How to Sell Books on Amazon: A Step-By-Step Guide

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Of all the goods you can sell and all the online marketplaces you can sell them on, selling books on Amazon remains one of the best ways to make money online.

Amazon may be the largest online retailer in the world now, but did you know that the company started out as a marketplace for new and used books?

In fact, CEO Jeff Bezos operated the “Earth’s Biggest Bookstore” straight out of his garage when Amazon opened for business in 1994.

Look familiar?

Amazons Original Website

Three years later, the company carried 2.5 million titles and earned a whopping $148 million in 1997 alone.

Amazon sold books exclusively from its launch until 1999 when the company expanded into selling toys, electronics, tools, and hardware.

Even with the recent success of online bookstore chains like Barnes & Noble, choosing to sell books on Amazon remains a smart decision because Amazon continues to grow at an outstanding rate, and more and more brick-and-mortar Amazon bookstores are popping up.

Why Sell Books on Amazon?

You’re probably looking for a more sophisticated answer than “to make money.”

But really, this is the main reason to choose Amazon over other booksellers: it’s lucrative.

And it’s lucrative because:

  1. the demand for books is as high as ever, if not higher
  2. shoppers trust Amazon
  3. selling on Amazon is simple (as you’ll see below).

3 Ways to Sell Books on Amazon

Amazon has been around for over two decades, so it’s no wonder the company has come up with different ways to accommodate various types of sellers.

If you want to sell books on Amazon, you have three options (each with varying steps to follow):

1. Amazon Trade-In

Technically, you’re not actually selling books on Amazon with the trade-in or buyback program. Instead, you are trading old books in exchange for Amazon gift cards.

To do this, you have to check if your books are currently being accepted in the trade-in program.

Amazon Trade-In

If they are, continue with your submission form and add more if you plan to trade in more books.

When ready, enter your address, print a prepaid shipping label, and send in your items within 7 days free of charge.

The books will be sent to Amazon’s warehouse. You’ll be notified when your book is either accepted or denied.

You can also check the status of your trade-in anytime in Your Trade-In Account or the “payment” by viewing your gift card balance.

If your items are denied, you’ll get your books back with no cost for return shipping.

The trade-in value of your books will be significantly lower than what you paid for them, but really, anything is better than nothing for a book you will never open again.

2. Kindle Direct Publishing

If you’re planning to write a book and want to sell it online, you don’t have to sign with a publishing house anymore. Amazon’s KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) gives anyone a chance to create, publish, and sell their own books, ebooks, and audiobooks on Amazon.

With KDP, you get to keep and control 100% of your book’s rights, which means you can make changes to the books any time you like and earn up to 70% of royalties.

Of course, the most obvious benefit of self-publishing via Amazon is that your book reaches the market quickly without additional expenses.

I’ve fully outlined the process of how to self-publish a book here. It’s a more in-depth guide than you’ll find on this page, so click through if this is the route you want to pursue.

3. Sell Books on Amazon for Cash

You don’t have to trade in used books or publish your own books to take advantage of Amazon’s millions of potential buyers.

You can still sell books on Amazon, even if you didn’t author those books.

There are three ways you can do this:

  • Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) – You post a book for sale, but let Amazon handle the storage, shipping, and post-sale customer support. Many beginner sellers choose this option until they get a solid fulfillment system in place.
  • Fulfillment by merchant (FBM) – Customers order the books from Amazon, but as an FBM seller, you handle everything—storage, packing, shipping, and customer service—every time one of your items gets sold.
  • Amazon vendors (AMZ) – You sell all your books directly to Amazon. They will obviously be a lot cheaper, but if you just closed a brick-and-mortar bookstore and want to unload plenty of books, this is the fastest way possible.

Four-Step Guide to Selling Books on Amazon

At this point, you should have already decided which way you want to sell on Amazon (FBA, FBM, or AMZ). Now, it’s time to get started selling!

Step 1: Create a regular Amazon account and a seller account

  • Join Amazon. If you aren’t already, note that you have to be a member of Amazon to begin selling on the site. Registration is straightforward – enter e-mail address, create a password, and all that jazz.
  • Create Seller Account. Click on the “Your Account” tab and find “Your Seller Account” to begin the process of opening a seller account.
  • Decide on a selling plan. The Individual plan has no monthly subscription fee but has a $0.99 as a per sale closing fee. You can also only sell up to 40 items each month. On the Professional plan, you’d have to shell out a $39.99/month subscription fee plus per-item selling fees, but you get access to spreadsheets and other inventory-related reports.
  • Enter payment information. To receive payment from the books sold, you’ll need to provide a valid checking account. Under “Settings,” find “Account Info.” Find the “Deposit Method” section on the page and click “Edit.” Select your bank’s country/location and make sure to enter the correct routing number. Amazon will send you a confirmation e-mail once it has verified the account with your bank.

Step 2: How to Sell Books on Amazon

  • Find the title of the book you plan on selling. Click “Sell Your Stuff” on the main seller account page and type the title or ISBN into the search box. Tick the “Books” category, before clicking the “Start Selling” button. You can also search for a book normally (as any buyer would), visit the product page, and click the button that says “Sell on Amazon” to begin filling out information on your own book listing.
  • If you can’t find the title on Amazon, list a new book title. If for some reason you can’t find the title of the book you want to sell on Amazon, you’ll be directed to a different form to begin a new listing. From there, you’ll have to enter all details about the book, including the complete title, author name/s, publisher information, and ISBN.
  • Decide on a price. The easiest way to set the price of your book is to compare it with other listings. Beginner sellers often sell their books at a lower price so customers purchase theirs over other sellers’ copies.
  • Enter the book condition. If you’re selling a new book, you can do this portion quickly by just picking paperback or hardcover. But if your book is used, you have to describe the condition of your item (“Like New,” “Very Good,” “Good,” or “Acceptable”). Consult Amazon’s Marketplace Items Condition Guidelines to make sure you’re describing the condition of the book accurately. Books with missing pages, ripped covers, or erased text fall under “Unacceptable” condition and cannot be sold on Amazon.
  • Select the shipping method. If you chose the fulfilled-by-merchant (FBM) approach, you’ll decide everything about shipping and handling.
  • Save your listing. Once you save your listing, the book will now be up for sale on Amazon.

Step 3: Set Up Fulfillment by Amazon

If you want to skip the handling, shipment, and post-sale customer service, FBA is the way to go.

But the steps are a bit different from the regular way of selling books on Amazon. Sellers ship their books directly to one of Amazon’s fulfillment centers (FC).

Whenever a sale pushes through, Amazon packs and ships the book to the customer and handle complaints, returns, and other inquiries on your behalf.

  • Convert any listing into FBA. You can change a regular listing into an FBA version by going to your account’s “Inventory” and clicking “Manage Inventory.” Choose the listing you wish to convert, check the box beside it, and click “Change to Fulfilled by Amazon” from the “Actions” pull-down menu. You will be directed to a new page, asked to “Convert” with a click of a button, and review your revamped listing. (Note that when you convert a regular listing, the original listing will be temporarily removed from Amazon. Don’t worry, since it will be back live once the book arrives at Amazon).
  • Sending books to Amazon. You need to ship your book/s to the nearest Amazon fulfillment centers. Amazon will send you shipping instructions, along with PDF product/shipment labels for your books. Print and stick them to the package as instructed. You can use any courier, deliver them manually, or use Amazon’s discounted shipping to send the book to the fulfillment center; it’s totally your call.
  • Check the status of your books. Once Amazon receives your books, you don’t have to do anything else. You can check the status of your books, monitor listings, or just let Amazon do its thing and wait for notification when your book gets sold.

Step 4: Get Paid

The reason why you sell books on Amazon ultimately boils down to getting paid real cash.

All earnings you get from the sales (minus Amazon fees, outward shipping fees, and so on) will be listed in detail on your Seller Account.

If you wish to withdraw your funds, log in to your Amazon Payments account, click the “Withdraw Funds” tab, and select a bank account from the dropdown menu. Enter the amount you want to transfer to your bank account. Finish by pressing the “Continue” button.

How much money can you make selling books on Amazon?

Given that there are three distinct methods outlined above, the amount of money you can make selling books on Amazon can vary.

For trading in books, you’re limited to what you have to sell from around your house. Textbooks are going to fetch the most amount of money, and even then, you’re selling them for about 10-15% of what you paid. Still, that’s better than letting them sit and collect dust forever.

As for Kindle Direct Publishing, the sky is the limit here. You’re selling a digital product and are in control of pricing, but you’re also responsible for the marketing and sales as well.

Finally, reselling books. This is the area you’ll want to focus on if you want to make serious money in this space.

Scan the UPC codes of the books in your inventory and see how much they’re currently listed on at Amazon. You can quite easily find books that sell for 2x, 5x, and even 20x what you pay for them. Granted you need the right buyer, but with enough inventory, you can pull in a few extra thousand per month.

Where Can You Get Books To Sell On Amazon?

Here are some of the popular sources of inventory where you can get books to sell.

Your own books. This is probably the easiest way to find books to sell and how most beginners get started.

Start looking around your house, and maybe even your parents’ house, for old books that you haven’t read in years and don’t plan to read ever.

Some surprising finds in your house can include textbooks, comic books, and limited edition books.

Used bookstores. Another popular source of books to sell is your local used bookstores.

There’s a good chance you can pick up some surprisingly profitable books here.

Plus, these are almost always in good condition, since used bookstores don’t normally sell stock that’s too damaged.

Local library. Your local library also holds sales periodically because they have to raise some funds and make room for new books.

Estate sales. Estate sales and auctions are other great sources of books to sell on Amazon because they are motivated to liquidate these books and turn them into cash and they normally sell them for a good price.

Try to look for closing out sales or moving out sales, too. Again, these are the ones who are motivated to sell.

Online retail arbitrage. At its simplest, online arbitrage is shopping for books online at a low price and then turning around and selling them at a higher price.

This might take more time than the others, but at least here, you can shop for books from home and not have to get out and go places.

Craigslist. If you’re lucky, you might find entire lots of books being sold cheaply. If you’re super lucky, you might even find free books on here.

The Future of Book Selling on Amazon

Jumping into any kind of business not backed by research is dangerous, so if you plan to sell books on Amazon but was worried about the future of this venture, consider these:

PROS:

Selling on Amazon remains a lucrative venture because it is home to a market that buys.

Amazon has more than 300 million active users, with 150 million Prime subscribers.

Net sales in 2021 amounted to $469.8 billion.

Amazon has a 50% share of the US print book market as of 2018.

Whether you’re on the verge of self-publishing or launching your own online business, partnering with Amazon continues to be a safe business model.

CONS:

However, Amazon is in control of service fees and future policy changes, whether you like it or not.

As a bookseller on Amazon, you’d have to agree to the changes or look to sell somewhere else.

For example, when Amazon upped the FBA fees, about 10% of booksellers stopped shipping their products to Amazon.

Will you be willing to comply when changes like these happen in the future?

Before you invest everything into selling books on Amazon, weigh these pros and cons carefully.

Other Things To Sell In Amazon

Of course, books aren’t the only thing to sell on Amazon.

If at this point, you’ve changed your mind about selling books, here are other things to sell on Amazon that can make you some money as well.

24 Places You Can Submit Poems for Money

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Poets—well, writers in general—have a reputation for having a hard time making a living. So if you’re a poet, you might not believe that you can get paid to write poems.

But believe me, people and businesses do pay for poems.

Here are 24 places and websites for you to submit your poems, make some money, and maybe become the next Lang Leav.

24 Sites That Pay You To Write Poems

Just as a heads up, a lot of places charge a small “reading fee” just to be considered. Not all, but most do.

Paying this fee also doesn’t guarantee that your submitted poem will be published either.

I just want to make sure you’re aware that you may have to spend a few bucks to get some eyes on your poems.

1. AGNI

This magazine accepts online and print magazine poetry submissions only from September 1st through May 31st.

Published pieces earn $20 per page, up to a $150 maximum, as well as a year’s subscription to the magazine.

2. Arc Poetry Magazine

This Canadian magazine accepts submissions from April 1st to July 31st for the Winter issue and September 1st to December 31st for the Summer issue. They will not entertain or read submissions any other time.

Up to three poems or 360 lines may be sent in a submission, and only one submission per year is allowed.

Arc Poetry pays $50 per published poem.

3. The Sun

The Sun accepts submissions all year round. You can either mail in your poems or submit them online.

If you do mail them in, make sure you include a return envelope and postage if you want to get the original copy back.

You can get paid $100 to $250 for your poems.

Samples are provided to show you exactly what they are looking for.

4. Iron Horse Review

IHR accepts poetry at specified times of the year and based on select themes. Purchase a sample issue to know what they’re looking for, and send 3 to 5 poems for consideration.

Published submissions are paid $50.

5. Chicken Soup for the Soul

This well-known publication awards $200 for published poems that meet its (easily readable) guidelines.

They prefer poems that read more like a story and less like a greeting card.

Poets also receive 10 free copies of the book that their poems are published in.

6. Poetry Magazine

Not to be confused with Poetry.com which mysteriously disappeared off the web one day.

This publication has existed for over 100 years and accepts submissions of poems and prose all year, and their response time is around 8 months.

Published pieces are paid at a rate of $10 per line or $300 minimum.

Published prose is paid out at $150 per page.

7. The Threepenny Review

This quarterly journal only accepts poetry submissions during the first half of the year.

Submissions must be either mailed in or provided via the publication’s online submission form. Published entries are paid $200.

8. Rattle

This online and print journal accepts submissions all year. You can submit up to four poems at a time.

Print contributors get paid $200 per poem and a complimentary one-year subscription to the magazine, while online contributors get paid $100 per poem.

Your submissions will also be considered for the annual Neil Postman Award for Metaphor, a $2,000 prize judged by the editors.

9. Boulevard Magazine

This literary publication, which has been around since 1985, accepts submissions of poetry from November 1st to May 1st.

You can submit your work either through its online Submittable site or by postal mail; online submissions cost $3 but postal ones are free (minus the cost of a stamp, of course).

Payment for published poems ranges from $50 to $250.

10. Ploughshares

This publication is operated by Emerson College and accepts submissions from June 1st through January 15th.

Online submissions cost $3 unless you are a publication subscriber. Mailed submissions are free.

Up to five pages of poetry may be submitted at one time.

If the poetry is published, you earn $45 per printed page, two copies of the issue you are published in, and a year’s subscription to the publication.

11. Grain Magazine

This quarterly literary journal accepts poetry submissions from September 15th to May 15th. You can submit individual poems, sequences, or suites, up to a maximum of six pages.

You can get paid for your poems from $50 per page, up to a $250 maximum, plus two copies of the issue in which your work appears.

12. The Iowa Review

This publication is operated by the University of Iowa and only accepts submissions from September to November via Submittable ($4 per submission) and paper submissions through the post.

You can submit up to 8 pages of poetry, and published poetry is paid at $1.50 per line ($40 minimum).

13. Slice Magazine

This literary journal accepts submissions from April 1st – June 1st and October 1st – December 1st.

You can submit up to 5 poems per submission and only one submission per reading period.

Submissions must align with the chosen themes of the journal, which change for each issue. Accepted poems are paid $100.

14. Black Warrior Review

The University of Alabama operates this publication, which accepts poetry submissions from December 1st to March 1st and from June 1st to September 1st.

The submission site doesn’t specify the exact sum of the “nominal fee” you receive for accepted submissions; however, because it is noted as ‘nominal,’ it’s probably under $50.

15. The Capilano Review

TCR is a Canadian literary journal that accepts some unsolicited poetry; submissions can be as long as eight pages.

Check back on their page to check if they currently have an open submission.

If accepted and published, your poems could get you $50 per page, with a maximum of $200.

16. The Colorado Review

This journal is operated by Colorado State University and accepts poetry submissions from August 1st to April 30th. You can submit up to five poems, with a maximum of 15 pages.

Online submissions cost $3, but there is no fee to submit poems via mail.

Published poems are compensated with a minimum of $30 or at $10 per page.

17. Orion Magazine

Orion Magazine is an environmentally-focused publication that periodically accepts poems that focus on the “intersection of nature, culture, and place.”

Check back on their site to see if they’re currently accepting submissions.

Up to three poems can be submitted at a time and published poetry is paid $100.

18. VQR Online

The Virginia Quarterly Review accepts poetry only from July 1st to 31st and only via Submittable (no email or post submissions allowed).

Published poems earn $200 (up to 4 poems maximum); for a set of 5+ poems, poets receive $1,000.

19. The Pedestal Magazine

This online magazine has periodic calls for poetry along an established theme. Check back on their submissions page to find out when there’s an open submission period.

Up to five poems per submission are allowed for review, and they only accept submissions via Submittable.

Payment is $50 per accepted poem.

20. Crazyhorse

Crazyhorse is a publication from the College of Charleston, which accepts poetry submissions that reflect multiple poetries of the 21st century, especially those written by poets from underrepresented communities.

They welcome submissions from September 1st to May 31st. You can also submit your entry for their Crazyhorse Prizes from January 1st to January 31st.

Payment is at $20 per page, with a maximum of $200 payment.

21. EPOCH Magazine

EPOCH Magazine is edited by the Department of English of Cornell University and comes out on September, January, and May.

They only accept unsolicited submissions between September 15th and April 15th of each academic year.

Payments vary from year to year depending on their funding. Currently, you can get paid $50 per poem.

22. U.S. Kids

Why not get paid to write poems for children?

U.S. Kids Magazines publishes Humpty Dumpty and Jack and Jill magazines.

They accept submissions of 4 to 12 lines of poems for Humpty Dumpty, which is targeted to children aged 2 to 6 years old, and pay $40 and up per poem.

23. Willow Springs

Willow Springs is produced within the Master of Fine Arts program of Eastern Washington University.

They publish every spring and fall, and accept poetry submissions between September 1st to and May 31st.

You can submit up to 5 poems through their Submittable site, with a $3 fee. Each published poem gets you $20.

24. 50 Haikus

Short-form poetry doesn’t pay much but if you’re constantly jotting them down, know that you can get paid for them.

50 Haikus is a literary journal featuring only Haiku poetry in open form, with each issue containing exactly 50 Haiku poems.

They are open for submissions all year round, but you can only submit up to 5 times each month, 1 poem per submission. They accept submissions through their Submissions Manager or through the post.

Token payments are $1.50 normally, with Editor’s Choice submissions paid $10. After publication, a one-year online subscription to 50 Haikus is awarded as well.

How Much Can You Get Paid to Write Poems?

You can get paid anywhere from $2 to $250 to write poems, depending on whether they are published. Every site above has a different payout schedule and various requirements you need to meet before you get paid.

A lot of these sites only accept submissions a few times per year.

How to Get Your Poems Accepted

You can’t get paid to write poems if your poems don’t get published. Here are some tips to increase the chances of your poetry getting published.

1. Read and follow the submission guidelines carefully.

For every poet who doesn’t know how to follow instructions, there are hundreds out there who do.

Why risk getting ignored when you can simply follow their submission guidelines?

2. Familiarize yourself with previously published works on the websites you’re submitting to.

Knowing the styles of poets who have already been published on those websites will help you know what the publisher expects.

Publishers would much rather pay those who can provide what they’re looking for.

Some publications require you to buy back issues for a discount, while others have their digital issues available online for free.

Weigh the investment of buying back issues or even subscribing against the potential earnings to know if it’s worth it.

3. Submit as often as you can, to as many websites as you can.

The more poems you have out there, the greater the chances that someone will be interested in your work.

As you have probably read above, not all of them accept submissions year-round. It’s useful to have a calendar marked with submission schedules of the websites you’re interested in.

Ready to Get Paid for Your Writing?

Getting paid to write poems all day long may seem like a dream to some, but the reality is it’s often challenging and submission fees can quickly add up.

You might have a better chance with writing for greeting card companies.

Or feel free to explore this list of 153 ways to get paid to write to further your chances of making it as a published author.

Have you ever been successfully published and been paid for your poetry somewhere? Tell us your story in the comments below!

7 Jobs for Pickup Trucks: Make Money with Your Ride

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Pickup trucks are the workhorses of the auto industry, which opens up plenty of jobs for pickup truck owners.

With a flat, open bed, they’re designed to haul heavy loads or tow cargo. Plus, they’re made to withstand all sorts of extreme weather conditions.

If you’re looking for a way to earn some extra cash and you have a pickup truck sitting idle in the garage, it’s time to turn it into a money-making machine.

In this article, learn how to do side jobs for pickup trucks and what to consider when you want to turn your side gig into a business.

7 Side Jobs for Pickup Trucks

Before you go through this list, though, I need to stress that you’ll need to apply for commercial auto insurance before you can do jobs with your pickup truck, if you don’t have one yet.

Personal auto insurance won’t cover accidents that happen while you’re on a job; that is, while you’re using your pickup truck for profit.

Depending on your insurance company, you should be able to combine your personal and commercial auto insurance policies so you don’t have to pay two premiums for the same pickup truck.

Here are some of the best jobs for pickup trucks you can do on the side. These side cash opportunities are perfect for pickup truck owners who are looking for extra cash but can’t commit to full-time jobs or launch a business.

1. Offer a Hauling Service

The most popular independent contractor pickup truck jobs involve hauling stuff away.

For example, you can offer a junk hauling service where you pick up large items that customers no longer want: old furniture, mattresses, office file cabinets, outdated appliances, etc. You can then take them to recycling centers or to charity.

You can also offer a construction debris hauling service for contractors or DIYers doing renovations.

How Much Can You Earn?

You’ll be paid for each “haul” or for every hour you spend moving stuff around.

As an independent contractor, you can charge $50 to $120 per hour.

And since you’re the boss, you get to control pricing, depending on the location of items to haul, number of hauls needed to complete the job, number of crew members you hired for the job, and other factors.

2. Provide a Delivery Service

Picking up stuff from one location and delivering it to another can be a hassle to many people, especially for those who don’t have a car big enough to fit large items.

There are two ways you can go about doing this: by offering a local delivery service or by joining delivery apps and delivering on-demand.

Offer Local Delivery Services

Join local Facebook groups and check out Craigslist to find out where the current garage sales are in your area.

Talk to the garage sale hosts about you offering delivery services to buyers in need of help (ask for the host’s permission and referral). Make sure you have a poster, business cards, or fliers with you on the day of the garage sale.

This would be a big help for customers who buy couches, sofa sets, huge cabinets, and other bulky items they may not be able to haul home themselves.

Another thing you can do is to partner with appliance repair shops and advertise your service in your area.

When a customer has a large appliance, they can contact you to have it picked up in their home, brought to the repair shop, and then delivered back to the customer’s house.

Join Delivery Apps

Delivery apps allow you to work as much or as little as you want in a day or in a week, which means you get to decide how much you want to make. You can even join more than one delivery app to get more jobs.

Amazon Flex

If you live in a city with a lot of Amazon shoppers, chances are there is an Amazon delivery station close by where you can pick up Amazon.com orders. You can also pick up and deliver groceries or household items for Prime Now and Amazon Fresh customers.

A pickup truck can fit so many more packages compared to car drivers, which minimizes your back-and-forth and maximizes your profit.

Most delivery partners earn from $18 to $25 an hour delivering with Amazon Flex.

Bungii

Bungii is a delivery-on-demand app that works similarly to Uber or Lyft, except customers need to take a photo of the item to be moved first.

You’ll need to have a truck model not older than 2006, as well as basic equipment and knowledge to strap items securely and safely.

They pay upwards of $45 per hour.

GoShare

GoShare is another delivery app that works the same way as Bungii. Download the app, get an alert whenever a load is available for moving, and accept only the jobs that you like.

You’ll need to be over 18 years old, have a pickup truck less than 15 years old, and able to pass a background check, as well as many other requirements.

Their drivers earn an average of $80 per hour.

Dolly

If you need either scheduled or on-demand delivery jobs, Dolly is the app for you.

You can apply as a driver, or Helper as they call it, choose jobs that you can do, and get paid $50 per hour.

If you have a second vehicle that’s not a truck, you can make up to $35 per hour as well.

3. Turn Your Pickup Truck into a Moving Billboard

Being a moving billboard doesn’t seem like a job for a pickup truck, but if you’re willing to turn your pickup truck into one, you can earn a stable income for at least a couple of months.

This gig is similar to taxis sporting ads of a product or service on top of their vehicles while they cruise around the city.

One example of a company that offers this is Carvertise.

If you’re interested in doing this, you’ll have to register with Carvertise, send copies of your license, answer a few questions, and if you’re qualified, wait for an advertiser to choose you for a campaign. If you’re chosen, you can get $300 to $1,500 per campaign. Note that a campaign can last for months.

Common requirements for Carvertise and similar companies include a minimum of 30 miles/day of driving (so the ads can be seen by as many people as possible), clean driver’s history, 2008 or newer pickup trucks, and factory-finish paint job.

How Much Can You Earn?

Carvertise states that its average payout is $100/month for drivers, but those driving around high-traffic areas can earn more.

In some cases, you can simply park at Carvertise-assigned spots to get an extra $30/hour.

Driver payment will be sent at the beginning of each month through direct deposit.

Make sure you double-check the company before signing any contract.

Car wrap advertising scams have exploded in the past and many people were victimized.

You can check out my post here for some tips on how to prevent getting duped. Long story short,

4. Offer a Landscaping Service

Hauling landscaping tools and materials is a job for pickup trucks. Mowing, weeding, mulching, shuttling bags of fall leaves, hauling rocks or dirt, delivering plants and flowers, and other landscaping tasks are difficult without a huge vehicle like a pickup truck.

Invest in equipment such as a good lawnmower, rakes, shovels, pruning shears, hedge and grass trimmers, leaf blower, and safety equipment.

How Much Can You Earn?

People pay good money to add landscaping to their yards and to take care of their lawns. You can charge from $50 to $100 an hour, depending on how complicated the project is.

5. Offer a Snow Plowing Service

If you live in a region that gets a lot of snow, this can be an excellent way to make money during the winter months.

The investment here is in all-terrain tires, snow plow attachments, salt spreaders, and other snow-related

You’ll need to check with your local laws as using snowplows on public roads is regulated.

The good thing about offering snow plowing is that you can offer this in the winter and landscaping during warmer months.

How Much Can You Earn?

Snowplowing can get you around $50 to $100 an hour, depending on the location and how large the area is.

If you get hired on an ongoing basis, you can probably offer a lower price in exchange for a steady paycheck throughout the winter season.

6. Become a Towing Provider

If your pickup truck is big enough and has the capability to tow other vehicles, this is a good job for pickup trucks that can pay a lot.

Towing doesn’t just involve hauling off vehicles parked in towing zones. It can also mean moving a damaged car or a vehicle that’s not yet allowed for road use.

It could also mean transporting new vehicles from one state to another.

How Much Can You Earn?

Local towing jobs can get you around $70 per tow.

Interstate jobs pay higher, of course, but it will also mean the hours will be longer, mileage considerations will be higher, and finding a vehicle to tow on your way back can be challenging to do (but very lucrative if you’re lucky to land one).

7. Rent Out Your Pickup Truck

You’re not going to be paid to drive with this one, but you’ll still be earning some cash regularly (or as much as you’re willing to “share” your pickup truck with others).

A service like Turo (where would-be renters find vehicles to rent out) can be a huge help to you because you don’t need to advertise your pickup truck anywhere else.

How Much Can You Earn?

Turo has an estimator tool that lets you play around with the possible income you can earn by renting out your pickup truck.

On average, vehicle owners earn around $600 a month if they lease their vehicles for half a month at a time.

Side Job to Business: Things to Consider

Note that everything I listed above can be scaled up and turned into a full-blown business.

The work you’ll offer is the same as the jobs for pickup trucks I listed above, but with slight differences and additional things to consider.

Here are a few.

Competition

Some pickup truck services, such as hauling or delivery, have a ton of competition.

However, the demand for them is always high, which is what makes them enticing for entrepreneurs.

To compete against more popular companies in the same field, it’s important to promote your services in a way you’ll stand out.

This is particularly important if your business is just starting out and can’t rely on word of mouth just yet.

Permits and license

Local and state laws vary.

In most cases, if you’re running a business, you’re required to obtain a business permit and commercial auto insurance.

This is important since you’re going to be shuttling people around or hauling things in your pickup truck.

You have to be protected in case you get into an accident with a client at the back seat, or with valuable items in your care.

If you’re going to be driving your own pickup truck (and not renting it out), you’d have to have a valid driver’s license and a clean record.

Employees

Depending on the type of job you choose, you might need to hire people to help your business, especially if the job requires carrying heavy items.

If you’re planning to scale up a snow plowing or landscaping business, then drivers for two or more pickup trucks may be needed, as well as extra people to complete your crew.

Of course, this will totally depend on factors like your fund availability, location, and commitment level.

Start Making Money From Your Pickup Truck Today!

Explore these money-making opportunities available for pickup truck owners. If you’re committed enough, your side cash gig can turn into a lucrative business.

Let your pickup truck work for you!

17 Ways You Can Get Paid to Test Websites

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Now more than ever, websites need to be inviting, user-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing, so much so that companies are willing to pay for website testers to do these tests for them. You can take advantage of this need and get paid to test websites.

Website testing ensures that website design, navigation, usability, and overall user experience are all positive experiences for the vast majority of visitors to a given website.

These tests are usually done when the websites are initially being built by web designers and search engine optimization (SEO) companies. But companies also want their websites tested by third-party users so that the experience is similar to their everyday visitors.

In this article, you’ll learn how to get paid to test websites: what requirements you should meet and where to look for user testing jobs that pay well.

What You Need Before You Start Website Testing

If you want to become a website tester, you’ll have to be at least 18 years old and pass simple tests. While requirements vary from one website-testing company to the next, the typical requirements include:

  • Working computer with a stable, high-speed internet connection
  • USB microphone and webcam (some companies require voice-based feedback)
  • Installed program or plugin (required by some companies which you’ll be using to complete feedback)
  • Common web browsers (Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer are the top browsers worldwide; you may be asked to test a website in a particular web browser)
  • PayPal account (most companies pay through PayPal)

Some website-testing companies have regular tests available, while other tasks are only available for seasoned testers. This is why you should consistently deliver quality performance with each testing task.

Every website-testing task can be completed within 5 to 30 minutes. Depending on the instructions and the complexity of the tasks, payment ranges from $5 to $15 per test.

20 Sites That Pay You To Test Websites

Businesses outsource their website testing needs to companies specializing in website testing. If you’re interested in extra cash and want to provide feedback to companies pertaining to their websites, make sure to keep this list nearby and apply whenever slots open.

1. Enroll

With this website, you’ll have to provide feedback about a site’s usability, design, logo, content, and more. You can use your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, whichever you prefer.

The lengths of different tasks vary, which means your earnings can vary as well. Even 13-year-olds can get paid to test websites through this app. Payment is sent only once a month via PayPal.

2. TestingTime

TestingTime is a platform that recruits test users for user and market research.

You’ll be asked some questions when you sign up to make sure you get matched to the study that’s the right fit for you. Then, you’ll be invited to take part in the study via email.

Studies involve testing websites, apps, and sometimes physical products, gadgets, and even food. You get paid for your insights and feedback.

You’ll need Skype or Zoom installed on your laptop or PC, since the customer will communicate with you there and send you instructions about the task. Tests here take longer, about 30 to 90 minutes, but pay higher.

3. TryMyUI

With TryMyUI, users have to perform usability tests on apps or websites consisting of recorded video feedback and written answers to a quick survey. Tests take no longer than 20 minutes. Testers are paid $10 for each completed test, which is sent every Friday via PayPal.

4. Testbirds

Those 18-year-old and older from anywhere in the world can be a Testbird and test software bugs. These programs are usually downloaded, but some are web-based with instructions to use a specific web browser.

Testers usually earn €20 for a simple usability test but have the opportunity to earn more cash if they’re able to find more serious bugs.

5. Userfeel

Userfeel testers conduct usability tests on websites and then send voice-recorded feedback, so you’ll need a microphone to do this gig. You’ll need to register to their site and then take a qualification test. After 7 to 15 days, you’ll know if you’re qualified.

Each test takes about 10 to 20 minutes and pays $10 each. Users are paid weekly via PayPal or Amazon gift cards.

6. UserTesting

UserTesting accepts testers 18-year-old and above who speak English fluently. They accept voice-recorded feedback after each 20-minute test, so you’ll also need a microphone to do this gig.

There are also mobile-based tests available on this site. Users receive $10 on PayPal for every completed test seven days after submission.

7. Userbrain

Before you’re qualified to get paid to test websites for Userbrain, you need to take a Qualification Test. If you get approved, you’ll be asked to download a recorder software for Google Chrome or iOS and then you can start receiving paid tests.

Because tests are shorter, around 5 to 15 minutes, users are only paid $3 per test. The good thing is you can request a payout to your PayPal once your balance reaches $10.

8. uTest

uTest is known to be the go-to provider of big brands like Google. Users can test websites, apps, eBooks, and other types of projects.

To start working as a freelance tester, you must complete a full uTest Profile, audition on the uTest Sandbox, and then wait for invitations to participate in projects. Payments vary depending on the complexity and type of project.

9. IntelliZoom

IntelliZoom is UserZoom‘s participant sourcing engine.

Users can access tests via PC or mobile, as long as they can download the UserZoom testing software. Every test lasts around 10 to 20 minutes, with payments averaging $10. Audio and video feedback are required. User Zoom sends payment via PayPal within 21 business days after the test feedback has been approved.

10. Userpeek

This up-and-coming player specializes in remote usability tests. While the software is currently still in development, you can leave your email address and join their private Facebook group so they can contact you once they’re live and operational. You can be one of their first testers.

11. test IO

This crowdtesting vendor provides real-world QA testing to companies who need their websites assessed. Become a tester in minutes by registering and indicating all the devices that you can use to test.

As soon as you qualify, you’ll get invited to do your first test as soon as one is available. You can earn by reviewing apps, completing scripted test cases, or finding critical bugs. They pay once a month through PayPal, Payoneer, Skrill, or bank transfer.

12. Userlytics

Userlytics is a global operation looking for part-time testers around the world to get paid to test websites, mobile apps, and other digital user interfaces. Get paid from a minimum of $5 up to $90 for your insights into your PayPal account.

You’ll need a desktop computer with Mac OSX 10 or higher or Windows 7 or higher to download the Userlytics Recorder, or a mobile phone with iOS 11 or higher or Android 5.0 or higher to download the Userlytics App.

13. Respondent

This research study platform conducts surveys, website testing, and focus group studies for various businesses and companies. Sign up to be a respondent through your Facebook, LinkedIn, or email address. Start going through the projects and choose the ones that interest you. You can get paid up to $40 for a 20-minute session or $100 for a 60-minute session into your PayPal account.

14. Loop11

Loop11 is a highly popular remote usability tool that provides businesses to design tests of their websites and pay website testers to do the testing. To become a Loop11 tester, you need to complete a brief qualification test, during which they’ll test your webcam and microphone to know if you can express your thoughts out loud.

15. PingPong

PingPong is an all-in-one platform for businesses that need remote user experience research; they take care of everything from tester recruitment to payouts.

You can earn €10 to €100 per session for participating in user interviews and user tests, paid into your PayPal or through your bank account through Transferwise. You’ll need a computer to be a tester; they currently can’t conduct user interviews via smartphone.

16. Intuit

The company that sells products such as TurboTax, QuickBooks, and Mint is looking for small business owners, accountants, self-employed workers, and those who pay bills and taxes to test their products and provide them feedback.

Tell them what you like and don’t like about their products. For each 30-minute interval you complete, you’ll get paid with a $50 digital gift card.

You don’t need to be an Intuit customer to register to their user research program.

17. Checkealos

All you need is a PC, smartphone, or tablet, as well as a high-quality internet connection and an email address to register with Checkealos as a tester.

You can get paid to test websites about cars, banking, insurance, virtual reality, ecommerce, and applications.

Each feedback session lasts around 15 minutes and pays €8.

Note that some of these websites close registrations occasionally, but reopen eventually. Many of these website testing websites send e-mail notifications when tests are available and rarely have quick deadlines.

The Bottom Line

Not everyone is cut out for website testing, but if you can follow instructions, spot errors, and express your feedback concisely, you’ll be able to complete testing tasks easily. You probably won’t get rich testing websites, but if you join multiple sites at once, you can earn a decent amount of side cash.

Other ways to make money as a tester

If you’re interested in testing other stuff, check out our other articles below:

How to Land an Appointment Setting Job

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If you have people skills, a knack for sales, and don’t mind being on the phone for hours, you might want to consider applying for appointment setting jobs.

Appointment setters can work from home or in-office, full-time or part-time. They are usually hired by companies in the sales and real estate industries.

Read on to learn more about how to get appointment setting jobs: what the job involves, what you need to get started, and where to look for these jobs.

What is an Appointment Setter?

Essentially, an appointment setter calls or emails prospective clients and scheduling appointments for them to speak with a salesperson.

Appointment setters normally use a list of leads that the company has already collected by other means.

Depending on the company and industry, appointment setters could be assigned to make cold calls (call people who may or may not be interested in your company’s product or services).

As you can imagine, this can be quite unpredictable since some people wouldn’t take unexpected calls kindly.

Appointment setters are quota-driven, usually assigned to contact up to 100 people a day.

They’re also responsible for record-keeping and updating the status of leads.

For instance, did a lead set up an appointment or request a callback? Did a lead request never to be called again? Did a lead end up being a customer? These are details you will need to record.

What Qualifications and Tools Will You Need for Appointment Setting Jobs?

Most companies require appointment setters to have completed high school, while a few prefer those who have a year or two of college.

Employers usually search for appointment setters who demonstrate the following skills and characteristics:

  • Sales and Communication Skills — You must be armed with the ability to listen and communicate (either written or orally) to leads. You should also be mindful of verbal and written cues that can help you identify what potential customers need and what they’re looking for.
  • Organization Skills — You’ll need to keep track of all the calls and emails you make per day. You’ll typically be provided a CRM software for recordkeeping or trained to use a spreadsheet. Either way, you’ll need to be comfortable with logging and tracking all of the leads on your list. You’ll also have to maintain an accurate calendar of all the appointments you’re able to set.
  • Phone Skills — The job mostly involves being on the phone, so you must be comfortable making outbound calls daily. Having call center experience, even if you mostly handled inbound calls, is a great advantage for you.
  • Advanced Computer Skills — Aside from data entry, you’ll also be using an outbound dialer, CRM software, Microsoft Office applications, Google Drive/Docs, spreadsheets, and other similar tools.
  • Multitasking Skills — To make your workflow more efficient, you’re going to have to be able to research, take down notes, and log your calls, all while talking to leads on the phone. It takes a bit of practice.
  • Self-motivation — Although you’ll be a part of a team, you will have to handle all leads assigned to you on your own. This is particularly important with homebased appointment setting jobs because no one will be supervising you.

Aside from these skills and characteristics, you’ll need some equipment and software to be a remote appointment setter.

  • Dependable computer or laptop — You don’t have to have the most expensive one, but it does have to have a wired LAN port (preferred by most companies) and it has to be able to handle the software you’ll need to install.
  • High-quality headphones — Not only will you need crystal clear audio and a good microphone that can cancel ambient noises, but you’ll also have to consider how comfortable they are because you’ll have to wear them for hours at a time.
  • Dialer — Different companies may use different dialer programs. Autodialers are programmed to call a list of contacts in sequence automatically (hence the name), while manual dialers depend on you to input the phone number of each lead.
  • Landline — Even though virtual phone numbers are popular now, some companies may require you to have an actual phone to dial from.

How Much Can You Earn as an Appointment Setter?

The going hourly rate for appointment setters ranges from around $10 to $19, with the usual rate at $14.46 per hour, which is around $36,000 annually (Source).

It isn’t very large, but companies normally give out commissions for leads that turn into actual appointments and even bonuses if you go beyond your daily quota.

Paid training and employee benefits are possible, but not all companies offer them, so make sure to clarify income details before signing the dotted lines.

Like other work-from-home jobs, if you’re an online appointment setter, you will join 1099 contract employees, who file and pay for their taxes voluntarily.

Appointment setter

8 Companies Offering Appointment Setting Jobs Online

I’ve rounded up 8 companies actively hiring appointment setters.

Take a look at your options and weigh the pros and cons to find the right job for you.

1. FlexJobs

I recommend starting your job search at FlexJobs, as this job site is home to remote job opportunities posted by employers that have been vetted. You can rest assured that you’re applying to legitimate companies.

Plus, FlexJobs provides support, guidance, and tools for you to land the job you want.

2. Blue Zebra

Blue Zebra has been hiring work-from-home appointment setters for many years, which is why they’re the most popular company on this list.

They’re also legitimate, having hired and paid hundreds of people since 2001.

Blue Zebra appointment setters are experts at cold calling.

Since cold calling involves trying to contact people who haven’t shown interest in your company’s product or services, you’d have to have thick skin to pull it off every day. There’s always a good chance people you call will get angry, shout or even cuss at you for calling them.

Blue Zebra requires its appointment setters to work from 4 to 8 hours a day, five days a week.

That means that the minimum amount of hours that you can work in a given week is 20 and the maximum is 40.

  • How Much Does Blue Zebra Pay? The company hires you as an independent contractor, so your pay will not be deducted by taxes. You have to file and pay for your taxes on your own. Newly-hired appointment setters earn $15 per hour, but can quickly get a 10% to 14% increase after the first 2 months if they produce quality results. Other bonuses and incentives are given on top of the hourly pay, such as a Client Renewal Bonus paid after 200 hours of work. Payments are sent weekly via direct deposit.
  • PROS: High-paying, consistent work available, on-time payments
  • CONS: Unpaid meeting times, purchase of an ACT software needed for the work ($200 for new)

3. Paragon Planners

Paragon Planners operates mainly in the financial wholesaling and financial advisor industry. The company hires Regional Schedulers by state.

Today, their doors are open to those from the states of AZ, CA, CO, FL, MI, MO, NC, OH, OR, SC, and TX.

Because of highly-sensitive financial information, all qualified planners will undergo background checks before starting work.

Training will then involve 6 to 10 hours per week until a 3- to 6-week training period has been completed. Those who have finished training and shown promise could request additional client assignments and work hours of up to 32 hours per week.

Regional planners work from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday in all time zones.

  • How Much Does Paragon Planners Pay? The company pays its regional planners from $13 to $15 per hour, depending on experience.
  • PROS: Professional managers, on-time payments, flexible work hours, may be eligible for insurance depending on the number of hours worked
  • CONS: Medium to low pay; no Macs or Macbooks allowed

4. SalesRoad

SalesRoads is one of North America’s leading B2B Appointment Setting and Demand Generation Companies.

Sales Roads has a great management team that encourages individual growth, which is important in work-from-home jobs because the go-to contact person connects the appointment setter to the company.

  • How Much Does SalesRoad Pay Appointment Setters? You can earn $13 to $16 per hour, depending on experience. After a few months, you’ll get to enjoy paid time off.
  • PROS: Flexible work hours, work from home, higher pay than others
  • CONS: Work can be very busy

5. ManageYourLeads.com

ManageYourLeads.com boasts of over 7 million qualified leads generated to thousands of clients since it was founded in 1989.

This lead generation company actively looks for qualified appointment setters to add to their team.

Located in Hartford, CT, the company specializes in the B2B appointment setting arena.

As an appointment setter, you should be familiar in selling “complex” B2B products and/or services, including “non commodity” items.

  • PROS: The company wouldn’t be around for over 3 decades if they’re not trustworthy and legitimate.
  • CONS: There is very little information about salary, employment details, and so on

6. TeleReach

TeleReach Corporate is a national telephone-marketing firm engaged exclusively in outbound business-to-business calls.

The company has been providing business development, appointment setting, lead generation, and information-gathering company since 1996.

If you’re an experienced appointment setter who is up for a challenge, TeleReach can be the ideal company for you. They require up to 100 daily calls, so it’s no easy feat.

  • How Much Does TeleReach Corporate Pay Appointment Setters? As an appointment setter for TeleReach Corporate, you only get paid for each successful appointment set. It is commission-based with daily, weekly, and monthly performance-based bonuses.
  • PROS: Flexible work hours, work from home, $3,000 employee referral program, and Flex Appointments worth up to $520+ per year
  • CONS: Commission-based

7. Automatic Appointments

Automatic Appointments offers solutions to businesses who need experienced sales teams to do telephone sales and cold calling.

They’re currently looking for Sales Assistant Appointment Setters to work 10 to 50 hours a week from home as independent contractors paid hourly.

  • How Much Does Automatic Appointments Pay?? The posted salary is around $300 to $1200 per week, but since the number of hours can vary, the hourly rate is a bit vague.
  • PROS: Weekly on-time payments, flexible work hours
  • CONS: Hourly rate vague

8. RemoteAppointmentSetter.com

This site is actually a directory of remote callers that financial, life insurance, real estate, or any other company that needs them can purchase so they can select callers to offer appointment setting jobs.

Post your profile for free to be included in the directory for a chance to be contacted by these companies that need appointment setters.

  • PROS: Employers will contact you and you get to choose which jobs to take
  • CONS: No guarantees of jobs; you need to negotiate your pay

Appointment Setter Job Outlook

According to BLS, there will be a 5% decline in the demand for appointment setting jobs due to automation advancements through 2026.

However, this doesn’t include home-based appointment setters, since companies tend to go about technological changes gradually. As companies automate this particular task, there will be a spike in outsourcing the work to home-based freelancers.

You can take advantage of this period, especially if you’re looking for a short-term job.

Apply For Appointment Setting Jobs Today!

I hope this guide helps you decide if an appointment setting job is right for you and which companies to apply to.

However, if you don’t like talking to people for hours but would like a job you can do from home, check out our list of online transcription jobs, online proofreading jobs, or this huge list of non-phone jobs you can do from home.

6 Ways to Get Paid to Be an Audience Member

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Wouldn’t it be fantastic to get paid to be an audience member?

We see them all on TV. The crowd seems to be genuinely happy about being there.

Have you ever wondered how audience members of talk shows and sitcoms get the gig?

Do you wish to participate in being part of the live audience while filming your favorite show?

Whether you’d like to do it once and check this experience off your bucket list, or if you want to add extra income by doing this once or twice a week, read on for all the information you’d need to explore this gig.

Can Anyone Become an Audience Member?

The answer to this question is: Yes.

Anyone can become an audience member.

However, you won’t get paid to be an audience member on popular shows.

Here’s the thing:

Popular TV shows fill up their audience seats months in advance. They also do not pay audience members (at least, not anymore), but give away freebies and prizes.

Oprah (when her show was still on) was legendary about her Favorite Things Giveaways: from diamond watches to all-expenses-paid cruises. And who can ever forget about the brand new Pontiac G6 given to ALL 276 members of her studio audience in 2004?

For these popular shows, you can line up during filming days, but there’s no guarantee you can be chosen to fill in for other chosen audience members who didn’t show up.

Shows that are not popular enough to fill in the seats allocated within their studios still rely on paying audience members to watch.

Where to Find Paid Audience Member Gigs

If your goal is to join the crowd of your favorite show, the easiest way to find paid audience member gigs is to visit the show’s website. Look for a button that says “tickets,” which usually leads to a page that most likely includes details on how to get them and other information.

If you’re here to earn some side cash, no matter which sitcom, talk show, or other live shows, check out these 5 resources:

1. TVTaping.com

The shows listed here are neatly arranged, so you can quickly see which of them are currently giving away tickets (and those on hiatus).

There’s a mix of paid and unpaid gigs. For example, Beat Bobby Flay pays $65 to attend a 4 hour taping.

2. OnSetProductions.com

The shows are arranged by date and location, which makes it easy to filter based on your availability and which shows are near you.

Click one of the shows and you’ll see complete details, including the number of hours required to be on the show, transportation availability, and amount of cash incentives.

What I like best about this site is that they also list a month or two of a show’s schedule, so you’d be able to adjust your availability if necessary.

3. Backstage.com

This casting call site has been serving up actors and actresses with audition listings for years.

If you dig deeper, you’ll see that some casting coordinators post audience member gigs here too.

An example gig from 2019 looks like this: MTV TRL seeks paid audience member at New York Times Square Location, Thursdays in September from 3PM to 6PM. Payment is $40 after filming.

My problem with Backstage.com is that their search feature isn’t that accurate.

Finding “paid audience member” results also includes other listings, which is quite disappointing since the site does offer a comprehensive and up-to-date list of gigs in the entertainment industry.

4. StandingRoomOnly.TV

You’ll need to register to access the casting lists on SRO, but they do have a lot of paid ones.

Instead of a gig-based fee, Standing Room Only lists paid audience member gigs with an hourly fee, so you’ll see listings with $10 to $20, then details for how long each show will be.

5. 1iota.com

If you’re after the experience and don’t really care if you get paid to be an audience member of your favorite show, 1iota.com is where tickets to all other popular shows are found.

The process of reserving a seat varies by show, so better check out each one.

Some examples of popular shows include:

Sometimes, you might find a paid gig, but it’s rare since the shows listed here are in-demand throughout the year.

6. AuditionsFree

AuditionsFree works similar to Backstage.com in that you can search for “audience” and you can see casting calls for audience members.

However, not all of these are paid. The ticket will be free, though, so at least you get to watch for free.

Important things to Know to Get Paid to be an Audience Member

Before seeking out tickets to shows, you should take note of the following:

  • Age requirement: Most TV shows require adults (18 and above) for audience members, but family-oriented shows may allow kids (from 10 to 18). If you plan to go with your kid or younger family member, make sure to check a show’s age requirement before making a reservation.
  • Location: While TV shows usually have their headquarters already in place, some shows can switch locations every now and then. They may be some instances where the show would travel to another city or even another country.
  • Dress code: Most shows require their audience members to dress business casual. Some are particular with colors (no busy patterns or neon), while others just list clothes that are not allowed (shorts, tank tops, short skirts, hats, etc.). Of course, during themed shows, you might see specific requests such as ‘nightclub wardrobe,’ ‘Halloween costume,’ and so on.

Things to Expect on the Day of Filming

  • Arrive early. The show isn’t going to wait for your arrival. In most cases, you’ll be in line for a couple of hours, and shows typically recommend audience members to be in the studio or venue 30 to 45 minutes prior to the check-in time on your ticket. Plus, almost every TV show have standby tickets given to other people, which means it wouldn’t be surprising to be bumped off your slot by other audience members.
  • Bring your ID and ticket with you. Most of these tickets are non-transferable, so they’ll be checking your identity before entry.
  • Food isn’t allowed inside. Better eat a big meal before call time, unless of course food is included as an incentive. Your best bet is a water bottle, which you can keep inside your bag.
  • Actually, plenty of things aren’t allowed inside. Big bags like luggage or travel backpacks are typically not allowed, and there’s usually no baggage check to leave them. Laptops and professional cameras are usually prohibited, and smartphones and other electronic devices are typically switched off.
  • Be ready to laugh or clap your heart out. If you’re really not a fan of the show, laughing along with the show’s host, or clapping every time you’re required to can be taxing. You have to be mentally prepared to make your laughing or clapping believable since show coordinators can easily kick out audience members between takes.
  • Audience warm-up. Whether you’re watching a sitcom or a talk show, someone (a crew, comedian, singer, or other type of entertainer) will wake up the audience and give the space a happier vibe. Watch out for some last-minute reminders as well.

Generally, audience members are paid at the end of filming. No need to wait for checks, since pay is almost always in cash.

For long-standing shows, “seniors” (paid audience members who have been there several times) may be asked to return at a particular date.

This already removes the entire process of reserving your slot.

So if you’re banking on these gigs to bring you extra income, your goal is to become a senior audience member.

Alternative Gig: Be a Seat Filler

If paid gigs to be an audience member are scarce, try to find seat fillers instead.

The job of a seat filler is to occupy empty seats at award shows, plays, concerts, sporting events, and other live performances. The tickets are free and these are often paid gigs because you need to be able to follow instructions and fill seats that you’re instructed to.

Why does this exist?

Fuller audiences and venues are simply a better experience for both the performers and the other paying patrons.

And having a full house is especially important for televised events; empty seats on television simply don’t look good.

For instance, when audience members of awards shows accept their awards, seat fillers take up their seats so that when the camera pans over the audience, there aren’t empty seats.

What you need to be a seat filler

You’re most likely to get to be a seat filler if you reside in a city with plenty of live events going on, such as Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, Miami, and other similar cities.

Aside from your location, the most important characteristic you need to have to be a seat filler is the ability to read and follow instructions.

Companies that hire seat fillers can be specific about what they’re looking for. When they post openings, their requirements are usually detailed: age range, gender, dress code, makeup and hairstyle, even down to your shoes.

Where to find seat filler jobs

Here are some companies where casting calls for seat fillers are periodically posted. Some of these may be unpaid gigs, though, so carefully look at the postings.

From Audience Member to Performer: Exploring the Entertainment Industry

Joining a live show and getting paid to do so is a quick gig many people would choose to do than be stuck in an office from 9 to 5.

It’s as close as you can get to getting paid to watch TV or getting paid to watch movies.

It’s a cool way to make some easy money if you’re in Los Angeles, New York, or another area where they’re hiring.

Some people even turn this into a temp job until something better arrives.

If you’re interested in other side hustle in the entertainment industry, check out this post I wrote about becoming a movie extra or this guide on how to earn big money as a voice actor.

6 Ways to Make Money from Memes

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I think it’s safe to say that memes are now part of our collective Internet culture.

A meme is a catchphrase, idea, hashtag, and any form of media (image, video, songs, etc.) that reflects the current culture that spreads quickly from person to person via the internet.

While the popularity of memes exploded with the rise of forums and social media, the word “meme” was coined in 1976 in the book The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins, as he explained how cultural ideas and memories spread.

By the late 90s, with the help of online forum members of 4chan and Reddit, memes have become part of the internet culture.

Memes mostly include an element of humor, but they can also have shock value or have themes like drama, urban myths, psychological/philosophical ideas, and more.

The most popular examples of memes include:

  • Photos – “Futurama Fry,” “Drake Hotline Bling,” “Kombucha Girl,” and “Padme and Anakin” are some of the most memorable memes in recent years.
  • Videos – “Walmart Yodel Boy,” “BBC Dad,” and “Julian Bass Superhero Transformations” are prime examples of video memes that continue being shared around today. Viral videos are also major sources of image and animated GIF memes.
  • Animated GIFs – “Roll Safe” (also known as the “think about it” meme), “Guy Blinking Nervously” (also known as the “excuse me” meme), and “Woman Yelling at a Cat” are popular GIFs that are used as reactions and memes.
  • Songs – TikTok has a way of making little-known songs or remixes become go viral. Recent examples are Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat) by Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo, Oh No by Capone, and Wipe It Down by BMW Kenny are very familiar to those who keep up with TikTok trends.
  • Expressions – Statements like Paris Hilton’s “That’s hot” or “OK Boomer” can also be considered memes.

And as with probably anything on the internet, people have found ways to cash in on memes.

If you think you’d be an awesome meme-maker, but don’t know where to start in monetizing this modern skill, read on for some of the most common methods of cashing in.

7 Ways You Can Make Money with Memes

Get ready to start amassing a following.

Here are the best ways you can turn your memes into cash.

1. Build an Instagram Meme Page

This is the easiest starting route out of the other items on this post, but this has also been done to death and is thus insanely competitive.

You can create a meme account to quickly gain followers and fans. Then, when you have enough followers to be considered an influencer, reach out to brands so that you can get paid to promote their brands through memes.

If you’re lucky, they might be the ones to reach out to you.

The way to stand out from your competitors is to have an Instagram page with a distinct personality and not just another page of random memes just to be hilarious.

Brands and companies are constantly looking for ways to take advantage of social media to reach a wider audience, and if your Instagram meme page attracts a certain type of demographic that they’re looking to attract as well, then your chances of being sponsored by that brand increases.

The good thing about it is that you don’t even have to be a creative genius to run an Instagram meme page. You can create your own memes, sure, but don’t knock curating other people’s memes.

You can take memes created by other people and still show off your own personality on your Instagram meme page. It can be difficult and challenging, but it’s certainly worth the effort.

An example of a success story that started with an Instagram meme page is Claudia Oshry, who started with her Instagram @girlwithnojob that was a hit with female millennials and is now a podcast host, stand-up comedian, and has even released a single.

2. Create and Sell Products Based on Memes

Another way to leverage your Instagram meme account is to use it to sell your own products based on popular memes.

Many crafters take inspiration from memes that have gone viral to create handmade products, which they then sell over at Etsy or other online marketplaces.

If you started with an Instagram meme page, you can sell real products based on the memes on your Instagram page. You can set up your Instagram as a business account so you can use Instagram shopping to offer your products on your organic posts as well as through your Instagram Stories.

Another way to sell them is to set up a separate online store or sell in a marketplace, which you can then link to on your Instagram profile.

3. Get Paid to Create Corporate Memes

Meme marketing is one of the most powerful social media marketing strategies available to companies today. Because memes are shareable and transcend social media networks, brands have been using them to increase their social media following or to promote a specific product.

Netflix is one notable example of a brand that has harnessed the power of the meme to promote its upcoming movies and shows, although it’s not without the occasional backlash (remember the chaos that #BirdBoxChallenge created?)

You, in turn, can harness these brands’ needs and make money with a meme-making career. You can either proactively reach out to a company to commission you for a meme-making project or wait for them to contact you.

In some cases, companies opt for authenticity and hire professional meme-makers for the job. Such is the case for Gucci’s highly successful Instagram-based campaign titled #TFWGucci (“That Feel When Gucci”). This collaborative project was commissioned to multiple Instagram influencers, including @decorhardcore, @rozalinaburkova, and @youvegotnomale (real name Sebastian Tribbie Matheson), who said he got paid $2,000 for the starter meme pack he created for Gucci.

Fortunately, in today’s gig economy, it’s possible to offer your services as a freelance meme-maker whom companies can hire for small projects, maybe even for only one to two memes. Check on Fiverr and other freelancer job boards to find small meme-making projects.

4. Apply For a New Media Job Opportunities

Many companies are hiring skilled people with a healthy dose of humor, pop culture knowledge, and advanced internet skills to handle new media marketing.

In fact, dank meme-making is often listed as one of the responsibilities of a new media professional.

If you’ve got the image editing and video editing skills, a great sense of humor, as well as that uncanny ability to predict what’s going to be popular with a certain target market, working as a digital or social media specialist with a focus on new media can be a great opportunity.

You may even be lucky to make money with memes by working from home! Start your job search with Indeed and seek out a social media manager role.

5. Start a Meme Compilation Channel on YouTube

YouTube may seem like a strange place to make money with memes, but actually, video memes work so much better with YouTube. Like other social media networks, YouTube videos are easy to share and spread like wildfire.

If you have a keen sense of humor, a spider-sense of what will become viral, and a knack for video editing, you can go into compiling video memes and posting them on your YouTube meme channel.

Of course, creating your own video memes will work even better, if you manage to make it viral. Original memes have more potential to be monetized.

Promote your content as much as you can to your followers on social media or through your blog, if you have one. Once you have 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours within 12 months, you can link an Adsense account with your YouTube channel and apply to join the YouTube Partner Program so you can start cashing in.

Another way you can make money with memes on your YouTube channel is to sell real products based on the video memes you’ve been posting on your channel. Link to your online store right on the video or in the video description so that your viewers can buy your merchandise right when they watch your video memes.

A popular YouTube success story is Grumpy Cat. Before Grumpy Cat died in May 2019, she earned somewhere from $2k to $20k from YouTube alone. What’s interesting is that this amount wasn’t even half of what this feline and her owner Tabatha Bundesen actually made.

The Washington Post estimates that Grumpy Cat earned six-figure sums from her Friskies sponsorship, a book deal, Lifetime movie “Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever,” and a widely successful merchandising business.

An older success story is that of LA-based deep-voiced singer Tay Zonday (real name Adam Nyerere Bahner), whose original song entitled “Chocolate Rain” went viral on YouTube in July 2007. The song, which is super-catchy, isn’t even a parody – it’s a song about racism.

He initially made money through video ads and a promo song for Dr. Pepper called “Cherry Chocolate Rain.”

When the fame died down, his earnings didn’t.

At some point, he earned a sizable monthly income from ringtone and music sales, although it didn’t translate to a vast fortune.

The most important takeaway you should have here is that your YouTube monthly views may peak and then die down, but being a popular YouTuber can open so many more opportunities for you than just earning a trickle of dollars from YouTube ad revenue.

6. Teach Others How to Make Money With Memes

For as long as the internet exists, memes are here to stay.

Why not teach others the art of meme creation?

You can create a video course and sell them on sites like Udemy, Skillshare, or Coursera. You can even try to sell it on LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda). Meme creation may not seem like a professional skill, but digital marketers recognize how effective meme marketing is for certain target audiences and will want to learn how this works.

Of course, you can also target those who want to learn how to create memes for their own products.

Either way, creating and teaching a course is an effective way to make money with memes.

Start Making Money With Memes Today!

Who would’ve thought that these charming, annoying, hilarious, philosophical, passive-aggressive, and sometimes thought-provoking memes could actually lead to a career, monthly income, or huge sponsorship deals?

The rise in social media and globalization has turned memes into a massive communication tool by people of all generations and cultures from all walks of life. And brands have started to notice too. So if you feel this niche best fits your skills and personality, it’s never too late to try and cash in from the opportunities meme-making has to offer.

But before you go off creating memes and waiting for the cash to roll in, a word of caution: Making money through memes is not a guaranteed stable and reliable source of income. Competition is only increasing with each new year and each new set of memes that become popular.

If you want to be involved in something creative and earn money online, here are some of the articles we’ve written before to give you some inspiration.

How to Work as an Online Dating Ghostwriter

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Are you a regular Cyrano de Bergerac with your writing? Are you able to see and write about a person’s best qualities, and present their flaws as endearing quirks? Then you just might have what it takes to become an online dating ghostwriter.

When people are on dating sites, people quickly browse photos and profiles before deciding on whether they’re someone who’s worth talking to.

So aside from a gorgeous photo, people on dating apps want their profiles to be as engaging as possible.

The problem is, not everyone can write in an attention-grabbing way, and that’s where ghostwriters can help.

In today’s article, you’ll learn what an online dating ghostwriter does and how to start working from home as one.

What Does an Online Dating Ghostwriter Do?

As far as freelance writing jobs go, creating dating profiles is a bit out of the ordinary, but no less legit.

An online dating ghostwriter helps their clients create interesting profiles on dating apps.

Their clients are usually those who suck at writing or those for whom English is not the first language but who want to be understood clearly.

What happens, though, when a client matches with someone they like but they can’t maintain the conversation?

Online dating ghostwriters can help further by keeping the conversation flowing. Essentially, they pretend to be their clients, at least until their clients feel ready to take over or actually meet their match in person.

What skills do you need to have?

It does take a certain skill set to be great at this job.

You’ll have to be able to write in a creative and engaging way that mirrors your potential client, whether they’re male or female and whatever their sexual orientation may be.

Knowing how to inject just the right amount of humor into your writing will be a plus factor. A profile that’s funny enough to make potential dates smile makes your clients sound confident but not too full of themselves.

Having a great personality also goes a long way toward building rapport with clients and getting more. They have to be able to trust you enough to have you write their profiles and chat on their behalf if they want you to.

How much can a dating app ghostwriter make?

Depending on your level of experience and expertise, you can start charging $80 to $100 per profile. Some veteran dating writers can make $200 to $300 per profile.

If you get a job chatting and messaging with your clients’ potential dates, you can start making $13 to $17 per hour, which can go up to $30 to even $50 an hour for more experienced ghostwriters.

As your experience grows and your satisfied clientele grows in number, you can charge higher fees if you’re going freelance on your own, or ask for a raise if you work for an agency or a dating site.

Where To Apply for Online Dating Ghostwriter Jobs

Now that you know a bit more about being a ghostwriter, here are some places where you can find online dating ghostwriter jobs.

1. Dating Assistant Websites

Helping people find love is an entire industry, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that dating assistants are a thing.

Here are some dating assistant websites that often have openings for dating site ghostwriters.

ViDA

Virtual Dating Assistants is an Atlanta-based matchmaking and elite dating service that helps their clients identify and highlight their best characteristics to ensure they get dates with their most compatible matches.

They continually hire contractors for their writing services. To apply, email careers[at]VIDAselect[dot]com with the subject line “VIDA Select Creative Writer” with a short video introducing yourself.

When your application has been reviewed, you’ll get contacted for a phone interview. If they think you’re qualified, you’ll be invited to complete an assessment, and if you pass that, you’ll be offered the job.

e-Cyrano

e-Cyrano is constantly hiring writers to interview dating applicants and write fun and interesting profiles for them.

Their fees range between $78-$120 per completed profile. This is strictly part-time freelance work and you can expect 1-2 profiles per week if hired.

They are quite selective in their hiring process so make sure your submitted example really stands out.

Personal Dating Assistants

This site caters mostly to men seeking women for love and companionship. Personal dating assistants are expected to do a number of tasks on a part-time to full-time basis:

As you can probably tell from the duties described above, PDA offers a suite of services for its clients, from profile creation to date coaching and beyond.

As a contracted writer, you would probably be hired to write dating profiles, emails, and text exchanges.

The pay is $14 per hour, plus a 30% performance bonus for outstanding assistants.

The PDA application procedure is interesting, to say the least.

You are expected to talk about your dating history as evidence that you can do this job. Links to your personal website and online dating profile are appreciated.

ProfileHelper.com

ProfileHelper.com’s dating coaches have helped over 25,000 singles improve their online dating lives since they started in 2005.

They sometimes post openings for dating profile ghostwriters and dating coaches, but for now, email your resume to profilehelper[at]gmail[dot]com to be considered.

2. Start with a Google Search

Input the search term ‘online dating ghostwriter’ or ‘online dating assistant’ into Google and you’ll be served with several different search results that mention writing and rewriting of dating profiles.

You’ll also find want ads for dating articles, which are not a bad way to get started in this line of work and may help eventually qualify you to work at ViDA and/or PDA.

3. Contact Online Dating Sites

Match.com, Bumble, Tinder, eHarmony, and other online dating sites often post openings for online dating writers.

It doesn’t hurt to reach out to them and inquire, even if there is nothing posted directly on the site. Alternately, you can try inputting online dating site names into job boards on Indeed, Monster, and GlassDoor.

4. Start Your Own Ghostwriting Service

Many online dating ghostwriters get their start by helping out their friends and colleagues with their dating profiles. If they are successful, they are often referred to others.

This can snowball into a full-blown business, as evidenced by Scott Valdez of ViDA.

Ready to be a dating ghostwriter?

As an online dating site ghostwriter, you might raise a few eyebrows regarding the ethical implications of your side gig.

What you do—and won’t do—for your clients will likely need to be established and then reestablished several times. This gig will also give you a newfound appreciation of the nuances of human psychology. At least it won’t be a boring job, and it will certainly help you out in your own dating experiences.

Plus, it can give you a chance to eventually become a dating consultant and even start your own business and make a living out of it.

10 Low Stress Jobs for Retired Teachers

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Whether you need the income or not, you might be wondering if there are jobs for retired teachers out there.

This may be strange for some people; most people think of retirement as a chance to move to a warmer state, hang out with their grandkids, and take up new hobbies.

But not everyone wants to spend their retirement this way.

Maybe you feel your retirement benefits aren’t enough to live on. Or maybe you don’t want your brain to become idle.

For whatever reason, retirees nowadays are more interested to pursue a job after retirement than previous generations.

Even so, most retirees would want to pursue a job that may not earn them as much money as teaching but that is significantly less stressful.

Today, we’re going to list down jobs for retired teachers to help you plan for life after teaching.

Jobs For Retired Teachers Who Still Want To Teach

There are plenty of reasons for teachers to retire: physical health, mental health, and family concerns are just some of them.

But the good news is that if teaching is your passion, you don’t have to quit teaching entirely after you retire.

Here are some teaching-related jobs for retired teachers.

1. Tutoring

Teaching to tutoring is probably the most natural transition for a retired teacher to make.

You can either do online tutoring, wherein you can do face-to-face lessons with a student over video conferencing, or part-time private tutoring.

Teaching Jobs

The most popular jobs are online English teaching jobs and those involve teaching English to foreign students or to local students who are non-native speakers and want to go to college or university in the US.

However, you can teach a variety of subjects: math, science, history, or English. You can also work with students from different levels: middle school, high school, or college.

It’s up to you to pick and choose which students you want to tutor and which subjects to teach.

Bear in mind that online tutoring foreign students would probably entail working at night or in the wee hours of the morning, depending on the time zone of your students’ country.

Private tutoring hours may be closer to “normal” or daylight hours, but you may be asked to be available for weekend tutoring.

Being a private tutor would require some advertising, but if you’ve just retired, you can start spreading the word to your former students that you’re doing private tutoring so they can tell their siblings and parents.

You can quickly build a customer base with just word of mouth, but you can always utilize social media advertising as well.

You may also have to get additional certifications, but that depends on the requirements of your potential employer.

Tutoring offers more flexibility than classroom teaching, plus paperwork is at a minimum, except for your educational materials, so this may prove to be a less demanding career for you.

See our full list of online tutoring jobs here.

2. Creating And Selling Lesson Plans

Creating, editing, and updating lesson plans are probably some of the most tedious tasks for teachers.

If they can outsource the creation of these lesson plans, they’d focus more on editing and updating the lesson plan so they can adapt to the changing times and the various types of students in their classroom.

You can fill this pressing need by making and selling lesson plans for teachers to buy and use in their classrooms.

They benefit by saving time and getting a lesson plan made by a teacher who has experience and expertise; if the lesson plan is effective for one teacher, then it’s very likely that it is effective for another teacher.

It benefits you because you not only earn income but recurring income, as you can sell a single lesson plan to multiple teachers over time.

Also, you get to share your knowledge with the new crop of teachers and contribute something meaningful back.

You can sell your lesson plans on Etsy, or your own site if you can manage it, but it’s more advisable to find teacher marketplaces where your audience and potential buyers are all teachers.

3. Test Scoring

Test Scoring

Another supposedly tedious task is checking and grading homework and essays, but some teachers genuinely enjoy reading and evaluating their students’ work.

If you’re one of these teachers, you’re in luck! A number of testing services and schools are outsourcing their scoring tasks to third parties, especially to teachers and retired teachers.

To qualify for these jobs, you usually need a bachelor’s degree, and some need a bachelor’s degree in a specific subject.

Online grading is seasonal for most testing companies because standardized testing is typically done in the spring and the fall.

Resources:

4. Academic Consulting

Consultancy, particularly academic consultancy, is another field where contributing your experience is worth at least some money

Here are a few consulting jobs for retired teachers:

Homeschool Consulting

There are many reasons why parents might want their children to be homeschooled: bullying, being an asynchronous learner, or simply because traditional school is not a good fit.

Parents who are only starting to homeschool their children almost always need help starting, especially with matters such as curriculum and daily lesson plans.

Although you’re probably a product of the traditional school system, your insights on drawing up a lesson plan that will benefit the child in terms of getting the education they need while thriving in a home environment.

Also, you can enlighten clients in terms of legal requirements, resources, information, and networking with other homeschooling parents.

The first step is to research all of this information so you’re ready to provide quality service to your clients.

Laws surrounding homeschooling differ between states, so be careful and strictly follow the laws that apply to the state where you intend to do your consultancy.

Resource:
How to Be a Home School Consultant

Educational Consulting

Another consultancy job that you can do is consulting for school districts in various aspects.

You can offer your help in improving the curriculum, incorporating the latest technologies, managing classrooms, fine-tuning teachers’ performance, or increasing students’ test scores.

Resource:
How to Become an Educational Consultant

5. Substitute Teaching

If the lure of the classroom is too strong and you’d like to continue making a difference in students’ lives, becoming a substitute teacher is a good transition job for retired teachers.

It allows you to teach and impart your wisdom on students without the pressure and stress of standardized tests. At the same time, your students can teach you so much about culture and technology so you don’t feel to isolated or disconnected.

However, your schedule would have to be flexible enough to be available to take on a teaching job when the school needs it and to teach any subject they ask you to.

Also, if your teaching career was with the state, and you want to be a substitute teacher for the state as well, you have to take care that you limit your work hours and earnings so you don’t violate your pension agreement.

A workaround is to teach in a private school or work with an organization to not violate your pension agreements.

Jobs For Retired Teachers Who Want A Career Change

The word “retirement” might signify an end of something, but it can also signify the beginning of something new.

It just might be time for a career change.

Here are some second careers for retired teachers.

6. Mentoring

Being a mentor probably comes naturally to teachers because that’s what teachers do every day for their students.

You might have retired from teaching, but you can still be a mentor; not to your students but to other teachers who are currently teaching so they can realize their full potential.

A mentor needs to be able to reassure, inspire, provide feedback, and give advice to new teachers.

If you think you’re up to the challenge, you can look for mentoring programs in your local school district or directly to the schools.

Resource:
Resources for Mentoring Programs

7. Writing

Writing jobs for teachers

As a teacher, you’ve probably done nothing but write: lesson plans, emails, exams, letters, emails, and all the educational materials expected from you as a teacher.

At this point, you’d have gathered much experience writing for different audiences, making you more than qualified for a variety of writing jobs.

You can find freelance jobs as an article writer for various blogs and websites, or you can apply as a regular writer for a single website.

The flexibility you get in terms of hours and topics to write about should be a good incentive to be a freelance writer, but if you want recurring income, maybe writing a book is more your speed.

Writing an eBook allows you flexibility as well in terms of time and subject, but freelance writing gets you paid per article (or per hour) while an eBook gets you paid for every copy you sell.

Self-publishing can be daunting if you don’t have the experience, but there are plenty of resources to help guide you from writing the eBook to become published in Amazon Kindle Store.

Working with a publisher to sell a physical book is another option, and it’s actually a better option if you’re planning to write a textbook specifically.

Reach out to known publishers and present your résumé and your book proposal or pitch.

Resources:

8. Editing

If writing still sounds like more work than you’d like to take on, perhaps editing is a better fit for you.

As a teacher, you likely had an excellent grasp of how to organize and rephrase content such that it’s ready for publication or presentation.

Needless to say, your spelling, grammar, and punctuation need to be superb as well.

The great thing about working as an editor is that you can do it full-time, part-time, or on a freelance basis.

You can work as an editor for a publishing company and edit all kinds of published materials. Your expertise may be in textbooks and other educational materials, but there’s no stopping you from editing young adult, suspense, romance, biographies, and even cookbooks, if those interest you more.

You can also edit blog posts and articles for a blogger or multiple bloggers if you’re comfortable with website publications.

9. Research

There’s no lack of online research jobs for retired teachers; after all, research is another area that you should have plenty of experience in.

You should be all too familiar with research methodology: how to vet your sources, determine which information is relevant, organize the information, and present it in an engaging way.

You’re even free to select what broad area of research you want to go into, depending on your expertise and/or preferences. To name a few, there’s academic, education, medical, legal, technical, social, and marketing research.

Going into research also means you can take either online or in-office jobs, whichever is available and whichever you prefer.

10. Caring For Children

This one is probably not for you if being around children stresses you out.

But if you’re a regular Mary Poppins around children, being a babysitter or a nanny can be a lucrative job for a retired teacher.

Babysitting requires you to supervise and care for children for a few hours at a time while their parents are away on a date or doing other responsibilities out of the house.

Being a nanny is a greater responsibility; nannies are heavily involved in housework and chores aside from taking care of the children. You can expect to be asked to do some grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, helping with homework, doing dishes, feeding pets, and other work around the house.

Regarding the pay, you would expect nannies to be paid more than babysitters as it’s more hands-on and more consistent. Being a nanny is more work, though, so that’s something to consider.

Offering tutorial services to your clients provides the potential to make more money. This is taking on even more work, but if you love teaching children even during your retirement, this is another option you can consider.

The Bottom Line

There are plenty of different jobs for retired teachers; that is if you know where to look.

Here are some pointers when making that transition to a second career:

1. Assess your professional skills and traits.
Start by visualizing your role as a teacher and list down everything that you were responsible for.

Tasks like preparing lesson plans, creating educational materials, and of course, instructing students with varying aptitudes and dispositions.

2. Keep your mind open.
This list has a lot, but it doesn’t cover everything.

Aside from the job possibilities I’ve listed above, consider alternatives as they come.

This applies as well to finding and gaining new experiences that may not necessarily be in your comfort zone.

3. If needed, get additional training and certifications.
When you do decide on your second career, do your due diligence and research everything you need to have so you can be qualified to do your intended second degree.

4. Don’t give up.
If things don’t fall in place immediately, don’t get discouraged.

Keep learning, networking, and applying for jobs. Stay prepared and motivated so you don’t lose sight of your goal.

And be sure to browse our master list of ways to make money after retirement to help you find the right post-retirement job or business.

10 Remote Human Resources Jobs To Consider

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Remote Human Resources Jobs That You Can Apply To

Normally, when you think of someone working in HR, you imagine someone in a power suit, wearing glasses, behind a desk. But now that we’re in a more mobile economy, remote human resources jobs are now available.

Every company is as good as its employees and its talent. Human resources specialists who recruit, hire, train, and keep the best employees for a company are the heart of any successful company.

Thanks to advances in technology, human resources jobs can now be done virtually. This is especially good for those who need to work from home to take care of young kids or sick family members, or just for people who want the freedom to work wherever they want.

In today’s post, we give you a list of remote human resources jobs you can apply for, as well as some tips for you to snag that position.

Types Of Human Resources Jobs You Can Do Remotely

There are plenty of positions you can search for on various job sites and forums. Here are some examples of roles that are possible to do remotely as well as their usual responsibilities. Note that these responsibilities may vary per company.

1. Recruitment Specialist/Talent Acquisition Specialist

This is probably the most common remote human resources jobs that you’ll encounter on job hunting sites.

Recruitment/talent acquisition specialists get recruiting metrics and standards from the hiring manager or whoever is requesting for an employee to fill a vacancy and then gather a candidate pool based on those metrics and standards.

They then screen these candidates through background checks, examinations, and interviews, obtaining information on candidates’ work history, training, education, and the job skills required for the open position/s.

HR Recruiting Jobs

Meanwhile, they maintain the candidate database and keep it updated so that they can refer to these files as new job positions become open.

Recruitment specialists coordinate with hiring managers to keep track of current and future hires.

They are also responsible for placing job advertisements for open positions on online job boards and social media, wherever appropriate.

2. Talent Attraction and Branding Specialist

Talent attraction is similar to marketing, but instead of trying to attract buyers or customers, you’re trying to attract the right talent for your company.

To do this, you’d need to be able to showcase and sell the image, culture, and brand of the company to prospective talents.

This role requires knowledge of digital marketing and best practices for talent engagement, attraction, and hiring.

3. Payroll Specialist

Payroll specialists handle the payroll process: assessing, updating, and documenting procedures for payroll processing, ensuring that payroll practices are compliant with laws and standards, and maintaining payroll data integrity.

They are also responsible for documenting, researching, and resolving payroll issues, as well as make assessments and recommendations for procedure changes to mitigate these issues.

In addition, they need to be able to establish a constructive, positive working relationship with coworkers to provide excellent day-to-day support.

4. Benefits Analyst

Aside from the salary, employees receive benefits from their company as well.

Benefits analysts evaluate and administer health, welfare, retirement, and other benefit programs that a company provides its employees.

There are several providers of healthcare and insurance programs for employees, including medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, pension, life insurance, employee assistance, and many other benefits.

Benefit analysts need to assess which providers to go with, considering both employee satisfaction and the financial capability of the company to provide these benefits.

They are also normally in charge of enrollment, renewals, and all the documents involved, including enrollment and renewal forms, written communications to employees, and plan descriptions.

In addition, benefits analysts are normally tasked to be subject matter experts on all the benefit programs; that is, they have to be ready to field questions and inquiries from employees and maintain a positive employee experience.

5. Employee Operations Coordinator

Employee coordinators generally deal with everything that has to do with matters that affect employees’ day-to-day work.

They handle newly hired employees, from employee verification and background checks, employee information auditing, and employee onboarding.

They also process employee benefit claims, such as paid time off, disability leave, parental leave, and any other short-term leave.

A big part of being able to do these well is to maintain and update impeccable records. They’re usually responsible for maintaining and updating an employee directory as well as an organizational chart.

Employee coordinators also process employees who leave the company, whether willingly or unwillingly. They handle outprocessing, exit interviews, computing the amount of their final pay, and update employee records accordingly.

They’ll need to coordinate with payroll specialists and talent acquisition specialists, as well as operations managers.

6. Employee Experience Specialist

Workers may come onboard for the pay and benefits, but their overall experience in the workplace is what makes the difference between employees leaving after six months to staying until they’re sixty.

Each moment of an employee’s experience plays a role in how they feel about a company’s culture and brand, and ultimately affects employees’ sense of purpose, employee performance, employee engagement, and employee retention.

Employee experience specialists work on the human aspect of being an employee: improving workspaces, organizing employee wellness and engagement programs, planning team-building activities and social events, and accept and implement feedback from employees about these programs.

Employee experience becomes even more important as more and more work is done from home. As HR departments can’t control their employees’ workplace, they must come up with even more creative ways to keep work-from-home employees engaged with the work they’re doing, their coworkers, and the company in general.

Improving remote employees’ experience involves improving communications between employees and their leadership, implementing work-life balance, and following remote employees’ mental health closely to make sure they don’t burn out.

Managing remote employees means working with tech tools to implement these solutions and making sure employees have access to the same tech tools.

All of these activities and programs are geared toward increasing employee satisfaction, whether they’re working in or out of the office.

7. Human Resources Administrator

At times, administrative tasks can overwhelm other HR specialists, and companies hire HR administrators to take care of the paperwork, record-keeping, file maintenance, data entry, and other administrative duties.

They’re also normally in charge of taking note of inquiries and directing candidates, employees, or hiring managers to the correct HR specialist.

This involves coordination with other human resources specialists or departments.

8. Learning And Development Coordinator

Most companies understand the value of continual learning for employees and managers to do their functions more efficiently and to adapt to the changing norms of their industry.

Promoting good mental, spiritual, and physical health is also beneficial for everyone: healthy individuals work better and create a better working atmosphere for everyone.

Some companies have a separate department for learning and development, but other companies classify continued learning and development of employees under the human resources department.

Learning and development coordinators research thoroughly about what types of training or classes that certain employees and managers need or want, as well as any team building activities or leadership workshops they might need.

They are also in charge of preparing and updating or sourcing learning materials that are used to educate employees or looking for third-party suppliers that can provide the training as well as the necessary training materials.

HR Development Jobs

They’re also in charge of hiring teachers to administer the training and the lessons to the employees and managers.

They’d also have to document which employees have had particular training programs and lessons.

9. Human Resources Managerial Positions

You can also be hired to handle a team of human resources specialists. For instance, you can be hired to be a recruitment manager, payroll manager, or HR operations manager.

Typically, you’ll be required to have experience in hiring, mentoring, and leading a team of people, especially human resources professionals.

You’d normally have to make strategic, data-driven decisions when it comes to human resources strategies, as these decisions impact the entire organization.

Being a manager also involves having to work with your team to create and administer performance management plans to improve their work quality based on feedback culture.

10. Human Resources Consultant

If supervising a team isn’t your cup of tea, but your certifications and qualifications are higher than entry-level, you may want to lend your knowledge and expertise as a consultant.

Apply your expertise and experience to advise companies regarding different areas of their human resources policies and procedures.

For instance, you can consult with a company regarding their diversity, equity, and inclusion hiring practices.

Or you can also consult with change management; that is, advice and strategies to deal with changes in the company, whether it’s expansion or recession.

Being a compliance consultant is yet another way you can help companies improve their human resources procedures and policies, by making sure these policies and procedures comply with existing laws.

You can either be a full-time employee of a company or consult on a contractual basis.

To be a good consultant, you’ll need to be able to coach both employees and managers objectively and handle difficult, complex, and sometimes emotional issues.

Tips For Applying To Remote Human Resources Jobs

What Do Companies And Businesses Look For?

When looking for people to fill remote human resources jobs, companies generally look for the following:

  • Applicable HR Certifications
  • Relevant Experience
  • Knowledge of HR and/or payroll software
  • Equipment for remote work
  • Strong people skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communication
  • Solid grasp of labor, employment, and/or payroll laws
  • Attention to detail
  • Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software
  • Strong research, analytical, and project management skills

Should You Get An HR Certification?

Short answer: Yes, if you can afford it.

Hiring managers, that is, the people you want to impress, prefer candidates with certifications.

Plus, competition for human resources jobs, especially remote ones, has been increasing and will continue to increase.

A candidate who has an HR certification has a competitive edge over other candidates, and once they get the job, they inspire greater confidence from their managers and colleagues.

Being certified also creates a positive impact on the company, and also gets you an opportunity to negotiate for a higher initial salary and a future rate of increase in your salary.

What Certifications Can You Get?

There are plenty of certifications that you can obtain. The key is to find which certification is related to your desired position, as well as the certification that your target employer will require.

Here are some of the certifications that you can get from various sources online.

  • Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR)
  • Professional in Human Resources (PHR)
  • Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)
  • Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR)
  • Strategic Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)
  • Strategic Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)
  • Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR)
  • Advanced Certified Internet Recruiter (ACIR)
  • Professional Recruiter Certification (PRC)
  • Certified Diversity and Inclusion Recruiter (CDR)
  • Certified Social Media Recruiter (CSMR)
  • Elite Certified Recruitment Expert (ECRE)
  • Talent Management Practitioner (TMP)
  • Senior Talent Management Practitioner (STMP)
  • Global Talent Management Leader (GTML)
  • Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP)
  • Associate Professional in Talent Development Credential (APTD)

How Can You Ace Your Interview?

A remote job interview is the same as any other job interview; the only difference is that you’re doing it at home. So you’ll need to prepare in a different way.

Here are some tips so you can do well in your interview and get that job.

  • Set up your office. If you don’t have a dedicated home office, at least have a quiet area in your house with no distractions or noise.
  • Use a high-quality webcam and microphone. Make sure you’re seen and heard clearly.
  • Do a test call. You want to troubleshoot any problems before you hop on a call with potential employers.
  • Dress appropriately. If you do get the job, you’ll likely be allowed to work in your pajamas if you want to, but for this first meeting, you want to look polished; you want to look like you want the job.
  • Look into the camera. When you’re on the video call, you’ll be tempted to look at the screen the entire time, but you want them to be looking in your eyes while you’re talking.
  • Be prepared. Have a printout of your resume on hand, research the company and the position, and be in position at least 15 minutes early.
  • Be ready to answer questions about working remotely. Because you’re applying for a remote position, expect to be asked about your internet connection, communications equipment, your reason for wanting to work remotely, and your home office setup.
  • Set yourself apart. When you’re in competition with other candidates for a remote job position, you need to set yourself apart by selling yourself as the most accessible and most responsive among them.

What Should You Know About Your Potential Employers?

When you’re a successful employee, you get job fulfillment and financial stability, and your employer is able to run their business smoothly and become profitable for everyone.

Thus, success in this job is a two-way effort: you and your employer need to work together for you to be successful.

In this respect, just as your potential employers need to know what to expect from you, you’ll need to know what to expect from them.

Aside from the usual concerns, such as the potential for growth, availability of continuous learning and development, salary, benefits, time off, and all the other aspects of your employment mandated by law, here are some of the things that you should know about your potential employers.

  • Policies on remote work. Do they expect you to be online the entire time of your shift? Do you always have to work from your home office or can you work out of a coffee shop?
  • Work hours. Will you have a flexible work schedule, or are you required to have a specific start and end time? Are you required to render a certain number of hours of work a week, or is it a deadline- or a task-oriented job?
  • Communication channels. What remote communications tools do they use? If they are not clear on this, it may mean that the company culture does not prioritize remote workers.
  • Center of operations. Is there a central office where most of the employees are located? Or will you be working with people across cities, countries, and timelines?
  • Onboarding process. Is there a plan in place for onboarding you as a remote worker? Would you need to come into a physical office to do this, or will they be able to do this remotely?
  • Performance evaluations. How and often will your performance be reviewed? What would it take for you to be considered a successful remote worker?

Apply to Remote Human Resources Jobs Today!

Hopefully, I’ve given you enough to get started on getting a remote human resources job. If finding, hiring, and retaining employees are what make you tick, don’t hesitate to start applying to jobs now.

Other resources

Are you interested in other online work?

Read our articles on work from home jobs or online jobs from home to get started on online jobs in other fields.

Retail Arbitrage: 30 Products To Buy Cheap and Sell High

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Retail arbitrage may seem like a big word, but the concept of products you can buy cheap and sell high should be easy to understand.

Quite simply, you purchase a product, either online or at a physical store. You can then sell it at a higher price and keep the profit.

The best thing about retail arbitrage is that there are millions of products you can buy and sell at any given time.

Competing with another individual seller or company trading in the exact set of products as you are is highly unlikely unless you intentionally copy their inventory, or they copy yours.

Thus, there’s a huge potential to succeed in a business model where you buy cheap and sell high. Of course, your success depends largely on the products you choose, the stores where you source your products, and the method you follow.

In today’s article, you’re going to learn about how to get started with retail arbitrage, the best stores to buy your products, and the best products to buy cheap and sell high.

How to Get Started in Retail Arbitrage

Retail arbitrage is just as alive as it was when it first became huge on eBay more than a decade ago.

People have been using this technique to build a real, profitable home-based business, thanks to buying wholesale-priced items and then flipping them with retail pricing. It’s totally legit and effective, so what’s stopping you from getting started in retail arbitrage?

It all boils down to the following:

  • What products can I buy for cheap and resell for a higher price?
  • Where do I find these low-priced products?
  • Where do I sell them?

If you are just getting started, be sure to read my guide on how to become an Amazon seller to learn the basics.

The 30 Best Products To Buy Cheap and Sell High

Before we begin, head to Amazon’s Movers & Shakers page.

You’ll find what’s currently trending to help give you an idea of what products to buy and sell on your store.

Here are the best categories and products to start your retail arbitrage journey.

Fashion Minded

1. Jewelry – Whether you go for a wholesale lot of jewelry, or specific branded jewelry, this category is highly diverse. There are many different types (e.g., earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, anklets, belly rings, cufflinks, pins, etc.) made with many different materials (e.g., gold, silver, rhinestones, gemstones, shells, beads, etc.) to cater to many different customers.

2. Sunglasses – eBay store intouchwithstyle sells bulk lots of sunglasses, starting at 10 pairs for only $20. You get to save more as you buy more pairs. Similar to jewelry, the diversity of sunglasses can be astounding, from the different styles to the materials.

3. Shoes and socks – For shoe collectors and enthusiasts, there can be no such thing as having too many shoes. You can sell anything from casual shoes to sports or hiking shoes and still make bank with the products. While you’re at it, you can also sell socks and earn even more from upselling.

4. Sleepwear and underwear – Silk pajamas are the cream of the crop as far as sleepwear, but they’re always super expensive. Go straight to manufacturers like Golden Eagle Home Textile and sell your customers’ sleepwear that are lower in price but are still high-quality.

5. Lingerie and shapewear – Shapewear remains one of the most sought-after products in the past few years and this industry will continue to grow for the foreseeable future. Find a Spanx copycat, or the manufacturers of these best-selling shapewear and sell them for profit.

6. Activewear – If you have to pick just one type of clothing, go with women’s leggings; they’re super popular and easy to sell. Another type of activewear that you can sell is sports bras. Sports bras are no longer just workout attire nowadays.

For the Tech Savvy

7. Smartwatches – Wearable technology has been on the rise in recent years, with plenty of new features and new manufacturers. Smartwatches are now a billion-dollar market, and finding the right supplier is the key to getting the maximum profits from your product sales.

8. Video games – Gamers are some of the most bargain-hunting, window-shopping buyers out there. They spend a lot on video games but are smart about shopping for them. If you’re interested in selling video games, be smart with the niche you want to enter because although video games offer huge profit margins, there’s plenty of competition in this field.

9. Phone accessories – The demand for phone accessories will never wane as long as new phone models get launched every year. As a reseller, you’d go crazy with low-priced items at wholesalers like Reiko Wireless Inc.

10. USB charging dock – When you have various gadgets at home that you need to charge, having a charging dock that can charge multiple devices at the same time is a game-changer. Sink your teeth into a billion-dollar market.

11. Security cameras – DIY home security, including security cameras, nanny cams, smart doorbells with cameras, surveillance equipment, motion detectors, and alarms, is a steadily growing field.

12. Drones – Drones are far from being toys for bored teens; they have found applications in various industries, from film to law enforcement, and even agriculture. In addition to the drones themselves, you can also buy and sell drone accessories, such as spare batteries, landing pads, bags, spare parts, and other accessories.

Don’t Ignore Your Family

13. Kids’ toys – In between Christmas and birthdays, toys for kids are always in demand. As an e-commerce store, you can either sell by age, by interest, or by product price (for example, you can market your online store as a $10-dollar toy store). Check out Aquarius Entertainment Merchandising, Inc. for inspiration.

14. Kids’ formal wear – The best thing about selling babies’ and kids’ clothes is that they can be bought in bulk for pretty cheap. Formal wear for kids often have higher quality, so you can easily sell these items at a higher price point without customers feeling ripped off.

15. Pet clothes and toys – Selling pet clothes and toys are specialty niches that you should explore. People with fur babies buy almost as much merchandise as parents of actual babies.

16. Pet Care Supplies – If you decide to sell pet clothes, toys, and accessories, why not go further and add care supplies as well? Grooming tools, clippers, blades, shampoo, and a whole lot more. You can get plenty of discounts from wholesale suppliers like Pet Edge or Inspirer Pet.

Around the House

17. Beauty products – Exploring this niche can be overwhelming – there are tons of pampering product categories from hair care to skincare, vitamins and health supplements, and a whole lot more. Go all out with a beauty product general store or find a sub-niche where you can sell specialty products, such as organic hair care products.

18. Men’s grooming and skincare products – In recent years, skincare and men’s grooming have grown in popularity. Skincare is traditionally a female-dominated category, but beauty brands have now tapped into the male market and started creating products especially formulated and marketed to men.

Products like body washes, shaving kits, beard-trimming kits, cologne, and other grooming products for men are also gaining in popularity, not just during peak gift-giving holidays like Father’s Day and Christmas, but all year round.

19. Candles and essential oils – While candles are the go-to gift for Christmas office parties and Secret Santas, essential oils are the holy grail of gift-giving. Check out the latest at Gem Candles or in-demand aromatherapy oils.

Stay Fit and Healthy

20. Fitness trackers – These smart devices you wear measure such biological data as the number of steps, heart rate, distance traveled, and elevation gained. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or a professional athlete, you’ll want one of these.

21. Indoor fitness equipment – Yoga mats, resistance bands, jump rope, kettlebells, etc. are great tools for those only starting on their fitness journey or those who can’t afford gym memberships.

22. Shaker bottles and personal blenders –  The same fitness enthusiasts are usually the same ones who make healthy smoothies and shakes to couple their physical activity with just the right nutrition. If you plan to sell fitness equipment in your e-commerce store, these are great products to upsell.

23. Health care equipment – As people are driven indoors, health monitors are becoming more in demand in recent years. Health care equipment such as blood pressure monitors, portable nebulizers, blood sugar monitors, and the like can be sold at a higher margin.

Stay Trendy

24. Halloween – This niche may be a once-a-year industry, but it is always a profitable product category. Buy in bulk early, so you can sell Halloween items at a higher price when Halloween is near.

Apply this strategy to every occasion or season people spend money, so you’ll be buying and selling items throughout the year.

25. Specialty watches – Whether you’re checking out bamboo wooden watches or super-minimalist timepieces, the income potential of trending products like these is amazing. You can buy these watches at dirt-cheap prices and flip them for huge profits.

26. Keto products – The ketogenic diet has gone from a fad diet into a lifestyle, so don’t expect keto-themed items to fade out anytime soon. You can build a keto-focused store, or any health-conscious e-commerce business, then offer products like MCT oil or alternative ingredients (e.g. sugar substitutes, high-protein low-carb flour, shirataki noodles, etc.).

Sports & Outdoors

27. Indoor fitness equipment – Yoga mats, exercise balls, medicine balls, resistance bands, jump rope, dumbbells, kettlebells, training cones, agility ladders

28. Gym gear – Gym bags, shaker bottles, personal blenders, fanny packs, towels

Arts, Crafts & Sewing

29. Knitting & Crochet Supplies – Crochet thread, crochet hooks, knitting needles, yarn, patterns, storage

30. Fabric – Tulle, felt, cotton muslin, chiffon, synthetic fur, canvas, mesh, cheesecloth

Best Stores for Retail Arbitrage

To make a profit from retail arbitrage, you need to be able to find great deals on products so you can sell at a higher price point while still being able to compete with other stores.

Here is a list of stores where you can buy products for cheap and then sell them for a higher price:

Thrift stores. Goodwill or your local thrift shops can be good sources of low-priced clothing, as well as home décor and storage. You may even be able to find designer handbags, vintage toys, or antique glassware if you’re lucky.

Big-box general merchandise stores. Big box retailers like Target and Walmart usually offer discounted products all year round; it’s a matter of finding which products are on sale on a particular day or season. They also have large clearance shelves with products that have been heavily marked down.

Warehouse club stores. Sam’s Club and Costco have membership fees, but if you shop there anyway, their merchandise can be a great source of cheap products to sell.

Just last week at Costco, I saw LEGO sets on clearance for $49 that were selling for $108 on Amazon. Nothing better than finding quick wins like these.

Off-price chains If you have a local TJ Maxx, Ross, or Marshall’s, just know you’re going to be welcomed by shelves and racks full of branded items at bargain prices.

These are merchandise bought from suppliers at basement prices, which are either surplus, from canceled orders, or styles that are being phased out or released in a different color or modifications.

Specialty stores. While the range of products in stores like Best Buy, Lowe’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, Staples, Walgreens, and the like will be a bit narrow, their discounted and clearance items are likely to be fantastic.

Plus, keep your eyes peeled for items that you won’t expect to find in that particular store; they’re likely to be marked down. For example, check out electronics at Walgreens, DVDs at Lowe’s, or home décor items at Best Buy.

Dollar stores. Your local dollar store may have hidden gems priced at $1 (plus tax) that are priced higher elsewhere.

Liquidation stores. Liquidation stores purchase truckloads and pallets of returned items, shelf pulls, goods with damaged boxes or packaging, closeouts, and overstocked items, and then turn around and sell them at discount prices.

They’re good sources of “like new” products.

Check out Quicklotz, Direct Liquidation, and Department Store Liquidations to get started.

Mom-and-pop stores. These little gems in the community still hold value, even if they’re trapped in between multi-million dollar wholesale stores.

You’d be surprised at the high-profit, low-competition items you can find at mom-and-pop stores since the lack of inventory often means you can up the price because no one else is selling them.

Local and international wholesalers. If you don’t live close to any wholesale chain stores, your next best bet would be to find wholesalers online and go the dropshipping route.

To save time, check out the subscription-based wholesaler directory SaleHoo (for $67 annually or $127 for a lifetime subscription) and get access to over 8,000 manufacturers, wholesalers, and dropshippers that have been verified and categorized by product or whether they offer dropshipping or not.

A similar service is Worldwide Brands, which has been certifying wholesalers since 1999 and whose database can be accessed for a one-time, lifetime fee of $299.

The Retail Arbitrage Bottom Line

From sourcing products to comparing prices, and then selling items for profit, retail arbitrage requires a lot of hard work. If you get started in retail arbitrage fully understanding what’s involved, you won’t be scammed out of your hard-earned money.

Now with the right mindset, the right product sources, the right products to sell, and the right marketplace to sell your products, your chances of succeeding in retail arbitrage improve as you put more hard work into your business.

16 Work from Home Chat Jobs Currently Hiring

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If you’re looking for a remote customer service job that you can do from home but you don’t have the luxury of a noiseless workspace, then work from home chat jobs may just be the perfect fit for you.

Kids, pets, and other sources of background noise may make it completely impossible for you to talk to someone over the phone from your home. In addition, if you have social anxiety, you may find it extremely difficult to speak on the phone with anyone.

But this doesn’t mean you can’t work remotely!

Many companies hire people who can communicate with their clients and customers via email or online chat, enabling you to make money from helping others while not having to speak on the phone.

You can even take your work to coffee shops, restaurants, playgrounds, your local library, or any other place where you can access the internet without having to worry about the background noise.

Today, you’ll learn about work from home chat jobs: what they entail, the requirements, and companies who are currently offering this opportunity.

What Does A Work-From-Home Chat Job Involve?

To put it simply, work-from-home chat agents communicate with a company’s customers through text messaging, instant messaging, or email.

They’re normally asked to provide customer service by answering questions, resolving issues, and handling complaints.

What Are The Requirements To Be a Remote Chat Agent?

The minimum technical requirements are a computer that can run the software of choice of the company you plan to work for and a stable internet connection (i.e., DSL, cable, or fiber only; no satellite or wireless internet).

Aside from technical requirements, you also need to have soft skills such as fast typing skills (companies usually require a 30 to 40 wpm minimum) excellent written communication, attentiveness, empathy, independence, and extensive knowledge of the company’s offerings, products, and services.

A high school diploma or GED will normally suffice unless you’re offering support that requires you to have specific knowledge in a field. For instance, if you’re providing chat support for a medical product or drug, you’re often required to have at least a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field.

16 Companies Offering Work From Home Chat Jobs

Check out the list of companies below that offer online chat jobs. Some of the sites might say they’re currently not hiring. Don’t fret, though; bookmark these pages and check back from time to time and see if jobs have opened up.

1. FlexJobs

In contrast to the other companies on this list, FlexJobs is actually a job board where companies list various jobs.

The great thing about FlexJobs is that the companies that they allow to list here are carefully vetted. No job scammers are allowed here!

That saves you time and energy researching and vetting these companies yourself.

Plus, if you sign up as a member, you’ll have career coaches available to help you review your résumé and host mock interviews to get you on the road to your desired career.

Browse all the work at home chat job openings available now.

2. Apple

Apple Work from Home Chat Jobs

Apple occasionally hires work-at-home chat agents for its customer service and technical support divisions.

These 20 hour/week virtual positions get snapped up fast, so it pays to check the company’s job board often.

If you do land a chat support position with Apple, the company will send you your own computer for free!

Apple chat agents should be familiar with the company’s products and have some prior experience in customer service or live chat support. According to GlassDoor, Apple chat agents earn as much as $20.50/hour.

3. Arise

The Arise Platform connects individual customer service agents and customer service companies to provide customer support for businesses and brands.

As an individual, you’ll need to register as a customer service agent and find opportunities with a virtual call center already working with the Arise Platform.

The usual form of customer service they provide is telephone customer service, but they also provide live chat and email support.

The good thing about registering for the Arise Platform is that it provides an opportunity for you to eventually open your own call center business and handle your own team of work-from-home chat agents if you want to.

4. Best Buy

Best Buy Jobs

Best Buy continually hires remote tech support chat agents who can troubleshoot Apple and Microsoft products, as well as some mobile apps, as part of its Geek Squad workforce.

Geek Squad agents must have at least one year of technical troubleshooting experience and reside in the USA (except for California, Alaska, Washington, and Puerto Rico).

5. Wayfair

Wayfair’s entire customer support team is remote and these are permanent positions.

They have openings all over the world and you can earn more if you are bilingual, but that’s not required.

6. Support.com

Support.com Jobs

This company maintains a global network of work-at-home chat and call agents to provide customer and technical support for its clients, which are typically small- to medium-sized businesses.

Thus, you’ll need to have some tech support experience to successfully snag a position with Support.com.

Once hired, you’ll be able to schedule and work shifts that pay $11 per hour. There is also a mandatory training period, complete with a background check.

7. OutPLEX

Talk2Rep Jobs

This company is currently hiring Work at Home Customer Service Representatives.

You must possess a fairly good command of the English language, have a typing speed of 30 to 50 WPM, and have sales experience.

The pay for work at home chat agents ranges from $9-$14/hour; agents also earn commissions.

8. TeleTech

This company hires customer service and technical support representatives to work with various clients.

With TeleTech, you are hired on as an employee, and the company does require that you pass a series of MatchPoint tests before you are hired. You must also pass a drug test.

Work shifts with this company range from 4 to 6 hours; most TeleTech clients require that you work a minimum of 20 hours a week. The pay ranges from $9 to $11 per hour.

9. The Chat Shop

The Chat Shot Jobs

Companies that need chat agents for their own websites work with The Chat Shop to hire such agents.

Available positions vary from sales to customer service to technical support, and all positions come with paid training.

To qualify as a chat agent you’ll need to demonstrate a typing speed of 80 WPM, be meticulous and organized, and be able to work 35 to 40 hours per week.

Chat agents work remotely, and the pay scale starts at $10 per hour.

10. Uber

Uber

This company hires so-called “Community Support Representatives” who work remotely to provide email support to Uber drivers and users.

The duties of CSRs include answering inquiries about a service, reporting a problem/complaint, and escalating an issue when deemed necessary.

Uber CSRs are expected to work 40 hours per week, with some of those hours spent on weekends. According to GlassDoor, CSRs earn $13 to $15 per hour.

11. Sedgwick

Sedgwick helps people handle their insurance claims.

They have quite a few work-from-home chat job opportunities available. Enter “work at home” in the search bar of their careers section to find the available positions.

Bilingual speakers are offered higher compensation rates.

12. Sitel

Sitel is a business process outsourcing (BPO) company that currently has multiple work-from-home chat job openings for various clients.

If your application is successful, you’ll be employed full time (up to 40 hours per week) and will be eligible for benefits, such as paid overtime, medical, dental, and vision benefits, and a 401k.

13. Everise

Everise is another global BPO currently hiring sales support agents to answer product and sales inquiries through chat channels.

At least six months of sales experience is required for this position. Bilingual Spanish/English agents are welcome to apply and have a higher pay scale.

14. ERC

ERC is yet another international BPO serving various industries, such as financial institutions, healthcare, media, and many more.

They are looking for both part-time and full-time work-at-home customer service agents to handle chat inquiries. Starting pay is $9.50 to $10.50 per hour.

15. Anthology

Anthology is an educational platform enabling learners and educators to interact in a virtual classroom.

They continually hire customer support and technical support live chat agents to assist users who have inquiries and technical issues with software.

16. Omni Interactions

Omni Interactions employs a wide network of gig workers (who they call Gig Brand Ambassadors or GBAs) to provide customer support to their clients via phone, email, live chat, text, and social media.

Currently, they only have openings for phone and email support agents, but add this page to your bookmarks and check back for new openings for chat agents.

How much do work-at-home chat jobs pay?

The majority of remote chat jobs salary falls within the $13 to $18 per hour range. Some pay less, while others pay more. Some companies will pay more and offer benefits, but those are rare and extremely competitive. Some positions are more sales based and will include commissions on top of an hourly rate as well.

Pay is always equivalent to the amount of work and effort needed. Work at home chat jobs are fairly easy and do not require much experience.

You should mainly be using these types of jobs for extra income with part-time work, or as an opportunity to get your foot in the door at a larger company.

The Bottom Line

Chat jobs hold a distinct advantage over more traditional customer support jobs: you get to do all of the work and never have to talk on the phone.

If you’re looking to land a work-from-home chat job, start with one of the above companies.

Being a chat agent is probably the most flexible and has the least barrier to entry of customer service jobs. However, this is also one of the lowest-paying jobs.

Check out other customer service jobs you can do from home to potentially find higher-paying remote jobs.

Be sure to check out our full list of work at home jobs as well, which has 90+ ideas listed with hundreds of companies looking for new employees.

Does being an online chat agent seem appealing to you? Which one of these companies are you going to apply to first? Share it with us in the comments!