How to get the best online jobs in Kenya

Joe McGoldrick
November 10, 2023 · 8 min read

Global connectivity and the shift to remote work have created new and exciting careers. Nowadays, people can work for companies a thousand miles away, in the comfort of their home⁠—or wherever they choose. If you’re a budding digital nomad, or want to work from home, this blog will explain how to get the best online jobs in Kenya.

Best Online Jobs In Kenya - 2023

1. Freelance Writing

Written work has always been a popular form of content worldwide. What used to be seen predominantly in newspapers and other publications is now online. Freelance writers are valuable professionals providing various content like articles, landing page copies, and newsletters. This is a perfect career choice if you have a knack for whipping up creative and engaging content through words.

2. Freelance Photographer

The stock photos you see online have to come from somewhere, right? We have freelance photographers to thank for that! They provide countless online and offline images that publishers use for their publications. Freelance stock photographers provide quality images, from things like article visual aids to ad campaign graphics.

Virtual Assistants

Think of these professionals as admin staff. But instead of working in a cubicle beside you, they are located miles away. They might even be in a totally different time zone. Virtual Assistants perform various tasks on top of their usual admin tasks, such as research, accounting, and customer support. They can also specialize in different niches like real estate, tech, sales, etc.

3. Social Media Manager

Businesses these days recognize the power of social media. They want to leverage these platforms to attract and retain a loyal customer base while growing their brand’s presence. Social Media Managers are professionals that make this goal happen. They manage pages, post relevant content, and keep their community engaged and happy. As an SMM, you help your brand grow alongside nurturing a community around it.

4. Email Marketing

Email marketers specialize in running campaigns through the power of email. They focus on building a strong list of email addresses, crafting well-thought-of copies, and making personal connections with their target market. This strategy allows brands to directly connect with their customers personally.

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5. Website Flipping

Website flipping works much like buying a house or an apartment and fixing it up to resell in the future. You invest in either a dormant website but with untapped potential, make improvements, and resell at a much higher value. This improvement may include adding a monetization scheme, improving user experience, or increasing web traffic by making it more visible.

6. Web Developer

Speaking of websites, building one from the ground up is also a great online career. There are over 200 million active websites worldwide and 3 new ones are created every second. This is thanks to work put out by web developers. They create websites to comply with design principles and specifically with a business’ needs.

7. Graphic Designer

Graphic designers are essentially visual artists that work with graphic art. They make digital visuals to communicate ideas. They often work with a wide range of clientele from large multi-national companies to small startups and even individuals. The graphics can include banners, logos, infographics, and many more. They can be freelance or in-house, with a team or on their own.

Business Coach

Running a business is not an easy feat. Having an experienced resource person to mentor you is a great asset to have. Business coaches help out businesses to optimize, improve, and scale their businesses. They perform a variety of tasks depending on the company’s needs, such as training personnel, proposing changes, and overhauling processes. With the power of the internet, one can become a business coach fully remote.

8. Freelance Video Editor 

Video is everywhere these days. In fact, a survey done in August of 2020 showed that more than 27% of people watch more than 10 hours of video weekly. The demand for good video editors will only get bigger in time. As a video editor, you are responsible for putting together multiple footage and graphics to create one cohesive video.


Best Paying Online Jobs In Kenya

1. Copywriter

Copywriters are writers whose sole purpose is to sell. Whether this is a product, a service, or an idea, they specialize in persuasive writing aimed at convincing their target market. They make a whole variety of copies from email newsletters, landing pages, and even flyers and brochures. Because they impact their client’s businesses, they get paid an average of KSh 987,635 yearly.

Sales Funnel Designer 

Sales Funnels is a concept in marketing that describes how a prospect becomes a customer. At first, it starts out with a big set of customers whittling down as it goes down the “funnel”. It shows how and where customers were converted. Sales Funnel Designers are professionals who design and optimize these conversion points. This is mainly done to increase your customers and convert more into prospects.

2. Freelance Marketing Consultant

Sometimes, it takes fresh eyes to point out rooms for improvement. Freelance Marketing Consultants are exactly that. They analyze a company’s data and look for problem areas. They identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and unnecessary processes. They then offer solutions and/or improvements. They also help train staff as well as help the company implement these changes.


Best Online Jobs For Students In Kenya 

One of the best things about the internet is that practically anyone with access has amazing opportunities right at their fingertips. Even a budding college student can earn a decent income on the side. Here are a few online gigs that are best for Kenyan students.

1. Ghostwriter 

Ghostwriters are essentially the writers that are hired to write for someone else. They are flexible with their content, just like any other freelance writer. They are hired to write all sorts of things from blog posts, newsletters, and other written media. Their only major difference is that their works are essentially under the hiring party’s name.

2. Technical Writer 

Businesses and the academe are very meticulous with their paperwork. Stuff needs to be documented thoroughly and properly to ensure that they are in compliance. Technical writing requires more formal language and stricter guidelines. They write anything from research papers, technical manuals, and documentation. That is why Technical Writers are indispensable professionals.

Social Media Moderator

If a certain online community is of significant size, it becomes difficult for a Social Media Manager to handle everything. This is where Moderators come in. They assist SMMs in managing social media pages and their subsequent communities. They help post content and ensure that the community guidelines are met.

Best Websites In Kenya For Online Writing Jobs

Now that you’ve got a good feel of the best online jobs in the market, what’s left is actually going out and looking for one. Fortunately, there are good online job boards that make job hunting convenient. Here are some of them.

Upwork 

Upwork is by far one of the best-known platforms on the planet. Formerly known as oDesk, this online job board has been in the business for quite some time now. Because of its popularity, many hopeful employees and aspiring online workers come to meet. However, being one of the biggest in the market means more competition with other aspiring professionals.

Fiverr 

If you are a full-time student looking to earn a few bucks on the side should definitely check out Fiverr. This is one of the largest job boards specializing in small projects and gigs. The name is a nod to $5 dollars which was the usual asking rate for these small gigs.

Niabusiness

This is one of the best online job markets in Kenya. They post a variety of online gigs, including content writing, video editing, coding, graphics design, and many more. This is also a great place for employers looking for cost-effective yet quality work. If you are just starting out as a freelancer, this is a perfect place to start busting your chops.

Skills needed for high-paying jobs

Getting an online job is simple but can be daunting for beginners. The trick is having the right skills to land that dream job. Here are some of the useful soft skills you should have if you want to break into online work.

Internet Literacy 

It goes without saying that to succeed in an online job, you need to know your way around the internet. This includes basic navigation and research. A basic understanding of collaboration apps like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams is a must these days. A better understanding of how social media works is also a must for aspiring social media managers.

Time Management 

As an online worker, the whole world is your oyster. But this also means you will deal with people living in different time zones. This can be a challenge coming from a traditional 9 to 5 job. Having impeccable time management skills is a must to always stay on top of every project.

Communication

Being able to effectively and clearly deliver your message is a must. As a remote worker, knowing how to express your thoughts and idea is the foundation of collaboration. You will need to be in constant contact with teammates and clients most of the time. Being savvy with your words will surely make you seem professional.

Teamwork

Another important skill in a collaborative environment is teamwork. For most of your career, you will be working with other professionals on a project. Being a good team player lets you work effectively with others. This skill will help you complement each other’s strengths and cover each other’s weaknesses.

Adaptability

Today’s fast-paced world requires a radical approach. One must be fluid and able to adapt to almost any circumstance that is trusted upon them. Specializing in one skill to the point of mastery it has its appeal. But being able to wear many hats is an edge that will make you stand out.

This is by no means an extensive list. Here are a few more important skills needed for high-paying jobs.

Looking to Pursue a Remote Job Role?

Discover the strategies and top tips to get a remote job, working from the comfort of your home. Download the remote working guide today!

Consider how an Online BBA or Online MBA can help you develop further skills and increase your earning potential, whilst working remotely.

Sign up

How to get high-paying jobs

Here are a few tips for landing good gigs as a beginner in the online workforce.

Put yourself out there

Self-advertising is the number one way that you get noticed by potential clients and employers. As a budding online professional, you should be able to position yourself as an expert in a niche. This shows the value that you will bring onboard, making you stand out among a sea of other professionals.

Hone your skills

As an online worker, your skills are your bread and butter. Start by learning the relevant skills for your chosen career. Then continuously improve on them to the point of mastery. Learn additional skills that are closely related to your other skills. This adds value to you and will positively impact your rates.

Get the necessary credentials

Expertise is a crucial part of online work. Since your clients or employers know they can’t be with you in person, they would want assurances. After all, if they were to hand over work a thousand miles away, they would want to be sure it’s in competent hands. Having trusted credentials is a good way to earn the trust of your potential clients.

One of the best ways to gain cred is through online courses. For beginners looking to get into marketing or business consulting, for example, a degree in Business Administration⁠—like Nexford University’s Bachelor of Business Administration⁠—is a great option. If you are looking to gain credibility further in your craft, pursuing higher education like a Master of Business Administration is worth a shot.

Conclusion

There are many opportunities to be had for Kenyans online. The internet has opened so many doors that allows many people to succeed in their career. Sometimes, you just need a push. For more info, check out Nexford’s Career Services.


Ready to take the next step? Download our brochure or book a call with our Nexford Advisors!

About the author
Joe McGoldrick
Joe McGoldrick

Known for strategy and attention to detail

Joe has more than 10 years of marketing experience, working within the public sector, client-side, and agency side.

He is passionate about using data and customer insights to improve marketing performance.

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