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I’m a huge fan of having the kids help with freelance tasks.
There are so many ways for the family to come together and grow a freelance business. But, I’ve never listed those tasks out in a single post. It’s time to make up for that deficiency here on the blog.
I plan to continuing adding to this post as I get more ideas and use my kids in different ways. If you have any new ideas, be sure to leave them in the comments!
Disclaimer:
Granted, not every child will be able to help with all of these tasks. Many are more appropriate for older kids. Some kids haven’t been trained to work and will balk at the thought.
I tried to include a variety of tasks. Some kids are more artistic, others prefer numbers. There’s really something for everyone when it comes to freelancing!
So use what you can, and leave the rest!
Without further ado, here’s a big list of freelance tasks your kids can actually help take off your plate.
1. Taking Pictures
Two of my kids LOVE taking pictures. They take my phone and randomly capture images. I can give them a list of pictures I’d love, and they go take them for me.
My oldest is currently taking a Photography class on Craftsy, and using my husband’s old Cannon Rebel. As she continues to build her skills, I’ll have her take more and more of my photos to free up some of my husband’s time.
2. Source Photos
If your child enjoys looking at pictures, set her up on Unsplash or a similar site, and give her a list of words to search.
They can download a couple of their favorite pictures for each. Then you’ll have the pictures to go with your keywords when you need them.
3. Resize Pictures
Using PicMonkey kids can easily resize pictures. I have my seven year old do this for me. I write down the dimensions he needs to make each picture on a large post-it note next to the computer.
Then I walk him through the process the first time. I have all my pics to resize in a certain folder and show him what buttons to push.
He has the skills he needs for this task. He can use the computer mouse. He knows his numbers through 1000. He can find the letters on the keyboard. He can read words like “Open” and “Save.” He can follow directions.
He’s so proud of being able to actually help me, and I love it because it’s one less thing I have to do!
4. Brainstorm Headline Ideas
As long as your kids can talk, they can provide you with plenty of ideas. I’ll often ask my kids what I should write about. I’m often amazed at what they come up with.
If I’m stuck trying to come up with a headline, I talk to my kids about what my post is about. Just talking through it helps break up my writer’s block.
My readers enjoy reading headlines on magazines and telling me I should write something like that. They’re learning a lot about how words create a certain image in their mind.
5. Brainstorming Points for Posts
This is similar to the above point, but more direct. We usually do this brainstorming in the car. I tell my kids what I’m writing about, and ask them to tell me what they know.
A fresh perspective is helpful when brainstorming!
6. Double Check Your Books
Can your child do multi-digit addition and subtraction? Once they’ve learned this skill, let them help double check your books.
Not only will your child get great math practice, but they’ll also see how math is used in real life. Another set of eyes checking your numbers can also help find errors.
7. Add Affiliate Links to Your Posts
Once your child can read well and copy and paste, they can learn how to add affiliate links to your posts. I have my oldest daughter put Amazon links in my posts when appropriate.
I wrote down the directions for her, step-by-step. I helped her do it at first. Now she knows what she’s doing, and does it well.
8. Put Postage on Items to Mail
Here’s a task that fairly young kids can help with. If you mail cold pitches, letters to your clients, or any other correspondence, your child can put the postage on.
Keep a roll of stamps nearby, and show her where the stamps go. It’s like stickers, with a purpose!
9. Design a Business Card
If your child has an eye for design, let him help design your business card. You can use an online editor, or have them start from scratch in a program like Photoshop.
10. Make a List of Local Businesses to Pitch
Targeting local businesses can be helpful. While driving around, have your kids keep their eyes peeled for businesses you could write or provide virtual assistance for.
They can write down the business names on an index card for you to refer to later.
11. Scribe for You in the Car
You can’t write and drive. But sometimes, you get hit with a stellar idea that you don’t want to lose. If your kids can write, they can be your scribe.
Just be sure to keep a notebook and pen handy.
12. Proofread Your Posts
Older elementary kids and up can read what you write to check it for errors. You never know–they might catch a grammatical error you missed!
They can also ask clarifying questions that help you get your writing better organized.
13. Test Your Course to Ensure It Actually Works
I just signed my oldest daughter up for my course. She’s being my guinea pig–clicking on links and making sure they actually work.
By using her computer, I can see how my site responds when I’m not the one logged in.
14. Read You Posts Aloud From Blogs in Your Niche
This is another task we do in the car. I’ll have my oldest go to a certain blog on my phone, and read me a post or two.
We brainstorm together comments I could leave, and she jots them down for me to remember later. It’s a great way to turn a car ride into productive time.
15. Do Preliminary Research on a Topic
Kids need to learn how to do internet research. They need to learn to pick out quality sources, look for biases, and how to do searches.
Let them help you do preliminary research for your topic. They can make a list of five sites for you to check out later.
16. Straighten Up Your Desk
I don’t know about you, but my desk often ends up a cluttered mess. It’s where I dump the mail, keep track of homeschooling papers, and more.
My middle kids can definitely help me keep it organized. My six-year old is a natural organizer. She straightens my desk for me. I’ve taught her to stack the papers neatly, so I can go through them later. She takes care of any trash, puts pens and pencils back in the drawer, and gives it a quick dust.
17. Help You Set Up for a Conference or Event
I attended my first ever local networking event on Saturday. On Thursday evening, the host posted frantically on Facebook that all of her help for setting up had canceled.
The kids and I went in on Friday and helped her. We measured booth spaces, and marked corners with tape. We moved tables and chairs.
Many hands make light work, and it was enjoyable to work together to set up for an event. If you believe in your kids, and expect them to work–there’s no reason they can’t be a blessing to your freelance business.
Do your kids handle any other freelance tasks? I’d love for you to share in the comments!
Lisa Tanner is a former teacher turned homeschooling mom with 11 kids. She's also a successful freelance writer. Lisa enjoys helping other busy moms find time to start and grow a side hustle of their own.
Great ideas…putting the kids to work without them thinking it is work. No labor laws are broken, right? 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Mark! Kids are definitely capable of a lot when motivated–and when they don’t think it’s work they’re especially eager.
These are fantastic. I see a few ideas we can implement this summer.
Awesome Shari, so glad you found them useful!
Hey, what a useful post, thanks! I’m totally for integrating kids into your home based business – as kids a 100 years ago helped out in their parents’ store too, etc! My kid just turned one, but I have already been brainstorming how I can make him “help” me in the housework & business. I’m really impressed with your suggestions, as for some of the tasks you mentioned, I honestly wouldn’t have thought a child capable of doing them! Thanks!
Thank you Lisiane! Integrating kids into businesses definitely has roots in the past, and is a good way for kids to learn responsibility and so much more. Keep letting your young one do simple tasks now, by your side, and when he’s older he’ll be ready to tackle more. Kids are very capable!