Thinking of starting a lifestyle business at home? This is your ultimate guide to the best online lifestyle business ideas to start this year.
Today's guest post is brought to you by Pia at Siege Media.
In 2022, starting an online lifestyle business is easier than ever. Not only are you able to connect with people on a larger scale, but you can also march at the beat of your own drum in both your personal and professional lives.
If you are craving authority over your day-to-day work life and want to leave the office behind, it might be time to turn the page and start the next chapter of your life.
But is starting an online lifestyle business easier said than done? What are the benefits of starting one and which business is best suited for, well, your lifestyle? And what is the most trusted software for online lifestyle businesses? Keep reading to find answers to all of these questions and more.
Benefits of Online Lifestyle Businesses
There are several benefits of starting an online business that is more than just leaving a stuffy office behind. Check out the valuable benefits you may have once you start a lifestyle business and become your own boss.
1. Make Your Own Hours
Let’s be real — starting your own online lifestyle business means that you no longer have to follow rules imposed by other people. Gone are the days when you had to arrive at and leave the office at specific times to ensure your boss could keep a vigilant eye on you.
Instead, when you create an online business, you become your own boss and determine when and how you work. Non-traditional workspaces are on the rise, and you can always opt for coworking spaces when you want to have a productive, head’s down day at an office.
2. Work Wherever You Want
Speaking of coworking spaces, being an online business owner gives you the freedom to work remotely wherever you please. Whether you want to sell jewelry from an online shop, your home office, or even from the back of a van, you will be able to find success wherever you may roam (as long as you have a reliable internet connection, of course).
3. More Independence
Choosing your own hours and location for work is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to being a lifestyle entrepreneur. As an independent business owner, you now have the authority to control the language, marketing, and style of your product.
Do you want to share your quirky side with the world? Then make your product descriptions funny or sarcastic. On the flip side of things, you can also show your sincerity and passion in social media posts, blog posts, and video blogs. Don’t be afraid to truly be yourself — nobody can hold you back anymore!
4. Unlimited Freedom
The world is your oyster when you start your online lifestyle business. If you can dream it, you can do it. Whether you want to work closely with clients as a freelance blog writer or copy editor or want to branch out into fashion or graphic design, the only limit you will put on yourself is that of your own imagination.
How To Build a Lifestyle Business
Building your own lifestyle business is easier said than done. So how exactly do you start and what steps should you take to ensure you are successful in marketing yourself and creating a business that lasts?
1. Figure Out What You Love
Starting an online lifestyle business centered around something that you are passionate about will make you look authentic to potential customers — and will make you happier in the long run.
If you do something you truly love for a living, you will never feel like you’re at work. In the end, your worries about work-life balance will be resolved.
2. Build Your Portfolio
Now, it’s time to show others what you’re truly capable of. Whether you are a writer, designer, social media manager, crafter, or aspiring influencer, your potential clients and customers will want to see your work. Using social media as a visual medium for your work is a great way to get yourself noticed — especially if you utilize popular trends, sounds, and hashtags.
You may also find it beneficial to create a more formal portfolio, too. This can come in the form of interior design lookbooks, a collection of high-quality art prints, demo products, or even examples of editing work.
3. Build Your Brand
Building your brand is one of the most important steps for creating a successful online lifestyle business. When small businesses have a logo, color palette, and a noticeable voice, potential clients and customers are more likely to latch onto them and differentiate them from competitors. These branding assets will show investors that you are serious about your business and have authority in what you do.
Another important asset of branding is creating your own website and domain. By having more than just social media pages, you can step up your game from a wannabe business to an omnichannel marketing network.
4. Network
Networking is one of the most essential steps in launching a successful online lifestyle business. This is all about putting yourself (and your work) out there so people can be impressed with you. If you are a crafter, sign up for farmers' markets or art shows to meet new people, grow your customer base, and gain a following.
Are you an aspiring freelance writer? It might be time for you to create your own blog. Whether you like discussing books, video games, science, or any other topic, you can write a blog and ship it to your favorite lifestyle websites.
Another way to network and get your writing skills out there is through guest posting. By writing quality content on other people’s sites, you can build connections and gain more exposure.
The Best Online Lifestyle Business Ideas
After you analyze your passions and begin brainstorming and building your network, it’s time to create an online lifestyle business that you will love (and will keep your clients and customers coming back for more)
Keep reading to check out our list of the top 13 online lifestyle business ideas.
1. Sell Crafts Online
If you’re a crafty person, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t start a side hustle (that will eventually become a full-time business, of course) to sell your art. Whether you’re a fine artist that focuses on jewelry making or have a dedicated following for your fan art, many people have found great success selling their art online.
You can create an e-commerce business on a personalized website. If you’re just starting out, though, you can create your own Etsy account or Instagram Shop storefront to sell goods.
Eventually, once you gain steam, this will become more than just a method for passive income.
2. Be A Freelance Copy Editor
If you are pedantic, organized, and passionate about the written word, but the idea of a nine-to-five workday is stressing you out, it might be time to turn in your two weeks' notice and begin a career in freelance copy editing. By enhancing your portfolio and checking daily wanted ads on message boards or LinkedIn, you can create a stunning resume that will surely impress any client.
Just make sure that the job offer is legitimate and sign a contract for payment. The last thing you want is to do a bunch of hard work and have it not pay off (literally) in the end.
Additionally, if you don’t want to worry about contract logistics, joining a platform like UpWork or Fiverr and selling your services there is an easy way to get started.
3. Try Blogging
Much like freelance copy editing, being a freelance writer or personal blogger can help you create a professional presence and portfolio. You can either try your hand at content marketing and search engine optimization (SEO) strategies, or you can create a website and just start writing.
The beauty of blogging is that anybody can write one and everybody can read them. The only limitations that you will put on your blog are the ones you put on yourself. Write about what you love and the audience (and shares) will build up over time.
Not sure what to write about? Consider what you're passionate about and whether you have expertise in certain topics. Or consider a niche audience you’d like to target and write about topics they’d enjoy or be interested to learn more about.
If you don’t know how to start a blog from scratch, there are a few steps you can take:
- Pick a niche
- Choose your domain
- Find a hosting platform
- Sign up for WordPress
- Pick a theme
- Start creating
4. Work Remotely as a Virtual Assistant
Another great alternative career to office work is remote virtual assistants who work in their at-home office to help clients strategize and complete tasks throughout the workday.
People who are organized, reliable, detail-oriented, and have good communication skills are likely to be good virtual assistants. If this sounds like you, this could be the lifestyle business for you.
Virtual assistants can work in all types of environments and industries, including:
- Real estate
- Social media
- Bookkeeping
- Data entry
- E-commerce
- Marketing
By choosing an industry that you have experience in, you will be able to find success as a VA. As an added bonus: A virtual assistant job lets you create your own hours meaning you can work whenever — and wherever — you want!
5. Launch an E-commerce Store
Launching an e-commerce business is a great way to make some money online. Whether you are a crafty person or want to sell homemade goods like stitching patterns, clothing, or even furniture, it’s easy to find success in any market you choose.
Some of the best e-commerce storefronts to choose from are:
- Instagram Shop
- Etsy
- Shopify
- Wix
- Squarespace
- Facebook Marketplace
- Depop
- Poshmark
Depending on what you want to sell, there’s a perfect platform out there for you. To get started, try creating shops on Amazon or Shopify. If you want to dive into marketing your own content in conjunction with your e-commerce platform, then maybe creating your own website is the best option.
6. Manage Clients’ Social Media
Social media management isn’t as easy as it seems, but it’s ideal for those that love to stay up-to-date on pop culture and the latest trends. To be a remote social media manager, you will need to adhere to brand guidelines and maintain their desired voice throughout every piece of content that you create.
Whether you find yourself inclined to video marketing on TikTok, photo and e-commerce marketing on Instagram, or want to show your humor or wit on Twitter, a strong social media presence is a must to entice clients. Make sure to market yourself well on your socials or even create a website highlighting your services.
7. Website Design
Designing a website is no easy feat, but both large and small companies are constantly looking for somebody to create a good user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) for their website and customers.
Often, professionals who want to start an online business in remote UX and UI work will need certification from trade schools, courses, or four-year universities. It’s a heavy lift for a career, but the outcome is worth the effort.
8. Start a Podcast
It’s true — it seems like everybody has a podcast these days. Whether they’re about social issues, movie reviews, content marketing, scientific discoveries, or beyond, podcasts can create a community of like-minded individuals.
But here’s the thing: Your idea needs to be original. Nobody wants to hear another podcast about ranking the Marvel Cinematic Universe when many already exist. You need to find a way to keep the content fresh and original. Or find a way to set yourself apart from the competition by providing a unique spin on everyday topics.
9. Make YouTube or TikTok Videos
Becoming a video influencer on YouTube or Tiktok isn’t easy — but it’s worth it. Video content creators film their daily life through lifestyle vlogs, dance videos, or hop on the latest trends.
You can also create your own sketch comedy videos or even do freelance video editing for influencers that already have a massive following. If the content creator credits you for your work, you may start gaining an audience that looks forward to your work.
Lifestyle vlogging is one of the biggest industries on YouTube today. From parents who document their kids as they grow to national park travelers and amusement park pass holders and beyond — video producing and editing is the remote entrepreneur business of the future.
10. Become an Online Teacher
If you are an expert in your field, creating an online teaching or webinar series may be a good path to take for somebody looking to become an online entrepreneur. To do this, find a video hosting platform that works best for you, depending on the audience size and length of your webinars.
Webinars are great for entrepreneurs who want to pass their expertise on to others. Skillshare is an awesome third-party platform that a lot of people use to spread their knowledge to an audience.
11. Try Graphic Design
If you find yourself doing visual art as a hobby, why not make it part of your profession? Creating assets for clients and individuals to use on their websites or blogs can boost your portfolio and can give you authority.
You can also use a passion for visual arts and graphic design to sell art prints and stickers on third-party art hosting websites. To get your name out there, you have to start small. An Instagram or TikTok account completely dedicated to creating art and showing off your portfolio is a great way to grab the attention of companies of all sizes.
Is there somebody you’d love to work with someday? Make some fan art or a design centered around their brand and tag them in social media or send them an email with an attachment. Who knows? You may end up with a graphic design gig from the experience.
12. Interior Decorating
Yes, interior designers can be remote lifestyle workers, too.
With the leaps in technology throughout the last few years, AI has become an essential asset of freelance work. Whether you’re helping a client create a color palette, or instructing them on the specific kinds of furniture, pillows, and cabinet hardware they should buy, interior decorating can be a niche that a lot of people turn to.
13. Fashion Design
Creating an online storefront for vintage or custom clothing is a lucrative online business for entrepreneurs in 2022. These days, there are several entrepreneurs that paint old pieces of clothing to create something new and custom while being environmentally conscious and combating fast-fashion retailers.
Use third-party platforms like Depop and Poshmark to create a following, then create a branded website that is custom and — forgive the pun — tailored to your business and lifestyle.
Software for Online Lifestyle Businesses
There’s a lot of different software you can use for your online entrepreneur business — the key is knowing what kind of platform works best for your needs. Whether you need to host a website or manage your business through a third-party management firm, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Let’s Wrap This Up
There you have it.
Not only do you now have access to the 13 best online lifestyle businesses for people looking to work remotely, you also know the benefits of becoming a lifestyle entrepreneur and the steps you need to take to get there.
Remember: If you’re not passionate about your craft, people will be able to tell. Make sure that when you make this leap to lifestyle entrepreneurship, you end up doing something that you love.
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