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How to Start Working at Home

Reader Question: I recently left my 8-5 job to become a stay at home mom, but I still want to earn income from home. How and where do I start working from home?

 

Hi there! You’re probably here because you’ve been thinking about working at home or have already jumped into the freelancing pool but aren’t having any luck booking clients. I’m here to help you! In this article, I’ll try my best to show you how to start working at home even if you have no previous work experience.

Note: This page may contain affiliate links. What this means is that when you buy something through my links, I will receive a commission from the sale at no extra cost to you (of course).

All the tips I’m going to share with you are based on my experience as a freelancer. It’s best that I introduce myself and how I started so you can better understand why it’s possible to earn an income from home even if you don’t have work experience and just a few skills to work with…

My Beginnings As A Freelancer

I started freelancing in 2008 when I was a second-year college student. I was looking for a way to earn income because I had expenses that I wanted to pay myself and because I wanted to save up for a new laptop. My classes would start at 7:30 in the morning and would end at either 4:30 or 9:00. I also had one class on Saturdays, which took up my whole morning. I spent most of my time in school, which is why if I were to work, I had to be able to do it from school, during my breaks. Hence, my work had to allow me to work flexibly and from anywhere. That’s when I discovered freelancing.

I created my first ever freelancer profile on oDesk (now Upwork). I had no previous work experience and only had the basic skills: I am able to speak and write in English, I can use a computer, and I have a reliable internet connection at home and in school.

I submitted proposals to numerous projects on Upwork. At some point, I felt like it was a waste of time because no one was even considering me for an interview. But, I pushed on. And I think that’s one of the most important things to do as a freelancer–to keep moving forward, to keep trying until you land your first project then your next and your next and so on.

My humble beginnings as a freelancer. http://www.momonduty.com

I submitted proposals every day. I also made sure I followed up with every potential client I reached out to.

While I waited for a client, I worked on my portfolio. I wanted to offer writing services, which is why I created a blog that can serve as my portfolio. I wrote about what I was most passionate about then: food and travel. I wrote as often as I could while still applying for projects on Upwork. I made sure I mentioned my blog in my proposals so that potential clients will at least have something to look at when they open my proposal.

Three months later, my efforts paid off. I landed my first writing gig as a Product Description Writer. I was paid just a dollar an hour, but I didn’t mind. My goal was not to earn money yet but to deliver excellent product descriptions so I can get a good review from my very first client. When our contract ended six months later, I was so happy to get my first ever 5-star review! My freelance career took off since then. I put all my heart into all the projects I took on, making sure that I deliver nothing less than excellence. “Magis!” we were repeatedly told throughout my college years. Do more, be more.

I took a quick break from my freelance career in 2010 when I went on an internship in the United Kingdom. Although I had to stop working as a freelancer, I didn’t stop learning AND networking. I used my internship in Destination Marketing to acquire new skills for my freelancing business. I also used my time in London to network with potential clients. I told them about my then sideline as a freelance writer and gave them my contact details so they can contact me in case they needed help.

When I came back to the Philippines, I started accepting more writing projects and, as my client base grew, eventually started charging more for my work. I also invested in local workshops and online training, which led me to evolve into a virtual assistant offering not just writing services, but also administrative, creative, and technical support.

READ: What is a virtual assistant?

By the time I graduated in 2011, I had my hands full. I decided not to follow the normal route as most of my classmates did. I didn’t apply to corporate jobs. Instead, I invested and started treating what I do as a real business–not just a sideline. I eventually registered my business and have been growing it since then.

I want to start working at home… but how?

There were many doubts and moments of wanting to give up throughout my journey as a freelancer. There are seasons of abundance, but also seasons of scarcity. When you experience the latter, a good mindset is very important.

“Rest if you must, but don’t quit,” my husband would always tell me–and it’s true! Remember what Dory said in Finding Nemo? Just keep swimming! So when you find yourself in a season of scarcity, just keep moving forward and set your mind on your goal.

Being your own boss is hard work. Here are 6 business lessons I learned.

Here are some statements I’ve heard from new and seasoned freelancers and what my advice is when you do start thinking about them:

“I want to start working at home… but I don’t know how to start!” JUST START. In every goal you want to achieve, you have to start somewhere. I started by figuring out what my ideal clients need help with. Back then, I saw a lot of bloggers and online entrepreneurs struggling with content creation. That’s why I decided I’d offer writing services.

I then created profiles in different freelancing websites. Once you have your profiles set up, start looking for projects related to what you offer and never stop until you land one. When I was starting out, I sent out at least ten proposals each day. If you can send out more, do send out more because that increases your chances of being discovered by potential clients.

While looking for projects, invest time on creating your portfolio or acquiring (or improving) skills. If you’re a writer, create a blog. If you want to be a social media manager, start reading up on how social media works. If you have extra money, you can even go for paid training, like the ones offered by Create Your Laptop Life and VA Classroom. For writers, I highly recommend The Horkey Handbook’s Freelance Writing Course.

“I don’t have work experience. How can I find a client who will hire someone like me?” If you read my story above, then you’ll know this isn’t an excuse. If you don’t have work experience, then find a way to create a portfolio. Aspiring writers can start by creating a blog or writing guest posts for other websites (just make sure they will acknowledge that you wrote the article). Aspiring graphic designers can start creating designs they can showcase–or offer free design services to family and friends for a testimonial. Get creative! There’s always a way.

“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” – Albert Einstein

Even if you don’t have previous work experience, we all have skills that someone somewhere needs. Just being able to type can land you a job! It all comes down to how you will package yourself in front of the potential client. Target their pain point (what they need help with) then offer a solution and you’ll eventually land projects. Some of these clients need help with the simplest tasks, such as copying text into another document. I bet you can do that even if you don’t have work experience!

“I already have my profiles set up in freelance websites, but no one is hiring me!” You’re super lucky if someone hires you the first time you apply for a freelance project. But for most of us, that’s not the case. If no one is hiring you, ask yourself these questions:

  • Am I targeting the right clients?
  • Am I providing a solution to my ideal clients’ problems?
  • Is there something I can do to improve my profile?
  • Is there something I can do to improve my portfolio?
  • Is there something I can do to improve the way I write my proposals?

Sometimes, little tweaks on your profile, portfolio, or proposal can make a huge difference. I always remind freelancers to check, double-check and triple-check their profiles. Make sure that it’s well-written: with minimum (or zero) spelling and grammar mistakes and that your sentences are clear and concise. This is especially important if you’re aiming to become a writer.

Most importantly, I advise freelancers to create unique proposals for every project you find. Each client has a unique business with unique sets of problems that need to be solved. Don’t have just one generic cover letter for all potential clients. Read the project description then craft a proposal based on the needs of the client. Let the potential client know that you’re there to solve their specific problems, and not just applying for the sake of applying.

Are you ready to start working at home?

Anyone can start freelancing if they put their mind and heart into it. I won’t say it’s an easy journey, but it pays off once you reach your goals. In my case, I’m now able to work in freedom–the ability to work on my own time from anywhere (not just at home) while also being able to pay for my business and personal expenses.

Of course, there are many other things you need to work on if you want to achieve this since success doesn’t end in just earning money. You need to learn to manage your time AND your money wisely. But let’s leave that topic for another article.

If you have questions about how to start working at home, feel free to comment below.
I’d be happy to answer your questions!
Make sure you include your e-mail so I can easily contact you.

Kimberley Reyes

Kimberley Reyes is an Online Business Manager for entrepreneurs who are ready to get off the hamster wheel and step into their CEO shoes. On top of helping her clients get organized and scale their businesses, she is also happily busy raising her five kids with her firefighter husband.

This Post Has 33 Comments

  1. Nehl Arc

    I’m just starting And it’s hard , I’m on the process now of creating a portfolio and I don’t have any idea about it …
    Thank you so much for the kit you sent me ♥️

  2. Samuel

    Thank you so much for sharing such a quality based article on the website. Really appreciate the effort you put up in making each article on point! Please keep up the good work coming.
    Regards
    Samuel

  3. Karen Quiamno

    Please me help to work at home.
    I am willing to listen and be a part of your team. Tanks.

    1. Kimberley Reyes

      Hello Karen, this blog post has a lot of valuable information that will help you get started.

  4. Madonna Demoral

    Thank you for this wonderful blog, it really helps me now that I am into coaching on how to start my freelancing career. I want to give up my corporate job and stay at home to take care of the kids. I love reading your blogs Mommy Kim. I hope I will land a job the soonest. 🙂

    1. Eloisa V Hernandez

      I have no work experience in office but l work in hospital and rural area as health provider how can l be a freelancer and earn money in the comfort of my home while taking cate of my kids.

      1. Kimberley Reyes

        Hello Eloisa. Thanks for commenting here. You don’t need experience as long as you are determined to learn. What did you do as a health worker? Perhaps you can use what you learned in your job in your services as a freelancer.

  5. Krisna

    Muther! I’m still alive! Hahahaha! 😀 I’m seriously considering working from home now. I’m actually taking advantage of all the free courses/tutorials I find online. Hanap tips here and there, and then voila! Lumabas ang blog mo. Naalala tuloy kita. =)

    1. Kimberley Reyes

      Send me your questions, Krisna! 🙂 I’ve been asking around sa mga gustong mag work from home so I know what topics to cover sa blog posts.

  6. Hazel Asoy

    One of my previous comments in this blog is about my dilemma that I can’t find a stable online job. Now, I’m commenting because I need additional references for the articles I’m writing for one of my clients. I just signed a one-year contract already. Hehehe. Thanks for the inspiration and information I got from your blog mommy Kim 🙂

    Wannderzel

  7. Grace

    Just start! I am so glad I’ve taken action for this dream. I got just one client for now, but I am so grateful because I can take care of my kids and still work. It’s a tough journey, but surely all the hardworks are worth it. Thanks for this and for your advices, before I totally resigned from my office job, I asked for your advice because I was in doubt back then, no savings, no emergency funds. A leap of faith! And you said, go for it and I did! 🙂

    1. Kimberley Reyes

      That is SO NICE to hear! Congratulations! I’m so glad everything is going smoothly. Just set your mind on your goals and keep going. As I mentioned, there will be seasons of abundance and seasons of scarcity. Don’t let the latter get you down. Keep moving and find your clients. 🙂

  8. Crystal Done

    Hi! Kim. Now I’m more inspired by your blog. Proud WAHM here. I just started ghostwriting 🙁 I can’t focus on creating my own blog because I can’t find time doing one. But still feeling blessed having an infant and toddler. Though I find it easier now than being stuck in the office for hours and thinking about my baby with somebody. Thank you Kim.

    1. Kimberley Reyes

      Just keep going! 🙂 I have two kids close in age too and it was a challenge at first. I just kept going until I got a hang of working from home and blogging.

  9. Maan

    Agree with everything you said here, Kim! I’m fortunate to have immediately found writing jobs online when I started looking for them. I’ve always chosen full-time or part-time work, though, instead of projects. The first goal is not to earn (but it is a very welcome benefit) but to gain experience. In my first job, I had to write 10 articles a day for just $300 a month. That was seven years ago. Sadly, I look at the job offers now and the rates remain the same because applicants are afraid to ask for higher rates. 🙁

  10. Ruth Alarcon

    This post is very helpful, especially for stay-at-home moms. Marami na din ang nagiging freelancers ngayon kaya medyo mahirap na din mkpasok. Dapat din i-equip ang sarili ng new skills and whatnots sa internet, like SEO, FB advertising, photoshop etc.

    1. Kimberley Reyes

      Exactly! I think some of the online job sites are limiting registrations already (i.e. Upwork). They won’t approve your sign up if your skill set falls under a “congested” category. It’s really best to acquire special skills like SEO, graphics design, etc.

  11. Thanks for sharing your inspiring success in your freelancer journey. As a work-at-home mom, doing it part time is a good start. And yes, you’ll have to tweak and double check your profile.

  12. Arlene

    Thanks for this article! I’m also a WAHM. And to those who want to join this bandwagon, I say make sure you are prepared for what it entails. Heaps of organisation and discipline are an absolute must, as well as the determination to make it work from both you and your employer.

  13. Shalene R

    Thank you for sharing your experience. I love the JUST START statement. 🙂
    I used to make plans (I love planning hihi) but sometimes I do get stuck and the job never gets done. So sometimes I need to just sit down and type/write.

    1. Kimberley Reyes

      I love planning to and I used to always get stuck! I soon realized I had to move if I want to get something done. 🙂

  14. Mommy Anna

    Thanks for sharing this one, it’s been a long time since I want to be a WAHM but I am always doubting if I can do it since I do not have any background.

  15. tina

    i started blogging january of last year and I am seriously thinking of doing more freelance work. this is an awesome article. I learned a lot 🙂

    1. Kimberley Reyes

      Good luck with the blog and do try freelance work! Remember: JUST START! 😉

  16. Nerisa

    These are good suggestions. Working from home is something we need to think hard and decide as team (for couples). It’s not easy. But I think, the best of all your suggestions is: just start. It wont be easy but at least you have to start.

    1. Kimberley Reyes

      When I look back at my freelance journey, I think the hardest part was really just starting–simply because you have no idea what to do, where to begin, and what you’re getting into! But once you’ve started, everything is much easier.

  17. Marie

    I have always admired you as a successful freelancer and I look forward to your posts because one day, I definitely would want to take that path when I can give up the corporate world. Thank you for being so generous with your sharing and tips!

    1. Kimberley Reyes

      Aww, thanks Marie! You can start freelancing part time just so you can have a feel of the income and the time you need to invest on it. 🙂

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