At the beginning of 2020, we all assumed the year would be like any other. Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and the world changed. As lockdowns went into effect, countless businesses in just about every industry suffered. All this led to more and more people looking for new business ideas that minimize face-to-face meetings.
No one knows how long the coronavirus will be around and how it will impact the future of work, professional interactions, and the global economy. It might be a passing phenomenon, or it could be around for many years. Regardless, it has had a traumatic impact and left many professionals looking for alternative ways to earn a living.
The benefits of working entirely online
Remote work grew in popularity before 2020, but now it is exploding, as is online entrepreneurialism. Like you, many people are looking for business ideas that can be conducted entirely online, thereby avoiding all need for face-to-face meetings and large group gatherings.
And such businesses offer several benefits beyond maintaining social distancing. You’re in control of your professional destiny and can choose when you work, with whom you work, what you do, and how much you earn.
Socially distanced business ideas
So what are some popular business ideas if you’re looking to start a new socially-distanced career online?
- Web Design
With more and more people creating web-based businesses, web design is a profession that will only see growth. Plus, as a web designer, you never have to meet a client face-to-face. The nature of the work means all communication and collaboration can occur via phone, Zoom, email, and cloud-based software.
The same applies to graphic design and website development. While it can be beneficial to sit down face-to-face with a client, with a coffee, it’s by no means necessary with all the technology available today.
- Freelance Writing
Another profession that requires no face-to-face meetings is freelance writing. As a freelancer, there’s no commute required, and you can work from the comfort of your home study or living room. Whether you choose to be a copywriter, a blogger, a feature writer, or even a copy editor, there is no shortage of writing jobs online.
For some types of work, such as a regular blog retainer gig, you might not even need to talk over the phone, which can benefit people with phone anxiety.
- Affiliate Marketing
An excellent online business idea for those who prefer to work solo and without clients is affiliate marketing. This is where you earn a commission by promoting the products and services of other people. When a customer makes a purchase, you receive a percentage of the final price.
There’s zero need to ever meet with anyone as an affiliate marketer, making it an excellent career opportunity if you’re worried about a COVID-19 world and any future pandemics.
(You can also earn affiliate income by recommending Invoice Ninja)
- Digital Product Creation
Similar to affiliate marketing and with all the same perks is digital product creation. This creative career route is where you develop digital products and sell them to a target market online. You never have to meet with anyone. Most transactions will occur automatically, and any issues are dealt with via email or phone.
There are hundreds of possibilities when it comes to self-created digital products. Many entrepreneurs create digital courses that combine learning products and video-based coaching sessions. Others develop apps and tools which can be purchased and downloaded.
There are endless opportunities. Your imagination is the only limit.
- Online Coaching or Consulting
Picture coaching or consulting session in your mind, and you’d be forgiven for visualizing two or more people sitting face-to-face. This scenario is how coaches and consultants have traditionally operated, but nowadays, there are other options.
More and more freelance coaches and consultants are conducting their sessions entirely online. With video conferencing software, you can talk to anyone, in any part of the world, about anything. Plus, you can conduct group sessions with dozens or more people at the same time.
The recent media focus on group video chats during the COVID-19 pandemic has shown how useful such software can be for just about any line of freelance work.
- Virtual Assistant Services
If you’re currently in a full-time clerical role and desperate to work from home, becoming a freelance VA might be a perfect career move. As the title suggests, a Virtual Assistant works entirely online and never needs to meet in person with their clients. All communication and work tasks are completed using cloud-software, email, phone, and other internet-based technology.
As more and more businesses look to work remotely after the scares of the global pandemic, the demand for competent VAs will only grow.
- Social Media Marketing
For most people, social media is a fun distraction, but it can be a powerful marketing tool for businesses. While many companies employ in-house social media managers, many more outsource the task to freelance social media professionals.
If you’re looking for a job with all the qualities you love about social media, which you can enjoy from the safety of home, then professional social media marketing might be your perfect career route.
The benefits of minimizing face-to-face meetings
Whether COVID-19 is here to stay, or not, minimizing face-to-face meetings is a popular choice for many people nowadays. For freelancers and solopreneurs, it’s becoming the new norm.
When you’re working for yourself, you have more control over your working conditions and environment, which also benefits your loved ones.
Choosing a career path that allows you to eliminate in-person meetings is an excellent way to ensure you’re in full control over who you meet and where you go.
It will also put you in a strong position if and when another global pandemic occurs.
