How Entertainment Workers Can Stay Productive Working from Home

Has your business or income been limited by COVID-19-related restrictions and closures? If you’re a musician, DJ or working in any other segment of the entertainment industry, you very likely answered yes to that question. With concerts, events and filming on hold right now, we’re all looking for safe ways to supplement our income, which most likely means working from home. That can be a big switch, but these tips and resources from Staimusic can help you make the best of it.

Working from Home for the First Time
If you’re used to working on set or in a studio, working out of your home can take some getting used to, and that can be especially true if your kids are also home. To get things accomplished, you will need to set up regular office hours and find a quiet location where you can work without being distracted by your children or even your partner.
Since telecommuting will likely be a new norm for the foreseeable future, setting up an office in your home may be a wise choice for keeping yourself productive. A spare room or even a spare closet can work well as a home workspace, so be creative as you think about where to start. Keeping your kids busy is also a must, so if your kids don’t have home school assignments or other activities to keep them occupied, be sure to plan engaging activities for them.

Kids and partners aren’t the only distractions you will need to contend with when you work from home, so it may be helpful to have a few productivity tools to keep yourself focused and on track. You can use apps like Trello, Toggl, and Freedom to plan and manage your time. Of course, having a powerful smartphone is ideal for running your repertoire of apps. If your phone is having issues with powering apps, but you're worried that you won't be able to afford buying a new one, the good news is you can take advantage of savings opportunities when shopping for an upgrade. These opportunities include doing a trade-in or making monthly payments..

Finding Remote Work Opportunities
Need help getting started with a remote position? Then you should think about getting started as a freelancer. As a freelancer, you can essentially create your own schedule and workflow, and you can also take on as little or as much work as you need to keep yourself financially stable. That added flexibility and freedom can be perfect when you are juggling work and kids while you are at home during the lockdown, and you can get started by offering your freelance services to existing connections in the entertainment industry.

There are many websites that offer freelance job opportunities, and you can use many of them to advertise your services in addition to actively searching for jobs. This proactive approach can help you keep yourself afloat during the uncertain times ahead. You can also take this opportunity to figure out whether you can translate your skills to another industry entirely, whether that's consulting or marketing. If you just need something to tide you over until things pick back up, you can also consider working for one of these companies. .

Reaching Out for Added Support and Help
Working as a freelancer or in any other remote position can be a good way to bring in income while you are sticking closer to home. Even with these opportunities, however, you may still find yourself in need of additional resources to help your business survive amidst the economic chaos caused by COVID-19. Thankfully, there are a few avenues for getting the help you need during this crisis. Self-employed individuals in the entertainment industry have three options for accessing aid from the federal government: unemployment, paycheck protection, and economic impact loans. Restrictions and rules around each can vary by state, but you should be able to at least get some financial help. In terms of your mental health, there are also online resources available to help with feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression that you may be experiencing as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic.

This is a time of change and transition, many of which can be stressful. So, make sure you have the tools and resources you need to adapt your business to coronavirus challenges and restrictions, and to keep yourself well during this uncertain time.