GUEST EDITORIAL: Work-From-Home Opportunities for Arts and Entertainment Professionals

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Work-From-Home Opportunities for Arts and Entertainment Professionals

by Lisa Walker

The arts and entertainment field has been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a highly contagious variant circulates, events continue to suffer from cancellations and restrictions. If you work in the arts and entertainment field, you may be frustrated about how you're going to continue to sustain through this tough time.

Luckily, you can leverage your talents via work-from-home opportunities. Every Movie Has a Lesson invites you to read on to learn how you can make a living without leaving your living room.

Types of remote jobs for artists and entertainers

There are many remote options for artists and entertainers. You might teach courses, for example. If you pre-record courses, this can be  a passive income stream. You can also live stream performances or footage of you creating your art. Yet another option is to get active on social media, paving the path towards potentially monetizing your channels.

Alternatively, you can look at remote jobs offered by companies. For example, if you're a pro with graphic design tools, you can apply for graphic design jobs. If you're a skilled animator, video animation gigs are a great fit. The trend towards remote work is remaining strong, so even if you're employed, odds are you can work from home.

Where to find work-from-home opportunities

To simplify the search when looking for work-from-home opportunities, develop a targeted plan. For example, if you want to sell pre-recorded courses, you'll probably want to set up an account on a platform like Udemy. If you want to start freelancing as a graphic designer, you might join a work-for-hire platform like 99Designs.

If you want to cast a wider night, you can look at online job search engines. Simply specify keywords relevant to your skills, like "writing" or "animation," and specify the location as "remote" or "telecommute." This will give you an idea of what types of opportunities on the market match your skill set.

How to set up your own business

Depending on your resources and interests, you might consider setting up a business and becoming an entrepreneur. When choosing a business model, focus on something you can do well and that you'd be happy doing day after day. Also consider what tools and resources you'll need to get started and your overhead costs.

Once you've got an idea, solidify the details using a business plan. This document provides operational details like how you'll market your business. For example, if you're planning to set up an ecommerce shop to sell prints of your artworks, you probably want to advertise on social media. A business plan template can help you hammer out the details.

Practical considerations for freelancers and entrepreneurs

Whether you decide to set up a business or freelance, there are logistical points to consider. First, if you're working from home, what supplies do you need? In addition to artistic tools, you'll probably want some business technology like a computer. Then, determine whether you'll need to hire any help—for example, to assist with marketing.

Finally, consider administrative steps. If you want to formally establish a business entity, you'll have to register it with your secretary of state. You also need to figure out details like tax obligations. Note that your tax reporting requirements will depend largely on what type of business entity you form. In many cases, an LLC can be the best choice, since this offers both personal asset protection and tax advantages. When you're ready to register, use a formation service like ZenBusiness to make this a quick and affordable process.

Steps for scaling up your business or freelancing career

As you become better established in your business or freelancing career, you may want to grow your offering. The key to success is marketing. This will help you attract more customers to your brand. Start by focusing on low-cost marketing techniques, like social media and content marketing. You can then advertise more widely.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on artists and entertainers. However, you don't have to give up on pursuing your passion. While there may be restrictions on in-person events, you can find other ways to make money. The above guide provides some ideas to get you started on your working-from-home journey.

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