The Best Way To Sell Your Pokemon Cards and Make Money

Pokémon has been experiencing a resurgence in popularity in recent years, and it has made collectors young and old think they might sell Pokémon cards they have, whether from years ago or from weeks ago.

Selling or trading these cards might not be easy for you if you’re a true-blue collector of Pokémon cards, but if you need quick cash, selling your Pokémon cards may just be a convenient way to make some money by trading in something you already have.

In today’s post, I’ll delve into everything you need to know so you can sell your Pokémon cards and get some money from them.

How To Know if Your Pokémon Cards Are Worth Something

It’s hard to sell Pokémon cards if you don’t even know what you have.

So the first thing you need to do is to organize your collection.

Start by sorting the cards by set, indicated by a small symbol on the bottom right-hand corner of the Pokémon illustration for old sets, or on the bottom right-hand corner of the card for newer sets.

Pokémon cards

If you’re not sure which symbol means what, take a look at this comprehensive guide.

The next thing you need to do is to sort them by their card numbers. This number is indicated on the lower right-hand corner of the card, with the format X/Y.

The number X is the number of the actual card, and the number Y is the total number of cards in the deck. For example, if you see 4/100, then it’s the fourth card out of 100 cards in a deck.

If your card doesn’t have a symbol on it, it’s a base set card. There were only three sets of base set cards released in the US, so consider yourself lucky as these cards are where the money is at for most collectors.

Also, if your card only has one number instead of the X/Y format, that means your card is part of a Promotional deck.

Once you’ve organized your cards, the next thing to do is to make a list of all your cards. I recommend keeping this list in a spreadsheet, such as a Microsoft Excel file or a Google Sheet.

Keeping the list in a spreadsheet allows you to keep a digital record and it becomes easier to do the next step as well, which is determining how valuable your Pokémon cards are.

There are two important factors when determining the value of your cards: their condition and their rarity.

How To Tell The Condition Of A Card

The TCGPlayer card condition guide is a great reference for judging the condition of your cards.

Cards in “near mint” condition show minimal to no wear; crisp corners, unblemished edges, and no marks on the surface.

A tiny nick or a scratch may be forgivable, but overall it should look nearly unplayed.

If you have a foil card, however, even the tiniest nick is noticeable. “Near mint foils,” therefore, have absolutely no markings or flaws.

“Lightly played” cards have minor border or corner wear, some scuffs and scratches, but no folds, bends, or liquid damage.

“Lightly played foils” are comparable to near-mint cards in that they have very minor flaws.

“Moderately played” cards may have some corner or edge damages, scratches or scuffs, or even creases.

“Moderately played foils” may have a little flaking, especially on the edges, and may have some scratches or warps, but no creases or folds.

“Heavily played” cards show worse signs of wear. Some liquid damage may be acceptable, but not if it fades the ink too badly. Creasing is also acceptable. These criteria also apply to “heavily played foils.”

“Damaged” cards are in the worst condition; tears, creases, and heavy scratches that affect the structural integrity of the card may be present. These criteria apply to “damaged foils” as well.

How To Tell The Rarity Of A Card

If you can recall how you got your cards, that will help you determine how rare they are. Each collection has a different chance of having a rare card, so knowing how you got your cards will help you know if you’re holding a rare one.

Normally, more expensive collections of cards, like those housed in boxes and tins, have higher chances of having rare cards.

Those that have a circle or diamond won’t be worth much right now but could be worth a lot someday when they’re rare.

Cards with a star or a holofoil picture, a star followed by a letter or symbol, or secret cards (that is, those that have an X/Y number where X is greater than Y).

Promotional cards are ones that are only given out during promotional events, which are marked with the word “Promo” and a black star. They vary in value; some are common while others are incredibly rare.

First edition cards are rare and valuable, and the exact price depends on the collection they belong to.

Once you’ve assessed the condition and rarity of the cards, document these in your spreadsheet as well so you can see everything at a glance.

How To Price Your Pokémon Cards

Now that you know the conditions and rarities of your cards, you can set the selling prices of your Pokémon cards.

Do your price research thoroughly; the more aligned your prices are to the market, the better chances you’ll have of selling your Pokémon cards.

There are approximately thousands of unique Pokémon trading cards and prices change over time as people buy, sell, and trade these cards.

The best places to do your research are:

Also, many sites that sell Pokémon cards online list down all the most popular and most in-demand cards, giving you an idea of how much you can make if you have those particular cards.

Sometimes, though, prices differ wildly among websites.

In this case, you might want to search for a trading card forum online or a hobby shop in your area that can provide you a fair price for your cards.

Individual cards that are less than near-mint condition or not very rare are likely to be worth less than a few dollars, so consider selling them as a bundle.

On the other hand, if you’ve hit the jackpot and have a card that’s worth $100 or more, it’s recommended by most Pokémon traders to have it authenticated by the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA).

Having your card authenticated also ensures that you’re not selling a fake or bogus card. However, authentication costs some money, so make sure the card is worth more than that.

Where To Sell Your Pokémon Cards

When you’ve assessed and priced your Pokémon cards, you’re now ready to sell!

But where?

Here is a list of tried-and-tested marketplaces where you can sell your Pokémon cards.

1. eBay

Nothing beats a classic, apparently.

eBay remains a popular place to sell Pokémon cards for its sheer ease and simplicity.

2. TCGplayer

TCGplayer is a huge marketplace for gaming collectibles, so aside from Pokémon cards, you can also buy and sell Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and other similar cards.

Aside from the marketplace itself, they have plenty of resources for sellers, such as a pricing guide, symbol guide, and other resources to help you sell your Pokémon cards effectively.

3. Troll And Toad

Troll and Toad is another online marketplace that trades in gaming cards.

They have an illustrated Pokemon selling guide, with the important symbols, techniques for assessing the condition and rarity of a card, and many more tools to help you sell.

4. Professor-Oak.com

Professor Oak is a premium Pokémon card trading marketplace that’s very strict in their standards, so make sure you follow their four steps to selling your Pokémon cards.

5. Cardmarket

Europe-based Cardmarket is a peer-to-peer online marketplace making buying and selling Pokémon cards simple for everyone involved.

Simply create an account, look over their grading guidelines, look at similar cards to get an idea of the right prices for your cards, and then list your cards for sale.

6. CCGCastle

CCG Castle is another option to sell your Pokémon cards online, which is a good choice for those who would like to trade their Pokémon card collection for another type of card collection, like Dragonball Z, My Little Pony, and many more.

Otherwise, you can opt to get your payout through PayPal.

7. Pokémon events

If you prefer selling your cards in person, attending Pokémon events can be worth the hassle. Find comic, video game, and cosplay conventions near you.

Beware of people trying to run a scam (e.g., counterfeit money, fake online money transfers, etc.), or trade you fake cards in exchange for your real cards.

8. Facebook Marketplace

You may not have to look very far to sell your cards; a local buyer may just be waiting to connect with you.

Facebook Marketplace may be a convenient option, because you get to set your prices. However, you need to do your due diligence and be safe. After all, you’re dealing with strangers online.

9. Craigslist

When it comes to local transactions, Craigslist is still a viable option, but again, you’ll need to be careful when dealing here.

10. Local comic book or hobby shops

Your local hobby shops are more than just a place for you to buy; you can probably offload some of your Pokémon cards to the shop owner.

If they want to buy cards for reselling, they’ll try to buy them for the lowest price they can, so be prepared to haggle.

Bonus: How To Take Care Of Your Pokémon Cards

If you’re planning to sell your Pokémon cards, not all of them are going to be sold immediately.

You can expect it to take some time before you’re actually able to sell all of them.

In the meantime, you’ll need to take care of the cards you have so that you don’t devalue them inadvertently.

Here are some ways you can take care of your Pokémon cards.

Handle them with care.

Make sure to take care when handling your cards so that you don’t leave too much fingerprint oils and don’t cause too much friction.

Wearing gloves while handling your cards may be a bit extreme, but you may have to do this if you have rare Pokémon cards, especially the holographic ones.

Place all of your cards in protective sleeves.

The best practice is to place the cards into individual penny sleeves and then into individual top loaders.

This way, your cards are protected against wear and tear, moisture, as well as UV light.

If you have many cards and want to easily see them and store them so that they don’t get lost, there are sleeves you can purchase that can fit 9 cards and can be held in binders.

Whether you use top loaders or binders, it’s still good practice to place them into penny sleeves first.

Keep your cards away from the elements.

Even if you have the cards in protective sleeves and binders, UV light, temperature, and moisture can still warp the cards or fade away the ink.

As much as possible, keep your cards somewhere dark, cold, and dry.

Never use a rubber band to hold the cards together.

Rubber bands cut into the edges and the material melts into the cards. Needless to say, this damage builds up over time and devalues your cards.

The Bottom Line

Pokémon is all the rage (again), and if you have Pokémon cards that you can sell, why not make some money off them?

These hidden treasures can make you a pretty penny if you’re lucky to have a rare one in great condition.

If you don’t have any Pokémon cards to sell, or if you don’t have Pokémon cards that are of value, here are more things to sell to make money.

Or if buying and selling is more your style, here are some products you can buy and sell for a profit.

9 Best Paying Jobs in Consumer Non-Durables

On the hunt for the best-paying jobs in consumer non-durable?

Makes sense.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this industry is expected to grow at a rate of 9% over the next decade, which is more competitive than occupations across all other industries.

But before you learn about the employment opportunities that this industry can offer you, let’s get a refresher on what consumer goods mean.

Durable vs. Non-Durable Consumer Goods

Consumer goods are market-ready commodities produced for the people to “consume” immediately. They’re grouped into two types: durable and non-durable consumer goods.

  • Durable consumer goods are products that people can use repeatedly or stored for years. Examples include furniture, vehicles, home appliances, gadgets, gardening tools, etc.
  • Non-durable consumer goods are products that people use only once and are replaced with new ones when consumed. Examples of them include food, drinks, medicine, toiletries like toothpaste and tissue paper, and so on.

As you can imagine, the non-durable consumer goods industry can be massive.

But if you’re planning to change careers, or you’re mulling over a college degree you wish to pursue, learning about the best-paying jobs in consumer non-durables is smart.

Check out my other post on the 12 best-paying jobs in consumer non-durables and to explore even more industries with high-paying jobs.

9 Industries with Best-Paying Jobs in Consumer Non-Durables

Check out the best industries and occupations to get into when you wish to focus your career in consumer non-durables:

1. Food and Drink Production

The need for food will always be #1 priority for any country. The includes food for us humans and even for our pets.

Companies that have stood the test of time in this industry include Coca-Cola, General Mills, Kraft Heinz, and Nestle, among others. High-paying positions in the food production industry:

  • Quality & Food Safety director (Up to 90,000/year)
  • Flavorist ($97,000 to $155,000/year)
  • Food scientists ($55,000 to $87,000/year)
  • Food managers ($80,000 to $110,000/year)
  • Value chain and logistics specialists ($65,000 to $80,000/year)
  • Product designers ($73,000 to $106,000/year)

2. Pharmaceutical Production

Medicine and other pharmaceutical items are essential goods for both people and animals. We need our vitamins, supplements, and medications to lead healthy lives and get better if we fall sick.

The pharmaceutical industry is BIG and has plenty of space for researchers, scientists, production laborers, and other professionals.

Big Pharma companies making a big chunk of the global revenue include large multinationals like Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Merck & Co., Eli Lilly, and Bristol-Myers Squibb, among others. These are some of the highest-paid occupations in these R&D-heavy biotechs:

  • Pharmaceutical financial analysts ($70,000 to $85,000)
  • Pharmaceutical sales representative ($75,000 to $90,000)
  • Research scientist ($105,000 to $120,000)
  • Drug manufacturer ($115,000 to $130,000)
  • Biotechnology consultant ($130,000 to $150,000)

3. Cosmetics Manufacturing

The cosmetics industry isn’t just about make-up.

Soaps, perfumes, and even toiletries like shampoo and toilet paper make up this industry, so you can expect how people would need this market to continuously be producing goods for them.

Some of the fastest-growing non-durable consumer good companies include Unilever Group, Procter & Gamble, L’Oreal, Estée Lauder, Shiseido and Beiersdorf (among others) with high-paying job positions such as:

  • Quality Operations Manager ($50,000 to $60,000)
  • Chemical operations manager ($70,000 to $80,000)
  • Cosmetic Research Scientist or Makeup chemist ($80,000 to $105,000)

4. Clothing Industry

There is always a place for you in the apparel industry. You don’t need to be super-rich to require clothing, so it’s safe to say that this industry will continue to be an essential part of our society.

Big brands like Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Gucci, Zara, H&M, Lululemon, and Burberry continue to hire high-paying jobs such as:

  • Fashion merchandise buyer ($125,000 or higher)
  • Design Director ($170,000 to $180,000)
  • Apparel Creative Director ($180,000 to $200,000)

5. Footwear industry

While this can easily be part of the fashion industry above, the footwear world can stand on its own thankfully because of brands like Nike, Adidas, Skechers, New Balance, Deckers, and Crocs (among others) that make the sector extremely competitive.

If you’re a sneakerhead or a fan of any of these shoe brands, check out the following job positions that pay the most:

  • Innovation Engineer ($75,000 to $113,000)
  • Shoe designer ($75,000 to $88,000)
  • Shoe merchandise buyer ($50,000 to $70,000)
  • Visual merchandiser ($50,000 to $65,000)

6. Farm Goods & Agricultural Equipment Production

Just like our need for food and drink, any agricultural products and equipment are also part of evergreen industries. This sector doesn’t include agricultural equipment manufacturing but includes non-durable goods like pesticides, fertilizers, and other agricultural chemical products.

CF Industries Holdings Inc, The Mosaic Company, and Nutrien Ltd. are the biggest company in this industry. Highest-paying jobs in this consumer non-durable industry include:

  • Agricultural economist ($77,000 to $85,000)
  • Agricultural biochemist ($56,000 to $76,000)
  • Agricultural operations manager ($59,000 to $140,000)
  • Environmental Engineer ($92,000 to $120,000)
  • Agriculture lawyer ($72,000 to $160,000)

7. Paper Manufacturing

Paper is a commodity that we need for schools, offices, and the publishing sector. We need paper for our books, tissue paper, newspapers, notebooks, and more.

The 10 biggest paper production companies in the world include two from the USA: International Paper and WestRock. If you’re interested in joining this industry, here are the high-paying positions you should aim for:

  • Digester operators ($45,000 to $58,000)
  • Beater engineer ($36,000 to $66,000)
  • Paper chemist ($73,000 to $82,000)

8. Plastics Production

We use plastics in virtually everything these days (even if we’ve been trying to reduce their use to help the environment), but the reality is gadget cases, home decor, toys, and everything in between uses plastics.

The demand is unfortunately not going to wane anytime soon as proven by BIG plastic manufacturers like Exxon Mobil Corporation, Chevron Corporation, DuPont de Nemours Inc, and Eastman Chemical Company.

High-paying jobs in this non-durable consumer goods industry include:

  • Supplier Quality Engineer ($87,000 to $120,000)
  • Blowmold Supervisor ($70,000 to $90,000)
  • Senior manufacturing engineer ($100,000 to $140,000)

9. Oil and Gas Sector

The oil and gasoline industry is in need of many engineers and professionals in IT, marketing, production, and a wide range of industries.

The oil and gas industry is not only a MAJOR player in the US economy, but it is also expected to thrive for years to come, with major oil companies like Devon Energy, Phillips 66, and Marathon Petroleum expecting huge profits.

Check out some of the high-paying jobs in the oil and gas sector:

  • Petroleum geologist ($70,500 to $85,000)
  • Drilling engineer ($75,000 to $100,000)
  • Director of safety ($85,000 to $110,000)
  • Lease purchase operator ($100,000 to $120,000)

Not Interested in these Best Paying Jobs in Consumer Non-Durables?

The consumer nondurables industry is a good career path because it offers stability.

We’ve experienced this during the past few years and how essentials (food, medicine, and other consumer nondurables) are most important during economic downturns.

The jobs above also offer opportunities for growth, so if you’re afraid of becoming obsolete, you shouldn’t worry about that here as the population will just continue to grow and the demand for consumer nondurables will also increase.

But if you’re not interested in the jobs I showcased here, even if they offer exceptional pay, check out these 12 best jobs for the future to future-proof your career. There are also the following guides in different industries, such as:

Maybe you’re interested in a work-from-home job but with benefits, or prefer to learn how to make money online fast instead.


7 Ways You Can Get Paid to Watch Netflix

If you recently discovered that YOU CAN get paid to watch Netflix and want to learn more details, you’re not alone. Thousands of people worldwide consider this a dream job.

Netflix has changed the way many people enjoy their weekends off from work. It has revolutionized Hollywood so amazingly that even blockbuster actors have decided to ink deals with Netflix as well.

Get Paid to Watch Netflix in 7 Ways

The cool thing about the methods below is you can actually do them simultaneously.

Of course, if you’re employed by either Netflix (method 1) or EduBirdie (method 2), you’d probably have less time to do the other methods, but it is totally your call.

1. Become a Netflix Tagger, Creative Analyst or Editorial Analyst

Netflix pays people to tag their movies, TV shows, and other programs for them.

The job position is called Netflix Tagger, Editorial Analyst or Creative Analyst. Regardless of the job title, they perform the same job: to add relevant metadata for a particular program.

Metadata is super-important to how Netflix algorithm arranges its programs and how its members find stuff to watch. Metadata could include:

  • The name of cast members,
  • Name of director,
  • Genre (comedy, horror, adventure, and so on),
  • Language used,
  • Year released,
  • Whether the program has sex scenes or profanity,
  • And other important tags that Netflix uses.

The job involves watching a TON of Netflix content, whether you’re interested in them or not. You have to watch all assigned TV shows, documentaries and movies from start to finish to be able to rate, annotate and write your analysis accurately.

According to Glassdoor reports, Netflix Taggers earn between $50,000 and $70,000 per year.

As you can imagine, this job opportunity is in high demand, and every time Netflix opens up a slot for the position, it gets filled up quickly.

Make sure to be on the lookout at the Netflix job board to get a chance to apply for the job.

2. Work for EduBirdie

EduBirdie is a professional writing and academic aid platform. It opens up a Smart Watcher position occasionally, so the one hired could conduct research on streaming platforms and discover how viewers are motivated to study.

As you can imagine, this job is very popular. It receives hundreds of applications, even if EduBirdie hires just a group of 20 people.

Once hired, the Smart Watcher is:

  • Given a 1-month Netflix and Amazon Prime subscription
  • Watches 3 episodes of 10 pre-assigned TV shows
  • Fills out a comprehensive questionnaire after the assignment

This job is temporary, but if you’re lucky to get chosen, you get paid to watch Netflix and earn a one-time payment of $1,000.

3. Get Paid to Watch Videos by Survey & Market Research Firms

If you read my post about the ways to get paid for watching movies and earning money from watching TV, you might already be aware of the programs I’m going to discuss here.

  • Swagbucks: If you’re a Netflix addict, download the Swagbucks app and access Netflix shows from there. This will let you get a $5 bonus just for joining Swagbucks, and then earn you up to $500 to $1,000 a month binging Netflix programs. You earn even if you’re not watching, so you can literally do your chores, sleep, or even work while Swagbucks and Netflix run in the background on your phone’s app.
  • InboxDollars: InboxDollars works similarly, but you can earn only up to $200 monthly. Payouts are available via PayPal or as Target, Walmart or Amazon gift cards. It’s a cool way to get paid to watch Netflix and have extra cash every Wednesday (as long as you’ve saved up at least $30 for the week).
  • MyPoints: This points-system program comes from Prodege (the mother company of Swagbucks and InboxDollars). Users earn points to watch videos, take online surveys, play games, and do other tasks through the MyPoints app. You then convert your points to cash or gift cards once you reach the minimum payout.

Note that you can’t consider these gigs as full-time employment. But these methods are probably the easiest, most no-brainer ways to earn real cash from binging Netflix shows.

4. Blog about Streaming Shows and Movies

From here on out, the methods I’m about to discuss are aimed at long-term, passive income. You won’t be earning money overnight, but if you work hard enough and people can see your passion for what you’re doing, there’s a chance you still get your name/blog out there. Yes, even in 2022.

Let’s talk about blogging first. If you watch a TON of Netflix and pay for the subscription yourself, you can get this fee back (plus more) by blogging. You can go about this in multiple ways:

  • Publish trailers and information about upcoming Netflix movies and shows
  • Summarize documentaries and foreign-language movies
  • Make commentaries after watching an episode, an entire season, or a complete series

Some people combine all the above content into their blogs.

Good examples of this are What’s on Netflix, New on Netflix UK, or Netflix Junkie.

Blogs like these earn from Google Adsense (and other similar ad platforms), private paid communities, and partnerships. Learn 10 ways you can monetize a Netflix-focused blog effectively here.

5. Make a YouTube Channel about Netflix Shows and Movies

If you have a special love for all Netflix shows, movies, and entertainment in general, you can turn a YouTube channel into a passive income-earning space for yourself.

Take a look at these examples:

  • The YouTube channel of filmmaker Chris Stuckmann is definitely a must-see if you’re serious about your Netflix shows. He’s a Rotten Tomato-approved critic and member of the Critics Choice Association.
  • Film Theorists is not your typical film-review YouTube channel. It’s WAY more because it actually makes the viewers think by presenting a different take on the film/show and its characters than what you see on mainstream media.
  • Binging with Babish doesn’t necessarily talk about Netflix shows. However, the star of this channel recreates all the glorious food you see on your favorite TV shows and movies.

So how do they earn from YouTube?

Here are 18 ways to make money with a Netflix-focused YouTube channel. Also check out YouTube alternatives, if you’re not a fan of YouTube and want to publish your videos on another platform.

6. Start a Podcast about Streaming Shows and Movies

Some podcasts focus on just one series.

Strange Indeed, for example, is a podcast dedicated to the sci-fi, fan-favorite Netflix show Stranger Things (expanded to include shows Midnight Mass, Locke & Key and YOU).

Like I told you, you can do all these methods simultaneously.

A great example of this is popular film/TV website, CineSins, which highlights the “sins” of every movie or show they watch. CineSins also have a popular YouTube channel and its podcast smartly called “SinCast.

So how do people earn from podcasting?

Read about sponsorships, affiliate marketing, ads, selling merchandise, crowdfunding and other ways to earn serious cash from a podcast.

7. Become an Affiliate Marketer

Affiliate marketing is an advertising model in which a company compensates third-party publishers to generate traffic or leads to the company’s products and services.

Netflix began with its own affiliate marketing program during its early days, but the company shut down the program quickly once Netflix boomed with millions of subscribers.

But this doesn’t mean you can’t blog about shows and movies from Netflix and other streaming platforms.

You can still watch Netflix, review their shows and feature them on your blog, podcast, or YouTube channel, since Netflix remains one of the most popular streaming platforms. But when it comes to affiliate programs, you can join those offered by Amazon Prime, Hulu, Paramount Plus, Dish Network, and AMC Networks, which pays you a specific amount for every user that comes from your blog, podcast or YouTube channel, then subscribes to the streaming service.

Other Ways to Get Paid to Watch Netflix

Some methods are not as direct as the techniques I wrote above.

For example, some people believe they get paid to watch Netflix because:

  • They’re actually paid to house-sit and watch Netflix as a perk of the job
  • They watch Netflix once kids are asleep, as a way to pass time during their babysitting gig

If you’re interested in earning money for doing other mundane tasks, check out my posts about:

How to Get a Refund on Doordash Guaranteed

If you’re looking for info on how to get a refund on DoorDash, you came to the right place.

Ordering from DoorDash is usually hassle-free, even if you’re competing with over 1.5 million customers worldwide waiting for their meals delivered to them.

The app lets you buy take-out food from a pre-curated list of merchants with just a few taps on your phone. But if you got unlucky, you might receive a wrong, cold, or incomplete order now, which can be super frustrating.

I know you’re hungry, or in some instances, hangry (that’s a hungry+angry combo of emotions), but don’t fret. There’s a way to get your money back. Read on to learn about the DoorDash refund policy, so you can get answers on:

  • How to cancel a DoorDash order if you made a mistake
  • What to do if your delivered food is cold or incomplete
  • How to get money back on DoorDash, and
  • What circumstances allow you to request a refund.

Doordash Terms and Conditions

If you read the official DoorDash terms, you might panic to learn that the company does not issue refunds.

It states that all charges paid for a completed and delivered order will be final and non-refundable, adding that Doordash won’t be obligated to give you credit or refund.

Fortunately, non-refundable terms only apply to cases wherein you received a complete order, or it was delivered to you without issues.

This means it is possible to ask for a refund if you were able to cancel your order before delivery, or if you can prove there’s an issue with your order upon delivery.

DoorDash also stated that the company may choose to grant a refund or account credit at their sole discretion on a case-to-case basis.

Types of DoorDash Refunds

There are two types of refunds customers can request – refunds on normal orders and refunds on subscriptions.

1. DoorDash Subscription Refund (DashPass Refund)

DashPass, the monthly DoorDash subscription worth $9.99/month, lets customers enjoy free delivery on any order $15 or more. If you purchased an annual DashPass subscription, you can:

  • Obtain a full refund of your purchase price, as long as you cancel in the first 48 hours.
  • Cancel within 30 days of your first eligible DashPass order to be able to refund your yearly subscription charge

2. Refunds on Normal Orders

Here’s a general guideline on what to expect for normal orders:

  • Full refund: You’ll need to cancel before the restaurant confirms your order and before a Dasher (the courier who will deliver the order to your location) has been assigned.
  • No refund: You can’t request a refund if the restaurant already confirmed and is preparing your order. You also can’t refund once a Dasher has been assigned.

If either one of the two (restaurant confirmation or Dasher assignment) has occurred, DoorDash could decide to grant a partial refund. However, the company would also be the one to decide how much of your money should be returned.

So how can you make sure DoorDash grants your order refund request? You must cancel the order on time.

Doordash phone app

How to Get a Refund on DoorDash

The process varies slightly, depending on what type of refund you’re processing.

DoorDash Refunds on Missing Items

Before anything else, please don’t force the Dasher to give your money back.

This could be a case of “don’t shoot the messenger,” especially if the restaurant is at fault and forgot some of your items. (In this case, the establishment is responsible for a partial refund).

However, if the Dasher is found to be responsible for the missing item, they could also pay for a partial refund.

To report a missing item/s with your order:

  • Open the DoorDash app, click “Orders”
  • Choose “Help” tab and choose what was wrong with your order.
  • Select “Order Issues” and “Items made incorrectly.” (You can also choose “wrong size,” “wrong menu item,” “unexpected ingredients, and so on if appropriate to your case)
  • Follow the promo to contact a DoorDash customer service agent to get a refund.

Canceling Orders to Get a Refund

If the establishment or restaurant has yet to confirm your order, or if the Dasher has yet to be assigned, you can cancel your order by following these steps:

  • Access your account from your app or website.
  • Go to “Orders” and find the one you want to cancel.
  • Choose “Help” (this is found at the top-right corner of your screen) and choose “Can I cancel my order?”
  • Follow the prompts on the screen. This is where you’ll be told if you’ll be given credits or refunded for your order. Sometimes, you may be given a chance to pick how you’d like to receive your refund.

Get a Refund for Orders Delivered to the Wrong Address

If your Dasher never arrives with your order, report your case through the DoorDash app.

To do this, open your app and:

  • Choose the “Orders” tab and select “the order was not delivered”.
  • Click “Help” in the upper right corner.
  • Under “Delivery Issues,” choose the “Order never arrived” option.
  • Follow the prompt, and choose either to get a refund to the original payment method or account credit, or
  • Talk to a customer service agent.

Just Ask

For all other issues, you can let support know you were unhappy with your order.

While you may not be able to get all of your money back, they may issue a credit or offer you a promotion. After all, they do want to keep their users happy so they continue to order from their service.

How Long Does a DoorDash Refund Take?

In most cases, refunds are processed immediately.

However, it would reach your bank account only after 5 to 7 days. The amount will be refunded to the credit card you used in paying for your order.

There will be a confirmation e-mail whenever you request a refund from DoorDash – It will include the date of your order and the amount to be refunded.

You can even check the status of your refund.

From the app, you can also check the “Orders” tab and select “Order History” where the refund information and your receipt should be shown.

Contact DoorDash support if it’s been over 7 business days after the refund issue date.

What’s Your DoorDash Refund Experience?

Have you ever had to cancel your DoorDash order and process a refund? How long did it take the money to get to your account?

Has anybody experienced getting a refund rejection from DoorDash?

I’d love to know your first-hand experiences with DoorDash refunds and how you dealt with your concerns.

If you want to have extra cash for future takeouts and DoorDash orders, how about selling shoes for cash? Or performing a wide range of tasks (such as surveys) and make money online fast?

Don’t miss my post on 12 Weird Ways to Make Money – you never know if you’re part of the target market for these opportunities.

10 eBay Selling Tips that Work in 2023

Check these tried-and-tested eBay selling tips if you want to become a powerseller.

They’ve been tried and tested by many successful eBay sellers from the past and now. And they work even in a super-crowded eBay market, regardless of your niche.

10 eBay Selling Tips You Should Follow

Achieving success as an eBay seller won’t be overnight, but if you follow these 10 tips religiously, your journey to powerseller status could be on the right track.

1. Give Buyers a good first impression with your profile

If you’re new to eBay, don’t skip filling out your profile.

Buyers can understand that your store has no feedback yet, especially if they see your join date as recent.

But if you don’t put the effort into writing an introduction, linking your website, adding a logo and providing as much information as possible, your buyer confidence in your store wouldn’t improve.

The easiest way to get a rating is to buy stuff from other people.

Because you get ratings as both a buyer and a seller, buying from established shops can earn you feedback that proves you’re a real person with a physical address.

If you’re selling as a person, attach a clear and updated photo of yourself.

If you’re selling as a company, upload a company logo instead.

2. Research What items to Sell

First, in order to remain on eBay’s good side (and be allowed to sell), you have to know what stuff NOT TO SELL.

ITEMS NOT TO SELL: These include alcohol, coins, paper money, and stamps, drugs or drug paraphernalia, electronic surveillance and circumvention equipment, firearms and other weapons, gambling-related items (lottery tickets or slot machines), tobacco, wildlife-based products, and items issued by governments, police, or military

ITEMS TO SELL: For new entrepreneurs who do not have a product to sell yet, you can use the eBay platform to decide what to sell. Here are some ways to research your niche:

  • Use “Marketplace Research” Tool: Free for all eBay users, this tool lets you access completed listings to review the final price on items similar to those you want to sell or see what products are being sold in great demand.
  • Spy “Trending” Products: eBay also showcases items that are currently trending. You can even access “most-watched” items and see what products you’d like to invest in.
  • Seasonal: You don’t have to stick to just one niche – you can sell items based on the coming season, holiday or events. For example, Halloween phone cases, Christmas decor, Valentine’s Day gadgets, and so on. Out of all the eBay selling tips, this one you should consider especially if you have a small budget.
  • Go for ever-green items: Some products never go out of fashion, so you can decide to sell them anytime. These include watches, video games, smartphones, mp3 players, audio headphones, shoes, game consoles, guitars, women’s handbags, laptops, and computers, among others.

3. Learn SEO Basics and incorporate them into your ad

Don’t be afraid of SEO (search engine optimization).

Anyone who has ever Google-searched a term has in one way or another participated in SEO. You just don’t know it.

When you begin working on an eBay item listing, make sure that your listing description includes keywords or keyphrases (these are terms that customers use to search for what they need on the eBay search bar).

You can go about this as simple or as complicated as you want.

  • Simple: Think like a buyer. If you’re looking for Jordans and you have a specific model in mind (for example: Air Jordan XX8), you just enter the keyword “Air Jordan” and add the model such as “XX8”. Now compile all reiterations of this keyphrase, such as “Air Jordan XX8 size 10”, “Air Jordan XX8 preloved”, and so on.
  • Complicated: There are free and paid keyword research tools online you can use. No more brainstorming (you just enter the main keyword, press a button and you’ll be given a long list of keywords to pick from). It may sound easy, but there is still work involved in this method because keyword lists can be very long and overwhelming.

This is one of the most important eBay selling tips you can learn.

And it doesn’t end with listing descriptions.

You can use it to name the images you upload for your listing, the title of your listing, item FAQs, and even your store profile (if you’re focused on selling just one niche).

4. Take Good Photos – they attract more buyers than grainy, blurry ones.

This is a simple, yet overlooked factor in making better eBay listings.

Buyers want to see what they’re going to buy, what’s included in the package you’re selling, and the condition of the item (if it’s a used item).

As such, uploading good photos will add credibility to you as a seller and will attract more buyers/bidders organically.

Here are some useful, picture-related eBay selling tips:

  • You can use your smartphone. Just make sure to clean the lens first, find macro mode (if your phone has it), and autofocus before taking a picture.
  • Use the sun or alternative lighting. If you can take pictures of the item in natural daylight, do it! The sun is always the best lighting for photography. If you can’t rely on natural daylight, then find a desk lamp or other alternative lighting to remove shadows from your photos.
  • Keep it simple. Use a plain, white background for most of your photos. If the item you’re showcasing is colored white, then go for a darker color (plain preferably) like blue or black.
  • Show flaws. If you’re selling a used item, make sure to photograph any flaws and issues the item has. The buyer will ask for this anyway (assuming you indicate the flaw in your description). As a general rule, be upfront about the issues to earn credibility and your buyer’s trust. Never hide flaws from buyers – only scammers do that.

Each eBay listing allows you to upload up to 12 photos for FREE.

Take advantage of this feature and try to give potential buyers different angles/views of the item.

And save your photos with proper dimensions (eBay recommends 1600×1600 pixels, but you can also do 500×500 pixels or 9000×9000 pixels).

Go to Instagram and study how brands arrange their products.

The clickthrough rates of staged photos are as high as 10% when compared to stock images, so the effort will all be worth it.

5. Price Your ‘Items for Sale’ Appropriately

Pricing your items is important not only to attract customers but also to ensure you earn something from the sale.

When you’re deciding on the amount to list your item, follow these guidelines:

  • Check the price of completed eBay listings. This helps you estimate the amount to sell an item for because it shows how much other people paid for a similar (or an identical) item as yours. This also helps you decide if you’d go with an auction or “Buy it Now” method.
  • Look at eBay fees. There is a cost involved with every item you sell on eBay. To ensure you sell items with a fair price for you (the seller) and your buyer, you have to consider any eBay fees you might incur with the sale. You can also use a tool like Ecal that computes how much you’ll pay for each sale, based on what you list it for and how much it eventually sells for.
  • Factor in packaging, bubble wrap, etc. If you’re new to eBay selling, you’d know soon that packing materials like envelopes, brown paper and bubble wrap do add up.

Include postage options when listing your item.

As a buyer who has an option between two items with the same price, the buyer almost always picks the listing with cheaper postage/shipping options.

While postage price is beyond your control, what you can do is give buyers more postage options to choose from.

6. List Items Daily instead of 1 Big Bulk

Many successful eBay powersellers believe that listing one item a day daily is better than listing 7 items in a single day and just waiting on the items to sell.

Not only does this ensure you will always have inventory in your store every time a customer “visits”, eBay algorithm actually sees this as a good thing as well. It means your store is active and eBay would more likely recommend you to people looking for items you sell.

7. If you decide to use Auction, follow these eBay selling tips…

Some eBay selling tips won’t work for auction-style listings, so if you’re hosting an auction, follow these tips instead:

  • Start bid price low. This attracts customers better than starting with a high list price. If you have a product worth fighting for, starting the auction price low encourages a competitive bidding war.
  • Add a “reserve” price. You can save your store from getting a rough deal when buyers don’t seem to bite on your auction as you’d expect. This price is the minimum price you’d accept once the auction time ends.
  • Consider eBay peak times for the start and end of the auction. You can control how long you want your auction to go, but eBay recommends the maximum 10 days. Sunday evening is the best time to end any auction since most people are relaxing at home.

Never, ever do “shill bidding,” wherein you (the buyer or a cohort) bid on your own item in hopes of increasing the auction’s bidding amount.

It’s illegal, unethical, and downright scammy.

8. Be Proactive in Trying to Reward Your Customers

If you can afford to give freebies, then do so.

If not, you can always find ways to reward your customers without spending a cent upfront. Here are a few options:

  • Free shipping – Not all items can be given free shipping (especially for bulky, heavy or fragile items), but if your items can be shipped off with very little fees, check if you can offer free shipping.
  • Free 30-day returns – Sometimes, a simple promise like this can encourage buyers to buy your item. This is particularly true if you’re a new seller (with little to no reviews yet).

9. Market Your Items Outside eBay

eBay doesn’t prevent sellers from promoting listings outside the platform.

If you have a website, accounts on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, or other social sites, share your listings as much as you can.

10. Provide the best Customer Service to Build Trust

If you’re serious about becoming an eBay powerseller, you need to be proactive in building buyer trust. You can do this by:

  • Following all the eBay selling tips above. All the advice above establish trust signals. They’re small in the grand scheme of things, but they do improve how buyers see you and your store.
  • Answer all questions politely. Some buyers want to inquire something about the item before buying. Answer them as quickly and politely as possible with the information they need.
  • Include a thank-you note. Print out thank you notes and stick them to the box or inside the package. While handwritten thank-you notes give more of a personal touch to the item, any thank-you notes will still be appreciated.
  • Provide fast handling. Once someone buys your item, be quick to package and ship the item on the way to the buyer. If possible, provide customers with delivery dates or tracking details for shipped items.
  • Give customer feedback. Everyone loves being acknowledged, so after every successful transaction, include giving your buyer a rating as the last “to-do” for this particular item listing.

Be on top of all items being auctioned off or sold. If you don’t act on sold items quickly, buyers might request to cancel the sale.

Got Some Tried-and-Tested eBay Selling Tips?

In a world where Amazon dominates the ecommerce space and newer platforms like Etsy and Facebook also get a piece of the e-commerce pie, eBay continues to be a surprisingly fierce competition.

eBay still has the power to turn anyone into a successful online seller without spending anything.

You just need to learn about the do’s and don’ts of powersellers and hopefully take these eBay selling tips to heart.

12 Best Web Hosting Affiliate Programs to Sign Up For

As of this writing, there are over 1.9 billion websites online right now, with more added every single day. Every single one of them lives on a web host somewhere. It’s no surprise then that the web hosting industry is both lucrative and competitive. To help them market their services and hold on to their own piece of this multibillion-dollar pie, many web hosting companies have affiliate programs where affiliate marketers can sign up.

Affiliate marketers promote these web hosting companies in exchange for a commission from the sales they generate.

Because web hosting is constantly in demand, this niche provides a great opportunity to earn passive income for aspiring affiliate marketers.

Today, we list down some of the best web hosting affiliate programs so you can make an informed decision. In addition, we’ll give you a few tips on how to increase your sales and as a result, your commission earnings.

How Much Can You Earn From Web Hosting Affiliate Programs?

Web hosting packages start at around $2 to $12 per month, but this doesn’t always mean web hosting companies only pay its affiliates a percentage of this package plan. Instead, since hosting packages usually require customers to purchase a minimum length (3-month, 6-month, 1-year service, and so on), web hosting companies can afford to pay commissions somewhere between $50 and $200 per sale.

The only problem is that in order to make a stable income from commissions, you’d have to be able to sell more than one plan each month. You can do this by either promoting multiple web hosting companies (yes, this is the reason why there are hundreds of web hosting comparison sites around), or working hard to become an authority figure so that even if you promote just one web hosting company, you’d be able to receive a sizable chunk from commissions.

Bluehost Commission Payouts

12 of the Highest Paying Web Hosting Affiliate Programs

When you’re looking for web hosting affiliate programs, you’ll encounter hundreds of companies with varying commission rates and terms.

Some give a one-off commission per sale, others add a monthly recurring commission (that is, every month the customer you referred continues to subscribe to the service).

Still other hosting companies provide a more complex commission table with sliding commission rates.

Even how they’re being distributed can vary. Some web hosting affiliate programs are in-house, while others are hosted by affiliate networks like CJ or ClickBank.

Working with affiliate networks may mean you’ll have to share a small part of your commissions with them, but it also means that setup is simpler and more often than not, their customer support is more responsive.

If you’re not clear about how affiliate networks work, read up on our article on affiliate marketing basics.

Here are some of the best, highest-paying web hosting affiliate programs to choose from.

1. Bluehost

Known for its superb reputation, Bluehost has its own in-house affiliate program, which pays $65 per sale, up to $130 depending on performance. While the commission rate is lower than the others on this list, note that the company’s solid standing leads to more sales that could quickly add up to your commissions.

Commission: $65 to $130 per sale
Cookie Duration: 90 days

2. LiquidWeb

Aimed at enterprise-level customers, this company pays affiliates 150% of the monthly hosting cost with a $150 minimum.

This means if you refer a $19/month Managed WordPress Plan for one site, you’ll receive a $150 commission; if you refer a $549/month Managed WordPress Plan for 100 sites, you’ll receive an $823.50 commission. You’ll earn even more if you refer dedicated hosting plans.

Commission: $150 to $7000 per sae
Cookie Duration: 90 days

3. WP Engine

This web hosting mainly focuses on WordPress websites, but pays higher and pays consistently.

You can earn even more when you refer customers to their StudioPress themes and other WordPress site tools.

Commission: $200 or 100% of first month payment (whichever is higher) plus bonus commissions for 5 or more monthly referrals
Cookie Duration: 180 days

4. HostGator

HostGator is one of the oldest web hosting providers, with millions of users globally. It’s no surprise that their affiliate program is also one of the most popular.

Commission: Tiered according to number of monthly referrals; $65 to $125 per sale
Cookie Duration: 60 days

5. SiteGround

SiteGround is another established name in the web hosting industry with a tried-and-tested affiliate program.

In contrast to the usual monthly payout scheme for web hosting affiliate programs, SiteGround pays its affiliates weekly.

Commission: Tiered according to number of monthly referrals; $50 to $100 per sale for up to 20 monthly referrals; custom commissions for 21 and greater monthly referrals
Cookie Duration: 60 days

6. iPage

iPage is well-known for their $1.99/month hosting plans, but you might be pleasantly surprised to know that its affiliates can get up to $125 per sale.

Commission: Tiered according to number of monthly referrals; $65 to $125 per sale
Cookie Duration: 120 days

7. WPX Hosting

WPX is one of the best managed hosting providers around.
Affiliates start out with $70 per sale up to the 25th From 26th to 99th, you’ll get a raise of $15 per sale and take home $85. But if you refer over 100 customers, you’ll start earning $100 for every sale moving forward.

Commission: 1 to 25 referrals: $70 per sale; 26 to 100 referrals: $85 per sale; 101 and more referrals: $100 per sale
Cookie Duration: 60 days

8. Kinsta

Kinsta is a managed web hosting service with cloud servers powered by the Google Cloud platform that is aimed toward online businesses.

Commission: $50 to $500 per sale; 10% monthly recurring commissions for the lifetime of your customer referral
Cookie Duration: 60 days

9. Cloudways

Cloudways is also a managed web hosting service with cloud servers, also aimed toward online businesses.

What makes it different from most other web hosting affiliate programs is that you get to decide your payout scheme.

Under the Slab plan, you can earn up to $125 per sale depending on your Performance Slab; that is, if you refer up to 5 customers in a month, you earn $50 per sale. When you’re able to refer up to 80 customers in a month, you earn $125 per sale. More than 80 and they’ll need to contact you directly, but it’s possible to get $200 per sale if you’re that “super affiliate.”

Under the Hybrid plan, you earn $30 per sale plus 7% commissions on your customers’ monthly subscription for as long as they’re subscribed to Cloudways. The amount of the 7% depends on which cloud service and amount of data they choose.

Commission (Slab): $50 to $125 per sale
Commission (Hybrid): $30 per sale plus 7% lifetime commission
Cookie Duration: 90 days

10. A2 Hosting

A2 Hosting offers various plans to fit everyone, from beginner bloggers to high-traffic business sites.

They offer a tiered commission plan where your earnings per sale increase as your number of referrals increase.

Plus, if you refer other affiliates to their affiliate program, you get $5 for every sale they make.

Commission: $55 to $125 per sale
Cookie Duration: 90 days

11. Squarespace

Squarespace is a popular web hosting service especially geared toward websites for online stores and services.

Their affiliate program allows you to earn commissions for every website or commerce subscription from every first-time customer you refer.

Commission: $100 to $200 for Squarespace Core
Cookie Duration: 45 days

12. Hostinger

Hostinger offers shared hosting, cloud hosting, and VPS plans, and you get a 60% commission from each sale, with a maximum of $300.

Commission: 60% per sale
Cookie Duration: 30 days

Ways To Earn More Commissions from Web Hosting Affiliate Programs

Hostgator Affiliate Program

If you are starting your affiliate program with the best hosting deals out there on a cheap hosting service, it is obvious that you won’t have success. Cheap hosting providers are not reliable and often find your site offline than online. If you are looking for some of the fastest web hosting services, read all about them here.

As you’ve probably learned at this point, there are plenty of web hosting companies and most of them have affiliate programs.

Choosing the highest-paying web hosting affiliate program is but half the battle; promoting your affiliate links and converting them to sales is a huge part of your success in affiliate marketing.

Here are several ways to make more sales from your web hosting affiliate programs.

1. Write blog posts.

Blogging is the most common way of promoting web hosting plans – or any other products or services as part of your affiliate marketing efforts. There are a number of techniques you can do this, such as:

  • Feature one web hosting company and its packages offered
  • List all authority figures using the web hosting (this is easy since many popular marketers continue to earn from web hosting affiliates, except they only promote the one they actually use)
  • Comparison posts get clicks because people in the market for web hosting services have often narrowed their choices to two or three, and they tend to search Bluehost vs. Hostgator. The result would depend on how smart you write your review – are you promoting both (perhaps they’re good for different types of clients) or are you just promoting one? (conclude the post with a solid recommendation for one of them)
  • Share your complaints. Instead of focusing on the pros, you can also write about the bad side of a web hosting company. Make sure this is a valid complaint, which means you have to be a client recently. If you want, you can also include a post discussing the reason why you’re moving to another web hosting company.
  • Know a popular person or company who uses your preferred web hosting company? Compile this list and show it off to your readers.

2. Create an eBook.

The book doesn’t have to be focused on web hosting per se, but you can always squeeze in details of your recommend web hosting company or plan when it’s relevant.

For example, if you’re writing an eBook about how to start a blog for beginners, you could feature your chosen web hosting company on the chapter where you discuss domain names and hosting.

Many authority figures in the internet marketing or SEO space talk about a wide range of techniques but never forget to include a “tools of the industry” page where they list down tools (products/services) they use to become successful.

This can be the part of an eBook where you place your web hosting affiliate links.

3. Build a website dedicated to reviewing and comparing web hosting plans.

As I’ve mentioned earlier, one of the reasons why you find tons of website comparison sites aimed at web hosting is because promoting multiple companies or hosting plans at the same time increases your chances of bagging a sale.

You can implement this in many ways, such as developing a chart that welcomes visitors with the Top 10 web hosting plans or maintaining a blog with helpful posts like “alternatives to X company,” “pros and cons of InMotion Hosting,” “x company vs y company” and so on. You can choose to make the posts as simple or as comprehensive as you like.

4. Create YouTube videos discussing web hosting plans.

You don’t even need a website with full-length posts to promote web hosting plans. If you’re not much of a writer, you can make a video tutorial highlighting the web host plan or company of your choice.

The great thing about videos is that you can put together a comprehensive guide with the simplest topics, such as ‘installing WordPress on BlueHost’ or ‘exporting your website from company z.’

5. Build a web hosting deals website.

People love deals, and web hosting is no exception.

You can target more people with a deals site: there are people who are new to the web industry and looking for the best web host available, current customers looking to renew their hosting plans, or existing web host customers looking to shift to another company.

As affiliates, you are given discounts by web hosting companies and you can offer these deals to your target audience to increase your referrals and your commissions.

You can use tried-and-tested marketing techniques to promote these deals on shopping holidays such as Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Contests and giveaways are also good ways to promote these deals.

6. Negotiate with web hosting companies to give your readers exclusive deals.

Aside from the web hosting deals and coupons that you can create on your affiliate dashboard, you can also negotiate with the hosting company for a unique deal you can give away to your readers.

Of course, hosting companies don’t just give in to anyone’s request. You should have the numbers, reputation, and following to back up your request for an exclusive deal.

7. Use social media.

Don’t underestimate Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, or any other social media platforms to promote your web hosting affiliate links.

You can use social media as a complement to your website or use it as a stand-alone promotion technique. Some affiliates don’t even bother with websites anymore and just create a free Facebook page and market their links exclusively on that page and via Facebook ads.

8. Take advantage of ad banners.

One way to promote your web hosting service of choice without hard selling on a blog post, email newsletter, landing page, or other content is to display ad banners on your website.

Web hosting affiliate programs would normally provide ad banners that you can display straightaway, but if you can design your own ad banners that are more attention-grabbing and more customized to your website, you might have a greater chance of converting casual visitors to your site into sales.

9. Teach people.

If you already have an online following, you can try to launch a webinar, podcast, case study, or other teaching method you prefer and link to your affiliate products.

However, note that the more people look up to you, the more you should recommend only trusted products/services that you’ve actually used.

10. Make a guest post on other blogs.

In the online world, networking is a proven way to make it as an authority figure in any field. While it’s important to pinpoint and follow your competition, it’s just as important to build relationships with other people within your niche.

In fact, if you have the chance to guest post on other blogs, find a way to squeeze in your web host affiliate links in there (if it fits). Don’t force the links if you’re talking about something too far away from web hosting.

Also, bear in mind that some blogs do not allow affiliate links in their guest posts, so be mindful of this when you’re creating your guest post.

11. Market your chosen web hosting package via newsletters.

If you already have an existing mailing list, don’t forget about promoting your affiliate links via newsletters.

Marketing via email still works, as long as you practice restraint and focus on what your audience needs. Putting together a product giveaway, offering coupons, or sending an interesting e-mail about a newly published blog post can pique the interest of your readers.

12. Create a unique landing page.

When it comes to web hosting, the landing page should act as your reader’s gateway to awesome web hosting deals.

That said, landing pages don’t have to be boring. With an eye-popping design and an irresistible offer, you’d be able to convince people to buy any product you’re selling.

Sign Up For a Web Hosting Affiliate Program Today!

Web hosting services will always be in demand, and affiliate programs have proven to be good for both the service providers and affiliate marketers.

Now that you know the best affiliate programs for web hosting service providers, take your time choosing, and don’t forget to strategize.

Like the idea of affiliate marketing but web hosting doesn’t really excite you? Check out other high-paying affiliate programs that may be a better fit for you than web hosting.

Where to Sell Beanie Babies to Actually Make Cash

If you were alive in the mid-1990s, it’s likely you remember that Beanie Babies were one of the most coveted toys at the time. Today, you’ll learn all about how and where to sell Beanie Babies.

At the height of its popularity, there were hundreds of variants of Beanie Babies and there was a steady marketplace for them.

Demand eventually dropped off, but recently, Beanie Babies have been back in circulation.

So if you have a stash of these toys in your closet for whatever reason, or if you think you want to know more about buying and selling, you’re in the right place. Here is everything you need to know about selling Beanie Babies for some side cash.

What Are Beanie Babies?

If you don’t know what a Beanie Baby is, maybe it was before your time, or you just haven’t heard of it.

Beanie Baby Pouch the Kangaroo

In any case, Beanie Babies were manufactured by Ty, Inc. and first became popular in the mid-1990s.

They became collectibles and increased in popularity because of the strategy of deliberate scarcity; that is, they produce new designs in limited quantities and regularly retire them after a while.

The end of the Beanie Baby craze came about just as Pokémon and Furby toys were on the rise. Ty, Inc. announced near the end of 1999 that they were halting the production of Beanie Babies. Public outcry prevented the shutdown, but by then, the bubble had burst. People still bought them, but their resale value wasn’t so high anymore.

Nowadays, depending on what’s in your collection and their condition, you might still be able to sell your Beanie Babies for some side cash.

Other Ways to Earn Side Cash

Selling Beanie Babies can earn you some side cash, but it’s not the only way to make some side cash quickly.

Since you’re going to be spending a lot of time on your phone or computer anyway, why not sign up on a few reputable survey sites as well?

I highly recommend signing up for ALL these sites; not only do you get to enjoy all the bonuses, but your chances of earning also increase.

Preparing to Sell Your Beanie Babies

Before you even consider where to sell your Beanie Babies, it’s best to be prepared. Here are the steps you’ll want to take in advance.

Learn Beanie Baby terminology.

You’ll want to understand sellers’ listings and be able to make your own, so it’s essential that you know the right terms, especially if these are related to your Beanie Babies’ condition, value, and authenticity.

For instance, the heart-shaped tag on a Beanie Baby’s ear can be called the ear tag, hang tag, or swing tag, while the fabric tag stitched to the toy’s bottom end is called the tush tag.

The “beans” inside are called pellets made of either polyethylene (PE) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is the rarer of the two.

Catalog your Beanie Baby collection.

Having a record of what you have is the best way to at least estimate whether or not you can earn a lot of money for your collection, whether it’s one Beanie Baby or a whole closet full of them.

The internet is your best resource for this.

There doesn’t seem to have an official list or database of all the Beanie Babies ever released available online, but the closest thing seems to be Beaniepedia.

Beaniepedia is crowdsourced, with thousands of members uploading photos and descriptions of their Beanie Babies.

Another incomplete yet extensive list can be found on Beanie Baby Character Wiki.

Once you know what you have, sort them by year. If you happen to have one of the nine original Beanie Babies, or the “Princess” bear, it may be lucrative for you.

Clean them.

Start by vacuuming to remove surface dust and dirt. If there are still a stain or a mark, try to rub it out with a clean, moist, soft cloth.

If you aren’t already storing your Beanie Babies in plastic, you’ll need to start now. It’s important to keep your toys in excellent condition, so there’s no dirt, stains, tears, or any other damage.

Where to Sell Beanie Babies

Now that you’re ready to sell, here are some of the tried and tested places where you can sell your Beanie Babies.

1. Sell2BBNovelties

Sell2BBNovelties is a website mainly for selling Beanie Babies, but they also purchase various other collectibles such as trading cards and action figures.

They’re offering a simple, three-step way to sell your items.

Their system is very much like buying online; you add items to your basket and then you check out. However, instead of you receiving the items, you’re the one who has to ship the items to them.

You can add items to your basket in two ways. First, you can look up each individual Beanie Baby on the site and then add them one by one to your basket.

Or, you can add an entire collection to your basket by going to this link.

Once all of your items are in the basket, complete your checkout to get a sell order number in an automated email. Wait for an email back from the store confirming they’d like to purchase your items to know more about the shipping instructions and any further steps you need to do.

When they’ve received your shipment, you’ll be receiving confirmation that they’re received your package, as well as confirmation of your payout.

Payout is via PayPal or store credit on BBToyStore.com, their buying website. If you select store credit, they’ll add 25% more to their published price.

Do note that they only accept new, mint condition Beanie Babies.

2. Plush Collector

Plush Collector started out as a hobby and has since grown into a full-fledged community buying, selling, and collecting Beanie Babies.

Their selling process is similar to that of Sell2BBNovelties, in that you add Beanie Babies to a Request For Quote (RFQ) one by one, click Send Your Request, wait for approval, ship your items, and get paid via PayPal or check.

Plush Collector.com will pay $0.25 and up for most Beanie Baby models, and $5.00 to $50.00 for truly rare editions.

3. Ruby Lane

Ruby Lane is like an online vintage marketplace with many “shopkeepers” selling various antiques, jewelry, dolls, furniture, and collectibles, including Beanie Babies.

Bear in mind that they have a monthly fee of $25 to keep up your storefront on Ruby Lane. However, if you list at least 15 items during the month, they’ll refund the $25. So if you have plenty of Beanies lying around, this might be a good option for you.

4. eBay

eBay has connected millions of buyers and sellers through the decades, and
It remains one of the best places where you can sell your Beanie Babies or any other collectible, really.

You can either sell them through a flat-price listing or through an auction. Flat price listing means exactly that; you list your items with a single price each or bundle multiple items under one listing, one price.

Putting items up for auction means you set a base price and allow potential buyers to bid on them in specific increments.

But before you decide, do some research and see what price other Beanies are being bought for (not just their list price). If the prices for the same model differ a lot, auctioning your Beanies off may be a good idea, if you know how to time your sales when the prices are up.

Conversely, a flat price listing is better if the prices for the same model are fairly consistent so that the price doesn’t go down.

5. Facebook Groups

The advantage of being on Facebook Groups focused on Beanie Babies is that you’re already advertising your toys to your target audience.

There’s also a good chance that

Just make sure you’re following the rules of the group when making a deal or deals with another group member. Also, do your due diligence and protect yourself from scammers and shady deals.

6. Sell4Value

Think of Sell4Value as your last resort for selling Beanie Babies that aren’t in mint condition. They’ll buy your items whatever their condition. However, don’t expect to get a lot for them.

7. Local Collectors

While selling Beanie Beanies online is simple and convenient, you might want to try selling locally. The buyers you’re looking for may just be in your neighborhood.

Here are some websites to connect with buyers near you.

Tips on Selling Beanie Babies

Now you know where to sell your toys, here are some good practices when selling your Beanie Babies

1. Know how to photograph your Beanie Babies

The more information you can provide visually, the better the chances of getting an interested buyer.

Choose a flat backdrop for your Beanie Babies; you don’t want any distractions. Take photos from multiple angles (front, back, sides), plus closeups of any damage (if any).

Also, take photos of the tags and all the information within. If you had your plushies authenticated, include an image of the certificate of authenticity as well.

2. Never ship out Beanie Babies that haven’t been paid for

We did mention the importance of having your babies appraised by a professional, but beware of “experts” who may ask you to ship your Beanie Babies to them under the pretext of inspecting them.

The common scam is to say they never received the Beanie Babies, or they do appraise your item but they’ll never ship it back and they’ll never pay for it.

It’s much safer to get your items evaluated via video conference.

3. Consider the timing

Regular Beanie Baby collectors may buy them all year round, but you may earn more if you sell your toys at just the right time.

For instance, on the small chance that you have a Princess bear, the price you can sell it for may increase near the anniversary of Princess Diana’s death.

The same goes for holiday bears; Easter, Halloween, and Christmas bears are likely to be priced higher near those dates.

The Bottom Line

Beanie Babies were once the ultimate collectible.

In fact, there was a contentious divorce in the late 1990s with the couple involved having to divide up their Beanie Babies collection right in the courtroom, with a judge, bailiff, court reporter, and spectators in the gallery looking on.

Even though they’re less valuable than before, you can certainly still sell Beanie Babies for some side cash.

In fact, while you’re cleaning out your closet, why don’t you read up on how to sell other old stuff that’s been taking up valuable space in your house? Here are some of our best guides on selling old things:

How To Be A Freelance Video Editor And Work From Home

How To Be A Freelance Video Editor And Work From Home

As a result of the high demand for video in content marketing, the advancements in technology that make remote work a cinch, and the popularity of the digital nomad lifestyle, this is the perfect time to consider being a freelance video editor.

Working from home, or from anywhere, really, is attractive to a lot of people who can’t or choose not to live the 9-to-5 life in an office because of various reasons, such as lack of childcare, a disability or illness, or simply the lack of flexibility in an office job.

In today’s article, learn all about what a freelance video editor does, how to become one, and the best places to find freelance video editor jobs.

What Is a Freelance Video Editor?

So, what is a freelance video editor?

A video editor is someone who applies production and post-production changes to a film or digital video, with the aim of telling a story in the most compelling way.

When a video editor is working freelance, this means that they’re not tied to a single production company and can accept projects from anyone or any company.

A video editor works closely with the director to maintain integrity, edit scenes, select angles and points of view (POVs), and implement post-production enhancements.

The video editor works closely with the director to make changes that help keep the viewer’s attention and provide them with the information needed to understand the film while retaining the director’s vision.

Video editing usually involves cutting and rearranging scenes so that the final length of the film is reasonable in context with the subject and the viewers’ attention span.

If applicable, the video editor also makes decisions about which angles and POVs are used in certain scenes, keeping in mind the viewer experience and whether it adds or detracts from the story the film is trying to tell.

Remote Video Editing

The post-production phase involves incorporating CGI or other enhancements, such as lighting, sound, and other special effects, into the film to achieve a certain appearance, again, in the service of the story.

Video Editing Workflow

Think of video editing as a process that starts with raw footage, alternates between addition and reduction, and results in the final product that is a work of art. Here’s how a typical workflow goes when you’re working on a project.

1. Organize the clips.

The start of a project is usually marked by a file dump of raw footage.

It may be overwhelming at first, but you’ll make your work easier down the line by organizing the files first.

Label each file and sort them into folders so you’ll know where to get them and they’re easier to retrieve.

2. Create a rough cut.

Making a rough cut involves laying out the basic structure and sequence of scenes in the video.

This is the most tedious step but the most important, as this is where the story takes shape.

The rough cut starts with the script; use this as a guide to establishing the story that will be told. From the script, you can begin selecting clips and placing them in order according to the timeline indicated in the script.

When you’ve done the first pass of assembling the clips, watch the whole thing through and make sure that it makes sense, there are no holes in the narrative, and there are no shots that are out of place.

Have the director watch the rough cut and give feedback on it. You might go through a few rounds of revision and feedback before your rough cut gets approved.

3. Produce the fine cut.

When your rough cut is complete and approved, you can start with your fine cut.

This involves placing and timing each shot and each cut so that it’s at a pace that presents the story and delivers the right emotions at the same time.

The resulting fine cut should have every shot in its proper place, set in the right timeline.

Again, have the director watch it and give feedback, no matter how many rounds it takes. You’ll need their total, 100% approval to move on to the next phase.

4. Go into picture lock mode.

Once the fine cut is approved, the edit is in picture lock, meaning the sequence, timing, and the footage are set.

Picture lock is the time to clean up any stray clips from the scene and organize audio cues and sound effects to make the sound mixing seamless.

5. Finalize the video.

Clean up the audio tracks; make sure dialogue, sound effects, and score are mixed seamlessly with the corresponding video.

Color correction and color grading are done in this stage, as well as visual effects and CGI, when applicable.

Video Editing color grading

You’ll probably go through another few cycles of revision and feedback here before the final product is rendered.

When you’ve got final approval, deliver the video to the client in their desired format.

How much should you charge for video editing?

Given your responsibilities and the typical workflow, how much should you be charging your clients?

The average hourly rate of video editors is around $17 to $20 (Source: Salary.com), but you can charge lower or higher depending on many factors.

Factors that affect your wage include the amount of footage you have to sort through, the expected length of the final product, the complexity of the project, the scope of work, and your skills and experience.

One way to decide what you should charge is to look at job seekers’ profiles that are similar to yours (e.g., the same level of education, experience, technical knowledge, etc.) and find out how much they charge per hour.

If you’re only starting with video editing, your pay might not be perfectly in line with the rate you’re looking for.

When you take on more projects, you’ll eventually learn how long certain steps of the editing process take, which will help you more effectively set the price of a project such that you’re paid your target hourly wage.

How To Become a Video Editor

Now that you know what a freelance video editor does, here are the steps to pursuing this career path.

1. Take video editing classes.

Most video editors take up a bachelor’s degree in a field related to filmmaking, broadcasting, communications, or multimedia and video production.

A film school is perhaps the best place to get a degree, aside from universities and colleges, and even community colleges that offer film courses.

If attending school isn’t an option for you for whatever reason, you can also study video editing online.

Massive open online courses (MOOCs), like Udemy, Skillshare, LinkedIn Learning, and Coursera offer online courses that you can normally take at your own pace before a certain deadline.

The courses range from the fundamentals of video editing to software-specific courses; that is, detailed instructions on how to edit footage using specific software.

Vimeo Video School is a collection of articles that are good video editing resources covering a variety of topics.

Taking up additional courses in related skills, such as scriptwriting, directing, lighting, and audio will give you an edge over other video editors in terms of knowing what it takes to make a film.

2. Gather your equipment.

Here are just some of the hardware that you’ll need to do video editing.

Computer. A desktop PC that’s good for gamers is recommended for video editing.

If you have a set budget, buying a desktop PC gets you more processing power and built-in storage than buying a laptop at the same price range, and power and storage are everything when you’re working with videos.

Also, desktop PCs that are made for gamers have superior GPUs (graphics processing units) than those that are geared for normal office work.

If you absolutely must have a laptop for portability, prepare to fork out more money for the same specs below.

For your CPU, aim for at least an Intel Core i7 or i9 processor (or its equivalent), 16 GB RAM, an Nvidia or AMD GPU with at least 4GB VRAM, 1 TB SSD, and complete ports: headphone jack, SDXC card slot, Ethernet, USB 3.0, and HDMI connectors.

As much as possible, get CPUs that are expandable for when technology becomes more advanced.

For your display monitor, aim to have at least a 30-inch monitor with a 4K display, sRGB and Adobe RGB support, and IPS panel technology.

As for your peripherals, using a standard computer mouse is ok, but most professional video editors swear by using a tablet/stylus system, especially the Wacom brand ones.

Video Editing Equipment

External hard drives. Yes, plural. Aside from the storage you already have for your CPU, you’ll want to be ready to back up video files that you’re working on at any given time.

Choose external SSD drives instead of HDD drives, with at least 1 TB capacity, and a transfer speed of at least 500 MBps.

Headphones. You’ll want to look for high-quality monitoring headphones; that is, it’s specifically for monitoring audio so it doesn’t alter any audio coming through.

Look for one with a frequency response rate of at least 20–20,000Hz range, an impedance of 250 ohms, and comfortable, fitted ear cups (remember, you’ll be wearing these for hours at a time). Having a replaceable cord is also a plus but not really required.

3. Purchase video editing software.

When you’ve assembled your hardware, the next thing to do is to buy and download your main video editing tool: video editing software.

Here’s a list of the most popular video editing software in the industry.

You might also need post-production software, such as Adobe After Effects or Blender for 3D graphics.

4. Subscribe to cloud storage.

Freelance video editing involves plenty of back and forth between you and your clients involving different types and sizes of files. Thus, a reliable cloud storage service is essential for any video editor.

Here are the most popular cloud storage services for video editors.

5. Download other tools/software that help you work freelance.

You’ll need some tools to help you work from home effectively. Here are some of the essential tools that you’ll need:

6. Gather experience.

No matter what courses or training you take, the best way to learn and create excellent films is to actually do it.

Before you start looking for jobs and projects to work on, you should feel comfortable editing your own films and finishing your own projects.

Get some footage or shoot your own, choose a software, roll up your sleeves and get down to it.

Video Editing experience

7. Obtain certifications.

Professional certification is not typically required to work as a video editor, but it is a good way to attract more clients and charge higher rates.

Normally, video editing software vendors provide their own certifications. For instance, you can be an Adobe Certified Expert in Adobe Final Cut Pro CC if you pass the certification exam and meet experience requirements.

8. Set up your website and social media.

A self-hosted website is a must-have for any freelancer. This is your home base, your primary marketing tool, and where your portfolio should be displayed.

Plus, when potential clients do a web search for you, you want them to be directed to your website primarily.

Having social media profiles that are professionally geared and is all about video editing will make other people in the groups pay more attention to you because they perceive you as a serious video editor, not just a hobbyist or dilettante.

You may even want to create a separate Facebook business page so clients on your network can see samples of your work, reviews by former clients, and see samples of your work.

Take it one step further by getting a business address and listing your services on Google Business so that your new editing business shows up in local search results. Plus, it’ll give your customers a way to leave reviews, which can then help you attract even more local leads.

Freelance Video Editor Websites To Find Jobs

Now that you’re confident in your video editing skills, you’re probably raring to start on a project or two.

Here are some places to find freelance video editing jobs.

Entertainment Industry Communities

There are plenty of online communities of professionals from the entertainment and media industries that have job boards. These are the first websites you should be going to. Here are a few recommendations:

Freelance Job Marketplaces

These are the classic job marketplaces where companies and small businesses find freelancers to do certain jobs. All you need to do is look for video editor jobs and sift through the projects being offered.

Other Places to Find Freelance Video Editor Jobs

Online job boards are certainly helpful in finding opportunities, but there are other places to find video editing jobs.

Your network

It might not seem like it, but you probably know more people than you think.

Start writing down names: family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, former and present co-workers, and casual acquaintances. People you know from high school, college, your gym, your book club, or your neighborhood.

Once you’ve drawn up your list, send out some feelers and let them know that you’re looking for a job.

If you do end up getting a referral or an interview, follow up with those who helped you. Thank them for their help (preferably with a gift!) and let them know whether something came out of the referral or interview.

Wedding suppliers

The wedding industry is worth billions of dollars, and they’re always on the lookout for wedding video editors for same-day edit wedding videos as well as traditional long-form wedding videos.

The tricky thing about being a wedding video editor is the immense pressure to produce a wedding video that is not only artistic but will also conform to the personal tastes of the married couple.

Also, the wedding industry is a referral-heavy industry; it pays to have veterans vouch for you. Attend wedding fairs and befriend as many wedding videographers, planners, coordinators, and other suppliers as you possibly can.

Tips To Be a Successful Video Editor

Improve your chances for success by following these tips:

1. Have a strong demo reel online and ready to share.

When looking for jobs, you’ll need to provide proof of your editing skills. Sometimes, a friend or peer will be merely curious and ask to look at your work out of the blue.

Always be ready with a technically polished editing reel demonstrating structure, pacing, and emotion from a compilation of sections of different editing projects you’ve done.

2. Track your time.

Tracking your time gives you an idea of how long you spend on administrative tasks (e.g., replying to emails, issuing invoices), actual editing work, and how long each portion of editing actually takes.

Not only is it useful for invoices, but you get an idea of how long it takes you to edit, which will help you to estimate how much to charge future jobs.

Freelance Time Tracking

3. Be organized.

As I’ve mentioned, you’re going to face a deluge of files, and if you don’t organize them early on, you’re not going to be able to do your job efficiently.

Save yourself plenty of time by creating a folder system where all files from a project go into a specific folder and inside are subfolders to separate by file type or by timestamp, if applicable.

3. Back up your work periodically.

I wish I can tell you that computers work as expected 100% of the time.

But unexpected things happen. Your computer might crash, and your files might get corrupted or even deleted.

Set up a backup on the cloud so that you can start up your project again at any time.

4. Keep yourself updated on the latest technology.

Video editing technology advances so quickly from year to year that if you don’t continually update yourself, you’ll get left behind.

Keep your competitive edge by taking the time to read up on all the latest editing techniques and tools, as well as marketing and promotion techniques.

The Bottom Line

Becoming a freelance video editor and working from home isn’t for everyone.

But if you have the talent, you’re willing to work hard to have an excellent output for your clients, and you’re determined to continually improve, both as a freelancer and a video editor, you’re well on your way to success.

Hopefully, the post has been helpful to you as an aspiring video editor.

Other resources

Want to know about other jobs you can do from home? Here’s a list of legitimate work from home jobs you can do.

Or maybe you’d like to start a business instead. Get inspired by our list of small business ideas you can launch from home.

The 3 EASIEST Ways to Make Money Online Today

Steve here! I founded this site in 2007. Since then, I’ve tried just about everything online. 

Most of it, is total crap. But I did find 3 ways to make extra money online that totally work, won’t cost you a dime to join EVER, and actually pay you money.

Is there anything better than easy money?

This is about as good as it gets.

Sound good? Let’s go!

1. Get Paid to Answer Questions

Opinion Outpost is constantly looking for new members to answer questions for them.

Yes, this is a survey site and no, it doesn’t completely suck.

Their surveys are short, their payouts are high, and they’re the best survey site around. Best of all, you get paid for EVERY survey you take part in.

Opinion Outpost has been around since 2005! That alone should speak volumes. They were the first survey site I joined when I founded this site and I’ve been a member ever since.

Click here to start making money by answering questions today!

2. Get Paid $50 to Download an App

Nielsen is known for tracking TV ratings, but they also track how popular websites are as well.

They are willing to pay you $50 per year to anonymously collect information on how you browse the Internet.

They also feature some pretty cool giveaways, and you will also be eligible to win $1,000 each month you keep the app installed.

Click here to claim your $50.00 now!

3. Get Paid to Try New Products

Survey Junkie is always seeking new product testers to give their thoughts on the latest brands.

And even better, they will pay you cash just to hear what you have to say

Survey Junkie is one of the HIGEST rated survey programs online and with over 10 million members. These guys are legit.

Click here to get paid for your thoughts!

There you have it! The 3 easiest ways to make money.

Make sure you create accounts at all three to make the most money.

Nothing above will EVER cost you money to join. They will be sending YOU checks in the mail.

Win-win-win.

12 Companies Offering Work From Home Call Center Jobs

The demand for remote jobs has steadily been increasing in recent years, and customer service jobs are no exception. If you’re in the market for work from home call center jobs, you’ve come to the right place.

Call center representatives may either work directly for the company they represent or work for a third-party provider that deals with calls on behalf of a company or multiple companies.

In the past, when someone says “call center,” one automatically thought of rows and rows of cubicles of call center agents hunched over computers. Now, you can answer calls right in the comfort of your own home.

If you have excellent listening and communication skills, above-average typing skills, and the patience to talk and build rapport with all types of people, working for a call center may just be the perfect work-from-home job for you.

In this article, you’ll learn about what types of call center jobs you can expect, what you need to start, and where to find work from home call center jobs.

Types of Call Center Jobs

Call center representatives may work as inbound agents, outbound agents, or both. Inbound agents answer calls from clients or other agents, while outbound agents make calls to clients, businesses, or other agents.

The most common position for inbound call center agents is customer service representatives, but inbound agents can also work as technical support agents or virtual receptionists.

On the other hand, outbound call center agents are usually in telesales making cold calls, but they may also work as collection agents, survey takers, and appointment setters.

Travel agents, dispatchers, and help desk service agents are examples of jobs where you take both inbound and outbound calls.

In general, outbound call center agents make more than their inbound counterparts. Those who take both can make even more.

However, your skills and experience are also important factors in your expected salary.

Requirements to Work Call Center Jobs From Home

Now that you know the different types of call center jobs you can do, read on to know what you need to apply and start working.

Education — Most companies don’t require a college degree, though this is certainly an advantage, especially if you have aspirations for higher positions, such as supervising a team of agents.

Experience — Call center jobs are beginner-friendly; you don’t need a lot of experience to be considered for a position. Of course, any service-oriented job is a great leg up over other applicants.

Background check — Some companies will ask that you pay for a background check before you get hired. These usually cost $20 to $50 depending on the information they require.

Skills and Qualities

Anybody can train to receive and make calls, but not everyone can be a successful call center agent. Here are the skills and qualities you’ll need.

Strong communication skills — Your communication skills are what makes or breaks an interaction with a customer or a client. Whether you’re helping someone with a complaint or convincing someone to buy a product or service, how well you explain and express yourself is key to de-escalating or clinching that sale.

Technical skills — At the very least, you should be able to use dialer software and be able to talk to someone while doing basic actions on your computer, like typing call notes or looking over training materials.

Average or better typing speed — Most call center staffing agencies would expect their reps to type at least 25 words per minute (WPM) or better. Luckily, getting up to this speed isn’t too difficult. There are also plenty of free online typing courses that can help.

Active listening skills — The ability to pay attention to details and unspoken cues is valuable in a call center job. Often, what a customer or client says is just the surface of an underlying problem, such as a complaint or an objection to a sales pitch.

Patience — This is especially important when you tend to talk to upset or confused customers who may take time to explain their concerns, not to mention take out their frustration on you. Dealing with such customers can be a real test of emotional strength, so you need to be able to have healthy coping mechanisms.

Empathy — Yes, you’ll have stock phrases to go by, but it just doesn’t cut it. Customers can tell, even over the phone, who really cares and who’s just pretending.

Problem-solving skills — All the empathy and patience won’t matter if you’re not in a problem-solving mindset. You’d need to be able to look beyond stock phrases and set procedures to find a solution that will satisfy the customer while looking out for the best interests of the company.

Equipment

Aside from these skills and qualities, you’ll need to have the following technical hardware and devices to be able to serve your customers and clients better.

Computer — This is essential if you want to work from home. If you’re lucky, your company will provide a computer for you, but it’s better to be prepared with your own computer. It doesn’t even need to be top-of-the-line. As long as it can run the specific call center software you’re using, it should be fine.

Call center software — The software you’d be using will vary depending on your role and will usually be provided by your company. For instance, if you’re going to make outbound cold calls, you’d need software with an autodialer.

Wired internet — You’d need to have not only a fast but also a reliable internet connection, and that means investing in cable or fiber internet, if available in your area.

Headset for Work From Home Call Center Jobs

High-quality headset — It’s not enough that you can hear and you have a built-in microphone (so, no, you can’t use your AirPods). Your headset needs to be compatible with the call or dialer software you’re using, plus have noise-canceling capabilities and enhanced volume control.

Quiet space — Find a space in your home to work out of that has low foot traffic and has few ambient sounds. If you can soundproof the area, even with materials as simple as egg cartons, that would be even better.

Where To Find Work From Home Call Center Jobs

Now that you know what it takes to be a call center agent, you’re ready to zhuzh up your résumé and turn in your applications. Below are companies that offer remote call center positions.

1. FlexJobs

We highly recommend starting your job search on FlexJobs.

This job marketplace lists remote and flexible jobs only from companies they have vetted. You can rest assured that the job opportunities you get from this site are legitimate.

Pro tip: Use the right keywords and search filters to get results that would fit your skill set and the type of call center job you want to work.

Here are some examples of keywords you can use:

  • (Inbound/Outbound) Call Center (Agent/Representative/Associate)
  • Remote/Home-Based (Agent/Representative/Associate)
  • Customer (Service/Support) (Agent/Representative/Associate)
  • Remote Contact Center Specialist
  • Remote Telemarketer/Telesales Agent
  • Remote Appointment Setter
  • Remote Survey Research Interviewer
  • Remote Insurance Sales/Support Agent
  • Remote Talent Acquisition Agent

Website: FlexJobs

2. Adecco

Adecco is the second-largest staffing agency in the world (as of 2019), offering thousands of jobs of various work hours (full-time or part-time) and various work locations (home-based or office-based) across different industries.

There are currently more than 1,000 work from home call center jobs listed on their job site, with hourly rates ranging from $12 to $20 per hour.

Benefits vary depending on the employer and whether you’re going to work a permanent or temporary position.

Bear in mind that some of the listed positions ask that you travel to the work site for check-in at the start of your training. Once you complete that requirement, you can do the rest of your work at home.

They currently use Certree to provide background checks with information on proof of employment and proof of income.

Website: Adecco

3. Alorica

Alorica is a global third-party provider of customer support and technical solutions to companies in various industries.

Some of the industries that Alorica works with include gaming, online shopping, fintech, and health and lifestyle.

When searching their job database, select Job Category: Call Center, Country: United States (or your country if not the US), and select “Virtual” for your location to get remote call center jobs.

The pay ranges from $14 to $22 per hour, with bilingual agents earning more.

Usual benefits include paid training with a flexible schedule, paid time off, paid holidays and sick days, medical and dental benefits, and a 401(k) plan.

Website: Alorica

4. Concentrix

Concentrix is a BPO provider that works with companies to formulate customer service solutions and technology.

Some of the industries they’re currently working on include automotive, electronics, financial and insurance, eCommerce, and travel and tourism.

They pride themselves on offering work from home call center jobs since 2004, lowering costs for their business clients, as well as providing opportunities to remote workers to earn a livable wage while remaining flexible.

Most of the positions available now are inbound customer service positions. There’s no specific information on hourly salary and benefits available on the listings on their website, although from online forums it seems that they provide health insurance (with vision and dental) as well as paid time off.

Website: Concentrix

5. Cruise.com

Cruise.com has been around since 1998, offering cruise vacations to various exotic destinations to savvy travelers.

They continually hire home-based cruise sales agents to offer cruise vacations and other leisure travel options, as well as insurance, through inbound and outbound calls. You’ll also be offering package deals and upgrades, plus resolving booking issues.

Aside from your base pay, you’ll also be paid commissions on your sales.

They do require cruise industry experience for home-based opportunities.

Website: Cruise.com

6. Kelly Services

This is likely the oldest company on this list.

It doesn’t mean they’re behind on the times, though.

Kelly Services has been operating for 75 years and has provided staffing solutions to various companies throughout the decades.

Search “call center” on their job marketplace and plenty of work from home call center jobs will show. Hourly pay is from $17 to $22, depending on the client and the responsibilities of the role.

Kelly supports their talents with a host of benefits and perks, including health plans (medical, dental, vision), a free employee wellness program, student loan programs, retirement plans, and product discounts.

Website: Kelly Services

7. Liveops

Liveops prides itself on transforming the remote contact center model by introducing the virtual flex model, where their call center agents work as independent contractors paid by the minute on a flexible schedule.

Instead of opening daily nine-hour schedules, paying hourly even if the agent isn’t taking in any calls, they open half-hour- or hour-long schedules during periods when high call volumes are expected.

Customers don’t have to wait long, clients get their money’s worth, and agents get more freedom to choose their own schedules and work as much or as little as they want in a day.

Some of the industries that Liveops works with include healthcare, insurance, travel & tourism, and retail industries.

Since Liveops will hire you as an independent contractor, they don’t provide the usual benefits. You would also need to pay a $25 fee for your background check.

Their estimate on hourly pay is around $12 to $17 per hour depending on call volumes, how much time you can commit weekly, and other factors.

Website: Liveops

8. Sitel

Sitel is a global leader in customer management solutions and data security.

Sitel work from home virtual associates can do a variety of duties, such as help with billing inquiries, product support, filling out and deploying service orders, schedule installations and repairs, and many more.

There are both full-time and part-time opportunities, with hourly rates ranging from $10 to $18.

They are particular when it comes to your computer’s specifications, your internet connection, and even the headset you need to use.

But Sitel does offer standard benefits such as sick days, vacation days, health insurance, paid overtime, maternity leave, 401(k) with company matching, among others.

Other perks include paid training, not only at the start of your career but all throughout and plenty of growth opportunities.

Website: Sitel

9. Teleperformance

Teleperformance is a global BPO that has over 380,000 employees worldwide, 70% of which work remotely. So if you want to work with them, you’re in good company.

Some of the work from home call center jobs they currently offer include healthcare customer service representatives, technical support representatives, automotive inbound sales and service representatives, and talent acquisition recruiters.

They don’t post hourly rates on their job listings, but they do offer benefits such as paid training, medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) plans, employee wellness programs, paid time off, and other perks.

Website: Teleperformance

10. Transcom

Transcom prides itself on being a remote working pioneer, offering work from home call center jobs for 16 years and counting, so they know how to keep both their clients and employees satisfied.

They even provide the computer equipment so you don’t have to worry about getting a computer that meets their specifications.

The usual positions they open include technical support advisors, customer service advisors, and remote franchise relations managers.

Their job listings don’t indicate hourly salary, but benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) plan, and vacation time. What makes Transcom stand out is that you’re eligible for these benefits within your first 30 days at work.

Website: Transcom

11. TTEC

Formerly known as TeleTech, TTEC is a global BPO provider based in Colorado.

The most common work from home job you can apply for is customer service representative, but they’re also currently looking for helpdesk/service desk analysts, talent acquisition specialists, and remote pricing analysts.

TTEC at Home offers full-time, part-time, and seasonal roles, with hourly wages from $11.50 to $15 per hour, depending on the role and local minimum wage guidelines. They also offer the usual benefits you’d expect, like paid time off, 401(k) plans, health insurance, and wellness programs.

Website: TTEC

12. VIPDesk

VIPDesk has been around since the late 90s but has only emerged recently as a top provider of BPO services to industries such as luxury retail, fashion, consumer electronics, medical equipment, home, and ecommerce.

The most common remote position open on VIPDesk is work from home customer service representative for a luxury brand, which pays $20 per hour plus benefits including paid time off, paid holidays, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, and performance incentives.

Website: VIPDesk

Start Your Call Center Job From Home Today!

Being a call center agent is not for everyone, but if you have the patience and the technical skills, this may very well be a great remote job for you.

If you’re interested in remote jobs but don’t want to limit yourself to call center jobs, take a look at our huge list of work from home jobs and find something that’s a great fit for your skills and your lifestyle.

Micro Jobs: How To Earn Cash From Doing Small Gigs

Whether you work full time or many part-time gigs, hustle culture is real and it’s overwhelming. If you need additional cash but are short on time, doing micro jobs may just be the answer.

In this article, we look at micro jobs in detail: what they are, how much you can earn, and where to find them.

What Are Micro Jobs?

Micro jobs are small, relatively simple, temporary pieces of work that can be accomplished in a short amount of time.

These jobs vary widely in terms of the required skills, what is expected of you, and when you’re expected to deliver.

Micro jobs have a low barrier to entry; typically, all you need is a computer, a smartphone, and an internet connection.

Interviews, phone calls, and required experience are rare. Often, all you need to do is go to a micro jobs site or app and you can start right away.

This type of job allows you to have a flexible schedule with minimal commitment. If you choose the right tasks, you can even build up your knowledge and experience in the field that you want to work in.

However, the pay isn’t too high. Since the tasks are generally straightforward and take minutes to finish, they normally pay a few dollars per task but it won’t replace a full-time job.

Benefits? Forget it.

Also, since micro jobs are very popular, the best ones get snapped up very quickly. And depending on the website or app, you might have to wait for a few days or even weeks before you can get new tasks worth doing.

Overall, if you’re short on time, doing micro jobs in random pockets of your free time (e.g., while watching on Netflix, waiting in line, during your daily bus ride, etc.) can definitely help you to earn a few dollars on the side.

Types of Micro Jobs You’ll Encounter

1. Online Tasks

These are micro jobs that do not require in-person interactions and can normally done on a computer or a smartphone without even leaving the house.

Some examples include:

  • Data entry
  • Transcription
  • Captioning videos
  • Answering short surveys
  • Testing websites or apps
  • Reviewing or moderating social media content
  • Evaluating search engine results
  • Annotate images (AI training)
  • Online research

2. In-person Tasks

As the name implies, these are tasks where you physically need to be there and deal with clients to some degree.

Some examples include:

  • Mystery shopping
  • Dog walking
  • Babysitting
  • Delivering a package
  • Cleaning a room
  • Mowing a lawn
  • Washing a car
  • Helping someone move

Best Sites to Find Micro Jobs

Micro job sites offer a platform between those that offer small chunks of work and micro workers willing to work those small chunks.

Some websites offer tiny tasks that are tiny by design. Examples are short surveys that are meant to be answered by one person.

Other websites break down big tasks into smaller tasks and assign microworkers to do those tasks. This saves time and money because instead of just a few people sharing the load, the tasks get delegated to several people who can work at the same time to finish the task sooner.

For instance, an hour-long audio clip can be divided into 10 six-minute clips so that 10 people can work at the same time and get the audio clip transcribed sooner than one person can transcribe it.

Here are some of the best websites and apps to find micro jobs to do.

1. Amazon mTurk

Amazon is probably the most recognizable name on this list.

Amazon Mechanical Turk, known popularly as mTurk, lists Human Intelligence Turks (HITs) for workers who sign up to their site to sift through, choose, and do for the published payment.

Some of the micro jobs they’ve offered include processing image and video files, cleaning up and verifying data, typing jobs, creating and editing product listings, and doing online research.

In the beginning, you might not get paid much (some beginners report hourly earnings of $2) but as you sign up for more jobs, your pay can go up to $4 to $8 hourly. Advanced users can get up to $12 or more hourly.

Workers from the US and India can get paid through cash, while workers from other countries get paid in Amazon gift cards.

The downside is that to be eligible to work on many of the tasks, you’ll have to complete a lot of other tasks. If you’re a beginner, you may see hundreds of tasks displayed but you may not be eligible to work on them.

Website: Amazon Mechanical Turk

2. Fiverr

Fiverr has been around for years and became popular for their $5 micro jobs. They have since expanded such that the independent contractors on the site (who Fiverr calls “sellers”) can charge anywhere from $5 to $995.

There are a wide variety of tasks to be done on Fiverr. Logo design, illustration, voice-over jobs, web design elements, social media posts, translation, and data entry are just some of the in-demand micro jobs offered on Fiverr.

The earning potential ranges widely based on the services you can do, how much you price them, and how many gigs you can complete in a certain period of time.

They pay freelancers through PayPal, Fiverr Revenue Card (via Payoneer), or direct deposit (only for US sellers).

Gigs are always available on Fiverr, but competition is fierce, with many other freelancers on the site.

Website: Fiverr

3. Clickworker

Clickworker crowdsources freelancers (Clickworkers) to work on minor online tasks like composing texts (such as for social media posts, product descriptions), copy editing and proofreading, researching, testing websites and applications, and producing media such as photos, videos, and audio.

According to Clickworkers, the usual earnings are around $9 per hour on average, but if you’re qualified for higher-paying tasks, you can get tasks that pay around $20 per hour.

You can get either weekly or monthly payments through PayPal or SEPA (for Europe-based Clickworkers).

Website: Clickworker

4. Neevo

Neevo is a company that aims to improve AI technology by collecting data from actual humans doing tasks.

The most common tasks you’ll encounter on the site or application include labeling and drawing boundaries around images, recording or transcribing audio, annotating video files, and identifying keywords in blocks of text.

The tasks are fairly easy to complete, so you can squeeze in a number of tasks in an hour. Workers suggest you can earn from $5 to $10 per hour on average.

However, since the technology and the site are fairly young, there may not be always tasks available for you to do.

Neevo pays out through PayPal.

Website: Neevo

5. UserTesting

UserTesting has been around since 2007 and has helped big companies like Facebook, Adobe, Walmart, and other top brands get an inside look at how their target audiences interact with their products.

The usual micro jobs you can pick up on this site include webpage testing, app testing, and Live Conversation testing if you qualify. Live Conversation tests require you to be on video conference calls.

The pay varies depending on the task. UserTesting pays $4 for every 5-minute task, $10 for every 20-minute task, and between $30 to $120 per Live Conversation test.

Aside from your laptop and an internet connection, you’ll need a microphone, as you would normally be narrating your impressions and feedback on the websites you’re testing. If you want to qualify for Live Conversation tests you’ll need to have a web camera.

The availability of jobs on UserTesting may be spotty, as there is high demand and competition for jobs.

Payment is through PayPal, with a minimum payout of $0.01.

Website: UserTesting

6. TryMyUI

TryMyUI connects businesses building their websites and applications with freelancers who can do usability testing so their websites and applications are ready for rollout to their target audiences.

As a tester, you’d need software to record your screen and a microphone to make voice recordings of your feedback. Each test takes 20 minutes and pays a flat rate of $10.

TryMyUI constantly has jobs available, but you may not be qualified based on your demographics.

TryMyUI pays through PayPal weekly every Friday.

Website: TryMyUI

7. Opinion Outpost

Opinion Outpost keeps it simple; register for an account, answer some questions about your demographics, start answering surveys, and get paid for your opinions.

Depending on your demographics, you may not be eligible for all the surveys being offered on the website.

The surveys take around 10 to 15 minutes to complete, and you can earn between $0.50 and $5 for each survey.

They payout via PayPal, vouchers, and gift cards for various retailers.

Personally, Opinion Outpost has always come through with paying me for surveys I’ve submitted, and I’ve never had problems once.

Website: Opinion Outpost

8. Branded Surveys

Branded Surveys is another top market research company with high-quality surveys with better payouts than other survey sites.

They also have a loyalty program where the ones who answer more surveys are given the opportunity for more.

However, as with Opinion Outpost and other survey sites, you might not be eligible for all surveys they offer, as you need to be of a certain demographic to be eligible for certain surveys.

You can expect to earn around $0.10 to $3 per survey, and Branded Surveys pays out via PayPal, Amazon gift cards, and various other gift cards from other retailers.

Website: Branded Surveys

9. Gigwalk

Gigwalk offers mostly in-person micro jobs called Gigs that can take you as short as 5 minutes or as long as 5 hours to complete.

The app will ask for your location so that it’ll display Gigs that are theoretically near enough to walk to (hence the app name).

Some tasks you can expect to see on this site include mystery shopping, taking photos of displays and the exteriors of retail stores, verifying the business hours of an establishment.

The availability of Gigs is highly dependent on where you’re located, so if you’re in an area where there aren’t many retail stores or restaurants, you might not get many Gigs.

Gigwalk states that Gigs pay around $3 to $100, but most of the Gigs pay between $5 and $10. They pay Gigwalkers via PayPal.

Website: Gigwalk

10. TaskRabbit

TaskRabbit is an online marketplace where people can hire freelancers (called Taskers) to do micro jobs.

Most of the tasks posted here are in-person activities, such as packing, moving, assembling furniture, cleaning, laundry, shopping, deliveries, food runs, handyman jobs, and other similar errands.

Anecdotal evidence suggests the average Tasker can earn around $35 an hour on average, depending on the job and the experience of the Tasker. Taskers also get to keep tips that their clients can give.

They payout via direct deposit, so make sure you have an active checking account before you apply as a Tasker.

TaskRabbit is available in several major cities in the US, as well as countries such as Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Italy.

A big downside is that TaskRabbit requires you to pay a one-time registration fee of $25 for the background check. If you’re serious about doing micro jobs, though, you should expect to make this back by your first or second Task.

Besides, all the subsequent fees to TaskRabbit are shouldered by the clients.

Website: TaskRabbit

11. Scribie

Scribie is an online transcription company that splices big audio files into 6-minute clips to be transcribed by freelancers on their platform.

Your earnings will depend on your transcription skills and how fast you type. Unfortunately, feedback from other users say that Scribie pays lower than the usual transcription company.

On the upside, jobs are constantly available on their website. What you can do is use Scribie as a training ground to improve your transcription skills and apply to bigger transcription companies that offer steady work and higher pay.

They pay via PayPal and you can withdraw your earnings anytime, but if the amount is below $30 it’s subject to a 2% fee.

Website: Scribie

12. Field Agent

Field Agent has been around since 2010, helping retail companies and consumer research agencies crowdsource data from their target customers’ smartphones, such as photos, videos, and feedback.

Some of the micro jobs you might be asked to do include answering surveys, auditing stores, secret shopping, product testing, and other activities where the aim is to get authentic insight.

The usual reported earnings range from $3 to $12 per task, depending on the complexity of the task.

They pay out weekly via PayPal or direct deposit, with a minimum cashout of $15. Cashouts under $75 include a $1 fee.

Aside from the US, Field Agent accepts applicants from Canada, the UK, Australia, Mexico, South Africa, Ecuador, and Spain.

Website: Field Agent

Other Micro Jobs Sites to Check Out

As you may have guessed, delegating micro jobs to independent contractors is immensely popular. Here are other websites and applications worth checking out:

Final Thoughts

If you want to earn some side cash, whether it’s for emergencies or a vacation or just because, micro jobs is a good way to make some cash from all the extra minutes you have in a day.

However, if you’re in the market for more stable side cash sources, maybe this huge list of side hustle ideas can help you with your goals.

Have you ever signed up to do micro jobs? Share your experiences with us in the comments below!