When you have kids, working from home has its perks—from allowing you to spend more time with family to advancing your career and bringing in income. (Plus, you get to work in sweats and skip the long commute and expensive lunches out!)
Because raising kids demands flexibility, it can be very helpful to find a remote job with flexible hours.
But finding this kind of opportunity can be challenging. So we turned to several moms who work from home for inspiration. The first piece in our Work from Home Job Ideas for Moms series focuses on mamas who are writers, editors, and social media managers. (Stay tuned for more flexible, remote job ideas in the coming weeks!)
Part One: Work from Home Job Ideas for Moms
Writers, Editors, and Social Media Managers
Sam Dobson is a freelance writer and blogger, based in sunny Southern California. Sam’s work has been published in two national lifestyle magazines and in a number of online publications and blogs, and she has over six years of experience creating content for small businesses. Sam is a mom to one sassy toddler, a sweet baby boy, and three crazy dogs. In her free time, she enjoys reading to her daughter, taking her dogs for a walk, and date nights with her husband.
How would you describe the difference between a freelance writer and social media manager?
Freelance writers produce written content for clients. This could include articles, blog posts, website copy, newsletters, etc. Social media managers create content for various social media platforms, post, and engage on the client’s behalf. I became a freelance writer first, working as a contributing writer for a national print magazine.
How many kids do you have, and how many hours do you work per week?
I have two kids, a 2 ½-year-old daughter and a 5-month-old son. I work about 20 hours a week on client tasks and about five hours a week on my own blog.
What experience helped you break into the field?
I received a bachelor’s degree in English Literature, and I believe the countless essays and academic papers that my professors assigned helped me gain the necessary skills to become a successful professional writer. Before I had kids, I worked for a social media agency, where I became well-versed in the minutiae of social media.
How do you find clients, or do they find you?
I’ve found the majority of my clients through existing connections. For example, I got my first contributing writer gig by reaching out to a friend on Facebook when I noticed she worked for the magazine. She got me in touch with the editor, and I took it from there. I also get approached by potential clients through LinkedIn.
Are there any helpful resources for getting started as a freelance writer and social media manager?
There are many online courses you can take, but if you’ve got the writing skills, you can teach yourself the rest. There are so many free articles and how-to guides you can find online to learn the business side.
What’s your website?
My blog, More for Mama, focuses on helping moms get more of what they want out of life, including self-care, a fulfilling career, and pursuing their passion.
Monica Matthews is a college scholarship specialist and author of “How to Win College Scholarships.” She helped her own son win over $100,000 in scholarships and now shares her expertise with other parents and their students. A former teacher, Monica also blogs about college scholarships and ways to win more money for higher education. Find her scholarship blog and winning tips at how2winscholarships.com.
How old are your kids, and how many hours do you work every week?
I have three boys, ages 27, 24, and 17. I work about three hours a day, Monday through Friday, so about 15 hours per week, but each day varies. I’m often hopping on and off of my computer when an idea for a blog post hits me or when I’m responding to emails from parents and students.
Tell us more about your approach when helping students and parents with the scholarship process.
Many high school counselors just don’t have the time to devote to the scholarship process. So I help parents partner with their kids to find and apply for scholarships in a smart, effective way. Specifically, I focus on what scholarship judges look for in their winners and how students must tailor their applications to best fit each scholarship they apply for.
How do you find clients, or do they find you?
Parents and students find me, as I don’t really advertise. I have an active website with a scholarship blog and a large following on social media via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, and LinkedIn. I also have many articles and interviews published online with well-known sources, such as U.S. News & World Report, Grown & Flown, The Huffington Post, The Penny Hoarder, and Teen Life.
What’s the best piece of advice you can give moms who want to do what you’re doing?
Always allow your true personality and love for what you do shine through in your writing and business. Other moms are drawn to this and will respond to your transparent desire to help others.
What’s your website? https://how2winscholarships.com
Anitra Jackson is a social media manager and creator of Chronicles of a Momtessorian, a blog about the journey of being a mom and Montessori-trained teacher and parent trainer. She loves all things Montessori, teaching, fashion, yoga, essential oils, and watching all types of sports. Anitra is also a DIY farmhouse decor fanatic and lover/maker of candles! She and her hubby own a soy candle and home décor business, The Cedar Company. Anitra is a wife and mother of two amazing daughters.
How would you describe your role as a social media manager, and how did you start working in this field?
A social media manager is someone who manages day-to-day activities of social media accounts for a brand or business. In my case, my duties are to help moderate member activity, field member questions, and provide assistance in a Facebook group with over 140,000 members for a company. I started working as their social media manager as a way of making extra money while working full time. I knew that I wanted to transition into working from home full time, and once this opportunity arose for me to do it full time, it sounded perfect!
How many hours, on average, do you work per week?
I average between 37 to 40 hours per week. On occasion, I’ll work fewer than 37 hours and sometimes more than 40 hours. The company is flexible, so I can work as much as I would like, depending on my availability.
Do you have a niche?
Since I manage my own Facebook group as well, my niche would be managing/moderating Facebook groups. They’re fairly easy to manage and provide flexible hours.
How long have you worked in the field?
I’ve been a social media manager for about seven months. In this particular case, they found me. There are plenty of websites that post social media manager job postings. Fiverr and Upwork are just a few.
What’s the best piece of advice you can give moms who want to do what you’re doing?
There are many free and paid courses that help others get started in the field. Do what works for you. If you can’t work a full-time schedule, do not force yourself to. If you get an opportunity to become a social media manager, take it! It’s a good way to make money and still be able to spend time with your family.
What’s your website? https://chroniclesofamomtessorian.com
Tania Teodor is a freelance writer, copywriter, editor, translator, and social media manager. She studied communication and public relations at SNSPA University in Bucharest, used to work as a fashion stylist and writer for magazines (Playboy, Maxim, Max, Superbebe, etc.), and has a background in event organization and public relations. Tania creates meaningful content that attracts people on social media platforms. As a mom of two young kids, she’s passionate about writing, discovering new things, and learning how to become a better version of herself.
What do you do as a freelance writer/editor and social media manager?
As a freelance writer/editor (and a translator from and to English, Romanian, and Italian), I write articles for magazines and blogs, proofread all sorts of articles and books, and write content for social media platforms. As a social media manager, I create meaningful content for social media platforms, manage daily posts, create ads and boosts, events, and other things that have to do with promoting a business online.
How many hours, on average, do you work per week?
This truly depends on the number of projects. Let’s say around 20 hours, but I’m also a pretty chaotic, free-spirited character, so I don’t really create a schedule all the time, and I end up spending more hours working. I also work with plants and have a pop up shop that I set up at markets, festivals, and other such events. I end up working around five hours a day, more or less.
Do you have a niche?
I started with small articles in fashion magazines, a subject I always like to write about. Also spiritual blogs and translations. Now, I’m really into environmental issues—positive changes we can make through consumption and lifestyle choices. As for management, my niche would be in party brands and events—all sorts of events actually, from markets to festivals and even theatre and workshops. I like to be flexible and enjoy taking on new projects that challenge me.
How do you find clients, or do they find you?
Mostly through word of mouth. Through recommendations from friends that I’ve been working pro bono for in the past. Facebook groups also.
What’s the best piece of advice you can give moms who want to do what you’re doing?
There are plenty of resources online: Facebook groups, Pinterest, a lot of blogs and articles with great tips and tricks. You have to love writing and also being online a lot. Don’t give up if your strategies are not well received from the start—there are always ways to learn and improve. Whatever you choose to do, do it wholeheartedly and with passion.
Where can people stay in touch with you?
https://www.facebook.com/njala.purplepirate?ref=bookmarks
https://www.facebook.com/bazaarnomad/
www.instagram.com/tania.purplepirate
www.instagram.com/sweetsoulmedicine
Dawn Husted is a writer and editor and the creator of A Wordy Woman’s Guide, a blog for aspiring authors. With four years of freelance experience, Dawn has worked for a number of companies as a contributing writer and editor. She balances a work-at-home life with kids screaming and playing in the background. Dawn hopes to inspire other moms to go after their dreams.
How would you describe what a freelance writer and editor do?
A freelance writer works on a variety of projects, such as press releases, newsletters, packaging copy, website copy, etc. An editor reviews and polishes content for a wide range of projects as well, such as manuscripts, website copy, memos, etc. I became a writer before pursuing jobs as an editor. More than anything, I love editing manuscripts. When it comes to manuscripts, there are different forms of editing, such as developmental editing, line editing, and copyediting.
What experience helped you break into the field?
I spent years diving into the industry by joining writer organizations and groups, reading every book I could find on the subject, and eventually procuring an editorial internship for a popular travel blog. Currently, I’m a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) and Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
How do you find clients, or do they find you?
Clients usually find me by word of mouth from a previous client. I also do my best to stay involved with others in the industry. In addition, I find writing and editing work through WriterAccess, which provides a place for clients to post projects for potential freelancers. Above all, networking goes a long way!
Are there any helpful resources for getting started as a freelance writer and editor?
Yes. It’s not something that is learned overnight, but like most jobs, each step in the right direction leads to the next step down the right path. Start small. Read books about the subject, take online classes, join local writer groups, etc. Village Writing School offers affordable courses for authors, which is also helpful for editors who developmentally edit manuscripts. The EFA offers courses for editors, whether you’re a member or not.
What’s your website?
I offer free sample edits for the first chapter of manuscripts: www.DawnHusted.com.