Most online jobs in Kenya require that you have atleast a laptop, and have basic skills such as typing, and effective communication in order to secure work.
These jobs are typically:
- Blogging
- Content writing
- Copywriting
- SEO and lead generation
- Video editing
- WordPress setup
- Blog and website management, etc.
However, there are a few jobs that you can do with just your smartphone, and mobile data in case you don’t have home internet.
These jobs not only offer the convenience of flexible working hours but also the simplicity of getting paid through mobile money platforms like M-Pesa.
Types of online jobs accessible via smartphone
Table of contents
1) Social media management
As a social media manager, you can oversee and maintain the online presence of businesses or individuals.
You create engaging content tailored to their audience, post updates, and interact with followers. Given that most social media platforms have built-in tools that can enable you to create and schedule posts directly from mobile apps, you can accomplish most of your tasks, using your smartphone.
Also, social media management tools such as Publer, are available via mobile apps, if you need to manage various channels, for various clients.
As a social media manager, your main role is to create engaging social media content for your client’s audience.
You also respond to comments and messages, fostering relationships with the audience and ensuring the brand’s reputation is maintained.
Skills:
- Adept with social media analytics tools
- Content creation creativity
- Basic social media marketing understanding
- Know how to use social media management tools
- Content writing for social media
- Social media graphics design skills
Building a buzz for your brand shouldn’t be a challenge, as many people are not putting enough effort into establishing their social media marketing freelance business in Kenya.
Use a cheap but reliable web hosting platform like Host Pinnacle to create a simple website, and use it to market your services. If I was to work as a social media manager, I would:
- Borrow a laptop or go to a cyber and have an arrangement to pay, say KES 100 – 200 to use their computers for 3-5 hours a day
- Set up a simple website using Host Pinnacle, or hire someone to build one
- Create my main social media page(Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn), and start updating regularly.
- Join relevant social media communities, and start providing value
- Go to local shops, and offer them a discount in exchange for testimonials
- Start blogging, and targeting relevant local search queries
- Offer a free consultation: Providing a free initial consultation can help you demonstrate your expertise and value to potential clients. Use this opportunity to understand their needs and showcase how you can help them achieve their social media goals.
- Showcase your work: Build a portfolio of successful campaigns and satisfied clients. Display your achievements on your website and social media profiles to attract more clients and establish credibility.
By taking these steps, you can enhance your capabilities as a social media manager and position yourself as a reliable and skilled professional in the industry.
2) Community manager
Another simple online job you can do in Kenya with just a smartphone is community management.
Essentially, you are paid by a business to manage a social media community, such as:
- Facebook groups
- Whatsapp channel
- Whatsapp groups
- Twitter Spaces (X Spaces)
- LinkedIn groups
Since these are mobile apps, you don’t need anything more than a smartphone to get started. You will then need to identify companies and brands that are the right fit for you and your brand and make your pitch.
Start with the groups you already are a part of, and where you regularly contribute. Once you have your list, send in a cold or warm pitch, highlighting how your expertise could help.
Be sure to have them request a quote and more clarifications.
If you are bold enough, why not just walk into their offices, in CBD or wherever you are located? Just because a job is online, doesn’t mean you will land one via online means, trust you me.
3) Virtual assistance
As a virtual assistant, you can provide remote administrative support to clients in a variety of areas such as scheduling, email management, and data entry.
You can handle tasks such as
- Managing calendars
- Organizing meetings
- Sending reminders
- Organizing and coordinating virtual events and webinars
- Managing email lists and newsletters
- Simple content tasks
Your role may also include research, travel arrangements, and managing projects for your clients.
Communication is key in this role, as you’ll often need to coordinate with clients and their partners or customers. Being resourceful and adaptable will enable you to offer a range of services and support.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask are essential for successfully managing various tasks for your clients.
Skills:
- Excellent communication and organizational skills
- Familiarity with productivity tools and apps
- Basic knowledge of project management
- Time management and multitasking abilities
- Resourcefulness and adaptability
Finding work:
To find work as a virtual assistant, you can:
- Create profiles on freelance platforms such as Upwork and Freelancer, showcasing your skills and experience.
- Network in online forums and groups to connect with potential clients.
- Offer a free consultation to demonstrate your capabilities and build rapport with potential clients.
- Ask satisfied clients for referrals to expand your client base.
- Market your services on social media and through your own website.
- Approach local businesses
By building a strong online presence and providing excellent service, you can establish yourself as a sought-after virtual assistant.
4) Online tutoring
Online tutoring allows you to share your knowledge and skills with students worldwide.
You can offer personalized guidance in subjects you excel in, such as math, science, or language studies.
Conduct sessions through video calls, live chat, or messaging apps directly from your smartphone. Create lesson plans and adapt your teaching style to meet your students’ needs.
Offering flexible hours can help you attract more clients, as many students require tutoring outside of traditional school hours.
Patience and clear communication are key to being an effective tutor.
Skills:
- Deep knowledge of the subject matter
- Strong communication and teaching skills
- Patience and adaptability
- Familiarity with online tutoring platforms and tools
- Empathy and understanding of different learning styles
Finding work:
To find work as an online tutor, you can:
- Join online tutoring platforms such as Tutor.com, Preply, or VIPKid to connect with students.
- Create profiles on freelance websites and advertise your tutoring services.
- Use social media to promote your tutoring services and connect with potential students.
- Reach out to local schools and educational institutions for potential collaboration opportunities.
By building a positive reputation and offering quality tutoring, you can grow your client base and establish yourself as a trusted tutor.
5) Content creation
No, am not talking about blogging, as that will definitely require you to work from a laptop or desktop.
What I mean is, short form ghostwriter
You produce engaging content for platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram.
You can create and edit videos, take photos, and craft compelling captions directly from your smartphone.
To succeed in this space, you need to be a creative storyteller, who can authentically craft pieces that resonate with the audience, and generate a buzz.
Skills:
- Creativity and storytelling abilities
- Strong editing and production skills
- Understanding of social media algorithms
- Consistency and time management
- Engaging communication and networking skills
6) Online coaching
Online coaching allows you to share your expertise in areas such as fitness, wellness, career development, job search, web development, or other fields.
You can connect with clients through video calls or messaging apps, offering personalized coaching sessions.
Create tailored plans and programs to help your clients achieve their goals.
Being motivational and providing actionable advice can lead to long-term relationships and referrals.
As an online coach, your ability to listen and understand your client’s needs is key to providing effective guidance and support.
Skills:
- Expertise in your chosen field
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Patience and empathy
- Ability to create tailored plans and strategies
- Marketing and sales abilities
Finding work:
To find work as an online coach, you can:
- Promote your coaching services on social media and create a professional website.
- Offer free introductory sessions to attract clients and demonstrate your expertise.
- Leverage referrals from satisfied clients to grow your client base.
7) Online selling
Online selling involves buying and selling products on marketplaces like Jumia and Kilimall.
With just your smartphone, you can source products, list them for sale, and manage transactions.
This is not entirely an online job, since you will still have to handle various tasks manually, such as ordering and shipping products to customers.
However, with the right systemization, you could essentially be dropshipping items from your supplier to customers, and earning a profit.
Digital marketplace tips
Choose products that are in demand and price them competitively to attract buyers. High-quality photos and detailed descriptions help your listings stand out.
Efficient communication with buyers and prompt shipping lead to positive reviews and repeat business.
As you gain experience, you can expand your product range or even launch your own brand.
Skills:
- Strong understanding of market trends and demand
- Sales and negotiation skills
- Photography and content creation abilities
- Customer service and communication skills
- Time management and organization
Finding customers:
To succeed in online selling, you can:
- Research products and identify trends to find in-demand items.
- Create listings on online marketplaces and maintain a professional presence.
- Network with suppliers and other sellers to expand your product offerings.
- Monitor your sales and adjust your pricing strategy as needed.
By providing excellent customer service and high-quality products, you can establish yourself as a reliable online seller.
8) Stock photography
If you have a talent for photography, you can sell your photos to stock photography websites such as Shutterstock and Adobe Stock.
These platforms allow you to upload your images directly from your smartphone and earn royalties whenever someone downloads your photos.
Create a diverse portfolio that includes different themes and styles to appeal to a broad audience.
Consistent uploads and high-quality images can increase your chances of earning more from sales.
By keeping up with photography trends and improving your skills, you can build a steady income stream from your stock photography portfolio.
Skills:
- Strong photography skills and understanding of composition
- Familiarity with photo editing tools
- Knowledge of stock photography platforms and their requirements
- Creative and diverse approach to subject matter
- Marketing and networking skills
Finding work:
To succeed in stock photography, you can:
- Sign up for stock photography websites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or iStock.
- Continuously update your portfolio with high-quality, diverse images.
- Keep up with trends in photography and explore different styles and themes.
- Network with other photographers and industry professionals for tips and opportunities.
9) Digital art creation
Digital art creation allows you to express your creativity using drawing or painting apps on your smartphone.
These apps offer a variety of tools and brushes, giving you the freedom to create unique and captivating digital art.
You can produce different types of artwork, such as illustrations, character designs, and abstract art.
Many apps also allow you to work with layers and advanced features, enhancing your artwork’s depth and quality.
Once you’ve created your digital art, you can sell your work on platforms like Etsy, Redbubble, or Society6 as product designs such as t-shirts, stationery, hoods, etc.
These platforms enable you to showcase your art and reach a broad audience of potential buyers.
Skills:
- Artistic skills and creativity
- Familiarity with drawing and painting apps
- Knowledge of digital art techniques and tools
- Attention to detail and color theory
- Marketing and promotion skills
Finding work:
To find work in digital art creation, you can:
- Create a portfolio of your artwork and share it on social media.
- Join online art communities and forums to connect with other artists and potential clients.
- Sell your digital art on platforms like Etsy, Redbubble, or Society6.
- Collaborate with other artists and designers to expand your reach.
10) Voice-over artist
As a voice-over artist, you can use your phone’s microphone to record narration for videos, advertisements, audiobooks, and more.
You could also purchase an external microphone that you can then plug into your phone for better audio quality.
Your voice becomes the key element in bringing scripts and stories to life.
Record your voice in a quiet environment to achieve clear, professional-quality audio.
You can use mobile editing apps to clean up and enhance your recordings by removing background noise and adjusting levels.
In addition to narration work, you can explore different types of projects such as dubbing, e-learning, or even voice acting for games and animations.
Developing versatility and range in your voice can help you attract more job opportunities.
Skills:
- Strong vocal control and articulation
- Clear and engaging voice
- Familiarity with recording and editing apps
- Adaptability to different styles and tones
- Time management and the ability to work with scripts
Finding Work:
To find work as a voice-over artist, you can:
- Create a professional demo reel showcasing your voice talents.
- Sign up on freelance platforms like Voices.com and Voice123 to connect with potential clients.
- Promote your services on social media and through your own website.
- Network with industry professionals and explore opportunities in various fields.
By providing high-quality voice-over work and delivering projects on time, you can establish yourself as a reliable and in-demand voice-over artist.
Payment and transaction methods
When engaging in online jobs in Kenya using your smartphone, handling payments efficiently is crucial.
You’ll often have two primary methods to receive earnings: M-Pesa and PayPal.
M-Pesa is a widely used mobile payment system in Kenya. It allows you to receive money directly to your mobile phone. The process is straightforward:
- Register for an M-Pesa account if you haven’t yet.
- Provide your M-Pesa number to the employer or freelance platform.
Once the job is done, your payment is sent straight to your M-Pesa, often with a minimal commission taken by the service provider.
On the other hand, PayPal is a global online payment system. If you’re working for international clients, they might prefer sending your earnings via PayPal, which you can do by:
- Creating a PayPal account.
- Linking it with your email address used for the online job.
With PayPal, you can transfer funds to your bank account, or leave them in PayPal for other online transactions, but be mindful of conversion fees when switching between currencies.
Other payment methods include:
- Wise
- Payoneer
Choose the method that works best for you and ensures ease of access to your hard-earned money.
Building an online presence
To jumpstart your journey into online jobs using a smartphone in Kenya, creating a solid online presence is crucial.
Think of your presence as your digital footprint – the more visible it is, the better your chances of landing gigs.
Social Media: Begin by setting up profiles on key platforms. Tailor them to showcase your professional skills. If you’re a resume writer, display testimonials. As a blogger, share snippets of your best work.
- Facebook – Connect with groups related to your niche.
- LinkedIn – Network professionally and display your resume.
- Instagram – Ideal for visual portfolios.
Blogging: Start a simple blog to discuss topics you’re knowledgeable about. It’s a great way to demonstrate your expertise and attract an audience. Use platforms like WordPress or Blogger, which are phone-friendly.
Online Content: Share quality content consistently. Be it videos, articles, or infographics, make sure it represents your best work. This will help build your reputation as a reliable content creator.
Building Your Portfolio: Gather all your past work in one place.
If you’re a student in Kenya, include any relevant projects or assignments that highlight your skills. This will serve as proof of your capabilities for potential clients.
Remember, the key is regular engagement. Interact with your followers, respond to comments, and stay active.
Your online presence is a living, breathing portfolio of who you are professionally. Use it wisely to open doors to online jobs right from your smartphone.
Managing work and time
When engaging in online work using your smartphone, managing your time effectively is crucial.
Remote work demands discipline. After all, you’re in charge of your own schedule.
To ensure you meet deadlines and maintain work quality, here are some strategies:
- Prioritize Tasks: Determine which jobs need your attention first. Use lists to keep track and tackle high-priority tasks to stay ahead.
- Set Clear Deadlines: For tasks without set deadlines, assign your own. This keeps you on track and helps avoid last-minute rushes.
- Break Tasks into Chunks: Large tasks can be overwhelming. Splitting them into smaller, manageable sections makes them less daunting and helps maintain focus.
- Use Time Management Apps: Various apps can help you manage your time effectively. They can remind you of tasks, track time spent, and even limit distractions.
- Offer Quality: As a virtual assistant or in any other online job, the quality of your work will define your reputation. Allocate time to review and perfect your tasks before submission.
- Avoid Multitasking: It might seem efficient, but multitasking can reduce the quality of your work. Focus on one task at a time for the best results.
- Take Regular Breaks: Working non-stop can lead to burnout. Short breaks rejuvenate your mind, keeping you sharp and productive.
