One way to make money on the side (or even to make money as a primary income) is to provide services as a freelancer.

It’s common to see freelance careers like writing, social media consultation, and graphic design, but there are other careers that you might be able to turn into a profitable freelance experience, depending on your skills and expertise. Here are some of the more interesting (and awesome) freelance careers available:

1. Insurance

Many of us think of insurance as something that happens inside a specific office. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. You can be a freelance insurance agent. If you get the right credentials, you could be a freelance insurance broker, offering policies from a number of different companies. And you can do it from anywhere, as long as you have the proper licenses.

It’s also possible to work for insurers on a freelance basis. Many life insurance companies hire specialists to collect blood and urine samples, as well as other basic health information, from applicants. You can travel to homes and work on your own schedule. Insurance inspectors for auto companies can also be hired on a freelance basis.

2. Project Management

freelancingYour organizational abilities can provide you with a position as a freelance project manager. You don’t have to be on site to manage many business projects, making sure that quality guidelines are met, as well as analyzing the budget. You can keep all parties informed and on track with the help of the right software and document management application. And you can do it on a freelance basis, for more than one company at a time.

3. Teaching

Right now, my husband considers himself a “freelance teacher.” He’s an adjunct professor at two different universities. For one of them, he teaches online classes, as well as on-campus. Being able to decide which classes to teach, and take class times that are most convenient for him provides him with flexibility (and he doesn’t have to teach 101 classes).

You don’t have to be a college professor to be a freelance teacher, though. There sites where you can sign up to be a tutor online. Additionally, there are other online teaching experiences, from for-profit Internet schools to online charter high schools that cater to home-schoolers.

4. Accounting

You don’t have to be with an accounting firm to make money selling your services and expertise. Go out on your own, offering your services. As an accountant, you can help businesses and individuals with:

  • Bookkeeping
  • Payroll
  • Invoicing
  • Tax preparation
  • Business formation (LLC, S-Corp, etc.)

Your services can provide a way for individuals and businesses to get access to services they need, and you don’t have to be stuck with one company. You might be surprised at how well you can do as a freelance accountant. You can even help people across the country. Thanks to technology, it’s possible to keep others’ books and manage payroll from a distance; no need to be restricted by geography.

5. Marketing

There’s no more need for marketing experts to be confined to working for just one company or agency. If you know about marketing, you can provide your services on a freelance basis. This can include consulting, as well as helping put together campaigns and managing the various stages of campaign implementation. This is especially true if you are an expert in social media and Internet  marketing.

On a related note, it’s also possible to provide public relations services on a freelance basis. Help others manage their images remotely. You can draft press releases, set up interviews, and contact bloggers and news outlets on behalf of businesses and individuals.

What are Your Qualifications?

As long as you have the proper qualifications, there are a number of ways to turn your current career into a freelance adventure. Think about what you do well, and list your skills. Also, consider your connections, and where you might have an “in.” Your connections and qualifications can impress potential clients, and help you begin to branch out as a freelancer in your field of expertise.

Miranda

Miranda

Miranda is freelance journalist. She specializes in topics related to money, especially personal finance, small business, and investing. You can read more of my writing at Planting Money Seeds.