Best Work-at-Home Courses to Start Earning Money This Year

I’m going to let you in on a little secret. You don’t need a college degree to have a good-paying home-based career. Even though I have two college degrees, I’m not using any of what I learned in college to make money today.

Everything I’m doing today to earn money from home, I've learned along the way. I read books, attended conferences, and took online courses. Not only am I the happiest I’ve ever been in my professional life, but I'm earning more than I ever did as a nurse.

There is absolutely no excuse for you NOT to be making money from home this year! With advances in technology, more jobs can be done from home, and startup costs for launching your own business are little to nothing. Best of all, there are affordable courses in a variety of niches that can get you up and running in as little as two weeks!

If you’re ready to make money from home this year — here are some online training courses you MUST check out!

1. Affiliate Marketing 

Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing School 

I interviewed Michelle Schroeder-Gardner of Making Sense of Cents way back in 2013. Since that time, her blogging business has seen massive success. Did I mention that she earns seven-figures a year?! How does she do it? The majority of Michelle's income is made through affiliate marketing, and in her course, Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing, she shares all of her affiliate marketing secrets. I've had the chance to look over this course, and it's an excellent foundation for beginners. The course includes six modules with over 30 lessons, plus worksheets, bonuses, and a private Facebook Group, which is very active. The cost is $197 or two payments of $105. Michelle offers a 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee on her course.

• Level: Beginner
• Duration: Self-paced

2. Amazon FBA Business

Amazon Boot Camp

In 2008, Jessica Larrew lost her job and started blogging and selling products on Amazon. Today she and her husband, Cliff, earn a full-time income from selling products on Amazon and teaching others how to do the same. This course contains 14 different modules and includes everything from Amazon basics, tools you'll need, how to select products, pricing, packing, and so much more. Besides access to the course, you'll also receive bonuses and membership to a private Facebook Group. The cost of the full course is $495, or there is a payment plan of $195 for three months. They also offer a 60-day money-back guarantee.

If you're curious about selling products on Amazon, check out their free 7-day email course, Everything You Need to Know to Start Selling on Amazon.

• Level: Beginner
• Duration: Self-paced — comes with 10 hours of videos

3. Bookkeeping Course

Bookkeepers

After starting his own accounting firm, Ben Robinson needed to hire some bookkeepers to help him with his business clients. Unfortunately, finding good bookkeepers was tough. So, Ben decided to take his CPA knowledge and train individuals to meet his needs. Over time he discovered that great bookkeepers shared seven main personal characteristics. Now Ben teaches others how to work from home as bookkeepers. The full 10-week training course is $2,997 (split into three payments of $999). You can also pay in full and get a $300 discount making the price $2,697. Bookkeepers have a 60-day unconditional guarantee. Bookkeepers have an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau website.

To figure out if you have the right personality for bookkeeping — sign up for Ben's FREE three-part training series.

• Level: Beginner
• Duration: 10-week course

4. Comprehensive Blogging Course

Elite Blog Academy 

I've purchased a lot of blogging courses over my career, and this is the ONE that has helped me the most. In fact, it's what helped me take my blog to the next level. Created by Ruth Soukup of Living Well Spending Less, this program is excellent for new and intermediate bloggers alike, and it consists of 12 units and includes videos and worksheets, as well as a lot of bonuses, and membership to private Facebook Group. Enrollment for this training course only opens up ONCE a year (March 2020), so be sure to get signed up for the waitlist. The full cost of the course is $997, and payment plans are available.

Want to know more about Ruth's teaching style? Grab her FREE e-book, 7 Surefire Ways to Boost Your Blog Income Overnight.

• Level: Beginner to intermediate
• Duration: Self-paced program that can be completed in 12 weeks

5. Copywriting

The Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting 

If you want to work from home as a copywriter, then check out American Writers & Artists Inc.'s (AWAI) copywriting course. This in-depth course (586 pages) covers all the nuts and bolts of writing persuasively, plus it gives you lifetime access to AWAI's members-only website and copywriting job board. The cost is $497 or five payments of $99. AWAI has a no-risk, 100% satisfaction guarantee for one full year, and they have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

• Level: Beginner to intermediate
• Duration: Self-paced program – can be completed in 12 weeks

6. Create Printables to Sell

How to Create Printables

Sarah Titus has always made good money as a blogger, but it wasn't until she started selling printables on her blog that she was able to reach the seven-figure mark! Today Sarah teaches others how to create and sell printables for a profit. In this course, you'll learn how to create printables, which printables sell well, the ins and outs of Photoshop, and so much more. The curriculum contains three main modules and over $2,000 worth of bonuses. The full cost of the course is $697 or two payments of $447.

The one thing this course doesn't teach is how to set up your printable shop, but Sarah has a course for that too called Million Dollar Shop. This course teaches you everything you need to know about setting up your online printable store.

• Level: Beginner to intermediate
• Duration: Self-paced program – recommended completion is two-four weeks

7. Become an Event Planner

Event Planner Certificate Course 

IAP Career College offers an online, home-study course that teaches the basics and techniques for planning events and getting started as an event planner. This course explores both getting hired on as an employee and starting your event planning business and getting clients. The cost for this course is $297, and IAP Career College has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

• Level: Beginner to intermediate
• Duration: Six weeks

8. Freelance Writer

30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success 

After a decade-long career as a financial advisor, Gina Horkey realized it wasn’t what she wanted to do for the rest of her life, and started looking into freelance writing. In six short months, Gina was able to build up her freelance writing business from zero to $4K a month! Now Gina is making five-figures a month! In Gina's course, she shares the framework she used for her freelance success, includes nine self-paced modules and lots of resources. The full cost of the course is $197, and enrollment is open year-round.

If you're interested in writing, but not sure what to write about, check out Gina's free list of 200+ writing niches here.

• Level: Beginner
• Duration: 30-days

9. General Transcriptionist

General Transcription: Theory & Practice 

If you want to do transcription work from home, this is the course for you. General Transcription: Theory & Practice covers everything from equipment requirements, transcription style guides, to where to find legit jobs as well as practice dictation sessions so you can hone your skills. The full cost of the course is $597 and includes lifetime updates and access. Janet Shaughnessy, the creator of the course, also has a pay-as-you-go option and discounts for individuals who purchase both the general and legal transcription courses.

• Level: Beginner
• Duration: Self-paced program – can be completed in two-four months

10. Home Stager

Home Staging Business Training Program 

Debra Gould is an internationally recognized home staging expert and has staged millions of dollars worth of real estate through her company. In 2005, she started teaching others how to do the same via her Home Staging Business Training Program. The instant download training program is $995, and the mailed-to-your-door option is $1,295. Debra offers a money-back guarantee, 48 hours for digital download courses, and 45-days for mailed-to-your-door items.

• Level: Beginner
• Duration: Series of five courses – each one takes up to two hours to complete

11. Medical Coding and Billing

Certified Medical Coder 

If you'd like to work from home doing medical coding and billing — you’ll need formal training. CareerStep offers this training through an online program that can be completed at home and finished in four months. CareerStep has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and they’re endorsed by the well-known financial advisor, Dave Ramsey. The cost of this course is $2,995; payment plans and military tuition assistance is available. CareerStep also provides graduate support to help you land a job.

• Level: Beginner
• Duration: Self-paced – this program is designed to be completed in four months

12. Proofreading

Proofreading: Theory and Practice Course 

Caitlin Pyle, the brains behind Proofread Anywhere, has been earning a full-time income proofreading since 2012. Today she teaches other aspiring proofreaders how to do the same. The full cost of her course is $497 and includes access to eight different modules that will show you everything you need to know about proofreading as well as starting your own proofreading business.

To figure out if proofreading is the right career path for you — sign up here for Caitlin's free 76-minute workshop.

• Level: Beginner to intermediate
• Duration: A Self-paced program that takes approximately one-three months to complete

13. Scopist

Internet Scoping School (ISS)

Linda Evenson has been a scopist for over 35 years and has been teaching others how to scope since 1999. In her course, you'll learn how to edit transcripts for court reporters. The full price of the course is $2,500, or you can pay in installments of 3, 5, 8, or 12-months.

Want to know more about scoping? Linda offers a free seven-day intro course that sheds light on the profession, what it pays, and how to get clients.

• Level: Beginner to intermediate
• Duration: Self-paced program. If you put in 15-20 hours per week, you'll be able to finish the course within six months

14. Virtual Assistant

Become a Virtual Assistant in 30 Days or Less 

After successful launching a freelance writing business, Gina Horkey decided to add virtual assistant services into the mix. Today Gina teaches others how to launch their own successful freelance careers. In this nine-module training, you'll learn the essentials of starting, running, and managing a virtual assistant business. The full cost of the course is $397 or three payments of $167.

• Level: Beginner
• Duration: 30-days

15. Voice Acting 

Work-From-Home Doing Voice Overs

Julie Eickhoff has been working from her home doing voice-over work since 2011, and now she's teaching others how to do the same. In this seven-part course, you'll learn what equipment and skills you'll need, where to find voice-over work, how to run your business, and access to a free Facebook Group. After you complete the course, Julie will give you a free voice review. The full cost of the course is $297, or there is a monthly payment plan of $37.50 for eight months.

If voice over work sounds appealing, check out Julie's free mini-course that gives you an inside peek into the profession.

• Level: Beginner
• Duration: Self-paced — contains 2.5 hours of videos

One Last Note. 

To be successful with any of these training courses and careers — you need to put in the hard work! Success is not going to happen overnight, and to be blunt, and it's not always going to be easy. But if you're willing to put in the effort, complete the lessons, and work all the way through the course — you can be successful. If you're looking for an “easy way out” this list is not for you.

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Originally published on August 15, 2019. Content updated on October 17, 2019.

Holly Reisem Hanna is the publisher and founder of  The Work at Home Woman, which has been helping individuals find remote careers and businesses that feed their souls since 2009. Through her unconventional career path of holding over 30 jobs and obtaining two college degrees, she’s been able to figure out how to find a career path that you’re truly passionate about. Holly’s had the pleasure of sharing her expertise on sites like CNN, MSN Money, Huffington Post, Woman’s Day Magazine, as well as being recognized by Forbes as one of the “Top 100 Websites for Your Career.” Holly resides in Austin, Texas, with her husband and daughter and enjoys reading, traveling, and yoga.

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