“Jobs You Can Pick Up Temporarily During The Coronavirus Outbreak” plus 1 more

Jobs You Can Pick Up Temporarily During The Coronavirus Outbreak

Posted: 01 Apr 2020 02:37 PM PDT

To say these are trying times would be an understatement. While we won’t go over all of the ins and outs of the Coronavirus outbreak since it’s on the news every day, we do want to focus on how it’s impacting musicians and artists, and what you can do, financially, to get through this rough patch. Obviously, musicians aren’t touring or playing their most popular gigs right now to avoid gathering large groups together.

Many musicians have side jobs to make ends meet and pay the bills. Unfortunately, most states have now closed restaurants or have limited them to take-out only. Some restaurants will be closed through March, and others well into April. The “plan” seems to change every day.

The job impact of COVID-19 is huge. According to the Department of Labor, between March 8-14, over 281,000 Americans filed for unemployment benefits.

Thankfully, there are some places that are still hiring and even showing a growing need during this scary time, so, if you’re in need of a job and you’re not sure when you’ll be able to get back to your normal routine, you might benefit from picking up something temporarily. Let’s go over a few of the best options to keep you on your feet.

Driving for Others

One easy way to make some extra cash right now is to work for a company that provides rides to others. You might not think that driving for others would be a lucrative business right now, but people still need to go out to obtain their essentials, especially the elderly. If you have the right kind of car that is safe, reliable, and roomy, it could be a perfect part-time job.

Being able to drive people who can’t do it themselves to pick up medications, food, and other supplies will not only help to support you financially, but you’ll also be doing your part to help serve others during these times of uncertainty when it’s important to band together.

Grocery Stores and Delivery

If you’re watching the news, you’ve probably seen how grocery stores have been hugely impacted by the Coronavirus threat. Even though there isn’t a shortage of food or even things like toilet paper in this country, panic buying and buying in bulk has caused store shelves to be empty.

As a result, grocery store chains are hiring additional people to stock shelves and check out customers to keep things as close to normal as possible. In addition, grocery delivery companies are hiring more shoppers and drivers to deliver groceries to those who can’t or don’t want to get out of their houses at this time.

Meal delivery services are also important right now. Regardless of current circumstances, people still need to eat. These jobs offer you flexibility, but can also pay well if you stay busy enough.

Going Digital

If you have the skills, you may be able to find temporary employment online. Remote meeting companies like Zoom and Slack are looking for technical support staff since so many people are now depending on holding meetings online due to remote working. These companies need to keep things running smoothly so businesses can continue to let their employees work from home.

If you have an educational background, you can also work in remote or online learning. Millions of kids are out of school and could be for the next several weeks. You could offer virtual tutoring services. If you have a degree in teaching, you could work for various online teaching venues which are currently hiring thousands of teachers to help kids learn online, and, even though it’s not a digital job, you can also look into providing childcare or nannying services for younger children who may be out of school but who have parents who still need to work.

Whenever you’re looking for a job online and you have to fill in important information, remember to take the proper steps to protect your privacy. The last thing you want in these stressful times is another headache. Be cautious and careful during your job hunt. Sign your name with caution, be careful what you post on social media, and make sure your resume doesn’t give away too much important information.

Asking for Support

Even though asking for financial support shouldn’t be your main source of income right now, it doesn’t hurt to let your fans know you need their help. Many musicians have opted to give free live-streamed concerts over the last several weeks, and it’s a trend that looks to continue. That’s a great way to stay connected with your fans and supporters and encourage them to buy your music.

There are many resources available to help musicians and artists right now:

Pay-What-You-Want sites: Sites like Bandcamp allow fans to pay whatever they feel is appropriate for your songs or entire albums. Promoting your music on these platforms gives your fans the freedom to support you however they can.

Selling merchandise: If you have band merch, you can encourage fans to buy it through your website as a quick way to support you. Be sure to tell them that shipping may be delayed due to the current pandemic.

Pre-orders: If you have a new album you’re working on, you can stir up buzz for it by making it available for pre-order. It’s a great way to make some money now, when you need it most.

Make a donation: There’s no shame in asking your fans for donations or to support you using a crowdfunding campaign.

While it’s normal to feel a little uncertain during these times, keep in mind that this won’t last forever. Eventually, your gigs will return and tours will resume, at which time you’ll be able to once again connect with fans on a more personal basis. For now, however, finding temporary work may be necessary to keep yourself above water.

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Why Taking A Break From Music Is Sometimes A Good Idea

Posted: 28 Mar 2020 12:58 PM PDT

If you’ve been taking your music career seriously for a long time, it’s possible that you may start feeling a bit of “burnout” at some point. No matter how much you love music, it’s sometimes important to take a step back and let yourself relax for a few weeks, months, or even longer.

Luckily, that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Here are a few reasons why taking a break from music can sometimes be a pretty good idea.

1. Improve Mental Health and Appreciate the Present

Over 73% of independent musicians report that they have experienced stress, anxiety, and depression as a result of pursuing a career in music. Constantly trying to book the next gig, planning regional or national tours, connecting with fans on social media, and trying to get more views on a YouTube channel can eventually wear some musicians out.

The stress and anxiety from wearing so many hats and taking on so many responsibilities can add up over time. It can create a feeling of “thirst” in which you’re constantly trying to get the next good review, the next word of encouragement, the next album sale, or get to the next “level” in your career.

Taking a step back from music allows some of this anxiety to dissipate. It can give you a chance to reflect on what you’ve accomplished in the past and where you are in the present - rather than what you’re lacking or haven’t accomplished yet.

2. Make Some Money (So You Can Reinvest in Your Career)

Let’s face it, even some of the best musicians out there are barely getting by on their musical skills alone.

Luckily, even taking a step back for a month or two can allow musicians to explore new, untapped avenues for making money. This could include trying out their skills at being an Uber driver or another “gig economy” job or starting a new part-time job that will help supplement music-based income.

By finding a great musician side hustle or saving up some money during your break, you may find that you’re more easily able to afford studio time or important music gear that you need once you launch back into gigging heavily again.

3. Learn Other Skills That Can Help In Your Musical Journey

Taking a break from a music career can also be a great idea because it will give you time to develop other important skills. If you’re a musical artist who takes on a lot of different roles from day to day, chances are that there are some that you’re not so great at.

If you’re not especially skilled at using social media, for example, it may be time to learn the ins and outs of the different platforms you use or even join some new ones. On the other hand, maybe you should take some time to learn about how to shoot and edit great video footage or how to improve your website. There are plenty of little skills you can work on that can be a big help to you once you return to the game.

4. Bolster Your Creativity

If you decide that it’s time to take a break from your music career, you’ll likely find that going cold turkey is a lot harder to do than you may have expected. Downtime tends to make us more creative and new ideas will likely pop into your head, anyway.

For a songwriter, creative inspiration could come in the form of the perfect song idea coming out of nowhere that you’ll be compelled to sit down and flesh out. Taking a break from music could also lead you to think of some creative marketing campaigns you could implement with your next album. It could also lead you to think about how you could add more excitement to your next live show or tour.

5. See Things From a Different Angle

Having music, or anything in our lives for that matter, as a constant, can help ground us and make us feel like we have a purpose. It can give us a sense of belonging. However, once we remove that constant from our everyday lives, we often start to realize how important it really is.

If you’ve been going through the motions or have been getting frustrated in your career, taking a break from music may make you appreciate just how much music means to you and just how much playing your instrument or singing, either for an audience or not, adds to your life.

6. Make a Valiant Comeback

If you have a serious love for music, chances are that a break of any size won’t be a permanent one. During your time away, a new and exciting path may reveal itself to you. You may finally recognize the one missing piece of the puzzle that’s been holding you back.

Once you make the return to your career you may finally start planning that cross-country tour you’ve always dreamed about. You may have saved up the money to record your next album. You may even decide to form a new band or musical project or move to a better music city to pursue your passion.

No matter what you decide to do once you return to music, chances are that you’ll do it with more understanding of why you’re doing it, what you hope to accomplish, and a much clearer vision of your future as an artist than ever before.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve experienced enough burnout with your music career, taking a break from music can seem like a scary idea. However, it may end up being a much more positive experience than you expect. By taking a break from music you’ll likely experience some unexpected advantages and will come back to your career feeling more energized and motivated than ever before.

Ethan Harrison Smith is a modern folk-style singer/songwriter who has performed at diverse venues across the United States and beyond. He specializes in original folk music which is rooted in personal reflection and introspection, combining creative lyrical ideas with stripped-down acoustic guitar and harmonica. You can learn more about Ethan Harrison Smith and his music at EthanSmithMusic.com.