of low traffic right in the first week. Give yourself some time to establish your roots before you start worrying about earning. We hope that these strategies work in your best interest and by the end of this lockdown you’ll come out as an even better version of yourself!
