The digital revolution sweeping the world has given us unprecedented access to people, ideas as well as marketplace
While the word 'solopreneur' is not new, it has gained currency in recent years particularly with respect to the new breed of solo entrepreneurs launching or running their businesses purely through the digital medium
In a world where social media discourses can make or break reputations, there is a growing demand for social media managers
In a world where the Internet is now used by more than 4.5 Bn individuals or over half the global population, the online medium is undoubtedly bursting with new possibilities. Combine access to good speed Internet with adequate technical knowhow and a knack for business innovation, and you have the recipe for starting a solo digital business. With the ever-restless millennial workforce always on the lookout for avenues that break the status quo, digital solopreneurs or people running solo businesses online are the next big thing!
The digital revolution sweeping the world has given us unprecedented access to people, ideas as well as marketplace. On one hand, digital medium gives us access to a huge market or consumers, on the other hand it also makes it easier to find work associates and sell your skills. While businesses are using the digital medium to thrive like never before, the online world has also engendered a new breed of digital solopreneurs.
Interestingly, while the word ‘solopreneur’ is not new, it has gained currency in recent years particularly with respect to the new breed of solo entrepreneurs launching or running their businesses purely through the digital medium.
How Solopreneur Businesses Work?
An interior designer who works alone, a woman who makes and sells elegant pottery products, a caterer who arranges food for parties or a solo party planner are all examples of Solopreneurs. These business owners offer a unique product or service, tie up with real or digital marketplaces, hire services of freelances and run their businesses efficiently. Solopreneurs are essentially entrepreneurs who work alone. While Solopreneurs do not hire any workforce, they partner with several people or organizations to be able to deliver their service.
Career Possibilities As Digital Solopreneurs
Here are a few booming career possibilities for Solopreneurs:
Youtubers
Do you know that the world’s most subscribed individual YouTuber is Swedish comedian and gamer PewDiePie who has more than 100 million subscribers. His YouTube videos primarily comprise of comedy shows and gaming videos and are relished by millions of people across the world.
YouTubers are one of the newest breeds of Solopreneurs. They attract and engage a large audience through their talent or informative videos. Motivational videos, health tips, cookery, and satirical and comic videos are some of the most commonly followed YouTube channels.
Creative Designing
If you have a knack for producing attractive graphical designs with a hang of illustration based softwares such as Photoshop and Illustrator, graphic designing is a business proposition that is high in demand. Graphic designers are critical in turning any content into a more attractive and captivating one through the use of visual concepts and production designs. They are not just crucial to designing magazines and brochures but also enabling creation of more engaging reports and presentations.
Working in a creative industry allows designers to undertake a wide range of designing jobs including logo or icon designing, photo editing, book illustration or cover designing, infographic designing, brochure designing or CAD designing to name a few. For Solopreneurs working as computer graphic designers, workflow is never ending. However, it is important to create a network of people in the industry who know your ability and can help bring in more opportunities.
Blogging
Blogging that was initially considered an amateurish indulgence is today a valuable business proposition. If you want to use your blog as a business idea, you can offer services as a freelance blogger to other businesses or use other elements such as affiliate marketing, influencer blogging or blogging with advertisements to earn revenue for your writing skill.
Content Marketing
Content marketing is today a vital element of digital marketing campaigns. It involves sending informative or promotional content to a large list of subscribers with the intention of generating traffic, improving the brand recall value of the organization and attracting customers.
If you have the ability to craft such interesting email campaigns that can hold the attention of readers that offers them something valuable, this can be a lucrative business idea for you as a Solopreneur.
Stock Investing
This might not be a traditional form of entrepreneurship but it can help smart people earn big bucks even as they continue their day job. Stock Investing is not a hit and trial business, it requires in-depth understanding and analysis of products, markets, business models and potential of companies before making an investment decision.
Moreover, it doesn’t require a huge capital to start investing. You can start with just a few thousands rupees and scale up your investment gradually. Some Solopreneurs ace the art of stock investing and even give up their day job to make this their mainstream business.
Voice Over Artists
With the world of commercials, animations, short films and corporate videos requiring impressive as well as expressive voices, there is much demand for good voice over artists today. Interestingly, voice overs can now easily be delivered digitally. A voiceover artist is essentially an actor, announcer, a comic performer etc. who performs off-camera, using his or her voice.
This could mean anything from a 10-second tag at the end of a commercial, to delivering a serious commentary with an awareness film or giving voice to characters in animated series. People with an engaging voice and ability to deliver like artists are actively pursuing careers as voice over artists today.
Freelance Photography
If you love the camera and have an ability to let your pictures communicate, photography can be a freelance choice for you. Freelance photographers usually work under contracts specific to clients. They can work with news agencies, print publications, magazines, advertising agencies, art galleries etc. However, before entering the field you must polish your knowledge and technical understanding of the camera as well as its equipments.
Social Media Management
Social media exercises immense influence today. No wonder, every organization, celebrity, political or business leader is actively courting and engaging social media audience. Effectively using social media to further your brand’s message and extend its sphere of influence is what social media management is all about.
In a world where social media discourses can make or break reputations, there is a growing demand for social media managers. If you have a way with words and understand how social media works, you may pursue a career in this field. A series of online courses in social media management are available to brush up your expertise.
