AIBU to be totally lost career wise? Need to make approx 1k a month but feel stuck

[Peterbishopssarcasticsmile]

If you had to make a minimum of 1000-1500 a month and had these skills how would you package them up? Or what would you do? I can't decide if I need to retrain.

Copywriting - SEO and web copy as well as magazine writing in a previous life
Social media management - running accounts for brands
I'm also an okay iPhone photographer and have experience in styling photos with budget props and backgrounds to make them look professional

I was a freelancer before Covid but now all of my clients have said they can't afford to take me back and are taking social and copywriting in house. As I specialise in small businesses and have for the last ten years (big companies tend to use abencies) I think this will be the same across the board.

I used to do transcription but found it very time consuming for little pay. The magazine work is also badly paid and to be honest, few and far between now. I still pick up the occasional piece but the amount of work required is a lot and often the pieces get pulled before publication so you don't see your full fee anyway.

I feel completely lost with my career. My skills seem like they should be transferrable but I don't know what to do with them.

Anyone got any advice? What would you do in this situation?

Even if I can't make the 1500, anything is better than nothing.

Digital Marketing Officer / Digital Communications

Go in house as a copywriter / comms manager / marketing exec etc. Depending where you are you can earn a lot more than 1500 / month.

At my work our digital marketing officer earns 35k - they aren't a manager or anything. Also in the third sector so lower pay averages in general to the private sector!

How many hours were you wanting to work for the 1000-15000 ?

I offer some of the services you mention via my business, but to be totally honest you'll struggle to reach the amount of revenue you need in a short amount of time. The work, especially SEO, can be quite bitty, which means winning more clients and more projects to reach your target.

Blog writing for SMEs is probably a good compromise, the projects are a little larger (a well-written and researched blog can be £250 - £500) - however, you'll need to prove your chops either with a portfolio, or running your own blog - both things that take time to establish 😬

Another option would be to put together a professional email and ratecard, and approach marketing/content/social agencies directly as they'll have a higher volume of work. This approach is probably the safest and potentially most rewarding. Just make sure to try and track down the name and details for the person you want to engage your services - I get so many emails addressed 'to whom in may concern' or worse, 'dear sirs' when my name and pictures of my woman-led business are plastered all over the website!

Can you take something different until the dust settles in your industry?
Not a new career just a money job like courier?

I've seen permanent roles for social media/digital managers so it is a separate thing. However I know people in various jobs who as part of their role SEO work.

Sorry I should have been clearer - I've previously built up a portflio as a social media manager and SEO writer/copywriter but have just lost all my clients.
I had a baby last year so was hoping to go back part time, and the 1000-1500 was about half of what I earned previously so that's what I was hoping for although appreciate in the current climate might not be realistic. Due to this and not having any childcare due to Covid, I was hoping to try and stay working from home. Although I suppose many people are working from home now even in permanent positions, which I hadn't considered previously - something to think about.

I am considering retraining as well, but don't know where to start.

I just feel a bit aimless and without a plan, and like I don't know where to go next.

@Sonders thanks - really good advice.

People have given suggestions - are they no use?

You have great experience... and people are giving examples of jobs you could very, very easiily do. At management level. Which would bring in good money.

As others have said, social media / comms / marketing officer roles - I live in a part of the country with low pay but still bring home over 1k a month for a three day week, and that's a junior role. If you look at senior roles or are in the SE it'll be much higher.

In terms of WFH smaller charities often use home workers as they might not have a UK office base - try charityjob.co.uk

Why not work in house? Public sector jobs can be very family friendly if that is a consideration

You could do online catalog copy and prep in-house for a wholesaler or retailer. I know someone who did this. Write copy. Use the in-house studio to take photo or item. Add to website. It’s not glamorous, but the copy writing takes skill so the pay is decent.

Yes they are of use! I was just explaining further the caveats I'm trying to work with, and just explaining where I'm at. Making a note of all suggestions, they are gratefully received.