5 Ways To Work For Yourself – Choosing Your Alternative To The 9-5

5 Ways To Work For Yourself – Choosing Your Alternative To The 9-5

There are plenty of ways of setting up in business, and they don’t all involve running a cafe and/or bookshop – often the #1 ‘start-up’ day-dream scenario!

This blog explains the main 5 main ways you can work for yourself. Which would suit you best?

1. Freelancing

Typically freelancers will offer a business-to-business (B2B) service, selling to clients your skills in a more traditional area of business, such as:

• Accountancy
• Project Management
• Marketing
• HR
• Web Design

For you if…

You have gained a solid chunk of work experience in a traditional business discipline.
You are happy working without support and are confident you can secure new business from clients.
You enjoy the work you did as a day-job!

2. Selling Products

You don’t have to be an artist, maker or designer to create and sell products, although that is of course one of the ways to do it! Product-led businesses also include:

• eBay selling/upcycling
• Buying an existing product wholesale, and selling retail
• Inventing an entirely new product that solves a problem for customers

For you if…

You have a new product idea, have an eye for a bargain or a strong idea for a way to brand and sell an existing product.
You do have a creative skill or talent that you can use to make or design products
You like the idea of the challenge and reward of selling a real, tangible item.
You have the spare room to store products if needed, and some cash to invest upfront in stock too – although this could be a very small amount to start with, it doesn’t need to be thousands!

3. Franchising

Examples of popular franchises that target the female and family markets include:

• Travel Counsellors

• Mini First Aid
• 
Bright & Beautiful

For you if…

You have a chunk of money to invest upfront in a business (franchisee fees are typically from £3k-£15k annually/to start), and want a tried and tested formula that you can manage yourself.
You’d like support and a strong structure around you.

4. Network Marketing / Multi-Level Marketing

I’m going to be straight with you here – my opinion is AVOID this one! Examples include:

• JuicePlus, YouNique, Avon, Anne Summers… the list goes on.

The reason I say this? Statistics show that only a tiny % of reps actually make serious income from MLM businesses. Articles like this explain some of the many downsides of the many MLM/networking marketing opportunities around.

For you if…

Well… I really don’t want to suggest this as an option – I’ve included it in the list as they are so prevelant, it can feel like a legit alternative. But I’m just gonna say: its for you if you like working really hard potentially earning under minimum wage, and having to sell to all your mates on FB. Okay?!

5. Providing a Service

Typically a service is offered business-to-consumer (B2C). You can offer any service you like that meets an individual’s need, or solves a problem for them:

• photographer
• life coach
• wedding/party planner
• home de-clutterer
• hairdresser/make-up artist
• doula, florist, counsellor… the list is endless!

For you if…

You don’t have a traditional skill set that could be offered to businesses, so freelancing isn’t for you. You are instead either willing to retrain (professional development courses can cost anywhere from £200-£5000) or have an unusual or in-demand skill set gained from life experiences or an interest/hobby/talent.
You have the imagination and creativity to start-up your own unique offer, and market yourself too.

Let me know which of these are up your street in the comments below!